Author: Brian Hopkins

For Immediate Release

DEMRadio Progressive Talk Coming to the Blogosphere

DEMBloggers.com and The Revolution To Air New Talk Radio Online and Over the Air

(ASHEVILLE, NC — Oct. 19, 2005) — DEMBloggers.com, one of the most influential progressive blogs in America, announced today that it is partnering with The Revolution 880AM radio to launch progressive talk show, “DEMRadio.” The program will launch at DEMBloggers.com on November 19th, with a launch date on The Revolution 880AM to be determined. DEMRadio features lively and dynamic political conversation led by three co-hosts, Brian Hopkins, Gordon Smith, and John Fletcher. Topics will touch on affairs at the national, state, and local levels with the three friends and progressives using the platform to represent the Democratic Party as they envision it.

“The voice of the online movement continues to grow louder and we are thrilled to break new ground in bringing blogging sensibility to the airwaves,” said co-host and co-producer Brian Hopkins. “Progressive talk is one of the fastest growing new segments of talk and we are ready to lead the call for change on the air, over the radio, and anywhere people will listen.” New DEMRadio broadcasts will be available in podcast and Mp3 format every Saturday. The Revolution 880AM will air the show live on 880AM every Saturday from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. EST.

Contact: Brian Hopkins

You can read the full press release here.

Cross posted at DEMBloggers.com

I had the honor to conduct a Q&A interview with candidate Steve Young who is running for the House of Representatives. I would again like to thank Steve for this opportunity and I want to wish him the best of luck. Now let’s get right to the interview. (Questions are in bold followed by the answers.)

Let me ask you what made you decide to go into politics and run for the House of Representatives?  Also, why did you pick this as your first race?

I enjoy working as a jury attorney for the people, so I had not considered running for office until this special election. I am deeply concerned that unless something is done to curb the loss of our middle class jobs, my children and grandchildren will have no future. My father taught me, “Until you stop talking and start doing, nothing happens.” There was no one standing up for the middle class and our future…so I felt I had to run.

More below the fold…

You have stated that education should be a major priority in this country. We have seen our country fall behind the rest of the world when it comes to education. Do you think that No Child Left Behind is the answer and if not what do you suggest is an appropriate start?

The Bush Administration failed to provide the resources to make the “No Child Left Behind” program a reality and it is really only an “Empty School” program that Bush has given America. The real educational problem in this country is, “why are we not educating enough American scientists, engineers, mathematicians, and researchers?” We must inspire and educate America’s children in these fields to create the innovation and ingenuity that will serve as the job base for the future.

When I am elected, I will propose legislation I call “Leave No Innovator Behind.” But unlike the Bush program, my program will earmark specific grants for those people who decide to study science and technology.

Nations around the world, particularly Asia, are graduating engineers at a far faster rate than we are. We must reverse this trend with a renewed emphasis and borrow the enthusiasm and determination we used to succeed in the “race to the moon.”

I personally believe that Stem Cell Research holds a great potential for this country. But lack of education as well as resistance from the current administration is causing us to fall behind the rest of the world. What are your thoughts on stem cell research and if elected would you vote to overturn the current administrations rules on the research?

I agree that Stem Cell research holds hope for millions of people around the world. We must pursue research and development in this field in order to develop the medical miracles of the future. An increased focus on stem cell research will bring relief to millions of current and future Americans suffering from incurable disease and disabilities, but will also create new, good-paying jobs for Americans in the biotechnology industries.

We have seen during the recent devastation in New Orleans the rift between classes in this country.

We hear calls to reduce funding for health care programs for the poor and the elderly.  We hear opposition to rebuilding our storm-ravaged cities. We hear Barbara Bush complaining that evacuees from New Orleans are much better off living on cots in a sports arena than they were before Katrina. Clearly, there are far greater issues at stake than just rebuilding the Gulf Coast.

I recently visited New Orleans to deliver needed supplies and see for myself the destruction and devastation. The news coverage could not prepare me for what I saw. During the trip I went to a relief shelter and entered without any of the supplies I was delivering. The homeless welcomed me as if I just arrived at a family reunion. I saw tears when they learned we were delivering aid. The middle class of this country, the real people, have shown an outpouring of compassion for their brothers and sisters in the Gulf Coast while the federal government has sought to demonize those requesting federal money for aid or rebuilding. Michael Brown, formerly the head of FEMA, has even gone so far as to blame his failures on Louisiana and local authorities

“One country, indivisible” is our pledge, yet there is a growing minority that would divide us — creating a “two America” system: one for the `haves’ and one for the `have-nots.’ This is not the America I envision.

