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What Does This Mean?
One of the things that is constantly reported on throughout elections cycles and beyond, is polling. So, here's the latest polling from the Washington Post (note: it's in PDF format), followed by the latest polling from Lou Harris :
First up, WaPo (with a tip of the hat to the folks at Daily Kos)
Do you approve or disapprove of the way President Bush is handling:
Approve Disapprove
A. Social Security 31 64
B. Iraq 42 56
C. Economy 40 57
D. Terrorism 56 41
E. Energy Policy 35 54
Which party better represents your personal values?
Dems - 47%
GOP - 38%
What the Washington Post had to say about the numbers:
As the Senate moves toward a major confrontation over judicial appointments, a strong majority of Americans oppose changing the rules to make it easier for Republican leaders to win confirmation of President Bush's court nominees, according to the latest Washington Post-ABC News Poll.
GOP leaders are threatening a rules change to prohibit the use of filibusters to block judicial nominees and have stepped up their criticism of the Democrats for using the tactic on some of Bush's nominees to the federal appellate courts. They say they are prepared to invoke what has become known as the "nuclear option" to assure that Bush's nominees receive an up-or-down vote on the Senate floor.
But by a 2-1 margin, the public rejected easing Senate rules in a way that would make it harder for Democratic senators to prevent final action on Bush's nominees. Even many Republicans were reluctant to abandon current Senate confirmation procedures: Nearly half opposed any rules changes, joining eight in 10 Democrats and seven in 10 political independents, the poll found.
The wide ranging survey also recorded a precipitous decline in support for the centerpiece of Bush's Social Security plan -- private or personal accounts -- despite the fact that the president and other administration officials have been stumping the country as part of a 60-day blitz to mobilize support. The Post-ABC poll found that a bare majority -- 51 percent -- now oppose such accounts while 45 percent support them.
The poll also registered a drop in key Bush's performance ratings, growing pessimism about the economy, and continuing concerns about U.S. involvement in Iraq. Nor are the GOP's problems confined to the White House.
Four in 10 say that House Majority Leader Tom DeLay (R-Tex.), under fire for alleged ethics violations, should resign his leadership post while a third of the public said he should remain in his job. Among the 36 percent who say they have been following the allegations against Delay, nearly two in three say DeLay should step down.
Next up, Lou Harris' Polling.
What Lou Harris has to say about his numbers:
President’s Job Ratings Fall to Lowest Point of His PresidencySocial Security seen as the top issue to address by U.S. adults
The last month has not been a good one for President Bush and the Republicans. Most people have opposed the President’s proposals for reforming Social Security and most were unhappy with the positions taken by Republicans in the Terri Schiavo case. The result is that the president’s job ratings have fallen to 44 percent positive, 56 percent negative, the worst numbers of his presidency, and a drop from 48 percent positive, 51 percent negative in February (and 50% positive, 49% negative last November).
This is one of the results of a new Harris Poll of 1,010 U.S. adults surveyed by telephone by Harris Interactive® between April 5 and 10, 2005.
The polling covers other areas and has interesting things to report about the President's cabinet and other issues.
For a look at the polling data, go here.
And the question is, as always, what does it mean? We'd love to hear your thoughts on the subject, so please be sure to comment.
Casey,
What it means to me is that it will be easier to show all the constituents here why voting is important; why paying attention to the issues is important; and why watching for corruption in our officials is important.
There is still that number where some people trust W on terror - I have never been able to figure that out - & that "fear factor" was milked to death all last year.
I think we are seeing buyer's remorse.
Remember pollzac on the Kerry blog? You can only believe so much, and then you need a pill?
First and foremost, I think that some people are awake to the bait and switch they got stuck with when they cast their votes in November. Remember, there were terrors lurking behind every tree and under every rock. Be afraid of what will happen if you vote blue, etc. etc.
Election over, back to your regularly scheduled corporate, big oil, ethically challenged government in action. Thanks for votng red folks, now please go away. We're coming for ANWR, SS, your jobs and your health benefits. Enjoy those high gas prices on your way to your fundementalist churches, all is right with the world.
We're tired Casey. We are so tired of the God-addled idiocy. We are tired of watching CEO's make mega mega mega bucks, and average people making not one dime more. We are tired of freedom and democracy being on the march in the Middle East, while our own F&D is being eaten away. We are tired of holier than thou bigots getting air time, facetime, and taking poor people's money in order to buy rich congresmen's votes. We are tired of not being proud of what is being done in our namnes. Nobody asked us, and when we speak up, we get the anti-patriot smack-down.
We have been angry, enraged, livid, and sick to our souls. We have made calls, and sent letters, and knocked on doors. Heck, Suz corners people in elevators! We post here and talk to other blogs. We contact the former MSM about their garbage news. We wear our DCP shirts, and we lay awake at night trying to come up with one thing, just one more thing that will serve as a wake up call to our neighbors, families and friends.
There is so much to do, so many wrongs that will have to be set right. There aren't enough hours in the day to begin to restore that which has been lost. Some losses will never be undone. (yes, go ahead and cry for those 1500+)Every day is like a new outrage waiting to happen.
It hurts, Casey. It hurts our children and their futures. It hurts our pocketbooks and our national pride. It hurts to see greed and bigotry and lying and deception being rewarded.
But, you know what Casey? Polls aren't going to do the job. People will do it. People here, and in groups like the cells who let us know what they are doing. People who are writing to their newspapers will do it. Real people, people with heart and tolerance and true kindness will do it. People who truly love their neighbor, without prejudice will do it. People like you and all of our family here that are welcoming and reaching out as far as our arms and our computer networks will reach will do it.
