April 8th

PRESS RELEASE WEDNESDAY Or Writing Stuff Myself is Hard Day

ITEM: These are all interesting things going on about town and throughout the country. First up is State Rep. Jake Wheatley who asks the question: will any African Americans actually benefit from the stimulus package? Oh to see one black construction worker. What a crazy wild eyed dream.  I met Jake once and while I was intimidated by his bouncer's body he didn't strike me as being a big policy guy. But he's speaking twice on Thursday.

Thursday: Meetings on stimulus and minority- and women-owned businesses  

 

 As vice chairman of the Pennsylvania Legislative Black Caucus, I am sponsoring a public meeting this week in Pittsburgh to help women- and minority-owned businesses and workers receive a fair share of federal stimulus money.  

 The meeting will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday on the second floor of the Foerster Student Services Center, Community College of Allegheny County, 839 Ridge Ave. on the North Side. This meeting is one of seven that the PLBC and state agencies will hold across the state.  

 I will also speak at another free event on Thursday about the need for diversity in the economic benefits of the stimulus. The Community Empowerment Association is holding a forum from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday at Schenley High School (formerly Reizenstein School), 129 Denniston Ave. in East Liberty.  

 These forums are in addition to an April 17 event where I will discuss the stimulus and inclusiveness with members and guests of the African American Chamber of Commerce of Western Pennsylvania.  

You may also be interested in a new state Web site created to show where Pennsylvania's share of the stimulus money is going: www.recovery.pa.gov.  

 If you have a question about the stimulus or any state-related matter, please contact my office at 412-471-7760.    

Next up is Planned Parenthood. I think they'll be successful with this one:

LAST CHANCE to overturn Bush rule

And this is related and will be a tougher nut to crack but it relates to silly abstinence programs that science and reason and most importantly evidence tells us don't work. From, well I'm not entirely sure. I think its called Democrats.com. (Link here.) They bill themselves as the aggressive progressives.

Say No to Abstinence-Only Programs

As President Obama finalizes the details of his fiscal year 2010 budget, urge him to stop funding abstinence-only programs and direct our scarce public health resources to evidence-based programs that actually work.

Petition

Dear President Obama,

Thank you for your outspoken support for comprehensive sex education. As you know, abstinence-only-until-marriage programs deny young people the critical information they need to make safe and responsible life decisions.

Recognizing that abstinence-only programs have been ineffective at best and dangerous at worst, I strongly urge you to eliminate funding for abstinence-only-until-marriage programs funded through Title V of the Social Security Act and the Community-Based Abstinence Education program in your 2010 budget.

In addition, I am asking you to include $50 million to fund comprehensive sex education to ensure that young people receive medically accurate, age-appropriate information about sex and sexualit

What Should Have Been Published April 5th

ITEM: I have a lot to say about the shootings but no time to fully articulate what I'd like to say. Quick points: person I most wanted to hear from is Froth because he's a cop. I think he works for the county sheriff's department. He has good responses here and here. Two: The Hate speech that people like Limbaugh and Savage and Beck push has dangerous consequences. It's not harmless. Three: The shootings here and in New York State aren't good arguments for the control of either guns and/or body armor. Prohibition doesn't work for liquor or drugs and it won't work for guns either. In fact, I think widely available and cheap body armor is the answer to the gun problem. Four: while the choice of action by the gunmen is unquestionably racist and deranged the anger at its base is unquestionably real. More on this when I have time...

April 2

ITEM: There's news that Big Numbers, yet another great yet unfinished book by Alan Moore, might find its way to completion. Different artist (Simon Bisley), different writer (some Hollywood guy) though. I might take a look at it.

ITEM: It looks like Van Jones, my fave black thinker as of late, has taken a job at the White House. Here's what I wrote earlier on Nov. 16th, scroll down:

Khari Mosely tipped me off to this guy some weeks weeks ago: His name is Van Jones. He's got  a great plan to create millions of green jobs and his environmental plans would create millions of jobs in the inner city. I suppose I'm hoping that this is the kind of talented African American that an African American President might notice. You never know. His Green For All blog is here and I've added it separately and also to the host of many good eco blogs out there.

One of the things that troubles me about the Stimulus is that it's not certain that any of these jobs will go to black men. I have this nightmare that  of the billions in stimulus that goes to Pennsylvania--I think its at least 5 billion--will result in a dozen or so jobs for African Americans in this state. Here's a test that I know black men always take whenever they go past a construction site: we look for evidence of even one black man. Usually, its about nil.  Robert Reich even brought this up on his blog and then was pilloried by the usual right wing hacks as being racist somehow but he was absolutely correct. They interpreted this to mean that he didn't want any stimulus jobs to go to white male construction workers because, well, they're stupid. We just want our 10 percent.

Here's what Reich said in his entirety.

The stimulus plan will create jobs repairing and upgrading the nation's roads, bridges, ports, levees, water and sewage system, public-transit systems, electricity grid, and schools. And it will kick-start alternative, non-fossil based sources of energy (wind, solar, geothermal, and so on); new health-care information systems; and universal broadband Internet access.

It's a two-fer: lots of new jobs, and investments in the nation's future productivity.

But if there aren't enough skilled professionals to do the jobs involving new technologies, the stimulus will just increase the wages of the professionals who already have the right skills rather than generate many new jobs in these fields. And if construction jobs go mainly to white males who already dominate the construction trades, many people who need jobs the most -- women, minorities, and the poor and long-term unemployed -- will be shut out.

What to do? There's no easy solution to either dilemma. But there's no reason to think about "green jobs" as simply high-tech. Many low-income and low-skilled workers -- women as well as men -- could be put directly to work providing homes and businesses with more efficient and renewable heating, lighting, cooling, and refrigeration systems; installing solar panels and efficient photovoltaic systems; rehabilitating and renovating old properties, and improving recycling systems. "Green Jobs Corps" teams could be trained to evaluate and advise homeowners and businesses on these and other means of conserving energy.

People can be trained relatively quickly for these sorts of jobs, as well as many infrastructure j0bs generated by the stimulus -- installing new pipes for water and sewage systems, repairing and upgrading equipment, basic construction -- but contractors have to be nudged both to provide the training and to do the hiring.

I'd suggest that all contracts entered into with stimulus funds require contractors to provide at least 20 percent of jobs to the long-term unemployed and to people withincomes at or below 200 percent of the federal poverty level. And at least 2 percent of project funds should be allocated to such training. In addition, advantage should be taken of buildings trades apprenticeships -- wich must be fully available to women and minorities.

posted by Robert Reich | 1:04 PM

I have no idea if anyone took those suggestions seriously. I'm hoping that Van Jones, in his new post as Green Jobs czar, might do something. It's one of the few encouraging signs I've seen from the Obama administration as of late.

Related: Here's Van Jones recently where he talks about Green Jobs.

March 25 PST

ITEM: This guy does mostly porn but he's pretty good.

ITEM: And I got an email from VotersForPeace. I agree with the bulk of this but if you're going to have a war let's have one against a group that blows up schools for girls.

Dear PHILIP,
 

This weekend there were successful anti-war demonstrations around the country, especially in Washington, DC, San Francisco and Los Angeles to mark the anniversary of the Iraq invasion. If you participated thank you for doing so. You can see an article and video about the events at http://votersforpeace.us/press/index.php?itemid=1237.

Another set of national demonstrations are coming up on April 3^rd and 4^th in New York City. The demonstrations, "Beyond War a New Economy is Possible," commemorate the April 4, 1967 speech Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. gave on Vietnam. The legacy of Dr. King and the "Beyond Vietnam" speech will be honored with an urgent call for a new direction by marching on the financial capital of the country: Wall Street. They are sponsored by United for Peace and Justice and the Bailout the People Movement.

This is an opportunity to not only highlight the human cost of war, but also the economic impact of war. The U.S. is currently spending $12 billion each month on the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Dr. King linked war and the economy in 1967 when he said that he knew "America would never invest the necessary funds or energies in rehabilitation of its poor so long as adventures like Vietnam continued to draw men and skills and money like some demonic destructive suction tube."  Similarly, the United States will recognize that the current wars and overblown military budget make it impossible to invest the funds needed to rebuild the U.S. economy.

The demands of this demonstration are to not only end these wars and bring the troops home, but also to dramatically reduce military spending and invest in the necessities of the American people. There is no justification for the immense U.S. military budget which is equal to the entire world combined especially at a time when the United States and much of the world are facing economic collapse.

