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Blogging since 12/14/2006.
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You would never know it from the media coverage but John McCain is not one of America's greatest war heroes. He is a former POW who survived, heroically. He deserves to be honored for that heroism.
But one thing distinguishes McCain from other war heroes, the kind whose heroism changes history rather than their life stories.
America's two greatest war heroes were Ulysses Grant and Dwight Eisenhower. Grant saved the union. And Ike saved civilization.
And neither one ever bragged about their experience. (Can you imagine Ike smacking down Adlai Stevenson by saying that while Adlai ran a nice medium-sized state, he was the Supreme Allied Commander who ran D-Day, defeated Hitler, and liberated Europe?).
Impossible. Like Grant, Eisenhower did not brag.
Actually, modesty about military accomplishments is typical of war heroes and not just here. In Israel, it is unheard of for great military leaders to brag about their service.
Utah Democratic Party Vice-Chair Rob Miller, owner of The Utah Amicus blog, has been granted press credentials for the National Convention (Aug 23rd to 29th) as part of the DNC's "State Blogger Press Corps." program, and has invited several Utah bloggers to join him in providing unique grassroots coverage of the event.
Being bloggers, we are not equipped with the fundraising network that we are often able to create for candidates and the party. And quite simply, this trip is going to be costly (but worth it!). Hence, we are doing a bit of fundraising through PayPal (or visit The SideTrack and click donate in top left sidebar) to help cover housing, event access, equipment, and transportation costs in order to bring Utah live, daily coverage from the ground as citizen journalists.
Bloggers in attendance will include:
From Cache and Weber Counties Jason Williams (Hyrum, UT) and Craig Blanch (Ogden, UT) of The SideTrack
From Davis and Salt Lake City: Jeff Bell of JMBell.org and Rob Miller, Bob Aagard, Aaron Thompson, and Ben McAdams of The Utah Amicus (Misty Fowler of the blog Saintless and Utah for Obama is credentialed, but as of this release unable to attend)
I will also, through my new guest hosting "gig" with Tyler Riggs at KVNU's For The People, be providing live on-air coverage during broadcast hours (4pm to 6pm, 610am, and live webcam stream at www.kvnuforthepeople.com) throughout the week of the convention.
This is really a unique opportunity, not only for those of us Rob has invited to attend, but for the entire state, as our press credentials will allow us access equal to that of CNN, ABC, NBC, and all other major news corporations. Please help us make the most out of this first time opportunity with even a modest contribution, and allow us bring a very Utah perspective and new life to traditional press coverage. Be sure to keep an eye on The Utah Amicus throughout the week of the convention.
82% of Americans think our health care system needs a "major overhaul." On top of that, over 90% of Americans [pdf] think the next President and Congress should improve the quality and affordability of health care.
With the worsening economy continuing to be the top issue for most Americans, this hope for change isn't hard to understand. American health care spending is projected to reach a full 1/5th of our GDP by 2015, which means by then, we'll be spending twenty cents of every dollar we make on health care. Health care premiums have risen 86% between 2000 and 2006 while wages only rose 20%, putting the strain on working families. Health care costs continue to be the #1 cause of bankruptcy in America.
Depending on the study, 3-10% of adults contribute to political campaigns. When they do, they contribute less than .5% of their annual income. They spend more on cable.
In 2006, 100% of State Senate races went to the candidate with the most money. Over the past several cycles, 75% of State House races went to the candidate with the most money.
Win or lose, a well-funded campaign helps the party. The candidate and the district gain experience. Resources are identified: candidates, donors, activitists, volunteers, etc. A well-funded race let's everyone know that if a candidate steps up, there will be support. A well-funded race is a cornerstone to party credibility in any district.
Some districts will be won in the short-term, others will take longer. Either way, there are no losers.
The following ActBlue page lists 8 key races and includes profiles of the candidates. These are viable, vital contests. If we win half of these races, we'll cut the Republicans' majority to 3 seats.
$100 or more would be great and probably in keeping with the value of being represented. But $50, $25 or $5 will help, if that's what fits your budget.
