The big show – The democratic convention. August 26, 2008
Posted by proudprogressive in Politics, civil rights, media, progressive values.trackback
Democracy now reports today that four people were arrested in a plan to assinate Obama. – I will be watching this convention daily. The rhetoric has been quite inspiring..however its gonna take poll watchers, e voting watch dogs. I suggest ahead of time that We the People make sure we do not have another coup – what i mean is this : if there is a close race..that the Supreme Court does not decide who is the president – that we as a Nation have a new vote taken even IF IT TAKES SIX months. We know caging votes continues. We know there are still irregularities. We must insist locally that conflicts of interests are addressed Prior to Election day – No party chairs in their states or counties ought to be Election board members ala Kenneth Blackwell or visa versa with the democrats. The platform of the democratic party must be honed.
Also not surprising protesters are already being arrested..people who came to peacefully assemble to address their government with their grievances..Pelosi has a lot to answer for – We have somewhat of a choice in November. My thing has been getting anyone who will listen that they need to vote. Now one could argue that voting is a way of placating the people and yes to a degree that is true – we live in an oligarchy – we need to get the Patriot Act repealed. We need an end to our occupation of the middle east..A cleaning house of the Justice dept , the FCC, and other government institutions. WE need to get people to understand that without taxes , there can be no public services and public services that are faith based violate the separation of church and state.
No candidate is perfect – but another Bush term is out of the question and they are stooping very low – i.e. hot button issues and disinformation , the swift boaters are afloat and we need to call them on this tired old Bullshit. Putting our differences aside will help , at least give the country a shot at rehabilitation. Some respect for the rule of law..I mean really the gall of Mucasey not prosecuting political firings at the DOJ, The violation of the Geneva Conventions. The torture that continues in our name.
Free speech Zones , and a fascist bunch of jack booted thugs already thowing snow fence around protesters,and using pepper spray on those who came to protest and raise their concerns about serious issues. AND there is a warehouse with barbed wire waiting for those arrested..and one can be sure there are provacatours in the crowd -
Hopefully as the convention continues there will be pointed answers to the serious issues the democrats have been colluding with – There is a lot to answer for including Obama’s advisors who are hawks. I remain hopeful – despair passed awhile ago. Our country is FUBAR as of now – we have a candidate who once empowered will lead the country to a more reasonable place. The rhetoric of the first day was for unity of the party and given the primaries its an important place to start. There are still many problems with the hawkish wing of the democratic parties..We must have peace, and hopefully the war criminals and those who broke their oath
I remain hopeful – and feel that the most important thing we can do , is on a one to one basis encouraging people to put their differences aside and realize that it will take local and state elections and lots of time to clean up the devastation of the last decade – that government can be good, its needed in order to deliver services back to us for our taxes. The democrats realize the problems are systematic – They too realize that they must get the lobbiests to stop writing the laws. Its a one business party our government – but some business managers are better then others. Now is the time to come together. The working poor, the uninsured are getting ground in the wheels of horrible policies – many of which the democrats have colluded with , however this is our reality today and we need to work , to build alturnatives locally but no one can afford to ignore this election in our over reaching empire..We need to get the dems in office and insist this war is ended. The profiteers prosecuted. And hold their feet to the fire – We the people want this occupation ENDED – we never wanted it to begin in the first place. There are some progressive democrats who will have a greater voice under a democratic president who is fundamentally decent like Obama is, to work with all the personalities involved. All the people cannot be pleased all the time. Things and postitions must be taken to even get a foot in the door of the Oligarchy - WE need a filibuster proof House and Senate. Social Security must remain public – we have a decent shot at this if we can get a majority we can pressure for serious systematic changes like dismantling private prisons. ending the death penalty and making college accessible for everyone. The illegal wire tapping must stop.
This thread is for those of you who just want to share your observations during this week. I will also concede that Hillary has been gracious. I applaud her for coming to the convention in the spirit of unity. Credit where credit is due. There is a lot at stake. The job situations, the drug war, public education , housing, responsive government – its gonna take at least a few congresses to get some of the wrongs righted. We need a new deal , and we needed it – from 2000. We need reason vs. a diet of fear. For where Obama stands on lgbtq issues see the blog From the left . To see where he stands on all the issues go to the Obama website.
People died for the right to vote no one can afford to sit this one out no matter how disgusted with the process we may be. Voting does not preclude doing alturnative activities in your localities such as developing gift economies, environmental work and building the momentum to get a constitutional amendment or two that make elections even more democratic and allow third parties a better chance – eliminate proprietary software in our voting machines and the mandate of a paper trail. So many issues we cannot expect a perfect progressive candidate to get elected. We have to start where the country is at and its FUBAR – His presidency will be an improvement. American Politics have always been screwed but walking away on voting day is not an option , if one gives a shit – again it does not preclude doing other alturnative things in our localities. *The corporations must be reeled in – as those in the democratic party are further empowered under a new administration to set things from the far far right at least to the middle – from the middle we go to more progressive place. Step by step. The pendulum will swing back – we have more chance to enfranchise more people then we have in the history of our republic. None of this will be perfect – but look Bernie Sanders and others are already elected – VOTE and help people get registered to VOTE.