On Friday, April 3, United For Peace and Justice will join Bail Out the People's program on Wall Street. On Saturday, April 4, Bail Out the People Movement will gather on Wall Street and join United For Peace and Justice's March on Wall Street that will end at Battery Park. More information is available at: http://www.unitedforpeace.org/article.php?id=4027. There you can find information on transportation, the schedule of events, volunteering as well as fliers you can use to promote the event.

At a time when the administration is escalating the war in Afghanistan, increasing attacks in Pakistan and withdrawing from Iraq at a slow pace that will take as long as all of World War I, and when the administration is bailing out Wall Street while the rest of America suffers, it is important for people to stand together to oppose the dual crisis of U.S. militarism and Wall Street economics.

Executive Director
 

March 24th

ITEM: Jose Gonzalez died several days ago. He was one of those incredible artists who did those Warren books in the 70s and then early 80s. That group included Esteban Maroto and Alex Nino and many others. Wasn't a bad artist in the bunch but the writing could have been better.

March 17th

Item: (From Boing Boing) Now here's a very stylish steampunk animated short. Don't forget to make it fullscreen.

ITEM: Got this in the emails. Looks like news to me. It mentions that there's a horrible Voter ID bill that's been introduced in the statehouse, by, wait for it, evil republicans yet again. Two quick points: Voter ID fraud kind of doesn't exist and it certainly hasn't cost anybody any elections. However, there is massive evidence of election fraud--specifically the stolen presidential elections of 2000 and 2004 done primarily by  way of voter suppression (politese for "making sure the niggers don't vote") though every method has and can still be used--which directly turned our leaders into war criminals, though some would say they had the potential all along,  and possibly wrecked the world economy. So its small stuff. And two: It shouldn't go anywhere because no Democratic Party member would be stupid enough to sign such a bill. That would be like giving the banks billions without over-...oh wait. Okay I'll say it: Please veto this bill if it comes to your desk Governor Rendell if you would prefer that Democrats win elections.

Here's the email from something called the "Regional Equity Monitoring Project". They're having a meeting tomorrow night. I might attend that I don't know. Actually, after looking at it, I think it was sent to me by BPEP, an organization that I first covered in the mid 80s as a reporter for The New Pittsburgh Courier.

The Regional Equity Monitoring Project will host its first training for monitors on Wednesday (3/18) from 6:30-8:30 PM at the Friends Meeting House (4836 Elsworth Avenue ). Thank you to all of those that have RSVP'd… call the REMP hotline 412-728-4849 or check the new REMP website for more information.  REMP attendees - bring your lap tops if you have them.  Check out the list of stimulus projects here in Pittsburgh. 

PA Voters are urged to contact the PA State Government Committee members and respectfully request that they oppose Senate Bill 514, introduced on March 2, 2009 and is moving on for discussion on March 24.  This is a BAD Voter ID bill, that would needlessly infringe the voting rights of Pennsylvanians, particularly those among historically disenfranchised communities, including elderly, low-income, disabled, and minority citizens.-

The Greater Pittsburgh Chapter of the ACLU of Pennsylvania will present the Pittsburgh Election Protection Coalition with its 2009 Marjorie H. Matson Award for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties to B-PEP, the Black Political Empowemerment Assoication, PA VOICE, Everybody VOTE, Reed Smith lawfirm, Just Harverst, Disabilities Rights Network and 50+ local organizations.  The award will be presented at their Annual Meeting on Monday, March 23, 2009 at 7:00 pm in the Teplitz Moot Courtroom at the University of Pittsburgh Barco Law School Building in Oakland.  Political satirist Harry Shearer will discuss "Rights, Schmights!" the current state of the US Constitution, as the keynote of this year's Pittsburgh ACLU event. The versatile Mr. Shearer is known to millions around the world as the voice of "Mr. Burns" and dozens of other characters on "The Simpsons.  More info. 
 

The City and County Administrations are ignoring One Hill's imput on the Hill District's Master plan for the 28 acres.  A press conference will be held at 10 AM on Thursday March 19 at Connelley Trade Center.  

The District Attorney's "Taser Committee," convened after Andre Thomas was killed in police custody on August 5, 2008, will meet in Pittsburgh City Council Chambers on Monday March 23 at 9 AM to hear medical testimony.  The meeting is open to the public.  The District Attorneys spokesperson has declined to tell members of B-PEP and the Black and White Reunion whether or not the questions they have posed or the Amnesty International Report on Tasers will be taken up.  Have you told Pittsburgh Police Chief to seek proper accreditations for our department?  Email the Chief now.

The Pittsburgh Anti Sweatshop Community Alliance's Sweatshop Video Marathon for EDUCATORS has been postponed.  Call 412-867-9213 to bring the Best Major League Sweatshop Education in America to your classroom or group.

- Don't forget to buy your B-PEP Jazz Tickets on line.  There is a NEW AND IMPROVED B-PEP JAZZ FLIER for you to download!

March 11

ITEM: My cousin's wife painted this. Now I'm jealous. This is brilliant.

You can even get a T-Shirt.

March 8th

ITEM: Well I can't speak for anyone else but as someone who's read Watchmen like, I don't know, a half dozen times, I found the movie to be pretty cool. In fact, it's one of the most loyal and reverent retelling of a comic or a book that I've ever seen. Director Zack Snyder clearly comes from the Sam "Spiderman" Raimi school of "I clearly love the source material and don't think comics are stupid".  It's not  just that there are so many scenes spoken just like the comic, there are so many scenes lifted from the comic panel by panel. It's the graphic novel as storyboard. The original picture of the pre WWII Minutemen, Dr. Manhattan putting himself together in stages after his intrinsic field was taking away, the shot perspectives of Rorshack talking to the psychiatrist, and many more scenes done verbatim. Reverence. Reverence I sez.

Some of us were worried that Zack would be the opposite of Sam "I Love the Spiderman Mythos" Raimi and take the Dark Side path that is all the Fantastic Four movies (Dr. Doom on a surfboard...really now...), The League of Extraordinary Gentleman (now that was rape...even ripped off Watchmen's ending...bastards.) and Wanted. Those films weren't just directed by people who didn't revere the comic source material. If I didn't know any better, then I would say that they hated the source material. And the worst thing is what they came up with wasn't better than the source material. The Fantastic Four movies were ineptly done and a straight retelling of the Galactus saga would have been far superior. Nothing in the League resembled the brilliance that was in the comics. Wanted stole the first half of the series but ignored the superheroey thing and the brilliant idea of what happens when the villains win and replaced that with some lame ass magical quilt with some lame ass assassins. Just awful.

And because Zack actually liked and respected the source material when he did go beyond the text his speculation made some sense. He took some liberties with the Ozymandius assassination attempt but he created a whole new set of gas guzzling villains that fits the guy's liberal politics. It was consistent. I also like the lengthier fight scenes. Not everything worked. I could see the symbolism of the Last Supper shots but...overall a pretty satisfying event. I guess I'm wondering how people who don't know the source material as well as I do or at all will react to it. I hope it does well because Alan's other stuff would work so well in film. Promethea would be great. Top Ten would be outstanding in the right hands. Even Tom Strong would be good. Related: I'm somewhat of an amateur Alan Mooreologist. I've written, mostly, praiseworthy reviews of all of his work at Majic 12 and Locus Online. Here's a review of Promethea, down at the bottom. Here's a review of Top Ten. And two other Alan Moore pieces here and here.

ITEM: Why Richard Dawkins is a mean ol atheist. Still. For no good reason probably. His irrational hatred just came upon him like a thief in the night, who probably wore a burkha.

March 5th

ITEM: Let's take a look at the proposed Obama budget. So far it's not bad and I'm not easily impressed but Moveon catalogs the wins.

Want to see what change looks like? Real change?
Well, here it is. Last week, President Obama unveiled his budget—his blueprint for America—and it's ambitious, amazing, and unapologetically progressive. As Paul Krugman said, it will set America on a "fundamentally new course."¹President Obama called his budget "a threat to the status quo," and trust me, the status quo noticed. Oil companies, big banks and insurance companies are already mobilizing to stop it.²

Unfortunately, most folks don't realize how far-reaching and progressive the plan is—that's where we all come in.

Here are 10 really incredible things about Obama's plan. Check them out and then send them on to your friends and family so that millions of people will have the information they need to fight to make this vision a reality.

