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The floor...
Update:
Josh Marshall over at TPM is asking folks to call their members of Congress and ask where they stand on President Bush’s Gulf Coast Wage Cut. He's keeping a list.
Here's the link:
http://www.talkingpointsmemo.com/archives/week_2005_09_18.php#006565
================================================
I spoke with someone yesterday who made me question what I know about the Davis-Bacon Act and the ramifications of Bush's recent suppression of it. Though I can not go into details of who, when, and why we spoke, I would like to tell you what appeared to be the other side of the story about it.
Though many of you already know what the Davis-Bacon Act is, I will quickly sum up for those who do not: The Davis-Bacon Act requires the payment of prevailing rates of wages on Federal public works. It was approved in 1940. The President has the authority to suppress the wages mandated by this act.
Simple right? The president has the authority during times of national emergencies to cut out the minimum wage mandated by this act. Let's refer to that minimum wage as the floor.
Getting back to the original point...the person to whom I spoke pointed out that the assumption that people would make less than the floor is incorrect. He believes the natural consequences of Capitalism will take care of the problem by simple supply and demand, ie: people will refuse to work for less money and will go work for the company who is offering more money, thus each company would have to up his wages to get workers for the job.
Sounds reasonable, huh?
But let's think about that more deeply. As dwahzon pointed out to me after that conversation, if the floor of the wages is usually $20. dollars per hour and companies now may lower their wages to $10 dollars an hour, then inherently no amount of competition between the suppliers (the business owners) and the demand (the job seekers) will ever bring the income that these workers would make back to the original floor.
That was my original opinion but the person to whom I spoke argued convincingly that that is an assumption...a guess!
This is the debate out there. And when you talk to others outside the DCP you face arguments that give you a side you may not think about. That is exactly what happened to me!
After that conversation, I did question my own understanding, my own knowledge, and my own attitude. So what did I do? I came back to the DCP to learn, to ask questions, and to find out different ways to understand the debate.
Well, thinking about this reminds me how it's so important to leave the DCP community and talk to others outside this blog: to talk to people in the streets, to talk to our representatives, to talk to people of differing opinions and to try to think about what they said and to determine for yourself if your original opinion had validity or if it needs to adapt to new information. And even though the DCP does have a wide range of ideas, we need to refine our ideas and our debate by speaking with others outside this community. By doing so our minds are then expanded even more...to see even more possibilities.
Such is the case for me. My mind was expanded by both conversations and I learned. It led to my decision to find out how much Congressmembers earn. Why? Because what would happen to government officials if we took away their floor? Would their opinions on Bush's order to suppress the Davis-Bacon Act change or remain the same?
If President Bush and other congressmembers think it's fair to suspend the Davis-Bacon Act for construction workers in the hurricane devastated areas, then would it be even MORE fair for these Congressmen and the whole White House's administration, including the President and Vice-President to cut their income down to the same wage as the people affected by the suspension of the Davis-Bacon Act.
What do you think?
Gov. Bush's son arrested
AUSTIN, Texas (AP) -- The youngest son of Florida Gov. Jeb Bush was arrested early Friday and charged with public intoxication and resisting arrest, law enforcement officials said.
John Ellis Bush, 21, was arrested by agents of the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission at 2:30 a.m. on a corner of Austin's Sixth Street bar district, said commission spokesman Roger Wade.
The nephew of President Bush was released on $2,500 bond for the resisting arrest charge, and on a personal recognizance bond for the public intoxication charge, officials said.
Wade said he had no further details about the charges.
Gov. Bush and his wife, Columba, appeared Friday evening at a museum reception in Miami.
"My son's doing fine. It's a private matter. We will support him. We're sad for him. But I'm not going to discuss it on the public square with 30 cameras," the governor told reporters.
It's not the first time Florida's first family has experienced legal problems with one of their children.
Noelle Bush, the governor's daughter, was arrested in January 2002 and accused of trying to pass a fraudulent prescription at a pharmacy to obtain the anti-anxiety drug Xanax. She completed a drug rehabilitation program in August 2003 and a judge dismissed the drug charges against her.
__________________________________________________
No, really Jeb...let's discuss it...let's discuss it all...your whole family's sorted past...
Indy,
Maybe along those lines is the "frame" they like to throw out, "Personal Responsibility."
