The nuns let us know "something"had happened but said our parents should tell us.People seemed sad but we didn't really notice.We were looking forward to the holidays and excited to be out early. My mother was very grave and we watched TV together.I remember my father calling his brother in California and they talked about "Jack" their friend from school. Jack was a particular friend of my Uncle.It was a big deal for my Dad to call "long distance". I didn't know "Jack" was President Kennedy till many years later.We then went and said a rosary.We were a Catholic family.My mother thought is was significant that the President was Catholic. The big question was who did it, and will they catch him? We went to Mass to pray for him but I am not sure when.Perhaps the next day. But I remember being glued to the TV set for days! I remember watching Oswald be shot, and the shock of it.It is all still so very sad.

For days now posters have been not only defending the Stupac Amendment but mocking and vilifying anyone who does not agree with them. They have attacked valuable constituencies such as NOW, Planned Parenthood and Naral. They have implied that Rep.Diana Degrette and the Pro-Choice caucus as well as Sen. McCaskill don't know how to properly read a amendment.They say Rachel Maddow is "spinning" the news.

Why is there such contempt for one of our loyalist support groups? And why should any Democrats be defending Stupak with such ferocity? I do not understand it.

The argument seems to be that some insist Stupak does "nothing".To believe that I would have to believe either that all the Pro-Choice groups and the Pro-Choice Caucus as well as Sen. McCaskill and Rachel Maddow all are either illiterate or creating an issue where there is none. I would also have to "believe " that Rep. Stupak deliberately conceived of a amendment that did "nothing" and he was so insistent that this amendment that did nothing be included in the House HCR that he held HCR hostage for its passing. Further more, I would have to believe that the House was committed to argue vociferously and eventually pass and amendment that did "nothing".

Does this make sense to anyone? Anyone at all? And now, even the President has weighed in on this amendment that does "nothing" and said its language is problematic.

Can someone please tell me why good Democrats would conceive of such a stupid idea and then attempt to defend it against all rationale?

enough to vote for. And not once but several times.and in 2008 many of these "new" voters didn't bother to vote down ticket. The meme being perpetuated, even now, with the reaction to the loss of the governorships ,is so what? Only federal races count.

And blaming folks who exercise critical thinking for "causing" new voters to stay home is beyond absurd. Why the heck doesn't anyone take responsibility for their own actions? Obama campaigned for those governorships. He knew they were important. But the new voters didn't care enough to show up.

I spent all day working on one of those "meaningless local races" yesterday and few of the new Obama Dems were out either voting or working. But the older, committed dems were, and the anger growing in their ranks is significant. The union anger is palpable and anger the folks who will not be getting health care is rising.And to blame these losses on the folks who have worked local elections for years while here on DU the new voters and keyboard warriors are laughing about VA and NJ is just disgusting.

It is time for folks to understand there are a hell of a lot more important things than just the WH. Obviously, one can control both houses and the WH and locally, your lives won't "change" at all.As Tip O'Neill said, "All politics is local".

you do not "know" that any of these folks weren't offered anything. None of these people have squeaky clean intentions. I can admire some of them without expecting them to always be idealists. Richardson was offered a cabinet position before the nomination. That is the way things are done.How do you know Ted and Kerry didn't ask for anything? Were you there? Or is that just your assumption? Ted worked a lot of angles and usually he did it well. Kerry had several irons in the fire as well. These weren't stupid pols, and they never give away influence for nothing.Nor did Biden for that matter.As for Emmanuel, do you really believe the deal making took place after the election? LOL! It is very well known when that deal took place and it was before the nomination. As for your last statement,I am not going to bother qualifying it except to agree that "words are cheap" but not for the reasons you offer.

I don't hold it against any of them for making a deal. It is what they are and how they survive. Folks run into real problems when they start actually beleiving the real modus operendi of politicians is representing the people. it is not. Only when the interests of the people collide with that of the political quest for power do we sometimes get considered.

