Saturday, June 27, 2009
Another tribute to Michael Jackson.
A few days ago a noted Republican ridiculed the idea advanced by Ronald Reagan that we are citizens of the world. Michael Jackson, Kenny Rogers, Willie Nelson, Lionel Richie, Cindy Laupert and I agree, we are the world.
Farewell to Captain EO!
Farewell to Captain Eo!
Michael Jackson, or Jacko, or Captain Eo! will be missed.
I was there at Epcot Center, at the Walt Disney complex near Orlando, Florida c. 1983 with my Wife and our sons Brian and Mark.
We saw a special exhibition at Epcot Center that day: Captain Eo! Captain Eo! was a 3-D movie starring Michael Jackson, and as I remember it was a science fiction video, similar to the Thriller videos, but Michael Jackson was Captain Eo! dressed in full military dress uniform even with the gold brushes draped over his shoulders--like Andrew Jackson and Zachary Taylor used to wear. It was a thrilling episode, but the waiting line was longer than the 3-D movie.
When we were in the revolving restaurant attached to the agricultural and hydroponics exhibit, my Wife pointed at a group of people in a booth in the revolving restaurant and said, “Isn’t that Michael Jackson?” We sent our two sons Brian and Mark, ages 10 and 8, over to the booth to talk with Michael Jackson and get his autograph. A few minutes later, the delighted boys came back to us with Michael Jackson’s autograph. That was a day I’ll never forget.
We were saddened to learn this week of the sudden death of Michael Jackson at age.50. He was a man that had such a busy schedule, but always had time to take time out to talk with his admirers and fans. Farewell Captain Eo! Farewell Jacko! Farewell Michael Jackson.
Thursday, June 25, 2009
An open letter from your blogger to President Obama!
The following is an open letter, a copy of the letter your blogger mailed to President Barak Obama today:
"President Barak Obama
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20500
Dear President Obama,
U.S. military personnel continue to die in Iraq. Between 600,000 and 1,000,000 Iraqis have died since the U.S. invasion. More than $1 trillion has been spent to fund this war.
Please end the war now by using the power given to you as U.S. President and Commander-in-Chief to stop all air and ground military action in Iraq, close all military bases there, and bring the troops home. It is time to end the destruction, and rebuild war-torn Iraq.
I am a supporter of the American Friends Service Committee, and urge you to hold to your campaign promises and your actions now as the elected leader of our nation. We must never launch a pre-emptive war again. The United States and our world need peace.
Sincerely,
(Sign here) /s/ Kenneth S. Stepp
Kenneth Stepp
P. O. Box 1271
Manchester, KY 40962-4271" .
Friday, June 19, 2009
War funding bill splits along party lines in Kentucky..
"KENTUCKY
Democrats — Chandler, Y; Yarmuth, Y.
Republicans — Davis, N; Guthrie, N; Rogers, N; Whitfield, N."
In Kentucky, the vote split along party lines, the two Democrats voted to fund a few more months of the War, but the four Republicans voted to stop funding the war in Iraq. The "ayes" had it, so the war keeps going another few months.
Democrats — Chandler, Y; Yarmuth, Y.
Republicans — Davis, N; Guthrie, N; Rogers, N; Whitfield, N."
In Kentucky, the vote split along party lines, the two Democrats voted to fund a few more months of the War, but the four Republicans voted to stop funding the war in Iraq. The "ayes" had it, so the war keeps going another few months.
Thursday, June 18, 2009
Happy Father's Day!
You have a Happy Father's Day this weekend. If your father is still alive, make that call and wish him a Happy Father's Day this Sunday, Father's Day. If he's not, then be Thankful for all the times you had with him. Pictured is my Daddy, Jim Stepp, Sr., together with my Mom Vivian Pittman Stepp in 1969. Mom is 90 years old, but Dad passed away in 1994 after they raised four boys and he was a Professor for about thirty years at Clemson. I hope you have a Happy Father's Day this Sunday, also. Kenneth Stepp.
Dad in his tomato garden.