SEC investigating the Shaw Group for possible accounting irregularities, Newsweek reports. Shaw, which employs longtime Bush associate Joe Allbaugh as a consultant, scored a $100 million no-bid Katrina contract “before the flood waters receded.”
http://thinkprogress.org/2005/09/18/sec-is-investigating-the-shaw-group/
In Defense Of Troops
War Opponents, Supporters Speak Out On Their Behalf
September 19, 2005
By CHRISTINE DEMPSEY, Courant Staff Writer NEW HAVEN -- Military mom Cindy Sheehan, who injected unprecedented zeal into the nation's anti-war movement by holding a nearly monthlong vigil outside President Bush's Texas ranch last month, slammed Bush at a rally on the green Sunday and urged hundreds there to do more to promote peace.
http://www.courant.com/news/local/hc-sheehan0919.artsep19,0,6963030.story?coll=hc-headlines-local
Thank you everyone who keeps supporting Cindy's mission. Reminder: if you can not go to DC then please join a rally or start a vigil in your own home town. I noticed there will be one in Detroit, and I noticed there is a student's in support of Cindy protest day at colleges.
Please do what you can...even send emails, write LTE's, and be around to spread the word about peace and accountablility.
Suz,
Good question. The problem is that many people who believe they are informed actually are misinformed. Discussing issues with them can become an exercise in futility as there is no way of breaking through to them with what is actually the truth. They refuse to accept what really is happening. For example, I was in a discussion with a woman the other day. She told me the economy was better and we should all be happy about it. I explained that there are more people living in poverty. She just couldn't accept that fact.
As regards to Bush and his salary. I really think the best thing to do is to lay him off.
Posted by: oncall at September 19, 2005 10:13 AM
Oncall,
If the economy is so rosy there is no reason to suspend the Davis-Bacon Act.
If our government can handle the war costs, the hurricane costs, and the tax rebates for the really rich folks, then there's no reason corporations need taxpayer's help to donate to that "help Iraq rebuild" fund Bush has started.
Come'on folks, just how far down in the sand are people burrying their heads?
From D.U.
Cindy Sheehan in New Haven
there was a great crowd - NH Register estimated at 800 which seems about right. There were 5 counter-demonstrators.
I thought the local speakers were great - esp. John Olson from the state AFLCIO - he was speaking when the bus arrived.
Cindy was there - she and the other VFP, etc speakers were very moving. Some audience members were in tears.
The freepers were very rude. One had "soldiers" misspelled on her sign ("soliders") - which Cody Camacho from IVAW pointed out from the stage. Between the reading of the names of the dead from CT and the playing of taps, one freeper yelled out "do their families know you are using their names?" Glares and "shushes" from the rest of the crowd shut her up - temporarily
Here's a link to the photo of the "soliders" sign - scroll down to the story and click on "Disagreement" to view it
http://www.courant.com/news/local /
A collection was taken up to cover expenses. They collected an excess $600 which was donated to the bus tour.
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=104x4817418
How do I go about suing the school board??
Seriously, it is time for a southern assault on the macarthy addition to the Pledge. And I am far from an atheist or agnostic.
How do I go about it and how much is the guesstimate it would cost?
Sunday, September 18, 2005
Blackwell jump-starts his 2006 gubernatorial race
Inside Columbus
By Jon Craig
Enquirer staff writer
COLUMBUS - If you think it's early to be getting tape-recorded calls at home for the 2006 governor's race, you are not alone.
Ohio residents reported telephone calls last week recorded by Secretary of State Ken Blackwell in which the Cincinnati Republican asks several hot-button questions as a fund-raising vehicle.
"Did you vote to support marriage in the last election?" Blackwell asks of the amendment that banned same-sex marriages.
"Does it upset you that out-of-state liberals like California Sen. Barbara Boxer are still questioning the results of your vote?" Ohio's chief elections officer asks about the close November 2004 election.
(snip/...)
http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/200...
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Candidate's candor for coffers
By the Columbus Bureau
Secretary of State J. Kenneth Blackwell has been telling people Jerry Springer likely will be the Democratic candidate for governor next year. After providing that information, Blackwell asks for a contribution to help defeat Springer.
http://www.daytondailynews.com/localnews/content/localnews/daily/0919capcor.html?UrAuth=`NXNUObNUbTTUWUXUTUZTU_UWUcUbUZUU^UcTYWYWZV
Sunday, September 18, 2005
Blackwell jump-starts his 2006 gubernatorial race
Inside Columbus
By Jon Craig
Enquirer staff writer
COLUMBUS - If you think it's early to be getting tape-recorded calls at home for the 2006 governor's race, you are not alone.
Ohio residents reported telephone calls last week recorded by Secretary of State Ken Blackwell in which the Cincinnati Republican asks several hot-button questions as a fund-raising vehicle.
"Did you vote to support marriage in the last election?" Blackwell asks of the amendment that banned same-sex marriages.
"Does it upset you that out-of-state liberals like California Sen. Barbara Boxer are still questioning the results of your vote?" Ohio's chief elections officer asks about the close November 2004 election.
(snip/...)
(They're starting the push-polling!)
http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050918/NEWS01/509180350/1056
How do I go about suing the school board??
Seriously, it is time for a southern assault on the macarthy addition to the Pledge. And I am far from an atheist or agnostic.
