babbling blue

Please take a moment to go here to send a note to President Obama and your representatives in Congress urging them to support the repealing of the unconstitutional and discriminatory Defense of Marriage Act. It takes no time at all. Thank you!

What do I think about Obama’s health care reforms? I don’t know, really. I haven’t had a chance to properly study the matter. I think that a public health insurance option–and getting uninsured people on insurance–is ultimately a good thing, but I can’t speak to the specific details of the Obama plan.

What I can speak to is the “impromptu” mobs that are cropping up at town hall meetings and similar settings around the country. As it turns out, these impromptu mobs aren’t impromptu, but are rallied by national conservative and industry groups.

It wouldn’t be as big of a deal if they were just sending people to contribute to the discussions and speak their piece. But they are encouraging people to be loud and disruptive. This prevents any real discussion from taking place. It’s OK to disagree. It’s not OK to stifle debate with pseudo-grassroots brute force.

Screaming constituents, protesters dragged out by the cops, congressmen fearful for their safety — welcome to the new town-hall-style meeting, the once-staid forum that is rapidly turning into a house of horrors for members of Congress.

(Politico)

The tactics are repugnant. At one rally a congressman was hung in effigy.

All this to try to give the impression that ordinary Americans are mad as hell, and not gonna take it anymore. This editorial claims it’s good that Rep. Tim Bishop was barely able to get a word in at his town hall meeting–and then goes on to lambaste single payer health insurance.

This irresponsible behavior is not only preventing useful discussion on the health care issue, but it may also prevent constituents from being heard on other issues as well:

In at least one case, a congressman has stopped holding town hall events because the situation has spiraled so far out of control.

“I had felt they would be pointless,” Rep. Tim Bishop (D-N.Y.) told POLITICO, referring to his recent decision to temporarily suspend the events in his Long Island district. “There is no point in meeting with my constituents and [to] listen to them and have them listen to you if what is basically an unruly mob prevents you from having an intelligent conversation.”

This after police were called in to escort him safely to his car after a town hall meeting ran amok.

Here are a few good editorials on the topic:
The Philadelphia Inquirer
Kansas City Star
The Washington Post

“We’ve done everything here. We’re leading the way with our inspector general, office of compliance, all the things we’ve done,” Daley said. “We’re more transparent than any other government. Look at it.”

“We’re doing a tremendous job here, we lead by example,” he said.

In a story last week, the Tribune documented how the Daley administration routinely cites exemptions in the state’s public records law to avoid releasing information and frequently drags out for weeks or even months efforts to get records.

Federal prosecutors convicted several top Daley aides for running an illegal hiring scheme, and a federal monitor has complained the city still is not complying with court requirements to keep politics out of hiring.

(Chicago Tribune blog)

Does he really believe the nonsense he spews, or is he just that deluded? I can’t tell.

Uneasy lies the head that wears the crown. All hail King Richard II, King of Chicago!

Yeah, right. 100 days of Fox News attacks on President Obama.

Fair warning, Ann Coulter makes two brief appearances here. I don’t suggest watching this while you’re eating.

I don’t really watch Keith Olbermann because I don’t generally care to listen to pundits talk about politics, even when we’re generally on the same side. I like my political news with a dash of balance (and no, not “fair and balanced” a la Fox News). But I came across this video and thought he really nailed it.

For those who don’t know, there is a proposition on the ballot in California that seeks to amend the state constitution to make gay marriage illegal. I don’t even want to get into this right now because I get too worked up. The proponents of Prop 8 are spinning it as being about education, and trying to convince people this is the only way to keep their kids from being brainwashed in school that it’s good to be gay. They are dumping millions of dollars into airing their misleading ads, and Prop 8 is in danger of passing. I’ve donated to the No On Prop 8 campaign. They still need money, so please give them some ASAP. Even a small amount can help.

No On Prop 8

Have no fear, John McCain is going to fix the economy, everyone! We are in good hands.

John McCain is going to put aside his campaign (and he wants to postpone tomorrow’s debate) to roll up his sleeves and work on the economy. John McCain who:

• Said “The issue of economics is something that I’ve really never understood as well as I should.” (Boston Globe, 12/18/07)
• Had as his chief economic guru Phil Gramm, who played a crucial role in causing the current mortgage crisis.

John McCain wants to put aside politics and get back to work.

Back to work is right. McCain hasn’t voted* in Congress since April 8th, 2008. As of May 12th he had already missed 99 votes this year. I’m too lazy to count how many since, but the total should be in the neighborhood of 180. McCain hasn’t sponsored a bill since April 17th, 2008. He has co-sponsored a number of them, but didn’t show up to vote for them! So that’s what Sarah Palin meant when she said our “Do-Nothing Senate“!

I’m sure the American people will sleep better at night knowing that you’re on the case, Johnny boy!

*(excludes possible “voice votes”)