How Is Your Democracy Cell Observing Inuaguration Day 2005?

Peace buttons -- wear 'em if you got 'em...with your blue (or black)...while you're NOT spending one damn dime.

(Our cell is hosting an informal counter-inaugural party/discussion with Peter Giangreco, one of the Dem Party's top consultants.)

Think of all the beauty still left around you and be happy.

-- Anne Frank, Diary of a Young Girl, 1952

Has everyone here seen this:

http://www.nomandate.org/

They have a letter to send news agencies for fair & balanced coverage of the Coronation.

Marc...

Are you saying you are as happy as a little girl?

To each his....um...her own...

send a letter asking for truely fair and balanced coverage tomorrow:

http://www.nomandate.org/action/letter.php?id=10

lol, Pamela... i didnt see you posted the same thing! oops. ;-)

I'm going to participate in the Not One Damn Dime Day! Just thinking how I'll do that...That means bring tea bags to work so I don't buy coffee...Bring my lunch so I don't buy it at the cafeteria...

I wonder how we'll know what kind of effect it has? Knowing the media, even if the retailers did note something, they might say it's because everyone was so busy watching Inauguration coverage on TV or something...

Senate Foreign Relations Panel Approves Rice Nomination
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A20717-2005Jan19.html?nav=rss_politics

Quotes from article that I think will be of interest to bloggers who don't already know this:

"The Senate Foreign Relations Committee today approved President Bush's nomination of Condoleezza Rice to be his new secretary of state after tough questioning in which Democrats charged that she has failed to level with the American people on Iraq and other issues.

The committee voted 16 to 2 in favor of sending the nomination to the full Senate. Republicans had hoped to be able to vote to confirm Rice as soon as tomorrow, the day of Bush's inauguration for a second term, but Democrats may hold that up until next week. Jim Manley, a spokesman for Sen. Harry Reid, the Democratic leader, told the Associated Press that although Democrats do not plan to try to stop her nomination, "a number of Democrats not on the committee that want to have a chance to debate her nomination a couple of hours.""

"On the committee today, Democratic senators John F. Kerry of Massachusetts and Barbara Boxer of California voted against the nomination."

Go John!!! Go Barbara!!! Thank you for your ethical and moral votes against someone who has clearly lied to the American people for so long (and at least half of us knew it)!!! We should be so lucky as to have more senators and representatives vote with ethihcal and moral values that represent so many of us in this country. We know there's a Repuke majority who will still "approve" Rice and others, but come the next election cycle, your choice to vote with high moral and ethical standards will pay off in the long run... it shows that you haven't caved in to the detrimental mindset of "anything shrubbie wants, shrubbie gets." For those of us watching what our senators and representatives will do in order to determine who we will back in the next election cycle... Priceless!!!

Is Bush a uniter or divider?

http://www.cnn.com/2005/ALLPOLITICS/01/19/poll/index.html

My view is different...
It looks like you are either united for him or united against him...
yep.. sounds like a uniter to me...

I had one Bush supporter tell me today .. "I didn't think he would be this bad."

What a dumbass

Uniter? Divider?

I think Bush is an igniter.

It's been one blast after another with that guy.

test

Good one Marc...
Yep, Bush the igniter..
It sings..

We see you pcdoc...not stealthy enough...

Stuck this in the wrong thread..

Dem Senators on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee

Joseph Biden of Delaware
Paul Sarbanes of Maryland
Christopher Dodd of Connecticut
John Kerry of Massachusetts
Russell Feingold of Wisconsin
Barbara Boxer of California
Bill Nelson of Florida
Barack Obama of Illinois

So only Kerry and Boxer said no and the other said yes.
Oh, I forgot, Biden had reservations but voted yes anyway.
Maybe Biden meant reservations for dinner!
What the hell is wrong with these folks.

I think we should email them telling them how wrong they are to approve of such an obious liar as Rice.
If they want support for future offices, they better grow some spines.
We must not help Bushco perpetuate their evil policies.

Think of all the beauty still left around you and be happy.
-- Anne Frank, Diary of a Young Girl, 1952
Posted by: Marc Trager at January 19, 2005 05:06 PM
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Even in the midst of mourning and war and natural disasters, flowers still grow and bloom. Mother Nature reminds us that life will go on, with or without our participation. Mother Nature has always created life and order amidst chaos.

Nowadays I'll take my bright moments where I can find them. After my mother died and the flowers in her yard were a riot of color a week later at her home where we had a family gathering after her funeral, I had to remember that I had planted them for her the week before because she had seen the first hummingbird of the year, and wanted bright flowers planted outside the kitchen window and in her flower beds and the hummingbird feeder hung outside her kitchen window... and I smiled through my sadness knowing she had appreciated the flowers and remembered her smiling with glee when all of that was accomplished in one afternoon only a week earlier (she'd had rock gardens for years, loved flowers of all kinds). While "happy" is not a word that came to mind then, I was somewhat comforted in remembering her smiling joy only a week before.

Tomorrow is a day of mourning for some of us. I stocked up on groceries and everything I'd need for the entire month about two weeks ago, so I won't be spending anything anywhere for any reason for most of the month now that the necessities have been taken care of. There's a good chance I may not even get out of bed tomorrow. If I do, the TV will stay off, and I'm still not even sure if I'll go to my Inbox with the e-newsletter links because the "news" will (I'm sure) be all about the obscene coronation and I don't want to even hear about it until way after the fact, if then. In my own private way, to turn my back on the world and the obscene excesses taking place in WA DC, I think I'll treat myself to my own private "flower" for the day and just do genealogy research and data entry.... There is solace in mundane tasks when there is obviously so much evil in the world in the form of our country's "leader" and his administration.

In a world gone mad, and the 'death' of our country while our "leaders" have led us into fascism, one needs to take a break from the grief and mourning and find those little bright spots of comfort in a day of mourning.... and I do consider tomorrow to be an official day of mourning.... I've been grieving since the evening of the last election....

"Grief can take care of itself; but to get the full value of a joy, you must have someone to share it with." Mark Twain. (I'm not sure if that's an exact quote, but it is a paraphrase. It was something I read years ago.)

Just like the election, with this Rice vote, I must ask, what the HELL does it take to vote NO!?!?

Reservations?

Biden dropped like a stone in my book on this one.

Beth C.- I went out and filled my car with gas today so I can observe not a damn dime day and also get around town if necessary. As far as the wearing black or blue thing, as a "winter" person, (and a large person), I usually wear dark colors anyway. I'm choosing the black armband as a much more obvious expression of grief for my country. Very few people are likely to ask us why we're wearing black or blue tomorrow, but an armband will bring lots of questions. And, if they agree with us, we can tell them about it being "not a damn dime day" too. I'm going to cut a black armband now (from somewhere- not sure where yet.) And no TV tomorrow. I wouldn't do that to myself.

Dicki and I are holed up in a motel in New Jersy, due to weather conditions, driving conditions, nutritional conditions, and spiritual conditions.