Where else, but among like minds, would we be able to find strength and inspiration to keep going on? There is energy and life and wisdom to be shared. Ideas flow. Every day, we start again, and there will be polls about everything under the sun. We will just take our pollzac, and do what we do. I'm immune to polls. I'm pleased as punch that the PresiDunce and his crew look so bad, but until I see it make a difference at the ballot box, it don't mean a thing.
Happy Tuesday April 26th 2005. Let's do some democracy together!!!!
Posted by: tutterfly at April 26, 2005 12:23 AM
nice post, tut, i agree!
Basic Instinct
We the unwilling, lead by the unknowing are doing the impossible for the ungrateful...we have done so much for so long with so little we are now qualified to do anything with nothing...
Let us not forget the prime (or in this case primal) instinct that allows tyrants, despots, fanatics and lunatics to gain control over a group of individuals...a church...a community...a nation.
Fear.
It is the lowest common denominator...it is one of the greatest motivators...it has been used to abuse and subjugate mankind since our sentient awakening as a species.
We, as human beings, all process the world around us differently...we all are created from a complex diversity of environment, nourishment, deprivation, spirituality, education and a desire for self-fulfillment...each one precious and rare and unique...but one of the most powerful basic instincts we all possess is the fight or flight response.
In reviewing our heritage we can find innumerable instances of man's inhumanity to man...we happen to be living in such a time...September 11, 2001 was real.
The inhumanity we now face as a people…as a Nation and indeed as a species within our global civilization did not come from beyond our shores, but from within our own government as is reflected in the writings of many of our Forefathers. Feeding that fear and feeding upon basic human instinct, the current administration has tapped into the unconscious drive for survival...to be one of the tribe...for self-preservation and the continuation of our species...our civilization.
Within this misguided menagerie that has become our beloved America and the complexities of human nature exists the will to thrive...not just survive...and to live within our natural rights...to be free. This and other factors are the variables in the equation Karl Rove and his minions could not factor into their diabolical plans…as Americans...as human beings...it is also within our nature to face our fears...to overcome our fears and to stand boldly in defiance of those who would lead us astray across the rivers of self-loathing and hubris.
Are we so different from the ancient masses who willingly sacrificed their children in order to appease the angry gods?
The answer is quite simple.
No.
We as a species are not.
Should this lead us to despair and feelings of helplessness and humility before the fatted calves of power?
Hell NO!
We are the inheritors of the greatest civilization to have walked this Earth, and as our Constitution and our Declaration of Independence teaches us, as a people...we must have a decent respect for the opinions of ALL of mankind.
The jaded few who seek riches and power upon the backs of the weary, the downtrodden, the meek...who would place religiosity before religion...who would deny the rights and condemn the spirituality of all who do not pray to an angry god or gilded cross...who dare to know the will of God...those who thrive upon their desire to strike fear into the hearts of humanity for selfish and transient causes...these are our enemies...not those who blindly follow their instinct to survive and to live as a free people.
We are all only being what we were born to be...human.
To survive just one more day...
We are the children of every nation…of every culture and civilization to have risen and fallen across the desolate sands of time. They are our brothers and sisters...they are our American Family...our Global Family...our Human Family. They are us as much as we are them and we must not let this great human diversity and individuality be squandered at the hands of madmen.
Hope is alive and well...the dream is still alive as is apparent in the dedication and tireless efforts of Americans such as yourselves'...and not only Americans, but fellow human beings around the world. The Fires of Freedom still burn brightly within our hearts.
The Pendulum of Right and Wrong has begun to swing back towards the center of all existence once again. The course of our civilization has yet to be determined. Whether our current leaders are bent on the destruction of our nations, the depletion of our natural resources or the annihilation of every living creature upon the face of this fragile planet, we shall fight until there is once again unity and peace and coexistence and freedom within our world.
We are not the first to have faced such midnight moments...nor are we likely to be the last...and in the words of a great human being:
"I refuse to accept the cynical notion that nation after nation must spiral down a militaristic stairway into the hell of thermonuclear destruction. I believe that unarmed truth and unconditional love will have the final word in reality. This is why right temporarily defeated is stronger than evil triumphant."
"I believe that even amid today's motor bursts and whining bullets, there is still hope for a brighter tomorrow. I believe that wounded justice, lying prostrate on the blood-flowing streets of our nations, can be lifted from this dust of shame to reign supreme among the children of men."
"I have the audacity to believe that peoples everywhere can have three meals a day for their bodies, education and culture for their minds, and dignity, equality and freedom for their spirits. I believe that what self-centered men have torn down, men other-centered can build up. I still believe that one day mankind will bow before the altars of God and be crowned triumphant over war and bloodshed, and nonviolent redemptive goodwill will proclaim the rule of the land."
"And the lion and the lamb shall lie down together and every man shall sit under his own vine and fig tree and none shall be afraid."
"I still believe that we shall overcome."
"This faith can give us courage to face the uncertainties of the future. It will give our tired feet new strength as we continue our forward stride toward the city of freedom. When our days become dreary with low-hovering clouds and our nights become darker than a thousand midnights, we will know that we are living in the creative turmoil of a genuine civilization struggling to be born."
~Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. (excerpt from his acceptance speech when receiving the Nobel Peace Prize)
Know in your hearts that if each one of us makes a positive difference in the lives of one single person...we have already begun to dare to create a better world.
Be at Peace.
John Kerry Honors Small Business in the Senate
25 April 2005
The Senate passed a resolution today honoring small business and the SBA. This week, April 25-29, is National Small Business Week. When we hear John Kerry talk about small business it’s obvious that he gets what a small business really is, he’s not paying lip service, like Bush or confusing small business with large corporations.
