Greetings, fellow Freedom Fighters™ and Defenders of Democracy™!
Today, we bring you news and information from the usual suspects ... er, sources.
The good news: we won the election.
A small libation is probably not out of order at this juncture in our nation's history. Feel free to breathe a sigh of relief ... for the moment.
Now take a deep breath ... because here comes the bad news.
We still have an awful lot to do.
Job 1: hold the Democrats accountable for holding the Bush regime and the Republicans accountable. If Nancy Pelosi wants to take impeachment off the table, "making nice with the smirking chimp" is not an acceptable reason. The only acceptable reason would be that impeachment is too good for that lot, so we're going straight for criminal prosecution.
There is no excuse for the Democrats not to restore America's participation in habeas corpus, human rights, the Geneva Conventions, and the other civil liberties gutted by Chimpco as they shredded our Constitution, Bill of Rights, and treaties with international law. Torture must stop. America must stop being a nation where, if the "right" people throw you in jail (e.g., the military, the intelligence agencies, or pretty much anyone who loves Bush and hates freedom), you are guilty by virtue of having been arrested.
Similarly, the Democrats must make it a top priority to bring our troops home.
Another top priority should be gutting the fascist corporatocracy that robs working Americans of their daily bread while padding the pockets of the ultra-rich. American workers deserve a slice of the pie they have toiled and sacrificed to bake. Stopping American fascism should also go a long way toward stopping global warming, which is arguably the single greatest threat to our national security. Bobby Kennedy, Jr., explains the connection in vivid detail in his book, "Crimes against Nature."
Hopefully, the Dems will also find room on their plate to restore our international reputation by stopping the genocides going on in Palestine and Darfur. Only when America behaves as a force for truth, justice, and fairness for all peoples will the rest of the world take us seriously as a moral guidepost. The rest of the world sees through the Bush regime's sanctimony and hypocrisy, perhaps long before many Americans did.
Once they have stopped the hemorrhage of our rights and liberties, it will be time for the Dems to address their pet projects, like raising the minimum wage to a living wage and providing universal health care for all Americans.
While America resoundingly voted "against" the Republicans and their bullying, we must remember that the nation didn't exactly vote "for" the Democrats. After all, the Dems didn't exactly have a clear message except "uh, we're not Republicans ...?!"
It is up to us-the-people to hold the Democrats’ feet to the fire. We must pressure them every single day with our phone calls, visits, and e-mails demanding that they restore the America we all know and love: the land of the FREE. We proved that we were up to the challenge of taking down a Republican Congress; let’s all keep our noses to the grindstone until we get the job done.
Then ... someday, as the Dems are positioning themselves for the 2008 presidential election, they may find that, in serving the will of the American people, they really DO have a clear message and a platform to run on!
Keep the faith and keep fighting: together, we WILL win our nation back!
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From our mailbag
Reader D.F. sent in the following links for our Readers' information and entertainment ...
Republicans explain the Democrats' victory: bye-bye bullies
http://www.salon.com/opinion/feature/2006/11/13/bullies/
Borat spoiler
http://www.salon.com/ent/feature/2006/11/10/guide_to_borat/print.html
Here's an item from Dot Calm ...
Editor’s Comments - http://tvnewslies.org/blog
TVNL Editor's Comments: A Shameful and Embarrassing America
While a war based on the pure lies of the Machiavelli Bush administration, a human and civil rights record comparable with Stalin’s Russia and a deplorable genocidal environmental policy can pretty much stifle the pride of any American who lives in the reality based world, having global headlines addressing the very real election fraud issues in this “beacon of democracy” may be just about the most embarrassing legacy gifted to us by the criminals who run this nation.
The English language needs a new word because the word hypocrisy is simply not strong enough to describe the efforts of a government hell bent on destroying democracy here at home to spread this perverted brand of democracy around the world.
The Bush administration has been pretty straight forward with the American people although most people don’t realize it. They speak about freedom and an ownership society but we don’t realize what they actually mean. They are indeed creating freedom; freedom for powerful rich people to run this nation free of legal restrictions. The ownership society means that they want the owners of the society to be able to own more of the society. They say it; the media spins it and the blind faithful swallow it with no questions asked.
