SOTU - The Follow-up

President Obama has raised the bar.  Following up his address on Wednesday, his meeting with the Republican house members on Thursday effectively fired a shot across the GOP bow. The debate has been renewed and a fresh round of analysis amongst the pundocracy has ensued.  The Wingnuts loyal opposition on Face The Nation this morning are proclaiming their usual talking points giving the example that a jobs bill "must" be passed by borrowing money, while the Leftists majority party have proposed to use some of the TARP funds to pay for it, which of course was also "borrowed" money.  No difference in the positions, but still a continuing partisan battle.  

We've seen the President and his party leadership dramatically swing to the Right Center. They've co-opted the traditional center positions of the Republican Party and are STILL getting villified.  The Republicans are seeing some political successes and won't try and work with the President. As the talking head from Politico just said, Republicans see their stonewall opposition as a winning strategy to "get back to power."

There you go.  The President is working on policy, governing and doing an uncertain job of connecting with his constituents.  The Republicans have effectively backed themselves into the corner by dedicating themselves to the total destruction of the Obama presidency.  I'm stating the obvious.  The GOP smells blood.  They continue to truly feel that their path to power is complete opposition (they call it "standing on principle") and total polical war.  They may "win" but the country loses because of the unresolved and truly gigantic governance that needs to occur but can't in this atmosphere.

The Dems on the other hand, have been handed the power.  They've got it but can't figure out how to use it.  So far as they continue to pass some low level stuff and manage to win almost every debate on policy, they still LOSE every debate narrative.  The facts, the logic, and the policy are on their side, but they are unable to explain it to the citizenry. The Republicans paint in broad strokes and find a clear narrative that reflects their position.  Unlike the Democrats, they have embraced the populist base of their party and have no qualms about being very obtuse and general with their rhetoric.  They've simply found that they don't NEED to explain themselves in detail.  The've got their story and they're sticking to it, no matter how many times it's refuted by pesky facts or by a President who's trying to work with them.

(I'm watching Rep. Boehner recite the same narrative we've heard thousands of time, the  very same narrative that the President effectively debunked point by point on Thursday.  When invited to list some things that he could say yes too, Mr. Boehner strode off into storyland with a tome on leadership, "government run health care" and "standing on principle."  Sigh..... 

Holy Crap...!! Did Boehner just say that there is "waste and fraud" in the Pentagon Budget?? That NO GOVERNMENT AGENCY should be exempted from spending cuts?  Ice skating in Hell....??  whoa....)

Meanwhile, the country waits.  I'm hoping that folks will hold both parties to account and reinforce the idea over and over that political power does not trump competent governance, that fiscal responsibility includes the entitlements AND the defense industry and that by focusing solely on the attainment of political power, the political parties are turning away from governance.

I'm hoping that folks will begin to realize that this thirst for political power by both parties means that we don't have elections, we have auctions, that our representatives don't represent us, they represent those who pay for their election, and that We the People hold the power to call them out and refuse to be bought or bribed. 

I'm hoping.....

First Take on the SOTU

I'm on the road today and am forced to catch the news in a hotel.  The MSM, (CBS, ABC, FOX) had some pretty good stories about the SOTU.  They managed to repeat what he said, gave some cursory analysis and then...... ignored the President's advice and switched to the really Big Story of the day.  John and Elizabeth Edwards are splitting up!

How is this a big story?  What has it to do with anything that was mentioned by the President last night?  How is it more important than ANY of the urgent issues he spoke about?  The courtiers run the agenda, the scuttlebut, the "inside" story.  They still ignore most of the pressing issues or any chance to educate the public or examine exactly what the President was proposing.  They'll get back to us, I guess.....

Meanwhile check Joan Walsh, or Arianna Huffington or even Garrison Keillor for some insight.  More later... gotta go.

Does it Matter?

Ronald Reagan was less popular at this point in his presidency than Barack Obama is now. With his super majority now a glimmer of history, will Mr. Obama's agenda slow down? Does it really matter that the Republicans now have "Mr. 41?" 

The 60 senate votes were, in reality, an albatross of high expectations hung around the collective Democratic Party neck.  It made the whole party kowtow to Blue Dogs in the Senate (who shall here remain nameless, as well they should in the news cycle and all other arena's that they aspire so greatly to present themselves). The necessity of gaining 60 Votes put a big sock in the mouths of the progressive caucus, the black caucus and any and all Liberal and moderate voices in the Senate.

I contend here that, freed from the noose of the super majority, the Democrats in Congress will now get to show their mettle by passing legislation, approving appointees, regulating and overseeing the governmental institutions via simple majority. Damn! What a simple idea. I'm one who feels that if the you have the power, then use it!

