Tuesday, December 07, 2004
Direction of the Party
From Salon.com...
I think the need for the direction of our party is crystal clear:
On the night after John Kerry lost to George W. Bush, Dean told supporters on a Meetup conference call that the Democratic National Committee is "at a crossroads" and that DNC members "have questions to ask themselves." But now, as Dean prepares for his Bush II coming out and weighs a bid to replace Terry McAuliffe as the head of the DNC, it's the DNC members who have questions for Dean: Where does he want the party to go, and is he willing to put aside his own presidential aspirations to help take it there?
Dean will address the first of those questions Wednesday. He'll argue that the Democratic Party should be rebuilt from the grass roots up, that it should be driven by millions of Americans who make small contributions rather than by a handful of moneyed interests, and that the party should focus not just on presidential politics in swing states like Ohio and Florida but also on down-ballot races even in the reddest of states. On matters of substance, Dean may not resurrect his borrowed line about representing the "Democratic wing of the Democratic Party," but you can count on him to make it clear he isn't joining the "go along to get along" wing of the party, either.
I think the need for the direction of our party is crystal clear:
On the night after John Kerry lost to George W. Bush, Dean told supporters on a Meetup conference call that the Democratic National Committee is "at a crossroads" and that DNC members "have questions to ask themselves." But now, as Dean prepares for his Bush II coming out and weighs a bid to replace Terry McAuliffe as the head of the DNC, it's the DNC members who have questions for Dean: Where does he want the party to go, and is he willing to put aside his own presidential aspirations to help take it there?
Dean will address the first of those questions Wednesday. He'll argue that the Democratic Party should be rebuilt from the grass roots up, that it should be driven by millions of Americans who make small contributions rather than by a handful of moneyed interests, and that the party should focus not just on presidential politics in swing states like Ohio and Florida but also on down-ballot races even in the reddest of states. On matters of substance, Dean may not resurrect his borrowed line about representing the "Democratic wing of the Democratic Party," but you can count on him to make it clear he isn't joining the "go along to get along" wing of the party, either.
# posted by scorpiorising : 8:39 AM |
Monday, December 06, 2004
Falluja Gulag
From http://www.boston.com/news/world/articles/2004/12/05/returning_fallujans_will_face_clampdown?pg=full
By Anne Barnard, Globe Staff December 5, 2004
FALLUJAH, Iraq -- The US military is drawing up plans to keep insurgents from regaining control of this battle-scarred city, but returning residents may find that the measures make Fallujah look more like a police state than the democracy they have been promised.Under the plans, troops would funnel Fallujans to so-called citizen processing centers on the outskirts of the city to compile a database of their identities through DNA testing and retina scans. Residents would receive badges displaying their home addresses that they must wear at all times. Buses would ferry them into the city, where cars, the deadliest tool of suicide bombers, would be banned.
Marine commanders working in unheated, war-damaged downtown buildings are hammering out the details of their paradoxical task: Bring back the 300,000 residents in
time for January elections without letting in insurgents, even though many Fallujans were among the fighters who ruled the city until the US assault drove them out in November, and many others cooperated with fighters out of conviction or fear.
One idea that has stirred debate among Marine officers would require all men to work, for pay, in military-style battalions. Depending on their skills, they would be assigned jobs in construction, waterworks, or rubble-clearing platoons.
"You have to say, 'Here are the rules,' and you are firm and fair. That radiates stability," said Lieutenant Colonel Dave Bellon, intelligence officer for the First Regimental Combat Team, the Marine regiment that took the western half of Fallujah during the US assault and expects to be based downtown for some time.
Bellon asserted that previous attempts to win trust from Iraqis suspicious of US intentions had telegraphed weakness by asking, " 'What are your needs? What are your emotional needs?' All this Oprah [stuff]," he said. "They want to figure out who the dominant tribe is and say, 'I'm with you.' We need to be the benevolent, dominant tribe.
"They're never going to like us," he added, echoing other Marine commanders who cautioned against raising hopes that Fallujans would warmly welcome troops when they return to ruined houses and rubble-strewn streets. The goal, Bellon said, is "mutual respect
By Anne Barnard, Globe Staff December 5, 2004
FALLUJAH, Iraq -- The US military is drawing up plans to keep insurgents from regaining control of this battle-scarred city, but returning residents may find that the measures make Fallujah look more like a police state than the democracy they have been promised.Under the plans, troops would funnel Fallujans to so-called citizen processing centers on the outskirts of the city to compile a database of their identities through DNA testing and retina scans. Residents would receive badges displaying their home addresses that they must wear at all times. Buses would ferry them into the city, where cars, the deadliest tool of suicide bombers, would be banned.
Marine commanders working in unheated, war-damaged downtown buildings are hammering out the details of their paradoxical task: Bring back the 300,000 residents in
time for January elections without letting in insurgents, even though many Fallujans were among the fighters who ruled the city until the US assault drove them out in November, and many others cooperated with fighters out of conviction or fear.
