Time to send in the Marines? [poll]

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Monday January 31, 2011 · 9:36 PM PST

2011/01/31 · 21:36

A team of heavily armed Marine Corps security personnel have been sent to the U.S. Embassy in Cairo to provide additional security for the facility, defense officials tell CNN. The small team of Marines, about a dozen according to one of the officials, are part of a Fleet Antiterrorism Security Team (FAST). --CNN

Is this smart?

The immediate flashback is 'Tehran', and the imagery is not good.

While the US has a right to protect an embassy, should we risk the type of imagery that could develop in Egypt today?

My thoughts are as follows:

The US embassy is always a potent symbol, but disclosing this to CNN is waving the US flag at those who seek confrontation with us.

The only possible use for a COMBAT Marine team is to engage protesters with deadly force. NO NOT THAT! If Egyptians aren't intimidated by tanks, then they will close to a distance that might cause COMBAT Marines to act.

As Tehran proved, 'security' is illusionary.

For $1.3 billion a year, can't we get the Egyptian army to guard just one building for us?

Anyone wishing to create a flash in the pan wants gunpowder, and US combat Marines definitely represent gunpowder.

Poll

75 votes Show Results

Do you agree with the decision to 'send in the Marines'?

75 votes Vote Now!

Do you agree with the decision to 'send in the Marines'?

Yes...it's our building, and we need to stand up for it. It's a symbol of democracy.

42 votes

No...a building is not worth the risk, and to Egyptians it might symbolize something bad. Enough with sending guns to the Middle East!

27 votes

Invite them in to burn and loot...maybe it would be cathartic to the Egyptians

6 votes

What's in a name? Can Barak Hussein Obama do bold things in Egypt?

BOknows

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Sunday January 30, 2011 · 9:15 PM PST

2011/01/30 · 21:15

To those who say that Mubarak, Egypt, and 'measured reform' is just 'real politik'. That Mubarak is not so bad. That we can't take sides. We can 'watch this one out'. Might you consider...

...Mubarak's 17-30,000 political prisoners?

...Egypt's state of emergency that mostly extends back to 1967?

...Mubarak being consistently named one of the most oppressive regimes?

Unfortunately, that's the side we picked 30 years ago. $1.3 billion/year in guns & ammo to a dictator might suggest that from a historical perspective, we oppose 'self-determination' on the Arab street.

Now consider the rage that you see on the faces of Egyptians today.

Can we 'change' that perspective? Yes, we (and a black, Arabic-named President) can.

But should we even try change the perspective of America in the Middle East?

Maybe you ought to look at the emotion on those faces again.

Today in Egypt, there's rage and hope. Rage blazes towards the past. Hope chants for a better future.

Egypt now pivots towards a brighter future. Will America pivot with them, or march the route laid down by our past presidents. To the Arab street, America's past will matter most if Barak Hussein Obama chooses to continue it.

Poll

68 votes Show Results

Should Obama announce that future aid will only be discussed with a democratically elected government?

68 votes Vote Now!

Should Obama announce that future aid will only be discussed with a democratically elected government?

Yes

41 votes

27 votes

Obama 'pretends to care', but his foreign policy is not 'there' [poll]

BOknows

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Sunday January 30, 2011 · 3:25 PM PST

2011/01/30 · 15:25

When Obama receives letters from academics at home urging action, and street protesters abroad point to inaction, then the conclusion is clear: our president is not participating, much less leading, in the charge for freedom.

Given our past support for a tyrant, there is an enormous danger in not being a partner in Egypt's call for change.

The longer America waits to oppose Mubarak, the more irrelevant Obama's administration will become in Egypt's new political structure. If you 'SAY' that America has a stake in Egypt's future, then by all means 'ACT' as if you do so.

As the saying goes, 'you can pretend to care, but you can't pretend to be there'. Unfortunately, Obama's policy remains positioned in the past, a past that has been a decided failure when it comes to America's standing in the Middle East. 'There' is now Egypt's 'people movement'.

Embrace change. It is time to renounce the US alliance with Hosni Mubarak's regime and announce that any future aid will only be discussed with a democratically elected government. Simple but powerful.

Poll

92 votes Show Results

Should Obama announce that future aid will only be discussed with a democratically elected government?

92 votes Vote Now!

Should Obama announce that future aid will only be discussed with a democratically elected government?

