Open Thread

14 Comments

1. 

   eastcoastmoderate on October 5, 2006 at 1:14 pm

   Go Yankees!!!!

2. 

   Books Alive on October 5, 2006 at 1:23 pm

   on all counts!

   Since I’m not following baseball, I can surf between the cable channels. Chip Reid just told Tweety that Hastert has cancelled all his fundraisers for the next 30 days!

   John Laesch’s interview on Hardball was well done except for the unfortunate interruptions that Chris manages with aplomb. Gotta love the “page 186” quote from Hastert’s book, that he “never forgets anything!”

   The donation level went up significantly for Laesch since yesterday…has Patrick Murphy seen a gain, too?

3. 

   hass on October 5, 2006 at 1:26 pm

   Rhetoric of War: First Iraq, then Iran?
   By Cyrus Safdari
   http://www.geocities.com/csafdari

   With the passing of the third anniversary of the United States-led invasion of Iraq, and with no end in sight to the resultant daily carnage and anarchy there, the drumbeat for a new war is becoming audible, this time against Iran. Ironically, the case put forth by the Bush administration and its neoconservative coterie for an attack on Iran has striking rhetorical parallels to the now totally discredited case for attacking Iraq, employing a series of identifiable logical fallacies and rhetorical tricks that are ultimately intended to create a narrative which legitimizes a so-called “pre-emptive” use of force against the Islamic Republic.

4. 

   Jeff Huber on October 5, 2006 at 1:34 pm

   Thanks for the ball game reminder.  

5. 

   ejmw on October 5, 2006 at 1:35 pm

   I can’t watch the game on TV, but I see that A-Rod just struck out with 2 outs and the bases juiced.  I can only imagine the boos from the Yankee faithful!

   • 

     Omir the Storyteller on October 5, 2006 at 2:30 pm

     He’s been good at that ever since he was a Mariner, I’m afraid. A recent article about him since he left Seattle said something like “Alex Rodriguez is Mr. May when what the Yankees really need is another Mr. October.”

     Personally I hope the Tigers take the Yankees apart, but that’s just me, I suppose. My daughter likes the Tigers, and after so many years of sucking it would be nice to see them take some big games. (Plus I have a soft spot in my heart for Carlos Guillen, another ex-Mariner who made it big once he left Seattle. There seem to be a lot of those around.)

     • 

       ejmw on October 5, 2006 at 2:33 pm

       I’m rooting for the Tigers too.  They’re my second favorite team behind the Braves, largely due to geographical reasons.

6. 

   dada on October 5, 2006 at 1:54 pm

   Bill Moyers PBS Report “Capitol Crimes” now available HERE. Requires Real Player or Windows Media…worth watching.

7. 

   Cake or Death on October 5, 2006 at 2:46 pm

   Just got back from the dentist’s office. Woke up with abcessed tooth. argh. Was talking to the assistant about life in general and insurance came up. She says that about half of the staff doesn’t have insurance, her included. Someone tell me how this is possible. (i know how just rhetorical)

   Although i must also say that’s an office full of democrats. 😉 Thought I would inform some of the masses…looks like they are already! what a nice surprise. 😉

   • 

     Steven D on October 5, 2006 at 3:13 pm

     Sorry about the tooth.

     • 

       Cake or Death on October 5, 2006 at 3:35 pm

       Heh me too. Thanks for the thought though. 😉 Anti-biotics and Vicodin here I come!

8. 

   jimstaro on October 5, 2006 at 5:38 pm

   Ava, ‘Peace Takes Courage’.

   

   Many teenagers turning 16 years old throw big “Sweet 16” parties. MTV has even created a TV program about the phenomenon of lavish parties. I want my 16th birthday to be different and make a difference rather than being just another “Sweet 16” party. That’s why I’m throwing “Sixteen Candles for Soldiers.” It’s an event that is meant to honor and respect our troops by showing our support for them. We plan to demand they get the benefits they deserve and that they be brought home from this war we were lead into by liars. Every day brave Americans are dying as a result of this Administration’s actions. It’s up to us to demand the truth and accountability. Join me on October 21, 2006 at the State Capitol Steps in Montgomery, Alabama, and we’ll show the Bush Administration what real support for our troops looks like.

