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Newsvine.com for Obama

Welcome Newsviners! If you support Barack or are leaning in our direction, join us and share your ideas, opinions and vision of an Obama Presidency. As an online community, what can we do to help people "get smarter here" and elsewhere? The blog is open, so please do cross-post from Newsvine to here and vice versa. (Let's adopt the Newsvine Code of Honor as our guideline for posting.)

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RECONCILIATION: Should Be A Household Word !

By Greg Jones' Blacks4Barack ! - Nov 17th, 2009 at 6:58 pm EST

Also listed in: 10 groups

RECONCILIATION !
Should Be A Household Word

The Way Senate CAN Pass The Health Bill

By Greg Jones
Blacks4Barack

For some reason the media and even our politicians keep pounding the vital importance of the Senate obtaining 60 votes in the Senate to pass the health care reform legislation. There's the non-stop 'what will (Traitor) Joe Lieberman do'...or 'will they get (R) Olympia Snowe'...or 'will Harry Reid get the 60 votes he needs...'? 60...60...60 !!! That's all we hear. I'm not sure if the media is trying to add drama to the health care issue in an attempt to stimulate audience ratings or if it's an orchestrated tactic in hopes of keeping Americans ill-informed through the direction of our great politicians, but the FACT is, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid DOES NOT need 60 votes to pass the health care bill but in fact ONLY 51- a simple majority, which makes a huge difference-through a procedure commonly used and known as RECONCILIATION.

Reconciliation is " a legislative process of the United States Senate intended to allow a contentious budget bill to be considered without being subject to filibuster (only needing 51 votes to pass). Because reconciliation limits debate and amendment, the process empowers the majority party ". The reconciliation procedure is limited to being used for budget related legislation that costs or raises substantial amounts of money. In the case of the Senate health care bill, that would include the expansion of Medicare or Medicaid, revenue-raising tax provisions, and even the creation of a public health insurance option, depending on how it's written. So the reconciliation procedure CAN be used to pass the health care bill with only 51 VOTES !

The downside of the bill being passed through this procedure is that, due to a ruling known as the Byrd Rule, non-budget legislation designed to regulate the insurance industry could not be included in the bill and would have to be voted on in a separate bill which would need 60 votes to overcome a filibuster. But there is a strategy that can be used to overcome even this obstacle as described by Ryan Grimm of HuffPo:

    But there's another alternative, according to Martin Paone. Paone, who served as a Democratic Senate floor staffer for 29 years, has been advising Democrats as they craft their legislative strategy. He proposes that Democrats try to get 60 votes to waive the Byrd Rule -- which would then allow the inclusion of those non-budget-related provision in one bill that would require only 51 votes for final passage.

    What's the advantage? And why would any senator who opposes the entire bill vote for such a waiver? The answer can be found in the specific proposals that would be in violation of the Byrd Rule. Mostly, those would include reforms to the way the insurance industry operates -- for example, a ban on using preexisting conditions to deny coverage, or a law that insurance companies can't drop a client just because they get sick.

    Those are wildly popular reforms. Getting 60 votes to support those policies is much easier than getting 60 for a public health insurance option, which Republicans and some conservative Democrats oppose.

    Conservative senators such as Mary Landrieu (D-La.), Ben Nelson (D-Neb.) or Olympia Snowe (R-Maine) could, in voting for a Byrd Rule waiver, put themselves on the record as being in support of popular insurance industry reforms, while still opposing final passage of the bill -- a political strategy that may be appealing to them.

So, as the media continues their daily rant of how imperative it is that EVERY Democratic Senator vote yes on the health care bill remember one FACT that they seem to want to hide from We The People. There IS a way for the Senate to get the bill passed WITHOUT 60 votes...without Traitor Joe...without Olympia Snowe...without Mary Landrieu...making them absolutely meaningless in the debate.

Now, WE must let Harry Reid know that WE know that this option is in fact available to him. Call...Email...and DEMAND that if he feels he doesn't have the 60 votes needed to block the filibuster, then We The People...

DEMAND
RECONCILIATION !

When they, our great politicians realize that WE KNOW that they have this option...they will be FORCED to use it...even if they had other intentions (like letting the bill stall or even fail). Help the word RECONCILIATION become a household word. Spread the fact that this IS in fact an alternate means of the Senate getting the bill passed. Since day one, President Obama has stated that he would not be able to create Change on his own...that he would need OUR help. Time to do OUR part by DEMANDING that our politicians do EVERYTHING possible, including RECONCILIATION, to stop 44,000 Americans from DYING each year due to the lack of access to quality health care, by passing health care reform-with a strong public option-for all.