Yes

40 votes

52 votes

Surreal revolutions (A CNN production)

BOknows

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Saturday January 29, 2011 · 2:05 AM PST

2011/01/29 · 02:05

The revolution taking place in Alexandria Egypt abruptly cut away for commercials again - IHOP in this case. It's disgusting of course to see Ihop at this kind of moment and I curse the crass commercial nature that brings this juxtaposition of pancakes and the shredded cheddar covered nachos lying on the plate in front of me. Can't CNN show late night food commercials during late night revolutions? Who does their Revolution ad scheduling?

Oh, that's right, it's AM in Egypt - so maybe CNN is trying to get at the hungry protestor demographic with the image of a full stack with coffee. Revolution is all about hunger of course.

It's confusing to live in this kind of world. A place where people fight and die an 'Exclusive Live' death while we cook dinner or nibble on late night snacks. In this media world, everything is a High Definition 'event', but somehow reality is still not a very clear thing. I can see that Anderson Cooper really knows how to look stern, and Obama is stern too, but a part of me wonders: are they really serious?

How can anyone really have any sort of grim perspective when surrounded by domestic comforts?

BOknows

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Friday January 28, 2011 · 1:26 PM PST

2011/01/28 · 13:26

It is time to renounce Mubarek. Obama must declare that Mubarek is 'repressive' of the people's needs, not 'representative' of the Egyptian people's needs.

Having made this obvious determination, the US must cease recognition of the Egyptian government and discontinue aid - most visibly in terms of military aid.

Speaking of things 'visible', Obama must create a visual of an American president refuting our 'alliance' with Mubarek. Obama himself must stand at the pulpit of democracy, lest words from another pulpit reign supreme. Obama must visibly and forcefully refute US diplomat Crowley's assertion of yesterday (on Al-Jazeera no less) that our military aid to Egypt is not influenced by the government's violent response and our admonishments are "not an either/or situation". By all means, do not let this visual of the uncomfortable diplomat with mealy-mouth words of equivocation be an enduring memory.

Let's see Obama literally make a stern 'thumbs-down' picture for media of the world to make headline. Make a picture that burns through language and cultural barriers. Make history & refute our foreign policy hypocrisy, or live with the consequences.

This is the lesson of American foreign policy: If America does not pick sides, the Arab street will pick the side that we stand on.

Poll

46 votes Show Results

Has Obama been strong enough on Egypt?

46 votes Vote Now!

Has Obama been strong enough on Egypt?

Yes, he's waiting for the right time to denounce Mubarek - just like on Tunisia.

9 votes

No, he's not progressive on domestic policy, nor foreign policy.

5 votes

Put it this way: The Great Compromiser 'strikes' (make that 'meekly pats') again!

8 votes

The 'pro-Israel' bloc continues it's mind games with the White House and Arab countries - oppression reigns supreme!

13 votes

I'll take 'yes to #2-#4' Alex

11 votes

On W. House menu [again]...'Progressive Surprise' [poll]

BOknows

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Wednesday December 08, 2010 · 1:37 AM PST

2010/12/08 · 01:37

On the White House menu again...the specialty known as 'Progressive Surprise'

The recipe is a modern take on a traditional White House dish:

Ingredients: 1 part each of...
Bush tax cuts
Public option
Climate change policy/cap and trade
Afghanistan withdrawl

We expect that there will be many chefs from the Defense and Business culinary schools. As always, caution is recommended when sharp knives mix with dull minds.

Preparation:
Begin by reducing Cap and Trade to a thick oil-like consistency found in the Gulf of Mexico. While progressives simmer, bring Afghan withdrawl pot to a full boil, then add 30,000 troops and continue to boil for 2 years...or maybe 4 years...or to the taste of the Defense Chefs. Having made mince meat of the public health option, mix Bush tax cuts with weak sauce of unemployment benefit extensions.

Baking:
Protect from public opinion heat with tinfoil until democratic will softens.

Serve hot or cold with peppery quotes from the Prez about 'purity of cause'.

Servings:
While the requirement is to feed 300 million, such rich fare as 'Progressive Surprise' is only fit to be served to approximately 5%. Perhaps in 2012 the recipe will change. Until then, for those left unserved, let them eat cake.

Poll

10 votes Show Results

Do you like the recipe for 'Progressive Surprise'?

10 votes Vote Now!