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
No more torture secrecy!
"Using Secrets to "Keep the Troops Safe"
by mcjoan
Wed Jun 17, 2009 at 06:10:06 PM PDT
"After the pernicious, Obama-backed Lieberman/Graham torture photo suppression bill failed in the House, the administration is apparently considering other ways of maintaining the cover-up of evidence that torture wasn't limited to Abu Ghraib.
"The Obama administration is looking at using an executive order to block the release of photos documenting the abuse of U.S. military detainees, said House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer....
"White House spokesman Robert Gibbs, when asked at Tuesday's press briefing, said all he would say is that the president has committed to all parties that he'll do whatever is necessary to keep the troops safe.
"Gibbs said he "won't get into private conversations" the president may or may not have had with Hoyer.
"To keep the troops safe." That's been the handy excuse for executive overreach for going on eight years. And turns out, it is just an excuse, with little basis in reality:
* * *
"The best way to keep the troops safe is obviously to get them out of harm's way as quickly as possible. In the meantime, the next best means of keeping them safe is a complete departure from the actions and policies of the previous administration. That includes coming clean. This administration can't make a clean break with the past without acknowledging fully just what it is it are breaking from.
"It's also difficult to maintain the impression that Obama administration is making a clean break when it using the same tactics of secrecy, i.e., executive orders undercutting laws like FOIA, as the Bush administration."
It's time for a clean break with the George W. Bush Iraq policy. No more torture! No more lying about torture! No more secrecy about torture! No more U.S. troops in Iraq! No more supplemental funding of the Iraq War linked to supplemental funding of the IMF! Bring the troops home now! Elect more Rural Democrats and more Progressive Democrats!
by mcjoan
Wed Jun 17, 2009 at 06:10:06 PM PDT
"After the pernicious, Obama-backed Lieberman/Graham torture photo suppression bill failed in the House, the administration is apparently considering other ways of maintaining the cover-up of evidence that torture wasn't limited to Abu Ghraib.
"The Obama administration is looking at using an executive order to block the release of photos documenting the abuse of U.S. military detainees, said House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer....
"White House spokesman Robert Gibbs, when asked at Tuesday's press briefing, said all he would say is that the president has committed to all parties that he'll do whatever is necessary to keep the troops safe.
"Gibbs said he "won't get into private conversations" the president may or may not have had with Hoyer.
"To keep the troops safe." That's been the handy excuse for executive overreach for going on eight years. And turns out, it is just an excuse, with little basis in reality:
* * *
"The best way to keep the troops safe is obviously to get them out of harm's way as quickly as possible. In the meantime, the next best means of keeping them safe is a complete departure from the actions and policies of the previous administration. That includes coming clean. This administration can't make a clean break with the past without acknowledging fully just what it is it are breaking from.
"It's also difficult to maintain the impression that Obama administration is making a clean break when it using the same tactics of secrecy, i.e., executive orders undercutting laws like FOIA, as the Bush administration."
It's time for a clean break with the George W. Bush Iraq policy. No more torture! No more lying about torture! No more secrecy about torture! No more U.S. troops in Iraq! No more supplemental funding of the Iraq War linked to supplemental funding of the IMF! Bring the troops home now! Elect more Rural Democrats and more Progressive Democrats!
Monday, June 15, 2009
Let's end the war this week!
Dear reader,
Just a quick update on the vote for the war supplemental funding bill.
There was rumor that the House might vote today but since the leadership still does not have the votes, the vote has not been scheduled.
According to Democrats.com which is keeping a running head count on likely votes:"All 178 House Republicans plan to vote against the $100 billion Iraq/AfPak War Supplemental to protest $5 billion for the International Monetary Fund. That means 39 Democratic opponents could defeat the bill. 36 Democrats promised to vote no, so we only need 3 more."
Only three more votes and the war funding bill can be stopped.
Please call your representative in the Congress and urge them to vote "no" on the war supplemental. Call 202-224-3121.
