Canvassing in Northern Virginia

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Wednesday October 01, 2008 · 9:32 AM PDT

2008/10/01 · 09:32

Two weeks ago I went to the Southern Fairfax office in northern Virginia to canvass for the Obama campaign. This Saturday I went back and had another positive experience. Here’s what I learned:

ishseminal

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Sunday March 30, 2008 · 10:51 AM PDT

2008/03/30 · 10:51

My boy Andrew Rice, who will challenge the notorious global-warming denier Jim Inhofe in November and hopefully become the Democrats' 60th Senator, had a great week:

ishseminal

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Friday October 12, 2007 · 9:42 AM PDT

2007/10/12 · 09:42

The occupation of Iraq begins with strong military victories. Soon, however, the goal of creating a united and stable Iraq begins to seem elusive. The population at home loses patience. The young Iraqi government, heavily assisted by the occupiers, seems incapable of achieving benchmarks toward true independence. Iraqi leaders’ motives are hard to make out, and observers fear that the minority Sunni government is too divisive to command the support of the Shi’a majority. The military presence in Iraq is costly, draining an already strained national budget. Yet despite elections at home where Iraq is the central issue, and despite opposition candidates vocally advocating immediate withdrawal, the misadventure drags on with no end in sight.

Am I describing our current fiasco in Iraq? Certainly. But I am also describing the dilemmas faced by Britain in the period of its “Mandate” in Iraq, which stretched roughly from the end of the First World War until 1932 - or, depending on how you look at it, for the decades afterwards when Britain maintained military bases in Iraq and kept “advisers” in the Iraqi government.

Cross-posted at The Seminal: Independent Media and Politics.

ishseminal

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Sunday October 07, 2007 · 10:43 AM PDT

2007/10/07 · 10:43

Wary of American news sources, I usually consult the BBC for my news. I value their attempts at neutrality and their concise but informative reporting. As their American correspondents embrace the Hillary Clinton frontrunner narrative, however, I am disturbed and disappointed.

Cross-posted at The Seminal.

ishseminal

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Friday October 05, 2007 · 9:47 AM PDT

2007/10/05 · 09:47

As some readers may know, many members of The Seminal staff have become Washington insiders. That means we’re sometimes privy to special information the rest of the country will only hear about weeks, even years later. Sorry.

Through our special contacts, we’ve managed to obtain exclusive access to the GOP’s domestic agenda for the future, which they’ve hastily put together in case by some chance their candidate wins the presidency next year. As the war in Iraq continues to go badly, the war in Afghanistan stagnates, the War on Terror loses all meaning, and the War on Drugs turns into a complete defeat (I think the potheads are winning), the GOP needs a new war. With the nation demanding more attention to domestic issues, a fireworks show in Iran might not be enough. They’re looking for something similar to the War on Drugs, but with a catchier name. Here are their other war targets, all of them equally terrifying:

Fight human affection aka the War on Hugs
Battle America’s caffeine addiction aka the War on Mugs

ishseminal

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Wednesday October 03, 2007 · 6:52 PM PDT

2007/10/03 · 18:52

Michigan Governor Jennifer Granholm is not a perfect progressive. Nor was the situation in Michigan a question of heroes versus villains. Nor have all of the specifics of Michigan’s problems been entirely clear to those of us who are unfamiliar with Michigan politics - and, as Michigan Liberal pointed out, many things were ignored or obscured in the mainstream media’s coverage.

But I admire the Governor’s courage, and I wish the national “leaders” of the Democratic Party would take note of her example.

Cross-posted at The Seminal.

ishseminal

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Monday October 01, 2007 · 12:56 PM PDT

2007/10/01 · 12:56

Ever since the long, grueling, vicious race toward the 2008 presidential elections began, far too many of us have behaved like boozed-up sports fans sitting on our couches yelling at the TV.

But our politics is not a sports match, and the point of politics is not to root for your favorite team or breathlessly follow the fortunes of your favorite player.

ishseminal

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Sunday September 23, 2007 · 4:35 PM PDT

2007/09/23 · 16:35

The UN “is ready to broaden its activity in support of Iraq,” according to Ban Ki-Moon.

However, the UN hopes to see increased security before it increases its presence in Iraq. Predictably, Iraqi Prime Minister al-Maliki insists that security conditions have already improved.

Apparently, the UN is emphasizing the humanitarian aspects of its potential assistance in Iraq over any potential military commitment.

ishseminal

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Friday September 21, 2007 · 3:42 PM PDT

2007/09/21 · 15:42

When I tell Democrats that I am not comfortable with Hillary Clinton and do not want her to be the Democratic nominee, I get varying responses. Some agree. Some fly into a rage. Some call me a rightwing agent. Some ask what candidates I prefer.

Often, no matter what else, the response is a question.

“But if she is chosen as the nominee, would you vote for her in the general election?”

While sometimes this question is asked in good faith, at other times it is barely veiled code for a more aggressive message:

“Talk all you want, but we’re not listening. Get in line behind the front runner and shut up, or you can’t be a Democrat.”

Cross-posted at The Seminal.

ishseminal

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Monday September 17, 2007 · 7:56 PM PDT

2007/09/17 · 19:56

Never underestimate the power of small groups, and never underestimate the power of symbols.

As some readers may be aware, The Seminal staff attended September 15’s antiwar march dressed in professional attire. We also distributed pamphlets that included two of our recent articles: one explaining our dress code, and one stating our belief that the progressive community needs to generate its own strategies for extricating the US from Iraq.

ishseminal

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Wednesday September 12, 2007 · 6:18 PM PDT

2007/09/12 · 18:18

This Saturday, September 15th, thousands of activists will march on Washington. My colleagues and I at The Seminal will be among them, dressed in professional attire.

ishseminal

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Sunday September 09, 2007 · 10:30 AM PDT

2007/09/09 · 10:30

Of all the major presidential candidates from both parties, John Edwards’ is probably the one whose persona draws most heavily on his rural origins. This has been felt in his Iowa campaign, as you can see on his campaign website (link provided below). But what are Edwards’ real ideas for our country’s small towns, small farms, and other rural areas? What are their strengths and weaknesses? Where does Edwards show imagination and insight, and where does he disappoint?

The Edwards plan - “Restoring Hope to Rural America” - can be found in its entirety here.

Cross-posted at The Seminal.

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Canvassing in Northern Virginia

OK-Sen: This Week with Andrew Rice

The American Occupation of Iraq is Eerily Like the British Occupation There in the 1920s

The Hillary Frontrunner Narrative Goes International

GOP Unveils Domestic Agenda 2009-2013: More War

Congressional Leaders: Go Get Em Like Granholm!

Elections 2008: It's Not a F***ing Sports Match

The UN and Iraq: Some Questions and Some Doubts

"But would you vote for her in the general?"

Protesting in Professional Attire: A Follow-Up

Action: Protesting in Professional Attire on September 15th

John Edwards' Plan for Rural America: Strengths and Weaknesses