Great to see you posting again, Proud!
Keep it up! We need voices like yours.
WE need voices like yours too Christopher, i find myself going to your fabulous blog in hopes some might be live blogging our super bowl of politics..the AFL CIO says they will make sure things aren’t stolen – that is hopeful , we have to be vigilant..NO more COUPS even if it takes 6 months and new election day – Never again should the supremes place a president..I noticed to the rethugtards have a “war room” i have been watching on c – span and it occurred to me..thats the whole damn problem everything is war to them..i am sick of IT !!!
and we are gonna win this – and we are gonna get some house cleaning done as Mirth would say – I get misty eyes at time. In my not posting i have been reading not so much blogs but elsewhere – the working poor are getting ground to a bloody pulp – 650 laid off no notice in ABQ at a company called Eclipse..
We have got to begin to turn this around..and leave it to the rethugtards..we now people who think Obama is Muslim kind like the Saddam Hussian had connections to 911 , Orwellian mother humpers..will stoop to below the scum line of an waste pit ! And the politically lazy just buy it …But you gotta admit tonight Hillary’s speech may be very redeeming..and i am glad she had the graciousness to do this.
I am sure in the fall , i am gonna get a second wind..and will be doing my rants again..Zythe has been busy too, and will be writing very soon..Not a one issue person here at all – but to blog one must follow their passions , luckily i have many passions.
love you my bloggie brother !!!!
I think we need to take a step back and look at how far Obama has shifted to the right. We also need to look at what happened when Bill Clinton was elected and he governed to the right of the elected Bush. We need to look at how the Democratic congress has governed even to the right of the previous GOP Congress (e.g. more money and more troops for the occupation of Iraq).
Liberals and progressives have been played so many times by the Democrats. We need to start asking the tough questions that we would all like to avoid.
Proud,
I am leaving the live blogging to others who do it far better than me.
Enigma at Watergate Summer is doing an excellent job. Check her out.
I watched Monday to see Michelle and Teddy but boycotted last night and the Hillary Show and I will boycott tonight and Bill Clinton.
Thursday night is the big night and I will not miss it. I will be writing about Thursday on my blog.
LIbhomo, actually i have no hope for this empire…its just the living through its downfall that must be softened. We need a president or an administration that at least gives some lip service to the WORKING class – not the so called middle class (which doesn’t really exist anymore) –
We need a better run government. Jobs etc. People are getting ground up out there – and the government is so deep into its fascism and police stateness – that revolution is out of the question – soo, i know Obama is pretty much to the right , he knows how to move the power players and has some very conservative advisors – but its the only way , he will ever get elected. The rest of the work will be to make sure that the House and Senate get a filabuster proof majority and then hold their feet to the fire..( yeah i know good luck with that one eh ? )
But even the rhetoric must be different – on the part of political wannabes …We have to end this WAR , yesterday. Hold them accountable – make them change things..we still have a lot of charges to press on this group from the last 8 yrs…
Good on ya, Libhomo.
Both candidates, in terms of their declared positions, are presenting a moving target – during the primaries, McCain was talking further to the right, Obama talking further to the left; at that point, what was important to them was saying what they had to say to get reactionaries on the right and “progressives” on the left to vote for their respective candidate and win the primaries for them.
Now, in the general election, both are looking to woo the mythic middle, so Obama is talking further to the right, McCain further to the left.
The metamessage in all of this is that the candidates will say what they have to say to you to get you to vote for them, but it certainly doesn’t mean that they are disclosing their true positions. You can get a somewhat better picture of their true positions by checking their voting history. The verbal messages of both are quite plastic and situational, so much so that you have to be purely a sucker to accept what they say at face value.
The bottom line is that both Obama and McCain are talking shit to sucker the chumps in the cheap seats. Come November 3, the one who did it best will have gotten everything he needs from you – past that point, he will be much more concerned with getting the ongoing support of the military-industrial complex, the prison-industrial complex, the Homeland Security bureaucracy and the large corporations. Regardless of which one is in the White House.
I understand the possibility of broken promises. I really do. But i am not a chump, and i am going to vote vs. bitch and moan. Then i am going to follow the issues carefully and just as i have been and make sure OUR Representatives listen to WE the People.
I have the audacity of hope, that while the empire crumbles we can make things better for the least among us day to day AND that labor will be brought back into focus – kitchen table issues.
Also I am unbelievable OVER FUCKING JOY to live to see this day in our horridly bloody racsist country actually elect its first president of color..The convention shows unbelievable diversity and I believe. I believe with all my heart in the DREAM – and for that alone..I resent for the people involved at the convention on their behalf it being implied that they are CHUMPS – they are involved and they are there on their own dimes. They are trying to revive humanitarian values. They are not tuned out – nor bitter enough to stop fighting for change. Nothing comes without struggle. Nothing is going to change overnight either. We gotta start where we are – politics is a dirty business and never dirtier then in the last 8 yrs.