Please take action now. Defeat of the war funding bill would be a tremendous victory for the anti-war movement and will push the Congress and White House to reconsider their plans and let them know how weak support for the war is in Congress and among the people.
Let's end the war this week.
Sincerely,
Kenneth S. Stepp
Just a quick update on the vote for the war supplemental funding bill.
There was rumor that the House might vote today but since the leadership still does not have the votes, the vote has not been scheduled.
According to Democrats.com which is keeping a running head count on likely votes:"All 178 House Republicans plan to vote against the $100 billion Iraq/AfPak War Supplemental to protest $5 billion for the International Monetary Fund. That means 39 Democratic opponents could defeat the bill. 36 Democrats promised to vote no, so we only need 3 more."
Only three more votes and the war funding bill can be stopped.
Please call your representative in the Congress and urge them to vote "no" on the war supplemental. Call 202-224-3121.
Please take action now. Defeat of the war funding bill would be a tremendous victory for the anti-war movement and will push the Congress and White House to reconsider their plans and let them know how weak support for the war is in Congress and among the people.
Let's end the war this week.
Sincerely,
Kenneth S. Stepp
Saturday, June 13, 2009
"Staying the Course" means death for a Fort Campbell Soldier!
"Gov. Steve Beshear today recognized the sacrifice of a Fort Campbell soldier who died while supporting Operation Enduring Freedom. According to the Department of Defense, Spc. Eduardo S. Silva, 25, of Greenfield, Calif., died June 9 at Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan, of a non-combat related incident. He was assigned to the 563rd Aviation Support Battalion, 159th Combat Aviation Brigade, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), Fort Campbell.
"Gov. Beshear will order that flags at all state office buildings be lowered to half-staff from sunrise to sunset on the day of Spc. Silva’s interment for which arrangements are still pending.
"The preceding press release was from kentucky.gov"
IF YOU'VE HAD ENOUGH OF THE DEADLY POLICIES OF "STAY THE COURSE" OF MITCH MCCONNELL AND HAL ROGERS, ELECT MORE RURAL DEMOCRATS, ANTI-WAR DEMOCRATS, PROGRESSIVE DEMOCRATS, AND ANTI-IMF DEMOCRATS TO THE U.S. CONGRESS.
"Gov. Beshear will order that flags at all state office buildings be lowered to half-staff from sunrise to sunset on the day of Spc. Silva’s interment for which arrangements are still pending.
"The preceding press release was from kentucky.gov"
IF YOU'VE HAD ENOUGH OF THE DEADLY POLICIES OF "STAY THE COURSE" OF MITCH MCCONNELL AND HAL ROGERS, ELECT MORE RURAL DEMOCRATS, ANTI-WAR DEMOCRATS, PROGRESSIVE DEMOCRATS, AND ANTI-IMF DEMOCRATS TO THE U.S. CONGRESS.
McConnell and Republicans continue to lag Obama and Democrats nationally!
Weekly Tracking Poll: Obama Dips, Good Week For Everyone Else
by DemFromCT
Fri Jun 12, 2009 at 08:58:03 AM PDT
Research 2000 for Daily Kos. 6/8-11/2009. All adults. MoE 2% (5/31-6/4/2009 results):
FAVORABLE UNFAVORABLE NET CHANGE
PRESIDENT OBAMA 64 (65) 32 (30) -3
PELOSI: 33 (31) 56 (57) +3
REID: 32 (31) 53 (54) +2
McCONNELL: 22 (21) 61 (62) +2
BOEHNER: 15 (14) 63 (64) +2
CONGRESSIONAL DEMS: 42 (40) 51 (52) +3
CONGRESSIONAL GOPS: 12 (11) 74 (73) +0
DEMOCRATIC PARTY: 50 (49) 43 (44) +2
REPUBLICAN PARTY: 22 (20) 73 (72) +1
by DemFromCT
Fri Jun 12, 2009 at 08:58:03 AM PDT
Research 2000 for Daily Kos. 6/8-11/2009. All adults. MoE 2% (5/31-6/4/2009 results):
FAVORABLE UNFAVORABLE NET CHANGE
PRESIDENT OBAMA 64 (65) 32 (30) -3
PELOSI: 33 (31) 56 (57) +3
REID: 32 (31) 53 (54) +2
McCONNELL: 22 (21) 61 (62) +2
BOEHNER: 15 (14) 63 (64) +2
CONGRESSIONAL DEMS: 42 (40) 51 (52) +3
CONGRESSIONAL GOPS: 12 (11) 74 (73) +0
DEMOCRATIC PARTY: 50 (49) 43 (44) +2
REPUBLICAN PARTY: 22 (20) 73 (72) +1
Let's stop the Supplemental War Funding and IMF money bill now!
