the whole story here : http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20110518/ap_on_...

that was supposed to take place in this session of Congress ?




http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/na...


I thought we (Democrats) were going to put a stop to this kind of crap.

While most Americans celebrated the repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,” Bill James, a County Commissioner in Mecklenburg, North Carolina, used it as an opportunity to bash LGBT people.

“Homosexuals are sexual predators,” James wrote. “Allowing homosexuals to serve in the U.S. military with the endorsement of the Mecklenburg County Commission ignores a host of serious problems related to maintaining U.S. military readiness and effectiveness, not the least of which is the current Democrat plan to allow homosexuals (male and female) to share showers with those they are attracted to.”

It’s not the first time Commissioner James has used his spot on the County Board to promote anti-gay bigotry. During debate over a domestic partnership bill, Commissioner James called homosexuality a “crime against nature” that should be prosecuted by police.

And last year, Commissioner James turned to a colleague whose son died from complications from AIDS, and called the son “a homo.” He then compared homosexuality to alcoholism, and argued that all gay people bring AIDS on themselves.

We can’t let this kind of hate speech by public officials go unanswered – and we have a chance in the next few days to do something about it.

Right now, the rest of the county commission is publicly debating whether to censure James. Condemnation by the commission would send a strong signal that bigotry by elected officers holds no place in our society.

Thousands of people from Mecklenburg and around the country already speaking out. Join them by signing the petition to the Mecklenburg County Board and tell them to censure James for his anti-gay attacks:

http://www.change.org/petitions/view/tell_...

Thanks for taking action,

The Change.org team

I know, I know, there will never be enough votes (67) to make it happen, but just think of the spectacle and the public awareness that it would bring.
The average voter has no idea what the Citizens United ruling did/is doing to our democracy. The msm certainly haven't gone out of their way to sound the clarion horn about this travesty. The American people are more than willing to believe that the Democrats lost the House because of Democratic policies...they haven't a clue that they were manipulated and lied to by the very entities that mean them ill.

I wonder is there a politician or a movement that's willing to provide a REAL teachable moment to the American people about the destruction of this Country and it's people.

Roberts and Alito blatantly lied during their conformation hearings. Somebody, somewhere has got to have the nerve and patriotism to step forward and help save what's left of this democracy.

Happy New Year !

Source: L.A Times

Congress opened an investigation Tuesday into Anthem Blue Cross' rate increases in California as President Obama cited the company's premium hikes -- some as high as 39% -- in his bid to pass national healthcare legislation.

The House Committee on Energy and Commerce and its Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations announced they are examining the increases, which are set to take effect March 1. Anthem is the state's largest for-profit insurer and a unit of Indianapolis health insurance giant Wellpoint Inc.

Committee Chairman Rep. Henry Waxman (D-Beverly Hills) and subcommittee Chairman Rep. Bart Stupak (D-Mich) asked WellPoint's chief executive, Angela F. Braly, to appear at a Feb. 24 hearing of the subcommittee in Washington. They requested that she provide a detailed explanation of the reasons for the rate increases, which have enraged policyholders.

A WellPoint spokeswoman said the company is reviewing the request. Anthem has defended its increases as necesssary to meet growing healthcare costs.



Read more: http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-anth...

But thanks to njmaverick--who alerted me to this forum--I have found a way to stay.

Having been around here for the past 8 or so years I've seen and participated in just about every major battle there's been...and they've been many, but I NEVER considered leaving, until the last few months.

When I first ran across this site in Feb 01, I, like many was disgusted & dumbfounded by what had just happened the previous December when the SCOTUS pulled a coup on the country. I was personally blind w/ rage and seriously ready to get out of this place.(USA)Even After spending my whole life fighting--both literally and figuratively-- to make my country live up to it's promises and supposed ideals, I was rethinking all my personal convictions and past participation that I thought would make a difference.

The civil rights movement was my entree, Vietnam became the largest conflict of conscience I'd ever experienced in my young life, The peace movement after my service, human,equal,womens rights all became a part of my core fiber. The Dec 2000 coup shook me as not much else had before.

Then came DU...

I found comfort in a community of about 2,500 anonymous people that shared my anger and anxiety. We argued passionately over causes and solutions. We fought bitterly over war and policy. We laughed in the "lounge" and traded barbs that sometimes stung but were kept in perspective. ( Yes, there were tombstones, but there was also redemption)

There were "get together" where we actually begin to meet & party with other local DU'ers. There were friendship developed around the country that last to this day. There was calls to action that were answered across the country. Ideas were floated to advance our progressive cause that came to fruition.

We grew...and grew.

We marveled at the rate of growth. We celebrated each milestone. 5,000, 10,000, 25,000....where would it end. We were mentioned in most MSM often (mostly unfavorably. LOL )

We shared and implemented strategies designed to help right Americas ship. We winced in pain when we lost in 02 & 04.

And yet we grew

Finally, Nov 06 things took a turn. All the hard work and sharing of ideas began to pay off. We had grown to over 100,000 registered posters. Fresh faces, new blood.

But then something happened.

We finally took back 2/3's of our government,saw the historical assent of the first woman to House leadership. We shocked the world ! and took back control of the US Senate. The only thing left to create sheer nirvana was elect a Democrat to the White House in 08.The beaten has arisen from the ashes and had set sail for a new day.

Things would have been perfect if only that damned Pelosi would stop covering for Bush/Cheney and put impeachment on the table. That stupid Harry Reid was nothing more than a washed up fighter who might secretly be a Republican. So, surely, if we get ourselves a good Democratic President, he or she would straightened all of them out.

Yippie !

We not only got our Dem Prez, we got a historical black man that made most all Americans feel very good about themselves and our country.

And then the trouble started in earnest.

I saw a kid in the market not long ago screaming as if he were being killed. Mom wasn't moving fast enough to please him. She mostly ignored him, but I told him he needed to shut up. Yes I did ! And that's what I've been feeling like here at DU lately.

DU has had to create a forum to permit those of us who want to see our country turn away from evil and progress in a direction guided by democratic principals and shared responsibility. It's almost laughable that DU is now being used by the MSM and others to try to kill the Obama presidency in it's infancy. The dog has finally caught the car and doesn't know what to do with it or maybe he can't explain why he was chasing it in the first place...

How sad...how fucked up.

Thanks Skinner,Earl& Elad. I would have missed this place.

on edit: Silly me, I didn't realize this forum had been around for 3 years, albeit that it was created for a different purpose.

I didn't like that weasle in 2000, but for the greater good I worked and gave money anyway.

I wonder if Al even speaks to him these days...

Has anyone heard anything about this ?

We're not so good at knowing when to say when, but maybe it's time we learned.
By Barry Goldman

November 29, 2009
Los Angeles Times






http://www.latimes.com/news/opinion/commen...


Kinda puts the Thanksgiving holiday to bed......

but I love to give surprises. LOL

Actually, very few people take the chance of fucking w/ a large black man in a Viet Vet cap.

http://mediamatters.org/items/200812120015...

Long article, but well worth the read, especially for those that were not around back in the 90's ( age wise or politically aware)

Sorry if this has already been posted, but like I said, " it's well worth the read."

that the 50 State strategy is/was a winner ? I don't expect them to ever admit that Howard Dean was right all along ( including in 04 )?

I doubt it, but I hope some MSM journalist will mention this in their post mortem of this election.

http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/na...



Hmmmmm. There's going to be hell to pay by this time next year.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/opinion/main.jh...


This story seems to be at great odds of this viewpoint.
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discu...