10 things you should know about Obama's plan (but probably don't)

The plan:
 

1. Makes a $634 billion down payment on fixing health care that will go a long way toward paying for a more efficient, more affordable health care system that covers every single American.³
     Reduces taxes for 95% of working Americans. And if your family makes less than $250,000, your taxes won't go up one dime.⁴
2. Invests more than $100 billion in clean energy technology, creating millions of green jobs that can never be outsourced.⁵  
3. Brings our troops home from Iraq on a firm timetable, finally bringing the war to a close—and freeing up almost ten billion dollars a month for domestic priorities.⁶  
4. Reverses growing income inequality. The plan lets the Bush tax cuts for the wealthiest Americans expire and focuses on strengthening the middle class.⁷  
5. Closes multi-billion-dollar tax loopholes for big oil companies. ⁸  
6. Increases grants to help families pay for college—the largest increase ever.⁹
   Halves the deficit by 2013. President Obama inherited a legacy of huge deficits and an economy in shambles, but his plan brings the deficit under control as soon as the economy begins to recover.¹⁰  
7. Dramatically increases funding for the SEC and the CFTC—the agencies that police Wall Street.¹¹  
8. Tells it straight. For years, budgets have used accounting tricks to hide the real costs of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, the Bush tax cuts, and too many other programs. Obama's budget gets rid of the smokescreens and lays out what America's priorities are, what they cost, and how we're going to pay for them.¹²

This is the change we voted for. President Obama has done his part, now we need to do ours.
 

Thanks for all you do.

–Daniel, Tanya, Peter, Justin and the rest of the team

P.S. Turns out there are way more than 10 amazing things in Obama's budget and we couldn't resist sharing just a few more.
 

1. Stops unnecessary government subsidies to big banks, health insurance companies and big agribusinesses.^13,14,15
2. Expands access to early childhood education and improves schools by investing in programs that make sure every child has a qualified, strong teacher.¹⁶  
3. Negotiates for better prescription drug prices using Medicaid's tremendous bargaining power.¹⁷  
4. Expands access to family planning for low-income women.¹⁸  
5. Caps the pollution that causes global warming, and makes polluters pay to support clean energy innovation.¹⁹

ITEM: Here's a quote from Obama that I hope he holds to.

I realize that passing this budget won’t be easy. Because it represents real and dramatic change, it also represents a threat to the status quo in Washington. I know that the insurance industry won’t like the idea that they’ll have to bid competitively to continue offering Medicare coverage, but that’s how we’ll help preserve and protect Medicare and lower health care costs for American families. I know that banks and big student lenders won’t like the idea that we’re ending their huge taxpayer subsidies, but that’s how we’ll save taxpayers nearly $50 billion and make college more affordable. I know that oil and gas companies won’t like us ending nearly $30 billion in tax breaks, but that’s how we’ll help fund a renewable energy economy that will create new jobs and new industries. In other words, I know these steps won’t sit well with the special interests and lobbyists who are invested in the old way of doing business, and I know they’re gearing up for a fight as we speak. My message to them is this:

So am I.

The problem is that many of the the evil people who will stop all this progressive change are in the Democratic Party. See this Open Left piece on  Ellen Tauscher and her rampant defense of Wall Street Bailouts and/or opposition to homeowner help. Closer to home, we need to watch Jason Altmire very very closely. He gave us a good vote on the stimulus but Jason is a former insurance lobbyist so I don't trust him to do the right thing. The key phrase you need to look at here is the "Public Option". What the public option means is "Medicare for All". It's the nice way to get to single payer, which no one can mention out loud and get through congress. But you might have a shot at Medicare. That would allow the private insurance company to exist but with limits, hopefully. The problem, for them and not for us, is that they would operate kind of like utilities and there would be an upper limit to their profitability. It would be a return to the old Blue Shield/Blue Cross before Reagan decided that health care is a privilege and not a right. (Still a popular sentiment in republican circles...evil concentric circles of Hell republican circles but you get the gist...) Or the 80s when I last had consistent health care...

Without an affordable "Public Option"--no more than 10 percent of your paycheck should go to healthcare--Obama's healthcare reform will probably fail.

ITEM: Like I said earlier, the main threat to meaningful policy reform is the Threat Within the Dems Themselves. Something that might be useful is a group called "Accountability Now":

From the Website:

Accountability Now will target members of Congress who sell out the interests of their constituents in favor of corporations.

By empowering the grassroots, Accountability Now will help create the political space needed to enable President Obama to make good on the many progressive policies he campaigned on - such as getting out of Iraq, ensuring access to affordable health care for every man, woman and child, restoring our constitutional liberties and ending torture.

In 2007, grassroots activists banded together to oust Al Wynn out of office, and it shook House Democrats to their core. Similarly, we learned in 2006 how even a primary challenge that does not win could change behavior, as Jane Harman has been more accountable to the concerns of her constituents after a tough primary race against Marcy Winograd.

Out of these recent lessons, diverse and politically powerful groups have decided to support Accountability Now’s efforts, such as MoveOn, the Service Employees International Union (SEIU), DailyKos, ColorOfChange.org, Democracy for America, 21st Century Democrats and BlogPAC. Accountability Now PAC will recruit, coordinate, and support primary challenges against vulnerable Congressional incumbents who have become more responsive to corporate America than to their constituents.

Accountability Now PAC can be reached at accnowpac@gmail.com.

Related: Chris Bowers says anyone who opposes the Obama budget should get a primary challenge. I agree. But can Accountability Now raise any money?

As Robert Kuttner points out we'll probably need a round two of stimulus but remember we'll be getting quarterly reports and hopefully,  what was quite obvious to people who weren't objectively  pro depression, we'll start seeing tangible job gains. Those tangible jobs will make it easier to argue for even more infrastructure investment. Related: Krugman argues for more as well. How do you create a stimulus as big as World War II that doesn't murder as many people? Here's a solution: massive investment in the space race....Observation: I think this is the first time that Naomi Klein's disaster capitalism was used to pass decent policy. Related: Republicans try to take credit for stimulus benefits they voted against. Gawd, how I hate the republicans.

March 1

ITEM: Legendary local cartoonist Frank Santoro has a new online comic called "Cold Heat". The guy who could do a better job at blogging this is Bill Boichel but Bill refuses to blog, at least not specifically. I'm pushing for a federal law to change that but no luck so far. It looks like the artists tried to do this in print form but ran into problems. I know Bill tried to sell it. You might wonder how putting the whole series online helps Bill. I don't think it does. Visit  and buy something from Eides, Copacetic and Phantom's while you can. They're all endangered. You remember the National Record Mart and small independent booksellers and hobbits and other members of the Far Away Times...? Related: More on the Santoro "Storeyville" legend and the Bill Boichel connection (I use to love Bill's Wilkinsburg comics shop. It's much missed. It's been replaced by either one of those ghetto "The Wire" stores that I suspect is a front for drug money laundering or the guy who runs a pawnshop who will sell you used items as if they were new. Yes I live in Wilkinsburg.) Final Related: The Secret Lives of Comic Shop Workers.

ITEM: T Shirts iz kewl. The first one comes from here. I forgot where I saw the second one.

What Should Have Been Published Feb. 25

ITEM: I get emails. They're important emails too about Pittsburgh's Citizen Police Review Board, the Aliquippa caregivers,  Planned Parenthood and Voters for Peace. Keep sending me those emails!

Open Call to attend Citizen Review Board Meetings:

Accreditation by Pennsylvania Law Enforcement Accreditation Commission (PLEAC) is the best way to ensure best practices by our police department.  Please learn more about this, and Police Chief Nate Harpers refusal become accredited.  Then take the the requested email action.