We were happy JK opposed Rice; we hope everyone opposes Gonzalez, and we plan to oppose George Bush for the next four years.

We have spent a lot of time talking over the DCP, the directions we need to take, and the concerted focused discussions of actions that need to come. Our time in NYC was well-spent and the discussions with well-placed people very positive.

(Word of mouth is potent with these folks, so talking up the site, participating regularly, and bringing personal wisdom and experiences to share with others makes a huge difference here.)

One thing I do want to point out is that on the forum there is a place called Ask Dick--it is for questions about the DCP, about cell actions, and about information that may not be readily available elsewhere. Please do register for the forum and use it to grow the cells, add to the discussions, and to learn together.

There will be more on what we are learning in our discussions with people, as we go around and share the vision we all have for a return to democracy. We have found many who are angry, determined, positive, and energized.

All are welcome here.

Today at work I received an e-mail that was sent to all employees...forwarning us of a 'Protest/Rally' in downtown Seattle tomorrow...

Little do they know I appreciated them giving me all of the details and logistics so I can join in! Rally on!

Democrats Could Delay Rice Confirmation in Full Floor Debate
19 January 2005

It appears that Kerry and Boxer are working their magic with Senate leaders on the confirmation of Condoleezza Rice. NBC News via MSNBC is reporting that “Democrats planned to delay her widely expected confirmation by the full Senate.”

Rice was “the first nominee for secretary of state to receive any “no” votes since Alexander M. Haig in 1981.”

Some dismay (mildly noted) has been posted on the internet today about the Democrats who voted to confirm Rice. NBC News reports “Other Democrats, including ranking member Joseph Biden of Delaware, said they were only reluctantly voting to elevate Rice to the nation’s top diplomatic job.”

Rice’s quick confirmation by the full Senate on Thursday had been considered a formality, but Democrats who opposed the nomination were in negotiations with Senate leaders for a full floor debate and a roll-call vote. With most senators attending events surrounding Bush’s inauguration Thursday, those demands could delay Rice’s confirmation into next week, NBC News’ Ken Strickland reported.

http://www.lightupthedarkness.org/blog/default.asp?view=plink&id=250

NativeTexan4Kerry at January 19, 2005 05:52 PM

Like Minds! LOL!

In protest of what bush.cheney.rumsfeld.rice are doing to my country, I am going to send this op/ed to everyone I know.
F.I.N.A.L.L.Y, someone tells it like it really is.
I didn't have to go off the beaten path to find this...it was a link on the Yahoo news page!

Ho Hum, More War And Death
What happens when habitual warmongering and BushCo lies become part of our daily diet?

By Mark Morford, SF Gate Columnist
Wednesday, January 19, 2005

And then you read the appalling little story about how BushCo is now "taking steps" to further the investigation into why their original intelligence on Iraq was so painfully, treasonously, colon-clenchingly wrong, why they thought Saddam had giant Costco-sized warehouses stacked to the rafters with snarling nukes and nasty biotoxins and active warheads when, in fact, he had nothing but a couple Dumpsters full of rusty 20-year-old shell casings and a bucket of stale glue.
And don't forget the part about how Congress allotted hundreds of millions of dollars for the futile WMD search, with no public accounting of the money, and the entire budget and the expenditures are to remain classified, by order of the Defense Intelligence Agency. Ha ha. Sigh.

This is about the time your head spins all the way around and
continue~
http://tinyurl.com/64y86

I find it hilarious that there was a poll on whether bush is a uniter or a divider and the people polled were...well... perfectly DIVIDED on the issue!

Rice mentioned something about another group of countries in relation to tyranny...
Obermann was talking about it tonite.
Countries are Burma, Iran, N. Korea and three others.
I thought it was the setup for another series of invasions.
Does anybody have any ifo on that?

Great to see JK getting props for voting NO against Condi-lies-a's nomination. There are even links in their postings to contact his office to say thanks. If any of you would like to do the same, here's his DC office phone: (202) 224-2742.

FloridaDem

I am emailing JK & Boxer tonight!

Senator John Kerry Opposes Nomination Of Dr. Condoleezza Rice for Secretary of State

Wednesday, January 19, 2005

I appreciate Dr. Rice’s willingness to stay late last evening to have an exchange with the committee on the critical foreign policy and security questions before us.

“After serious consideration, I have decided to vote against this nomination. Dr. Rice is a principal architect, implementer, and defender of a series of administration policies that have not made our country as secure as we should be and have alienated much-needed allies in our common cause of winning the war against terrorism. Regrettably, I did not see in Dr. Rice’s testimony any acknowledgment of the need to change course or of a new vision for America’s role in the world. On Iraq, on North Korea, on Iran, to name just a few of the most critical challenges, it seems to be more of the same.

“I hope I am proven wrong. I hope the course will change. And I hope that the administration will recognize the strength of a foreign policy that has bipartisan support. I am prepared to work with Dr. Rice and others in the administration to try to reach agreement on policies that will truly strengthen our security and restore America’s credibility on the world stage. And I am confident colleagues on both sides of the aisle are prepared to do so as well.

http://kerry.senate.gov/high/record.cfm?id=230708

Posted by: battlebob at January 19, 2005 08:47 PM

BB I don'r have the link, but there is an article in The New Yorker written by Seymour M. Hersh, a respected Journalist. It is titled "The Coming Wars" Hope you can find it.

Posted by: NonnyO at January 19, 2005 07:36 PM

Nonny,

Words of wisdom from the late Dr. Elisabeth Kubler-Ross:

"The most beautiful people we have known are those who have known defeat, known suffering, known struggle, known loss, and have found their way out of the depths. These persons have an appreciation, a sensitivity and an understanding of life that fills them with compassion, gentleness, and a deep loving concern. Beautiful people do not just happen."

BB I don'r have the link, but there is an article in The New Yorker written by Seymour M. Hersh, a respected Journalist. It is titled "The Coming Wars" Hope you can find it.

Posted by: Truth Shall Prevail at January 19, 2005 10:44 PM

Here's the link:

http://www.newyorker.com/fact/content/?050124fa_fact

Tnx Bob,

How did you get the link? The one on the bottom of that page wouldn't let me cut and paste it.

Truth,

I'd saved the link by copying it from the browser address field.

thanks all...this bunch gets nuttier and nuttier.

Thats all for me.. good night all..

Here is what I will be humming tomorrow.

You say you want a revolution
Well you know
We all want to change the world
You tell me that it's evolution
Well you know
We all want to change the world
But when you talk about destruction
Don't you know you can count me out

Don't you know it's gonna be alright
Alright, alright

You say you got a real solution
Well you know
We don't love to see the plan
You ask me for a contribution
Well you know
We're doing what we can
But if you want money for people with minds that hate
All I can tell you is brother you have to wait

Don't you know it's gonna be alright
Alright, alright, al...

You say you'll change the constitution
Well you know
We all want to change your head
You tell me it's the institution
Well you know
You better free your mind instead
But if you go carrying pictures of Chairman Mao
You ain't going to make it with anyone anyhow

Don't you know know it's gonna be alright
Alright, alright

Alright, alright
Alright, alright
Alright, alright
Alright, alright

Revolution Lyrics
by Beatles

This was sent to me...