Dear Reader,
While there are reports that the leadership has reached agreement to pass the $106 billion war and IMF funding bill, arms are still being twisted.
A vote could happen any time so please take action now as it looks like they do not have the votes sewn up yet.
Call Congress - 202-224-3121 -- and say vote No on the supplemental. It is a twofer -- you vote against the wars and the IMF!
You can also write Congress.
Thanks.
Kenneth Stepp
White House Browbeats Dem Freshmen On War Money: "You'll Never Hear From Us Again"By Ryan Grim
Huffington Post
"The White House is playing hardball with Democrats who intend to vote against the supplemental war spending bill, threatening freshmen who oppose it that they won't get help with reelection and will be cut off from the White House, Rep. Lynn Woolsey (D-Calif.) said Friday.
"We're not going to help you. You'll never hear from us again," Woolsey said the White House is telling freshmen. She wouldn't say who is issuing the threats, and the White House didn't immediately return a call. [UPDATE: White House spokesman Nick Shapiro says Woolsey's charge is not true.]
"Woolsey said she herself had not been pressured because the White House and leadership know she's a firm no vote. But she had heard from other members about the White House pressure.
"Nancy's working with it. It's going to be a very close vote," Rep. Jack Murtha (D-Penn.), a close ally of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) said Friday. "We don't have any Republican leeway, so far we have no Republican going to vote for it."
"We'll pass it, but it'll be a close vote. Every vote will count," Murtha said.
"Woolsey and Rep. Dennis Kucinich (D-Ohio) are both ardent opponents of the war and no friends of the IMF, which is in line for a $100 billion extension of credit in the same bill. Both pointed out that the Democratic leadership didn't bring the bill up for a vote on Friday, indicating they weren't confident they had the votes.
"It says something that this hasn't been brought up yet," Kucinich said. "I will tell you there's a good number of members holding solid. That's why this thing hasn't passed yet."
"Kucinich said he's whipping the 51 Democrats who previously voted against the war funding and also whipping Democrats who have voted against the IMF in the past. He said that tremendous pressure was being exerted on the folks leaning against it.
"This is politics, you know, there's a lot of pressure put on members," he said. "But from what I can see, people are concerned that when they go back home, they're going to have to explain why they voted for the war if their constituency's opposed to it. People who have consistently opposed the war are going to have difficulty explaining why they switched."
* * *
"There are a lot of progressives who don't like the IMF," said Woolsey. Kucinich is making the case to colleagues that the IMF loan is merely a backdoor bailout of European banks.
"Woolsey, co-chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, said she held a meeting earlier this week among Democrats opposing the package but is not actively whipping against it.
"The GOP is also objecting to the inclusion of IMF money in the war bill. Kucinich recalled that the last time progressive Democrats joined with Republicans to defeat a Democratic agenda item came in 1999, when 26 Democrats sided with Republicans to block President Clinton's continuing bombing of Serbia.
"Republicans had their own agenda," recalled Kucinich.
"The White House may be forced to drop the IMF provision and fight for it another day, but it's a top administration priority.
"That may happen," said Kucinich. "But as long as it's in there, it's a force that's moving in the direction of defeat of the bill."
