The time for action is here. Tomorrow I will be attending a protest rally when President Bush appears in Shreveport, L.A. The problem is
I am in development
of an independent website which has one goal: To bring people to
events where their action can be effective.
We need to get off
our asses and change the political system. How do we do that? We
show up at school board meetings. We go to County Democratic
Committee meetings.
We vote in local elections. We have to
start as soon as possible.
While typing what we think and reading what others think does
play
an important part in the process, and this part will not be
ignored, we also need a way to disseminate
information about local
activities. My local newspaper doesn't even list when the next
School Board meeting is. My local paper doesn't tell me when we have
County Commissioner meetings. The key is for us to
find out when
these meeting are so we can
change the process from the ground
up.
There I go with some hypothetical we.
We, in my context, are the
netroots. We in the netroots are the
most informed group of
voters the world has ever seen. We are not influenced by the
Op/Ed writers anymore. We are not swayed by the lies of entrenched
politicians anymore. We won't be able to change the opinions of the
major media writers and party functionaries until
we show the
power we have. The dissemination of information was the start of
the change but, while they are beginning to listen to us,
we do
not influence policy. Look at
Jeff
Seemann's most recent experience with the entrenched party
leadership is his latest diary on
Discontent
at the Democratic Meetup. This proves
we do not even have
enough influence to make the party pay real attention to
alternative candidates.
How can we make change.
Those in power are not going to come here
and give serious attention to our concerns, Yes,
Barbara
Boxer thanked us
for
the roses but she has not asked us what we should do about
Social Security or the Bankruptcy Bill. The
Senate
Democratic Communications Center is giving us their talking points on various issues but are they asking us what
we think? I don't doubt they have staffers watching this site just to
see what the buzz is about.
I'll make a challenge to the SDCC right now. If you're paying
attention, just post a reply and say “we hear you.”
That is the problem that I see. They don't hear us. John Kerry and
Move-On.org have both sent me e-mails to me this week asking us for
support of their causes, and I gladly will. I am willing to lend my
voice in support of any true Democratic cause, but I want my voice
heard when I am saying other things.
I want your voice heard also.
How do we get heard?
We have to know where there are
opportunities to be heard. And then
meet those
opportunities with action. We have to show up at local events to
drown out the voices from the right side of the political spectrum.
We have to show up at local Democratic events to influence the
process and show that
the netroots are more than a money machine
and echo chamber.
How can we accomplish this? There are bloggers who write columns who
deserve to be heard, and who are ignored. There are events that need
people. There are
protests which get little attention because
few people show up. I hope to
give you the tools you need to
become involved where it can do some good. I hope to give you
the tools you need to be informed so you can effect the change that
must occur if we are to return this country to a democratic path.
How do I plan to do this? As I said, I am creating
a
truly independent website where anyone can sign up to
receive E-mails at
intervals in which
they determine
which will inform them about Blog Columns in areas
they are
concerned about. You will receive information on blog columns
that the
consensus thinks are the most valuable. They will
include
local city, county, and state
events where
they can be effective. The
netroots can affect the grassroots
only by taking action. I will not be supporting any
particular causes or organizations, I will allow all organizations to
list their activities.
I can't do this alone.
I need people to
sign up at the
site in order to show groups that the site can get them supporters. I
need people to
list their local events so others can be
informed about them. I need event planners to list their events. I
need people to
spread the word to others in order to make this
work.
I need bloggers to list their columns and place links in their
posts that allow others to recommend their columns.
This is actually just a plan. Very little of the infrastructure is in
place. I believe that it can be accomplished with the help of others.
If enough people think the plan can be effective then it will be
accomplished.
I need script writers to help me develop the
infrastructure to put this into operation. Since I am just a man with
no resources
I cannot do this alone.
March 23rd is the anniversary of the formation of
Italy's Fascist movement so I have selected that date for the
public launch of the site. I am allowing
anyone who wishes
to help with the development and beta testing to
E-mail me for
the site address. Us my
tomandmaria71-at-peoplepc-dot-com
address to contact me I ask the blogosphere to
spread the buzz
about the site and assist in the public launch by
writing a column
to coincide with the anniversary of the birth of fascism and
publicize the launch of the site.