Email the media to let them know that WE know
and are DEMANDING that our politicians
Get It Done !

Related Articles:
Gibbs: White House Not Ruling Out Reconciliation
(11/09/09)

Robert Reich Pushes Getting STRONG Public Option
Through RECONCILIATION
(11/13/09)

Greg Jones
National Director
Blacks4Barack (dotBlogspot.com)

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My Sister Died Today WITH Health Coverage...Could NOT Afford Life-Saving Meds !

By Greg Jones' Blacks4Barack ! - Sep 1st, 2009 at 12:33 pm EDT

Also listed in: 10 groups

My Sister Died Today
WITH Health Care Coverage
Could NOT Afford Life-Saving Medicine

By: Greg Jones
Blacks4Barack
National Director

Last Wednesday, my only sister was taken to emergency because of difficulty breathing. She's had a history of numerous illnesses ranging from lupus, seizures and osteoporosis but this particular visit was more related to her asthma, or so she thought. After being seen by the physician it was determined that her breathing difficulties were worse than anticipated as she was diagnosed with having a case of pneumonia. Feeling blessed to be able to get immediate medical care Karen was of the ranks of the fortunate known as the insured, meaning that she does in-fact have health care coverage which she acquired after being declared medically disabled after her thirty third seizure.

Yes, it took thirty three seizures, 5 appeals, 4 years and 3 lawyers but Karen Jones was finally declared disabled and was granted full disability which included full health care coverage, far from an easy feat but quite reassuring to Karen as she continued on through life. Unable to work due to her disability, Karen lived alone off of the $563 disability check each month as best she could, regularly robbing Peter to pay Paul, but all along able to make ends meet from check to check, and doing so always with a smile.

Even though times were really harder than Karen lead others to know she was thankful for the roof over her head, her access to medical care when needed, her monthly check and the ability to basically survive, which may be the reason that she developed the characteristic of never asking for help from others regardless of how much she may have needed it at times.

So she didn't like the fact that she had to trouble a neighbor to take her to emergency on Wednesday but she just couldn't breathe well. After the diagnosis that pneumonia was the culprit Karen signed the final papers as her prescription form was being handed to her. "Get this filled, take 4 of these per day and this will clear up your breathing" were the directions given as Karen prepared to go home, wheezing profusely along the way. The neighbor takes her directly to the pharmacy which is where Karen is told that this much needed medication will cost her $197. It's the end of the month, funds are extremely low, and Karen is far from having an extra couple hundred dollars laying around, so she goes home, takes some extra inhales from her breathing machine, and decides to toughen it out until the first of the month, just a few days away, when she'll get her next check and have the money to buy her medicine.

Being a prideful, independent woman Karen continues to tough it out each day never showing to others her true discomfort or need. All day long on Thursday and Friday Karen constantly thinks to herself how much she wishes she had been able to afford to buy the medicine as she does a mental countdown to the first of the month with every inhale through her machine. "I shouldn't have paid the light bill...I should have bought less food" are just a couple of the thoughts that haunt Karen as she figures ways she could have had the much needed money. And on that Friday night as she lay in bed she takes a few extra puffs from her breathing machine to get her through the night.

On the early eve of Saturday morning around 4:30 or so, Karen Jones, my only sister, died, age 51. Apparently, around 4:00 she had severe difficulties breathing, strained to call a neighbor who immediately got dressed and came down to the house, knocked on the door like crazy but there was no answer. Feeling great concern a call was made to the police who quickly arrived, gained access into the house, and there lie Karen, dead on the floor, beside her breathing machine.

Although we all were well aware of Karen's history of sicknesses I never expected my sister to die at such an early age. Of course I am of great sorrow and pain over the loss of my sister but I am also very angry with our health care system. I am angry, no actually in shock by the fact that my sister, Karen was declared to have full health care coverage through her disability benefits. But since it did not cover her medication, which she could not afford to buy out of pocket, my sister died with this so-called full coverage. What kind of full coverage does one really have if they are forced to pay for expensive medications out of their measly $563 monthly check ? I truly believe that if my sister had had her medication she would be alive today. It is absolutely disgraceful that our health care system has the gall to claim they are supplying full health care benefits to the disabled while simultaneous depriving them of the very medicines needed for survival.

Believe it or not, you could say Karen was actually one of the lucky ones only needing one medication compared to others who frequently need 2 and 3 medications, at costs which exceed their entire monthly check. So many who are sick, struggling and classified as fully covered are are in fact struggling helplessly, going without vitally important medications.