Wonderful. This is what the Democratic Party is reduced to thanks to Rahm chmpioning these people. But heck, we have the majority. We won, right? Who are these forty and why are they called Democrats? Sorry. I am a "purist" These are not Democrats by any definition.


http://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-roo...


Around 40 Dems line up against federal abortion funding in healthcare bill
By Jordan Fabian - 10/24/09 04:02 PM ET
Approximately 40 House Democrats are prepared to block healthcare reform legislation from coming to the floor should the bill include federal subsidies for abortions, said Rep. Bart Stupak (D-Mich.) Friday.


Stupak, who is conservative on social issues, told CNS News that he has organized the voting bloc to support his amendment that would strip the abortion provisions from the legislation. House Rules Committee chairwoman Louise Slaughter (D-N.Y.), according to Stupak, said that there is "no way" her panel would provide a vote for his amendment.


The group of 40 would join House Republicans in voting against procedural measure that would draft rules for debating the bill on the House floor. Passage of the measure is necessary for the House to hold a floor vote.


"There’s about 40 like-minded Democrats like myself -- we’ll try to take down the rule," Stupak said. “If all 40 of us vote in a bloc against the rule -- because we think the Republicans will join us -- we can defeat the rule. The magic number is 218. If we can have 218 votes against the rule, we win.”

With 177 Republicans in the House, Stupak would need at least 41 Democrats to cross the aisle and vote against the rule. Stupak's amendment was originally defeated by the House Energy and Commerce Committee during mark-up.

Good for the Afl-CIO.There are many things wrong with this bill and they will continue the fight.The unions are unwilling to lie down and take it gleeefully screaming victory over an empty bill that doesn't cover everyone.



http://www.marketwatch.com/story/afl-cio-c...



"It's a bad policy, it's bad politics and it's totally unacceptable to put the cost of health care on the backs of working families," Trumka said, later adding: "It will reduce the amount of health care that people actually get."

A proposal under consideration in the Senate for states to opt out of a public option is not considered "robust," Trumka said


http://thehill.com//homenews/senate/64755-... -


Trumka also said his union does not support establish a national government-run health insurance program that allow states to opt out, which has emerged as a possible comprise in recent weeks.

Asked Monday if he would support the new “opt in/opt out” public option, Trumka said flatly: “No.”

Pictures at link!

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discu...




GOPFighter (1000+ posts) Fri Mar-31-06 12:55 AM
Original message
More pictures - Roses for Helen Thomas
What a thrill it was to meet Helen Thomas today. She was so gracious. She was visbly moved when she walked in the room and saw the roses.

As you know a few days ago DUer Helderheid posted a suggestion that we send roses to Helen Thomas to show our appreciation for her gutsy questioning of the President last week. The suggestion soon became action and dozens of DUers opened their hearts (and wallets/purses), and the money started rolling in. Before she knew it she had enough money to buy 100 dozen roses for Helen Thomas! Be sure to give a standing O to Helderheid - she worked her butt off to make this happen!

The roses were delivered to a conference room near her office. Six volunteers: Rainer, Paula, Malissa (DUer MiniMe), Chris, Neal, and Skip (GOPFighter) spent the afternoon cutting and arrainging them in vases (A big THANK YOU goes to Kristen Collie, Hearst Bureau Manager, who made sure we had everything we needed!).

Rainer has worked in a florist shop and did a great job showing us how to trin, cut and arrainge the flowers.

The highlight of the day came at 6:15 when Kristen led Helen into the conference room filled with roses. Helen couldn't beleive it and she kept saying "Thank You, Thank You" and we kept saying "No, Thank YOU!" Then to our delight, Helen stayed and talked to us for almost an hour (talking to Helen is like talking to another DUer. She knows all the issues we discuss here and feels the same as we do. Her heart goes out to all those who have been killed - it really bothers her. I love that woman!

Here are a few pictures...

Malissa (MiniMe), Rainer, and Paula


Paula, Malissa, GOPFighter


Paula, Rainer


A few of the roses!


Helen Thomas, reading the names of all of you who contributed to buy the flowers
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y17/Trakk... ...