Here is something you can do on inauguration day, January 20th:

Wear a black armband.

Silently show your corner of the world that you are in mourning,

For American soldiers and civilians who gave their lives, and the thousands more who were injured, For the thousands of innocent Iraqi civilians who have died or been wounded,

In an unnecessary and unjustified war.

Wear a black armband,

To mourn the many who have been tortured In the name of America.

Wear a black armband,

To mourn the erosion and loss of your rights, Rights that our fathers fought and died for, In necessary wars, since the beginning Of this great nation.

Today in America,

You can be arrested, jailed without bond, secretly tried without a judge or jury, convicted By a military tribunal, held in prison indefinitely - even for life, or be executed, All without due process of law.

In a country that has lost its way,
That is in danger of losing its mind, its heart and its soul,

Wear a black armband - the color of death,

To let the world know
That you are alive,
And that you care,
And that you cry,

For what America is becoming.

Wear a black armband!

To let your corner of the world know,
That you did not elect
This deeply empty and dishonest man,
And that he does not have the authority,

of your voice.

Brothers and sisters,
Wear a black armband!

Quietly say in this way from your heart, That this president does not have your permission To practice death and destruction Upon other peoples, Upon sacred nature, Upon other religions, Upon other lifestyles.

Tell the world that he does not have your vote,

To wage war

Upon the very spirit of love and humanity and inclusiveness That our founding fathers worked so hard To weave deeply into the very fabric Of our guiding principles, and our national soul.

America is becoming
The new Soviet Union,
Where lies are held up as truth,
And the truth
Is 'unpatriotic'.

Wear a black armband
On Thursday, January 20th, 2005.

Stand together and tell the truth.
Mourn.
Be alive.
Refuse to be silenced;
Do not agree,
With the darkness of this time.

The wires are all disputing the exit polls originally in JK's favor. However mercurial the vote, electronic voting results, and the story remaining vague until hard testimony comes forth of who did what, do we know for sure this is an attempt at changing the story, or were the exit polling legimately off? Always unscientifically iffy?

My knee-jerk is to think the worst of press, Bushco, but does anyone have the real scoop?

The Coronation: I will be commemorating this day by NOT observing it. Inauguration? What inagauration?

The Coronation -

In Seattle students will walk out from alot of high schools and colleges & a bunch will come up from Evergreen in Olympia.

There will be street theater, a rally, speeches, & later an anti-inauguration ball.

I'll work because I am so hard-up for vacation time but will head downtown to catch the end of it & hopefully take photos & take the bus so I can drink & carouse & have taken the next day off because it's our anniversary.

Now I wish I'd taken all of tomorrow too. I just got an email soliticing good ideas for antiBush, antiInauguration & Vote Reform slogans, presumably for a sign.

People will also be bannering from freeway overpasses. I hope little elves have been out in the night when I drive under the overpasses on the way to work.

Marjorie G

Exit Polls aren't flawed in other countries.
This comes out the day before the inauguration & right after Kerry returns from an internationally triumphant but domestically ignored diplomatic tour & fact-finding mission & states in his MLK Day speech that we need fair voting (with a few specifics).

They want to neutralize dissent.
Al Gore & John Kerry are our last two president elects. We have had two bloodless coups.

In Washington, evil Dino Rossi is still working the conservative judges for a recount. If Rossi is Governor that is the last straw & I'll see if I'm employable in Canada.

I also heard that 5 million French civil servants are taking to the streets tomorrow - govt is trying to privatize their pensions too. With globalization, the whole planet is organizing into haves & have nots with a shrinking middle class & lower overall standard of living.

260,000 dead from the tsunami now & do we hear of that? Continuing car bombs in Iraq and 4 provinces of 19? can vote. Rice couldn't answer Kerry's questions about how not to have a civil war.

Exit pools?
Try this site..
http://truthout.org/unexplainedexitpoll.pdf

The end of the article is where the real meat is...
can you spell fraud?

pools s/b polls..

There was a study cited on NPR (should be on their website) where a guy tabulated all references to God in prominent political speeches of Presidents, all the way back in US history.

Bush was the winner with an average of 6 God citations per speech. Her was completely unique as compared with those such as Eisenhower or FDR, who spoke as a petitioner wanting God's help whereas Bush spoke as though he was an agent of God, in effect channeling God's will (examples given, probably on NPR site).

Given that the Inauguration Menu consists of Krispie Kreme Donut stuffed turkey with Safeway Greens - consider that Krispie Kreme has cheated its employees & stockholders & stocks are in the toilet ($10 as opposed to $50 or more) & they have had to hire the guy who tried to help Enron. That is the general quality of Bush donors.

NPR also had these pathetic South Dakotans on - they were big Bush fundraisers (I used to live there & cringed when they interviewed them) - one can't get it together to go to the Inauguration even though she raised alot of money. The other one hasn't a thing to wear & sounded like she won't remotely fit in yet has to go (social climber).

Notice they can't find any cool celebrities for their "rock show"? What a lame bunch of posers. I can just see them boot scootin' around in tuxes. Next thing Bush will have a mullet.

January 20th Inauguration Protests to Take Place in Seattle
 
SEATTLE On January 20th students from several local high schools and colleges are planning a walkout strike to protest the inauguration of George W. Bush. A march will converge on Westlake Center around 2PM for a rally. Speakers, bands and performance art will be presented in an attempt to practice First Amendment rights to freedom of speech and assembly.

The Weapons of Mass Distraction Project will perform a skit, including amock debate between Kerry and Bush, followed by a satirical multi-media TV news broadcast exposing the conspiracy between corporate media and the government to whitewash the reports from Iraq and the botched elections ofBush and Christine Gregoire.Yes, there are many people who believe that the computer voting machine and GOP machinations in several states(including Ohio)resulted in an inaccurate election rife with voting rights violations and voter suppression. Many suspect that Bush was not the winner of the election.

At 4PM a march will proceed to the federal building for a demonstration at 5PM. More speakers, political art and satire will be presented. Following the demonstrations, a counter inaugural ball will be held at the Showbox with various bands participating.

Even Bend, OR is having a lunch-time funeral procession. WA/OR are communicating/plotting right now via email!!

I'm printing out a cool poster & heading to Kinko's to make more to put around tonight.

then dressing in all black tomorrow, to speed things up to head downtown.

Here is the poster:

http://www.notinourname-seattle.net/index.html

My daughter lives in Georgetown. She called me this evening, absolutely furious because she had to walk all the way from campus to her apartment in the bitter cold and the snow. The reason? All the stretch limos lining up to get to fur draped Bush supporters at the Four Seasons Hotel (and other luxury hotels in DC) had traffic at a standstill. Julia told me she was walking faster than the buses or cabs were moving.

And she reported that every where you turn in DC - you see people wearing furs, cowboy hats, gold "W" buckles - and more limos than she's seen in a life time.