Throughout the health care reform debate many have argued that there is no need for strong reform of our system. Most others though do recognize the severe need to reform health care coverage in our country so that we no longer have 47 million Americans who have absolutely no health care at all. 47 million who do not have the basic right to get medical help when they are sick. This is sad and pathetic. Recently, an organization, RAM, known for offering free medical care in the Amazon has been forced to offer their services right here in our country. In Los Angeles, in Iowa and other U.S. locales, hard working Americans who can't afford health care coverage line-up by the thousands for free, much needed health care, similar to scenes in third world countries.

And while we must make certain that health care reform addresses the needs of the uncovered we must also make certain that we address the needs of the category now known as the under-covered. These are the people who have health care coverage but for one reason or another, tend to find out the hard way, usually when they are sick, that their coverage wasn't as 'full' as they thought.

Of course, it will haunt me forever as to why my sister didn't pick up the phone and ask me for the money, but folks that know her know, that's just Karen. And there are millions of other Karens out there, in desperate need and dire straits, but too independent to ask for much needed help. It is our responsibility, our duty to do everything we can to help the 47 million uncovered and the additional millions of under-covered to have the basic right to true health care coverage.

I hope my sister's passing did not include suffering. And now, even more, I hope that we all across this great land, will unite, do the right thing and pass a strong health reform bill which includes a strong public option so that we can curtail the suffering of millions more ahead. We must fight for the 47 million and the Karen Jones's of America. This is a battle that must be won !

Greg Jones
Blacks4Barack

Please feel free to share

B4B

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Furthering the Teaching Moment: How have you been unexpectedly positively surprised by the police recently

By Ken Richter - Jul 30th, 2009 at 5:43 pm EDT

Also listed in: 9 groups

discussion and sharing of unexpectedly positive experience with the police by the public and particularly by minorities. This is because we believe that the existence of static stereotypes and mistrust between members of the public and the police may be a factor in creating its reality in a few cases. We do not believe that cases of abuse no longer exist but a continued acknowedgement of the positive and definite improvement between our relationships can only be a positive thing for law abiding citizens.

Obviously, the recent events in the Gates-Crowley case contributed to this site. However, I myself just noticed that a slightly greater number of my interaction with the police in the past two years has been positive and contrasts significantly with about a decade ago. If anyone has a similar observation, or a positive experience to recount please go ahead or simply share your thoughts on existing postings. Here's my summary over the past two years...

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ACTION TIME ! Say NO to Co-Ops !

By Greg Jones' Blacks4Barack ! - Jul 29th, 2009 at 6:52 pm EDT

Also listed in: 10 groups

MUST WATCH:

Here's Howard Dean explaining why Co-Ops (baby Public Options per state) instead of a true, strong Public Option Plan are just another con tactic of the insurance/drug companies and well-bribed politicians.

WATCH THEN SHARE EVERYWHERE:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X2Sjxj7XosA

It is of vital importance that EVERYONE learns the truth about this 'Co-Op thing'

p.s. President Obama yelled out 'I Want Public Option' during today's N. Carolina health care town hall. It is up to We The People to SPEAK OUT in unison ! Contact The Blue Dog Dems...Shout "WE MUST HAVE PUBLIC OPTION" !!!

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Another Survey: Israel-Palestine-Iran

By Mary G. in Albuqueruqe NM - May 19th, 2009 at 12:53 pm EDT

Also listed in: 10 groups

Q: President Obama met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in the Oval Office yesterday for their first face to face talks as leaders. According to news reports, there was broad agreement on the need to pursue Israeli-Palestinian peace talks and halt Iran's nuclear program, but there was disagreement on the best approach and what to prioritize. Do you think the US should prioritize the Israeli-Palestinian peace process or halting Iran's nuclear program?

A: Israel/Palestine is the greatest need for the longest time, and resolution would make negotiations with Iran MUCH easier and more productive.

Q: Of the following groups or countries involved, which do you feel are most responsible for the failure to secure a two-state solution between Israel and Palestine before now? (Please check all that apply)
* Palestinian leadership
* Israeli government
* Other players (Iran, Hezbollah etc)
* Other players (US, EU etc) Read More »

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Going Green - Write Write

By Jeanie Schneider - Apr 22nd, 2009 at 8:28 pm EDT

Also listed in: 6 groups

The 3 decades of propaganda against Global Warming and Climate Change is perpetuated by Conservative voices which literally flood the airwaves. This mindset spills over to the general population.

Today I was watching CNBC to get my stock updates. Larry Kudlow on "The Call" announced, "It's Earth Day, I'm going to buy a Hummer, that's all I'm going to say about that." That was the only announcement.

Just prior to this segment Larry had made a profound statement regarding the suicide of Freddie Mac CFO. "What ever was wrong, it's only money, there are other things, spirtual things more important in this world."

