Fighting Liberals

President's Fort Hood Memorial Speech

2009-11-11T08:07:00.001+09:00

Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy

Health Care in the House

2009-11-10T08:04:00.004+09:00

So you've all heard that it passed. the house at least, now the harder part- the senators.

New York Times - “Sweeping Health Care Plan Passes House”: Handing President Obama a hard-fought victory, the House narrowly approved a sweeping overhaul of the nation’s health care system on Saturday night, advancing legislation that Democrats said could stand as their defining social policy achievement. Democrats say the House measure — paid for through new fees and taxes, along with cuts in Medicare — would extend coverage to 36 million people now without insurance while creating a government health insurance program. It would end insurance company practices like not covering pre-existing conditions or dropping people when they become ill. The successful vote came on a day when Mr. Obama traveled to Capitol Hill to make a personal appeal for lawmakers to “answer the call of history” and support the bill. The vote came on the third anniversary of the 2006 Democratic takeover of the House, and the passage moves the bill well beyond the health care overhaul attempted by President Bill Clinton in 1993.

I know we had some bad defeats in this. I know they beat up on women as usual, I know it is not single payer, I know that the "robust" public option is not going to be robust enough. But let's just remember-- WE GOT RID OF PRE-EXISTING CONDITIONS! If nothing else were to have passed, this alone, this one thing, is going to save lives, heartache, family homes, family savings. Just that one change. It was a good summer's work. Now let's keep the pressure on and get this bill done. Through the Senate through the reconciliation voted on again and on to that man's desk.

We need so much more. But this is a start, and it is a start worthy of a little WOOT!

First Lady on Iron Chef

2009-11-08T08:08:00.004+09:00

Being a foodie and a Michelle fan, I was quite happy to hear about this...

The health conscious Michelle Obama is all set to enter the domain of kitchens as she takes on the cameo role of a host for cookery show Iron Chef America at the White House in January.

The show, which features celebrity cooks competing against each other, is the First Lady’s latest step to promote her agenda of a healthy diet for Americans.

Mrs Obama will also spell out the secret ingredient from the White House garden that competing chefs will have to use in their recipes.

The episode will see Cristeta Comerford, the executive chef at the White House and Bobby Flay contesting closely against Mario Batali and Emeril Lagassse. ANI- London

I am torn though, of course I want The White House Chef's team to win, but I also like Mario... I do not like Emeril AT ALL, he is a faker and charlatan. I went to Babo my last trip to New York for Mario's food and it was fantastic. A truly Lovely evening. I hope the White House Team is up for the challenge.

Terrible Shooting at Fort Hood in Texas

2009-11-06T08:02:00.005+09:00

Not too many details yet, but this is horrible and tragic.

FORT HOOD, TX (NBC) - At least 12 people are dead and 31 wounded in a shooting at Fort Hood in Texas, the base's public affairs office told NBC News on Thursday.

The official would not give his name nor additional details. It was unknown whether victims are soldiers or civilians.

A Fort Hood spokeswoman says one shooter is in custody after a mass shooting. NBC

There are reports that there were up to three shooters, and there is a lot of debate about if the shooters were all US Soldiers.

Update; WASHINGTON from the AP — A law enforcement official says a shooting suspect at Fort Hood has been identified as Army Maj. Malik Nadal Hasan.

The official said Hasan, believed to be in his late 30s, was killed after opening fire at the base. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to discuss the case publicly.

What the Tuesday Elections Were, and What They Were Not

2009-11-06T06:59:00.002+09:00

* Voters rejected right-wing radicalism.
* Democrats who fail to stand up for Democratic and progressive principles fail in elections.
* The Right's lies still work.
* Despite the stinging loss for marriage equality in Maine, evidence elsewhere shows voters moving towards support of equality for all Americans.
* The Far Right strengthened its grip on the Republican Party.
* We have a lot of work to do to educate people, expose right-wing lies and counter the resurgent Right.
* The scattered results of yesterday's elections were not a referendum on President Obama and his policies.

from People for the American Way.

Still Paying the Price

2009-11-05T07:10:00.005+09:00

In good news for Justice (sadly not on our own soil) Italy convicted former CIA agents over extrodinary rendition.

MILAN/ROME (Reuters) - An Italian judge sentenced 23 Americans to up to eight years in prison on Wednesday for the abduction of a Muslim cleric, in a symbolic condemnation of the CIA "rendition" flights used by the former U.S. government.