Do you like the recipe for 'Progressive Surprise'?

It seems like good basic fare for the White House menu...comfort food for meetings with McConnell and Boehner

1 vote

It's so fattening...and certainly fit for cats

3 votes

It's ok...Michelle grew garnishings for the Bush Tax Cuts in the White House garden (and didn't know that they're weeds!)

0 votes

Isn't that really just like 'GOP Economic Policy Leftover Casserole' gussied up by the current Prez Chef?

6 votes

Hey...Better than the recipe for Tea anyways....

0 votes

Hillary...so cool & approachable..& so helpful for Obama? [poll]

BOknows

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Saturday November 13, 2010 · 9:43 PM PST

2010/11/13 · 21:43

It's time for the Obama team to admit that Hillary Clinton is probably the most valuable asset for reinvigorating the Dem agenda.

Perhaps it doesn't help that I'm watching National Geographic program 'Inside the State Department', but Hillary Clinton post-election has found a way to be human - and yet remain on an elite level. She has inherited some of the Obama cool, but lost nothing of the Clinton's common touch.

With the program in the background as I type, it's ironic that Hillary just used the line "perhaps there will be some way to relate to that person". Of course she was speaking of her briefing papers on foreign dignitaries which includes small factoids about the personality, but one can't help but remember that Hillary is a policy wonk that always does her homework - and that includes when she politicks (remember that accent that shifted by region?). She explains that the importance of detail is that the small connection can bring success with a world leader...and she could well add that 'relating' is just as valid for a voter in Appalachia.

Poll

119 votes Show Results

What's Hillary's new role?

119 votes Vote Now!

What's Hillary's new role?

Leave her at State...she's on the verge of big foreign policy breakthroughs

48 votes

Sec of Health...we need the oringial health care reformer to communicate the message that Obama lost

3 votes

Special Advisor to the President...Hillary goes into permanent 'Town Hall' mode, becomes the primary liasion between Obama and Clinton and leads multiple reform efforts (including healthcare)

10 votes

VP material in 2012...time to win back the white women vote

34 votes

VP? Hah...Hillary 2012!

24 votes

Your Brainwashing of choice? Next 2 months 'talking points' = next 2 years action items [poll]

BOknows

Community (This content is not subject to review by Daily Kos staff prior to publication.)

Friday November 12, 2010 · 9:58 PM PST

2010/11/12 · 21:58

Politicians are nothing if not creatures of habit.

After campaigning for weeks-months-years, repeating speeches ad nauseam, it is likely that politicians lose the ability to think critically. In place of considered debate, the pol's mouth simply spews forward the talking point that 'won' office in the first place.

The only thing that can interrupt the handler's imposed regimen of 'speak-don't-think' is an election...and the panicked reaction to losing committee seats, chairmanships, delegation roles, party rank, and those prime parking places!

We are now at the special time when that which passes for critical thinking takes place in DC. Now is the time that legislators and their staffs are strategizing, which really means finding the next set of talking points. What staffs and legislators are listening for is what we want to be told. They're "taking the temperature" of the electorate and all that.

So my fellow progressives, what type of message shall we spew forth? What must we repeat again and again so that the automons might think that our message is their political salvation?

Vote for your #1 issue and then add your own ranking (from highest to lowest priority) in the comments below. A printout might make it onto a desk...you may change history! Yes...you can.

Poll

41 votes Show Results

What issue should be driven by Obama and Co.?

A. The public option for health care...it polled well...and the best defense is a good offense.

B. Afghanistan withdrawl...the new 2014 comittment makes Obama & Dems look like they're being led by the nose to certain ruin

C. Generic 'Jobs' bills...things like payroll tax deductions...even if the gov't can really do anything about unemployment they gotta try

D. Infrastructure 2.0...targeted spending for energy, water, transportation and public safety...it's practical & principled spending

E. Deficit reduction through defense reductions...Clinton was only modern president to own this issue...Dems can do it again...tie deficit to Afghanistan/Iraq & show that F-15s/M16s dont stop UPS/Fedex bombs..Tea Party allies?