New Readers note
These are the main Diaries, with
commentary, from the last few days that relate, in my opinion, to the
possibility that this country is becoming a Corporate Nationalistic
Anti-Communistic State. I want to remind everyone that is just part
of a much larger series and the citations here only reflect a few
days. The entire series presents many more events that have occurred
in just the last three months. If you missed the previous editions
click here
for them.
And now back to your regularly
scheduled diary listings.
Rocketito
presented a great story on how
Yes,
one person can make a big difference--here's the story of one who
has. This is the story of
Diane
Wilson of Seadrift, Tx. who was able to singlehandedly
start the action that led to a major chemical plant halting it's
emission of pollutants
into the environment. Nothing will ever happen until one person
starts an effort to make change. In today's environment one person
may not get much attention but if that person starts something and
enough attention is paid to them then change can happen. Be one the
lookout for my new website which I plan to make public
in under two weeks.
Azindy
compiled a separate listing of citations in his
Fascism
Anthology (Updated 03/09/2005). Azindy uses
Paxton's
categories from "The Five Stages of Fascism," while I
use the 14 points from
somebody. He also links items from a
larger time frame while I only list recent DailyKos posting. His
latest entry got very little response this time so go and give him
some encouragement with your commentary in order to keep the issue
alive.
1. Powerful and continuing
expression of nationalism.
Wildcat
098 found some guy she classifies with
Idiots
I tell you, idiots. She came across an SUV with the bumper
sticker tat said "KICK THEIR ASS, TAKE THEIR GAS." This
person also had a veteran license plate
holder. I'm glad to see these people are joining the reality based
community and admitting too the real reason for the war.
Rose
Eriter did a great job of finding out about
Nationalism
and the Media She goes into great detail what constitutes
nationalism and how it differs from patriotism. George Orwell wrote
“what remains constant in the nationalist is his state of mind:
the object of his feelings is changeable, and may be imaginary”.
Rose linked a fresh editorial from David Domke at Media Transparency.
She also referenced a very good website from the
Project
for the Old American Century which presents the case almost the
same way I do. But without the commentary and none of my terrible
snark.
Christian
Dem in NC thinks this shows that
The
booby traps start anew. John Thune plans to introduce a
constitutional
amendment to ban flag-burning. And it's got a
companion
in the House too, sponsored by Congressman Duke Cunningham. There
are also many Democratic cosponsors in the House. I actually expect
this to pass this year.
NYCO
tried to do something positive about the
Most
offensive flag shirt ever: An update! NYCO actually e-mailed
Abbey Press to complain about the T-Shirt. Abbey press replied with a
message which included “Therefore, Abbey Press has decided to
pull this product from future catalogs. Thank you for sharing
your concerns”. I just did a search on their website and
found
the T-shirt easily. Search all occasions, any person, clothing
tee shirt, $15-$25 dollars and verify it's still in their online
catalog. You can always trust them christians to do what they say.
2. Disdain for the importance of
human rights.
Jeffuary
played a little of the
Numbers
Game: 1 in 4 Americans Support Nuking Terrorists. The latest
issue of
Editor
and Publisher that says that 65% of Americans are in favor of
assassination of “known”
terrorist suspects, 39% are in favor of torturing terror suspects, (I
thought that number would have been higher) and 27% are in favor of
nuking their facilities. Does anyone see a problem when over
two-thirds of the populace don't care about “innocent until
proven guilty'” as long as we call them terrorists? Does anyone
understand that places where there are terrorists also have innocent
populations? That's like using dynamite to kill roaches.
McJoan
gave us her opinion that Attorney General Alberto
Gonzales
Defends Rendition (surprise, surprise). Alberto Gonzales told
reporters that the U.S. policy is not to send detainees "to
countries where
we believe or we know that they're going to be
tortured." This seems to be another case of plausible
denyability because we can always tell the Syrians and Saudis
to be sure and not do anything we wouldn't
do (wink, wink).