Jeff Muskus contributed reporting
Source: Huffington Post
LET'S ELECT MORE PROGRESSIVE DEMOCRATS. WE CAN'T LET THE PRO-WAR AND PRO-IMF WING OF THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY TAKE OVER THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY. ELECT MORE DEMOCRATS, BUT KEEP THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY PROGRESSIVE. WE DID NOT ELECT BARAK OBAMA TO BE A COPY OF GEORGE W. BUSH! Kenneth S. Stepp
While there are reports that the leadership has reached agreement to pass the $106 billion war and IMF funding bill, arms are still being twisted.
A vote could happen any time so please take action now as it looks like they do not have the votes sewn up yet.
Call Congress - 202-224-3121 -- and say vote No on the supplemental. It is a twofer -- you vote against the wars and the IMF!
You can also write Congress.
Thanks.
Kenneth Stepp
White House Browbeats Dem Freshmen On War Money: "You'll Never Hear From Us Again"By Ryan Grim
Huffington Post
"The White House is playing hardball with Democrats who intend to vote against the supplemental war spending bill, threatening freshmen who oppose it that they won't get help with reelection and will be cut off from the White House, Rep. Lynn Woolsey (D-Calif.) said Friday.
"We're not going to help you. You'll never hear from us again," Woolsey said the White House is telling freshmen. She wouldn't say who is issuing the threats, and the White House didn't immediately return a call. [UPDATE: White House spokesman Nick Shapiro says Woolsey's charge is not true.]
"Woolsey said she herself had not been pressured because the White House and leadership know she's a firm no vote. But she had heard from other members about the White House pressure.
"Nancy's working with it. It's going to be a very close vote," Rep. Jack Murtha (D-Penn.), a close ally of House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) said Friday. "We don't have any Republican leeway, so far we have no Republican going to vote for it."
"We'll pass it, but it'll be a close vote. Every vote will count," Murtha said.
"Woolsey and Rep. Dennis Kucinich (D-Ohio) are both ardent opponents of the war and no friends of the IMF, which is in line for a $100 billion extension of credit in the same bill. Both pointed out that the Democratic leadership didn't bring the bill up for a vote on Friday, indicating they weren't confident they had the votes.
"It says something that this hasn't been brought up yet," Kucinich said. "I will tell you there's a good number of members holding solid. That's why this thing hasn't passed yet."
"Kucinich said he's whipping the 51 Democrats who previously voted against the war funding and also whipping Democrats who have voted against the IMF in the past. He said that tremendous pressure was being exerted on the folks leaning against it.
"This is politics, you know, there's a lot of pressure put on members," he said. "But from what I can see, people are concerned that when they go back home, they're going to have to explain why they voted for the war if their constituency's opposed to it. People who have consistently opposed the war are going to have difficulty explaining why they switched."
* * *
"There are a lot of progressives who don't like the IMF," said Woolsey. Kucinich is making the case to colleagues that the IMF loan is merely a backdoor bailout of European banks.
"Woolsey, co-chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, said she held a meeting earlier this week among Democrats opposing the package but is not actively whipping against it.
"The GOP is also objecting to the inclusion of IMF money in the war bill. Kucinich recalled that the last time progressive Democrats joined with Republicans to defeat a Democratic agenda item came in 1999, when 26 Democrats sided with Republicans to block President Clinton's continuing bombing of Serbia.
"Republicans had their own agenda," recalled Kucinich.
"The White House may be forced to drop the IMF provision and fight for it another day, but it's a top administration priority.
"That may happen," said Kucinich. "But as long as it's in there, it's a force that's moving in the direction of defeat of the bill."
Jeff Muskus contributed reporting
Source: Huffington Post
LET'S ELECT MORE PROGRESSIVE DEMOCRATS. WE CAN'T LET THE PRO-WAR AND PRO-IMF WING OF THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY TAKE OVER THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY. ELECT MORE DEMOCRATS, BUT KEEP THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY PROGRESSIVE. WE DID NOT ELECT BARAK OBAMA TO BE A COPY OF GEORGE W. BUSH! Kenneth S. Stepp
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
4,311 U.S. TROOPS KILLED IN IRAQ TO DATE!