I wrote to CNBC today and pointed out the science, the alarming findings and concensus among scientists across the globe that we face a dire situation. I suggested that the conservative point of view is misrepresenting the news and if they spent time really reading and exploring the articles and studies in the area of Climate Change they would perhaps see the issues with less jaded perspective. I suggested that Larry take some of his own advice and appreciate that there really are some things in this world more important than money, or his view.

It is reported that Wall Street and Corporates have hired hundreds of lobbyists to wage a war against the policies to put climate change into motion.

We need to clean up our own environment, but the greatest job at hand is to educate the public about the threats we face. The media has not done a good job of reporting Global Warming. There is a disconnect. When you read the studies in science journals and the national international counsels on climate change, and then read the newspapers, only a fraction of the story is being reported.

The public will believe what is being placed in front of them day after day. If they are lead to the comeback of Brittney Spear's, or the runner up on American Idol, then that is what captures the mind. But what about the news coverage of the melting ice shelf in Greenland? The nation of Maldives which is making plans to be submerged in the near future. Where is the guy camped out on the beach telling that story?

The problems are complex and the situation serious. The politicalization of Climate Change threatens us as much as burning fossil fuels.

I wrote to CNBC today to share my thoughts and to point out the role the media has to present the news and to educate the public. If everyone who appreciates the crisis we face begins a writing campaign to each and every media outlet to report the issue and not to perpetuate mis information that "Global warming is something you can choose to not subscribe to because it is made up". This is 2009 and the world's scientists are way beyond that notion.

CNBC engaged in dinasaur thinking today and needs to be called on it.

Thanks,

Jeanie Schneider

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Auto Industry survey questions

By Mary G. in Albuqueruqe NM - Mar 30th, 2009 at 2:19 pm EDT

Also listed in: 10 groups

I wanted to share the questions and my comments partly because the questions make troubling assumptions about what is acceptable, in part because the questions are "inspired" by the soundbite nature with which media presents the issues.

1. Do you think the United States needs a domestic auto industry?

my comment:

It depends. Its all about what is cost effective. The question might be, more precisely: Is a domestic auto industry cost effective for the U.S.? One of the original reasons for exporting the auto industry was the cost of importing bauxite from which aluminum is extracted. At the time aluminum was the major component of privately owned vehicle bodies and the aluminum industry was in trouble economically. Even with "made in America" vehicles the components are often imported only to be assembled in U.S. If our auto industry has been reduced to assembly, rather than also manufacturing all or most components of vehicle, then perhaps it is NOT cost effective to import foreign made components for assembly.

2. The White House is expected to unveil its plan for the future of GM and Chrysler today. Advance reports suggest that the administration has concluded that GM and Chrysler are not "viable" under their current plans. GM is being given 60 days to restructure, while Chrysler is being given 30 days to form a partnership with Fiat. Should either company fail to meet these deadlines they will not receive anymore federal aid. Do you think this is a fair or unfair future policy for the White House to take?

my comments:

The companies should not have received federal bale-out money in the first place. And it is NOT up to the federal government (Whitehouse) to dictate to free enterprise within a Democratic Republic whose economic foundation is free enterprise. If companies fail, they fail. If they have first secured government loans (not handouts/grants) in an effort to NOT fail, then when "reorganizing" (declaring bankruptcy), the government loan needs to be repaid before any other debts. However, given the current situation where the federal government has already become inextricably involved it is not fair for after-the-fact conditions to be linked to "bail-out" funds. I would suggest that it was foolhardy to trust companies to do what is correct rather than having stipulated agreed upon stringent conditions when the bail-out was offered. The appropriate, ethical, and "American" solution to offer Chrysler and GM would have been to stipulate the conditions when first offering the bailout. In other words, and to be precise, nationalizing/socializing any free-enterprise industry that is failing is antithetical to our system of government. The fact is that because the federal government has allowed "monopolies" to be created in the form of powerful corporate conglomerates, the success of free enterprise, as the foundation of our economic system, has been undermined. "Capitalism" which has evolved into embracing the existence of powerful corporate conglomerates is oftener than not used to mean a system of government rather than merely an economic system. As such, it was not the foundation upon which our nation's economic system of free enterprise came to exist.   So the current administration is remiss in repeatedly citing "Capitalism" as our economic system. In fact, the assumptions that doing so manifest may be the underlying problem associated with the proposed economic solutions which appear to be an inappropriate "socializing" of industry. But the problems associated with these assumptions have been decades in the making and did not start recently only with Obama's administration. It IS possible to "socialize" health, education, and welfare without our system of government becoming Socialist (rather than a Democratic Republic) because of socializing what should be free-enterprise, non-monopoly industries.