And adding insult to injury - DC has to foot the security bill for this three day extravaganda. I suggested she contact Eleanor Holmes Norton - the DC delegate to lodge a protest about the bus disruption and making DC foot the bill. outraged she is.

She was truly shaken by the experience - feeling totally alienated by this invasion of her city. Think she's going to lay low for a while.

One thing she's proud of - she does have her "blue zone" sign in her window.

Kerry, Kennedy to vote against Rice
By Associated Press
Wednesday, January 19, 2005

WASHINGTON - Sen. John Kerry [related, bio], D-Mass., whose condemnation of the Bush administration's Iraq policies was a cornerstone of his presidential campaign, was one of two senators to vote against the nomination of Condoleezza Rice as secretary of state Wednesday.

Kerry said Rice, who has served as Bush's national security adviser, was a principal architect and defender of Iraq policies that alienated U.S. allies and failed to make the country safer.

``Regrettably, I did not see in Dr. Rice's testimony any acknowledgment of the need to change course or of a new vision for America's role in the world,'' said Kerry. ``On Iraq, on North Korea, on Iran, to name just a few of the most critical challenges, it seems to be more of the same.''

Sen. Edward M. Kennedy [related, bio], D-Mass., also plans to vote against Rice's nomination.

His spokeswoman, Stephanie Cutter, said Rice ``had a major role in developing the irresponsible and reckless Iraq policy, and its been a catastrophic failure, a continuing quagmire. She shouldn't be promoted to Secretary of State.''

http://news.bostonherald.com/election2004/view.bg?articleid=64331

The plot thickens... I just found this buried in a NYTimes article:

"Underscoring the Democrats' dissatisfaction, Senator Robert C. Byrd, an outspoken critic of the decision to go to war, announced late in the day that he would not allow the Senate to approve Ms. Rice without a few days of consideration of her lengthy testimony, and at least a token debate on the floor. His refusal to join in the unanimous consent of all senators for a quick vote effectively torpedoed the administration's hopes to have her nomination approved Thursday.

"Senator Byrd and others believe that the Senate's advise-and-consent constitutional responsibilities are not a rubber stamp," Mr. Byrd's spokesman said.

"The Senate Foreign Relations Committee has held two days of hearings. Senators should have a chance to review those hearings, read the transcripts, and think about their votes before casting them.""

http://www.nytimes.com/2005/01/20/politics/20diplo.html

As I dresssed this morning- all in black- every bit of clothing on me is black-I thought ofall the other people in this Country and in the World who were having similar thoughts to mine today.
It felt good to know that we are present-the media will not acknowledge it.
If you haven't ccaught it- read Thomas Freidman's op ed in todays NYT (might have been yesterdaysbut its there)

Posted by: Marjorie G at January 19, 2005 11:46 PM

Some HARD facts are that Blackwell and Triad broke the law which prevented an Official and MEANINGFUL recount in Ohio.

Jeb Bush and counties in Florida played fast and loose with their machines and ballots.

Frankly, I agree with Dianne. We've had TWO bloodless coups in a row. We MUST STOP THEM NOW. As far as I'm concerned every official in every state has the potential to have been fraudulent as well. Did the republicans really earn their spots in Congress or was there a "little help" there too.

We need t'shirts that say, "two Bloodless Coups"

or t'shirts that say,

"MEDIA=Propraganda"

"Fox=sly as a fox"

or

CNN=Corrupt News NOW

MSGOP

I had vowed to NOT turn on my TV today (except for Daily Show tonight)...
but then someone sent me this:
CSPAN-2 has protest coverage today AND the Senate speeches by DEM Senators, against Rice's confirmation.
CSPAN 2
Programming & air times are subject to change.
* Please note all times are Eastern
10:30 am
LIVE
Rally
Inaugural Protest
Act Now to Stop War & End Racism (A.N.S.W.E.R.)
Ramsey Clark , Department of Justice
John Boyd , National Black Farmers Association
The beginning and end of this live program may be earlier or later than the scheduled times.

03:30 pm
LIVE
Senate Proceeding
Senate Session
U.S. Senate
The beginning and end of this live program may be earlier or later than the scheduled times.

Inauguration: Lifestyles of the Rich and Heartless

Due to $17 million worth of inaugural security – paid for by the city of Washington, D.C. – the Progress Report is unable to access its office. Never fear – it takes a lot more than that to keep us down. We put this list together for you ahead of time. Your regularly scheduled Progress Report returns tomorrow.

A look at this week's festivities by the numbers:

$40 million: Cost of Bush inaugural ball festivities, not counting security costs.

$2,000: Amount FDR spent on the inaugural in 1945…about $20,000 in today's dollars.

$20,000: Cost of yellow roses purchased for inaugural festivities by D.C.'s Ritz Carlton.

200: Number of Humvees outfitted with top-of-the-line armor for troops in Iraq that could have been purchased with the amount of money blown on the inauguration.

$10,000: Price of an inaugural package at the Fairmont Hotel, which includes a Beluga caviar and Dom Perignon reception, a chauffeured Rolls Royce and two actors posing as "faux" Secret Service agents, complete with black sunglasses and cufflink walkie-talkies.

400: Pounds of lobster provided for "inaugural feeding frenzy" at the exclusive Mandarin Oriental hotel.

3,000: Number of "Laura Bush Cowboy cookies" provided for "inaugural feeding frenzy" at the Mandarin hotel.

$1: Amount per guest President Carter spent on snacks for guests at his inaugural parties. To stick to a tight budget, he served pretzels, peanuts, crackers and cheese and had cash bars.

22 million: Number of children in regions devastated by the tsunami who could have received vaccinations and preventive health care with the amount of money spent on the inauguration.

1,160,000: Number of girls who could be sent to school for a year in Afghanistan with the amount of money lavished on the inauguration.

$15,000: The down payment to rent a fur coat paid by one gala attendee who didn't want the hassle of schlepping her own through the airport.

$200,500: Price of a room package at D.C.'s Mandarin Oriental, including presidential suite, chauffeured Mercedes limo and outfits from Neiman Marcus.

2,500: Number of U.S. troops used to stand guard as President Bush takes his oath of office

26,000: Number of Kevlar vests for U.S. soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan that could be purchased for $40 million.

$290: Bonus that could go to each American solider serving in Iraq, if inauguration funds were used for that purpose.

$6.3 million: Amount contributed by the finance and investment industry, which works out to be 25 percent of all the money collected.

$17 million: Amount of money the White House is forcing the cash-strapped city of Washington, D.C., to pony up for inauguration security.

9: Percentage of D.C. residents who voted for Bush in 2004.

66: Percentage of Americans who think this over-the-top inauguration should have been scaled back.

Wonder why Iowa went red? Try fear.

http://www.globegazette.com/articles/2005/01/20/local/doc41ef48c23a2c8131136653.txt

FBI agent: Domestic-issue groups the biggest terrorism threat in Iowa

MASON CITY ˜ FBI agents in Iowa are focusing on people who may be quietly involved in terrorist
networks.