How do I go about it and how much is the guesstimate it would cost?
Posted by: Christy at September 19, 2005 10:41 AM
Christy,
I probably would advise against sueing a school board.
First, the cost is astronomical.
Second, the kids would be more hurt if you did win because the money to pay for lawyers and litigation comes out of the same budget that buys books, supplies, equipment, teachers, etc
That's my personal opinion...take it for the less than .02 it's worth!
It's not that I don't understand--I do.
But if you feel strongly, maybe you can get like minded people to show up at school board meetings and PTO meetings. First, you need to try to resolve issues within the specific teacher, building, superintendent, ect before you should file litigation.
Each school should have a copy for parents explaining their complaint policies and how to approach differences.
Haskert was told in Jan 05 that GOP was destroying FEMA
Hastert was Warned in a Letter in January that FEMA was "Raiding" Funds for Dealing with Natural Disasters.
http://www.floods.org/PDF/ASFPM_Letter_FEMAinDHS_House_Jan05.pdf
But if you feel strongly, maybe you can get like minded people to show up at school board meetings and PTO meetings.
Posted by: sparrow at September 19, 2005 11:01 AM
Darlin, in Louisiana, if I am going to start discussing removing God from ANYTHING publicly, I would be much more comfortable doing so in a courtroom surrounded by armed policemen.
Trust me, I'm more likely to find someone to barbeque me alive then step up and argue the points.
But...Change has come to the south, its time to bring the fight home.
Oh and by the way, my kids could asorb it and be ok, I have a rule with my 5 kids, my concern is they have faith in something, not how they practice that faith. I am quite adamant to all of them that God made the Trees, if they believe THIER God is the one whom made the trees then we in fact share the same God.
My oldest child and only son is named Christian. Even he understands it was in honor of the religion of his mother, not an expectation of him personaly.
That was my original opinion but the person to whom I spoke argued convincingly that that is an assumption...a guess!
Posted by Suz Krueger at September 19, 2005 08:06 AM
Shocking, since this ideological group of people base everything on assumptions, and not on actual facts, history, or relevant data.
Like, say, Creationism. They don't REALLY know for sure, it's just an assumption!
Or like WMD... Bush just assumed they'd be there... or maybe they are hidden under this desk over here... isn't that funny?!?!?
Or like assuming that cutting taxes to those who need it the least would actually benefit those who need it most.
Or like assuming that everyone in New Orleans had the means to evacuate, and assuming those who didn't are somehow stupid.
You know what they say about assuming.
It makes an ASS of W and Neocons.
Or like WMD... Bush just assumed they'd be there... or maybe they are hidden under this desk over here... isn't that funny?!?!?
Posted by: monkey at September 19, 2005 11:11 AM
Insert Furious Screams Here
Wake Up
By Cindy Sheehan
Monday 19 September 2005
So we have come to cash this check - a check that will give us upon demand the riches of freedom and the security of justice. We have also come to this hallowed spot to remind America of the fierce urgency of now. This is no time to engage in the luxury of cooling off or to take the tranquilizing drug of gradualism.
-- MLK, Jr. Aug. 28, 1963, I Have a Dream speech
What Bush's Katrina shows once again is that my son died for nothing. If you listen to Bush - and fewer and fewer are, thank goodness - we are in Iraq in part due to 9/11. All our president has been talking about has been protecting this country since 9/11. That's why people voted for him in the last election. Katrina shows it's all as sham, a fraud, a disaster as large as Katrina itself.
Hundreds of billions and tens of thousands of innocent lives wasted later, what have we achieved? Nothing. Casey died for nothing and Bush says others have to die for those that have died already.
Enough, George! What is disgusting is not, as the first lady says, criticism of you, but rather the crimes you've committed against this country and our sons and daughters. Stop hiding behind your twisted idea of God and stop destroying this country.
This week I arrive in Washington DC to begin my Vigil at the White House just like I did in Texas. But this time I'll be joined by Katrina victims as well. In your America we are all victims. The failed bookends of your Presidency are Iraq and Katrina.
It is time for all of us to stand up and be counted: to show the media, Congress, and this inept, corrupt, and criminal administration that we mean business. It is time to get off of our collective behinds to show the people who are running our country into oblivion that we will stand for it no longer. That we want our country back and we want our nation's young people back home, safe and sound, on our shores to help protect America. That it is time for a change in our country's "leadership." That we will never go away until our dreams are reality.
We have so-called leaders in our country who are waiting for the correct "politically expedient" time to speak up and out against the occupation of Iraq. It is no sweat for our politicos to wait for the right time, because not one of them has a child in harm's way. I don't care if the politician is a Democrat or a Republican, this is not about politics. Being a strong leader to guide our country out of the quagmire and mistake of Iraq will require people of courage and determination to stand up and say: "I don't care if I win the next election, people are dying in Iraq every day and families are being decimated." We, as the 62% of Americans who want our troops to begin coming home, will follow such a leader down the difficult but oh-so-rewarding path of peace with justice.
