February 2008 archive

Feb 02 2008

Gilda Reed LIVE on BlogTalkRadio TODAY at 1PM Eastern

The other night, I posted a diary about a series of interviews  that thereisnospoon and I will be doing on our BlogTalkRadio show with various Democratic Congressional candidates.

Not only do I think this is a great opportunity to hear these candidates in their own words talking about their district, their campaign and the issues they hold dear, but also to keep some focus on Congress, because without more progressives in Congress who are willing to stand up and fight for the ideals that we discuss here daily, it really won’t matter if Clinton, Obama, Romney or McCain is in the White House because a progressive agenda would not even begin to be seriously discussed, nor would a right wing agenda be able to be thwarted.

Feb 02 2008

Pony Party: Zoo

It was a slightly chilly day for the Zoo, and the warm weather animals were inside playing poker and drinking coffee. But nobody was there except a few older people walking for fresh air so it felt a little bit like my zoo. I have a membership and while the Memphis Zoo isn’t likely to be featured on Animal Planet for brilliance and innovation any time soon, it is one of my hideaways.

Feb 02 2008

Docudharma Times Saturday February 2

This is an Open Thread: Daddies Gone To California

Saturday’s Headlines:Kennedy Revels in Limelight as He Stumps for Obama: Debate Grows on Pause in Troop Cuts: Lone Star convicted of stock fraud in South Korea: Lawlessness grips Kenyan countryside: Saving Anne Frank’s chestnut: tree of hope or diseased threat?: Rock the Kasbah

China arrests leading rights activist

Chinese state security forces have arrested one of the country’s most prominent civil rights activists in an apparent crackdown on dissent ahead of the Olympics.

Hu Jia – who used blogs, webcasts and video to expose human rights abuses – is expected to face charges of inciting subversion of state power, his lawyers said today.

His formal arrest comes after he was seized by police from an apartment in east Beijing on December 27. In the month since, his wife, Zeng Jinyan, and their two-month-old daughter have been prevented from leaving their home or contacting outsiders.

Feb 02 2008

eh

Feb 02 2008

Clinton and Obama on Native American Issues

Cross-posted from the Daily Kos.

(my original post at Kos needed a huge update because I inadvertently left out a big chunk of Obama’s proposals. This is the updated essay)

Even though I have a very strong personal opinion based on my position as an anti-war voter, I want to present both Obama’s and Clinton’s policy proposals on Native American issues.  

I believe that Amnesty International did a lot through its report, United States of America: Maze of Injustice: The failure to protect indigenous women from violence, and follow-up work with State and National legislators to give these issues more national attention.

So, whomever you support right now, all of this is great news. Below I have blockquoted each set of proposals from the Clinton and Obama campaigns. They are long, but I wanted to give you the complete statements.

 

Feb 02 2008

Sacrifice

underneath the bridge

summoned by dark forces

came a wayward minstrel

riding two white horses

upon the light of Saffaron

she twisted so sanguine

offered up this chalice

called it muddy wine

floated over shoulder stiff

and sat just behind

a burial dirge dethroned

the giant dandelions

in azure feathers and solemn steps

a following did appear

from grain and milk and coyote thoughts

from rain and silk and feeding troughs

a village on the move

chants in their own tongue

unwitnessed ‘cept traditions

in forested tunnel halls

anchors and ropes and finest spice

flippers and snouts and talon’s claw

centers on sacrifice

in order to sacrifice you must first care

Feb 02 2008

Japan Comes Out At Night

TV Timer: Everyone wins with Asashoryu’s loss to Hakuho in grand finale

01/30/2008

It was billed as the “baby face” versus the “heel,” a clash of the titans, and the yokozuna showdown. At the end of the New Year Grand Sumo Tournament in Tokyo on Sunday, Hakuho stood triumphant over Asashoryu.

But, according to TV wide shows, everyone emerged victorious.

Former sumo wrestlers, spectators and commentators agreed that the 47-second bout was one of the most memorable in the sport’s history.

“I haven’t seen such an exciting bout for a long time,” one viewer said.

Many on the street told reporters they were relieved to see Hakuho, a 22-year-old Mongolian, defeat compatriot Asashoryu. Hakuho, they said, deserved the win because he shored up the sumo world while Asashoryu was barred from two tournaments for skipping a regional tour citing injuries, only to be seen later playing soccer in Mongolia.

Feb 02 2008

Burmese Blogger Arrested

Burma hasn’t been much in the news, lately, but things have not gotten any better. Essentially, the violent crackdown on dissidents succeeded. Months ago. And it continues.

This is a seemingly small story, but one of which every political blogger should take notice. From the Associated Press:

Myanmar’s junta has stepped up surveillance of the Internet, arresting one blogger who wrote about the stifling of free expression in the military-ruled nation, a media advocacy group said.

The blogger, Nay Myo Latt, was taken into custody in Yangon on Wednesday after writing about the suppression of freedoms following last fall’s crushing of pro-democracy demonstrations, Reporters Without Borders said.

Despite international condemnation and pressure following the demonstrations, there is little evidence that the junta is easing its repressive rule or moving closer to reconciliation with pro-democracy forces led by Suu Kyi.

The arrested blogger, a member of Aung San Suu Kyi’s National League for Democracy, owns three Internet cafes, Paris-based Reporters Without Borders said in a release seen Thursday.

Feb 02 2008

I have absolutely nothing to say…

What is the point?

To write is to imply that there is at least one reader interested enough or bored enough to give two-shits about what I have to write.  By posting this, am I assuming too much and too little; or not enough, or way too much?  I have no idea…

If Bill Maher had writers, and I had Cheetos to eat, this wouldn’t be happening.  

Feb 02 2008

Funkalicious Friday: Not

Feb 02 2008

Internalized homophobia without the fancy words

I’ve never forgiven myself for being gay.

That’s not too surprising.  I’ve never been able to forgive myself for much of anything.    

Feb 02 2008

Looking for a New Party: The Libertarian Party.

I’m a Kucinich supporter, and I am fed up with the corporatized Democratic Party (c’mon now…who isn’t really?). As such, I’m looking at other parties other than the big two (Repugs? The party of Reagan, Bush, Bush, Cheney, etc.? No way.). In the first of three postings of this series, I’ve asked if Leftists and Progressives need a new party. I then looked at the Green Party and found them not too far from where I stand. The third posting was a look at the Contstitution Party, which has some interesting ideas but had at least one deal breaker.

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