One idea that has stirred debate among Marine officers would require all men to work, for pay, in military-style battalions. Depending on their skills, they would be assigned jobs in construction, waterworks, or rubble-clearing platoons.
"You have to say, 'Here are the rules,' and you are firm and fair. That radiates stability," said Lieutenant Colonel Dave Bellon, intelligence officer for the First Regimental Combat Team, the Marine regiment that took the western half of Fallujah during the US assault and expects to be based downtown for some time.
Bellon asserted that previous attempts to win trust from Iraqis suspicious of US intentions had telegraphed weakness by asking, " 'What are your needs? What are your emotional needs?' All this Oprah [stuff]," he said. "They want to figure out who the dominant tribe is and say, 'I'm with you.' We need to be the benevolent, dominant tribe.
"They're never going to like us," he added, echoing other Marine commanders who cautioned against raising hopes that Fallujans would warmly welcome troops when they return to ruined houses and rubble-strewn streets. The goal, Bellon said, is "mutual respect
# posted by scorpiorising : 9:34 AM |
How do I know?
How do I know that we have the numbers on our side? Because our policies and beliefs support the enhancement of humanity, the improvement of the quality of life for everyone. And, we must continue to examine every one of our proposed policies and laws, that they are supportive of the quality of life, and not degenerative.
The numbers are on our side, yes, even those who don't participate in politics, consider them as part of our community, as well as republicans and renegades from the republican party. They are ultimately with us, because we possess the power of reason and love for humanity and the ecology of the earth.
This is no small matter. We empower ourselves through the affirmative belief in our own principals. So examine them closely and examine them well.
We have most of the world on our side, and some of you might scoff at this, but this is extremely important. We have the power of the press in other nations. Ironic, isn't it, but significant. Because if, and when the true movement begins to take back our country, we will have a sympathetic foreign press, arousing, as in the Ukraine election crisis, international outrage and interest. Rember, also, that this foreign press represents the intent of the world's people, for intelligent, compassionate leadership to emanate from this country. We haven't yet lived up to our own ideal, but this is a subject for another day.
Our democratic leaders in Congress have not yet realized that they don't have to suck up to broken policies and soul-sucking beliefs as a method of appeasement, or support war as a method of diplomacy, as a replacement of diplomacy. And appeasement as a form of co-existence is ultimately soul-killing. Our democratic leaders have not yet realized that if they raise their voices in support of their true beliefs, support will come, fast and ravenous like the true, hungry beasts we are, starving for quality in public discourse.
We are smart people. Some of us are brilliant. We are all geniuses in some measure, waiting for recognition. We must, first of all, recognize ourselves. So put down your cloaks and your veils, there is nothing to hide from, except eventual success and quality of life.
The numbers are on our side, yes, even those who don't participate in politics, consider them as part of our community, as well as republicans and renegades from the republican party. They are ultimately with us, because we possess the power of reason and love for humanity and the ecology of the earth.
This is no small matter. We empower ourselves through the affirmative belief in our own principals. So examine them closely and examine them well.
We have most of the world on our side, and some of you might scoff at this, but this is extremely important. We have the power of the press in other nations. Ironic, isn't it, but significant. Because if, and when the true movement begins to take back our country, we will have a sympathetic foreign press, arousing, as in the Ukraine election crisis, international outrage and interest. Rember, also, that this foreign press represents the intent of the world's people, for intelligent, compassionate leadership to emanate from this country. We haven't yet lived up to our own ideal, but this is a subject for another day.
Our democratic leaders in Congress have not yet realized that they don't have to suck up to broken policies and soul-sucking beliefs as a method of appeasement, or support war as a method of diplomacy, as a replacement of diplomacy. And appeasement as a form of co-existence is ultimately soul-killing. Our democratic leaders have not yet realized that if they raise their voices in support of their true beliefs, support will come, fast and ravenous like the true, hungry beasts we are, starving for quality in public discourse.
We are smart people. Some of us are brilliant. We are all geniuses in some measure, waiting for recognition. We must, first of all, recognize ourselves. So put down your cloaks and your veils, there is nothing to hide from, except eventual success and quality of life.
# posted by scorpiorising : 8:24 AM |
A New Dawn Coming
After waking up so many mornings with a post election hangover, and going to bed so many nights with a post election soul-searching angst, this morning was positively golden in comparison. Nothing has changed really; I mean, my income is where it was yesterday, earning far enough above poverty to plan a vacation, and close enough to see the trail of tears all the way to the free food line.
I'm still single and too old for the young people I work with and too young for the old fart that made a pass at me the other day in the bar...middle aged life is good, ain't it?
Actually, it ain't that bad...I'm developing tolerance for my post 40's moods and emotional peccadillos; I look at thoughts posted online and realize I've got more than enough share of good sense and intelligent responsiveness to my environment. I look at the fucked up lives of my friends, the various shades of denial we all engage in, and I feel a sense of companionship, at least.