Although Americans are told things they still don’t see them. During election day 2004 NY Republican Congressman Peter King was at a barbeque standing beside George W. Bush was video taped saying about the presidential election, "It's already over". "The elections over". "We won". "It's all over but the counting and we'll take care of the counting". That very night George W. Bush indeed “won” the election although the exit polls indicated otherwise. America brushed this off. Would the media and the Bush faithful say had Hugo Chavez been the president in this video?
The other night on CNN Lou, jump on the election fraud expose bandwagon six years later than a journalist should have Dobbs, ran a report on the very real crisis known as American election fraud. During that report he did a piece describing the Chavez election during witch electronic voting machines were used. The owners of the company that manufacturers the voting had ties to the Chavez administration; although we were never told what “ties” they actually had. There was an “expert” on the program who described how the American run exit polls indicated a Chavez loss and that the election was very likely stolen. Well the story paralleled both Bush “elections” exactly but Dobbs never mentioned this. What a surprise.
Now international headlines are drawing attention to America’s election fraud. How humiliating is that? We now have nothing left to hang our red white and blue hats on. The NBA can’t even win on an international stage anymore. I can not think of a single thing about this nation that we can still take pride in; at least nothing that separates us from other nations. For my entire life I have been told that I was lucky to live in the greatest nation in the world and for my entire I life I was told that the reason my nation was so great is because although imperfect our form of government was the best on Earth. What a joke that turned out to be. Think about it! – Jesse, Editor, TvNewsLIES.org
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From our information clearinghouse
These are items we receive from the countless mailing lists to which The Scallion collectively subscribes. They are worth the effort of at least a good skim.
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From AlterNet
Hello Speaker Pelosi; Dem House Majority Could Be 30-plus
By Evan Derkacz
It's a huge takeover for the Democratic Party after 12 years of being out of power.
Dems flirting with control of Senate
By Joshua Holland
This post will be updated as returns come in.
Campaign '06: Goodbye and Good Riddance
By Molly Ivins, AlterNet
Congress stands before us so hopelessly corrupt that the stench has washed all over the country.
Before the Polls Close
By Arianna Huffington, AlterNet
...both sides are already fighting to spin the meaning of the '06 elections.
Election Theft Round-Up
AlterNet
The Latest: Robo-calls in Nebraska ... Colorado Latino voters threatened with arrest ... Maryland GOP hands out false ballots ... MoveOn offers $250,000 for voter fraud evidence ... Did FoxNews canvass for Lieberman?
Blame for Iraq Extends Far Beyond the GOP
By Matt Taibbi, RollingStone.com
It's dangerous to allow history to be written that it was "the Republicans" who got us into Iraq -- a lot of America's mushy moderate media and political establishment thought the invasion was a great idea at the time.
Olbermann: Webb Declares Victory [VIDEO]
By Evan Derkacz
Dems close to taking Senate...
South Dakota votes to preserve women's rights
By Deanna Zandt, Ann Friedman
They voted no on the abortion ban!
White House so dejected they're ordering Chicken Tenders [VIDEO]
By Evan Derkacz
Fox News: 'They think it's gonna be a long night'...
PA voter trashes electronic voting machine
By Joshua Holland
An eloquent statement that I for one support fully.
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Bush Replaces Rumsfeld with... Another Rumsfeld
By Joshua Holland, AlterNet
Because who but another "Rummy" would stay the course in Iraq with the Bush administration?
The New Southern Strategy
By Bob Moser, The Nation
No message from this triumphal mid-term election should ring more loudly than this: the South cannot be written off by the Democratic Party.
Voters Make Work More Rewarding
By Barbara Ehrenreich, AlterNet
In the 24 states that voted to raise their minimum wages, it just got a bit more worthwhile to get up for work each morning.
Karl Rove Re-Aligned
By Andrew Gumbel, HuffingtonPost.com
Karl Rove's dream of ushering in a generation of Republican rule is officially dead. What now?
Women on the Hill
By Martha Burk, TomPaine.com
While the final counts aren't in, we can tout some gains for working women.
Americans Should Be Proud
By Simon Jenkins, HuffingtonPost.com
Over 60 per cent of electors want American troops withdrawn now -- or very soon.
Election Protection volunteers needed
By Deanna Zandt
An urgent request from the Election Defense Alliance.