“Every day, small businesses and entrepreneurs are making innovations, creating new jobs, and pushing our economy forward. In fact, more than 50 percent of our nation’s GDP and more than two-thirds of all new jobs in our economy are attributable to small businesses. From the high-tech startup and the small manufacturer to the family-owned bookstore and the lemonade stand run by the little girl down the street, small businesses and entrepreneurs are an exciting part of our communities. And the opportunities they create represent the American Dream.â€
The Kerry-Snowe resolution, S.Res 120, honors the nation's 25 million small businesses for their innovation and economic importance. It recognizes the critical role played by the SBA in helping small businesses and entrepreneurs create opportunities for success.
MORE - http://www.lightupthedarkness.org/blog/default.asp?view=plink&id=778
Posted by: Pamela at April 26, 2005 01:36 AM
Thank you, thank you!
The pugs can claim to be pro-business all they want. And in fact, many small business owners buy into their crap, lured by short-term tax breaks. (You wanna write off that $100K Range Rover as business expense? The pugs will let you do that!)
But remember, the government is the largest buyer of goods and services, and the less taxes the rich pay, the less the government buys, hurting small businesses which tend to rely more on government business. I know it because until now I've worked for a small contractor doing mostly DoD construction work; we (except me, of course) supported W, and W rewarded us by spending his money on reckless wars instead of infrastructure improvements where we could make money.
It's noteworthy that the sponsors of this resolution - and therefore supporters of small business - are a progressive Dem (Kerry) and a moderate pug (Snowe). Extremist pugs nowhere to be found.
When one can't sleep, one can always post on the blog. Indy, it's good to hear from you.
I was just thinking about that stunt on Sunday.
We need our own DAY!!!!
Something that shows inclusion, respect, equality, civility, true kindness.
I meant a day that is not in REACTION to one of those religious stunt Sundays.
Tutterfly,
If you nap, you can be up again to post at the weirdest hours. Sometimes, even when you don't nap, the dog gets you up -- and then you're up whether you like it or not . . .
Good Morning fellow travelers-in-democracy. What a joy to read such fine from-the-heart posts!
As always, you all inspire me to action.
"Where else, but among like minds, would we be able to find strength and inspiration to keep going on? There is energy and life and wisdom to be shared. Ideas flow. " (tutt, 12:33 am)
I love that we all come from different places and did not know each other at all two years ago. Lurkers here tell me that we appear to be close friends and that that can be intimidating. I will say to all the lurkers--tutt and Indy did not start out so eloquent, nor have they even met or seen each other. It begins with a voice--your voice. The good news is that each voice adds to the glorious sound.
We are not all in total agreement about everything under the sun. We are from different political parties, different political sensibilities, different cultures, different backgrounds (add your own history to the Welcome forum--http://www.democracycellproject.net/forum/index.php?showtopic=512 -- and we will begin to see just how diverse we are.)
As Leonard Cohen reminds us (lyrics, DEMOCRACY)
It's coming to America first,
the cradle of the best and of the worst.
It's here they got the range
and the machinery for change
and it's here they got the spiritual thirst.
It's here the family's broken
and it's here the lonely say
that the heart has got to open
in a fundamental way:
Democracy is coming to the U.S.A.
At the DCP, we work from the heart. As a famous rabbi said, sometimes truth sits on the heart, and then, when the heart breaks, the words can fall inside the heart. When that happens, people ACT.
If your heart is breaking, for whatever reason (there are so many), let the breaking open you, so the truth can fall inside and bathe your soul.
And then join us, speak your truth to us and with us. And ACT.
Here there be dragons--and here there be hope.
P.S. Dick and I are having dinner with oncall and his wife tonight--another DCP cell meeting!
Karen,
Well said, and please give my love to oncall, who has been an important mainstay of DCP.
Here there be Hope, indeed!
And just what does this mean??? Oh yeah, I forgot...it's that, "you're either with us or you're against us" thinking...it's a part of their national litmus test...
Any Kerry Supporters On The Line?
The Bush Administration punishes some Democrat backers
The Inter-American Telecommunication Commission meets three times a year in various cities across the Americas to discuss such dry but important issues as telecommunications standards and spectrum regulations. But for this week's meeting in Guatemala City, politics has barged onto the agenda. At least four of the two dozen or so U.S. delegates selected for the meeting, sources tell TIME, have been bumped by the White House because they supported John Kerry's 2004 campaign.
The State Department has traditionally put together a list of industry representatives for these meetings, and anyone in the U.S. telecom industry who had the requisite expertise and wanted to go was generally given a slot, say past participants. Only after the start of Bush's second term did a political litmus test emerge, industry sources say.
The White House admits as much: "We wanted people who would represent the Administration positively, and--call us nutty--it seemed like those who wanted to kick this Administration out of town last November would have some difficulty doing that," says White House spokesman Trent Duffy. Those barred from the trip include employees of Qualcomm and Nokia, two of the largest telecom firms operating in the U.S., as well as Ibiquity, a digital-radio-technology company in Columbia, Md. One nixed participant, who has been to many of these telecom meetings and who wants to remain anonymous, gave just $250 to the Democratic Party. Says Nokia vice president Bill Plummer: "We do not view sending experts to international meetings on telecom issues to be a partisan matter. We would welcome clarification from the White House."
http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1053595,00.html?cnn=yes
Important story in the Tom DeLay '06 Race in today's Houston Chronicle:
"Sugar Land attorney Richard Morrison, the Democrat who challenged House Majority Leader Tom DeLay last year and said as recently as Friday that he would try again, said Monday that he won't make the race.
Morrison sent an e-mail to supporters announcing his decision. His departure leaves two prominent Democratic prospects, former U.S. Rep. Nick Lampson of Beaumont and Houston City Councilman Gordon Quan."
Interesting that W is going to Galveston today with Tom DeLay pushing SS reform based upon City of Galveston pension plan as being the same as his. Problem is that their plan is not similar. The Chronicle reports that the Galveston plan is a mix of short term bonds and annuities (which is good for annuities comissions and is professionally managed. W's plan is self directed and does not include conservative bonds, problem is that no one bothered to tell W before he goes to his SS forum today they are not the same.