Helen, surrounded by her admirers

Historians will mark the election of George Bush as the begining of the new Democratic majority.

Helen's list of accomplishments as not only a reporter but as the first "woman" to do many things in the male dominated world of journalism is far to lengthly to post.I suggest that those who dismiss her, and do not understand why this woman is considered a "National Treasure" look her up.A link to only a partial biography follows the quote:

"Regarded as the dean of the Washington, D.C., press corps, reporter Helen Thomas (born 1920) has served as White House bureau chief for United Press International (UPI) since 1974.

To those who regularly watch presidential press conferences, Helen Thomas is a familiar figure. Usually dressed in red (a tradition dating back to the administration of Ronald Reagan) and always seated in the front row, she is invariably the first or second reporter the president calls upon. It is an honor she has earned by virtue of her long and distinguished career in Washington, and it is one she relishes. Besides, it affords her the perfect opportunity to do what she does best-bluntly challenge the president (and other public officials) to tell the plain, unvarnished truth. "We (reporters) are not there to curry presidential favor, nor can we respond to efforts at presidential intimidation," she asserted in her memoir, Dateline: White House. "Our priority is the peoples' right to know-without fear or favor. We are the peoples' servants."

http://www.answers.com/topic/helen-thomas

http://www.aeispeakers.com/Thomas-Helen.ht...

and the teachers union are being targeted. Insurance companies and Big Pharma are being rewarded at the expense of the people. Banks and Corporations are bailed out while the citizens suffer. Newt Gingrich is touring the nation with our Sec.of Ed promoting charter schools and funding is restored to abstinence education, while in many states reproductive rights are being watered down. Meanwhile our democratic controlled Senate seriously considers a Public Option that would exclude millions of Americans from public option choice while requiring them to pay for mandated insurance.And GLBT citizens who dare demand their civil rights are considered part of the 10% of the Democratic Party whose views don't matter. I do not consider this either progress or "progressive". Neither should it be considered"reform ". If it is I am scared for us.
When we start proposing heath care for ALL and civil rights for ALL , only then will we earn the right to call it "Progress" or "Reform"

He said "we do not consider ourselves a Christian nation or a Jewish nation or a Muslim nation; we consider ourselves a nation of citizens who are bound by ideals and a set of values."

And now , everyone from the Tallahassee Cheerleaders to various groups is Florida have decided to attack him for it months after he said it. These idiots, yes, idiots are folks who refuse to even admit the principle of separation of church and state exists. They refuse to even make a cursory study of "real " history.They know nothing about the Deists and the Jefferson Bible.
This isn't even about religion, it is about "control" and it is going to get worse. This election did not suppress these folks. They are back and with a vengeance.

The same people are behind the anti- Gay Marriage initiatives and the Pro-Life Anti-Birth control movements. They support guns in our schools.The worst part is that many on our side do not see them as a threat. Some of our folks even think that some of their arguments have "merit". We must be vigilant.This is a power grab and they are massing.


Many of us have our differences , but we must all work together to make sure these zealots do not "take the country back", and we mus fight the enemy, for that is what they are anywhere they are to be found. We must speak out against the tyranny they would inflict upon us all.

to find I have developed another condition requiring an expensive drug.We are already paying over $1000 a month for insurance yet I still have to pay hundreds a month on scripts, though I have a prescription coverage!
I asked my doc, who did give me samples, but won't for long and she said, Pharma is doing a good job and she thought there might be coupons!

Well, there aren't and there is no generic either.It may be I will just have to allow the condition to develop because I am not eligible for anything. We are living off our savings as both of us are now unemployed but it is income to the government so until we lose our house and every cent we have, I will not receive any help.I am not eligible for Medicare.

Big Pharma is a large part of this picture and it isn't even being whispered about!
I told the doc "What good does it do for you to prescribe preventive meds if I can't afford to buy it"?
I say the same about the HCR. What good does it do if you can't implement any of the solutions because big Pharma is holding everyone hostage?