-- High levels of asthma impacting minority children was because "the children got extra welfare if they were disabled." (July 2008)
-- The "handicapped" workers at the Phoenix Cafe would "drool" and put dung in diners food. He made up names for the food on the menu, such as "nutburger." (July 2002)
-- Members of the disability rights community are the "Wheelchair Mafia."
-- The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the world's first civil rights law for people with disabilities, should be called the "Lawyers' Improvement Act."
-- His political opponents are "degenerate slime bags" with "mental disorders" and have a "virus like leukemia."
-- When he was younger, he "touched the hand of a midget [Dwarf]," it really "freaked him out" and, since that episode, he doesn't like public places. (June 2004)
-- The "autism lobby of devastated parents is just a scam to get more money."
See my step-dad has MS, he didn't ask to have MS, he hates that he has MS. But unlike Savage my step-dad knows what real work feels like. He was a sheet metal worker for twenty years before MS robbed him of the use of his legs. But he kept trying to fight his disease, he got a college degree(s) (economic and history) and he became a financial advisor for another five years before he lost the use of his hands and had to give that up. Luckily between his union pension and social security he is doing alright. My step-dad fought every day of his life to be the best person he could be even while Savage sits on his ass day in and day out judging those that have built this country.
Not only has Savage gone after a hard working American like my step-dad but Savage also has pissed off Doug Flutie. How do you piss off Doug Flutie? Like anyone else, by going after our kids. When you piss off Doug Flutie you know something is wrong, Savage couldn't hold Flutie's jock strap.
Savage has tried before going after Muslims but this time we are going to remove this parasite for sure. Savage's hateful attack against our neighbors, loved ones and children can no longer be tolerated.
So it is time to dump this two bit loser. Contact 1430 here and tell them that enough is enough. KLO even has a nice list of their sponsors here, I would be curious to know how many of them agree with the hate being supported by their dollars.
Chris Cannon just cannot get that he was kicked out of office and now he wants to fire up the whambulance.
Rep. Chris Cannon is angry.
Not at the voters who tossed him from his 12-year perch, but at the Republican leaders and those vocal few hammering on about earmarks and lobbing stinging criticism at their own party members. While he says he's not bitter, Cannon argues that some Republicans are tearing apart the Grand Old Party.
"I'm angry at Republican leadership and I'm angry at the people who have demeaned the political process by claiming corruption," Cannon said during an interview this week.
...
Earmarks are pet-project funding inserted by members of Congress into spending bills. Critics, like Flake, say they are government waste, while proponents say earmarks ensure members can take care of needs in their own districts. They were a key issue in the primary election.
"I think what he is doing is profoundly wrong for America," Cannon said of Flake.
While I could think of a couple of other issues that made Cannon ready to go, say maybe his zero rating with the DAV, his perception of earmarks is exactly the reason that the only wake up call Republicans understand is being thrown out on their butt.
Here is a graph of the number of earmarks from '95 to 2007, I think I can see a pattern.
A horrific mountain biking accident left Logan resident Heidi Bleazard hospitalized with a broken back, fractured ribs and a severe head injury that robbed her of some memories.
And then it got even worse.
Her health insurance company, Regence BlueCross BlueShield, sent her a letter five months later saying the company was retroactively canceling her family's policy because her husband, Keith, didn't properly disclose a back injury. Not only would Regence not pay her current bills, but the company would seek a refund for the bills it already paid, saddling the Bleazards with more than $100,000 in debt.
...
"What happened to the Bleazards is inexcusable," said Rep. Henry Waxman, D-California, chairman of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform. "Insurers are using technicalities or trumped-up 'misrepresentations' to rescind policies after individuals get sick."
...
The couple and their nine children remain uninsured three years after the accident and are paying their massive debt in small monthly payments as their lawsuit against Regence plods along.
Family values anyone! Crickets? What is so great about our healthcare system again? As Krguman points out, this definitely does not compute. Yea because I don't want some bureaucrat sitting at a desk making my health care decisions for me, I would rather have an insurance company cutting off my entire coverage.
Republicans will not get that our healthcare system is broken until they lose election after election. Yet another reason why I am a Democrat.
