I got your eminent domain...right here
Fri Jun 24, 2005 at 04:14:45 AM PDT
When the
Supreme Court ruling on
eminent domain came down yesterday, I thought about the political clients I work with and wondered what I would do if I were a campaign blogger.
I know that my gut reaction would be to write a flaming, Anakin Skywalker-like post about how awful the ruling is. A "NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO, what the hell is our country coming to???"-type post is what comes to mind.
Because I am such a level-headed and non-emotional person however -- ahem -- I would of course take a deep breath and realize that my boss, (enter candidate's name here), probably would not appreciate me editorializing on her blog. I would, straight away, ask her what her position on the ruling is.
DCCC supports Schrader
Wed Jul 28, 2004 at 04:25:12 PM PDT
From the Bucks County Courier Times:
"Whispering encouragement in Schrader's ear is the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee. Greg Speed, press secretary for the DCCC, said his organization would lavish attention on the race no matter who Bucks Republicans pick as their nominee."
Good to know the DCCC is supporting Schrader. Maybe they aren't so bad after all...
Grassroots tribute from Joe Trippi
Mon Jun 28, 2004 at 11:19:23 AM PDT
Joe Trippi has a book coming out on July 6 (the same day as Bush's birthday, ironically enough) and although I have only read the intro, it seems like a winner.
The Revolution Will Not Be Televised looks to be not only a memoir of Trippi's experience on the Dean Campaign, but a tribute to the grassroots people on the ground who helped make it happen. The intro to the book and his book signing schedule can be found on
www.joetrippi.com.
Top Diplomats and Military Leaders Criticize Bush
Sun Jun 13, 2004 at 09:07:41 AM PDT
The
Washington Post this morning reports that a group of 26 former top diplomats and military leaders will release a statement on Wednesday calling for change in US National Security Policy. Wapo states they are "angered by President Bush's conduct of foreign policy and dismayed about America's diminished reputation abroad..." The press conference is listed over at the
National Press Club site saying "attendees will include ambassadors and military leaders who have served in the Middle East, Europe, Africa, South America and Asia."
This group was very careful to get signatures from people not connected to the
Kerry Campaign because they wanted to be independent of any perceived political motives. Let's hope swing voters notice this statement and the significance of it coming from a group of bi-partisan leaders. Let's also hope they notice the Bush administration's response.
If You Can't Beat 'Em, Gag 'Em
Mon Apr 12, 2004 at 08:47:49 PM PDT
from Change For America
Just when I think I can't be more outraged by the Bush administration, they do it to me again. Today I heard a story on NPR that made the hair on the back of my neck stand on end.
In late November 2003, the Washington Post contacted the Chief of the United States Park Police, Teresa Chambers, for an interview. They had received information from the Fraternal Order of Police about budget shortfalls and staffing shortages in the Park Police — specifically in DC parks — and wanted to follow up. Chief Chambers verified that their information was correct, but stressed that her staff was working hard to fill in the holes since they understood the important role they played in national security. The interview with the Washington Post was fully approved by her superiors at the Department of the Interior and her quotes appeared in the final article, published on December 2, 2003.
The evening the story was printed, Chief Chambers received a gag order from her supervisor ordering her to have no further contact with the media. Three days later she was stripped of her gun and badge and escorted from the building by armed National Park Service Agents (treatment normally reserved for agents accused of criminal acts). She has been on paid non-duty status ever since.
Just last week the gag order was lifted, and Chief Chambers can finally speak to the press. She and her lawyer are working on getting the Department of the Interior to identify exactly what the charges against her are. So far, no one has come up with anything.
Since Chief Chambers was put on non-duty status, one acting chief has retired and another one has taken over — in the meantime the National Center for Women and Policing has announced that Chief Chambers will be awarded a lifetime achievement award at the end of April for her 25 years of service.
The Department of the Interior can't decide what to charge her with, but it seems pretty clear that the only thing this decorated public servant is guilty of is being honest about the security capabilities of the US Park Police being stretched too thin. I would think DOI would be grateful for her vigilence.