Call to attend Citizen Police Review Board meetings this week:

The next two meetings of the CPRB are Tues. 2/24 6 p.m. Pittsburgh City Council Chambers, 5th floor, City County Building, Grant Street, Downtown, and Thurs. 2/26 same time and place.
Black and White Reunion members and friends must support the CPRB by attending its meetings.  Here's why:
1.  The Black and White Reunion and the Citizen Police Review Board are natural allies in the struggle for justice.  For instance, BWR & CPRB have united to push for independent accreditation of the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police.  Also, both BWR & CPRB came to be as a result of public outrage at the death of Jonny Gammage in 1995. 
2.  The CPRB is an official part of the City Code.  It is a foot in the doorway to power.
3.  The CPRB can grow in influence if more people show up consistently at both regular meetings and public hearings, and express support for its mission.
4.  The CPRB was created by a referendum of the people.  If people ignore it, it could wither and die.  We do not want to withdraw our foot from the doorway.
5.  We earn the disrespect of the police if we set up a system to monitor them and then fail to pay attention.
6.  Attending CPRB public hearings shows support for citizens who try to use it to improve police conduct.
The Tues. meeting next week is a regular business meeting.  Executive Director Elizabeth Pittinger plans to present a briefing related to hostage situations, e.g., the Point Breeze Lamar Smith killing.  The Thurs. meeting is a continued hearing on Will Anderson's police brutality complaint, and will also be worthwhile.
Let's get some of our good minds working together for police accountability by showing up at those two meetings.  I hope to see you there.
The Summit Planning Council will reconvene monthly meetings on Wednesday March 4 at 7 PM in the East Liberty Presbyterian Church. 

-----------------------

Support Aliquippa Caregivers:

Support Aliquippa Caregivers who are standing up for justice for working families -- not just those at the top!

Hardworking hospital employees got a slap in the face when Bridge Finance Group reneged on a promise to pay approximately 200 laid-off hospital caregivers wages that have been owed to them since before Christmas.

This is part of a national trend of laid off workers being left with nothing when their workplace closes. Workers in Chicago at Republic Windows and Doors and in Rhode Island at Calibri jewelry manufacturers have stiffed their workers in recent weeks. We need to stop this trend before it becomes standard and legally acceptable. Help Aliquippa caregivers get justice. Send a message to Bridge..

In December, Aliquippa lost its community hospital and over 200 working families lost their jobs when Commonwealth Medical Center declared bankruptcy and closed its doors. Bridge Finance Group is Commonwealth's primary lender. Caregivers who had dedicated their lives to serving patients in the community simply got a chilling letter from management saying the paychecks they were counting on weren't coming.

Tell Bridge to do what's right and pay caregivers what they're owed..

After rallies in Chicago, Aliquippa, and Pittsburgh, Bridge agreed to pay a portion of the unpaid wages and to work toward full payment -- a commitment that Bridge reneged on in court on Tuesday! In these tough economic times, we need to hold corporate financiers accountable to their commitments to the working families in our communities.Support the Aliquippa Caregivers. Take action and send a letter to Bridge demanding justice..

This is a joint campaign with Keystone Progress and SEIU Healthcare Pennsylvania.

From Planned Parenthood:

Planned Parenthood is teaming up with Pennsylvanians for Responsible Sex Education (PARSE) to give you an exciting opportunity to come to Harrisburg, meet with your legislators on two bills to protect teen health, and rally with us in the Capitol rotunda! Training and meals are provided free of charge, along with FREE bus transportation from Pittsburgh and Philadelphia. Details and RSVP information can be found online HERE!

And:

Healthy Youth Grassroots Organizing Internship: Summer 2009

Join Planned Parenthood this summer to build support for REAL sex education for Pennsylvania youth!

Grassroots organizers will start their ten week internship with a three-day, in-depth, hands-on training from May 30th to June 1st, providing them with all the skills they'll need on the ground. Interns will work in pairs doing community outreach in important areas of PA this summer. Come create change with Planned Parenthood, and submit your application by March 13th, 2009!

Complete information can be found on our website HERE! 

From Voters For Peace:

GROUPS REQUEST SPECIAL PROSECUTOR FOR BUSH, CHENEY
 

Feb. 23

Item: Kyle Baker's new Hawkman comic looks good. You can read an interview here.

ITEM: Kelli Rudick, one of these new mutant female tap guitarists, is coming to Pittsburgh March 2, at the Garfield Artworks. She's a very good soloist but I wouldn't mind seeing her with her band.

Feb. 20

ITEM: Interesting documentary about marijuana. Below: banned ad about Gaza.

ITEM: Yes the New York Post editorial cartoon was racist and they deserve boycotts and widespread condemnation. And what a shock: it came from a conservative Rupert Murdoch publication. Related: Funnier mod of that toon below. I think I found it at the Huffington Post.

Feb. 16th PST

Just two more notes about the stimulus.

ITEM: I turn to Open Left again where I find two pretty good summing ups. Here's Mike Lux who puts it in pretty good perspective:

Sometimes lost in all the anger and irritation over the things that we don't like about this Economic Recovery Act, and over some bad decisions that seem to be being made on the banking bailout, is the fact that some really big things are going on right now for the good. We had to make some really irritating compromises to get the recovery bill passed, and it's too small, and we sure didn't message it well at times.  But wow: almost $800 billion dollars going mostly into great investments into the economy for the poor and middle class, and tax cuts targeted vastly more towards middle income people than rich people.  The size, the scope, the kinds of investments- health care, state/local fiscal relief, universal broad band, school construction, infrastructure, health care, green jobs, poor people's income support- it really is historic.  Let's get this thing passed.

And let's stop for a minute after this gets passed, and take some satisfaction: The Lily Ledbetter is law.  S-CHIP, including children of immigrants, is law.  About a dozen outstanding executive orders on civil liberties, labor, reproductive choice, regulatory issues are signed and in place.  And now an $800 billion jobs bill, targeted mostly to progressive things, hopefully is about to become law.  

Geithner and Summers are still pissing me off.  We have a long way to go on a whole lot of issues.  But even so: wow.

ITEM: Two, we won a lot of the battles over the stimulus. Chris Bowers lays out the wins.

1. Senator Dodd's executive pay limits stayed in the final bill.

2. Mass transit funding significantly increased.

3. Buy American and Anti-Outsourcing provisions included.

4. Net Neutrality in the Stimulus bill.

5. Representative Clyburn requires states to spend money in 45 days.
6. Stimulus support rises as President Obama campaigns for it

As Robert Kuttner points out we'll probably need a round two of stimulus but remember we'll be getting quarterly reports and hopefully,  what was quite obvious to people who weren't objectively  pro depression, we'll start seeing tangible job gains. Those tangible jobs will make it easier to argue for even more infrastructure investment. Related: Krugman argues for more as well. How do you create a stimulus as big as World War II that doesn't murder as many people? Here's a solution: massive investment in the space race....Observation: I think this is the first time that Naomi Klein's disaster capitalism was used to pass decent policy. Related: Republicans try to take credit for stimulus benefits they voted against. Gawd, how I hate the republicans.

What Should Have Been Published Feb 12

ITEM: I'm happy that the stimulus appears to have the votes but nobody knows exactly what's in it. But from what we've seen it looks good. I guess I'm hoping that there's nothing evil in the fine print..(.The Democrats realize that the Internet allows them to win right? That the Republicans own all the big media. We're the resistance. We're the anti Hannity. )Open Left's Chris Bowers has the best summary of the bill I've seen. Again, it looks fantastic. Here's a taste:

First, transparency:

Unprecedented Accountability:  An historic level of transparency, oversight and accountability will help guarantee taxpayer dollars are spent wisely and ensure that Americans can see the results of their investment.

• There are no earmarks or pet projects.
• In many cases, funds are distributed to existing initiatives with proven track records and with tough accountability measures already in place.
• How funds are spent, all announcements of contract and grant competitions and awards, and formula grant allocations must be posted on a special website created by the President.  It must also include the names of agency personnel to contact with concerns about infrastructure projects.
• Public notice of funding must include a description of the investment funded, the purpose, the total cost, and why recovery dollars should be used.  Governors, mayors, or others making funding decisions must personally certify that the investment has been fully vetted and is an appropriate use of taxpayer dollars.  This information will also be placed on the internet.
• The Council of Economic Advisors must report quarterly on the results for the American economy.
• A Recovery Act Accountability and Transparency Board will be created to review management of recovery dollars and provide early warning of problems.  The board is made up largely of Inspectors General.
• The Government Accountability Office and the Inspectors General are provided additional funding and access for special review of recovery funding.
• State and local whistleblowers who report fraud and abuse are protected.

Second, overview of spending:

• Clean, Efficient, American Energy
• Transforming our Economy with Science and Technology
• Lowering Health Care Costs and Ensuring Broader Coverage
• Investing in Education for the 21st Century
• Modernizing Roads, Bridges, Transit and Waterways
• Tax Cuts for Middle-Class Families and American Businesses
• Helping Workers Hurt by the Recession
• Providing Strong Accountability Measures

Third, a deeper look at "Clean, Efficient, American Energy":

Clean, Efficient, American Energy: To put people back to work today and reduce our dependence on foreign oil tomorrow, we will increase renewable energy production and renovate public buildings to make them more energy efficient. 
 