Randy VanGent, an FBI senior resident agent from
Waterloo, said "facilitators" or people involved in fund-raising networks are more likely to be found than active terrorists.

Talking about homeland security, VanGent told members of the Grain Elevator and Processing Society on Wednesday night that most terrorist concerns in Iowa involve single-issue domestic groups, rather than international terrorism.

It was the first meeting of the North Iowa chapter of the group, representing people with various interests in the grain-handling industry. They met at North Iowa Area Community College.

"We don't see a lot of active terrorists in Iowa," VanGent said. "The people who may be involved are more passive, never the type who will go out and pull a trigger, but certainly some who want to support a cause."

VanGent said terrorists want to bring attention to their group, their cause or their goals.

"Internationally, they want to hurt us on our own
soil," he said. "They did on 9/11, but haven't since.

"Domestic terrorists are more focused on single
issues," he said. "Iowa's No. 1 terrorist threat comes from single-issue terrorist groups. They're
anti-abortion, animal rights and eco-terrorism-based."

VanGent pointed to the recent attack on laboratories at the University of Iowa as the work of single-issue groups.

He said statewide, the FBI has checked on
identification issues and marriage fraud, activities that can be linked to larger terrorist activities.

"It isn't always the criminal activity that we're
looking for," he said. "It's putting the pieces of the puzzle together ... using the information to make a more complete picture."

VanGent said people often ask what they can do in the fight against terrorism.

"We would ask that people pay attention," he said. "If it's unusual to you or you think it's odd, we'd like to know about it. It might not be anything, but you never know. We'd like to check it out."

Reach Bob Link at 421-0538 or
bob.link@globegazette.com.

Folks came up to me saw and saw my black arm band asking who I am in mourning for. My country.
Blue should be our color of choice today, our sign of unity.The front of my house is draped in blue sheets. My neighbors looked at me a bit strangely, but they know.

Lets take moment of silence today for the tragic loss in Asia. Indy do you have a prayer or appropriate poem for the memory of the tsunami victims that we could post as our lead? That is where our thoughts should be channeled today.

I hear you Ira...working on it...more of a non-denominational channeling would be appropriate for our People, our Nation, the Tsunami victims and for our soldiers who are and will be tasked to give their lives in support of the foolish adgenda of the Necons and their greed and blood-lust.

Indy-thanks for the link yesterday. I will keep reminding myself that we are all American's although some day's, especially one's like today, are more difficult than other's. Don't know if you listen to Ed Schultz or not but he says the same thing quite often on his show.

sparrow 09:08 AM

My questioning of the exit polling being hyped pro-bush in no way chnages that I think the timing is suspect, or that they played fast and loose with suppression, before and after, or flipping of votes here and there. All those votes more than people are certainly suspect. I know we technically won, if not pretty, the popular vote also inflated, and the public not knowing our guys, at all.

Still, my natural inclination is to look somewhere in the middle, be cynical on both sides, healthy or not, and ask what do we know about exit polls. Just because we think it's in our favor because they are saying the opposite.

I am working from home today - I just can't stomach acting like today is a normal day. I feel a terrible sense of foreboding about what will happen in the next four years.

I woke up to NPR's breathless discussion of the day's events and an analysis of Bush's first Inaugural speech. I felt ill - NPR seemed to be portraying Bush as a strong leader - you know the meme - he sets his goals and agenda and then doesn't falter - blah, blah, blah. Arrrggghhh - Just like setting his goals and agenda for the Middle East. He'll march us right into Armageddon before he admits he and his fellow neocons were wrong about their "theory" of world domination.

One of the comments my daughter made after her forced march across DC yesterday from the GW campus to Georgetown, is that when she saw these people stepping into and out of their limos - the thought struck her that these are folks who probably have never given homeless people - or those who are disadvantaged in some way - a second thought (addressing homelessness is one of my daughter's passions).

Looking at the glass half full - my daughters grew up in a politically aware and activist family - but as teenagers it used to drive them crazy (can't we talk about anything else other than world affairs, U.S. politics or community service)? But what has happened and is happening with Bush in office has made a huge impact on both - has made the need for involvement very real to them. I know both, especially my daughter living in DC, will be very active the next few years doing what they can to advance a progressive agenda. So, at least the Bush administration has been a motivator. I think it has made them aware of just what is at stake.

9:21

DiAnne, wonder how covertly Bush that FBI was working in pushing the Iowan fear? What is normal intereference with business, clearly criminal, now stoked in the overall realm of terrorism?

If we had evidence of foul play in the election that would be overturning, or of very big PR value, who would they turn themselves in to? The FBI? Probably not.

BTW, I'm in black, all surfaces, from the unmentionables to my watch band, with the blue touch in my small Kerry pin. Brought hard-boiled eggs, for these hard-boiled times.

Happy Inauguration Day to the Bush Twins... NOT!

Rich Girl
by Hall and Oates

You're a rich girl, and you've gone too far
'Cause you know it don't matter anyway
You can rely on the old man's money
You can rely on the old man's money
It's a bitch girl but it's gone too far
'Cause you know it don't matter anyway
Say money but it won't get you too far
Get you too far

And don't you know, don't you know
That it's wrong to take what is given you?
So far gone, on your own
You can get along if you try to be strong
But you'll never be strong
'Cause

You're a rich girl, and you've gone too far
'Cause you know it don't matter anyway
You can rely on the old man's money
You can rely on the old man's money
It's a bitch girl and it's gone too far
'Cause you know it don't matter anyway
Say money but it won't get you too far
Get you too far

High and dry, out of the rain
It's so easy to hurt others when you can't feel pain
And don't you know that a love can't grow?
'Cause there's too much to give, 'cause you'd rather live
For the thrill of it all, oh

You're a rich girl, and you've gone too far
'Cause you know it don't matter anyway
You can rely on the old man's money
You can rely on the old man's money
It's a bitch girl and it's gone too far
'Cause you know it don't matter anyway
Say money but it won't get you too far
Say money but it won't get you too far
Say money but it won't get you too far
Get you too far

You say
You can rely on the old man's money
You can rely on the old man's money
You're a rich girl, and you've gone too far
'Cause you know it don't matter anyway
You can rely on the old man's money
You can rely on the old man's money
It's a bitch girl and it's gone too far
'Cause you know it don't matter anyway
You can rely on the old man's money
You can rely on the old man's money
You're a rich girl yeah

Chilling, chilling article about Rove's Machiavellian tactics...

Inauguration 2005: The Eve of Destruction
By Rick Perlstein
The Village Voice

Tuesday 18 January 2005

George Bush is getting four more years to remake the world in his image. (Too bad for us, he already started.)

You might wonder - were you someone unfamiliar with or in denial about the ways of the Karl Rove Mafia - how George W. Bush could blunder into nominating someone as attorney general so obviously implicated in the most legally questionable and morally indefensible practices of his administration. You might wonder, too, how the administration seemed to be caught unawares by the bottomless pit of scandal in the past of its initial nominee for Homeland Security secretary.