Check Out: UFCW's Wake Up Walmart blog: wakeupwalmart.com which has 40,000 petitioners urging Walmart's unionization.
Poking around on kos and found this item. Since we have several Texans who frequent DCP thought I'd bring this to your attention.
~snip~
"... This blog will exist for the sole purpose of building a clear record of the abuses and insanity of the right in Texas using the power of bloggers and the netroots. It is intended to be used as an information clearinghouse for candidates running for office in 2006 and beyond and a place where Texans can learn more about who is governing them. By bringing Texas bloggers to one site, we can help to focus energy on one topic with little extra work on the part of the individual members...."
~snip~
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2005/4/21/21610/0735
http://comeandtakeit.blogspot.com/
dwahzon:
Thanks for the words of encouragement.As you well know there were numerous Texas bloggers on the John Kerry site last summer, on this site now, and at least 50 of us Texas activists in Denver working with the Kerry/Salazar campaign. I think the other side underestimates the hunger Texas Demcorats and bloggers have to make a political statement to the national press that we are all not lunny tunes down here, which can start with a great candidate and well planned strategy to defeat Tom DeLay. The seeds have been sewn. I just ask many here, as tempting as it may be, to temper your attacks against Tom DeLay, as to not play into his political hand.
Consumer confidence down a third straight month from 103 to 97.7 Glad to see those wonderful tax cuts finally kicking in.
If you're in/around the NY area this weekend, there's a great conference to check out. I'll be there.
Examining the Real Agenda of the Religious Far Right
http://www.opencenter.org/Trainings/Religious_Right_Agenda.html
As noted above, fear of terrorism trumped everything else. Polling at the time of the election showed a majority agreed with Kerry over Bush on virtually every issue, but a majority mistakingly believed Bush was keeping us safer from terrorism.
Most likely Bush's numbers are even worse on the issues now than in November following public disagreement with the Republicans on Social Security, Terry Schiavo, Tom DeLay, and the Nuclear Option.
Jim Hightower on Tom DeLay...
Tom's Cosmetic Make-over
by Jim Hightower
Breaking news from the political front in our Nation's Capitol: Tom DeLay has undergone an extreme make-over!
The thuggish, ethically-impaired house majority leader, who likes to be called "The Hammer" for his take-no-prisoners political style, apparently is getting PR advice to develop something of a softer appearance. For example, instead of his dark, slicked-down, Snidely-Whiplash-style hairdo, Tom is currently sporting a friendlier, pouffier do, and he's even had cosmetic dentistry to fix the gap between his two front teeth.
Sadly for Tom, however, there's no cosmetic procedure that will cover the ugly gaps in his ethical behavior. While he has been claiming that all criticism of him is a politically-motivated, "seedy attempt... to embarrass me," he's the seedy one, and he's embarrassing himself, the Republican loyalists trying to defend him, and the entire congress.
Let's chronicle the seediness. DeLay was first reprimanded by the bipartisan house ethics committee in 1997 for essentially letting campaign donors buy legislative favors, then again in 1999 for threatening to kill the legislation of an industry group because it had hired a Democrat as its top lobbyist. Last year, Tom got three new spankings from the ethics committee – one for giving special access to a corporate campaign contributor, another for using a federal agency for partisan political purposes, and a third for trying to bribe another member of congress to vote with him.
This year, DeLay reacted to all of these spankings by having the Republican chairman of the ethics committee fired and by rigging the rules so the committee won't investigate his behavior again. But he's also under scrutiny by a Texas grand jury and by others for such ethical lapses as illegally laundering corporate money, taking four junkets illegally paid for by lobbyists and foreign agents, and funneling half-a-million dollars in campaign cash to his wife and daughter.
Tom doesn't need a cosmetic make-over, he needs an entire ethics transplant.
http://www.commondreams.org/views05/0425-27.htm
Examining the Real Agenda of the Religious Far Right
http://www.opencenter.org/Trainings/Religious_Right_Agenda.html
Posted by: Cyrano at April 26, 2005 10:38 AM
I know the Religious Far Right very well, I dealt with some of its members from Alabama who attended Columbia University with me.
I would register for this in a heartbeat if I still lived in NYC.
Here's what I think it means:
It means a Dem sweep in 2006.
Yes, you heard me. A Dem sweep in 2006.
And before anybody even starts the "oh my god, what hubris" refrain, let me help you.
Say it with me: Dem sweep in '06. Dem sweep in '06....
How's about we strap a set on and stop volunteering for defeat?
Say it with me: Dem sweep in '06....
Okay, my pal Jess, who works at the desk next to mine, has just volunteered the concept that I should be relegated to some sort of "containment center."
OT - sad but true:
Congress confuses file sharing with manslaughter
By Thomas C Greene in Washington for The Register
Published Thursday 21st April 2005 16:01 GMT
Making a movie available electronically prior to its release can now result in a three year sentence, thanks to the Family Entertainment and Copyright Act approved Tuesday by the House. The Senate has already passed its own version, and the final bill is expected to be signed by the President.
The bill also calls for three years in cases where a person is caught recording a movie in a theater with a camcorder - and six years for a second offence. It also indemnifies theater operators against all criminal and civil liabilities arising from detaining suspects "in a reasonable manner." (Welcome to movie jail.)
Since involuntary manslaughter brings, on average, anywhere from 0 to 36 months' incarceration, one might well question the morality of going harder on those who trade files than on those who negligently cut short the lives of fellow citizens. But the 109th Congress is about nothing if not morality, and it understands well the essential sacredness of the nation's ruling cartels.