• Smart Grid/Advanced Battery Technology/Energy Efficiency
  • Provides more than $30 billion for energy initiatives such as a new, smart power grid, advanced battery technology, and energy efficiency measures, which will create hundreds of thousands of jobs.
  • Transforms the nation’s electricity systems through the Smart Grid Investment Program to modernize the electricity grid to make it more efficient and reliable.
  • Supports U.S. development of advanced vehicle batteries and battery systems through loans and grants so that America can lead the world in transforming the way automobiles are powered.
  • Helps state and local governments make investments in innovative best practices to achieve greater energy efficiency and reduce energy usage.
  • Spurs energy efficiency and renewable energy R&D.
• Tax Incentives to Spur Energy Savings and Green Jobs
  • Provides $20 billion in tax incentives for renewable energy and energy efficiency over the next 10 years.
  • Includes a three-year extension of the production tax credit (PTC) for electricity derived from wind (through 2012) and for electricity derived from biomass, geothermal, hydropower, landfill gas, waste-to-energy, and marine facilities (through 2013).
  • Provides grants of up to 30 percent of the cost of building a new renewable energy facility to address current renewable energy credit market concerns.
  • Promotes energy-efficient investments in homes by extending and expanding tax credits through 2010 for purchases such as new furnaces, energy-efficient windows and doors, or insulation.
  • Provides a tax credit for families that purchase plug-in hybrid vehicles of up to $7,500 to spur the next generation of American cars. 
  • Includes clean renewable energy bonds for State and local governments.
  • Establishes a new manufacturing investment tax credit for investment in advanced energy facilities, such as facilities that manufacture components for the production of renewable energy, advanced battery technology, and other innovative next-generation green technologies. 
• Landmark Energy Savings at Home
  • Provides $5 billion for landmark provisions to improve the energy efficiency of more than 1 million modest-income homes through weatherization.
  • This will save modest-income families on average $350 per year on their heating and air conditioning bills. 
• Repairing Public Housing and Making Key Energy Efficiency Retrofits to HUD-Assisted Housing
  • Provides more than $4 billion for increasing energy efficiency in federally-supported housing programs.
  • Specifically, establishes a new program to upgrade HUD-sponsored low-income housing (elderly, disabled, and Section 8) to increase energy efficiency, including new insulation, windows, and frames.
  • Also invests in energy efficiency upgrades in public housing, including new windows, furnaces, and insulation to improve living conditions for residents and lower the cost of operating these facilities.

Again, overall, this looks pretty good. I'm hoping that Feinstein's workaround on Net Neutrality didn't make it in

Feb. 8 PST

And Rachel Maddow explains it all too well also.

ITEM: After looking at a number of news reports--evil corporate media included--I've concluded that the stimulus is a really really good thing. And probably necessary. Unfortunately, the evil republicans are at it again. I've found that the best commentary comes from both Digby and Tristero. Here's Digby on the GOP strategy:

Hardball is reporting that the new bill is 42% tax cuts now and 58% spending, which is considered a big win for Republicans. And they are still fighting it. And when it finally comes to the floor, they won't vote for it anyway. That's how a truly ruthless opposition party works. They ruin the legislation, are lauded as winners for ruining the legislation and then vote against the legislation that they ruined. Awesome.

Here's Tristero on what should be done. The bottom line is that the House has to get rid of the tax breaks and restore the 40 billion dollars to the states. If the states fail,  then the stimulus has failed, period. Tristero:

The question is whether or not the Senate moderates would be willing to sink the economy if the House makes changes to the bill in conference that are more than cosmetic. Obviously the rump faction of the Senate isn't going to alter their stance, you can't compromise with crazy. But the Snowe-Collins-Specter-Nelson faction kind of knows that something has to be done. The President is talking up job creation and will be hitting the road this week to increase the pressure. If you want more jobs, you have to eliminate the AMT patch, which can be reconciled through a regular process with offsets, and add back the spending to the states, school construction, and more, which will probably add a million more jobs. Otherwise, you're going to see cops, firefighters, nurses and teachers out on the street (John Kerry is explaining this very well on the Senate floor).

Makes sense to me. Replace the AMT with state funding, period. Then split the difference on everything else and call it a day.

ITEM: Why is the state funding so important? Because what goes to the states can go to the cities. Now, I'm not entirely sure how the numbers here change under the senate stimulus plan. My hunch is that all of it goes if the state funding is cut out. This is why state funding must be restored. But here's a partial list of what Pittsburgh would get according to the website of the US Conference on Mayors. Bottom line: Nearly 300 million dollars would create about 10000 jobs. Please fight for that state funding House.

What Should Have Been Published Feb. 5

Item: This is a cartoon  by Ted Rall that's no longer published at the City Paper because they just can't afford that big 25 bucks per week or whatever coffee money they were spending. You would think that all those somewhat passable tranny ads could pay for something worthwhile. Related: David Sirota says the same thing here and here in non cartoon form. Somewhat Related: Oliver Willis makes a dumb inarticulate critique here of David Sirota. Note to Oliver: David voted for Barack. He's just not into the tank or some darker tanned version of the Instapundit who spouts propaganda about Dear Leader when he's a Dem. Also Related: Cartoonists are an endangered species. You might wonder if I paid for that cartoon. Wella, nope. But if 500 people paid a buck for that cartoon then that might make up for a dying weekly market. It's micropayments, again. But maybe it will work this time. Ted has a comments section. I'll make a suggestion. I'll give him a buck if he adds a tipjar but I want a link on his blog.

Item: If you clicked on the Black Dynamite trailer that I posted on Jan. 28th, then you will notice that its gone. Why would anyone ask someone else to remove a trailer? I could see whole films. But not trailers. Don't trailers promote the movie? I'm just sayin'. Luckily, they haven't checked Sevenload. Get it while its hot.

Link:

Feb. 2

"We are the champions...again. We'll keep on fighting till the end...dum dum dum dum.."

Item: Kurt Warner puts his blame on the loss where it should be placed. On almighty Gawd herself.

Kurt Warner: "God Is To Blame For This Loss"

by karateexplosions

Sun Feb 01, 2009 at 11:05:36 PM PST

Feb. 1

Item: As per federal law, I guess I should say something about the Steelers.

First, I'm really proud of the Steelers. It's not an important thing in the Giant Array of Things but its nice being a Steelers fan. I guess its sort of like being a Yankees fan, except we're competitive every year based on merit and ability and not because we can buy up the most talent in the league (see our offensive line, without Alan Faneca who went to New York, of course...) It was especially cool during the 70s. I mean, the world won't end if we don't win today but its certainly cool to be in the Super Bowl.

Two, contrary to published reports, I think the Cardinals coaches (Wiz and Grimm) are incredibly motivated to beat the Steelers. Let's rephrase that: the white coaches who were passed over in favor of the black guy will be incredibly motivated to beat the Steelers. What's worse, they know a lot about our personnel. Tells, proclivities, and schemes.

Three, the Steelers should win but I wouldn't be shocked if they lost. Most obvious scenario is a blowout by the Cardinals super offense. But oddly enough, I think the Steelers offense is much better than the Cardinals Defense. I really think that's the key. Keep in mind that they almost scored 30 points against the Ravens, a much better defense than the Cardinals will ever be. Willie Parker should be able to run at will...

Four, I pick the Steelers because...you should never bet against the Steelers.

Item: Tomorrow, after a libation or two, based on either joy or depression, we dive into Stimulus politics.

Jan. 28 PST

Link:

Item: I like the song above and I'm excited by the blaxploitation parody below. I hear that I'm known as the "Black Dynamite" of the Pittsburgh blogosphere...no? Not really? Well, uh, that should be changed...possibly.

Jan. 23

I get emails.

Item: The first one is from Neil Bisno the president of SEIU Healthcare

Philip:

Nearly 200 employees of Commonwealth Medical Center (formerly Aliquippa Hospital) - members of SEIU Healthcare Pennsylvania - lost our jobs when our hospital declared bankruptcy and then abruptly closed last December 12th. We still haven't received the paychecks that were due to us before Christmas and New Years. The hospital's finance company and management agreed to pay hospital executives, but not the frontline staff!