Bush 'the assessor' Lied about Rumsfeld [VIDEO]
By Evan Derkacz
A slip-up?
Goodbye to 'Eco-Nightmare' Dick Pombo
By David Roberts, Grist Magazine
Another reason to get happy: The anti-enviro Rep. Richard 'Dick' Pombo (who embodied the cozy corruption of the 109th Congress) is no more.
Women Break the Gender Barrier in 2006 Elections
By Allison Stevens, Women's eNews
With Nancy Pelosi as the presumptive next House speaker, another woman Senator elected and at least another four Democratic women elected to the House, this was an election women can be proud of.
Voters Attack Bush's Empire
By Tom Engelhardt, Tomdispatch.com
Yesterday's elections marked the beginning of the end of Bush's Global War on Terror; here's what to look for next as we take apart the imperial state.
Aren't You Glad You Didn't Move to Canada?
By Bill Scher, HuffingtonPost.com
There's room in this country for optimism, after all: Here are six good things that the elections have brought us.
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Political Firebrands From Decades Past Still Burn Hot
By Anneli Rufus, AlterNet
From Gore Vidal to former Black Panther Flores Forbes, we rely on our golden-age dissidents to write the most stinging critiques of American society.
The Terrorists Who Aren't in the News
By Jennifer L. Pozner, AlterNet
Anti-abortion fanatics spread fear by bombings, murders and assaults, but the media take little notice.
Hugging is Harrassment?
By Rachel Anderson, Utne.com
If you feel like you've been made a "victim" of public hugging, you're not alone: Hugging is becoming viewed as a controversial issue on some parts of the planet.
Election '06: A Huge Victory for Green Causes
By Amanda Griscom Little, Grist Magazine
From the defeat of the Rep. Richard Pombo, the most anti-environmental politician in Washington, to the election of greener candidates, election '06 was a great one for enviros.
House Dems: Put Up or Shut Up on Congressional Black Caucus
By Earl Ofari Hutchinson, AlterNet
Dems need to ensure than the CBC shares the front seat as they take the reins in the House.
UPDATED: Post-Election Poll Round-up [VIDEO]
By Evan Derkacz
READ MY LIPS: THIS WASN'T A CONSERVATIVE VICTORY.
'[W]ithout any question, [Rumsfeld] has committed War Crimes' [VIDEO]
By Evan Derkacz
Resignation is just the first step...
Updated: Why Lieberman won't replace Rummy
By Joshua Holland
It's a tempting theory, but I don't see it.
Should Bush Be Impeached?
By Evan Derkacz
A poll....
Radio daze ...
By Joshua Holland
A bit of shameless self-promotion.
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Lamont's Loss to Lieberman Was A Progressive Gain
By David Sirota, In These Times
Voters in Connecticut in the end went for Joe Lieberman. But Ned Lamont's insurgent anti-war campaign was a step forward for progressive forces building for the future.
Electronic Voting Was Rife with Errors on Nov. 7
By Brad Friedman, Computerworld
Did Election 2006 mark smooth transition to electronic balloting? Not so fast, America.
The War Crimes Case Against Donald Rumsfeld
By Marjorie Cohn, AlterNet
Although Bush has immunized Rumsfeld and others from prosecution in the International Criminal Court, they could be tried in any country under the well-established principle of universal jurisdiction.
It Ain't Easy Peeing Green
By Nicole McClelland, Orion Magazine
A woman realizes that while going to the bathroom ecologically meant peeing on trees and lawns, and working with a poo-only toilet, all she wanted was something that flushed and that she could sit down on.
Israeli 'Massacre' Overshadowed by U.S. Elections
By Uri Avnery, AlterNet
Israel's massacre of innocent Palestinian families on Election Day was no simple "accident," "tragedy" or "incident."
Impeaching Bush [VIDEO]
By Evan Derkacz
Pelosi says no, but if the American people want it, the Congress will get it...
UPDATED: Post-Election Poll Round-up [VIDEO]
By Evan Derkacz
READ MY LIPS: THIS WASN'T A CONSERVATIVE VICTORY.
NY Times wouldn't know a populist...if one got elected
By Joshua Holland
What a wildly muddled political discourse we have.
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From Barbara Boxer
We did it! Thank You!