Shivering in fear, throwing up your hands and telling us that with 41 votes, Republicans can and will stop any and all legislation presented in the Senate JUST DOESN'T CUT IT WITH ME ANY MORE.  As has often been conjectured, if the opposition party chooses to force legislation to die with out even being voted on, regardless of importance, regardless of the urgent needs of the citizens, regardless of National Security, regardless of human and civil rights, then document it well. 

When obstructors stop legislation, go to the steps of the Capital and hold a press conference and TELL THE WORLD that Senator DeMint doesn't give a crap about National Security, that Senator McConnell doesn't give a crap about jobs, the middle class, health care and so many other urgent necessities that are immensely popular to the large majority of American citizens.

Make it painful for the minority.  Force them to take stands against the best interests of the common citizen.  Expose their blatant attempts to present themselves as populists.  Expose any and all Zombie lies.  Don't let them lie and distort the issues with impunity.  Call them out!

Democrats, you have the power. Use it.  Stand up for the people.  Tell the world that the Republican attempts to buy off the government and hand it over to their corporate masters is simple bribery.  Payola.  Nothing more. 

Mr. Mims and a Mistaken Ideal

Today's editorial entitled "Well Done, Mr. Mims," is mistaken on several fronts.  The conservative code is unmistakable and the refusal to accept responsibility for the hardship to the American public the proposed policies would cause is unfortunate but typical of the hard line conservative movement.

"In reply to an inquiry from Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling, Mims wrote that the federal government has no authority to force an American to purchase health insurance, a key provision in the Democratic plan.


While Congress may have the power to regulate economic activity under the Commerce Clause of the Constitution, and “health care is an economic activity,” Mims wrote, “the failure to purchase health insurance is not an economic activity.”'

Health Care is indeed a human right, if not constitutionally, then morally.  In the richest and most viable nation on earth, the fact that so many die because they can't afford to be "economically viable" is morally corrupt.  The fact that there are so many Americans who have much, coupled with the idea that so many more have so little is a perfect example not of the "coming ruination" of American health care, but of the current ruination of the lives of so many of our citizens.

"Whatever happens, Mr. Mims deserves kudos for his public service, and a pat on the back for standing against the permanent socialization, and coming ruination, of American health care."

Yes, kudos to Mr. Mims for public service even though he is wrong about the health care issue.  He also too little, too late in standing against the "permanent socialization" of America which happily has already occurred.  Socialization has solved problems that affect all of society, has given us adequate law enforcement, public education, adequate though flawed transportation and infrastructure, provides for the national defense, protects and preserves our natural resources and has kept our nation from falling into another Great Depression.

Our editor, and perhaps Mr. Mims, does indeed yearn for a autocratic, plutocratic society where only the "economically viable" are allowed the rights and privileges of "life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness."  He yearns to return to a time of "personal responsibility, lower taxes, and smaller government" yet he refuses to acknowledge that it is that personal responsibility, a progressive tax structure, and a government large enough to keep him safe, economically viable, well educated, and well defended from our enemies makes our nation the most privileged and powerful on earth.

Shame on him and his supporters who so willingly consign the rest to a purgatory of poverty, sickness, hunger and death; who refuse to recognize the cost of these ideals to our citizens.

Count the Cost... 122 more Americans died today because they couldn't get adequate health care.

I Don't Understand....

....why Neocons like Liz Cheney continue to prove that, to her, hypocrisy just doesn't matter.  I don't understand her eerie, zombie-like message that looks like a "24" episode (so they tell me, having never seen an episode myself) villifying President Obama, not for actually dealing with the recent CrotchFire Bomber attack efficiently and effectively, but for not blustering and trash talking about it to the media for a whole 72 hours...no wait that was Karl Rove...er....  100 hours. (note the enhanced version of this particular zombie hypocrisy, the better to scare you with my dear!) The hypocrisy, of course, is that her hero, President Bush took 6 days to mention the Shoe Bomber.

I don't understand why Liz Cheney would think that tough talk to the press is more effective in dealing with terroist threats than actually sending out our National Security professionals to deal with the problem.  I don't understand why our loyal opposition is so concerned with smashing President Obama in the face of this latest threat to our national security.  It's his fault?  Puhleez!  Are the loyal opposition actively hoping for a more substantial attack on our citizens in order to accomplish their stated political goal of regaining power?  It sure looks like it from here.

I don't understand why Michael Steele thinks hypocrisy doesn't matter.  His "honest injun" remarks, his "What up?" web site, His "this brotha' is still here" remark, are all ok.  Harry Reid's remark about "Negro dialect," "biracial" and "light skin" are racist and cause for him to resign? 