Please join us for the following events on Mon/Tues next week in support of Aliquippa Hospital caregivers:

* Community Rally, Monday, Jan. 26th, 12 noon - In front of the hospital, 2500 Hospital Drive, Aliquippa

* Demonstration and Bankruptcy Hearing, Tuesday, Jan. 27th, 8:30 a.m. - In front of US Bankruptcy Court, US Steel Tower, 600 Grant Street, Downtown Pittsburgh

Join us as we stand up for fairness and respect for working families - not just for those at the top!

We appreciate your joining us and spreading the word via e-mail about these activities.

Neal Bisno

President

SEIU Healthcare Pennsylvania

Item: I also got an email from Planned Parenthood:

Dear PHILIP,

It's been such an exciting week. Monday was our national celebration of the life of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., and thousands of people served their communities on this national day of action. On Tuesday, the nation celebrated again when Barack Obama was sworn in as the 44^th president of the United States.

But in the midst of this celebration, Planned Parenthood is doing everything we can to reverse President Bush's final attack on women's health. Just before leaving office, the Bush administration issued a new rule that poses a severe danger to women across the country who are in need of health care services and information.

Planned Parenthood has filed a lawsuit to have the rule tossed out by the courts before it has a chance to endanger women around the country, and we need all the help we can get.

This new rule will allow individual health care providers to deny patients vital health care information and services based on their own personal biases, without the patient even knowing. It was Bush's last shot at putting politics in the exam room, and it's not just unfair to women — it's unsafe and indefensible.

I couldn't be more thrilled about the start of a new, pro-choice presidency. But we've got a lot to clean up from eight years of George W. Bush, and we need your help to do it.

As always, sincerely,
 

 

Item: And I got an email from the End Racism Summit. There might still be some bigotry even after Obama got elected. You just never know. They're holding their activities tomorrow.

Robert Maddock and Ramona Roberts are co-coordinating this year's Summit Against Racism and were among the co-founders of the Black and White Reunion, a racially diverse group that was organized in reaction to the killing of black businessman Jonny Gammage by police in 1995.

      "If we do not take the police killing of Jonny Gammage as a call to action and act accordingly, we just prolong and encourage more overt acts of racism with their terrible consequences," says Maddock. 

      This year's Jonny Gammage Memorial Scholarship essay contest asked law students how the jurisdiction of Pittsburgh's Citizen Police Review Board - an independent agency that investigates citizen complaints about improper police conduct - can be expanded throughout Allegheny County. The winners of the scholarship will be announced at Summit.

      Approximately 300 people attend the Summit Against Racism each year. Following this year's afternoon workshops, participants are being invited by facilitator Paul Hawkins to design their own "I Am the Change I Have Been Waiting For" t-shirts.  This will allow each person the opportunity to take home a t-shirt incorporating a "mandala," with the symbols of their choice to represent where they come from, what inspires them, their goals, their special gifts, and the things they carry in their hearts.

  "Democracy defeated racism on the ballot this past November and we are going to celebrate this shift in the fabric of our society. African-Americans are experiencing the positive effects of that in ways many of us never imagined, " declares Stevens. "Defeating racism in a national election is not the same as defeating it in our communities and workplaces and local governments.  Black and white people have to work together to end racism and the social inequity here at home.  This Summit Against Racism is our invitation for them to do so."

      Throughout the past thirteen years, the Black and White Reunion has coordinated ten annual Summits Against Racism and provided education, advocacy, and direct leadership for many campaigns and programs in support of racial justice and reconciliation in the greater Pittsburgh region. Specific strategies for forging racial equality have included the Mural Bridge project, which used art to promote racial understanding among black and white people of different ages and backgrounds; the Jonny Gammage Memorial Scholarship, which is awarded annually to a local law student; as well as the annual Summit Against Racism.

      Registration for the 11th annual Summit Against Racism is $30 and includes all-day admission, a commemorative program book, continental breakfast, lunch, a t-shirt, and a one-year membership in the Black and White Reunion. Limited income and student rates, group discounts, and scholarships are also available. Attendees are asked to bring a nonperishable food item to donate to the East End Cooperative Ministry's food bank.

      East Liberty Presbyterian Church is located at 116 S. Highland Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15206. To register or for more information, visit www.blackandwhitereunion.org.

Jan. 20

Item (takes too long for my finger pointer):

What Skippy said:

Relief

Tomorrow George W. Bush will cease to be President of the United States. It seems almost like a miracle that the worst president of my lifetime and possibly of all time will finally be gone. I cannot express what an enormous sense of relief and hope I am feeling right now, but I expect a lot of people are feeling it too, so there is less a need to express it precisely than to share it.

Tomorrow, when my wife gets home from work and before we go to one of our weekly poker games, I'll pull the cork on the '85 porto I brought back from Portugal in 2003 and we'll drink a toast to the end of the horrible nightmare of George Bush and his co-conspirators, thieves, liars, and murderers all. I look forward to an Obama administration. It can't be any worse than the hell we all just went through.

Tomorrow George W. Bush will cease to be President of the United States. Wow. I love that sentence.

 

posted by DBK at 8:03 AM | 4 comments

Item: Krugman says the bailout should go deeper.

Rescuing The Economy

The last president to face a similar mess was Franklin Delano Roosevelt, and you can learn a lot from his example. That doesn't mean, however, that you should do everything FDR did. On the contrary, you have to take care to emulate his successes, but avoid repeating his mistakes.

About those successes: The way FDR dealt with his own era's financial mess offers a very good model. Then, as now, the government had to deploy taxpayer money in order to rescue the financial system. In particular, the Reconstruction Finance Corporation initially played a role similar to that of the Bush administration's Troubled Assets Relief Program (the $700 billion program everyone knows about). Like the TARP, the RFC bulked up the cash position of troubled banks by using public funds to buy up stock in those banks.

There was, however, a big difference between FDR's approach to taxpayer-subsidized financial rescue and that of the Bush administration: Namely, FDR wasn't shy about demanding that the public's money be used to serve the public good. By 1935 the U.S. government owned about a third of the banking system, and the Roosevelt administration used that ownership stake to insist that banks actually help the economy, pressuring them to lend out the money they were getting from Washington. Beyond that, the New Deal went out and lent a lot of money directly to businesses, to home buyers and to people who already owned homes, helping them restructure their mortgages so they could stay in their houses.

Can you do anything like that today? Yes, you can. The Bush administration may have refused to attach any strings to the aid it has provided to financial firms, but you can change all that. If banks need federal funds to survive, provide them — but demand that the banks do their part by lending those funds out to the rest of the economy. Provide more help to homeowners. Use Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, the home-lending agencies, to pass the government's low borrowing costs on to qualified home buyers. (Fannie and Freddie were seized by federal regulators in September, but the Bush administration, bizarrely, has kept their borrowing costs high by refusing to declare that their bonds are backed by the full faith and credit of the taxpayer.)

Conservatives will accuse you of nationalizing the financial system, and some will call you a Marxist. (It happens to me all the time.) And the truth is that you will, in a way, be engaging in temporary nationalization. But that's OK: In the long run we don't want the government running financial institutions, but for now we need to do whatever it takes to get credit flowing again.

Item: Finally! A robot vagina! The technical miracles that the Obama administration has already wrought...! And it doesn't look at all dangerous to my treasured naughty bits....

What Should Have Been Published Jan. 16 Here at Three Rivers Online Weekly

Three more days and this guy is history. Good riddance. Then again, I really wouldn't mind seeing Bush again...before a war crimes tribunal. I hope he gets the same kind of justice he gives Iraqi civilians.

Related: Similar thoughts from 2 Political Junkies. Because when you murder upwards of one million Iraqis its clear that you're concerned about the "sanctity of life".

Congressional Dems Discover Their Vertebrae

by: David Sirota

Fri Jan 09, 2009 at 12:00

It seems that congressional Democrats may have discovered their vertebrae:

WASHINGTON - President-elect Barack Obama's economic recovery plan ran into crossfire from his own party in Congress on Thursday, suggesting that quick passage of spending programs and tax cuts could require more time and negotiation than Democrats once hoped.

Senate Democrats complained that major components of his plan were not bold enough and urged more focus on creating jobs and rebuilding the nation's energy infrastructure rather than cutting taxes.

Further complicating the picture, Democratic senators said Thursday that they would try to attach legislation to the package that would allow bankruptcy courts to modify home loans, a move Republicans have opposed...