The Americans were all tried in absentia because the United States refused to extradite them.

The U.S. State Department expressed its disappointment with the verdict, the first of its kind, but campaigners who have long complained that the renditions policy violated basic human rights said the ruling set an important precedent...

...The judge ruled that those convicted should pay 1 million euros in damages to Nasr, better known as Abu Omar, and 500,000 euros to his wife.

There is sadly still so much to answer for in our actions and reactions over the last 8 years. One of the great things about President Obama being elected is that it takes someone of his personal charisma and frankness to even begin to undo the damage done to our reputation overseas. I do wish we would extradite some of the ring leaders in these cases-- but in my heart of hearts I think at some level that would be unfair as well unless we finally tried Cheney, Rumsfeld, Bush and the gang since this was certainly a top-down program. But I like that Italy sent such a strong public message about this.

too many words are forever changed or in current common language now because of W. Rendition, Redaction, "program related activities", and on and on. sigh.

Your Creative Heart

2009-11-03T10:17:00.003+09:00

I've always loved this group. Amazing Stuff

What have you done to celebrate your creative heart lately? I am working with the TokyoHackerSpace to let my heart sing, dance and MAKE a little every day.

At Fox

2009-11-01T09:36:00.000+09:00

Every day is Halloween.

Happy Halloween, Fighting Liberals.

May the Great Pumpkin Bring You Much Candy

2009-11-01T07:57:00.001+09:00

see more dog and puppy pictures

Boo!

open thread- what are you up to this all hallows eve weekend?

Listen to this- so great!

2009-10-30T08:11:00.001+09:00

I especially Love the Clean-up part.

Lieberman and Snowe Again Trying to Kill The Public Option

2009-10-28T07:05:00.004+09:00

In a tag team effort...

First after an ecstatic news cycle where progressives everywhere took a cautious sigh of relief at news that the public option was going to be in the senate version of the health care reform bill we now how that mutt and jeff tag team of annoying fence sitters causing all sorts of havock.

Lieberman says he'll support a republican filibusterer if the senate bill contains a public option.

That means that we have to go searching for another vote again- and Snowe of Maine hopes all eyes will be back on her so she can push her insurance company sponsored "triggers" plan where the public option would be indefinitely on hold while the insurance companies pretend that they want to reform the system that has made them billions and billions of dollars.

Ball's in Harry Reid's court. I hope no matter what happens that

1. Lieberman's constituents are planning to replace him.
2. The White house is regretting it's naive support of him.
3. They kick this snake in the grass out of the caucus.
4. They find a different solution and DON'T have to play ball with Sen. Snowe.

in anycase, here we are again.
Get on the phones and call your senator- or call Lieberman and Snowe and express your support for the Public Option.

We Need a Public Option- the Musical

2009-10-26T08:17:00.002+09:00

brilliant.

Weekend Open Thread

2009-10-25T13:39:00.000+09:00

What the heck are you all up to?
do tell...

Countrywide VIP Program Re-enforces that our Main Problem in Gov. is Pay to Play

2009-10-25T09:28:00.004+09:00

Another sign (as if we needed more) that corporations around the country (and the globe for that matter) have taken their prodigious skills at paying for influence to all new levels. This is obvious now in the Health care fight. But we should remember that the economic crisis, triggered by risky and bad mortgage and stock market practices remains unresolved. They got us here and so far they are not doing much to get us out...

FROM POLITICO Republicans and Democrats on the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee agreed Friday night on language for a wide-reaching subpoena of Countrywide (now Bank of America) Financial’s VIP lending program as part of an investigation into allegations of influence peddling by the company at all levels of government, committee aides said.

The subpoena, which was sent out Friday night, will ask the lender to fork over documents relating to its “Friends of Angelo” program – named for CEO Angelo Mozilo, who allegedly offered favorable mortgage rates to persons of influence.

Republicans and Democrats agreed to request documents relating to a wide range of government employees – including members of the executive branch, House members and staffers, officers of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac and employees of state and local governments. Senators will not be included in the House’s investigation.

Really? The Friends of Angelo program-- wow you can't make shit like this up. I am an aspiring fiction writer- trying to do a detective-type deal and I swear making up things like this is hard and when you do you think...Yeah, but no one will believe that! truth really is stranger, more corrupt and far more frustrating than fiction. And Senator's will not be included??? why the hell not!? God these people make me want to throw things.