3. According to news reports, President Obama has asked Rick Wagoner, the CEO of GM, to resign. Assuming the news reports are true, do you think this is an appropriate action for the president to take, or do you think he has overstepped the boundary?

my comment:

It would be appropriate IF GM had been offered the choice of failing or becoming a "nationalized" industry (which IS what it becomes when the federal government starts dictating how it is managed AFTER providing a bale-out). Collectively, if the Board of Directors, stockholders, and unions representing employees, have not known enough about how the company functions to have contributed to making it into a successful company, then they all were too naive and too trusting, and/or those in "control" did not provide enough information for successful choices to be made, collectively, so were not competent enough to be in control. I can only imagine that problematic government bailouts would not be considered an option IF appropriate federal regulations already existed regarding industry ethics and integrity - to include economic measures of success that when not met would warn of failure in time for companies to take appropriate actions.

4. Faced with a general choice between pumping federal money into an iconic American company or allowing that company to collapse, which option are you inclined to favor?

my comment:

Federal money should not have been used no matter how iconic a company may be UNLESS that federal money was offered as a loan with whatever conditions are mutually agreed upon when, and only when, the loan was offered. One of the conditions needs to be that a federal loan MUST be repaid even in the event the company fails.   Look at the welfare system in the U.S.. Government welfare to industry (and in general), if it must be offered, should at least include similar conditions and oversight, which is fairest to tax-payers, and would more effectively limit the Socialization of industry and our system of government.

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beltway bluster - survey inquiry

By Mary G. in Albuqueruqe NM - Feb 5th, 2009 at 5:11 pm EST

Also listed in: 9 groups

On the issue of the stimulus package, there has been much discussion of whether the Republicans or Democrats are more effectively getting their arguments across. Regardless of your view on the stimulus, which party overall do you feel is having more success in winning the media war?
Republicans
Democrats
*Don't know

my comments: I am so totally disenchanted with "party competition" that is only driven by "control issues" of both parties at the cost of what's best for Americans, that I have arrived at the point of thinking that for such a question to be discussed and "analyzed as "news", is a veiled effort, at best, to support and encourage contentioius competition between parties. As long as media wants to encourage this sort of nonsense as "news" it will be more difficult for we, the people, to all effectively work towards achieving a non-partisan mind-set; and for Legislators to do so as well, which IS necessary when it comes to them representing constituencies properly, rather than putting the desires of party politics, lobbies, and corporate conglomerates before the needs of constituents. Obama hasn't asked much other than to remind us of how government should be functioning (which at this point is lots of work to get back on track). But he has specifically stressed, and asked of everyone, that partisanship be set aside. So, and I don't have much respect for beltway bickering being presented as so-called "news" that clearly wants to fan partisan fires, and encourage contentious partisanship.

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"i screwed up" - survey inquiry

By Mary G. in Albuqueruqe NM - Feb 5th, 2009 at 5:06 pm EST

Also listed in: 9 groups

Unusual for a politician, Obama's reaction was to take the blame. In a round of television interviews, the president went out of his way to say "I screwed up". Overall, do you think this was a wise move?
Yes
No
*Don't know

my comments: I highly value President Obama's desire to be open with we, the people, which includes presenting himself the same as we all are - "human" - especially in light of the adulation that abounds. Actually it has long been my opinion that is the standard all our elected and appointed officials should already voluntarily be adhering to. So, it has value that President Obama does not present himself as "perfect", or his decisions as "unquestionably right for all time, including in retrospect", especially if time might prove some choices to not have been the wisest choices. However, no news segement I saw where President Obama says "I screwed up", actually provide details or clarity about just exactly how it is he is suggesting he "screwed up". I didn't get the idea the referred to "screw-up" is the choice of Daschle to be confirmed as Secretary of HHS.

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"casualty increase?/Afghanistan" - survey inquiry

By Mary G. in Albuqueruqe NM - Feb 3rd, 2009 at 2:38 pm EST

Also listed in: 9 groups

Another simplistic inquiry, with limited choices. Sounds like whomever is asking has been watching too many so-called "news" reports based on the sound-bite nature of the simplistic responses proviced .