Today is a day for us all to celebrate! America is coming back -- with a Congress that has heard them and a Congress that cares about them:No more rubber stamp Congress
No more free passes to the Bush Administration on Iraq
No more arrogance
No more give-aways to the most powerful
No more cozy corruption
Yes to accountability on Iraq
Yes to consumers
Yes to our families and our children
Yes to the environment
Yes to energy independence
Yes to affordable health care and stem cell research
Yes to an increase in the minimum wage
Yes to the recommendations of the 9/11 commission
Can we get it all done? Yes, if our colleagues in the Republican Party recognize that this is what the American people want -- and in a democracy, it is what they should have.
I am hopeful because the people have spoken very clearly. By electing a Democratic House and, if all goes as it it looks now, a Democratic Senate, the American people have clearly spoken out for change -- and with your continued help, that's exactly what they're going to get.
Thank you so much for being on my team. Our PAC for a Change community made a great contribution to this amazing election victory -- and it would not have been possible without you.
In Friendship,
Barbara Boxer
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From the Center for American Progress
GOOD NEWS
Sixty-eight percent of adults are "absolutely certain" they will vote today, "the highest level of interest Gallup has recorded for a nonpresidential election in the half a century it has measured American opinion."
STATE WATCH
NEW YORK: New York City plans to "make it easier for transgender New Yorkers to switch the sex listed on their birth certificate even without undergoing sex-change surgery, putting the city at the forefront of efforts to redefine gender."
CIVIL RIGHTS: Make sure you have the proper ID when you vote.
BALLOT WATCH: The 65 percent deception.
BLOG WATCH
THINK PROGRESS: Comprehensive Election Day coverage all day.
TPM MUCKRAKER: All the facts about the right-wing robo-call efforts.
PROTECT OUR VOTES: A central clearing house for election protection information.
POLLSTER.COM: Info and latest polling data on the hot races.
DAILY GRILL
"[T]he war is more popular in Iraq than it is in the United States because the Iraqis actually get to see the Americans in action."
-- White House Press Secretary Tony Snow, 11/6/06
VERSUS
"A strong majority of Iraqis want U.S.-led military forces to immediately withdraw from the country, saying their swift departure would make Iraq more secure and decrease sectarian violence, according to new polls by the State Department and independent researchers."
-- Washington Post, 9/26/06
(HT: Glenn Greenwald)
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GOOD NEWS
"Energized by the war in Iraq," young Americans voted Tuesday "in the largest numbers in at least 20 years."
STATE WATCH
LOUISIANA: "Mental health crisis strains New Orleans."
CIVIL RIGHTS: Rundown of Tuesday's voting problems nationwide.
BALLOT WATCH: Progressives "mark big victories with some ballot initiatives."
BLOG WATCH
THINK PROGRESS: Eighteen months ago, Defense Secretary nominee Gates suggested U.S. withdrawal "in a year or two."
ESCHATON: Conservative media admit "carrying the water."
CLIMATE PROGRESS: New Congress needs to do more on climate change than hold hearings.
UNCLAIMED TERRITORY: How President Bush defines bipartisanship.
DAILY GRILL
"Both those men [Rumsfeld and Cheney] are doing fantastic jobs and I strongly support them."
-- Bush, 11/1/06, telling reporters Rumsfeld would stay through the end of his presidency
VERSUS
REPORTER: "Last week you told us Secretary Rumsfeld would be staying on. Why is the timing right now, and how much does it have to do with the election results?"
BUSH: "The only way to answer that question, and get it on to another question, was to give you [reporters] that answer."
-- Bush, 11/8/06, admitting he lied to reporters about Rumsfeld for political purposes
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GOOD NEWS
Thousands gathered on the National Mall today for the groundbreaking of the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial, the Mall's first monument honoring an African-American.
STATE WATCH
ILLINOIS: "Chicago City Council member Tom Tunney has proposed a city budget amendment that would increase HIV prevention funding by $1.7 million for fiscal year 2007."
MASSACHUSETTS: The cost of fixing the state's park system "has jumped from $800 million to $1.1 billion...one day after Governor Mitt Romney announced $7 million in cuts to the state Department of Conservation and Recreation's maintenance budget."
