Friday October 30th 2009

Hour One: "Brunch With Bernie" Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT) spends the hour with Thom discussing the issues and answering listener questions www.sanders.senate.gov
Hour Two - Town-hall Friday - Geeky Science Rocks - Did you know there's a spice that can kill cancer cells?
Hour Three - Welcome to Free Speech TV viewers joining the show
Congressman Earl Blumenauer www.blumenauer.house.gov
Plus....Congressman Alan Grayson www.grayson.house.gov
Comments
President Signs Law Giving Defense Department Authority To Exempt Photos From Freedom Of Information Act
http://aclu.org/safefree/torture/41364prs20091029.html
Pfizer in court again, this time for Wyeth's menopause treatment Prempro
On Monday, a Philadelphia jury, which had earlier found a link between a woman's breast cancer and the hormone-replacement drug she was taking, also found that Wyeth hid and ignored evidence of the drug's potential cancer risk.
http://www.dailyfinance.com/2009/10/27/pfizer-in-court-again-this-time-for-wyeths-menopause-treatment/?icid=main|htmlws-main-n|dl3|link6|http%3A%2F%2Fwww.dailyfinance.com%2F2009%2F10%2F27%2Fpfizer-in-court-again-this-time-for-wyeths-menopause-treatment%2F
Gardasil Researcher Admits Vaccine May Be More Dangerous than the Disease
Less Than 10%, Maybe Even Less Than 1% of Vaccine Side Effects Reported
A researcher with Merck Pharmaceutical who helped develop the human papilloma virus (HPV) vaccines, Gardasil and Cervarix, has revealed that the controversial drugs will do little to reduce cervical cancer rates and may cause more illness than the disease they are intended to prevent.
http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2009/oct/09102903.html
Europe Is Breaking Up Its Too Big to Fails
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/news/government-to-break-up-t...
thom was asking yesterday how we can bring people together . victory over violence pledge for nonviolence. i will value my own life. today, again, i will reach beyond my doubts, taking concrete stepts to uncover my unlimited potential. recognizing that a lack of self- identity and hope for the furture are at the root of all violence, i will fight to realize my dreams, even if they seem inpossible. i willrespect all life. through understanding, tolerance and respect for diversity, i will see beyond superficial differences. i will awaken to a deeper sense of interconnectedness with those around me by reflecting on the common humanity i share with all people. i will pursue dialogue. with care and consideration for the dignity inherent in others,i will make continual efforts to reach out to people each day, especially those different from myself. through genuine friendship, i will break through feelings of isolation and hopelessness that can lead to acts of violence. i will inspire hope in others. with courage, i will resolutely stand up against violence, be it paddive or physical and teach others through my own example. i will support others and encourage them to follow their dreams. this pledge was put together by the high school members of the soka gakkai international of the usa
For those who really care, who spend great chunks of their lives staying informed and speaking out for collective progress towards a more sustainable, compassionate and prosperous future for all, yesterdays events concerning health care are disheartening and gray. Many voices are heard to counsel gratitude for what is gained; to see the glass as half full. We are warned of the Democrats propensity for assembling circular firing squads, and fed admonitions about not making the perfect the enemy of the good. We are cajoled with promises about this only being the beginning and how everything humanly possible was done. B.S.
I have not read the near 2000 pages and more than 400,000 words contained in the House's Health care bill. From what I have learned thus far the best thing it has going for it is that it will cover 36 million more people who have no insurance now. It will cover them beginning in 2013! Meanwhile, I guess they need to stay well. I'm not sure about the other 10+ million who are not addressed in this bill. The CBO has rated the cost of this bill to be 1.55 Trillion dollars. It appears that the biggest winners will once again be the insurance industry. The so called Public Option will not only be very weak but also NOT an option for most. We are told that there are strong new measures which will limit gouging by giving insurance commissioners the ability to impose sanctions on insurance companies which unfairly charge too exorbitantly. We'll see.
I am more than skeptical. Count me disgusted by the results. If this is the best we can expect from this Congress, if this all that can be accomplished, then we need a more able crew at the helm. Polling indicates that the majority of the American people were supportive of a much more robust sea change for our health care system. So what is it that tied the hands of our 535 representatives in Washington and made it impossible to reflect not only the will of the people but make the rational and prudent decisions in their constituents best interests? Two things for sure: Ignorance and graft. Not the kind of ignorance determined by intellect but rather the kind that results from indifference, laziness and perfidy. Graft, in all it's forms which has become institutionalized and sanctified by the courts and all other branches of government is the method by which our democracy is destroyed. Graft that flows from corporations and private interests. Graft that has grown so powerful and pervasive that it no longer even needs to hide itself for fear of drawing the ire of the people. The take over of our representative democracy by special interests is nearing it's apex. Our best hopes seemed to reside with the Democrats. They were supposed to be the party for the common people. It now has been shown that even when given control of two branches and a clear super majority to work with, they are too weak and corrupted to be counted on for anything but half measures and pandering for political cover.