"US military deaths in Iraq war at 4,311
The Associated Press As of Wednesday, June 10, 2009, at least 4,311 members of the U.S. military had died in the Iraq war since it began in March 2003, according to an Associated Press count.
The figure includes nine military civilians killed in action. At least 3,453 military personnel died as a result of hostile action, according to the military's numbers.
The AP count is three fewer than the Defense Department's tally, last updated Wednesday at 10 a.m. EDT.
http://www.defenselink.mil/news/
The British military has reported 179 deaths; Italy, 33; Ukraine, 18; Poland, 21; Bulgaria, 13; Spain, 11; Denmark, seven; El Salvador, five; Slovakia, four; Latvia and Georgia, three each; Estonia, Netherlands, Thailand and Romania, two each; and Australia, Hungary, Kazakhstan and South Korea, one death each. . . ."
ELECT MORE DEMOCRATS TO BRING THE U.S. TROOPS HOME!
The Associated Press As of Wednesday, June 10, 2009, at least 4,311 members of the U.S. military had died in the Iraq war since it began in March 2003, according to an Associated Press count.
The figure includes nine military civilians killed in action. At least 3,453 military personnel died as a result of hostile action, according to the military's numbers.
The AP count is three fewer than the Defense Department's tally, last updated Wednesday at 10 a.m. EDT.
http://www.defenselink.mil/news/
The British military has reported 179 deaths; Italy, 33; Ukraine, 18; Poland, 21; Bulgaria, 13; Spain, 11; Denmark, seven; El Salvador, five; Slovakia, four; Latvia and Georgia, three each; Estonia, Netherlands, Thailand and Romania, two each; and Australia, Hungary, Kazakhstan and South Korea, one death each. . . ."
ELECT MORE DEMOCRATS TO BRING THE U.S. TROOPS HOME!
Call Hal Rogers and ask him to vote NO on war funding!
"GOPers in tough position on war funding measure
By Molly K. Hooper and Jared Allen
Posted: 06/09/09 07:46 PM [ET]
"House Republicans facing challenging reelection races are leaning against voting for a war supplemental bill if it includes funding for the International Monetary Fund.
"Lacking the votes, House Democrats last week decided not to bring the bill to the floor.
"In order to pass the bill, Democrats will need some GOP backing or convince some of their anti-war members to reverse themselves and back the bill.
"Yet, there is a political risk for Republicans, whose votes could be used in campaign ads next year.
"A Democratic leadership aide told The Hill that vulnerable Republican members would be “brain-dead to vote against the troops ... [doing so] would undercut any advantage they think they have on national security.”
"For now, vulnerable Republicans are indicating they will not vote for the bill if it has IMF funding.
"Targeted GOP members who say they will vote no include Reps. Dan Lungren (Calif.) and Mark Kirk (Ill.). Republican members who are leaning no are Reps. Ken Calvert (Calif.), Dave Reichert (Wash.) and Jim Gerlach (Pa.).
"Last month, the House passed its war supplemental 368-60 but it was rejected by eight committee chairmen and 43 other Democrats. That bill did not include IMF provisions and it is expected that the final House-Senate measure will call for IMF funds.
"GOP members who are undecided included Reps. Joseph Cao (La.) and Hal Rogers . . . .
* * *
"Obama told Blue Dogs he agreed with many of their concerns, but also noted they’d voted for numerous supplementals under President George W. Bush. And he told them he needed them to support the troops.
“He said we’ve got a leadership position in the world that must be upheld, and right now I need you,” said a participant in the meeting. “It was a very statesmanlike, presidential moment.”
Mike Soraghan, J. Taylor Rushing and Roxana Tiron contributed to this article, which was updated on June 10 at 11:00 a.m."
PLEASE PHONE HAL ROGERS NOW AND ASK HIM TO VOTE AGAINST THE SUPPLEMENTAL WAR FUNDING AND IMF FUNDING BILL.
