If Republicans owned the newspapers

during the revolutionary war....thanks to Attaturk.....

OKAY! You Win!

I'll buy AFLAC

Wouldn't you know it!!!!`

Tomorrow is primary election day and when I went to mark it on the calendar, guess what I found?

I'm due for my 6 month checkup at the clinic tomorrow...........all...freaking....day...!

test after test after test....

BUT

That doesn't mean that I can't vote between tests

or

That YOU can't vote sometime during the day!

I got a "robo-call" from Linda Clifford last night and another one from Russ Feingold this morning....I guess they want to be sure we get to vote tomorrow....how 'bout you? You gettin' any? (calls, that is)

Sunday open thread....

Just want to open up a thread for you to hang comments on if you feel like it....

Concerning the David Brooks (aka Bobo by some other bloggers) wrote a column for the New York Times today that doesn't stand up to academic scrutiny ...here's an incredible review here.

There's a link to the article in the link....I think the commentary on it is some of the best I've seen...I tell why here

But the NYT wasn't the only place carrying Republican "water" today...from Firedoglake, we learn:

How else are we to explain the editorial decisions to propel Byron York's inept and hapless crayon scribblings yesterday, followed by the propagandistic, defamatory rantings of longtime Barbara Comstock sister in crime Victoria Toensing today? Barbara Comstock currently serves as the PR flack for the Libby defense team, and has been a key fundraiser for his defense.
We'll be getting into more substantive dissections of the lies and diversions propelled by these political campaigning players, but for the moment, I'd like to call everyone's attention to the fact that the Washington Post has made the decision to be the outlet for the Libby PR machine led by Barbara Comstock.

It's late...more tomorrow

Don't delete that....

If you're like me, you probably get tons and tons of email from various Democratic-based organizations....and they almost always say the same thing:

SEND MONEY

AND AS SOON AS WE SEE IT, WE HIT THE DELETE KEY...

Well, I think what I heard about The Progressive Patriots Fund will change that habit. As you know the founder of the Progressive Patriots Fund is our own Senator Russ Feingold. When he first started it, us cynical, battle-scarred political types all said the same thing: "Neat ploy, Russ. We know it's the basis for your bid for the nomination, but (wink-wink, nod-nod) we'll play along anyway." We actually weren't paying attention to the fact that campaign finance reform being what it is/was, (chuckle...it was CALLED McCain-Feingold, remember?) that kind of money couldn't be used for a Presidential campaign bid.

When Russ actually announced that he would not seek the Democratic nomination, I think I was one of the few fans of Russ Feingold who was actually .... well... relieved. I was never thrilled with the idea of Russ running for, or for that matter, being, President. He has spent his entire life in the legislative branch of government and has almost no Executive Branch experience. That worried me....almost as much as losing one of the best U.S. Senators we have ever seen. But as he dropped out of the race, the question about the use of the Progressive Patriots Fund/foundation came to the surface....

Could it be that he was actually going to use it for what he SAID he was going to use if for? You know...to promote candidates ....progressive candidates ...to public office.

That's exactly what they did.....

The Progressive Patriots Fund selected 20 candidates for congress in 2006. They provided them with $5,000 cash and, most importantly with a trained staff person to help run their campaign....

Out of the twenty....12 are now members of Congress....

12....

Just remind me now.....just exactly how big is the Democratic Majority in the House of Representatives?......

If I remember it's 31.....and 12 or the 31 are because of Russ's efforts.....

He's building a grass roots organization and tackling the Republican stranglehold on Congress one district at a time......

Want to go one better?

We're a year in advance of the next campaign and the Progressive Patriot's fund is already "on the streets" meeting with locals and planning for next year.....(I've been preaching this kind of long-term activism for years but this is beyond my wildest expectations.)

I don't think I'm going to hit the "delete" key next time I get one of those emails.....

Sorry I missed the meeting...

I did, however, engage in good, honest Democratic Party work last night...

One of the items that came out of the meeting I attended last night was a reminder that we have a PRIMARY ELECTION on February 20th that a lot of people have forgotten....It's a primary for State Supreme Court and if you think it doesn't matter, you're very, very mistaken. If you listened to the candidates on the radio (Joy Cardin's show on Wisconsin Public Radio) you know that one of the candidates is the favorite of the conservative party and another is favored by our side of the ledger. In fact, Senator Russ Feingold has endorsed Linda Clifford so that should give you an idea.I liked what Linda had to say on the radio and felt comfortable that she would apply the law fairly and equitably if elected. Here's her campaign site in case you want to know more about her. I know that these elections are supposed to be "nonpartisan" but I'm hearing the sound of the partisan "dog whistles" (activist judges, greedy trial lawyers, etc ) coming from one of the campaigns and it isn't pretty...to see what I'm talking about take a look at some of the letters supporting her opponent...here. Her opponent is starting radio and TV ads this week so you'll see some action but off-year primaries are notorious for LOW VOTER TURNOUT and this election doesn't look much different. There is a lot at stake so be sure to get out and vote and get all your friends out there too.

I understand Dave and Lolo had a good laugh or two on me last night but that's okay......ask LoLo about her book club...

Don't forget the Meeting tonight!

Remember

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 15

6:30 P.M.

AMERICAN LEGION HALL

PITTSVILLE....

AGENDA

I. SECRETARY’S REPORT (DEDE)
II. TREASURER’S REPORT (DEANE)
III.CHAIRMAN’S REPORT (DAVE)
IV. COMMITTEE REPORTS (CHAIRS)
V. SPECIAL REPORTS (ELECTED OFFICIALS AND THEIR REPS)
VI. SOLVE ALL OF THE WORLD’S PROBLEMS IN 120 SECONDS (ANYONE, ON ANYTHING, FOR TWO MINUTES)


Coming up:
-March meeting-Resolutions
-Possible Madison field trip, dinner meeting later this spring