Unfortunately, all wars mean casualties. Vice President Biden recently said there would be an "uptick" in casualties in Afghanistan as the conflict intensifies. What level of American casualties would you be willing to accept in the fight against the Taliban and Al Qaeda in Afghanistan?
A lot more casualties than the current level
Some more casualties than the current level
The current level of casualties
Fewer casualties than the current level
A lot fewer casualties than the current level
No casualties whatsoever
Don't know:

My Comments: Seems to me the question suggests that civilian objections can determine military actions. This may have some bearing currently and will undoubtedly have more influence the longer the problems exist. But, unfortunately, one can't root out the "bad guys" once military action has started, with either diplomacy, or manipulative "out-smarting" strategies and tactics that do not also include death of both the "good guys" and the "bad guys". Until and/or unless we can address the Pakistan involvement issues effectively, and eventually withdraw because we have done so, then our level of casualties is likely to increase, until we do figure out that Pakistan is a primary enabler of our terrorist problems in Afghanistan. For the most part every administration needs to take advise seriously from the military commanders in the theater, when substantiated with good reasons that are workable and in conjunction with whatever diplomatic efforts are making headway. (I am a veteran.)

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military commanders/Afghanistan - survey inquiry

By Mary G. in Albuqueruqe NM - Feb 3rd, 2009 at 2:29 pm EST

Also listed in: 9 groups

Another simplistic response choice:

"With regard to Afghanistan, Politico reported today that “The Pentagon’s top military officers are recommending to President Barack Obama that he shift U.S. strategy in Afghanistan to focus on ensuring regional stability and eliminating Taliban and al-Qaida safe havens in Pakistan, rather than on achieving lasting democracy and a thriving Afghan economy, officials said."

Considering the above passage, which statement best describes how you feel about the war in Afghanistan?
The US must defeat the Taliban and Al Qaeda; and leave a functioning democracy in Afghanistan
The US must defeat the Taliban and Al Qaeda; any stable regime will be fine in Afghanistan
The US must defeat the Taliban and Al Qaeda; Afghanistan can be left in any condition
The US must pull out of the war in Afghanistan immediately
Don't know"

My Comment: None of the above, again. It is not our business to enforce Democracy. It is our business to model why it is a good choice, and we have fallen down on the job. Just like in Iraq, no one is going to want to pull troops out unless we feel there is stability. Unfortunately in the case of Afghanistan, when we entered Afghanistan the Pakistan question does not appear to have been considered as important as it is in relation to providing a safe haven for terrorists . ( I am a M.E. specialist and knew along with many colleagues that the Pakistan issue was being neglected.) So we have a Pakistan issue that apparently was not taken into consideration from the start, and we seem to be undecided about whether or not Pakistan is intentional harboring of terrorists. The fact that Pakistan is a nuclear power complicates the issue, because it would be to our advantage to function on the premise that Pakistan is NOT harboring terrorists intentionally, even if that is the case. And of course whether or not the government is officially looking the other way regarding the terrorists, the people who live in the mountains who are protecting the terrorists and/or being intimidated by them, may be beyond the control of the Pakistani government. That region has always been inaccessible, and pretty much ignored as being the territory of brigands who are pretty much left alone. A cooperative deal (diplomacy) between Pakistan and U.S. to do something about them might be the best solution to allow us to eventually leaving Afghanistan as stable as possible . . .

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"military commanders advice"/Iraq - survey inquiry

By Mary G. in Albuqueruqe NM - Feb 3rd, 2009 at 2:20 pm EST

Also listed in: 9 groups

Another inquiry which provides responses that are too simplistic:

Specifically with regard to Iraq, the Inter Press Service today reports the following:
"CENTCOM commander Gen. David Petraeus, supported by Defense Secretary Robert Gates, tried to convince President Barack Obama that he had to back down from his campaign pledge to withdraw all U.S. combat troops from Iraq within 16 months at an Oval Office meeting Jan. 21.

But Obama informed Gates, Petraeus and Joint Chiefs Chairman Adm. Mike Mullen that he wasn't convinced and that he wanted Gates and the military leaders to come back quickly with a detailed 16-month plan, according to two sources who have talked with participants in the meeting."

If military commanders are in fact advising him to do so, do you think the president should modify his campaign promise to withdraw within 16 months?
Yes, he should modify his pledge as the commanders suggest
No, he should stick with the pledge he made during the election
*Don’t know

My Comment: None of the above. Clearly President Obama's response demonstrates that he is willing to consider their advice if they can provide sufficient reasons for why it is advisable. Of course Petraeus and JCs want withdrawal to be based on whether or not they think the Iraqis are going to be able to handle the situation we leave them to deal with. Good reasoning rather than absolutes are required. I have confidence Obama's administration can remain as flexible as necessary, without being indecisive, will not necessarily advocate "carved in stone" decisions if they are not required because of needing later adjustments, based both on predictable and unforeseen circumstances. A military that does not have enough autonomy to be flexible, as needed can not succeed. But this need should not prevent establishing of an agreed upon desired and somewhat flexible time schedule.