~snip~
continue at: http://www.theregister.co.uk/2005/04/21/p2p_is_murder/
Posted by: Victoria Ellen at April 26, 2005 12:05 PM
Dem sweep in'06...
Everytime I see Shrub with decent poll numbers on terrorism but pitiful domestic numbers I just remember all of the news articles I read last year with women (security moms - BLECH!) saying, "Well who cares about healthcare and jobs if we get blown up tomorrow by terrorists." So in that context, these new polling numbers from the WP jive with what we've known all along. Terrorism, not the Swifties (who get far too much credit), not the the fundies, not charisma or personality, but TERROISM won the election for Shrub. It was the terror card plain and simple folks. They saw it was working in their internal polling, that's why they kept it going all last year. If it wasn't working they would have stopped it much earlier on and tried something else. Last year this time, every rise in the terror alert received a mention on local and national tv news. Since the election the terror alert has actually gone up and down, although suspiciously less frequently, but you're lucky if you catch a heightened alert mention scrolling at the botton of the CNN screen. Why? Conveniently, ShrubCo isn't sending out media alerts spotlighting it anymore.
Half of America got duped big time and ALL of America is paying for it.
"All obstructions to the execution of the Laws, all combinations and associations, under whatever plausible character, with the real design to direct, control, counteract, or awe the regular deliberation and action of the constituted authorities, are destructive of this fundamental principle, and of fatal tendency. They serve to organize faction, to give it an artificial and extraordinary force; to put, in the place of the delegated will of the nation, the will of a party, often a small but artful and enterprising minority of the community; and, according to the alternate triumphs of different parties, to make the public administration the mirror of the ill-concerted and incongruous projects of faction, rather than the organ of consistent and wholesome plans digested by common counsels, and modified by mutual interests.
18 However combinations or associations of the above description may now and then answer popular ends, they are likely, in the course of time and things, to become potent engines, by which cunning, ambitious, and unprincipled men will be enabled to subvert the power of the people, and to usurp for themselves the reins of government; destroying afterwards the very engines, which have lifted them to unjust dominion.
19 Towards the preservation of your government, and the permanency of your present happy state, it is requisite, not only that you steadily discountenance irregular oppositions to its acknowledged authority, but also that you resist with care the spirit of innovation upon its principles, however specious the pretexts. One method of assault may be to effect, in the forms of the constitution, alterations, which will impair the energy of the system, and thus to undermine what cannot be directly overthrown."
- George Washington, farewell address
September 17, 1796
Someone at work just emailed me this. With the message "Scary."
_______
The Crusaders
Christian evangelicals are plotting to remake America in their own image
By Bob Moser
Rolling Stone Magazine
Monday, April 11, 2005
It's February, and 900 of America's staunchest Christian fundamentalists have gathered in Fort Lauderdale to look back on what they accomplished in last year's election -- and to plan what's next. As they assemble in the vast sanctuary of Coral Ridge Presbyterian, with all fifty state flags dangling from the rafters, three stadium-size video screens flash the name of the conference: Reclaiming America for Christ. These are the evangelical activists behind the nation's most effective political machine -- one that brought more than 4 million new Christian voters to the polls last November, sending George W. Bush back to the White House and thirty-two new pro-lifers to Congress. But despite their unprecedented power, fundamentalists still see themselves as a persecuted minority, waging a holy war against the godless forces of secularism. To rouse themselves, they kick off the festivities with "Soldiers of the Cross, Arise," the bloodthirstiest tune in all of Christendom: "Seize your armor, gird it on/Now the battle will be won/Soon, your enemies all slain/Crowns of glory you shall gain."
Meet the Dominionists -- biblical literalists who believe God has called them to take over the U.S. government. As the far-right wing of the evangelical movement, Dominionists are pressing an agenda that makes Newt Gingrich's Contract With America look like the Communist Manifesto. They want to rewrite schoolbooks to reflect a Christian version of American history, pack the nation's courts with judges who follow Old Testament law, post the Ten Commandments in every courthouse and make it a felony for gay men to have sex and women to have abortions. In Florida, when the courts ordered Terri Schiavo's feeding tube removed, it was the Dominionists who organized round-the-clock protests and issued a fiery call for Gov. Jeb Bush to defy the law and take Schiavo into state custody. Their ultimate goal is to plant the seeds of a "faith-based" government that will endure far longer than
Bush's presidency -- all the way until Jesus comes back.
"Most people hear them talk about a 'Christian nation' and think, 'Well, that sounds like a good, moral thing,' says the Rev. Mel White, who ghostwrote Jerry Falwell's autobiography before breaking with the evangelical movement. "What they don't know -- what even most conservative Christians who voted for Bush don't know -- is that 'Christian nation' means something else entirely to these Dominionist leaders. This movement is no more about following the example of Christ than Bush's Clean Water Act is about clean water."
The godfather of the Dominionists is D. James Kennedy, the most influential evangelical you've never heard of. A former Arthur Murray dance instructor, he launched his Florida ministry in 1959, when most evangelicals still followed Billy Graham's gospel of nonpartisan soul-saving.
Kennedy built Coral Ridge Ministries into a $37-million-a-year empire, with a TV-and-radio audience of 3 million, by preaching that it was time to save America -- not soul by soul but election by election. After helping found the Moral Majority in 1979, Kennedy became a five-star general in the Christian army. Bush sought his blessing before running for president -- and continues to consult top Dominionists on matters of federal policy.
"Our job is to reclaim America for Christ, whatever the cost," Kennedy says. "As the vice regents of God, we are to exercise godly dominion and influence over our neighborhoods, our schools, our government, our literature and arts, our sports arenas, our entertainment media, our news media, our scientific endeavors -- in short, over every aspect and institution of human society."