It is no longer time for the tranquilizing drug of gradualism. It never has been the time for that. Our "now" is so fiercely urgent. Like my daughter, Carly, wrote in the last verse of her "A Nation Rocked to Sleep" poem:
Have you ever heard the sound of a Nation Being Rocked to Sleep?
Our leaders want to keep us numb so the pain won't be too deep,
But if we the people allow them to continue, another mother will weep,
Have you heard the sound of a Nation Being Rocked to Sleep?
Wake up: See you in DC on the 24th.
http://www.truthout.org/docs_2005/091905Z.shtml
Posted by: madame defarge at September 19, 2005 11:26 AM
I am all pumped up, ready to join the activities of the weekend.
Back to the topic though, working in the construction industry, I know that the "market" the libertarians and the right-wingers love is going to be the lowest common denominator. Construction firms (all of whom are Republican, btw) want to cut wages as much as possible, in order to maximize profit. We will gladly pay $5.15 minimum wage if we could get away with it. Of course, the quality of workers we will get at that wage is questionable, but we only need to provide a 1-year warranty, so quality is not a major issue.
Bottom line: suspend the Davis-Wacon = suspend the quality of work, suspend the quality of life. We will be like India, where shoddy construction causes buildings to collapse all the time.
GOP looks to delay spending to fund recovery
by Douglass K. Daniel,
Associated Press
September 19, 2005
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- House Republicans are looking at delaying some federal spending, including money for a prescription drug benefit under Medicare and thousands of highway projects, to offset the cost of rebuilding the Gulf Coast, a leading GOP fiscal conservative said Sunday.
Rep. Mike Pence, R-Ind., said there is a need for dramatic spending cuts in "big-ticket items."
However, Democrats appearing on Sunday TV news programs questioned how President Bush can trim the budget to pay for Hurricane Katrina recovery and support tax cuts for the wealthy.
"Where is he going to find roughly half a trillion dollars over the next several years for Iraq and for Katrina?" Sen. Joseph Biden, D-Del., asked on "Late Edition" on CNN. "I think we're not leveling with the American people."
Raising taxes or not making permanent the president's tax cuts is not the answer, Pence said on ABC's "This Week."We simply can't allow a catastrophe of nature to become a catastrophe of debt for our children and grandchildren."
The drug benefit program, set to begin Jan. 1, is expected to cost $40 billion a year. Last month Bush signed a $286.4 billion highway bill that has been criticized for including about 6,000 projects added by lawmakers to benefit their districts and states.
Setting aside those additional highway projects and delaying the drug benefit by a year are expected to be among the proposals House Republicans are preparing this week, Pence said.
Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., said an across-the-board cut in spending, excluding defense, would be appropriate. He also suggested lawmakers review the energy bill passed this summer.
Calling talk among Republican senators of proceeding with a plan to repeal the estate tax "mind-boggling," Sen. Barak Obama, D-Ill., said the country could not fight a war in Iraq, rebuild the Gulf region and deal with other domestic needs while cutting taxes for the wealthy. "We need some adult supervision of the budget process. And we need to take responsibility for this process," he told "Face the Nation" on CBS.
Posted by: monkey at September 19, 2005 12:00 PM
Obama's right! The majority party is like a bunch of children who have never heard the words, "No, you can't have that!"
It's funny, every time the president says he needs blah blah billions for Iraq, hardly an lielash is batted... yet when he throws out Disneyland numbers to put hurricane victims back on their feet, fiscal conservatives suddenly get off their asses and on their feet and are interested in balancing the books?
Who's the hippest hypocrite in DC?
Federal Judge Sets Expedited Schedule for Lawsuit Challenging Disenfranchisement in Ohio (September 15, 2005)
At a scheduling conference held August 30, 2005, Chief U.S. District Judge David Carr granted the plaintiffs' request for an expedited discovery process and trial date in League of Women Voters of Ohio v. Blackwell, a lawsuit in which we are seeking fundamental reform of Ohio's dysfunctional election process. Under the schedule established by Judge Carr, pre-trial discovery will proceed immediately, and will not be stayed to await a decision on the state defendants' pending motion to dismiss the complaint. Judge Carr set a trial date of June 13, 2006, with the aim of having a decision in advance of the 2006 elections. Depositions of the plaintiffs are to be completed by October 31, 2005, depositions of defendant and third party witnesses by December 15, 2005, and expert discovery is to be completed by February 15, 2006.
http://www.nvri.org/troubled_elections.shtml
But we're fighting "them" over there so that we don't have to fight "them" over here...