While conservatives criticize the high spending, and moderate Democrats express concern about the swelling deficit, liberals are pushing for even more money devoted to social programs, alternative-energy development and road, bridge and school construction.

This is shockingly good news, after a seemingly endless era in which congressional Democrats backed down to every single conservative demand. It's the kind of dynamic I (optimistically) predicted way back in February in an article for In These Times magazine (you should subscribe to the magazine here). Basically, I said that for various reasons, there is a good chance that under an Obama presidency, progressives in Congress would feel more emboldened to legislatively assert themselves. That seems to be starting to happen - and we should all encourage it.

To that end, I suggest you use this tool from the Campaign for American's Future to contact your congressperson and ask them to support as bold an economic recovery package as possible. Now's the time to make our voice heard

Jan. 9, 2009

Very cool new Marvel Team Up. Remember: The New Prez is a collector of not only Spider Man but the very violent Roy Thomas/Barry Windsor-Smith Conan run I think. Perhaps that's why he's so quiet about Gaza by Crom. Related: The tax cut portion of the stimulus plan sucks so sez Krugman and Stiglitz. I agree with Open Left: Let's hope Congressional Dems kill them. Barney Frank, who's gay and mad about Rick Warren and I don't blame him, hates the tax cuts too. Obama knows that gays actually have more power in this country than, say, black folks right? Just sayin'.

 If  you're playing the home game you're noticing that congress is pushing Obama to the left. I truly believes this helps Obama. He has to deliver. He has to make an impact on the everyday lives of working Americans. From David Sirota:

Congressional Dems Discover Their Vertebrae

by: David Sirota

Fri Jan 09, 2009 at 12:00

It seems that congressional Democrats may have discovered their vertebrae:

WASHINGTON - President-elect Barack Obama's economic recovery plan ran into crossfire from his own party in Congress on Thursday, suggesting that quick passage of spending programs and tax cuts could require more time and negotiation than Democrats once hoped.

Senate Democrats complained that major components of his plan were not bold enough and urged more focus on creating jobs and rebuilding the nation's energy infrastructure rather than cutting taxes.

Further complicating the picture, Democratic senators said Thursday that they would try to attach legislation to the package that would allow bankruptcy courts to modify home loans, a move Republicans have opposed...

While conservatives criticize the high spending, and moderate Democrats express concern about the swelling deficit, liberals are pushing for even more money devoted to social programs, alternative-energy development and road, bridge and school construction.

This is shockingly good news, after a seemingly endless era in which congressional Democrats backed down to every single conservative demand. It's the kind of dynamic I (optimistically) predicted way back in February in an article for In These Times magazine (you should subscribe to the magazine here). Basically, I said that for various reasons, there is a good chance that under an Obama presidency, progressives in Congress would feel more emboldened to legislatively assert themselves. That seems to be starting to happen - and we should all encourage it.

To that end, I suggest you use this tool from the Campaign for American's Future to contact your congressperson and ask them to support as bold an economic recovery package as possible. Now's the time to make our voice heard.

Jan 1 2009

Another year older and deeper in debt. Of course, dead and rich would be a lot worse I think. My goal this year is to work harder (One month I'm going to try working as hard as Atrios or Instapundit and let's see what happens....) and probably to post more at Open Salon or Mirror Universe first because they have permalinks. I'm also curious to see what the Black Guy will do as president. If they let him...Oh to live in interesting times...

I still think its important to be the only African American in Pittsburgh (And I don't care if my Mom thinks that only rich white kids should be allowed to write about important things...its attitudes like that which keep us poor and stupid. Mostly stupid.) who writes consistently about policy issues. (Yes the Goddess and Khari could do as well but they don't post enough and Khari writes like a politician who might run for something (Which I would wholeheartedly support...!).

Let's see what the future brings. Let's see what kind of future we can create...

What Should Have Been Published Dec. 25

Bah. Humbug. Hitchens on Christmas:

On the other hand I do like Christmas songs:

vs his purpleness:

Link:

vs South Park:

Link:

Dec. 21

I bought a Sunday Post Gazette today. I'm not sure how long I'll be doing that. Read the sad news here over at 2 Political Junkies. So, what would happen if the Post Gazette went under? Bad News, Good News.

Bad News first: Looks like evil Scaife will probably win. If you're not aware of the battle between less evil and evil (And Scaife is most decidedly evil.), then you might not know that Scaife has been trying to put the Post Gazette out of business for years. What that would mean is that there wouldn't be a print publication in Pittsburgh that wasn't in the hands of of either business interests (Pittsburgh Business Times and yes the City Paper) or far fight business interests (Tribune Review and the New Pittsburgh Courier) with nary a Tony Norman column or Rob Rogers cartoon in sight. Even if the City Paper provided some balance to what would then be Scaife's relentless drive to turn us all into Republicans it wouldn't be a fair fight. It would not be unlike getting all your local television news from your friends at Fox. Your print news would be determined by arguably one of the most evil men in the country: Richard Mellon Scaife.

 The Good News: The print news isn't that important anymore and the truth of it is that papers like the Pittsburgh Post Gazette are the DLC equivalent of the newspaper profession. They speak to certain liberal ideals and orthodoxies but in practice they're not that much different from the Republicans. Nobody finds NAFTA or election fraud "newsworthy" or at least not newsworthy in the sense that what you write could change the policy or find the truth regarding those respective issues. Don't get me wrong. A town left to Scaife wouldn't be a better town. I voted for  former DLC member Obama. There are differences. But it wouldn't be the end of the world. And in the long run:

More Good News: The best journalism in the United States is being done online. There's nobody in the print media as good as Glenn Greenwald. There just isn't. And even if there was that person doesn't work as hard as Glenn Greenwald. And its that way on every conceivable issue. If I want real information about a subject I go online. I don't read the Post Gazette.  I read the papers mainly to figure out what elites think, not because they represent some nonpartisan view of the issues of the day.

Even More Good News: When the Post Gazette writers were negotiating their most recent deal--which looks like its being undermined by management already--I was kind of hoping that things would fall through and that there would be a strike and they would attempt to put out an online paper. Then I was kind of hoping that it would work. Then I was kind of hoping that they would say goodbye to the Post Gazette if it did work. Hope springs eternal. Looks like a number of Post Gazette writers will get a second chance at creating and owning their own thing. Employee owned newspapers would solve a lot of problems. Of course,  a lot of PG writers will just go into PR. The truth of the matter is that's what most "News" people are anyway. PR flacks. But it would be nice to see who the real "journalists" are. It would be nice to see if there's anyone down there on the Boulevard who writes because they believe in it even if they aren't paid 40 grand a year.

Final Good News: We need something as bold and as uncompromising as The Real News for print. (Video seen above.) Gotta build it though. It would be nice if George Soros did it but no such luck...

Dec. 16th PST

William Greider knows the way around the filibuster. Make it 55 votes not 60 for cloture. I learned from this article that you can do this with a simple majority vote in the US Senate. Of course, why didn't they do it last session? That would have helped the country, lots and lots probably. I really think this is essential  if the Democrats are going to do anything. I just see this happy confluence of corporate dems and corporate republicans doing a lot of bi partisan "things" that I'm really going to hate. Lots. Related: This is also related to these two stories here  and here.

If the Democratic Party intends to get serious about governing, it can start by disabling the Republican filibuster that gives the minority party in the Senate a virtual veto over anything it wants to kill. The chatter in Washington assumes that since Democrats failed to gain a sixty-seat majority, there's nothing they can do. But that's not true. Democrats can change the rules and remove a malignant obstacle from the path of our new president. Given the emergency conditions facing the nation, why should Mitch McConnell and his right-wing colleagues get to decide what the Senate may vote on?

This proposition disturbs the happy talk about the "postpartisan" politics Barack Obama has inspired. But let's get real. McConnell is making nice for the moment, having survived his re-election scare in Kentucky. But he will use the filibuster to stymie the new Democratic administration whenever it looks to him like a political opportunity for Republicans. Thanks mainly to McConnell, the 110th Congress of 2007-08 set a new record--138 cloture motions to limit debate and head off filibusters. That is double the level of ten years ago. Who really believes McConnell will voluntarily give up his starring role as Senator No?

Dec. 14th

Yet another edition of Good Obama, Bad Obama.

Booman has some positive things to say about Obama. (I'm personally excited about his appointment of Chu for energy...he's a for real alt fuels scientist....)