At Reclaiming America, most of the conference is taken up by grassroots training sessions that supply ministers, retirees and devout churchgoers with "The Facts of Stem-Cell Research" or "Practical Steps to Impact Your Community with America's Historical Judeo-Christian Heritage." "We're going to turn you into an army of one," Gary Cass, executive director of Reclaiming America, promises activists at one workshop held in Evangalism
Explosion Hall. The Dominionists also attend speeches by supporters like Rep. Katherine Harris of Florida, who urges them to "win back America for God." In their spare time, conference-goers buy books about a God-devised health program called the Maker's Diet or meet with a financial adviser who offers a "biblically sound investment plan."
To implement their sweeping agenda, the Dominionists are working to remake the federal courts in God's image. In their view, the Founding Fathers never intended to erect a barrier between politics and religion. "The First Amendment does not say there should be a separation of church and state," declares Alan Sears, president and CEO of the
Alliance Defense Fund, a team of 750 attorneys trained by the Dominionists to fight abortion and gay marriage. Sears argues that the constitutional guarantee against state-sponsored religion is actually designed to "shield" the church from federal interference -- allowing Christians to take their rightful place at the head of the government.
"We have a right, indeed an obligation, to govern," says David Limbaugh, brother of Rush and author of Persecution: How Liberals Are Waging War Against Christianity. Nothing gets the Dominionists to their feet faster than ringing condemnations of judicial tyranny. "Activist judges have systematically deconstructed the Constitution," roars Rick Scarborough, author of Mixing Church and State. "A God-free society is their goal!"
Activist judges, of course, are precisely what the Dominionists want. Their model is Roy Moore, the former Alabama chief justice who installed a 5,300-pound granite memorial to the Ten Commandments, complete with an open Bible carved in its top, in the state judicial building. At Reclaiming America, Roy's Rock sits out front, fresh off a tour of twenty-one states, perched on the flag-festooned flatbed of a diesel truck, a potent symbol of the "faith-based" justice the Dominionists are bent on imposing. Activists at the conference pose for photographs beside the rock and have circulated a petition urging President Bush to appoint Moore -- who once penned an opinion calling for the state to execute "practicing homosexuals" -- to the U.S. Supreme Court.
"The other side knows we've got strongholds in the executive and legislative branches," Cass tells the troops. "If we start winning the judiciary, their power base is going to be eroded."
To pack the courts with fundamentalists like Moore, Dominionist leaders are planning a massive media blitz.
They're also pressuring Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist -- an ally who's courting support for his presidential bid -- to halt the long-standing use of filibusters to hold up judicial nominations. An anti-filibuster petition circulating at the conference blasts Democrats for their "outrageous stonewalling of appointments" -- even though Congress has approved more nominees of Bush than of any president since Jimmy Carter.
It helps that Dominionists have a direct line to the White House: The Rev. Richard Land, top lobbyist for the 16-million-member Southern Baptist Convention, enjoys a weekly conference call with top Bush advisers including Karl Rove. "We've got the Holy Spirit's wind at our backs!" Land declares in an arm-waving, red-faced speech. He takes particular aim at the threat posed by John Lennon, denouncing "Imagine" as a "secular anthem" that envisions a future of "clone plantations, child sacrifice, legalized polygamy and hard-core porn."
The Dominionists are also stepping up efforts to turn public schools into forums for evangelism. In a landmark case, the Alliance Defense Fund is suing a California school district that threatened to dismiss a born-again teacher who was evangelizing fifth-graders. In the conference's opening ceremony, the Dominionists recite an oath they dream of hearing in every classroom: "I pledge allegiance to the Christian flag, and to the Savior for whose kingdom it stands. One Savior, crucified, risen and coming again, with life and liberty for all who believe."
Cass urges conference-goers to stack school boards with Dominionists. "The most humble Christian is more qualified for office than the best-educated pagan," says Cass, an anti-abortion activist who led a takeover of his school district's board in San Diego. "We built quite a little grass-roots machine out there. Now it's my burden to multiply that success all across America."
Cass points to the Rev. Gary Beeler, a Baptist minister from Tennessee who got permission for thousands of students to skip class and attend weeklong events that he calls "old-time revivals, with preaching and singing and soul-saving and the whole nine yards." Now, with support from Kennedy, Beeler is selling his house and buying a mobile home to spread his crusade nationwide. "It's not exactly what I planned to do with my retirement," he says. "But it's what God told me to do."
Cass also presents another small-town activist, Kevin McCoy, with a Salt and Light Award for leading a successful campaign to shut down an anti-bullying program in West Virginia schools. McCoy, a soft-spoken, prematurely gray postal worker, fought to end the program because it taught tolerance for gay people -- and thus, in his view, constituted a "thinly disguised effort to promote the homosexual agenda." "What America needs," Cass tells the
faithful, "is more Kevin McCoys."
While the dominionists rely on grass-roots activists to fight their battles, they are backed by some of America's richest entrepreneurs. Amway founder Rich DeVos, a Kennedy ally who's the leading Republican contender for governor of Michigan, has tossed more than $5 million into the collection plate. Jean Case, wife of former AOL chief Steve Case -- whose fortune was made largely on sex-chat rooms -- has donated $8 million. And Tom Monaghan, founder of Domino's Pizza, is a major source of cash for Focus on the Family, a megaministry working with Kennedy to eliminate all public schools.
The one-two punch of militant activists and big money has helped make the Dominionists a force in Washington, where a growing number of congressmen owe their elections to the machine. Kennedy has also created the Center for Christian Statesmanship, which trains elected officials to "more effectively share their faith in the public arena." Speaking to the group, House Majority Whip Tom DeLay -- a winner of Kennedy's Distinguished Christian Statesman Award -- called Bush's faith-based initiatives "a great opportunity to bring God back into the public institutions of our country."