Do you support affordable universal health care?

I support healthcare for every person in this country.

Do you support an increase in minimum wage?

No American working forty hours a week should live below the poverty level.

If elected, what would you do to shrink the gap between the poor in this country and the rich in this country?

You can read the rest of the interview here.

Cross Posted At DEMbloggers

The Constitution reads:

Senator Specter has stated that he has been working for this day for a number of months and he is prepared to take his task seriously.  But, as the past proves Specter must take his time with this confirmation hearing.  This is our right under Section 2 Clause 2 of the Constitution.  In the past the Senate has taken its time and done a brilliant job.  But, there have been instances when the Senate has tried to rush a nomination.  I have provided a table below that shows the nomination to confirmation of the past 8 Justices.

*On 7/1 President Reagan nominated Bork to the Supreme Court.  Due to opposition, Reagan withdrew Bork from consideration and then nominated Kennedy.

Some have said that Specter may be pressured by the Administration and Senate Leadership to push up his schedule to confirm a Justice.  This would not only cause turmoil it would also be an injustice to the American people.  We have to watch this very carefully to make sure Sen. Specter does take his time.  He has a responsibility to the American people.  A responsibility that is much more important than his responsibility to the President.

A potential time line for this nomination should be something around this:

Nomination – July 11th

Hearing Begins – September 12th

Confirmation – October 3rd

This time line follows the time lines of previous nomination.  We just have to be sure that Specter does not rush this nomination.  Just think what this court would be like if the Bork nomination had been rushed!

Cross posted at DEMbloggers.

In 1932 legendary Justice Oliver Wendell Homes announced his retirement from the court, leaving it to President Hoover to name a new justice.  In taking his job seriously he went to the Senate and asked for their advice in choosing this new justice.  The President presented the Senate with a list of names that included some of the best legal minds of his era.  At the bottom of the list was the name of a New York Supreme Court Chief Justice.  That name was Benjamin Nathan Cardozo.  The Senate asked that President Hoover move Cardozo’s name up on the list, and at their request the President did so.  For those who may not know of Cardozo let me fill you in.

Benjamin Cardozo came from one of the older Jewish families of New York.  His father served on the New York Supreme Court until 1872 when he resigned.  Cardozo went into law and would later become the Chief Justice of the New York Supreme Court.

Cardozo in 1928 came out in support of Hoover’s opponent in the Presidential race.  Cardozo supported Al Smith but, he did so due to his Jewish background.  Cardozo wrote in a letter to a cousin the following:

Even though Cardozo did not support Hoover for presidency it was still Hoover who nominated Cardozo to the Supreme Court.  Hoover drew fire from both sides for this nomination.  Scholars, Senators, and other justices advised the president to nominate Cardozo; while the other side stated there was already a Jewish voice on the court and another was not needed.  The President went against many in his party and went ahead and nominated Cardozo.  

Cardozo went on to receive unanimous support from the senate and served on the court for over 6 years.  Cardozo was a major reason the “New Deal” was upheld by the court when he went against many conservative justices who were trying to state that it was unconstitutional.  Cardozo favored government intervention in order to control the economy.

Cardozo has been spoken highly of throughout history, many even calling him the greatest legal mind of the early twentieth century.  Some have said things such as the following regarding Cardozo:

In my opinion, this is true meaning of advice and consent.  Hoover nominated an individual that did not agree with him politically.  He did so at the request of the senate and that nomination went on to receive a unanimous vote.  

My only hope is this President will follow in the footsteps of his predecessors.  But, we all know that will probably not happen.

I would first like to introduce myself I am Brian Hopkins, while being a regular visitor here at BooMan, I am also a regular contributor at UnitedLeft.  Due to the ongoing political strife, with Mark Williams of UnitedLeft, we have formed a new site.  I would like to introduce to the community here at BooMan Tribune DEMBloggers.

First off let me say we are an unaffiliated site.  DEMBloggers is currently a scoop site just like BooMan and DailyKos.  While you will see some similarities you will also find some changes.  Most notably we will be offering videos daily.

Also, we are not competeing with any other blog.  We at DEMBloggers feel there is no way to compete with what is already out there, we are just adding to the already formed community.  

Other changes you will notice is that while we only have two main contributors over at DB we will be promoting individuals to the front page that contribute via diaries.  Also check out our Activism link, this is a one stop for your state and federal government websites.  

So come on over and sign up.  Become a part of this brand new community.