Bob lays it out for all the Republicans that are Republicans because I guess they think so many happy words will have us forget that the last eight years didn't happen.
The Declaration of Independence says, "We hold these Truths to be self-evident, that all Men are created equal [except blacks, Democrats, and Mexicans (Marshall - Bob you forgot gays], that they are endowed, by their CREATOR[that's right! bold and CAPS!], with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness.-"[Well, OK, we only agree with one. Liberty is a commie term, and happiness is a sin.]
These God given rights are sacred and precious to Republicans. The United States Constitution and Bill of Rights give us further direction with words of wisdom like, "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion [unless it's the one true religion], or prohibiting the free exercise thereof [unless that free exercise conflicts with our own views]" and "the right of the people to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed". Government must protect the rights articulated in these texts [except freedom of speech, the press, assembly....oh, and the 4th amendment, just to point out a few exceptions to the rule.]....more
Talk is cheap Utah Republicans...oh and I missed the section on driving nuclear waste through our state. Must be in the fine print right below the part on how Republicans think the created equal part wasn't for gays.
This Saturday the Deseret News reported on the Census Bureau's 2006 election report. And reporter Lee Davidson went straight to Dr. Kelley Patterson, BYU political science professor, for some spin. Unfortunately, Patterson spun the ageless adage that one of the primary reasons that Utah has the lowest voter turnout is that it has a young population and young people don't vote.
What the Deseret News and Kelley Patterson don't tell you is that in 2006 election, youth (18-24) turnout and registration increased over 3% nationally. And it was the first time that the youth vote had increased in a congressional election since 1982.
They also don't tell you that according to the Utah Colleges Exit Poll, which Patterson is part of, found in 2006 that over 29% of the Utah Democratic electorate is made up of young voters age (18-34).
In the 2008 presidential nominating contests, Youth Turnout has seen an astronomical increase. Utah had one of the highest 18-29 year old turnout rates. 16% for the GOP contest and 17% for the Democratic contest, beating the national averages of 10.7% and 14.3% respectively.
I'll admit that all the statistics are hard to compute. Most studies do not use the same age groups for reporting. One is 18-24 (Census), another is 18-34 (UCEP), still others are 18-29 (Rock The Vote and CIRCLE).
But all of these reports find that Youth Turnout has increased in both Presidential contests and Mid-Term Congressional election contests since 2004.
I will agree with Dr. Patterson that the primary reason for low voter turnout in Utah is a lack of competitive races. In all 3 U.S. House races, none of the challengers received more than 37% of the vote. The U.S. Senate race was even less competitive.
Let's not blame the low turnout on young people. Let's blame the parties who just put sacrificial lambs on the ballot instead of finding the true political lions who could make our elections great.
This organization now has honored Jack Thompson with the 2008 Freedom Festival Award. What important life work has Jack undertaken in the name of freedom to deserve such an award? Video games! Yes people, those protecting us from video games is now what passes as patriots these day. GamePolitics News fills us in on the dangerous missions Jack Thompson has endured in the name of liberty.
has been judged guilty of 27 ethical offenses by a Florida judge, who is sending her recommendation to the Florida Supreme Court
the 27 offenses include things like: "Knowingly making a false statement", "Engaging in conduct involving dishonesty, fraud, deceit or misrepresentation" and " Engaging in conduct in connection with the practice of law that is prejudicial to the administration of justice"
may no longer submit filings to the Florida Supreme Court, in part because he included porn pictures in a motion (and NOT in a pornography case)
included gay porn pictures in a federal court filing (also not a pornography case)
received a cautionary visit from the U.S. Marshals following a federal court filing in which he wrote "...enemy combatants at Guantanamo are to get more due process from federal judges than what I am to have. I guess my "mistake" was not killing 3000 people to make my point..."
This festival should be embarrassed. In a time of war this is what passes as heroes? Not only that but we as taxpayers get to foot the bill too. The Utah County's government is a primary sponsor of this organization. I wonder if the citizens of Utah country think their tax dollars are being well spent.
Last year I found out also that this event based organization not only does nothing to support our men and women currently fighting but there is another organization with the same name that actually does support our troops.