The most vivid proof of the Christianizing of Capitol Hill comes at the final session of Reclaiming America. Rep. Walter Jones, a lanky congressman from North Carolina, gives a fire-and-brimstone speech that would have gotten him laughed out of Washington thirty years ago. In today's climate, however, he's got a chance of passing his pet project, the Houses of Worship Free Speech Restoration Act, which would permit ministers to endorse political
candidates from their pulpits, effectively converting their tax-exempt churches into Republican campaign headquarters.
"America is under assault!" Jones thunders as his aides dash around the sanctuary snapping PR photos. "Everyone in America has the right to speak freely, except for those standing in the pulpits of our churches!" The amen chorus reaches a fever pitch. Hands fly heavenward. It's one thing to hear such words from Dominionist leaders -- but to this crowd, there's nothing more thrilling than getting the gospel from a U.S. congressman. "You cannot have a strong nation that does not follow God," Jones preaches, working up to a climactic, passionate plea for a biblical republic. "God, please -- God, please -- God, please -- save America!"
From the Department of Understatement:
Money Flows More Slowly to DeLay Defense
http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/ap/20050426/ap_on_go_co/delay_legal_defense
Some additional reading to follow up on the Rolling Stone article:
Additional background info on the Dominionists and into whose ears they whisper these days:
http://www.ariannaonline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1882
The Despoiling of America -- a very long, very well documented report of the rise of the Dominionists
http://www.yuricareport.com/Dominionism/TheDespoilingOfAmerica.htm
It almost makes you think "loony conspiracy theorists" but too much of what is in there has been demonstrated in just the past 2 months. And this was written and published well before that.
Plus it puts into place some pieces that I heard about in the 80's and early 90's (ie., Richard Viguerie & his buddies as well as others) but thought that no one would ever take these people seriously. Boy, was I wrong.
The GOP: Marketing Jesus for Political Gain
26 April 2005
The LA Times has a wonderful commentary today by Jack Hitt, “Jesus Was No GOP Lobbyist.†Hitt, points out that the media, television particularly has played heavily into the selling of Christianity as a Republican PAC.
When the pope died, CNN's Wolf Blitzer introduced former Clinton aide Paul Begala and right-wing pundit Robert Novak this way: "Bob is a good Catholic; I'm not so sure about Paul Begala." At the bottom of the screen, CNN ran an informative factoid for the audience: "Many Catholic doctrines are conservative."
Here lies the problem with media hacking for right wing, rather than reporting unbiased news. Who is or is not a “good Catholic†is not to be judged by the likes of Wolf Blitzer, nor any representative of the media for that matter. This is not reporting the news; it is shoving personal opinions down the throats of Americans.
http://www.lightupthedarkness.org/blog/default.asp?view=plink&id=783
P.S. Dick and I are having dinner with oncall and his wife tonight--another DCP cell meeting!
Posted by: Karen at April 26, 2005 08:14 AM
Enjoy your time with Oncall and his wife!!! Give that dear strong, gentle soul a hug from all of us who appreciate him and his efforts so very much!!! Viva la DCP cell meeting!(s)
If you're in/around the NY area this weekend, there's a great conference to check out. I'll be there.
Examining the Real Agenda of the Religious Far Right
http://www.opencenter.org/Trainings/Religious_Right_Agenda.html
Posted by: Cyrano at April 26, 2005 10:38 AM
I'm envious!!! Take good notes, and come back and share with us on the blog, Cyrano!!!
The Evangelical movement is a Wolf wrapped in Lambskin. We look back at events like Jim Jones and the murders in Guyana, any religious Suicide sect for that matter, and think to ourselves we will not be fooled like they were.
This Nation is being fooled right now, this very minute by Leaders that Abuse people of faith
(take that Senator Frist) to accomplish Political goals. These zealots believe they have been ordained to begin a Holy War. Any and all that do not believe as they decide, should perish.
This is tremendously dangerous, they have great leverage in OUR White House, Senate and Congress. This needs to be addressed.
We could have a Political Rapture series, where these leaders are invited to debate their goals, programs, intentions and promote their religion. Out in the open, subject to examination and interpretation against the Bible itself.
Its when the attempt to justify their actions against the actual teachings of their spiritual leader, Jesus, that the hypocrisy manifests.
When followers of these wolves understand their beliefs have been hijacked, the reaction will be intense.
I too thought that the evangelical movement was a small bunch that would never amount to much. Years ago, I went to a meeting with a friend whose mother was deeply into this spirital revival, being born again, taking Jesus as her personal saviour. I was totally underwhelmed by these people. I didn't feel the Holy Spirit hanging around. Back then, there was no move into politics. I never gave it that kind of thought. What I saw was a group of rather deluded people.
I never thought about delusion taking hold and gaining strength. The charismatics I remember meeting were people who would have also made pretty decent movie actors, because to me, I was seeing 'acting' not religion. But, I figured, no harm, these people want an audience, and the audience wants some ready to order miracles.
Now, with the clairty of hindsight, it occurs to me that the Dominionists are like the actors I saw in that small church here at home. Not content with neighborhood playhouse plays, they want their 'Broadway' in Washington D.C. After all, the mega churches are run by people who are more celebrity than spiritual. They are acting a part that they see as the ultimate role.
What better stage, what better place to stage a show than in the halls of government? After all, they could make their show the only show in town. (in the whole country) However---I still can't see how forcing GOD down the collective American throats is some how righteous or holy or noble. If a person does not believe, or they know a different God, laws are not going to force people into fundementalist evangelism. I try to imagine every other God or teaching being outlawed, and I am appalled. Would people really just roll over and let this kind of thing happen?