F. Tax reform...surprise move...Dems focus on lowering taxes for middle class...nothing stands for opaque & privileged treatment like the IRS & tax loopholes...might even be bipartisan

G. The big jolt...touch the 3rd rails of Social Security & Medicare reform and hold on for the ride...Dems have already lost the Senior vote so it's time to make the tough choices that will invigorate youth and change the head-in-sand political process

H. Middle East peace process...the best way to defang Iran is by removing the proxy groups like Hezbollah that make so much noise...time for Israel to put up or we shut down their 'defense aid' gravy train...the Tea Party helps?

41 votes Vote Now!

What issue should be driven by Obama and Co.?

A. The public option for health care...it polled well...and the best defense is a good offense.

5 votes

B. Afghanistan withdrawl...the new 2014 comittment makes Obama & Dems look like they're being led by the nose to certain ruin

3 votes

C. Generic 'Jobs' bills...things like payroll tax deductions...even if the gov't can really do anything about unemployment they gotta try

3 votes

D. Infrastructure 2.0...targeted spending for energy, water, transportation and public safety...it's practical & principled spending

15 votes

6 votes

F. Tax reform...surprise move...Dems focus on lowering taxes for middle class...nothing stands for opaque & privileged treatment like the IRS & tax loopholes...might even be bipartisan

5 votes

3 votes

1 vote

[poll] How to reach uninsured, minorities, young, poor? Hint: not landlines

BOknows

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Monday October 25, 2010 · 9:48 PM PDT

2010/10/25 · 21:48

Firstly, I'd like to establish:

Minorities (30%), uninsured (29%), youth (25%), poor (36%), renters (43%) & those living in the 'battleground states' (22-25%) are more 'wireless only' than home-owners, insured, Whites, females, & seniors.

Robo-dialers used by polls/robocalls cannot be used to dial cell lines.

Secondly, I'd like to highlight shakey logic. To wit, one may think that negative polling results are not worthy of concern, because after all it's voting and not polling that determines who wins.

Thirdly, I'd like to relate how communication does in fact affect voter enthusiasm and turnout. To wit, we refute the logic of 'votes correct polls' with a simple observation:

Minorities, young & the poor are the most likely groups to become disheartened by negative prospects and simply not vote at all.

So the Democratic ground game is in fact the silver lining to bad polling - but only with a massive GOTV effort. Canvassing not only reaches people more persuasively, but also targets the very base that is most in danger of being effected by the negative 'poll' news.

But the 'bad polling' effect could be even deeper.

Poll

23 votes Show Results

What do you think of the polling and voter enthusiasm storyline linkage?

23 votes Vote Now!

What do you think of the polling and voter enthusiasm storyline linkage?

This is pure drivel...you have contributed nothing. Such diaries only make me disheartened.

2 votes

There might be something there...not that the mainstream media or Dems will recognize it though.

12 votes

It's irrelevant...those same groups never turn out for midterms - unless it's to kick out the incumbents!

3 votes

Just one question: Where do I sign up for GOTV?

6 votes

Joe Miller helped by Iran's Basij? [poll]

BOknows

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Monday October 18, 2010 · 12:15 PM PDT

2010/10/18 · 12:15

"Eternal vigilance is the price of liberty." - Thomas Jefferson

The arrest of the reporter by the Joe Miller campaign has an eerie resemblance to political processes in areas of the world that are not known for their democratic process or individual liberties.

Thomas Jefferson might ask: Is this what you want happening in your local middle school to those who ask 'inappropriate questions'?

We must ask where is our democracy if:

A candidate says he will refuse to answer personal questions or those regarding his background.

A reporter is arrested by private security at a political event held at a public school for following the candidate through the hallway while attempting to ask questions about...the candidates background.

According to the security guard, the reporter 'should have known it was a private event due to the 'Joe Miller' signs being placed outside'. Really? A political sign = no trespass? More so, the Miller campaign called it a "Town Hall" - so is there not implied public access and participation?

Maybe another implication is clear: is this what Joe Miller and the Tea Party's 'town halls' will always be like starting November 2?

Poll

21 votes Show Results

Is Joe Miller's arrogance going to stand?

21 votes Vote Now!

Is Joe Miller's arrogance going to stand?

No, they will have to pull the phone from my cold, dead fingers...I'm 'dialing for democracy'

6 votes

No, they will have to pull the voter registration pen from my cold, dead fingers...I'm 'canvassing for civil liberties'

5 votes

Yes, I'm going to bake brownies today...they can't arrest me for that yet...can they? (answer: depends on the ingredient list)

10 votes

Why is Harry Reid so afraid of a fillibuster? [poll]

BOknows

Community (This content is not subject to review by Daily Kos staff prior to publication.)