The American Freedom Foundation - while also event oriented seems to be providing actual support for our troops via the following organizations.
While researching the America's Freedom Festival last year I could not determine if one dime raised goes to anything other than holding these lame events. I am sick of people that stick a magnet on their car, drive over to the local "patriotic" event and call it good. Please cut out the cheer-leading middleman and make sure every dollar goes directly to those that really support our brave men and women that serve our country.
And if you are taxpayer of Utah County please contact your country government here and request that your tax dollars go to better use.
In a year when the field of Democratic Candidates in Utah leaves me feeling uninspired, the two men running for Congress in the 1st and 3rd Congressional Districts are keeping my pulse rate up.
Morgan Bowen, Democratic Candidate running against Rep. Rob "Invisible Congressman" Bishop, took a very strong stance on Bush and Rep. Matheson's retroactive immunity wishes for telecom companies who broke the law because Bush decided to once again disgrace the Constitution.
Benjamin Franklin said "Any society that would give up a little liberty to gain a little security will deserve neither and lose both."
As a candidate for the United States Congress, I oppose granting retro-active immunity to telecommunications companies - who willingly broke the law, when so many others refused to do so - and the illegal wiretapping of American's on the notion that no entity or body of government is above the law, according to our Constitution.While we do face serious threats to our national security, I believe it is possible to combat these threats without the erosion of our most basic liberties, and the protection from an invasive government body that the founding fathers made great efforts to include when drafting the Bill of Rights.This administration's and our current congressman's thinly masked agenda to grant retro-active immunity and remove oversight from the surveillance process is not so much about protecting American's from realistic threats, but rather protecting this administration, and the representatives who supported them from accountability and their sworn duty to uphold our constitutional rights as American citizens.
Thomas Jefferson wisely said: "When the people fear their government, there is tyranny; when the government fears the people, there is liberty."
It is time our Utah values of respect for the United States Constitution, liberty, and a just and free America are defended once again.
This. Is. Inspirational.
Bowen is really on the ball here. He's setting himself as an example of strong, patriotic and responsible leadership. Good Job, Morgan! You deserve SOME POSITIVE NOTICE from anyone, in any state, that cares about changing the un-American, un-Patriotic behavior of the United States Government.
From CBS4, I find A GIANT RED FLAG regarding the FISA bill. A waving red flag, with fireworks and TORNADO SIRENS , FOG HORNS AND LIGHTHOUSES and all that kind of HEY HEY HEY, PAY ATTENTION, BAD STUFF IS HAPPENING! Ok, are you ready ... ?
President Bush praised Congress earlier Friday for moving forward on the bill, saying "it will help our intelligence professionals learn enemies' plans for new attacks."
Hey! Democrats! Let me repeat a little chunk of that last bit ...
President Bush praised Congress earlier Friday for moving forward on the bill
That is followed by this:
Bush also said he was pleased that Congress was moving forward on "a responsible war funding bill" for Iraq that supports the troops in the field without requiring "artificial timetables" for their withdrawal.
Hey, Democrats, when Bush says good job, that means you screwed up, you silly, spineless, worthless, un-American assholes.
Watching MSNBC tonight, I found myself equally saddened and inspired. The stories and memories of Tim Russert shared by his many friends and colleagues were very touching. He was clearly a man unequaled in his passion for what he did, and that passion was infections to those around him. Though I sometimes disagreed with him and questioned what he said or didn't say, even vehemently at times, I always respected his insight and humanity. He conducted his interviews in a forthright and genuine manner that is hard to come by these days, and though he certainly was not perfect, you would be hard pressed to find someone who could do it any better. I'm afraid our fourth estate will be left wanting for another like him for a long, long time. Thanks Tim.
The Joe Cannon Deseret News was forced to make a correction today that Chris Cannon's GOP primary opponent wasn't related liberal whipping boy and 1988 Democratic nominee Michael Dukakis. Chaffetz's dad was once married to Kitty before she ever married Michael and before Jason was born.
The Senate Intelligence Committee's "Phase II" report on the Bush administration's use of prewar intelligence was finally released today, and it reiterates what we've all known for some time now. President Bush, VP Cheney, and high ranking members of their administration, knowingly lied to the American people before invading Iraq. SAY IT ISN'T SO!!!
