Take Back America Conference: Day 2

The morning plenary was Bob Borosage hosting a panel of Julian Bond, Jesse jackson & Taylor Branch discussing the legacy of King and the Civil Rights Movement. My sister, who's sofa is my hotel this week, wanted to hear about Donna Brazile, whom she blames for both the 20000 and 2004 debacles, but Julian Bond was a sub speaker. No show, no explanation. And s much as I like Jesse Jackson

I'm writing now from a session on the Rogue Presidency, including David Cole, a regular witness at the House JudiciaryComm, and John Conyers, House Judiciary Chair (who got hung up in traffic,) and Christ Hardin Smith, who blogs on constitutional matters for FireDogLake.
Christy Hardin Smith, FireDogLake:"Giving up our rights doesn't make us more safe, it just makes us less free"
John Conyers refers back to Gingrich's "Contract ON America" (the phrase I've been using since 1994, thank you)as the start of the current attitude of the Republicans toward the presidency. (I'd think it goes back at least to Nixon.) He's now remarking on his committee's report, "What Went Wrong In Ohio" about the 2004 election, and the invitation (and threat of subpoena) issued by the Committee to former Sec. o' State Blackwell, who was responsible for that disaster.

Conyers says he isn't hopeful about the rulings of the current Supreme Court, and that the most important thing between now and November is voting integrity.

More later..I want to listen.

Finishing Conyers' session

Quick note: after spending some time trying to explain why there won't be an impeachment before the election (because "it would jeopardize the chance of a young, excellent man running for the White House") Conyers made two unusual statements. First, that there were already ample examples of crimes that Cheney ("the brains of the operation") and Bush had committed crimes they could be convicted for in both US criminal courts and in Int'l War Crimes tribunals, which could still end up with them being held responsible for their actions...
And second, that Conyers and several other members of Congress (no names mentioned) had sent Bush a letter saying that if he goes into Iran, he will be impeached.

Well, there's no hedging that statement...

The Obama Surge - a media product?

(Been a while, but it's gonna be wild from here on out. Strap in)
Last night, Hillary Clinton beat Obama in New Hampshire. And everyone, especially the progressive wing of my party, is trying to figure out why Obama had to give a great concession speech last night, five days after getting to give a great victory speech after the Iowa caucuses (caucii?) And everyone is WAY over-analyzing the 'flip.'

I usually eschew (gesundheit) simple explanations for apparently complicated situations (and simple solutions to complicated problems.) But this one seems easy.

Until two weeks ago, no Republican candidate, no FOX pundit, and barely any other media face, spoke any Democratic candidates' name but 'Hillary.' In several Republican debates, they never even said 'Bush.' This feels like marching to the tune from Grover and Karl, too coordinated to be accidental.
WHY Hillary? Because they (GOP) calculate that America won't vote for a woman, even the Virgin mary, much less Hillary. So all focus was on her.

Imagine their wet dream come true, the hope they dared not hope at the RNC, when Obama won Iowa. And now, all focus is on Obama, win or lose in the primaries. WHY? because, in the mind of the GOP, the only thing easier to beat that a white woman is a black man.
They'll never even have to mention it, to place the race or gender card, (like Coulter calling Edwards a 'faggot.')becaue every time either of these candidates is seen, their 'difference' is evident to the GOP electorate.

I hate that America is still held hostage by the misogymistic racists whose parents committed treason back in the 1860's. Can't we let them out now? Other than Coca-cola and Cape Kennedy, they can all fall into the Gulf of Mexico...

Watch for Edwards v. McCain