Wonder which "them" he was talking about...
We're sending them over there so they can't defend us over here.
Or like WMD... Bush just assumed they'd be there... or maybe they are hidden under this desk over here... isn't that funny?!?!?
Posted by: monkey at September 19, 2005 11:11 AM
About as funny as watching in horror along with the rest of the world as people die from dehydration, lack of needed medicine, and drown right in front of your eyes.
This administration is gasping for air, coming up for it's last gasp. Where are our leaders?
** ~ **
I just saw my first '06 ad by one of my senators yesterday. I have told him I will do whatever they need during the campaign. With any luck, they will keep me very busy.
Ahoy maties...it's International "Talk Like A Pirate" day...
Aye! Let's be makin' those bilge rats in DC walk the plank... What say ye, ya scurvy dog?
Be havin' a nice day, ya horn swollgin' scallywag!
Arrrrr!
http://www.talklikeapirate.com/piratehome.html
We're sending them over there so they can't defend us over here.
Posted by: monkey at September 19, 2005 12:33 PM
Not only can they not defend us over here, they can't rescue us over here, either.
** ~~ **
Kind of like, we are building bases the size of Sacramento over there so we can fight them over there, and we are closing bases over here so.....
well, you've got the picture.
http://www.cnn.com/2005/US/09/15/bush.baseclosings.ap/
If the economy is so rosy there is no reason to suspend the Davis-Bacon Act.
Posted by: sparrow at September 19, 2005 10:17 AM
It is quite simple.
The Neocons are testing the waters.
First ruin the unions and lower workers wages even more...control them.
Then militarize New Orleans and station troops there to oversee the port and stage for further military action.
The Fascists are in full swing...
And all I see are people ducking for cover.
Posted by: wench defarge at September 19, 2005 12:47 PM
I am disinclined to aquiesce to your request.
That means NO.
Great. Another Battle of New Orleans. Definite reports of protecting property over people. Love their values.
Carter/Baker Election Reform Commission Comes out with their report:
Sham Baker/Carter Election Reform Commission Releases Report
As Expected, They Call for Photo ID to Disenfranchise Millions More Americans...
http://www.bradblog.com/
http://www.democracycellproject.net/forum/index.php?showtopic=882&view=findpost&p=3409
Rep. John Conyers, Jr., Ranking Democrat on the House Judiciary Committee and founding member of the Congressional Black Caucus, issued the following statement opposing the Baker/Carter Commission Report on Election Law Changes, released this morning: http://www.american.edu/ia/cfer/report/full_report.pdf
There is a new topic in the forum where you can post your state's election reform proposals, successes, or failures.
http://www.democracycellproject.net/forum/index.php?showtopic=881
Post away!!!
They are already going into areas residents are not allowed to return and bulldozing houses.
This from a friend on the ground in the 9th ward.
The Empire continues its imperialism...only without the prying eyes of the public...who happen to OWN the land they are now going to claim under eminent domain...meaning: a right of a government to take private property for public use by virtue of the superior dominion of the sovereign power over all lands within its jurisdiction.
Gee thanks Mr. Webster...virtues and all...
I can see it now...next to the French Quarter...
Pat Robertson's Rapture Park USA.
Complete with Ten Commandments Tablets on every street corner...
A No Sin Zone.
Pat Robertson's Rapture Park USA.
Posted by: Indy at September 19, 2005 01:36 PM
New Orleans TRUE Red Light District.
... and don't forget to "Shoot Chavez!", Rapturelands newest oil family flume ride!
I typed "why does the national debt matter" in google and got this great site with a very telling graphic and lots of good info (for those non-economists among us)...
http://www.cedarcomm.com/~stevelm1/usdebt.htm
Lamar Smith's views on immigration, as faxed to Rover -- but "mistakenly" faxed to an unnamed member of congress...
"Immigration needs to be considered in the context of: (1). Media Bias, (2). Animosity toward the president and (3) the feelings of the Republican base," Smith's memo states.
See the fax at
http://tinyurl.com/cpsun
Message from DiAnne, "She is alive and fine in Paris".
We just met this afternoon... I fixed her phone and she now knows how our TV networks works, but she cannot yet connect to internet.
She found it strange but appreciated to see Bush shortly 3 times, on 3 different programs, not to his advantage. He is often on satirical or humoristic shows....
If she cannot connect directly, she will be at my place tomorrow, so she will report to you.
A demain tout le monde.
Posted by: madame defarge at September 19, 2005 02:12 PM
It's great for big business, cheap labor and all, and great for the housing market, it drives up real estate prices in some areas, but it sure doesn't do much for "small government", does it.
Posted by: Andree - France at September 19, 2005 03:13 PM
Merci vraiment, madame.
Jouir de la presence de DiAnne. Amusez-vous bien.