The problem with accepting what we can get and being satisfied until more can be done is that history shows that these issues are unlikely to be revisited in our lifetimes. In other words we have been thrown a bone. Meanwhile tens of thousands a year will die because of it and the Corpocracy gains evermore power. The saddest part about this struggle is that no great principals were even advanced or established into popular acceptance by the people. No universal health care. No single payer. No comprehensive reform. No understanding that not everything should be for profit. If more people end up receiving health care because of this legislation I will be grateful. I think it is just as likely that ultimately this legislation will delay and prevent the kind of real and lasting reform needed and result in many more people being neglected for the sake of profit for a few.
I don't think the flag is advanced at all by this outcome. I believe the Democratic Party will be damaged more by this "compromise" than if they had fought hard for a principled bill and failed to pass it. We'll see.
one mistake i made in victory over violence post is --------------- i will resolutely stand up against violence, be it passive or physical and teach others through my own example.
LIBERATRIAN ALERT:
As Rhode Island adopts its planned indoor prostitution ban, only the Great State of Nevada will be civilized enough to allow their prostitutes work inside.
LIEBERMAN ALERT:
The C.B.O. scored the House version of the Healthcare bill deficit-reducing in BOTH the short and long term . . . Does this mean Senator Lieberman (I-Aetna Health Insurance) CAN vote for it (as his sole stated objection to reform was the deficit impacts)?
What will he tell the insurance lobbyist he is sleeping with tonight?
While we are on the point of political-types boinking the public because the sleep with their wives:
http://tpmmuckraker.talkingpointsmemo.com/2009/10/report_bayhs_wife_made...
Please give Evan Bayh a call . . .
FYI-
It has been revealed that Sen. Evan Bayh was one of the final three on President Bama's list of V.P. candidates. I'm glad he picked Joe Biden but am troubled that Bayh was even on this final list.
DDay,
Oh shoot! I just had a nice response to your wonderful comment and I pressed the wrong key. It's now somewhere out in the ether...(or nowhere, more likely...)
I just wanted to say that I have felt the same way ever since Lieberman raised up on his hind legs and began howling earlier this week.
I feel just as disheartened regarding financial reform.
Besides Halloween this weekend, Dia de los meurtos (Day of the Dead) will be celebrated. Both are my favorite holidays. Here's some interesting info:
Quark and DDay
There was a strange noise in my computer room. When I came in to investigate I found a message for DDay from Quark. I don't know how it got there, but I thought it smelled strange so I got closer and passed out. I think it was soaked in ether.
Anyway, the text is kind of smeared from the moisture, but I think I can make out what it says.
DDay,
Stop talking about your attractive wife. What about her brain? What about her character. I thought you were deeper than this.
Your friend,
Doris Day
(no relation to that pig DDay. Don't even think that!)
Dear Quark,
Thank you for your feedback. I share your feelings about financial reform, (which I like to call Economic Fairness). Either the trapping, spearing or elimination of the insurance industry from our health delivery was not only essential for real progress in that realm but also an extremely helpful step in financial reform. Missed opportunities are particularly heartbreaking considering the stakes are humanity itself. In the end its always about the money. Everything else flows from it.
@Quark: Halloween . . . All Hallow’s Eve is simply the prelude to All Saints’ Day in some parts . . .
Quark
I love when you speak Spanish to me.
I also love Dia de los meurtos. It's a good time to visit progressive legislation. (and progressive radio for that matter)
Hey Guys,
You all make my heart sing when I thought all I wanted to do was find a nice corner to curl up in! LOL
B Roll, Quark, Countrymen!
OINK OINK
Remember...men are pigs.
@DDay: It remains my utterly fervent belief that Bayh was nixed from the potential VeeP list because he is virtually identical in every way to Obama and the Party did not want to confuse folk by running a pair of identical twins for the highest offices in our government.
Oh yeah, the Facebook page: 1,000,000 Strong Against Evan Bayh helped . . .
Hey, my friend B Roll...
Could you send me a pound of whatever you are smoking? Or maybe those ether soaked missives from Quark? PULEEEZE :-)
DDay,
OK, if you must, be a pig. (Just don't become a shark --- or a corporate leech! LOL)
http://www.freakingnews.com/pictures/16000/When-Pigs-Fly-16147.jpg
B Roll,
It fascinates me that I have, somehow, found a "back door" to your computer. Now, if I only knew which key I pressed... LOL
@THOM: Coolness! We can call it the Congress/Corporate NASCAR Law.
DDay
Sorry, if they weren't regularly dropping you on your head before you were potty trained, it's probably too late for you now. But don't feel bad; your head probably is rounder than mine. I really have trouble finding helmet that fits and wearing a headset isn't all that easy either.
More on financial (un)reform (Video):
BONER!
ok... putting on my strangely shaped serious hat...
Two segments of today's Democracy Now that are revealing about the Obama/Emanuel administration. (The whole program is good).
The first segment is with Jonathon Tasini who is challenging Kirsten Gillibrand (against the Obama/Emanuel administration's wishes for the Senate seat formerly held by Hillary Clinton.
The third segment is with attorney and blogger Glenn Greenwald who also has many interesting things to say.