Susan
Hu showed how some consider
Rendition
& Torture: "Convenient" (60 Minutes). This
extremely well documented diary shows how
Sunday's
60
Minutes report on rendition ties into what she has been reporting
for several months now. This is well worth the read for because it
brings so much together and ties the loose
ends around the necks of those in the Administration. And yes Susan,
they are abductees.
3. Identification of
enemies/scapegoats as a unifying cause.
If you believe that since nothing is
listed here it does not exist you need to see my
previous
editions.
4. The supremacy of the
military/avid militarism.
If you believe that since nothing is
listed here it does not exist you need to see my
previous
editions.
5. Rampant Sexism.
Moiv
let everyone know about
The
hidden TRAP behind "Safe, Legal and Rare." The trap is
that it allows for excessive and repressive regulation of women's
service providers that are meant to harass
and intimidate both the staff and the
patients. We have to be active in preventing these outrages.
6. A complaisant mass media.
Map
KY gave us an indication on how
Don
Imus does GOP dirty work: Outing Anderson Cooper? Don Imus stated
that the
New
York Daily News “outed” Anderson Cooper. The column
indicated that Anderson attended a function about gay issues which
other notably straight dignitaries. Does the fact that someone
supports GLBT issues make them gay?
If you believe that since nothing is
listed here it does not exist you need to see my
previous
editions.
7. Obsession with national security.
If you believe that since nothing is
listed here it does not exist you need to see my
previous
editions.
8. Religion and ruling elite are
tied together.
B
Prescott let us know that the
Bill
to Politicize Churches is Back. Walter Jones has reintroduced his
bill that would legalize the politicization of churches according to
ABP
reports. You all remember this one. It lets preachers become
political activists by publicly endorsing
Candidates during Church Services. This
will provide the proof we need to show that “Religion and
ruling elite are tied together.” Like their isn't enough
already.
9. Power of corporations protected.
If you believe that since nothing is
listed here it does not exist you need to see my
previous
editions.
10. Power of labor suppressed or
eliminated.
If you believe that since nothing is
listed here it does not exist you need to see my
previous
editions.
11. Disdain for the arts and
Intellectuals.
If you believe that since nothing is
listed here it does not exist you need to see my
previous
editions.
12. Obsession with crime and
punishment.
Gauchova1Amigo
gave us an unconfirmed report that he
wished
he was making this up. He claims he heard Representative Tom
Davis (no relation, thank God) say "If they choose not to
appear, guilt may be implied" in relation to the baseball
players who refuse to testify in the up coming steroids hearings.
Sometimes I think our representatives pledge to preserve the
Constitution and then forget what it says as soon as the walk away
from their swearing in ceremonies.
Nephalim
produced an excellent article in the series on the
"War
on Drugs": A History (The Origin of "Moral Values").
This chronicles the beginning of the police state and the Moral
Values movement that led to the Religious
Right's 30 year plan to “take back” America. We are
seeing the fruit of that labor today. And as my Christ said “by
their fruit shall they be judged.”
13. Rampant cronyism and corruption.
Joanne
R discovered that an Albany county
Town's
Repubs Issued a Fake Subpoena:Time Warner complies. Time warner
complied with a fake subpoena for Internet
records of two local Paramedics who sent a whistleblower E-mails to
the Town Supervisor alleging incidents of mismanagement and possibly
dangerous practices in the Emergency Medical Services department. It
becomes obsession when illegal practices are used to charge
apparently innocent people just to cover up
for corrupt officials.
D
Donnelly dug up another article that has
More
trouble for DeLay: Subpoenaed emails put him in the middle. The
New York Times is reporting on Documents which The documents, which
suggest that Mr. DeLay personally forwarded at least one large
corporate check to the committee, Texans for a Republican Majority,
were entered into evidence last week in the civil trial which I
mentioned last week. These also suggested that DeLay
was in direct contact with lobbyists for some of the nation's largest
companies on the committee's behalf. See the action item below for
ways to further this investigation. Now we should have a better
understanding of why DeLay packed the House
Oversight Committee with loyalists.