These are all solid progressive picks and none of them are white dudes. I think this points out the folly of thinking that we, who have received no applications and have done no vetting, can make the best selections for important administration jobs. Other than Carol Browner, I didn't know who any of these people were until I read their biographies tonight. Are they going to be capable administrators? I don't know. How could I? But they all appear to be solid on the issues and to have sterling qualifications. They're not big donor flunkies or political appointments.

I know there are some obvious limitations to the idea that you can or should just trust the Obama administration, but I learned repeatedly over the course of Obama's presidential campaign that he deserved my trust because he and his team consistently made decisions that were better than anything I had been able to dream up.

I do trust him. I'm not going to lecture you about how you ought to trust him, too, but I think you should look at what he is not doing.He is not filling his administration with donors and lobbyists and concessions to different political constituencies. His cabinet is amazingly diverse, but he hasn't made a single pick just to pay someone off or to satisfy some interest group. His picks are all qualified, and many of them are well positioned to get things done.

I would definitely have made different picks, but I just can't argue against the way Obama is staffing up with incredibly competent people that are willing to implement his campaign promises.

Makes sense. Now the bad news: what's happened in the last two years is that the republican filibuster stopped pretty much everything progressive that the dems wanted to do. We got 700 billion for rich fat cats, possibly 2 trillion unaccounted for by the fed, but nothing for the autoworkers. I'm trying to figure out how Obama beats this or whether he even wants to. Here's a key: don't let Bush spend the remaining half of that 700 billion. There's no plausible reason why they should. I mean, if it's that hard to get a lousy 15 billion, come on....Firedoglake  puts it best:

As much as I think Dubya is the worst president of all time and can't wait to be rid of him, he was damn good at getting shit done.  Sure, almost everything he got done was stupid and destructive and unpopular, but that just makes his "achievement" even more perversely impressive.

Remember after the 2004 election, when Bush declared that he had political capital and intended to spend it?  That was not exactly a landslide victory, and his approval rating dipped below 50% immediately afterwards and stayed there.  Republicans did not have a filibuster-proof majority in the Senate.  And yet, Dubya was still able to bully and bluster Congress into giving him almost everything he wanted... even after the Democrats were in the majority!

Now compare that with Obama.  As the Democratic nominee, he caved on telecom immunity, and was perfectly happy to push for the financial bailout without insisting on oversight.  Now that he's the landslide president-elect chock full o' political capital, I don't see any evidence that he wants to spend it - at least not on the auto industry.  Here's what Obama said before the bridge loan failed in the Senate

The legislation in Congress right now is an important step in that direction and I'm hopeful that a final agreement will be reached this week.

And here's his statement after:

I am disappointed that the Senate could not reach agreement on a short-term plan for the auto industry. I share the frustration of so many about the decades of mismanagement in this industry that has helped deliver the current crisis. Those bad practices cannot be rewarded or continued. But I also know that millions of American jobs rely directly or indirectly on a viable auto industry, and that the beginnings of reform are at hand. The revival of our economy as a whole should not be a partisan issue. So I commend those in Congress as well as the Administration who tried valiantly to forge a compromise. My hope is that the Administration and the Congress will still find a way to give the industry the temporary assistance it needs while demanding the long-term restructuring that is absolutely required.

He sounds like an innocent bystander with no ability to influence the outcome, either as a senator or a president-elect.  No cajoling, no arm-twisting, no deal-making, not even any of that if-we-don't-pass-this-immediately-America-will-be-destroyed rhetoric that Dubya deployed so effectively.  He couldn't even persuade everyone in his own party to show up and vote the right way. (Okay, I'll give him a pass on Teddy, and Harry voted Nay for procedural reasons.)

As Ian points out, there are still ways that Obama can make this happen, and they don't all depend on congressional approval or being president.  Let's see if he's willing to take action to avoid catastrophe, or if he's content to just wring his hands on the sidelines and hope that Dubya can make something good happen for once.

Dec. 11 PST

        If you have a chance to buy this, or just read it at the East Liberty Borders like I did, I highly recommend WE3. It's about a military enhanced trio that includes a cat, dog and a bunny rabbit. And they can kill. Mostly in self defense though. They're trying to make a movie out of it. There are some questions of concern over at IO9. Speaking of superior science fiction: I strongly urge you to read this story by Paolo B. (his last name is hard to spell) called "The People of Sand and Slag". William Gibson once remarked that if we could talk to people 500 years in the future we would find them interesting but we really wouldn't get them. Well, here's your story that illustrates that sentiment all too well. The future is creepy. Hope I live to see it. And this is one of the best podcasts I've ever heard of a Nancy Kress story and its called "When Nano Comes to Clifford Falls". If you like your fantastic elements mixed in with a working gal's perspective (the lead here reminds me of Sookie Stackhouse in "True Blood"...She's the opposite of the high IQ leads in shows like Fringe or Eleventh Hour who would immediately know the ramifications of having a  working assembler dropped off in your town...) then you'll love this story. I don't agree with all of its implications but I'm still thinking about this story months later. That doesn't happen often.

I don't believe in religion but I believe in science fiction.

These stories are why I believe in science fiction.

Related: I'm trying to finish off this Paolo story about future online journalism called "The Gambler". You might be interested in his explanation if your medium is dying and/or you would like to know the glorious journalism future ("Yep. Your hits is down. You suck...More Britney.") of journalism...here's Paolo:

When I wrote “The Gambler,” I had just finished a stint as online editor of a non-profit magazine, where I worked primarily on the question of how a print publication could transition online and not die in the process. Blogs and RSS feeds, community-building tools and payment models, push and pull technologies and social networks filled my days. And along with it, always, the business pressures we faced: How to generate revenue from our online work? How to measure value? How to make sure that print and online products didn’t gut one another? We were in a constant state of experimentation.

I can’t say that I found the answers; more like found a lot of questions. Everything from our budget to our staffing to our content focus imposed limits on what we could do, or even imagine doing, and there was always more that we could have been doing. But our magazine’s struggle to transition to a world dominated by new revenue models, customer expectations, and measurement technologies — and what that might imply for news gathering and journalists — really hung with me. “The Gambler” was the result.

In light of recent events in the publishing industry, everything from the Christian Science Monitor’s decision to go electronic to the New York Times’ precarious financial state, “The Gambler” has been feeling weirdly relevant. Maybe that’s just me, because I was and remain obsessed with these technologies and the fourth estate. Thanks to Lou Anders and Fast Forward 2, though, you can now take a look at one version of journalism’s future and decide for yourself.

I have nothing to say about politics at the local, state or national levels. Taking a break. Except for this Joe Stiglitz piece Gotta read that.

Dec. 6 PST

Obama vs. The Real News

From the Daily Kos Gallery:

Aside from the commitment to what sounds like a great progressive stimulus plan, one sentence struck me: Will your job or your husband’s job or your daughter’s job be the next one cut?. Read that closely. In a speech about universal fears and hardship, he is addressing his primary listeners as women. Never have I heard sentence construction like that from a president -- women addressed directly in a non-"women's issues" setting as legitimate, fully fledged and very concerned and invested breadwinners. The effect is stunning.

II'm actually impressed with this guy's work ethic and again he's less likely to send me to a detention center for opposing the Iran war. Or Israel's war against Iran. Whatever. I don't care what that mysterious Johnny Brainwash sez... versus the Real News:

and this:

:

What Should Have Been Published Dec. 2

This was from Nate Silver. He uses it to prove that Obama is a progressive. I think the problem here isn't what Obama stands for its what he'll fight for. There's an old John Edwards video where he points that things aren't going to change much if you replace a bunch of corporate republicans with corporate democrats. He even used the example of how republicans, with the usual sell out Democratic Party members, stopped healthcare reform but managed to push through the Horrible "Let's Compete with Slave Labor" NAFTA. If we follow this theory, then everything at the bottom of that list is likely to pass, with very little at the very top, or more progressive laws ever getting a hearing thanks to the GOP Senate filibuster blockade (hat tip to Froth for that link) of all that's meaningful.

Nov 27

Something to Be Thankful For

I had to remove this video because it wouldn't scroll down.

 But you can see "Thank You Sarah Palin" here.

Nov. 23

More Sunday fun with Jesus and Mo'. Guaranteed to get you killed and/or imprisoned in most countries. And one more:

Tuesday April 15, 2008