The "Phase II" report states -- in terms clearer than any previous government publication -- that there was no operational relationship between Al Qaeda and Saddam Hussein, that Bush officials were not truthful about the difficulties the United States would face in post-war Iraq and that their public statements did not reflect intelligence they had at the time, and, specifically, that the intelligence community would not confirm any meeting between Iraqi officials and Mohamed Atta -- a claim that was nevertheless publicly repeated.
"Before taking the country to war, this Administration owed it to the American people to give them a 100 percent accurate picture of the threat we faced. Unfortunately, our Committee has concluded that the Administration made significant claims that were not supported by the intelligence," Rockefeller said in a statement provided to The Huffington Post.
"In making the case for war, the Administration repeatedly presented intelligence as fact when in reality it was unsubstantiated, contradicted, or even non-existent. As a result, the American people were led to believe that the threat from Iraq was much greater than actually existed. ... There is no question we all relied on flawed intelligence. But, there is a fundamental difference between relying on incorrect intelligence and deliberately painting a picture to the American people that you know is not fully accurate."
How many different ways can you say "lied"?
My question for Congress now is this:
ARE YOU GOING TO GET OFF YOUR COLLECTIVE ASSES AND DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT?
This President and his cabinet blatantly lied to the American people and illegally invaded another country. This is now official record. Where is the outrage? Where are the people's representatives who should be calling for his impeachment and prosecution? Oh, that's right, Harry and Nancy don't have the time to hold these criminals accountable. I mean they're so damn busy, they don't even have time to end the illegal war, much less prosecute those responsible for it.
The political cowardice and pathetic abdication of resposibility by those Constitutionally bound to protect this nation from just such abuses of power is absolutely inexcusable. Those with the power and responsibility to challenge tyranny will be judged harshly when they stand aside and allow tyranny to thrive. I only hope that some day there will be enough people of principle and courage in the halls of congress that a complete and honest investigation of the crimes committed by this administration will be conducted, and that those responsible will be held to account, including those that stood idly by and did nothing when they had sworn an oath to defend our Constitution. We can only hope.
The following is an email I sent to MSNBC regarding Tim Russert's despicable comments concerning the virtual media black-out of John McCain's many gaffes.
I'm writing to express my deep concern about comments made by NBC Washington Bureau Chief and moderator of Meet the Press, Tim Russert, last night during election coverage. During a discussion with Chris Mathews about the campaign coverage so far, Mr. Russert expressed the following concerning John Mcain:
"Yes, they believed initially that ignoring the McCain campaign was beneficial and helpful to the Democrats, but as this has gone on, they see in their minds, and we get flooded with e-mails, Senator McCain making a mistake on Shi'a vs. Sunni, making a mistake about the first Persian Gulf War and the second, vis-à-vis oil, his own relationship with Pastor Hagee and why isn't that talked about and reported on the way Reverend Wright's relationship with Senator Obama is talked about. But, all that in time. It is only May. This has been going on for some time, but it's going to be a long, long campaign and when Senator McCain is back in the media's light, he'll receive the same kind of scrutiny."
As a constitutionally protected institution with a deep and binding responsibility to inform the populace in a fair and truthful manner, I find this sentiment, coming from your own Washington Bureau Chief, to be absolutely inexcusable. Is the credibility and reputation of your news organization of any concern at all to Mr. Russert or your editors? How dare you excuse the withholding of scrutiny concerning the Republican nominee for President of the United States while heaping it on the Democratic primary candidates for no other reason than a cheap ratings bounce. By ignoring the many gaffes and questionable endorsements of John McCain over the last two months, while at the same time attacking his Democratic rivals for any and all missteps, real or perceived, your organization has enabled him to raise more money and retain higher poll ratings than he would otherwise have received. That is anything but impartiality.
Your organization has, by virtue of your publicly sanction right to broadcast on the people's airwaves, a duty bound obligation to provide unbiased information to the public. When that duty is neglected by NBC, or any other broadcaster, our entire nation suffers because of it. Take some pride in what you do, and report the news with honesty and integrity. That is why the press is protected as the "fourth estate", to inform the public and serve our democracy, not to turn a profit through dishonesty and omission. Thank you.