14. Fraudulent elections.
If you believe that since nothing is
listed here it does not exist you need to see my
previous
editions.
Class Warfare.
Doolittle
informed us that both versions of the
Minimum
Wage Increase were Defeated. The Republicans in the Senate could
not bring themselves to actually raise the minimum wage without
killing the 40 hour work week, and totally eliminating the minimum
wage for millions of Americans. I'm just glad the Democrats saw that
the Republican program would actually end the minimum wage for
millions of Americans and cost tipped workers the low minimum wage
that their employers were required to add to their tips.
Silencing Dissent
Law-n-Order
suggests that the
Military
to microwave US protesters ?!?!? New Scientist tells us what a FOIA
request found out. The military is testing a new plasma based
weapon in Iraq and plans to deploy it for use against protesters and
demonstrators. This weapon is designed to produce maximum pain to
large groups without leaving permanent damage. Is that pain the
equivalent of organ failure? Has anyone seen science fiction films
where crowds are made to scream in agonizing pain? That's what they
have in store for us now.
Propaganda
Maineiac
found the goods on the
Soc
Sec "town hall" ringers. In the next print edition of
Newsweek there is supposed to be an article that
MSNBC
has on it's website about how Bush's advance team stages the “town
hall” meeting by having the participants rehearse the “show.”
The article goes on to tell that the plain folks are actually
activists. It seems that now that Bush is no longer running for
office he can coordinate with whatever group he wishes. I want to
know how many taxpayer dollars are being used for these “shows.”
Plutonium
Page presented a diary about the
11,220
forgotten soldiers. These soldiers are
only forgotten by the Pentagon why are lax
at reporting combat injuries. We must remember all these soldiers and
their families who have to deal with the lifelong ramifications of
these injuries. We must also remember the
soldiers and their families who have been killed and injured from non
combat related incidents like being in range of an exploding IED.
There is hope! Here are some
articles on a way to fight back.
This section is devoted to those who
have done something and are sharing their stories, those who have
suggestions for ways to be active, and those who cry out for
immediate action. I do what little I can. I am becoming active in my
local blue county in the biggest red state. I plan to do as much as I
can when called upon. I'm sure I missed many of these Diaries this
week so my apologies to all.
Mark
SB found out that the
LA
Times printed Aravosis' Gannon OpEd. The
LA
Times published John from Americablog's commentary in their
Sunday experimental column that "invites outside critics to slap
around" the Times.
Murshed
Z produced a
DeLay
Alert: CALL Ethics Comm. Members to Investigate New Scandal. The
fact that House Majority Leader Tom DeLay has been linked to the the
American Indian Tribe Casino scandal by the
National
Journal. The National Journal revealed evidence including an
expense voucher to reimburse
Jack Abramoff for DeLay's expenses in London and then another
document show that Abramoff may have billed the Indian Tribes for
those expenses. This can be the smoking gun that shows DeLay's had
personal involvement. We need to pressure the House Ethics Commission
to open an investigation.
Marshuds
diary has the contact information and some very well researched
links. Sic him!
Librarianman,
the superhero who solves the world with his
books of power, has
An
Idea: DKos Talking head for hire. I think we need to prepare Mary
Scott and have a pay per view event with Ann Coulter. I digress
The idea of preparing talking points and selecting a spokesperson for
the community is actually a very good idea.
Applications should be available shortly.
Kossacks in Action
NEW INFO ADDED WEEKLY!
[new] Richard
Morrison,
who is running again against Ton DeLay, informed us how the
Netroots
Make it Happen.
Be sure and visit
his web
site.
[new] Christine
Cegelis who ran against Henry Hide last
year in Illinois joined the fun and gave us some advise.
You
Have to Run Twice (IL-06) was the advise she got when she ran the
first time. Go visit
her
website.