Or you could realize that such nominations were not blunders, but intentional: that they were made not in spite of Alberto Gonzales's and Bernard Kerik's unsuitability for high office but precisely because of them. Keeping embarrassing facts on file about confederates is the best way to grip them into loyalty like a vise.

(snip)

Mr. and Mrs. America and all the ships at sea, welcome to the Next Four Years: to George Walker Bush's revolutionary second term, where nothing is done by accident, and no sin can be too brazen.

"For the first time in six decades, the Social Security battle is one we can win . . . "

That phrase is a gun, and it's smoking. Written by Karl Rove deputy Peter Wehner in a leaked memo, it establishes as intention what administration officials have heretofore been most eager to cover up. What the Republican Party failed to do 60 years ago is to stop any federal program of guaranteed old-age insurance from existing. Social Security established a principle unacceptable to many Republicans: that government economic programs help people, and can become wildly popular. Now, however, Wehner writes, "We have it within our grasp to move away from dependency on government. . . . We can help transform the political and philosophical landscape of our country."

The smoking gun isn't pointed just at your grandmother...

(continued)

http://www.truthout.org/docs_05/012105Z.shtml

That article is chilling, but my question is, hasn't the last 4 years been enough of a goddam smoking gun to have kept today's GluttonyFest from even happening?

This articel tells me nothing new, nothing shocking, nothing out of the ordinary since 2001, it's business as usual.

Not only is the smoking gun "not just pointing at your grandmother" with Social Security, but every smoking gun on the planet is turning it's sights on US in a big bad way.

I mean, for chrissakes, we hear every day about possible "invasion" plans for multiple so-called tyrannical countries. Since when do we invade any country?

Oh yeah, since King Engorged stole the throne.

Guess that makes those End Times Groupies really happy.

I'm not with stupid.

Black Thursday

Brothers and Sisters…I would ask all of you to begin this dark day in our Nation's history in your own voice……within your own creed and in your own way to open your hearts to send blessings and compassion to our People, our Nation and indeed the World as we witness this unprecedented subjugation of our Democracy. We are the proud children of every civilization which has risen and fallen since the dawn of time, and as such, we must have a decent respect for the opinions of mankind and for the fate of the world in which we live once again being held hostage by the unpredictable and despotic actions of the current leaders of our Government.

Let us reach out with our feelings to the victims of the Tsunami, a great sea of humanity swallowed up in a matter of moments by the overwhelming forces of Nature…to the victims of homicide bombings in the Middle East, to those sold into slavery across every ocean, to the innocent victims of war throughout the world by our own hands and at the hands of the enemies of all of humanity the despots, dictators and oppressors, to our very own inner cities…the forgotten, the forsaken, the homeless, the hungry and destitute…who every day struggle for sanity, for warmth, for shelter, for sustenance, for a kind word or a shoulder to comfort…to our own brave Brethren in Arms who so valiantly and willingly give their service knowing they may be called upon to give the ultimate sacrifice…their very lives…in the belief that WE as a Nation shall eternally carry the Torch of Liberty through the ages.

May we be blessed with the foresight to forever have the wisdom to remember them…the dignity to preserve their memory and the courage to protect their heroism, for they have divinely honored us…the undeserving…by their selfless acts to secure our Freedom, even when unjustly sent to do battle with those who are not the enemies of our People by the desperate, dishonorable greed and lust for power and domination of the world and Her resources by the current and continuing Administration.

Finally…let us focus our strength, anger, dignity, honor, sorrow, pain, suffering and courage so that we may all vow to proudly stand United as Americans with infinite passion and undying hope so that one day soon We the People will once again regain control of our Heritage, our Natural Rights and our Manifest Destiny to restore our Nation to Her once proud stature as the Light of Liberty, Freedom and Justice and set out henceforth to create a brighter future for all of mankind.

Amen.

Oh yeah, since King Engorged stole the throne.

Guess that makes those End Times Groupies really happy.

I'm not with stupid.

Posted by: Marc Trager at January 20, 2005 10:49 AM

Agree.

Again, it's incomprehensible to me that the American public re-elected this evil, selfish
man (though those on the other side apparently think Kerry is evil). It simply blows my mind that our collective judgement is so flawed, so ignorant, so uncaring.

Maybe that's why I feel strongly that the election results were tampered with. Perhaps it's just easier for me to believe that the results are false than to believe this is really the direction a majority of Americans want us to go.

Again, incomprehensible.

Amen.Baroch shem kvod malhuto laolam vaed.May this blessing and prayer reach the heavens as it is here on earth.

This is a sad day for me today. Today, January 20th is my 23rd birthday. Really sad that I have to celebrate on the same day our hated president is taking the 2nd oath of office. I wish it was John Kerry and John Edwards in those cars, on that podium, dancing at all those balls.... :(

WELL, NOW.........REPUBLICAN ties to Oil-for-Food scandal?????? how fast will the MSM bury this story??????

FBI Grills Jack Kemp About Iraqi Contact
The former vice presidential candidate has been connected to the Iraqi-American businessman who was indicted this week in the Oil-for-Food scandal. Kemp denies any wrongdoing
By Michael Isikoff and Mark Hosenball
Newsweek
Updated: 7:07 p.m. ET Jan. 19, 2005Jan. 19 -

Former vice presidential candidate Jack Kemp has been questioned by the FBI about his dealings with an Iraqi-American businessman who this week became the target of the first Justice Department criminal indictment in the United Nations Oil-for-Food scandal, NEWSWEEK has learned.

Kemp today confirmed that the FBI interviewed him last October about his contacts with Samir A. Vincent, a Northern Virginia oil trader who on Tuesday pled guilty to four criminal charges, including violating U.S. sanctions against Iraq and failing to register with the Justice Department as an agent of Saddam Hussein.

continue~
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/6845383/site/newsweek/

Happy Birthday Cari...

Take solace in "what goes around comes around"... not always in our timeframe, but it's coming, I feel it in my 39 & 5/6 year old bones!

Let em eat cake.

Lets pledge to have a real celebration on Cari's 27th bithday.

Ira-I'm 23, not 27

Something wicked this way comes.....
RNC Chair Rolls out evil plans. Take heed.
http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story2&u=/ap/20050119/ap_on_re_us/republicans

Accepting the chairmanship on the eve of Bush's inauguration, he said the party must take four steps to "cement these victories into a durable Republican majority:"
_ Enact the president's agenda, including fighting terrorism, revamping Social Security (news - web sites), changing the tax code and appointing "strict constructionists to the courts."

_ Institutionalize the GOP's 2004 grass-roots operation, which most experts believe was far better than the Democrats'.

_ Recruit quality candidates for the 2005 and 2006 elections. He also urged RNC members to start focusing on the 2008 presidential campaign and, further down the road, the 2011 redistricting process.