HEALTH CARE: Just 35 percent of hospitals "provide emergency care to heart attack patients quickly enough to meet scientific guidelines for saving lives."
BLOG WATCH
THINK PROGRESS: Sens. John McCain (R-AZ) and Joe Lieberman (I-CT) express support for sending more troops to Iraq.
C&L: Fox News: "Are liberal blogs sending the same message as terrorists?"
TPM MUCKRAKER: Congressional Democrats say they will press legislation this week to save the inspector general for Iraq reconstruction.
FIRST DRAFT: Douglas Feith rides again.
DAILY GRILL
"If you talk to most military experts, we're in a critical and crucial time. We're either going to lose this thing or win this thing [the Iraq war] within the next several months."
-- Sen. John McCain (R-AZ), 11/12/06
VERSUS
"I believe that this conflict is still going to be relatively short."
-- McCain, 3/23/03
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From "Democracy Now!"
* Soldier Killed Herself After Objecting to Interrogation Techniques Being
Used on Iraqi Prisoners *
Specialist Alyssa Peterson died in Iraq in September, 2003. The military
listed her death as the result of a "non-hostile weapons discharge." But
newly uncovered military documents reveal Peterson actually shot herself
with her service rifle. The documents also show her suicide came just two
weeks after she refused to take part in further interrogations of Iraqi
prisoners and had asked to be reassigned. We speak with the reporter who
broke the story.
Listen/Watch/Read
http://www.democracynow.org/article.pl?sid=06/11/07/1445239
* Neo Culpa: Neoconservatives Say Iraq War Undermined by White House
Incompetence *
Vanity Fair is reporting a number of prominent neoconservatives who
advocated for the invasion of Iraq are now criticizing President Bush's
handling of the war. The list includes former Pentagon advisers Richard
Perle and Kenneth Adelman; former Presidential speechwriter David Frum; and
Michael Rubin, a former senior official in the Pentagon's Office of Special
Plans. We speak with David Rose, contributing editor at Vanity Fair.
Listen/Watch/Read
http://www.democracynow.org/article.pl?sid=06/11/07/1445244
* Sandinista Leader Ortega Poised to Win Nicaragua Presidential Election *
Sandinista leader Daniel Ortega has a clear lead in Nicaragua's presidential
election. With votes tallied from more than 60 percent of polling stations,
Ortega has over 38% of the vote, nearly 8 points ahead of his conservative,
Washington-backed rival Eduardo Montealegre. The race has drawn heavy
attention from the Bush administration and U.S. officials have threatened
economic sanctions and withdrawal of aid to Nicaragua if Ortega is elected.
Listen/Watch/Read
http://www.democracynow.org/article.pl?sid=06/11/07/1445248
* Election Protection 2006: Coalition Sending Voting Monitors to Polls, Sets
Up Toll-Free Hotline *
With new registration rules, faulty computer voting machines, and stringent
identification requirements, many Americans are concerned over whether their
vote will be counted on Election Day 2006. In response, three major civil
rights groups have formed a new coalition to offer voters some Election Day
assistance.
Listen/Watch/Read
http://www.democracynow.org/article.pl?sid=06/11/07/1445252
* Headlines for November 7, 2006 *
- Mid-Term Elections To Decide Control of Congress
- Democrats Call For Investigation Into GOP Robo-Calls
- 57 in Iraq's Interior Ministry Charged With Human Rights Crimes
- Iraq Announced Hussein Sentencing Before Verdict Was Complete
- Iraqi Gov't Shuts Down Two Sunni TV Stations
- Marine Pleads Guilt in Connection to Kidnapping/Murder of Iraqi
- Army Recruiters Tell Students Iraq War is Over
- Thousands March in Oaxaca Against Federal Police
- Red Cross Calls For Abolition of Cluster Bombs
Listen/Watch/Read
http://www.democracynow.org/article.pl?sid=06/11/07/1445222
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* Democrats Seize Control of House in Widespread Voter Rejection of
President Bush and Iraq War, Senate Hangs on Virginia and Montana *
The Democrats have seized control of the House for the first time in 12
years and could also take control of the Senate if they hold on to win two
tight races in Montana and Virginia. Tuesday's election marked a major
defeat for the Bush administration and its Iraq war policy.