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"campaign promises" survey question

By Mary G. in Albuqueruqe NM - Feb 3rd, 2009 at 2:08 pm EST

Also listed in: 9 groups

I've been asked some survey questions, lately. I think the answers are so simplified they are limited, so I include a comment in the space provided. I want to post some of those questions here, hoping the administration is not viewing the choices so simplistically!!

"On the broader subject of foreign policy, leaders sometimes find it necessary to adjust their campaign promises having learned sensitive information they did not know during the campaign.

If President Obama decides to modify his campaign pledges, having learned such sensitive information, how would you feel?
I would forgive major adjustments to his campaign pledges
*I would forgive slight adjustments to his campaign pledges
I would not forgive any adjustments to his campaign pledges
I didn't agree with most of his campaign pledges anyway, and hope for adjustments
Don't know"

My Comments: Unfortunately, this is to be expected. But I think Obama's administration will try more than most to keep "campaign promises" and in the process to find a way to provide we, the people with reasons, when the "sensitive information" newly learned is predominately "sensitive" because of covering up bad policies, wrong decisions, and culpability . . . all of which the new administration might find borders on corrupt at worst, and/or "overly persuaded by lobbies, including foreign lobbies, and/or extortion or bribes in some cases; and at best some sensitive information might be the result of party pressure rather than independent thinking and effective problem solving which might better reflect the American people, Congress people's constituencies, common sense, and good old fashioned American values and wisdom.

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Middle Class Task Force

By Jill 4 Obama - Jan 30th, 2009 at 7:47 pm EST

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THE BRIEFING ROOM • THE BLOG
Friday, January 30th, 2009 at 10:01 am About the Task Force

About the White House Task Force on Middle Class Working Families: The Task Force is a major initiative targeted at raising the living standards of middle-class, working families in America. It is comprised of top-level administration policy makers, and in addition to regular meetings, it will conduct outreach sessions with representatives of labor, business, and the advocacy communities. The Task Force will be chaired by Vice President Joe Biden. The Vice President and members of the task force will work with a wide array of federal agencies that have responsibility for key issues facing the middle class and expedite administrative reforms, propose Executive orders, and develop legislative and policy proposals that can be of special importance to working families.

Members of the Middle Class Task Force include: Vice President Biden, Chair; the Secretaries of Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Commerce, as well as the Directors of the National Economic Council, the Office of Management and Budget, the Domestic Policy Council, and the Chair of the Council of Economic Advisors.

Goals of the task force:

Expanding education and lifelong training opportunities
Improving work and family balance
Restoring labor standards, including workplace safety
Helping to protect middle-class and working-family incomes
Protecting retirement security

We’d like to hear from you. Over the upcoming months, we will focus on answering those concerns that matter most to families.

What can we do to make retirement more secure?

How can we make child and elder care more affordable?

How do we improve workplace safety?

How are we going to get the cost of college within reach?

What can we do to help weary parents juggle work and family?

What are the jobs of the future that we can begin to create?

Please share your story with us and give us ideas for how to get the middle class going again.

Transparency: The Task Force will operate in a transparent fashion, in an open, two-way dialogue directly with the American people. Any materials from meetings or reports produced will be made available to the public at www.AStrongMiddleClass.gov.

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We are Proud Americans Today

By Vicki "Hussein" in New Mexico - Jan 20th, 2009 at 8:32 am EST

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January 20, 2009: I got up at 5:30AM this morning, dressed and made coffee, threw in a load of laundry, and stepped outside into the cold, clear New Mexico night sky. The bright stars and a slice of moon still hung in the darkness above me. Was it just over a year ago that we greeted candidate Obama to our State and I shook his hand? I felt so confident about this man and hoped he might be President this day. I got the flag and placed it in the flag holder on my front porch. I switched on the porch light to illuminate it. I feel very proud to be an American. I haven't felt this way about my country in a long time. Today I want to hug everyone I see. I feel a part of something great as we await the Inauguration today of Barack Hussein Obama as our 44th President. I think about the cold, the hungry, the oppressed, the war-weary, the unemployed, the frightened and the dispossessed who have little to feel proud about. I think the whole world is watching us to see if we can truly deliver on our promise. I wish President Obama well. And I wish America well.

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"Jerusalem: The East Side Story"

By Mary G. in Albuqueruqe NM - Dec 3rd, 2008 at 3:07 pm EST

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Here you can find an excellent review of this 2007 film "Jerusalem: The East Side Story":

http://www.thisweekinpalestine.com/details.php?id=2307&ed=147&edid=147

For everyone who really and truly values peace - we need to truly be concerned about the unacceptable double standards of some our nation's foreign policies. So I urge you to take a look at this film to get a good idea of what they are regarding the Israel/Palestine land dispute.