I know there is big Big BIG money being spent on this. I know they have managed to organize and preach their lungs out over all this. But, every day and every step they take has less to do with God and religion and more to do with greed and power. These are not people working for the Lord, these are people who want to be overlords. Right now, they are content with their DeLays, and Frists and Santorums, but at what point will it occur to them that they don't want those political operators running things on their dime anymore? It's their money, and their votes, they will eventually want the seats in Congress too.
At what point do the politicians currently being bought start to feel the squeeze that is squeezing them out? How long will they play nice with their evangelical buddies, when they feel that their buddies are out to get them? There is this sense of 'we own 'x' number' of people in government, we bought them, they are ours to direct and order around. I suppose that while the money is this good, some politicians are happy to get puppeted around.
I've said this before, and I think it bears repeating. Both politicians and fundementalists think they are in control of how things are going to go. They are not into mutual power-sharing. Both sides think they could pull the rug out from other the other guy, cut them loose, set them adrift, end the relationship. They seem to think they will know when and how do divorce themselves from a good thing that turns into a liability that threatens their good thang.
But, I just don't see how they can continue to happily co-exist for much longer in the narrow little world they are creating for themselves. It's a tight, airless place and there is only so much room. Kingmakers eventually want to be kings. And kings are constantly on patrol for subjects planning to be usurpers. They might be basking in all this familial trust right now, but it won't last forever.
Is it scary? For sure, the rapture is written all over this mess they are making. But, it's sad too. Imagine what a force for good all the celebrity fundementalists and their funders could be doing if they really were working for the good of their fellow man. If there really is a Heaven, and a God, surely the welcome wagon isn't going to be getting much of a work-out when it comes to the people who are claiming God as their very own.
Hello Again!
I know it has been a long time since I have blogged. I have been so inspired and energized by what I have learned on first Kerry.com and now DCP and I have much to tell. First, Dick and Karen, you have made such a difference to the Democrats in my town. The time you have given me and the information you have so gracefully shared have been put to immediate and excellent use! Results: your fundraising information has now been shared with all in the state party and has spurred a revolution of sorts. We are out there fundraising for 06 already with great success and organization. And we are doing it right- by the book, leaving nothing vulnerable to attack by the GOP. They have definitely noticed our activies and have publicly commented on it. We are organizing and capitalizing on our strengths. Yesterday, I came from a meeting with the campaign staff I serve on with an action plan to implement my rapid response team of Democrats connected via web to do research and provide force field analyses of topics for elected officials. My team includes many of the good Democrats I have met in the past year at my fundraisers who want to help but do not know how. I have done a survey of their strengths and areas of expertise and activate them with a flick of my 'send' button. I began an informal RRteam last week and had tremendous success immediately. Our research formed the basis of comments made by our elected Dem officials that made the front pages,and now my RR team is in hot demand. A hot topic broke into the late news and by midnight we had gotten talking points(well vetted and substantiated) to our elected officials. All of this was inspired by Dick, Karen, Indy, Oncall, Tutterfly, Pamela etc etc and this site. With your help, we are bringing the Democratic party in my state into the 21st Century and bringing so many citizens into active participation. Do not despair, democracy and justice for all is on the march again. Most towns will be holding protest gatherings tomorrow to speak out against the onslaught on the judiciary by the Right. Get out your signs and join. The forces we are battling are strong and the gathering gloom is deep. But the fight is a good one and right is on our side: "...and liberty and justice for all".
Dick, your impact is far reaching and spreading. I have shared many of your internet campaign ideas with elected officials, party officials and potential candidates and the lightbulb has just lit up over their heads. They are beginning to get it. Our base is very energized and just wants to be asked to report for duty. So ask. Just because it is not an election year is no reason to sit around and kvetch. Pick an elected offical or candidate who speaks to your heart and go to work: organize a fundraiser, go to a town meeting, offer to help coordinate an e-mail sign up list for that person,offer to do background research on issues and policies, just offer your help. Every elected official I have contacted has been very open to any help I could give them. They all need so much help. Just ask. Same with your county Democratic Party offices. You would be amazed at how much influence you can have if you just try.
I just finished a birthday fundraiser for a local elected official, one who truly is passionate about equality and diversity. I raised over $7,000
in one night and a grand time was had by all. Not too shabby for a birthday party. Now I am busy upgrading those donor lists, Dick, getting the giving history into the database and developing a hot, warm, and cold list, with accompanying strategies for each list. All the thank you notes have been sent and I realized that I had neglected a very critical one- to Dick and Karen and all DCPers who were my inspiration. So thank you all very much. Is the DCP Convention still going to be at the Cheverly Pool?
Love,
Denise
What do the Numbers mean....
Thats the most important sentence in the entire Thread. There was a famous poll just before the 2004 Election that 60% of america felt the Nation was on the wrong track. Many interpreted this to mean a Kerry victory. It meant no such thing.
Polls mean squat if the numbers are not qualified to reflect purpose or direction. There is great dis-satisfaction in the Nation, everyone agrees on that.
But Polls are like asking where people are going so they can be led. People know what they want and will recognize when they see, hear, and feel it.
People need someone to offset the fear, anxiety and concern that has replaced life, liberty and happiness. This country is desperately seeking that person, right now. That is what those numbers mean.
By definition a True Leader takes charge of the situation regardless. When that person shows up, unafraid of polling data and ready to Lead, they will be followed by the entire Nation.
Clashes Between Bush, GOP Moderates Grow
http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/latimests/20050426/ts_latimes/clashesgrowingbetweenbushandgopmoderates
Denise.
You're on! June 1, 2005. Be there or be square!
GREAT WORK!!!!
Denise,
Look forward to seeing you there. AND everybody else too...As Bob Barker use to say, "COME ON DOWN!"
Denise --
Hot damn! Excellent work, really! Keep fighting the good fight, and we'll do whatever we can to help.
Say it with me: Dem Sweep in '06...