_ Use the GOP agenda to court new voters: Blacks through school voucher initiatives, young voters through Social Security changes and Hispanics through efforts to limit legal liability.
_______
Oh and I thought this last paragrapg was interesting:
"In the text of Mehlman's remarks released by the RNC, he took a veiled shot at Bush rival Sen. John Kerry (news - web sites), saying voters were asked to choose between "victory and vacillation" in the war on terror. But Mehlman deleted the remark when giving the address."

He better had. Someone must have reminded him that Iraq ain't going so well. What an a-hole.

As for his overall plan, it is very calculated, ambitious and intimidating. I'm sure these plans are in no way the whole story. They are too smart to give away all their secrets. However, I'm aure the one thing that keeps event the best strategic planners awake at nite are the unknowns. All of their success can be obliterated with one stroke of bad luck, a scandal with legs,etc. A Lord knows with the bad karma this crowd puts out, ShrubCo is LONG overdue for some hideous fate or some cosmic justice. These are the intangibles that they cannot plan for, and I hope we get some help on this front. However, we can't wait for something bad to happen to them. We need to be as equally as calculating.

Lets pledge to have a real celebration on Cari's 27th bithday.

Posted by: Ira at January 20, 2005 11:16 AM

Cari,

Happy Birthday. I think Ira meant - four years from now - we can celebrate your birthday along with the Inauguration of a Democratic President. At that point you will be 27.

Guys, it's what people are allowed to see or allow themselves to see. Even now, with dismissive press accounts of Kerry on the road, different than the way we witnessed the events, or him-think Newsweek hyping Bush's idealism of bringing democracy to Iraq-people may be getting a more thoughtful, less fear-induced sense of the choices. Really wonder what they think. I do know they were pushed to the polls with those very big databases with a lot of fear and manipulation.

My hubby read the WSJ today and thought of Hitler youth, with the attempt to overturn SS. They program the youth groups with points to push for these initiatives.

Resolute, I know, easier to believe tampering than willful ignorance.

And Marc, in my older years, haven't seen this kind of evil so allowed, applauded, and excused, especially by those who think in moral terms. The immorality and relativism is much less on our political side.

Dick Cheney requested the song "let the eagle soar" written by John Ashcroft and premiered in Farenheit 911 as a big F.U. to all of us...

Screw you Dick Cheney...your time is coming very soon!

Happy Birthday Cari, and may you be blessed with many more in a world of freedom.

Cari we all wish you a very very happy birthday. It will certainly be one for you to remember. I expect to see you involvmed in the election of a Democratic President in 2008. Many of us had plans to be in Washington to celebrate a new day for America today, that was 'temporarily' derailed. Let's do whatever it takes to make your 27th birthday the best ever.

11:11 AM

How come the GOP scandals printed are for those out of the White House.

SpongeBob on FBI List - Tinky Winky of Teletubbies being purple & carrying a purse no longer the major threat - I am SO GLAD I raised my son on Simpsons & Pee Wee's Playhouse

Conservatives Pick Soft Target: A Cartoon Sponge

SpongeBob SquarePants

WASHINGTON (Jan. 20) - On the heels of electoral victories barring same-sex marriage, some influential conservative Christian groups are turning their attention to a new target: the cartoon character SpongeBob SquarePants.

"Does anybody here know SpongeBob?" Dr. James C. Dobson, the founder of Focus on the Family, asked the guests Tuesday night at a black-tie dinner for members of Congress and political allies to celebrate the election results.

SpongeBob needed no introduction. In addition to his popularity among children, who watch his cartoon show, he has become a well-known camp figure among adult gay men, perhaps because he holds hands with his animated sidekick Patrick and likes to watch the imaginary television show "The Adventures of Mermaid Man and Barnacle Boy."

Now, Dr. Dobson said, SpongeBob's creators had enlisted him in a "pro-homosexual video," in which he appeared alongside children's television colleagues like Barney and Jimmy Neutron, among many others. The makers of the video, he said, planned to mail it to thousands of elementary schools to promote a "tolerance pledge" that includes tolerance for differences of "sexual identity."

The video's creator, Nile Rodgers, who wrote the disco hit "We Are Family," said Mr. Dobson's objection stemmed from a misunderstanding. Mr. Rodgers said he founded the We Are Family Foundation after the Sept. 11 attacks to create a music video to teach children about multiculturalism. The video has appeared on television networks, and nothing in it or its accompanying materials refers to sexual identity. The pledge, borrowed from the Southern Poverty Law Center, is not mentioned on the video and is available only on the group's Web site.

Mr. Rodgers suggested that Dr. Dobson and the American Family Association, the conservative Christian group that first sounded the alarm, might have been confused because of an unrelated Web site belonging to another group called "We Are Family," which supports gay youth.

"The fact that some people may be upset with each other peoples' lifestyles, that is O.K.," Mr. Rodgers said. "We are just talking about respect."

Mark Barondess, the foundation's lawyer, said the critics "need medication."

On Wednesday however, Paul Batura, assistant to Mr. Dobson at Focus on the Family, said the group stood by its accusation.

"We see the video as an insidious means by which the organization is manipulating and potentially brainwashing kids," he said. "It is a classic bait and switch."

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
· Talk About It: Messages | Chat

WASHINGTON (Jan. 20) - On the heels of electoral victories barring same-sex marriage, some influential conservative Christian groups are turning their attention to a new target: the cartoon character SpongeBob SquarePants.

"Does anybody here know SpongeBob?" Dr. James C. Dobson, the founder of Focus on the Family, asked the guests Tuesday night at a black-tie dinner for members of Congress and political allies to celebrate the election results.

SpongeBob needed no introduction. In addition to his popularity among children, who watch his cartoon show, he has become a well-known camp figure among adult gay men, perhaps because he holds hands with his animated sidekick Patrick and likes to watch the imaginary television show "The Adventures of Mermaid Man and Barnacle Boy."

Now, Dr. Dobson said, SpongeBob's creators had enlisted him in a "pro-homosexual video," in which he appeared alongside children's television colleagues like Barney and Jimmy Neutron, among many others. The makers of the video, he said, planned to mail it to thousands of elementary schools to promote a "tolerance pledge" that includes tolerance for differences of "sexual identity."

The video's creator, Nile Rodgers, who wrote the disco hit "We Are Family," said Mr. Dobson's objection stemmed from a misunderstanding. Mr. Rodgers said he founded the We Are Family Foundation after the Sept. 11 attacks to create a music video to teach children about multiculturalism. The video has appeared on television networks, and nothing in it or its accompanying materials refers to sexual identity. The pledge, borrowed from the Southern Poverty Law Center, is not mentioned on the video and is available only on the group's Web site.

More From the Times


· Powell's Farewell: Pride, After 4 Years of Turmoil
· Laura Bush Shows Complexity Under Calm
· Irish No Longer Need Higher Math to Drive

Mr. Rodgers suggested that Dr. Dobson and the American Family Association, the conservative Christian group that first sounded the alarm, might have been confused because of an unrelated Web site belonging to another group called "We Are Family," which supports gay youth.

"The fact that some people may be upset with each other peoples' lifestyles, that is O.K.," Mr. Rodgers said. "We are just talking about respect."