By Molly K. Hooper and Jared Allen
Posted: 06/09/09 07:46 PM [ET]
"House Republicans facing challenging reelection races are leaning against voting for a war supplemental bill if it includes funding for the International Monetary Fund.
"Lacking the votes, House Democrats last week decided not to bring the bill to the floor.
"In order to pass the bill, Democrats will need some GOP backing or convince some of their anti-war members to reverse themselves and back the bill.
"Yet, there is a political risk for Republicans, whose votes could be used in campaign ads next year.
"A Democratic leadership aide told The Hill that vulnerable Republican members would be “brain-dead to vote against the troops ... [doing so] would undercut any advantage they think they have on national security.”
"For now, vulnerable Republicans are indicating they will not vote for the bill if it has IMF funding.
"Targeted GOP members who say they will vote no include Reps. Dan Lungren (Calif.) and Mark Kirk (Ill.). Republican members who are leaning no are Reps. Ken Calvert (Calif.), Dave Reichert (Wash.) and Jim Gerlach (Pa.).
"Last month, the House passed its war supplemental 368-60 but it was rejected by eight committee chairmen and 43 other Democrats. That bill did not include IMF provisions and it is expected that the final House-Senate measure will call for IMF funds.
"GOP members who are undecided included Reps. Joseph Cao (La.) and Hal Rogers . . . .
* * *
"Obama told Blue Dogs he agreed with many of their concerns, but also noted they’d voted for numerous supplementals under President George W. Bush. And he told them he needed them to support the troops.
“He said we’ve got a leadership position in the world that must be upheld, and right now I need you,” said a participant in the meeting. “It was a very statesmanlike, presidential moment.”
Mike Soraghan, J. Taylor Rushing and Roxana Tiron contributed to this article, which was updated on June 10 at 11:00 a.m."
PLEASE PHONE HAL ROGERS NOW AND ASK HIM TO VOTE AGAINST THE SUPPLEMENTAL WAR FUNDING AND IMF FUNDING BILL.
Friday, June 05, 2009
Boasting Republicans slip in national popularity.
"Weekly Tracking Poll: GOP Loses Ground Slightly Across The Board
by Steve Singiser
Fri Jun 05, 2009 at 10:00:07 AM PDT
Research 2000 for Daily Kos. 5/31-6/4/2009. All adults. MoE 2% (5/25-29/2009 results):
FAVORABLE UNFAVORABLE NET CHANGE
PRESIDENT OBAMA 65 (67) 30 (29) -3
PELOSI: 31 (30) 57 (58) +2
REID: 31 (30) 54 (53) 0
McCONNELL: 21 (22) 62 (60) -3
BOEHNER: 14 (15) 64 (64) -1
CONGRESSIONAL DEMS: 40 (39) 52 (53) +2
CONGRESSIONAL GOPS: 11 (12) 73 (72) -2
DEMOCRATIC PARTY: 49 (49) 44 (43) -1
REPUBLICAN PARTY: 20 (21) 72 (71) -2 "
Vote for the winners. Elect more Democrats!
by Steve Singiser
Fri Jun 05, 2009 at 10:00:07 AM PDT
Research 2000 for Daily Kos. 5/31-6/4/2009. All adults. MoE 2% (5/25-29/2009 results):
FAVORABLE UNFAVORABLE NET CHANGE
PRESIDENT OBAMA 65 (67) 30 (29) -3
PELOSI: 31 (30) 57 (58) +2
REID: 31 (30) 54 (53) 0
McCONNELL: 21 (22) 62 (60) -3
BOEHNER: 14 (15) 64 (64) -1
CONGRESSIONAL DEMS: 40 (39) 52 (53) +2
CONGRESSIONAL GOPS: 11 (12) 73 (72) -2
DEMOCRATIC PARTY: 49 (49) 44 (43) -1
REPUBLICAN PARTY: 20 (21) 72 (71) -2 "
Vote for the winners. Elect more Democrats!
Republicans boast about keeping GITMO detention center open.
