Say It Ain't So Joe, Say It Ain't So

Posted by Alli

Well, I've been putting up with it for two days now, and I have something to say. First of all, I want to say congratulations to Ned Lamont for winning the primary in Connecticut. I think it's great to see our political system working somewhat in a manner it was intended. But now, what I really want to do is comment on some of the junk I've been hearing about what this means, and how it will affect the democratic party. Tony Snow came out and said that the defeat of Joe Lieberman suggests that democrats truly do not care about national security since we did not vote for someone who voted consistently with the Presidents wishes over the last six years. What I suggest is that democrats do care. We care about lies. We care about the fact that our President sent our troops to war on false premises and has continued to perpetuate the lie that got us into this terrible mess in the first place. We care about the human condition. The war in Iraq is costing American lives, and Iraqi lives. It has cost us our credibility in a region that desperately needs strong and positive democratic influences. It has limited what we can do to fight countries like Iran and North Korea, countries we know are working together to build nuclear weapons. It has cost us protection. While our armed forces should have been locating Osama Bin Laden and anyone else involved in the September 11th attack, they were forced to do a "death march" in Iraq, leaving time for Al Qaida to plan bigger attacks like the ones unearthed in the UK today. Not to mention the mental and emotional trauma inflicted on our troops, most of them youths, an entire generation of America who will carry scars for a lifetime. These things make us angry! And they are inexcusable. And if you call yourself one of us, you had better not try to be one of them. No kisses, no pardons and no excusing their stupidity. We will cast you out, and cast our votes for someone better.So farewell Joe, I cannot wish you luck with your run as an independent. But I am glad.... and not just for Lamont. I think this is just the wake up call that dems need nationwide. We do not approve of this president, and our representatives and senators had better take note, or pack their bags

Good sign for Democrats

Tonight democrats were finally sent a message that they will hear. Ned Lamont ran as an anti-war candidate and beat out three term Senator, and great friend of the Bush administration, Joe Lieberman. Democratic activists nationwide helped in supporting an alternative and won the primary. While this doesn't mean that the Senate is rid of the war hawk, it does mean that the leadership in the Democratic party is going to have to start listening to their constituency. For five years party members sat back as their leadership abandoned them, letting Bush do whatever he felt like (with the exception of ruining social security because a few republicans were up for re-election) and our country has suffered greatly for it. Finally now we have a sign that the democratic party may be forced to move back somewhat to the good side.
Still there is much work to do. The very activists who have brought down old Joe should have looking for a replacement for Diane Feinstein as well. Unfortunately the Democrats in California didn't do that, but thankfully the Green Party went ahead and did it for them. Todd Chretian is a left winger running as the alternative. He's part of the only party which has supported peace all along the way. Democrats and Republicans frustrated about the war should really give him a strong look.
This is part of what he has to say about why it's time for a change.
"Sen. Feinstein occupies the center of California politics. It is difficult to distinguish her, for instance, from Gov. Schwarzenegger, which is why he is considering endorsing her. She supports the occupation of Iraq, stands 100% with the Israeli invasion of Lebanon, and helped President Bush pass the USA Patriot Act (twice). She opposes gay marriage, a living wage, national health care and supports President Bush’s immigration proposals, which millions of Californians rejected on May 1 by marching in the streets. No doubt her money and her fame will bring her many votes, but, as I’ve always said, if this races turns into a referendum on the war in Iraq and voters looking to express their solidarity with immigrant workers vote for me, then this race could get very interesting."

GNN has must read article about why Dems won't dump Feinstein

Devin Nunes and his new ANWR bill

From RenewableEnergyAccess.com via google news:
Last week, Congressman Devin Nunes (R-Tulare, CA) introduced a bipartisan Bill titled the American-Made Energy Freedom Act, which takes a unique approach to funding alternative energy development. By opening up the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR) to oil exploration, and placing the lease and royalty revenues generated into a trust fund, the next generation of homegrown energy would be incubated, says the Congressman.

This bill looks to easily pass in the house, but should have a hard time passing the Senate (hopefully). It seems to me like another normal ANWR dressed up and given an inspirational name. RAC reader Adrian Akau says "It is nothing more than finding a sneaky way of getting oil companies into the Artic National Wildlife Refuge." I agree, and I'm sure Devin Nunes, who doesn't believe in global warming, will be getting nice campaign contributions from Shell and Exxon.

One more thing, 9 democrats co-sponsored the bill including my representative, Jim Costa. Here's the list of the guilty party. In fairness 11 republicans also co-sponsored, but that's to be expected.
Rep. Dennis Cardoza (D-Calif.)
Rep. Jim Costa (D-Calif.)
Rep. Henry Cuellar (D-Texas)
Rep. Lincoln Davis (D-Tenn.)
Rep. Mike Ross (D-Ark.)
Rep. Bud Cramer (D-Ala.)
Rep. Dan Boren (D-Okla.)
Rep. Charlie Melancon (D-La.)
Rep. Collin Peterson (D-Minn.)