The country is headed in the wrong direction fast, slipping behind, losing our way...and all we have out of Washington is status quo paralysis. No vision, no action. Just neglect, selfishness, and division.
For 12 years, Republicans have tried to divide us - race against race - so we get mad at each other and not at them. They want us to look at each other across a racial divide so we don't turn and look to the White House and ask, why are all of our incomes going down, why are all of us losing jobs? Why are we losing our future?
Where I come from we know about race-baiting. They've used it to divide us for years. I know this tactic well and I'm not going to let them get away with it.
On June 23 the General Assembly returns to Richmond to deal with transportation, an issue that has been haunting them, and all Virginians for several years. Let's hope this isn't strike three for them and for a meaningful solution that passes constitutional muster.
The governor and the Senate seem ready to support tax increases that will raise $1 billion dedicated to funding a statewide program of construction, repair, and maintenance. The Chamber of Commerce, along with two dozen other business groups, supports increasing revenue, either through a gas tax, sales tax, or combination.
The pothole in the road to a solution is Speaker Bill Howell and the House of Delegates.
Below: Sometimes, you just have to drive around the pothole to get where you need to go!
Yes, THAT Joseph Wilson. Back in February 2003 Wilson wrote a chillingly accurate article in the Nation Magazine, which at that time was a PREDICTION of the possible effects of an Iraq invasion.
The projection of influence and power through the use of force will breed resistance in the Arab world that will sorely test our political will and stamina. Passion for independence is as great in the Arab world as it is elsewhere. The hawks compare this mission to Japan and Germany after World War II. It could easily look like Lebanon, Somalia and Northern Ireland instead.(emphasis mine)
Our global leadership will be undermined as fear gives way to resentment and strategies to weaken our stranglehold. American businessmen already complain about hostility when overseas, and Arabs speak openly of boycotting American products. Foreign capital is fleeing American stocks and bonds; the United States is no longer a friendly destination for international investors. For a borrow-and-spend Administration, as this one is, the effects on our economic growth will be felt for a long time to come. Essential trust has been seriously damaged and will be difficult to repair. (emphasis mine)
Sierra Club has joined with Green Works™, the new line of natural household cleaning products from the makers of Clorox products.
This month you will start seeing our name, logo and the statement that "Green Works is a proud supporter of Sierra Club's efforts to preserve and protect the planet" on the labels and packaging. These products offer a way for tens of millions of Americans to get involved in doing something good for the planet - as well as directly support Sierra Club - all through their everyday actions as consumers. The financial support from the Green Works product line will help Sierra Club continue our conservation efforts, including the protection of America's clean air, clean water, wildlife and special places.
The bottom line is that these products are environmentally conscious, affordable, work well, and will be available to millions of people. They can help alter consumer behavior overall and will support the good work of the Sierra Club. This was a chance to use the power of our name to help take natural cleaning mainstream. We believe that makes it a great opportunity for Sierra Club...and the planet.
In light of the tenacity of HRC soldiering on against Obama, I recalled this bio about Hillary, that I thought might add some insight into the "Big Why?" question.
I heard this story first on an MSNBC late night special profile of Hillary Rodham Clinton. It led me to ponder on the "root causes" of Hillary's personality.
Silliness from the House of Representatives... It seems that the Republicans in the house including the good Rep. Goodlatte, have voted AGAINST motherhood, specifically H. Res. 1113, "Celebrating the role of mothers in the United States and supporting the goals and ideals of Mother's Day." Could kittens, babies and apple pie be next? Read all about it from Dana Milbank in the WAPO here.
Republicans were up the their old tricks of delay, sidetrack, stall, until quitting time when all the games ended and everyone went home. All the legislation including the morgage bill and the new defense appropriation that was supposed to be dealt with this week got postponed till next week with no promises even then. Milbank reports that this is typical for the minority party as they attempt to "rule by filibuster."
There's a nice entry over at Kos that sounds a lot like the Right Wing Noise Machine except the target is John McCain. The sources should be checked, but it's good blogging nevertheless. Here's an excerpt cross posted from Docudharma. Good reading for anyone who's tired of the "McCain,War Hero" mantra from the Right.
John Kerry drove a Swift Boat and killed gooks with his bare hands like Rambo. McSame was a washout who used his daddy's influence to get a job driving a bomb dump truck (an A-4 is not a fighter) so he could kill people from 30,000 feet. He was a boozer and a skirt chaser. He participated in propaganda broadcasts while captured. He cheated on his wife who stood by him during his captivity and then dumped her when she was injured to marry a drug addicted charity thief who was prettier and richer so he could have a political career.
Here's another take on the vice-presidential deal: The Veepstakes. Right now, odds favor Tim Pawlenty for McCain and Kathleen Sibelius for Obama. I don't know much about Pawlenty, but Sibelius sounds like a good choice for the our team.
Barack Obama is fighting (and winning) a two-front war.
And don't tell me they're all fighting the same kind of war; we know that's not the case.
Unholy alliances and all that...the enemy of my enemy is my friend...you know the drill.
If anyone thinks that doesn't entitle him to at LEAST a little more room than his opponents, then they could probably get a job with Goodlatte helping him pimp his idea that there should be no minimum wage.
That said, t3h blogs are agog at the beaut Obama laid on McCain today....
More below the fold...and I'm wondering if you caught what I caught.
Senator Barack Obama is close to winning the Democratic nomination for president. His overwhelming victory in North Carolina and virtual tie in Indiana, with a forthcoming tide of superdelegates, will bring him within a hundred votes of the nomination. Obama has victory in sight, unless the iron laws of arithmetic are repealed by superdelegates meeting in "smoke-filled rooms" in an age of "no smoking" edicts in air-conditioned retreats.
Obama must soon turn to the choice of a running mate. The best choice, in my opinion, would be Senator Webb.....On his own, we can expect Webb to outshine any of the pallid Republicans being considered for the McCain ticket, to close the party's "security gap," and to provide the necessary appeal to white male voters. For Senator Obama, Webb's selection would show both audacity and hope.
Governor Kaine recently announced that his office had joined the Commonwealth of Virginia's Official YouTube Channel. The governor joins two dozen state government agencies and institutions in bringing new access to Virginia government. Some of the videos promote history and tourism while others focus on emergency preparations, environment, or higher education.
This 15 second spot encourages homeowners to help save the bay.
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