Family Portrait

2009-10-24T11:55:00.000+09:00

Photo by Annie Leibovitz/Released by White House Photo Office

President Barack Obama, First Lady Michelle Obama, and their daughters, Sasha and Malia, sit for a family portrait in the Green Room of the White House, Sept. 1, 2009. (Official White House Photo)

What a lovely family. Malia is getting gorgeous. Very Nice- lovely first family.

Tokyo Map of Terror

2009-10-24T09:09:00.005+09:00

A fun view of Halloween and scary stuff from deep in the heart of Tokyo, Japan. Check out the Tokyo Map of Terror. Boo!

What are you doing for All Hallow's Eve?

My Version Of Palin AP Press Release

2009-10-20T10:28:00.003+09:00

I am sure you can figure out which comments are mine...

MILWAUKEE AP- Former Republican vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin will speak(CANCEL-NOT-SHOW-UP-QUIT) in a Milwaukee suburb next month as part of a (FEARMONGERING)program presented by Wisconsin "Right to (CONTROL WOMEN)Life."

Officials say no tickets will be sold(TO SANE PEOPLE) at the door of the Nov. 6 event at Wisconsin Exposition Center at State Fair Park in West Allis, Wis.(UNLESS YOU PASS A WINGNUT EXAM AND SIGN A LOYALTY OATH)

General admission tickets are $30 with a limit of four (TOWNHALL-CRAZIES)per order.

Palin's (CANCELLATION)stop in Milwaukee comes 11 days before the former Alaska governor's (AND HER LAZY HUSBAND'S)(GRAVY TRAIN PRESS TOUR)memoirs(USING THE TERM LOOSELY) will be released.

You may now return to your regularly scheduled media spin-programming.

Open Thread

2009-10-20T07:22:00.002+09:00

Limited bandwidth right now, please talk amongst yourselves...

Please Take Care

2009-10-17T10:55:00.003+09:00

The expected fall resurgence of Swine Flu is combining with some bad news today out of the CDC.

US officials have warned of delays in the delivery of swine flu vaccines just as deaths from the H1N1 virus climb above epidemic level in some states.

Only 28-30 million doses would be available by the end of the month, said Anne Schuchat of the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). That was down from an earlier estimate of 40 million.-BBC

no explanation yet on the short fall or delay, but everyone especially those with small kids please take precautions. 86 children have died from N1H1 more than in an entire flu season. SO please, I know there are lots of jokes about this, and many people are not taking it too seriously but just be careful. Here is a pretty comprehensive site on what to do, what to look for etc. http://www.medicinenet.com/swine_flu/article.htm

Racist Justice Will not Give Marriage License

2009-10-16T07:12:00.004+09:00

Seriously, I know we have regions in the USA that are not keeping up with modern times (and that is really as nice as I can say this) But you have got to be kidding me.

AP- NEW ORLEANS – A Louisiana justice of the peace said he refused to issue a marriage license to an interracial couple out of concern for any children the couple might have. Keith Bardwell, justice of the peace in Tangipahoa Parish, says it is his experience that most interracial marriages do not last long.

"I'm not a racist. I just don't believe in mixing the races that way," Bardwell told the Associated Press on Thursday. "I have piles and piles of black friends. They come to my home, I marry them, they use my bathroom. I treat them just like everyone else."

Bardwell said he asks everyone who calls about marriage if they are a mixed race couple. If they are, he does not marry them, he said.

Bardwell said he has discussed the topic with blacks and whites, along with witnessing some interracial marriages. He came to the conclusion that most of black society does not readily accept offspring of such relationships, and neither does white society, he said.

I wonder if he has noticed the President of the USA- you know, from an interracial couple? You know- the Harvard grad, big brained guy who is now leader of the free world.

First off, all couples these days have some challenges staying together. Second even divorce or challenge does NOT mean that you can stand in judgment of other couples or their kids or their communities for that matter.

Bardwell, On top of being a racist, is a moral moron and judgmental idiot.

