Working on piece of mind — the same kind an old reader of mine ( Protagoras) mentioned he was looking for when he stopped reading me because he couldn’t find it here — I’ve hiked, eaten some really bad bread, shared some really good “can only get in Mexico” Tequila , and ignored the media for the last week or so.
But reality always sets in on Sunday evenings.
While others freak out over Obama’s new seal, I’m trying to simmer from the indication Obama will not oppose the Hoyer FISA bill. Though he blah blah blahed about it being better than what was but not so good as it should be
I’m almost at my imprecation point, seriously bothered to see the Democratic Congress so fearful of energizing that same old vision of Democrats “not being tough enough” on terror and defense, so fearful of this in light of the coming election in fact they were willing to do the wrong thing.
Running in WAPO this week thanks to public contributions from Blue America PAC, and Color of Change.
Picture taken from Digby-Yo Steny
How many times do we have to say “we won’t be fooled again” to make it true?
This is getting so old it’s making me yawn.
Call it “Peace” or call it “Treason,”
Call it “Love” or call it “Reason,”
But I ain’t marchin’ any more,
No I ain’t marchin’ any more
Phil Ochs
Peace
In the screwed up world of American politics, Democrats believe they have to sound like “moderate” Republicans in order to get elected. And of course moderate Republicans become ultra-conservatives. Our political discourse has shifted so far to the right that what used to pass for middle of the road is now classified as borderline communist. For someone like me it’s best not to follow any of the general electioneering. That’s a great ad … lots of folks need the history lesson.
And that is a shame and no excuse in my opinion.
I’m with the newly passed George Carlin. May he rest in peace.
Politicians suck because they come from people, and people generally suck.
That is a total paraphrase of course.
I have no doubt some of what he said it true, but true misanthrope that he was he usually just annoyed me.
I’ve seen some clips of him when he was younger and he was funnier then. I’ve heard him compared to Lenny Bruce – no way.
I am disappointed too about the news that Obama is apparently willing to compromise on the FISA principle. It changes slightly my perception of him – on the other hand, I am hoping he has some trick up his sleeve which will effectively defeat the bill.
If only we could not hear about any of this until November.
Word up. Politicians, humans that most of them are, are destined to constantly disappoint us in some shape, form or fashion. Occasionally we need to kick them in the arse.
It’s unfortunate they’re so damn human isn’t it.
I understand. I did a similar simmer about McCain’s worst-ruling-in-history. We’ve kind of gone from two great candidates to none, haven’t we?
You could always throw you hat into the ring of fire.
I’d probably be able to scrounge you up some votes. Not exclusively from the pound either.
I liked it better when Obama was telling us what he really thought, not trying to compromise for votes, because that is what that is. Trying to woo those Republicans who are not quite happy with McCain.
And Congress???? What’s up with that??
Obama is reintroducing himself to voters this week, according to the news. I hope it’s not as a Republican.
Still my candidate, He’s never played political games until now it’s too bad he has to start .
From what I can tell, Obama’s support primarily has to do with new language that reaffirms that the FISA courts are the only channels by which this surveillance can legally done. We’ll see if he votes against it if he doesn’t manage to kill the telecom immunity part (is there something I’m missing that doesn’t make retroactive immunity an ex post facto law?).
I’m somewhat less disappointed now than I first was, but I’m still pretty fucking let down.
And Doug: McCain was a great candidate in 2000, if that’s what you mean.
I’m going to have to wait and see on this one. I don’t buy it at this time. I’m on hold.
I’m on a wait and see mode on this one. I do agree so much of it is about the game of politics.
The congress has been a big disappointment, but I’m going to see what he (Obama) can come up with.
To think that politicians are not going to annoy us is merely wishful thinking,
we’re on all wait and see mode.
I hope Indertimancy (sic, sorry–can’t spell to save my life) is right
Cooper you picked a great song–it’s a song of losing hope and becoming apathetic. You know what Phil Ochs did not that long after writing that song? (As I remember–it might have just been popular around the time he killed himself.)
I can’t ever believe blindly but I can’t lose faith
I actually must admit I did not even know of that song until a short time ago.
I shan’t lose faith but I can sure get pissed off and if I get pissed off enough then my faith may shift. Though the fact there is little for it to shift to is a bit problematic.