Yesterday, and now today, though, I feel a noticeable difference. I'm feeling, empowered. God, yes, empowered. I'm coming down with a cold, and I feel empowered. I live in a swamp surrounded by water, where it's difficult to get a really good look at the sky, and I feel empowered.
Brown-shirt fascist types are taking over our country, and I feel empowered.
I feel empowered, because we have the numbers game up on them 200 percent. And Bush didn't even get all of the votes he claims to have gotten. You may wonder how I figure we have the numbers game won.
Because we have a monopoly on good decent values and common sense. The only thing keeping us from taking our country back, is a lack of aggressiveness.
There is an epidemic of passivity. People love to flap their jaws though. Just go over to the DailyKos for a day. There is an awful lot of talking going on over there; we're in the middle of a stolen election that hasn't been certified yet, and everyone is dancing around the goddamned elephant in the bathtub. And, they throw shit at Beverly Harris to complete the process of dancing in one's own feces, like monkeys without a clue.
I'm going to forsake the ineptitude of progressive paralysis; the wringing of the hands, oh my god ain't it awful; we already know how awful it is and how awful it's going to get. What are we going to do about it for God's sakes?
I'm still single and too old for the young people I work with and too young for the old fart that made a pass at me the other day in the bar...middle aged life is good, ain't it?
Actually, it ain't that bad...I'm developing tolerance for my post 40's moods and emotional peccadillos; I look at thoughts posted online and realize I've got more than enough share of good sense and intelligent responsiveness to my environment. I look at the fucked up lives of my friends, the various shades of denial we all engage in, and I feel a sense of companionship, at least.
Yesterday, and now today, though, I feel a noticeable difference. I'm feeling, empowered. God, yes, empowered. I'm coming down with a cold, and I feel empowered. I live in a swamp surrounded by water, where it's difficult to get a really good look at the sky, and I feel empowered.
Brown-shirt fascist types are taking over our country, and I feel empowered.
I feel empowered, because we have the numbers game up on them 200 percent. And Bush didn't even get all of the votes he claims to have gotten. You may wonder how I figure we have the numbers game won.
Because we have a monopoly on good decent values and common sense. The only thing keeping us from taking our country back, is a lack of aggressiveness.
There is an epidemic of passivity. People love to flap their jaws though. Just go over to the DailyKos for a day. There is an awful lot of talking going on over there; we're in the middle of a stolen election that hasn't been certified yet, and everyone is dancing around the goddamned elephant in the bathtub. And, they throw shit at Beverly Harris to complete the process of dancing in one's own feces, like monkeys without a clue.
I'm going to forsake the ineptitude of progressive paralysis; the wringing of the hands, oh my god ain't it awful; we already know how awful it is and how awful it's going to get. What are we going to do about it for God's sakes?
# posted by scorpiorising : 7:53 AM |
Sunday, December 05, 2004
Fear and Politics and the Political Body
From my post on the Daily Kos today:
More importantly...
how do our current leaders help construct and build walls between people within our own borders? Fear is the primary weapon of choice now for one political party. It is an effective weapon and it is used well and the use of it has created divisions within our communities that need not be there.
Fear of the other. Fear of what is different from us.
Not to mention the use of fear in Iraq. Some of the overkill in the tactics of the Pentagon, such as the destruction of Falluja, are prized not for the numbers of insurgents killed, but the fear and terror they strike in the people. It seems our primary weapon now is to induce obedience through fear.
Madness, madness
Madness tight on the heads of the rebels
The bitterness erup's like a heart blas'
Broke glass, ritual of blood an' a-burnin'
Served by a cruelin' fighting
5 nights of horror and of bleeding
Broke glass, cold blades as sharp as the eyes of hate
And the stabbin', it's
War amongs' the rebels
Madness, madness, war
I love Linton Kwesi Johnson. I have Dread Beat An' Blood. Thank you for making note of him and bringing up the issue of the use of fear in politics. A subject much in the need of discussion, and how to counteract it.
More importantly...
how do our current leaders help construct and build walls between people within our own borders? Fear is the primary weapon of choice now for one political party. It is an effective weapon and it is used well and the use of it has created divisions within our communities that need not be there.
Fear of the other. Fear of what is different from us.
Not to mention the use of fear in Iraq. Some of the overkill in the tactics of the Pentagon, such as the destruction of Falluja, are prized not for the numbers of insurgents killed, but the fear and terror they strike in the people. It seems our primary weapon now is to induce obedience through fear.
Madness, madness
Madness tight on the heads of the rebels
The bitterness erup's like a heart blas'
Broke glass, ritual of blood an' a-burnin'
Served by a cruelin' fighting
5 nights of horror and of bleeding
Broke glass, cold blades as sharp as the eyes of hate
And the stabbin', it's
War amongs' the rebels
Madness, madness, war
I love Linton Kwesi Johnson. I have Dread Beat An' Blood. Thank you for making note of him and bringing up the issue of the use of fear in politics. A subject much in the need of discussion, and how to counteract it.
# posted by scorpiorising : 6:18 PM |
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