Listen/Watch/Read
http://www.democracynow.org/article.pl?sid=06/11/08/1457236
* Minnesota Legislator Keith Ellison Becomes First Muslim Elected to
Congress *
As the Democrats take control of the House for the first time in 12 years,
California Rep. Nancy Pelosi is set to become the country's first female
House speaker. Tuesday was a day of others firsts across the country. Among
them, Minnesota Democrat Keith Ellison was elected as the first Muslim to
serve in Congress. He is also the first person of color from Minnesota to be
elected Congress. Ellison joins us on the line from Minneapolis.
Listen/Watch/Read
http://www.democracynow.org/article.pl?sid=06/11/08/1457241
* Vermont's Bernie Sanders Becomes First Socialist Elected to U.S. Senate *
In Vermont, Bernie Sanders to become the country's first self-described
socialist to be elected to the U.S. Senate. Running as an independent,
Sanders won 65% of the vote, easily beating his Republican opponent Rich
Tarrant. We speak with Sanders about what it means to the country's first
socialist senator.
Listen/Watch/Read
http://www.democracynow.org/article.pl?sid=06/11/08/1457245
* Ralph Nader on Conservative Democrats, Corporate Power and the Middle East
*
We get analysis on Tuesday's election and the Democratic victory in the
House with consumer advocate and former presidential candidate, Ralph Nader.
Nader says, "This election was basically a mandateless election for the
Democrats, there was really no mandate other than against Bush and do
something about Iraq. Domestically there was virtually no mandate about
rearranging of power - shifting it from corporations to workers, consumers,
taxpayers, to communities."
Listen/Watch/Read
http://www.democracynow.org/article.pl?sid=06/11/08/1457249
* Record 200 Ballot Initiatives Include Abortion, Gay Marriage, Affirmative
Action, and Minimum Wage Measures *
In addition to the closely watched House and Senate races, 200 ballot
initiatives were decided across the country on Tuesday. Among them, in South
Dakota voters rejected a ballot measure that would have banned nearly all
abortions in the state. Voters in Missouri approved a measure backing stem
cell research. We discuss some of the state-wide ballot initiatives with the
executive director of the Ballot Initiative Strategy Center.
Listen/Watch/Read
http://www.democracynow.org/article.pl?sid=06/11/08/1457253
* The Midterm Elections: An Iraqi Perspective *
Election polls showed Iraq as the top issue on the minds of American voters.
For an Iraqi perspective, we speak with Iraqi blogger and architect Raed
Jarrar.
Listen/Watch/Read
http://www.democracynow.org/article.pl?sid=06/11/08/1457258
* Headlines for November 8, 2006 *
- Dems Win House; Senate Down to MT, VA Races
- 4 Senators Among Defeated GOP Incumbents
- Lieberman Win Among Several Closely-Watched Races
- South Dakotans Reject Abortion Ban
- Michigan Bans Some Affirmative Action
- Voting Problems Include Long Lines, Intimidation Reports
- 18 Palestinians, Mostly Women and Children, Killed in Israeli Attack
- Ortega Wins Nicaraguan Election
Listen/Watch/Read
http://www.democracynow.org/article.pl?sid=06/11/08/1457225
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* Juan Gonzalez Analyzes the New Democratic Leadership in the House *
Democracy Now! co-host Juan Gonzalez discusses the outcome of the mid-term
elections and analyzes the makeup of the new Democratic leadership in the
House.
Listen/Watch/Read
http://www.democracynow.org/article.pl?sid=06/11/09/1444238
* Defense Secretary Nominee Robert Gates Tied to Iran-Contra Scandal and the
Secret Arming of Saddam Hussein *
President Bush nominated former CIA director Robert Gates on Wednesday to
replace Donald Rumsfeld as Secretary of Defense. We take a look at Gates'
role at the CIA in connection to the Iran-Contra scandal and the secret
arming of Saddam Hussein with former CIA analyst Mel Goodman, who testified
before the Senate in 1991 against the nomination of Gates as CIA director,
and investigative journalist Bob Parry who helped expose Iran-Contra.
Listen/Watch/Read
http://www.democracynow.org/article.pl?sid=06/11/09/1444242
* War Crimes Suit Prepared against Rumsfeld *
The president of the Center for Constitutional Rights, Michael Ratner, is
heading to Germany today to file a new case charging outgoing Defense
Secretary Donald Rumsfeld with war crimes for authorizing torture at
Guantanamo Bay.
