CREW want Ralph Reed dumped as CNN election-night analyst

“Reed’s disdain for Republican presidential candidate, Sen. John McCain, stems from Indian Affairs Committee hearings the senator spearheaded, exposing Reed’s work on behalf of [Washington lobbyist Jack] Abramoff’s tribal clients.”

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Who will be the first to publicly rebuke Grover Norquist, who laundered millions of Abramoff payola for Ralph Reed and the christian coalition?

Like when I first tried an Eskimo roll to right a kayak.

I realized almost immediately that I had goofed. (Never had done two identities before.)

The thing phred is that JodiDog has been banned from the blog, “carded” so to say, probably by Neil or bmaz, the blog minders, and I was trying out some new names.

Anyway, …

He’ll Run before he Stands to Account.

There can be no compromise without open debate. During the Bush years debate has been silenced time and time again. I agree that in principle a functioning democracy requires compromise. However, through the use of lies, name-calling, signing statements, executive orders, magically vanishing exectuive orders, misuse of classification, parliamentary maneuvering, and cries of state secrets in the courts, debate has been suppressed to the point of extinction. There can be no real compromise without the inclusion of all points of view.

The Rethugs in power (and I do distinguish them from honest Republicans, those who value our democracy and are willing to engage in honest debate and compromise) have shown time and time again — most recently this past Thursday — that they abhor debate. They will not work honestly with those who hold differing views. They will stamp their feet and throw a fit, “our way or no way”.

As Senator Kennedy so clearly elucidated in December for one and all to see, President Bush says the Protect America Act saves lives, but unless telecoms are given retroactive immunity for any potential illegal conduct (and remember, most of the Senate has no idea what has been done here) he will veto the bill. Therefore the President places more value on making sure his collaborators walk than on American lives. This is an indefensible policy. The President, and his party in Congress, cannot defend that which is indefensible. They cannot debate it openly and honestly, because they would lose. This is a subversion of democracy.

But, let me speak again about “caterwauling.” Please note that I added “on both sides” below the first post. i.e., posts 15 and 16.

I am not referring to any one side. The security idea has become hostage to a bunch of (and excuse the term, but I like it) Drama Queens! These play to their own audience of cheering supporters who abandon reason (on both sides) for the sake of making extreme political statements.
Some claim that their plan will save mankind, while their opponents argue that mankind will die, unless their own plan is adopted…

Both sides have to ease up some to be effective.

Government is about compromise, and going back to phred’s comment again , that doesn’t always mean what the lobbyists want.

OT, I was struck by the dates of the auction of the US 700mHz broadband.
Wondering if there is some way to connect it to telcom immunity and eavesdropping on Americans.

from Wikipedia (my bold):

“The United States 700 MHz FCC wireless spectrum auction is being conducted by the FCC and started on 24 January 2008 for the rights to operate the 700 MHz frequency band in the United States. The details of precisely how the auction will take place has been the subject for debate between several telecommunications companies, including Verizon Wireless, AT&T, and startup Frontline Wireless, as well as the internet giant Google. Much of the debate has swirled around the “open access” requirements set down by the Second Report and Order released by the FCC determining the process and rules for the auction. All bidding must be commenced by 28 January by law. The auction will be named Auction 73.”

Has anybody else noticed that our trolletariat is multiplying like mushrooms in a cowpie field? Apparently the cowpile goes straight to their heads too, because they do not appear to exactly be critical thinkers.

I don’t know if the GOP manuever came from the WH or McConnell, but it was well played I think. You have to admire the moves, even if they are evil and toxic.

Fundamentally, I don’t see this little hiccup as changing anything. The Dems are still just as weak as they can possibly be through their choice to embrace a strategy based on bottomless fear, and the WH and McConnell simply wait for another crack at them, only this time even closer to the general election.