Posted by: madame defarge at September 19, 2005 02:12 PM
Thanks, Madame...
I see one aspect of what Republicans think of immigration.
The problem is, while the Republican base does not approve of immigration that fills needs of our economy, it does approve of ideological immigration (i.e. Cuban and Nicaraguan "refugees") that strengthen the Republican hand. There is a reason why Lamar Smith names "animosity toward the President" as one factor - he wants immigrants who like Bush and the Republicans.
I do agree with Lamar Smith on one thing: our immigration policy is really out of hand.
Hello all,
If you are coming to DC, please email me so we can connect--let me know when you arrive and where you will be staying...
If you cannot come, we still need you--we will be covering the march all day long and Sunday and Monday's activities as well. We will post more on this blog as we know more about exactly WHAT we need you to do--but meanwhile--PLEASE email me as well--there is a lot of blogswarming that needs to be done this week to get people here from the nearby cities!
"Katrina is a symbol of all this administration does and doesn't do. Michael Brown -- or Brownie as the President so famously thanked him for doing a heck of a job - Brownie is to Katrina what Paul Bremer is to peace in Iraq; what George Tenet is to slam dunk intelligence; what Paul Wolfowitz is to parades paved with flowers in Baghdad; what Dick Cheney is to visionary energy policy; what Donald Rumsfeld is to basic war planning; what Tom Delay is to ethics; and what George Bush is to "Mission Accomplished" and "Wanted Dead or Alive." The bottom line is simple: The "we'll do whatever it takes" administration doesn't have what it takes to get the job done."
"This is the Katrina administration."
- John Kerry, 9/19/05
http://tinyurl.com/92sgv
Interesting choice of words from Ray Nagin today...
Updated: 5:19 p.m. ET Sept. 19, 2005
NEW ORLEANS - Under pressure from President Bush and other top federal officials, the mayor Monday suspended the reopening of large portions of the city over the next few days because of the threat of a new round of flooding from a tropical storm.
“I am concerned about this hurricane getting in the gulf. ... If we are off, I’d rather err on the side of conservatism to make sure we have everyone out,” Mayor Ray Nagin said.
The announcement came after repeated warnings from top federal officials — and the president himself — that the city was unsafe.
more... http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/9156612/
Democratic Underground and Kos are tentatively reporting that Cindy Sheehan has been arrested in New York.
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2005/9/19/154239/638
http://www.democraticunderground.com/
Posted by: Karen at September 19, 2005 04:43 PM
Karen - please check your inbox. I've just emailed you with my details. Look forward to the weekend, and thanks for your hard work!
Posted by: Suz at September 19, 2005 05:38 PM
Hang on...yes there was an arrest, but no where on the web (so far) does it say that Cindy was arrested. Apparently, the organizer of the rally was arrested and Cindy was escorted away.
This is at the bottom of the Daily Kos article...
Editor's note: It appears that Cindy's rally in New York City was broken up by police, but it is unclear at this time whether or not she has been arrested. Check the message board for updates.
http://blog.pdamerica.org/?p=249
I see they're blogwarming that same notice.
Sorry...I hit enter before I wrote this note.
From D.U.
*editor's note:
Editor's note: It appears that Cindy's rally in New York City was broken up by police, but it is unclear at this time whether or not she has been arrested. Check the message board for updates.
I looked on the news-sights and have not found confirmation yet.
New York Times does not address it.
http://www.nytimes.com/2005/09/19/politics/19sheehan.html?th&emc=th
Suz... it sounds like that article was written before the event actually happened.
I'm sure that there will be an update at some point. NYT wouldn't ignore Cindy being arrested.
Anyone who has the guts to step forward for this country right now is literally putting their life on the line. This greedy cabal is not going to give up their blood thirsty - money hungry ways without a fight. I predict a BIG fight. They are teetering on the edge of their self inflicted doom, but their eyes are glazed over with power and self importance and greed. To have all that power and money at your fingertips, then to have it ruined by a natural disaster that exposes your fraud and deceit? People who are already crazed with power and money and are lusting for more are not going to go quietly into that good night, I'm afraid.
My respect and admiration go out to John Kerry today, as it looks like he is going to be one of the very first to step up and step out, and be a leader the country needs now. He does so at great risk. They will say he is playing a political opportunist, but the time is right. He gave ample time for respect of the victims of Katrina, now he is stepping forward. God bless him, and may God keep him safe. Our man of the hour may be being granted his moment in history.
Cindy Sheehan too. Risk takers who love their country and the people in it.
Don't forget to take the time to write an email or letter of thanks. They need to know we support them.
Posted by: dwahzon at September 19, 2005 06:10 PM
I don't want to panic anybody either.