Listen/Watch/Read
http://www.democracynow.org/article.pl?sid=06/11/09/1444246
* Headlines for November 9, 2006 *
- Donald Rumsfeld Resigns
- Bush Nominates Ex-CIA Director Gates
- Dems Poised for Sweep With Apparent Virginia Sen. Victory
- Dems Gain Over 275 Seats in State Legislatures
- Palestinians Bury 18 Killed in Israeli Attack on Beit Hanun
- Ex-US Soldier Pleads Not Guilty in Iraq Rape, Murder Case
- Cindy Sheehan Arrested Outside White House
Listen/Watch/Read
http://www.democracynow.org/article.pl?sid=06/11/09/1444233
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* Who Voted and Why? A Roundtable Discussion on the Ethnic, Religious and
Social Makeup of Voters in the Elections *
Exit polls are showing significant shifts in voting patterns among the
electorate. Democrats succeeded in winning back some religious voters who
had voted solidly Republican in the last few elections. For the first time
since 1996, a majority of Florida Latinos voted Democrat. Young voters had a
huge increase in turnout with two million more young people voting on
Tuesday than in the 2002. And African American voter turnout made the
difference in tight races like Missouri and Virginia. We host a roundtable
discussion.
Listen/Watch/Read
http://www.democracynow.org/article.pl?sid=06/11/10/1426225
* Coalition of Antiwar, Veteran Groups Launching National Movement to
Impeach Bush and Cheney *
A coalition of groups are meeting near Independence Hall in Philadelphia on
Saturday to announce plans to mobilize a national movement to impeach
President Bush and Vice President Dick Cheney. We speak with former New York
Congressmember Elizabeth Holtzman, who played a key role in the committee
investigating Watergate, and we speak with Pentagon whistleblower Daniel
Ellsberg.
Listen/Watch/Read
http://www.democracynow.org/article.pl?sid=06/11/10/1426234
* Headlines for November 10, 2006 *
- Dems Sweep Congress as Allen Concedes VA Senate Race
- RNC Chair Melhman to Step Down
- Admin Discussed Rumsfeld Removal Since Summer
- Key GOP Senator to Oppose Bolton Confirmation
- Iraq: 150,000 Iraqis Killed by Insurgents
- Bush Admin Lifts Military Training Ban
- ELF, ALF Activists Plead Guilty to Arsons
- CBS News Journalist Ed Bradley Dies at 65
Listen/Watch/Read
http://www.democracynow.org/article.pl?sid=06/11/10/1426215
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* U.S. Vetoes UN Resolution Condemning Israeli Attack on Gaza, Arab League
Lifts Financial Blockade *
The United States vetoed a UN Security Council resolution condemning
Israel's recent attack on the Gaza town of Beit Hanoun that killed at least
19 Palestinian civilians and left dozens wounded. In response, the Arab
League announced it would lift the financial blockade on the Palestinians in
defiance of the U.S. We go to Ramallah to speak with Diana Butto, the former
legal adviser to the PLO.
Listen/Watch/Read
http://www.democracynow.org/article.pl?sid=06/11/13/1516257
* Darfur Diaries: Filmmakers Return From Sudan to Bring Stories of
Oppression and Survival *
The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Louise Arbour on Friday called for
the disarming of government-backed militias in Darfur. We speak with three
young filmmakers about their journey into Darfur where they interviewed
refugees living in camps in the harshest of conditions and produced the
documentary, "Darfur Diaries."
Listen/Watch/Read
http://www.democracynow.org/article.pl?sid=06/11/13/1517220
* Amy Goodman Recounts the East Timor Massacre 15 Years Ago *
This weekend marked the 15th anniversary of the massacre at the Santa Cruz
cemetery in East Timor. On November 12th, 1991, Indonesian troops opened
fire on a crowd of several thousand unarmed Timorese civilians gathered in
Dili. At least 271 people were killed. Journalists Amy Goodman and Allan
Nairn witnessed and survived the massacre. We play an excerpt of their
award-winning documentary, "Massacre: The Story of East Timor."