"Out of the wilderness
"Politics: GOP leaders look for ways to bring back the Republican brand | Edward Lee Pitts
"Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., took a convention center stage in February and urged President Barack Obama not to close the Guantanamo Bay detention center. "What the Obama administration needs to answer is a very simple question: Where exactly do you intend to send these guys?" he asked the Conservative Political Action Conference in Washington.
"The blogosphere focused on McConnell's remarks that conservatives are more "interesting" and "fun" than liberals, but he gave more than 20 Senate floor speeches on the "don't close Gitmo" theme—and in late May lawmakers voted 90 to 6 in favor of blocking funds to close the prison, even though many Democrats had long railed against the Gitmo center.
"Since Pennsylvania Sen. Arlen Specter turned from red to blue last month, many journalists have written obituaries of the Republican Party. They have called the GOP an "endangered species," the "new Donner party" on a "death march" to "extinction." But, as Republican congressional leaders proved in taking a Democratic slam-dunk like closing Gitmo and turning it into a Republican victory, the elephants can still trumpet. "The Republican Party is in serious trouble, but we are not going to go the way of the Whigs," said Peter Wehner of the Ethics and Public Policy Center.
"While the Gitmo vote was a significant victory, McConnell admits that Republicans have soul-searching to do. Just four years ago Republicans held a plurality of governorships and state legislatures while controlling both Congress and the White House. But a parade of polls makes clear that nearly every major demographic is fleeing the party, with the exception of "frequent churchgoers."
"According to a recent Gallup poll, 53 percent of Americans lean Democrat, and 39 percent lean Republican, while only 1 percentage point separated the two groups in 2001. Eighteen states have gone Democratic in five straight presidential elections. Young voters went with Obama by a 2-to-1 margin. Hispanic support for the GOP dropped from 44 percent in 2004 to 31 percent last November.
—with reporting by Emily Belz"
Maybe the Republicans could entertain us with by showing some interrogation and waterboarding films. Vote to protect civil liberties! Elect more Democrats!
"Politics: GOP leaders look for ways to bring back the Republican brand | Edward Lee Pitts
"Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., took a convention center stage in February and urged President Barack Obama not to close the Guantanamo Bay detention center. "What the Obama administration needs to answer is a very simple question: Where exactly do you intend to send these guys?" he asked the Conservative Political Action Conference in Washington.
"The blogosphere focused on McConnell's remarks that conservatives are more "interesting" and "fun" than liberals, but he gave more than 20 Senate floor speeches on the "don't close Gitmo" theme—and in late May lawmakers voted 90 to 6 in favor of blocking funds to close the prison, even though many Democrats had long railed against the Gitmo center.
"Since Pennsylvania Sen. Arlen Specter turned from red to blue last month, many journalists have written obituaries of the Republican Party. They have called the GOP an "endangered species," the "new Donner party" on a "death march" to "extinction." But, as Republican congressional leaders proved in taking a Democratic slam-dunk like closing Gitmo and turning it into a Republican victory, the elephants can still trumpet. "The Republican Party is in serious trouble, but we are not going to go the way of the Whigs," said Peter Wehner of the Ethics and Public Policy Center.
"While the Gitmo vote was a significant victory, McConnell admits that Republicans have soul-searching to do. Just four years ago Republicans held a plurality of governorships and state legislatures while controlling both Congress and the White House. But a parade of polls makes clear that nearly every major demographic is fleeing the party, with the exception of "frequent churchgoers."
"According to a recent Gallup poll, 53 percent of Americans lean Democrat, and 39 percent lean Republican, while only 1 percentage point separated the two groups in 2001. Eighteen states have gone Democratic in five straight presidential elections. Young voters went with Obama by a 2-to-1 margin. Hispanic support for the GOP dropped from 44 percent in 2004 to 31 percent last November.
—with reporting by Emily Belz"
Maybe the Republicans could entertain us with by showing some interrogation and waterboarding films. Vote to protect civil liberties! Elect more Democrats!
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