Bush Management and Budget Procurement chief arrested after quitting
John Byrne
David Safavian, who oversees $300 billion of annual federal purchasing as director of the Office of Procurement Policy, has been arrested for three criminal charges relating to obstruction of a federal investigation. He resigned quietly last Friday.
RAW STORY previously reported that ex-gambling lobbyist Safavian had, "quietly advanced the interests of former clients under the cloak of a vocally anti-gambling Utah congressman" Rep. Chris Cannon (R-UT). Safavian was Cannon's chief of staff.
The indictment refers to a 2002 trip arranged by Jack Abramoff, a Washington power lobbyist who arranged a trip to Scotland that took powerful House Rep. Bob Ney golfing. Abramoff was joined on the trip by former Christian Coalition director Ralph Reed and David Safavian. According to the charges, Safavian "allegedly aided a Washington, D.C., lobbyist in the lobbyist's attempts to acquire GSA-controlled property in and around Washington, D.C."
GSA refers to the General Services Administration, which oversees employee purchasing and leasing of federal buildings.
Though indictments for criminal misdoings are not uncommon, the physical arrest of an administration official is rare.
The Washington Post revealed last year that the tab for the jet that carried the group to Scotland was paid by the Capital Athletic Foundation, a sham charity run by Abramoff. Safavian said he had paid his own expenses, and that the trip was purely personal.
Safavian was a longtime friend of Abramoff, having been schooled by Abramoff lobbying at Preston Gates. There they worked together on the Mississippi Choctaw tribal account, which brought the firm millions of dollars. Abramoff now stands accused of bilking the Choctaws out of millions of dollars, though Safavian has not been cited in any wrongdoing.
The Justice Department's release (link here) is included below.
http://rawstory.com/news/2005/Bush_Management_and_Budget_Procurement_chief_arre_0919.html
Posted by: Truth Shall Prevail at September 19, 2005 06:13 PM
I emailed that letter to everyone who I think voted for Bush.
Anybody know if John Kerry's speech is going to be aired on television tonight, and if so, which station and at what time?
Posted by: Truth Shall Prevail at September 19, 2005 06:19 PM
Try cspan first!
Good idea, Suz. Think I'll do the same.
Posted by: Christy at September 19, 2005 06:17 PM
The net tightens...
Police forcibly break up Cindy Sheehan rally
By Pete Dolack
The New York City Police Department forcibly broke up this afternoon's rally for Cindy Sheehan, moving in as Cindy was speaking at about 3 p.m. in Union Square.
http://nyc.indymedia.org/en/2005/09/57261.html
Don't know the reliability here, but here's another story:
http://bikeblog.blogspot.com/2005/09/harassment-of-dissent-continues-in-nyc.html
Pictures from NYC...
http://nyc.indymedia.org/en/2005/09/57287.html
This is from our Republican mayor, lest anyone think he is a lapsed Dem. Also for the RNC, they rounded up sweet looking kids and dads into a pen with oil slick, and they were told they'd have to stay until after Bush's speech. Lawyer Norm Siegel to the rescue, but he just lost the Public Advocate bid. The fix was in, because they didn't want him near eminent domain and the mayor's real estate deals.
I was there at Union Square, but had to leave at 2:10 before she arrived. That square has a long activist history, until today. Really bad.
I saw them last night at a church in Brooklyn.
Suz just called in... she spoke with someone from Military Families Speak Out who was at the rally this afternoon. Cindy was not arrested, the equipment was confiscated, the rally organizer was arrested and the police would not allow Cindy to speak without the benefit of any of the amplifying equipment. People were roughly handled. The person from MFSO was very upset that Cindy was not allowed to speak.
Tonight on "Hannity & Colmes", Sean Hannity openly said he wants to contribute the maximum amount to Jeanin Pirro's Senate campaign against Hillary Clinton.
Hannity stated Ms. Pirro's campaign address live on the air and encouraged everyone to contribute to her in her Senate race against Hillary.
Is this an FEC (Federal Election Commission) violation??? Does anyone know?
Posted by: Mary from Manhattan at September 19, 2005 09:36 PM
I can't open .PDF files from online sources (for some stupid technical reason), but here's the link to FEC regulations. Maybe you'll find something there...
http://www.fec.gov/law/cfr/cfr.shtml
Oops, my apologies, one major correction...
Hannity stated all this on his radio program, not the Hannity and Colmes show on Fox.
Madame defarge,
Thank you for the info!
Just so we all remember why we are here...
The Battle For America
Hello friends, family, comrades, rebels, insurgents, refugees, exiles, expatriates, people in hiding and all the ships at sea…I debated whether or not I should say this…I wondered if it would do any good.
I have profound fears for the future…deep anger and sadness for my country…our country…our country that has been stolen away from us, captured by those who traffic in fear and hatred and bigotry and poison…I feel like we are lost in the forest right now…we're down the rabbit hole and there is no end in sight.
