Obama insists on investigating those who TORTURED!

Ya know, I just realized that Fox News is a good source to see what Obama is doing that UPSETS the right wing!! 

My Seat Comes First

More Republicans voted against the Bush Bail Out (I'm against it whole heartedly) because they are the ones at risk of losing their seats in Congress. This means that we need to make it clear to Democrats that just because they have a D after their name, does not mean that they support a progressive agenda and we will find candidates who do, if not now, then soon.

The Evolution of Peace

I keep goading my husband into agreeing with me that violent and non-violent people are biologically different. He's not buying it and keeps poking holes in my theories (he's awesome). But that description is the closest I've gotten to getting his approval..."liberal" vs "conservative" didn't cut it for him and he quickly gave me an example of a violent liberal and a peaceful, patriotic conservative. I myself have been a very angry liberal, a "fighter" and now that I have kids I'm trying to check myself so that they will be more like their father, a judicial, playful, principled and peaceful man (of course, both of my children know this about their father already!).

There are a few reasons I keep thinking about violent vs. non-violent. It has always bothered me that the liberals have been assassinated so much more than the conservatives (attempts were made on Regean, but the liberal list is long: John Lennon, MLK, JFK, RFK, and even the recent killings of the Democratic chairman and the Unitarians.)

It's like the peace symbol is a target for some people, and it helps me to realize that there are just some people who think that peace is threatening to their future. It helps me realize that peace is really something we need to advocate, stand for, and educate each other about. It means that I no longer take it for granted that people want to be good...being in a state of goodness, tranquility, and peace is a battle inside each one of us to some degree. A peaceful world is worth securing for the safety and health of our families and country.

We're voting for CHANGE, netroots

I'm becoming weary of the leftist whining for VPs that are the same old Democrats that have been compromised in every way. I'm praying that Obama picks someone brilliant that I've never f-ing heard of--that would be CHANGE. Now I'm reading whining about WHO will speak at the convention, it's not Gore, I guess. WHO CARES?!

Let's just see what happens, Obama's team is brilliant, let's stop second guessing him all day long. Gees.

Lies about Taxes against Obama

Here is a link that outlines the economic plans for both candidates, a good tool to refute the misinformation that so many people have (and plan to vote on). I must say here that I am stunned that Republicans are still, "Taxes, taxes!" when our country is such a f-ing mess economically, structurally, environmentally, and in terms of civil rights, education and health care. They seem just fine to vote indefinitely for lower taxes AND criminal, corrupt, incompetent and crazy politicians.

California Judges, the black hole

I found this for ballot help!

Pell Grants for kids $20...thanks Greg Palast.

God forbid we fund the SCHOOLS instead of the millionaires and get rid of No Child Left Behind's multi-millions money-making test scheme. I wake up every day and think, "In what way is Bush a Christian? Bush's worldview is 'Let those of us on earth fund the millionaires, for they are God's best."

Making Contact to Impeach!!

Impeachment has started in Congress, they need to hear from their constituents! If you want to support this process, here's a link to an easy form that will alert all of your Congressional reps and newspapers, if you want to check all those options. I also called Speaker Pelosi to voice my support to impeach Cheney (and Bush) at 1-202-225-0100; since the Democratic leadership appears to be out to lunch when it comes to defending our Constitution.

Although this story reports the poll that shows most Americans support impeachment, few media stories actually report that poll and instead quote House Republicans who think that Americans will be embarrassed by Democrats wanting impeachment. In other words, the media creates the "news" they want to "report." They are hardly representing Americans’ opinions anymore than the President does.

In my opinion, at the very least, Vice President Cheney committed treason when he revealed the American CIA operative Valerie Plame's identity, risking her life and those who knew her. This crime is just the tip of the iceberg for this administration, now making their way to war with Iran even though they've fumbled Iraq (don't trust your own eyes, they say!).

Impeachment Now!

I called the Majority Leader's office and got right through. I just told them that I was calling to voice my support for impeachment of Bush and Cheney. They asked me where I was calling from and thanked me. I e-mailed Pelosi at AmericanVoices@mail.house.gov. I still need to contact our local reps; but I think it's important that we communicate with the House leadership right now!!

Democrats and money

My husband and I have had personal wounds of shame inflicted on us as a result of Edwards' seemingly purist putting-your-money-where-your-mouth-is talk (which we don't think he's been absolutely pure about); but nevertheless, he's still a convincing, passionate and authentic progressive candidate who's economic priorities make sense (and this campaign is not about us!).

The trap of Playing Nice

I'm still reading Moral Politics and I've finished the "Strict Father" morality (the idealistic conservative) and am in the midst of the "Nurturing Parent" morality (the idealistic liberal) and have found a really interesting explanation for why Congress is acting the way it is (especially Democrats). I'm paraphrasing, but it seems that most liberals place "get along with others morality (social ties)" above requiring a "nurturing world/morality." This differs greatly from the much more confrontational morality of many conservatives who consider anyone who disagrees with them evil (I've actually been more like a conservative in that line of thinking in my not so distant past--in fact, I have to consciously remind myself that moralities other than my own are not evil).

It's kind of sad, but also unavoidable, that when a liberal disagrees with a conservative, they are ten times more likely to compromise with the conservative than the conservative is to compromise with the liberal. That's because we're trapped: we can't be the peacemaker (one of our leading values) and the dictator at the same time. The conservative has it easy; their dictatorial manner is considered "moral authority" and that's one of their leading values. So our peaceful, moral worldview/plan gets compromised, again and again.

Doesn't that make some sense of the world today?

Education, Joy, and Hope

Those are the "things" that all people need. The amount of controlling our government and especially religious leaders do has nothing to do with what people need to live healthy lives in thriving communities.

We need to provide, not limit, and then our children, our people, will take care of themselves.

What can we provide every person in this nation?

Education (education), Joy (emotional and physical health), and Hope (self-worth).

From Greg Palast

"Prosecutor-gate is not about Gonzales’ incompetence. It’s not about appointing “loyal Bushies.” It’s not even about firing A Few Good Men.

"It’s about the 2008 election and changing the Department of Justice — the agency charged with protecting voters — into an army of Rove-bots…programmed to attack them."

I called my congresswoman today

I called Rep. Jane Harman's office and told her assistant:

#1 I want her to support Pelosi's strict enforcement for lobbying reform.

#2 I am growing (I tried to sound like I was not crazy) to support the immediate impeachment of Cheney and Bush because I heard today that Bush is meeting with James Dobson regarding our foreign policy. I said that that reveals an unstable, dangerous and insane approach to our foreign policy and the next two years are going to seem like forever if we're on the edge of our seats waiting for this man to invade the NEXT country that he deems a threat to us.

I'm considering e-mailing my entire address book about impeachment--help me compile the SIMPLE list in your comments.