   We will protest and have a candle light vigil in honor of the fallen. There will be live music and speakers at “Sixteen Candles for Soldiers,” so bring a friend or a whole crowd. If you are a musician or speaker who is interested in being part of Sixteen Candles for Solders please contact us. For more details on the event click here

   

9. 

   jimstaro on October 5, 2006 at 6:16 pm

   THE SCHOOL OF THE AMERICAS

   1000 Grandmothers

   November 17-19, 2006

   Greetings Grandmothers and Grandmother-Supporters!

   The campaign to get 1,000 grandmothers to the gates of the “School of the Assassins” is building momentum! The image of sweet little old ladies taking a stand against the training of Latin American combat soldiers resonates with people. We have even gotten an email from a grandmother as far away as Pakistan sending her support for this action!

   As the time until the mobilization grows short, we need for this action to quickly become a widespread grassroots effort (as opposed to an action organized by three women in northern California). We need your help in spreading the word to get more people involved in this work. Please consider forwarding this email to your friends and allies, and on any organizational listserve or in newsletters.

   Our Strategy

   Our strategy for closing the School of the Americas can be briefly described as follows:

   The image of 1,000 grandmothers at the gates of the SOA is NEWSWORTHY. With media attention and a clear message (Grandma Says “Close the School of the Americas”), we can educate people around the country about what is happening inside the walls of the SOA.
   As the average American becomes more educated, they can be mobilized to pressure their Congressional representatives to support bills, such as HR 1217, that will permanently close the SOA.

   The success of this action depends on two components – (1) Being newsworthy, and (2) Contacting the Media.

   Being Newsworthy – As we plan this action, photo-ops have been considered all along the way. And, we continue to think creatively about possible media opportunities (and we welcome all ideas). Some media-friendly activities being planned include wearing white kerchiefs on our heads in solidarity with Madras de Plaza de Mayo in Argentina, an “Afternoon Tea Party”, a.k.a. strategizing meeting in Fort Benning, and gathering and sending Booties for Peace to all members of Congress in the spirit of “Surplus Food for China” Campaign in the 1950s.

   Another component of being newsworthy is if we have nationwide vigils of grandmothers and non-grandmothers to stand in solidarity with the grannies in Fort Benning, GA. If you are willing to organize and publicize a local vigil for November 19th, please send an email to Sue at 1000 Grandmothers and it will be posted on the website.

   Media Work – If a tree falls in the forest… If 1,000 grandmothers gather at the gates of the SOA and there is no media, does it really make any difference? We must ALL work to contact the media in our local communities in order to make them aware of our gathering. We hope to have a media toolkit on the website VERY soon! Please consider contacting the media before you come to GA or while planning your local solidarity vigil.

   Local Contacts Needed – Contact people for local affinity groups are needed for most states and major cities, as well as contacts for people willing to organize local vigils. The rationale for having local contacts is so that interested/curious grandmothers and non-grandmothers can plug in locally.

   Supporters/ Endorsements
   If your organization would like to be listed as a supporter of this work, send an email to Cathy at A Thousand Grandmothers. A link to our website from your organization’s website is also an easy way to spread the word.

   Please note that we are not encouraging anyone to risk arrest. We do, however, recognize that personal choice and conviction may lead some grandmothers to “cross the line”. Please be aware that if you are arrested, the chance of imprisonment is likely and we will post legal information on our website soon. Regardless of your expression of disgust with the SOA, your soulforce and presence is still critically needed. We hope you will consider joining us this November in Fort Benning, GA or in solidarity in your own community!

   Paz,

   The 1,000 Grandmothers Team

   Chico, CA

   1000 Grand Mothers

10. 

    Cali Scribe on October 5, 2006 at 8:54 pm

    Was stuck in class from 10-noon so missed any/all excitement…guess I’ll catch Keith’s report on Countdown in a bit…(love the DVR)