I don't understand why Republicans cry "double standard"  comparing Trent Lott supporting the presidential candidacy of a strident racist, Strom Thurmond,  and saying that Harry Reid's "inelegant" support of President Obama is the same thing.  Joan Walsh of Salon.com sums it up nicely here.

Besides: We have much bigger problems, as a party and as a nation, than the reasons a powerful 70-year-old white politician endorsed Barack Obama for president. Let's get serious here.

I don't understand why the Republicans insist on playing by separate rules in the political arena.  One would think that they live in an alternate political universe, one that they alone inhabit.  Wing Nut World is a well worn cliche by now, but seeing this kind of commentary in the news on a Monday morning drives it home.  I get it.  Republicans think they can win if they "stay on message."  Never mind the "Zombie Lies" and the blatant intentional hypocrisy.  They just think they can win. Period.  We'll see......

Just one more thought....

Rep. Gresham Barrett (R-SC) is using his "common sense" again by reintroducing the STEP legislation. 

In light of these unfortunate facts, I intend to introduce legislation that will enhance our national security through (really stupid) common sense changes to our current immigration laws. The STEP Act of 2010 bars the admission of aliens from countries designated as State Sponsors of Terrorism [...]

He's gonna keep us safe, especially in light the recent attacks in Detroit and at Fort Hood by "amending the Immigration and Nationality Act to ban immigrants from Cuba, Iran, Sudan, Yemen and Syria from ever stepping foot in the U.S."  Whew.... I feel safer already... That good ole common sense.  Oops.. What's going to happen to the million Iranians already here?  Do I hear shouts of "Deport Andre Agassi!" or "Pierre Omidyar is a terroist." (but I LIKE ebay!)  That good ole common sense, may we be kept safe from it always....  

Silliness.....UPDATED BELOW

Just a passing thought as I'm reminded of tonight's exhibition game that some folks are trying to pass off as a National Championship Game in Division I College Football...

Gee, let's play the conference championship game, then let's skip right to the end of the tournament and play the championship game.  We'll just vote among the top 16 - 20 teams and look up some stats and feed them into a really large computer.  That should just about eliminate all the pretenders, who would just be losers anyway and presto!  We let the two "best" teams in the land play a game for the championship!  Yay!

But first, let's let all the "pretenders" plus anybody with a winning record get a nice reward and play an exhibition game that will give each school a nice payday!  Think of how much good we'll do to all the colleges that play the games and no messy upsets to deal with!  And so many winners!    Wow!  Just like "T" ball!  Everyone's a winner!  Yay!

Then let's let the two elected teams sit a wait for a month while all of these exhibition games take place!  Let them get out of shape, and bored.... then, and only then, let them go on national TV and play a meaningless exhibition game, but..... let's call it a National Championship Game!  I mean.... It'll really be a Championship Game, right? We just named it didn't we? Yay!

This is so cool!  I can't wait for the NFL, the NBA, MLB, and the NHL to adopt the same fun system!  We'll just vote for the winner!  Like politics!  Yay!

UPDATE

I just read an interview of the dude who shall remain nameless that is the chairman of the BCS committee.  His rationale is as follows:

"What would happen to all the bowls?" - and the money that is raked in by the bowl committees, the sponsors, and the schools who are invited to play....

"Who would you pick to be in the tournament?  If you are going to pick 16, won't you still be excluding some worthy teams?"  Yup so I guess why bother? If you're gonna leave out teams when you pick 16, it won't matter if you leave teams out when you pick 2?  Duh!

"The teams involved would be playing 4 extra games."  What? They're gonna get tired of playing football? Do the DIII, DII, and D1A schools get tired of playing extra playoff football games or is it just the poor fragile DI superstars that can't make it through 4 more games.... ???

That's it folks....  Dumbest thing I've ever heard from the horse's mouth....  grrrrrrr

A Message from President Obama

Special Guest Blogger today:  President Obama.  This is the transcript of his first message of the New Year to the nation. 

It has now been more than a week since the attempted act of terrorism aboard that flight to Detroit on Christmas Day. On Thursday, I received the preliminary findings of the reviews that I ordered into our terrorist watchlist system and air travel screening. I've directed my counterterrorism and homeland security advisor at the White House, John Brennan, to lead these reviews going forward and to present the final results and recommendations to me in the days to come.

As I said this week, I will do everything in my power to make sure our hard-working men and women in our intelligence, law enforcement and homeland security communities have the tools and resources they need to keep America safe. This includes making sure these communities-and the people in them-are coordinating effectively and are held accountable at every level. And as President, that is what I will do.