Listen/Watch/Read
http://www.democracynow.org/article.pl?sid=06/11/13/1517231
* 15 Years After East Timor Massacre, Calls for Accountability Continue *
On the fifteenth anniversary of the massacre of over 270 East Timorese
civilians by the Indonesian military, calls for justice and accountability
continue for its victims and their families. We speak with John Miller, the
National Coordinator of the East Timor and Indonesia Action Network, and
Shirley Shackleton, Indonesian soldiers killed her husband Greg and his
Australian-based TV crew in the lead up to the 1975 invasion.
Listen/Watch/Read
http://www.democracynow.org/article.pl?sid=06/11/13/1517242
* Headlines for November 13, 2006 *
- Democrats Call For Start of Troop Pullout from Iraq
- Sen. McCain: More Troops Needed In Iraq
- 159 Die in Iraq in an "Exceptional" Day of Violence
- Pelosi Backs Murtha in Race to Become Majority Leader
- Death Toll in Afghanistan Increases Four-fold
- U.S. Vetoes UN Resolution on Israeli Attack on Gaza
- Coalition Launches Campaign to Impeach Bush
- UN Urges U.S. To Lift Cuban Blockade
- MLK Monument to Be Built on National Mall
Listen/Watch/Read
http://www.democracynow.org/article.pl?sid=06/11/13/1516248
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From Jim Webb
Thank you for your incredible support!
Thank you.
When we started this general election campaign, we were facing an opponent with tens of millions of dollars. He had won two statewide races already. He had the power of incumbency on his side, and also the awesome power that comes with the backing of an incumbent President. We had, at the moment, not a lot of money, a candidate who had never run for office, and 2,500 rag-tag rebels who had volunteered for what many thought was a hopeless, quixotic journey.
At that time, I said:
- I like those odds, actually. It'll make us all work a little harder. It fits with one of my favorite films, Cool Hand Luke -- one of the great lines in that movie: "Sometimes nothing is a pretty cool hand!"
As you know, I made two promises to myself when I started this campaign. The first was that I was not going to trade anything I believed in order to get a vote or a dollar, and I did that. I m walking into the U.S. Senate with the independence to represent the people who have no voice in the corridors of power, and I intend to do that.
The second promise that I made was that as much as humanly possible, we were not going to run a negative campaign. And I thank all of you for helping me to make sure that we did that.
We have a situation in Virginia where Mark Warner began a journey. Tim Kaine has added on to it. We are going to add onto it even more. We re going to work hard to bring a sense of responsibility to our foreign policy that will, in my view, result soon in a diplomatic solution in Iraq. We re going to work very hard on issues of economic fairness in a country that has become divided too much by class in an age of the internationalization of corporate America, where corporate profits are at an all time high while wages and salaries are at an all time low. I look forward to joining my fellow Senators in voting very soon to increase the minimum wage.
And finally, we ve had a situation where, as a result of this Administration s policies post-9/11, we ve had far too much power gravitate to the Presidency at the expense of the power of the Legislature.
With your help, we now have the opportunity to put this country back on the track where it needs to be. Thank you for everything you have done for our campaign and our country.
Remember, folks: the Revolution started here...
Sincerely,
Jim Webb
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From HuffPo
Pelosi Backs Murtha For Majority Leader...
APSpeaker of the House-to-be Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) endorsed Rep. John Murtha (D-PA) in the election for House majority leader yesterday, citing Murtha's calls for a U.S. withdrawal from Iraq as a major factor in her decision. Murtha is running against current House minority whip Steny Hoyer (D-MD).
"I salute your courageous leadership that changed the national debate and helped make Iraq the central issue of this historic election," Pelosi wrote in her letter of endorsement. Pelosi's backing signaled that she sees Iraq as the key issue of the next Congress.
Click here to read more.
Click here to discuss it on HuffPost.
On AOL News: Insurgent Activity on the Rise in Afghanistan
ON THE BLOG TODAY
Arianna Huffington: Jack Murtha for Majority Leader... and "Person of the Year"Laurie David: A Giant Texas Utility Buys a $10 Billion Ticket on an Environmental Titanic
Suzanne Nossel: Now That We've Gotten Hold of Power, How Not to Let Go
Jessica Valenti: Girl Politicians Have Cooties
posted by The Scallion @ 5:54 PM