Friday October 01, 2010 · 1:48 PM PDT

2010/10/01 · 13:48

This is not intended to be a well constructed analysis of the Democratic party's initiatives while in power. Quite frankly, I'm of the mindset that most Americans don't really do 'analysis' when it comes to politics - at least not of the 'let's get all the facts on the table' type of analysis.

Nope, this post is really simple: Why do the Democrats continually say that they're for legislation, but refuse to actually bring it to the floor for debate and vote?

A stronger jobs act? Tax cuts for the middle class and tax raises for the rich? Don't Ask-Don't Tell repeal? A better mortgage act?

The list of 'don't dare to try' initiatives is rather quite long. Time and time again, Dems talk wistfully about what they'd like to do...then shiver and wail at the threat of a filibuster. It is a political party as a tragedy.

No wonder this party will lose in November...talk but don't act is rarely a winning strategy for anything in life.

So goodbye Democratic Governance...we hardly knew ye...and what we knew of ye wasn't so different than before (and yes, that's why you're gone).

Poll

97 votes Show Results

What is the most rational explanation for the Dems not forcing a real fillibuster?

#1 Dem leadership doesn't really believe what they're saying. They have little philosophy of governance, and certainly no ability to communicate such. (For example, the GOP's 'small government' is a 'philosophy' that's easily communicated, regardless of w

#2 The Dem loss really is a conspiracy to 'churn' the voters so as to convince the electorate that the military-industrial complex doesn't rule. (How many times has each side 'voted the bums out', only to get the same mealy-mouthed governance that serve

#3 - They really are just a bunch of weenies. They're not leading...just trying to make the appearance of leading progressives and the Dem base.

# 4 - #3 above applies mostly to the Senate Dems. The House has actually got more things done, but Reid is as firm as milk soaked in toast. Obama gets a pass (but just barely).

#5 Classical case of 'overpromise, underdeliver' combining with 'undeserved' criticism to cause 'underwear wetting'. Yep, all that tea has made the Dems pee their pants - the shame of which has forced them into the fetal position.

#6 They're focused on trying to get re-elected, so they don't think they have the time to actually legislate through fillibuster (the fools!...why not put off the recess until 2 days before the election and show America what they and the GOP are all abou

97 votes Vote Now!

What is the most rational explanation for the Dems not forcing a real fillibuster?

20 votes

8 votes

#3 - They really are just a bunch of weenies. They're not leading...just trying to make the appearance of leading progressives and the Dem base.

15 votes

# 4 - #3 above applies mostly to the Senate Dems. The House has actually got more things done, but Reid is as firm as milk soaked in toast. Obama gets a pass (but just barely).

28 votes

8 votes

18 votes

Family Value Leg' 101: TV ads for kids need G/PG ratings? [poll]

BOknows

Community (This content is not subject to review by Daily Kos staff prior to publication.)

Monday July 05, 2010 · 11:39 AM PDT

2010/07/05 · 11:39

So we're in the midst of watching Science Channel's "How do they do that" and the program cuts to ads...

WHAM...Ultimate Fighting Club's 'Brock Lesnar' mega-matchup is shown in all it's gory glory to our 2.5 year old son. Full roundhouse to the jaw. We're in the middle of a light snack at the kitchen island and I'm now scrambling to put my hand over sensitive eyes.

What comes to my mind is the case of the 11 year old Florida boy that killed a young girl while doing wrestling moves he saw on TV. Now I know the wisdom of growing up in a household that had no TV.

So I can easily solve this for my son...but what about when he gets to school and meets fellow TV ad audience members who have not been supervised or shielded?

Poll

26 votes Show Results

Do we need to have some content-rating act for advertising that requires matching Advertising rating to underlying content (General-PG-etc)?

26 votes Vote Now!

Do we need to have some content-rating act for advertising that requires matching Advertising rating to underlying content (General-PG-etc)?

No...putting up with violence and sexuality (especially as a commercial product) is part of modern society...get your kids used to it early!

8 votes

Yes...we need to regulate the ad industry more - especially for kids sake. If kids/teens don't belong in the environment depicted on tv, they shouldn't be remotely viewing it either.

14 votes

You mean this isn't a law already? (Answer: No)

4 votes

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