Jim
McDermott debuted as a Kossack with
Social
Security: Don't buy the Fear Factor! Representative McDermott
returned to answer questions and provided 8 personal replies. I don't
know if he got enough mojo to obtain “trusted user”
status so
get over there and make sure he gets it. I gave him
eight fours but it seems only about 20 others noticed his responses.
Jeff
Seemann For Congress is on to the
Discontent
at the Democratic Meetup. The Democratic party wants our money
and our votes but they want that money and those votes to go to the
candidates they choose. We have an opportunity to actually change the
party if we can get together and select who we want in next years
primaries instead of who the party leadership wants. Be sure and see
Jeff's
website and his
blog.
Susie
Turnbull who is a new DNC Vice Chair wanted to send a personal
Thank
You from Susie Turnbull.
Kt.
in TX finally came back with an update to tell us that
His
Father's Council Race is On Tom
Musselman He has a challenger from the
local Republican woman's club. K.T. is encouraging everyone to
publicize his father's web site;
Tom
Musselman for Fredericksburg City Council
Simon
Rosenberg, who has had a DailyKos account since Dec. 23, 2004,
produced a diary to tell us,
Fellow
Kossaks, that he was dropping out of the DNC race and endorsing
Howard Dean. Let him know you still support him and thank him for the
gesture. Also thank him for being willing to be called a
Fellow
Kossack.
R.C.
Vanoz also announced that
She's
running for Congress! This came soon after Dr. Matt's
announcement (only one diary separated the two). She followed up with
Shout
out to Colorado Dems! (w/ poll) where she wants to know who is in
Colorado and where they are to see if she can find local support from
fellow Kossacks. It seems on four people were in Colorado. If your
there let her know.
[new]
Byron
Miller, who is running for the House in Pennsylvania, has a
series which started on Tuesday with
Byron
Miller for Congress: Daily Diary #1 . On Wednesday he added
Byron
Miller for Congress: Capitalism & Society. He envisions
a daily issues based diary. Help him get out his message and don't
miss
his website.
Tim,
ttagaris,
Tagaris gave us a campaign update with the announcement that it's
Official:
Casey Jr is in: Challenges Pennacchio and Hafer
Chuck
Pennacchio for US Senate let us know that the
Pennsylvania
Senate Race Appears Set . Chuck spent a lot of time answering
questions and discussing more issues and strategy again in the diary.
Chuck has been in the lead as far as interacting with the group
here.
Thank
you so much was the first diary from Senator
Barbara
Boxer, who is now an official Kossack. You need to
subscribe
in order to not miss any of her posts.
The
Senate
Democratic Communications Center gave us a well documented
analysis of
Bush's
Budget: Hiding the Cost of Privatization while Increasing the
Uninsured.
I
subscribed
to them so I would not miss out on anything they post. And so
should you.
Some Excellent Series'
Advisor
Jim is having a field day with his
Confessions of a Dittohead.
Steven
D has achieved consistency with
Monday Internet Poetry
J.R.
Monsterfodder is doing an irregular
series
Wal-Mart related issues
MH
in PA has started
PILR: Progressive Infogeek Listserv Roundup.
Scott
Bateman is good for a laugh and some thought with
Today's
Bateman cartoon
Pam
in Durham has her weekly
LGBT News Roundup. This provides
news on the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transsexual war fronts
against the right wing Republicans and other bigots
Pastor
Dan has started a
"What's in the Bible" series
to go with his W
eekly Sermon and
Religious News Roundup.
Jeffrey
Feldman's Frameshop is open again.
Seattle
Liberal has started the
Nerd Network News (This Week's Science
Diaries) too try and keep everyone on top of the Nerd's. Go see
what's there.
Rub
DMC's Iraq War Grief Daily Witness (photo) series if you
"can handle the truth" and give mojo too.
Newsie8200
Does an excellent job with
Newsie's Week In Reviewsies and
Newsie's Media News Monday!
While I stand by my comments as my
opinion based on available evidence I cannot vouch for the opinions
expressed in any diary titles since they were presented as quotes
from the Authors. Unless otherwise noted I do not necessarily endorse
the opinions contained within the diaries I have listed.
Recommend