If you are so attached to misinformation about the Israel/Palestine issues that you can not bring yourself to even want to watch the film (and hopefully none of you reading this are, because after all you ARE Barack Obama supporters!) OR if you have no opportunity to see the film and don't want to buy it, then I will thank you to PLEASE at least read the excellent review of the film. Read More »

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Inspiring Comments about U.S.A. from an Australian

By Mary G. in Albuqueruqe NM - Dec 3rd, 2008 at 1:30 pm EST

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If only ALL American's would "get it" too and work as individuals and a nation at recognizing, embodying, and reflecting the ideals of what the job** of being an American is supposed to mean . . .

**"job" as in specific work/duty required to be accomplished in exchange for recompense - in this case the "recompense" of investing in achieving our ideals individually and as a nation

---------------- original message --------------

You probably missed this in the rush of news, but there was actually a report that someone in Pakistan had published in a newspaper an offer of a reward to anyone who killed an American, any American.

So an Australian dentist wrote an editorial the following day to let everyone know what an American is. So they would know when they found one. (Good one, mate!!!!)

----------------- Australian op-ed Written by an Australian Dentist------------------

To Kill an American

'An American is English, or French, or Italian, Irish, German, Spanish, Polish, Russian or Greek. An American may also be Canadian, Mexican, African, Indian, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Australian, Iranian, Asian, or Arab, or Pakistani or Afghan.

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For Those Who Encourage Hate Speech -- What You Reap Is America's Worst Nightmare

By Vicki "Hussein" in New Mexico - Oct 11th, 2008 at 7:35 pm EDT

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I got a call from my neighbor last night. Her voice was supremely agitated: "Vicki, someone is taking the Obama signs down here in the neighborhood. He's screaming 'F__k Obama!' He took my sign and yours and the others on this street. I'm calling the police." I sigh. We waited a month for those signs, several hundred of us living in the East Mountains put together a thousand bucks and ordered the signs. They had only arrived today and almost all were scooped up eagerly by voters to proudly display their choice for President. This is America and we not only have freedom of speech, but we can choose our President and change our government non-violently on November 4, 2008. What a country! What kind of person tears down people's signs? Must be drunk, I told my neighbor. Then I check the news today, been abit out of touch. I see the ugly rallies for John McCain and Sarah Palin with some people screaming "Traitor!" and "Kill him!" when Barack Obama is mentioned by the Republican candidates. The people have been stirred up by the propaganda and false lies and are reacting like fascist hooligans ready to commit pograms. Someone will do stupid, hateful things in such a climate of fear and hatred. What is happening to our country? These American Talibans are being incited to destroy our democracy and do harm to people they don't agree with. From damaged and destroyed political signs, to violence and death threats. Americans everywhere,regardless of your political party, cannot remain silent. The lies, false innuendos, the stoking of racial fears, and the vitrolic hate speech must stop NOW. If we continue to have good people do nothing, we may well reap our worst nightmare...the loss of a democratic and free society. This is how it happens, first the government invokes fear, rallying the people with hate speech. Then, people begin to act out their fears, prohibiting other people's freedom of speech. Will our leaders in both parties say something to stop the insanity? Or will we see it stroked, tit-for-tat?

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Ayers from Palin? What about the Alaska Independence Party?

By Ken Richter - Oct 5th, 2008 at 5:53 am EDT

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Mrs. Palin yesterday began a campaign trying to tie Barack with Ayers even though all records have shown only inconsequential association at best. The Obama campaign has responded defensively.

http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2008/10/04/1492729.aspx

"This is not a man who sees America as you see it and as I see America," Palin said today.

What? From a woman whose husband was a registered member of the Alaskan Independent Party - with secessionist objective? Who attended meetings with her husband and delivered a speech there as recently as 2006?

http://www.latimes.com/news/politics/la-na-aip3-2008sep03,0,6399468.story

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/04/us/politics/04party.html?ref=politics

I say the campaign needs to point this out and counter offensively rather than defensively. Same with McCain with Keating 5 if he brings up Rezko at any time or in the debates. The gall of pushing guilt by association when you have direct guilt.

Let all your friends and newspaper editors jnow about the direct problems of the McCain ticvket while they are trying to push the guilt bt association angle. We can not afford complacency.

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Vote on the Debates

By Ken Richter - Sep 26th, 2008 at 11:49 pm EDT

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Remember to vote on the debates and participate on post debate spin. Let's take our country back from the erratic, Bush policy propagating, Russia monitoring from their home candidates.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/26906945/

http://jeffblack.newsvine.com/_question/2008/09/26/1919787-who-won-the-presidential-debate

Please add more links you come accross.

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