Meanwhile, the investigation into the Christmas Day incident continues, and we're learning more about the suspect. We know that he traveled to Yemen, a country grappling with crushing poverty and deadly insurgencies. It appears that he joined an affiliate of al Qaeda, and that this group-al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula-trained him, equipped him with those explosives and directed him to attack that plane headed for America.

This is not the first time this group has targeted us. In recent years, they have bombed Yemeni government facilities and Western hotels, restaurants and embassies-including our embassy in 2008, killing one American. So, as President, I've made it a priority to strengthen our partnership with the Yemeni government-training and equipping their security forces, sharing intelligence and working with them to strike al Qaeda terrorists.

And even before Christmas Day, we had seen the results. Training camps have been struck; leaders eliminated; plots disrupted. And all those involved in the attempted act of terrorism on Christmas must know-you too will be held to account.

But these efforts are only part of a wider cause. It's been nearly a year since I stood on the steps of the U.S. Capitol and took the oath of office as your President. And with that oath came the solemn responsibility that I carry with me every moment of every day-the responsibility to protect the safety and security of the American people.

On that day I also made it very clear-our nation is at war against a far-reaching network of violence and hatred, and that we will do whatever it takes to defeat them and defend our country, even as we uphold the values that have always distinguished America among nations.

And make no mistake, that's exactly what we've been doing. It's why I refocused the fight-bringing to a responsible end the war in Iraq, which had nothing to do with the 9/11 attacks, and dramatically increasing our resources in the region where al Qaeda is actually based, in Afghanistan and Pakistan. It's why I've set a clear and achievable mission-to disrupt, dismantle and defeat al Qaeda and its extremist allies and prevent their return to either country.

And it's why we've forged new partnerships, as in Yemen, and put unrelenting pressure on these extremists wherever they plot and train-from East Africa to Southeast Asia, from Europe to the Persian Gulf. And though often out of sight, our progress has been unmistakable. Along with our partners, we've disrupted terrorist financing, cut off recruiting chains, inflicted major losses on al Qaeda's leadership, thwarted plots here in the United States, and saved countless American lives.

Yet as the Christmas Day attempt illustrates, and as we were reminded this week by the sacrifices of more brave Americans in Afghanistan-including those seven dedicated men and women of the CIA-the hard work of protecting our nation is never done. So as our reviews continue, let us ask the questions that need to be asked. Let us make the changes that need to be made. Let us debate the best way to protect the country we all love. That is the right and responsibility of every American and every elected official.

But as we go forward, let us remember this-our adversaries are those who would attack our country, not our fellow Americans, not each other. Let's never forget what has always carried us through times of trial, including those attacks eight Septembers ago.

Instead of giving in to fear and cynicism, let's renew that timeless American spirit of resolve and confidence and optimism. Instead of succumbing to partisanship and division, let's summon the unity that this moment demands. Let's work together, with a seriousness of purpose, to do what must be done to keep our country safe.

As we begin this New Year, I cannot imagine a more fitting resolution to guide us-as a people and as a nation.

"It Doesn't Matter"

"It doesn't matter." -- Vice President Dick Cheney on Nov. 5, 2006, referring to polls repeatedly showing the majority of Americans oppose the Iraq war -- a sign the ruling class truly does not care about the demands of the public.

David Sirota shares with us this morning his top ten quotes from the past decade. The above quote from Dick Cheney was Number One.  His point:

These epigrams expose a nation that has internalized and accepted the forces of avarice, corruption, dishonesty, incompetence and insensitivity. Some of them are darkly funny, some of them are gut-wrenchingly sad -- but all of them are warnings. Whether we listen to them or not will be the difference between repeating the last decade's folly or learning from it.

Here's to resolutions for the new decade that finally choose the latter.

I will agree with Mr. Sirota on this.  What we do on blogs, with letters to the editor, with our vote, and with our community organizations does indeed matter.  Our efforts seem frustratingly small and ineffective, but the opposite is much closer to the truth.  In fact the only thing that can "move the stone" of public opinion, of pundocratic conventional wisdom, of corporatism, and of militarism is participation in the process.

We, as a people, have embraced corporatism as a way of governance and militarism as a definition of character.  The political elite has conditioned us to accept, as Sirota says, "the forces of avarice, corruption, dishonesty, incompetence and insensitivity" yet I believe that the tide has turned. The machine of state, that was eerily close to plunging off the cliff, has come to a screeching halt and is now, ever so slowly, turning around and inching it's way back towards the high ground.

No Mr. Cheney, it DOES matter.  We the people still hold the power, it's just up to us to use it.