Contact MSNBC here, and let them know what you think.
Wake Up Walmart has released its first video of 2008. Walmart is a key issue for progressives to focus on- because of their awful health care benefits, Utah citizens are estimated to be paying $16,868,207 a year in taxes to cover poor Walmart employees and their families with health care- while Walmart is making huge profits.
Please check out this video, and let your friends know why we need to "Wake Up Walmart".
(I wanted to post something on this myself, but this diary pretty much sums it up. Thanks for the great post. - promoted by Aramis)
Left: Deep in a Utah mine. Center: Crandall Canyon graphic, click on the Image for full size. Right: Robert Murray
"Our relationship with Mr. Murray has been stormy thus far. That is also the pattern of his relationship with MSHA at his eastern mines. Just wanted to give you a heads up on that. He may not be a willing participant if he senses that anything you do could impact his ability to produce coal." from an e-mail written by MSHA district nine manager Allyn Davis
No story in recent years has illustrated, at least in my mind, the true peril of the unholy marriage of crony capitalists and wealthy, politically connected corporatists to venal government officials, as does the compound tale of the mine collapse and failed rescue attempt at Crandall Canyon mine, near Price, Utah last August.
The story, as it unfolded on the nation's front pages and TV screens, was another tale of human tragedy that emerges all too often from the dark, dangerous man made caverns where for centuries, men have labored in extremely harsh conditions to provide the fuel to light and heat our homes, to power our industries, and drive our ships and railroads. No profession on the planet is more dangerous than mining the coal at the center of a mountain.
In the early morning hours of August 6, 2007, a large mountain "bounce" occurred in the Main West section of Crandall Canyon mine. "bounce" is the technical term used to describe a collapse of this type in a mine, but it does not capture the force and explosive power of the event - "blast" would be much more apt. In such a powerful release of seismic energy, the coal in the pillars and walls of the mine, under extreme pressure, literally explode into mined out areas.
Notes taken by the first Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) inspector to descend into the mine after the collapse graphically describe the massive force unleashed by the event:
"roof bolts were sheared off... direction of force had come from the North."
" some areas, coal was pulverized!"
" with the amount of rubble in the entries 5 to 6 ft deep, could anyone manage to survive the initial release of energy" Exhibit 1.
The bounce registered 3.9 on the Richter scale. According to the United States Geological Survey, a seismic event of magnitude 4 is equivalent to detonating 15 tons of TNT. In this case, seismic records show that the blast lasted for 4 minutes. Another inspector who examined the scene soon after the explosion wrote that mine walls were blown "as far as 45 ft. from origin!"
Six miners were working in the area at the time of the collapse: Kerry Allred, Don Erickson, Luis Hernandez, Juan Carlos Payan, Brandon Phillips, and Manuel Sanchez. All are presumed dead. Tragically, a second powerful bounce occurred on August 16, killing MSHA inspector Gary Jensen and miners Dale Ray Black and Brandon Kimber, all of whom were working on rescue operations at the time.
From the introduction to Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee report cited below.
Shortly after the rescue attempt ended in disaster I wrote an article about the tragedy, posted here and there around the net, and while researching that piece and a later follow up I began to have the feeling that it was probable that a criminal case might be pursued against the mine owners and senior management as well as officials within the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) due to what appeared to be an utter disregard for the safety of their employees on the first part and the terrible negligence in fulfilling legally required regulatory functions on the second.
Last Thursday the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee released its "Report on the August 6, 2007 Disaster At Crandall Canyon Mine." I took the time to read it during the last couple of days, it's hardly light reading, 75 pages of load bearing specs for coal columns, a year long chronology of the push and pull between a politically connected mine owner and the MSHA district and local field offices, e-mails and bits and pieces of evidence gathered from internal company documents, whistle blowers and testimony before the committee. In addition to the report there are 415 pages of exhibits. I found in these 75 pages an indictment, of business, of government, and of a political philosophy.
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