She was in attendance and while she did divorce Ted, she was the spouse that stood by his side through all he early political career, two assassinations, the plane accident, countless miscarriages, a child with cancer, and the birth of his only children. She stood by his side during both Chappaquiddick and the presidential campaigns. She is a champion of the causes of the disabled and mentally handicapped.

Ted and Joan were married for 24 years and it would have been nice to see her given some credit.
Vicki deserves credit for the later years of his life but to Joan would certainly go the credit for the beginning and the middle.

Joan and Ethel as well as Jean Kennedy are the last survivors of the Camelot era, and Joan and Ethel are the last of the kennedy wives of camelot.

Huffington Post (Sophia A Nelson) has a wonderful article on this subject. Link below. Someone should have said "thank you".

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/sophia-a-nel...

I am a proud Kennedy Democrat, and am sad to see his like will come no more.

My family has deeply interwoven ties to the original Kennedy brothers and the passing of Teddy reinforces that the era of the real liberal with class is over.I feel a personal loss. It is as if my Dad has died all over again.Ted reminded me so much of him.They looked alike and thought alike as only New England Irish preppy Catholics can.I feel that a touchstone has gone.

It was only last week I sent condolences to the family of my Dad's classmate Sarge Shriver on the death of his wife, and now, another loss.

It is odd, but in the way of a small child who can't find their parent, I feel no longer "safe". Ted was a "safe harbor" and as long as he occupied his seat in the Senate one had the feeling their was still hope. He provided a Safe Harbor for all Democrats,and this nation.A cold wind has blown across the nation and left us bereft. But to paraphrase the words of George M Cohan, dear Ted, "My mother thanks you, my father thanks you, and a grateful nation thanks you".You now belong to the ages.
Patrick Ted, Kara, Vickie and Joan, My very deepest condolences.

and the passage of Prop 8 says to me. The RW are as hard at work as usual and the election did nothing except stir them up further. They feel no obligation to exercise bipartisanship or conciliation to the left after losing. The problem is , we do not demand they respect what are supposed to be the Democratic positions.
I find it frightening that with Congress , the Senate ,and the WH in Dem control the majority of the country allegedly( according to recent polling) no longer support Choice or Gay marriage.

These despicable little cowards have infiltrated everything, including the Democratic Party! This is why we must stand up and say "NO MORE". The time for being conciliatory and practicing bipartisanship is done. And for me, I will never extend my hand to those Dems who claim that opposition to these values is justified.

What a hypocritical act from the murderer of millions , and what a nice tribute to the anti choice fundies! And another kick in the teeth to women under the guise of "Life" as he sails out the door. "Every child is welcome" but he can butcher women and destroy their lives.One more threat to Roe.Let us hope this can be repealed.



http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0109/...

Bush: 'Sanctity of Human Life Day'
By ANDY BARR | 1/15/09 2:45 PM EST Text Size:


President Bush: "All life is a gift from our Creator that is sacred, unique, and worthy of protection."
Photo: AP

In one of his final actions in the White House, President Bush on Thursday declared Jan. 18 to be “National Sanctity of Human Life Day.”

“All human life is a gift from our creator that is sacred, unique and worthy of protection. On National Sanctity of Human Life Day, our country recognizes that each person, including every person waiting to be born, has a special place and purpose in this world,” reads the presidential proclamation.

“The most basic duty of government is to protect the life of the innocent. My administration has been committed to building a culture of life by vigorously promoting adoption and parental notification laws, opposing federal funding for abortions overseas, encouraging teen abstinence and funding crisis pregnancy programs,” the proclamation continues.

“The sanctity of life is written in the hearts of all men and women. On this day and throughout the year, we aspire to build a society in which every child is welcome in life and protected in law. We also encourage more of our fellow Americans to join our just and noble cause. History tells us that with a cause rooted in our deepest principles and appealing to the best instincts of our citizens, we will prevail.”

Bush is scheduled to deliver a farewell address Thursday night which White House counselor Ed Gillespie described during the morning briefing as “optimistic and future-oriented.”