Mark Barondess, the foundation's lawyer, said the critics "need medication."

On Wednesday however, Paul Batura, assistant to Mr. Dobson at Focus on the Family, said the group stood by its accusation.

"We see the video as an insidious means by which the organization is manipulating and potentially brainwashing kids," he said. "It is a classic bait and switch."

I graduate San Francisco State University in 2007. But after that, I'm ready to help elect a democratic president! How can we all keep in touch for 4 years?

and thank you all for your birthday wishes!

If you need any more reason to rant...

http://www.bushlies.com
http://www.wage-slave.org/scorecard.html
http://www.thetruthaboutgeorge.com/
http://www.votetoimpeach.org/
http://www.thenation.com/doc.mhtml?i=20040308&s=kennedy
http://www.infernalpress.com/Columns/election.html
http://www.michaelmoore.com/index.php
http://www.toostupidtobepresident.com/
http://www.theonion.com
http://www.counterpunch.org/wormer1011.html

Let's face it folks...there are MORE than 60 million of US out there...don't let the fascists get you down...stand up, be heard and remain PROUD, for We the People are the last line of defense to secure, protect and preserve our Democracy...and we will not be silenced!!!

Vive la Revolution!!!

The government is trying to increase the privatization of pensions in France. Here is how they protest. Why can't we do this?!!

http://news.tf1.fr/news/economie/0,,3197177,00.html

(see photo)

I'm wearing all black too.
On the way to work I heard BBC & CBC on the radio & description of the Coronation sounded like science fiction.

NPR had a summary of the Royal Speech where Peace = Freedom. Freedom in this case is shorthand for War (as in Iraq, where we "spread freedom"). That means Peace = War (Orwell, 1984).

Then Juan Williams interviewed Grover Norquist & Karl Rove & I could hardly handle it.

Indy

Besides those who voted for Bush & for Kerry, there are 77 million others who are elligible to vote & didn't vote at all.

It can't be assumed they support the Bush agenda & they stand to lose alot, as many are poor. Those I have talked to lack the confident, literacy or faith change can occur to vote.

One from a minority group (victim of domestic violence who is a single mother now) said: They throw our votes away. Another told me: The electoral college system is unfair so I don't vote.

I know a builder from Florida who was "too busy to vote" in 2000 & didn't like either candidate. Now he is environmentally conscious, not only voted but canvassed & donated for Kerry & at the moment has bought land in Canada & is emigrating!

Hi All, We are back in the dark center of the universe. First of all, HAPPY BIRTHDAY to both Cari and oncall--and many happier days to come, please god.

It just took me almost an hour to drive across DC--and I was a good ten blocks north of the "festivities". Got cut off twice by an a**hole cop from Virginia (he needed to make sure I understood JUST how important he was), saw five obviously wealthy Texas types emerge angrily from a cab driven by a Sikh--hoping they were being unceremoniously dismissed miles from their destination--and, almost ran over several others in minks and cowboy hats, with red, white, and blue scarves, who stepped off the curb just after the light changed--a collective DC moment of pure bliss, as the cars made them all jump back.

I am afraid today is not bringing out my nicer side.

Anyway, Dick is about to meet me here at our favorite coffee shop (independently and locally-owned and so we are supporting it today) from which he will debark into photo land. Right now, there is a block-long line of buses parked in front of the Metro stop across the street. Locally, friends are under their covers still, nursing various forms of comfort food and drink. In the coffee shop itself, which is crowded, tones are muted. There is no joy in Cap Hill-ville. BUt we all understand we are one big democracy cell here. And the Bush Administration should take no comfort from their security details, nor from the thousands of mink-laden, poufy-haired women and cowboy hat-wearing, beefy-faced white men roaming the streets of our town today. We are here, were angry, we are focused, and we will NOT tolerate their lies and crimes any more.

i'm enjoying the protests on CSPAN2. what a great bday present.

i'm with indy...we will not be silenced.

And remember, folks, the Repubs are the masters of spin. So when I hear all those talking heads out there laying out the RNC plans, I've resolved not to get too dizzy from all the spinning. I will seek information from reliable sources and spread the word. Today will soon be over and then we need to hunker down and get to work! We've got a democracy to save.

Cari--Happy Birthday. I am wearing black in honor of today, but I'll have cake and icecream in honor of your birthday.

National Catholic Reporter has a few words...

http://nationalcatholicreporter.org/fwis/fw012005.htm

[snip]
George Bush's only response to the complete obliteration of his excuse for the invasion of Iraq is a limp and pathetic remark. Not a regret. Not an apology. Not a resolve never to engage in such mindless warmaking again. Instead, in response to the families of the over 1,300 dead US soldiers who went there to destroy those "weapons" and the over 100,000 dead Iraqis who paid the price for that "mistake," the only thing the president could think to say was "Isn't the world better off without Saddam Hussein?"

Happy Birthday oncall!

aw thanks sparrow.

DiAnne... My initial reaction in November was to get my ass to Canada PDQ.

After further review, I'll be DAMNED if I'm gonna let a bunch of redneck hacks chase me outta my country... here's a big blue finger for ya neocons.

Having said that, and reading Karen's "we will NOT tolerate their lies and crimes any more" statement, I'd like to know where the hell we are going with a bunch of Dems in Congress & Senate who have about as much spine as a nerf ball.

I'm tired of jumping thru hoops... these are the same battle cries I've been hearing since 2001, and the results are the same... i.e. Rice Hearings.

No More Mr. Nice Guy

Do we need the next Paul Wellstone?

[snip]
This week, right-wing conservatives celebrate far more than the swearing in of George W. Bush. They’re celebrating the culmination of a 30-year campaign by the conservative movement to reach the pinnacle of American politics. Their banner candidate, George W. Bush, begins a second term with a strengthened conservative majority in the Congress and control of the majority of governorships and state legislatures across the country.

Hey OC, happy birthday...maybe a better one in four years?

Robert Reich talks about the ownership society.

http://www.tompaine.com/articles/cheers_for_bushs_ownership_society.php

Cari..same wish as OC...a better day in four years..

Another ownership society view..

http://www.alternet.org/story/21000/

battlebob I say that Senator Barbara Boxer and Congressmen Conyers should be awarded the Paul Wellstone trophy for courage and spine this past week along with Senator John Kerry.

I would personally like to see weekly or at least monthly designations of the Paul Wellstone acts of courage.

Happy Birthday Oncall and Cari!

I am wearing both black and blue, but we are using our Happy Birthday plates to eat lunch off of!

Also, the countdown begins today. Only 1460 more days to go...

Benson notes the real Bush oath..

http://www.azcentral.com/arizonarepublic/opinions/benson/

What Condi is singing...
http://www.azcentral.com/arizonarepublic/opinions/benson/articles/011905benson.html

**************************************************

NEW THREAD

**************************************************

Is anybody else having problems getting the live video feed from CSPAN2? I watched a bit earlier, a couple of hours ago or so, but now it keeps giving me "page not found". Any idea what's going on?