Michelle Obama Becomes National Honorary President of the Girl Scouts

2009-10-15T11:55:00.001+09:00

Official White House photo by Samantha Appleton

I was a Girl Scout, from when I was 7 till I graduated high school. It was such a part of my life that I often forget what an impact it had. It is/was instrinsic to my personality. I credit the Girl Scouts for giving me an undying sense of bravery and curiousity it trying new things. They also gave me the travel bug as my troop went all over the usa on various trips and events. We had no money when I was growing up. At one point my mom when we moved back to PA could not find a teaching job (she was too over qualified in the glut market of the 70's) and for awhile she was waiting on tables for 50 cents an hour. If it had not been for the Girl Scouts my experiences would have been so much more limited at that time in my life.

I was so happy to hear that Michelle Obama is now the honorory president of GS USA. It is a great thing for her to do and I am sure the Girl Scouts will benefit from her support! To be fair, this is traditional and all first ladies do it, but I still think this is a powerful symbol and I have a feeling that Michelle will be more involved than a one day photo op. I hope so!

It is my great pleasure to serve as Honorary National President of Girl Scouts,” said Mrs. Obama. “With their innovative new programming, ground-breaking research, and emphasis on service and leadership, Girl Scouts is preparing the women of tomorrow to be a positive force for change – in their own lives, their communities, and across the globe.- UrbanMecca

For everyone here, you could also do something to support your Girl Scouts in your area. They always need teachers and workshop leaders to come to meetings and give the girls new opportunities to learn. You can do a one day event that would inspire, or you can donate materials and supplies. Find out how you can help the Girl Scouts here.

More Dead Americans

2009-10-15T07:46:00.003+09:00

The Republicans in their ever present wisdom, and before the ink is on the paper for the merged senate and house health care bill are already saying that they want a longer and longer debate time. More delays more wing-nut-townhall-teabagger style politics, ultimately more dead Americans.

according to rollcall

Democratic negotiations to merge two competing Senate health care bills got under way Wednesday, with Republicans characterizing the talks as backroom dealing and demanding two months of floor time to debate the final legislation...

Harry Reid's comment to this was

I believe that the Republican leader and all of his colleagues, with the exception of couple there — one of whom is Sen. [Olympia] Snowe and there are a couple others — want to do anything that they can do not to have a bill,” Reid said. “The length of the debate is going to be one where there will be sufficient time.

So via the report cited by Congressman Alan Grayson- that means that rather than the one month of debate and deliberation the GOP wants another 30 days or another 3,666 Americans without health care or with insufficient health care to die. Almost 4,000 peoples lives mean little or nothing to them. More than died in the twin towers.

no.more.delays.

get this bill done, get it voted on, and it BETTER have a robust public option.

Grab a Cuppa- Open Thread

2009-10-12T09:16:00.006+09:00

Today we are going to make some cinnamon braised beef for my wine event tomorrow- Cashmere for the Cure. should be tasty.

what are you up to? do tell...

The Newest Nobel Peace Prize Winner

2009-10-09T23:51:00.002+09:00

photo Gerald Herbert/AP

Congratulations, Mr. President. (no pressure there...)

update
comments from the president;

This morning, Michelle and I awoke to some surprising and humbling news. At 6 a.m., we received word that I'd been awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for 2009.

To be honest, I do not feel that I deserve to be in the company of so many of the transformative figures who've been honored by this prize -- men and women who've inspired me and inspired the entire world through their courageous pursuit of peace.

But I also know that throughout history the Nobel Peace Prize has not just been used to honor specific achievement; it's also been used as a means to give momentum to a set of causes.

That is why I've said that I will accept this award as a call to action, a call for all nations and all peoples to confront the common challenges of the 21st century. These challenges won't all be met during my presidency, or even my lifetime. But I know these challenges can be met so long as it's recognized that they will not be met by one person or one nation alone.

This award -- and the call to action that comes with it -- does not belong simply to me or my administration; it belongs to all people around the world who have fought for justice and for peace. And most of all, it belongs to you, the men and women of America, who have dared to hope and have worked so hard to make our world a little better.

So today we humbly recommit to the important work that we've begun together. I'm grateful that you've stood with me thus far, and I'm honored to continue our vital work in the years to come.

Thank you,

President Barack Obama

Meanwhile, on the 5th Floor

2009-10-09T09:30:00.000+09:00

of the City Hall of a well-known American metropolis, behind closed doors, a Mare begins the search for scapegoats.

(h/t Beachwood Reporter and NSFW.)