I know you all feel the same sentiments…the rage against the unanswerable abyss, the terror of what lies ahead…the confusion of what this Nation has become…I will not attempt to glide over the monumental disaster that was this election…there is no silver lining. There is no redemption. The illusion of hope in this last year has been mercilessly stripped away…the monster we face is now unleashed and free to wreak havoc and spill the blood of innocents.
We are in a dark place…perhaps the darkest place…unable to even conceive of the idea of light, but we have been in such midnight moments before…
We have been in the pits of Viet Nam and the hanging trees of Jim Crow…we have despaired on the cotton fields of Mississippi and the bread lines of the Depression. We have been beaten down by crooked cops, pushed around by factory bosses, terrorized by the Klan and the fascists and the Nazis and know-nothings and the fat cats and the robber-barons and the corrupt politicians and wicked masters…but we have never surrendered.
We have never weakened or wavered.
Did we surrender at Kent State? Jackson State? No! Did we surrender at Selma, Alabama? No! Did we surrender at Hay Market? No! On the lettuce fields of California? In the textile mills of Massachusetts? In the coal mines of Colorado? In the meat packing plants of Chicago? At the Stonewall riots? At the pro-choice rallies? At the equal rights for women marches? At the anti-war demonstrations? At the strikes and the walk-outs? At the bus boycotts? No, no, no!
Remember, we have history on our side. We have the march of progress…the struggle for what is right and good and pure and free and equal and just and beautiful. We have the raised fist of EVERY FIGHTER! We have the righteous scale of anyone who has ever been wronged by the system anywhere at any time. We have the power of the powerless…we have the moral clarity of the dispossessed …we are the heart and soul of the struggle of the battle that never ends!
Look to our heroes…We are the inheritors of a proud past populated by giants, heroes, artists, revolutionaries, thinkers, believers in mankind, defenders of the oppressed.
We have the pen of Walt Whitman and Hemingway…the determination of Ceasar Chavez, Margaret Sanger and Sojourner Truth…the faith of Martin and Malcolm…the beauty of Billy Holliday and Duke Ellington…the strength of Roosevelt and Kennedy…the joy of Mark Twain.
The history of America has been written by us…it does not belong to demagogues, the fear mongers, the war profiteers, the rich, the greedy, theocrats and the mullahs. They twist the Constitution but WE make it straight. They wrap themselves in the flag, but we fight for the freedoms…not the fabric. They shout out their pledges of allegiance but WE do the dirty work of democracy! They claim to represent the real America but WE are the keepers of the Tree of Liberty!
It ain't over yet folks…not by a long shot! So cry a few tears, bang against the walls, scream into the wind…then collect yourself and get back to work…its time to punch the clock…the Battle for America has begun.
new thread
Hello to all from France.
I made a research on Google to see what was the last fight of, I hope, my friend DiAnne Grieser. And I saw that she is a writer just here, so I just come to say hello. Hope she remembers me. She has done a tremendous work right here, in your great country, for John Kerry. She's a remarquable woman, you're lucky to count on her.
By all ways I had, I tried to convince that John Kerry, he was my champion even before the primaries, was the best for America. I was so disappointed when he loose, that I did not want to hear about USA anymore. T really hated America, but it was as much as I love it. I even tried to convince me that someone cannot become twice commander in chief being an idiot. And I, for some months, pledged for my fellows to be confident that Bush would be, in the end, a great president. How fool I was... Katrina, the Bush's Bride, sweeped all over Louisiana, Mississipi, Alabama and the White House. How desesperate I was for you all. As Cindy Sheehan said earlier, it's not a matter of Rep's or Dem's when a storm like Katrina rushed after houses and human life, it's a question of leadership.
I'm sad that in my country, some are showing a kind of bad joy (Shadefreude). America still in shit, for many French, this is a good thing. A lesson for Americans that are unables to choose a man that can lead his country in the right way. And I can even not refute, because that's what's happening right now. Usa Today publishes a new poll that show us that Americans are not confident anymore in the abilities of Bush and his friends to lead the country.
But you know what ? Even if I may seem a bit nuts for many of you, my heart still beats for you. And I mean it. Thess words are not just words. Or, more than that, they can not express the real feeling I have towards you, people of this great nation.
I know you will overcome. But please, that's not a favour for me, it's just I want your good : make the right choice the next time you will be called to choose a leader.
Suz,
You asked, "What do you think?" I think Bush's suspension of the Davis-Bacon law is a BDD (big damn deal!). I'm glad you posted about it. Josh Marshall has great political instincts and I'm following his lead on this.
For some, it's a mystery how their congressman/woman falls on this issue. Not with mine. He actually signed the letter to Bush asking him to suspend the fair wages law. I have some work to do.