Eastside Democratic Dinner

[The military course and just desserts.]

Navigating the sensibilities is what comes to mind as I belatedly note the excitement surrounding the speakers, Senator Patty Murray, and Retired Major General Paul Eaton. What follows are three perspectives Perspective one.
Perspective two.
Perspective three.

Auxiliary links:
The General in the Darcy Burner Camp.
At the NW Progressive Forum.

[LATEST: Darcy Burner Newsletter Report on the General and his plans for Iraq]

[10-17-07: I must note that I am excited that the author of Perspective 2 has found this site and commented below, and also that he now links a video of the heart of the excitement,as well as a Washblog link on the event. I hereby add two links I have yet to read:
12 former captains on Iraq
"out of control"??
Speaking of more than one perspective, I also added the subtitle.]

NW Progressive Convention

Yesterday America in Solidarity
held its first NW Progressive Convention
A friend said to me: That name sounds socialist.
That shows you how the language has been hijacked.
Does this sound socialist?

Labor is prior to, and independent of, capital. Capital is only the fruit of labor, and could never have existed if labor had not first existed. Labor is the superior of capital, and deserves much the higher consideration. Abraham Lincoln

[Presentations]
[[Presidential Poll]]

Congresswoman Lynne Woolsey - Congressman Adam Smith - CIVIL RIGHTS PANEL: 8th Congressional District Candidate Darcy Burner, ACLU Attorney Salvador Mungia, Backbone Campaign Executive Director Bill Moyer - - Retired Major General Paul Eaton - Washington Fair Trade Coalition - Washington Public Campaigns - Washington Community Action Network - Healthcare for All Washington
[Other Attendees:]
Americans United for Separation of Church and State - The Sanctuary for Veterans and Families - Law Enforcement Against Prohibition

For Words!

4 the People
2B Partisan or a Different Club?

This is more of a play on words and numbers, than a criticism of a candidate or a system, except to point out the differences. Florida is a Closed Primary, meaning (I assume) an independent runs only in the General Election. Washington is an Open Primary in this case only the top two vote getters regardless of party will be in the General Election. (I won't get into the British system.)

(Embedded within are the links to particulars in regard to Washington candidates challenging Democrats while in Florida, the big news is that a Republican governor has decided to run from the party the tea partiers have taken over. I have almost considered it a Rovian calculation for them to run from their party. There is the theory of the two Santas, so running against a strength, would that be the two Grinches* theory?

* radical independents supported by divide to revive...the right.**
(In a bigger picture look at this, the difference is truly the pressure of politics which is valid. In Florida a survival of a moderate candidate for senate in the form of the current governor, and in Washington; pressure from the left on moderate or progressive candidates, but with different electoral processes.)

** more on the two Grinches, not to despair valid Tea Party issues but to the money and support that lumps or divides them

GOLEFT TV

Finally: Real News Featuring video from progressive hosts. (Some from Air America Radio)
The choir grows. (The local affiliate)

[subtitled: STOP THE LOOPINESS! ]
But hold on to your seat, following these links can be challenging to your sense of peace.
Example: and this is a moderate one
Air America (select program)
The Randi Rhodes Show
Senate Democrats introduce Habeus Corpus Restoration Act of 2007
The vicious cycle completed
"as long as..."
NSPD51
But I don't have time for the ride.

An even worse ride:Plan Ready for Iran
On watch list for some time
Science Fiction or...

It might be one thing for Empire to win, but who will be the loser, even if it could? Not China or other powers, no matter what they choose. Failure is too scary to imagine, but progress is even scarier work. And with preemption on the table?
"Help me Obi-Wan///"
There is no secret message there or suggested solution, but it may not be just about "the force", but every player has a part and countries and corporations seem to play for keeps.
"As long as" who is the dictator?

"Failure is not on option..." is the most true oxymoron *. Failure is a result we must live or die with. In the case of the NSPD51, if failure is not preempted, or caused, it is at least incentivised and to some rewarded.