They are doing things on the ground to change this fubar country..poll watching, canvassing…voting. and registering people to vote. We are not going to have armed revolution anytime soon -
And i hear loads of griping about what is wrong from the Greens hell i was one and believe in their platform..but you gotta first change the constitution to be able to have a third party be viable.–just stating what is wrong is not going to change the problems – it takes nuts and bolts and POWER to gain power , the game must be played the GROUNDWORK MUST BE LAYED IT TAKES MORE THAN JUST BEING DISMAYED AND DISGUSTED thats the easy part
– the forces of money and power are too great to change things for the most people from the OUTSIDE ..so its good to know the problems, the work comes in when we compromise enough to get in position to change them – meanwhile one can DO all they can locally to be as ahead of the curve as they can be -
But the country moves slowly – and what we are watching now is a tsunami in slow motion and i am riding that wave and going with the flow – THIS IS HISTORIC ! – and looking at the political rhetoric of the last 8 yrs the illegal occupation must be dealt with – and if you listen to some of the speeches on C-span – this convention is unprecidented in its gravity and positivity…
So be cynical – it keeps one from heartache and always angry. I am always angry but i am gonna try and freakin do something constructive about it – AND THAT FOR ME MEANS VOTING FOR OBAMA in all his imperfections.
I’m with Proud on this one, not that anyone gives a hoot. I’ve been involved in politics for over 40 years, and have worked & watched every city, county, state & national election since then: I’ve pretty much retired from all that now.
BUT – I am somewhat cynical, but that doesn’t lead me to give up on the situations on the ground – we still have essentially 2 parties. I see this ALL the time on the SF Chronicle web blogs – people who are SO cynical about everything that their opinions & demands on any topic are either irrelevant, stupid, unrealistic and most of all: bombastically sure that anyone who disagrees with them must be an idiot. If these people could find a candidate that agreed with them 100% on everything – they’d be toast and would NEVER be elected to anything.
I do agree that maybe a parliamentary system of gov’t would be better. But we don’t have that.
This election is very, very important and there ARE things that will be different under Obama. The Supreme Court. The status of Abortion and women’s rights. Taxes. The Constitution. The “all war all the time” party – out!
Whatever, call me a chump and an imbecile. But I’m not, and neither is Proud.
xoxox
I am listening to the Green Party Convention NOW and i agree with every word of it – McKinney also says that the country needs 5% of all the votes cast to have an official thrid party in the USA – ok lets look at that , on a state by state basis , and what we are up against. The Party is simply not organized SADLY – their /the platform is awesome it is ! -
But can the major cities carry this off – the answer is NOT at THIS TIME. How can we change this, by making a congress and senate critter write a laws or laws that make it EASIER for third parties. Make it truly viable Personally I WANT THAT , but today for NOW this election in 60 days – we have a choice to make , we have educating to do –
Do we want Sara Palin a heartbeat away from McPain insane presidency ? Do we want religious fundimentalists at the HELM AGAIN !!! or do we want people who will be more moderate , more respectful of the Constitution ? More Humanitarian , more committed to Green Technology and new jobs..We do have a choice within the one business party, get a Dem Majority in both houses and we will get some real changes – we got to the rethugs implode and more and more republicans are crossing Party lines becoming Dems for this election !
Please i urge everyone to point out the inexperience and moral bankrupsy of the republicans at this time …we will surely deal with the deficiencies of the DEMS when they have the numbers..GARENFUCKINTEED – we are gonna want to pursue Constitutional lawsuits, the restoration of the Geneva Conventions , the cleaning out of total wack job partisians in the FDA, ,DOJ, FCC, and on and on ..they are gonna supenea private citizens who are in office NOW and get them to pay the PIPER – Obama is gonna close GITMO – WE are gonna make that happen !
We are gonna restore diplomacy -
we will never HAVE a Utopia – hell i want to vote socialist if i could – but i can’t and NOT in this real world situation put a MANIAC in office AGAIN ! A maniac with a soccer fundimentalist mom for a VP ! For fuck sake , wake up and all of you and help us make history – put your ideals aside , they are just that IDEALS – don’t lose them , i am not losing mine…but we gotta move the bohemeh an election at a time.
I want the people emprisoned for non violent crime OUT – i want the profit out of prisons, a world class public school system. The only way to get there , is working with what we got , but with more responsive people in office..It can happen. Being divided now , is not an answer FOR ME. Are the Dems corrupt for sure they are – but we can change that – state by state. Power to the people – requires in our society some unity. Make the green/socialist agenda a movement to be taken more seriously – now it is only dividing vs. helping. Voting one’s ideals sadly AND I MEAN THAT , i am sad – will ONLY PUT McPAIN in office..and there are unhinged dems women who think that voting McPain will be a protest VOTE ?
HOW THE FUCK is that a protest vote..do they think that registers with the one’s they are protesting against , the dems..it doesn’t. It just punishes us all even worse than what we are living through now.