I found two other diaries on this subject. One by mitch2K2 and one by Asinus Asinum Fricat.  They received only about 30 comments each and I wanted to bring it up for anyone who hasn't seen this. Let me know if I should delete.

Senator Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) recently asked constituents to send him their story about their "struggles coping with rising prices in a shrinking economy." He received 500 emails the first week.

Asking for personal stories was a great idea because it humanizes, in real terms, the effects of government policies. With specific personal correlations, it's more than just statistics.

He was able to read some of the stories on the floor of the Senate but obviously he had time limits. (This may be the answer to what to read during non-existent filibusters, but that's another story!)

I, and probably a quarter of a million of us who signed Congressman Wexler's impeachment petition, received this email message a little while ago.

One good thing (of many) about the upcoming Democratic sweep--the rule of law suddenly isn't looking so inconvenient to republicans.

43* wrote his crayon scribble signing statements on, what, every law passed for the last seven and a half years? Barely a peep from congress. And now the calls to rein in the power grab are beginning.

Existing head of agency leaves for a high-paying lobbying job in the industry they were "regulating."
Check.
Another crony steps in to continue destruction of the agency.
Check.
Crony comes up for approval in the Senate amid dire warnings of "confirm or else" from the chimperor.
Check
Senate blusters about not confirming and then caves.
Check...No?

How did that happen?

Early caucuses and primaries have been a great distraction for bushco business as usual--anything not candidate related has a good chance of slipping under the radar. This diary is an update to the investigations of the EPA's denial of California's proposed greenhouse gas regulations.

Today is the first time I've heard of Mehdi Shahbazi. It was an announcement of his death in The Mercury News via Rawstory.

This man, an Iranian immigrant who began working in the 1960s at his brother's gas station and, until recently, an owner of eight gas stations, began a battle against the oil companies that would last for two years.

His battle is over now.

In this diary, The "Debates" Are Really Game Shows, Magnifico asked if "audience and viewer participation voting formats such as 'American Idol' work for American political debate?" I say yes. Americans love reality shows, right? Why fight it?

Imagine that announcer-guy from the movies as he says, "In a world where nearly everyone wants to be the President of the United States...there comes a new show where candidates battle it out for first place and a chance to sign a contract with America for four years. Watch the contestants...er candidates...vie for their big break."

Former CEO of Qwest, Joseph Nacchio’s trial for insider trading opened today. Nacchio earned $216 million in stock sales while Qwest's market value dropped by $100 billion and 13,000 workers lost their jobs.

He has an unusual defense—he had insider knowledge of secret government contracts that Qwest was going to be awarded. Therefore, the 2001 financial projections were correct even though they seemed to be out of line.

The armed forces, unable to meet its enlistment quotas, has increased signing bonuses to as much as $40,000.

That should certainly get the recruits signing up in droves, but here's the fine print:

While requesting a Pentagon budget of $624.6 billion for 2008, bush called for "restraint" in all non-military spending during his weekly radio address.

bush said, "Controlling spending also requires us to address the unsustainable growth of entitlement programs such as Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid," Bush said. "Spending for these programs is growing faster than inflation, faster than our economy, and faster than our ability to pay for it."

The world is waiting for us to do something about the bush administration!

This is the second installment on international treaties and agreements that the bush administration has withdrawn from or refused to participate in.

Part 1 took a look at:

• UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization
• Geneva Conventions
• Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons
• Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention
• Optional Protocol to the UN's International Covenant on Civil & Political Rights
• Kyoto Protocol

I started writing this diary with a mind towards creating a list of the treaties and agreements that the bush administration has pulled the US out of and the damage it has done to our credibility and standing globally. As I researched, it became apparent that there is just too much for one diary.

I’m going to publish this as the first installment and see if there is an interest in more.

Senator Ted Kennedy has tried to get a minimum wage increase, under minority party status, for years with no luck. Now that he is in the majority, has a bill in his hands that easily passed in the House, and the backing of a majority of Americans, it should be easy. Right?

Come on now...remember who we're dealing with.

Discussions about the Negroponte move to the position of Undersecretary of State that I've seen have centered mostly around Condi. Perhaps she is unable to handle the job or possibly to align her to take the VP spot but it may be something else...