[apologies for a linky piece, all of which I have not read, and for any excessively creative wording *]

[It is funny how I seem to form a rather loopy cycle myself, as I had intended to insert somewhere a Huffington Post link. Not that particular one, but just the site in general. Speaking of Generals: Wesley Clark. Speaking of failures. Putin's eyes, which Bush looked into. (see paragraph before last "other powers") Our only hope.]

THANK YOU: Progressives Everywhere, in particular Huffington Post and Common Dreams
Speaking of forutituous links. The Telegraph and mine
with a search of "telegraph" and search "blows" it. Speaking of dreams. It is about the nightmare.

Democrats are about the American dream, Republicans are about keeping it that. And even the dream is a nightmare for the world.

* there is probably a better word for it, but then look at what we are dealing with.

[11:08 AM - - As I have noted, I have not read or reread all of the above links, and there are even some that I had intended to, but I must add this one,{Illiberal Moderates: The Global Swing Vote} by Amitai Etzioni - - a piece which I did just read and suggest caution in reading and sorting it out, but I do agree with it's approach. I have been familiar with his work prior to 1995, and that may have been important in my seeing the "grand misconception" even before I knew who was promoting it. Re: the misconceptions of Huntington and Fukuyama.]

Local Content

See Labels: Local(at bottom of this post)
or LABELS
INDEX
TO DIGEST
HELP NAVIGATE
Or THE GAME(I have consolidated from the right collumn.)

HERE IS THE LOCAL CONTENT INDEX (Incomplete).
King County Executive Race

Local Radio
Thank you Dave Ross
Lefty Blog
"Thank you Veterans" Day
NW Progressive Convention
Northwest Perspective Update
Home Economics
Eastside Democratic Dinner
Attorney General Gonzales Retreats
Perfect Presidents or Perfect Politicians?
Happy Subpoenas Day
Happy Earth Day
Presidential Profiles
Fare Market Ideas
Face The Music!
Legislative District Townhall Meeting
What's going on?
SJM 8016 / US Attorney Scandal
All Politics Is Local?

This may be a lame local link as it only references a local reporter, but it is also at issue that local papers may be bought out by conglomerations. Far from lame though I almost missed (in this update) the other link thereSpecial to the Times by someone I know and is even more local. Thank You, Donald Smith.

Nader Stunned[While the selection of the President was what really cost Gore the election, Nader's voters and election violations were what allowed it turn on a 5-4 vote of the Supreme Court. My criticism of Clinton in the following piece may be harsh and unjust, I really did understand much of his moderation, but would only lament that more progress on many issues was not achieved. In addition my intention was to blame him for the fact that Bush is what follows and progress will become regression.]

Dear Ralph Nader: (01-31-01)

In a brief recap online, of a USAToday article, I read that you were stunned by the backlash regarding your blame for costing Gore the election. While I have much more to say, I would just like to say that I am surprised that you are stunned. I would have expected that an intelligent person would have expected it.
Surely many of those who voted for you may never have voted anyway, or came from other than the two parties. However, given the closeness and irregularities of the election, I wonder if you really think that a small percentage of those, would not have voted for Gore and turned the election results around. There may be other possible rational for being stunned, and maybe further information will set me straight.
I am trying to figure out whether it was worth having a moderate like Clinton win the White House or go back to supporting Liberals whether they can make it or not. Judging by the actions of the new administration, we may soon wish Clinton had never been in, since so many of the things are only an extension of what Clinton allowed to happen, if not started himself. While I will probably continue to support progressive candidates, I am deeply concerned about the future and will look closely at those who are moderating their rhetoric as well as those who inflame.
It has been a little over a week, so it is too early to add up the pros and cons of the new administration. But it is not too late to keep score. My optimism leads me to try to take people and what they say at face value, but other traits will lead me to find the flaws. I will try to remain balanced and not refrain from contributing to anyone for the general good.

With hopes for our enlightenment,

Roger Larson