Both segments deal with a number of topics and are very revealing. The full transcript is already up for the Tasini segment and but only the last part of Greenwald's segment is up now. I'm sure the full transcript will be up soon.
Progressive Politics... It's a no Boehner
@Handsome Richard L. Adlof: ( I love the photo)
Re: Evan Bayh
He is exactly the kind of Democrat who needs to be targeted for "re-education" , because he needs to learn some lessons or spend some legislative time in the corner with a dunce hat on. If the people from Minnesota's Sixth Congressional District send people like Michele Bachmann or the voters of Indiana send guys like Bayh, then they deserve to bear the costs of having their voices muffled in Washington by the leaders of their respective party. The Democratic Party neglects their left base in actions, inactions, and principals. It is time the left established some lines in the sand regarding principals that will not be violated. Heck!... the crazy right can count on their views being defended by the Repubs, especially the ANTI stuff. anti abortion, anti union, anti gay marriage, anti tax, anti intellectual. Progressives need to: if not gain control, gain respect from the Democratic Party. The only way to gain some respect is for them to gain some fear of us. It is time to clean the chicken coop What we giveth we may need to take away. Our Votes. Progressives desperately need a leader to voice their message to the Democratic Party. Howard Dean tried but was beaten down by the Rahm Emanuels and his ilk. The party is corrupt. Birch Bayh's son is not even the worst example of that corruption.
Obama Is Right About Fox News
But the criticism was clumsy.
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB1000142405274870357460457449967174674351...
Chinese Banks To Fund Texas Wind Farm
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=114308706&ft=1&f=1006
@B Roll,
I'm stuck now being dropped enough times on my head before potty training. If I were Quark, I probably would shun you for a few days! LOL Really Dude, are calling me a round head? That was an insult back during the Hundred Years War. In fact, we use it, in fun, around my house to tease each other. How did you guess? :-)
The issue with the “It’s a Start” argument . . . Is the fact that, historically, Congress almost immediately starts rolling all progressive laws back toward the recessivist once any progressive legislation is passed.
FYI-
Fun Pedantic Factoid: Being called a round head was an insult to some, inspired by the haircuts of one faction during the Hundred Year War. The first "bowl-cut" fad perhaps?
B Roll,
Re: ether-soaked message
You're lucky I didn't mistakenly send you the refuse from cleaning Lily's catbox. LOL
@DDay: I have an issue with your observation regarding the modern Democratic Party . . . There is no left-wing of the Democratic Party; there is a right/corporate-wing and a largely centrist-wing. The Reagan Revolution ruined us. The re-languaging of American politics and the obliteration of history left us bereft of a ‘Left'.
FYI
That last pedantic post was BS. Round heads was a name for Puritans ,(usually), and was coined around 1641. My male ancestors were mostly Puritans, so I tried to mislead. My puritanical instincts made me correct the record. Darned guilty impulses. I must be a round head. :-)
Thom,
I love this segment of your show ("Ask Earl Blumenauer.") You had me with Bernie.
Please consider having more segments of "Ask the Congressman" throughout the week! This is a great way to let them know what we, the people, care about! (Probably better than emails...)
"Ask Alan Grayson, too?!" This is heaven!
@ Richard
I have been a district leader in my state's Democratic Party, (D.F.L.) for several years. I've even managed to make a few powerful enemies including our State Party Chair. He represents the old guard. I have been trying to promote change from within since before I ever heard of Thom Hartmann. We need other progressives to get active and join in to bring insurrection and reform. Right now the old guard has control of the microphones and the purse strings which gives them great advantage. We need more bodies to support change. We also need a unified national voice that willing to call out Dems who act like cons.
DDay,
I'm in District 41B. Where are you?
@ Quark
Re: "You had me at Bernie"? My oh my you are easy aren't you? Doris Day without the wholesomeness?... indeed. tee hee :-)
DDay,
Like you said, 'Que sera sera." LOL
I.m in hell. SD48
Well folks
You might as well do it on this page too.
P.S.: I feel so special.
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Earlier this week, “Tea Bag Party 2” was kicked-off in Bakersfield, California. The “entertainment” was provided by some right-wing brother in a cowboy get-up. He performed his updated minstrel show in front of an all-white audience, mightily entertained by his caricatures o Obama. It is safe to add that he has little understanding of the dark underbelly of Bakersfield, which consists of such things as the Klan, neo-Nazis and other groups of that ilk. Recent events included the hanging of a Nazi flag on Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday at a local high school, and the sentencing this past July of a Bakersfield man for the stabbing of a Korean man in a Los Angeles park, while “explaining” to witnesses that his action were a representation of “white power.”
Bakersfield is also the hometown of a girl group called “Prussian Blue,” and the twin sisters who make-up the “musical” act are of naturally of Arian-Nordic extraction, and predictably blond- haired and blue-eyed. Their repertory of race hatred and neo-Nazi fanaticism, accentuated with Nazi salutes and “Sieg Heils.” In 2005, when these twins were 13-years-old, they told a reporter that "We are proud of being white. We want our people to stay white; we don't want to just be, you know, a big muddle. We just want to preserve our race." “Big” words for girls who were singing this trope since they were nine. It seems that they did not just make this up this up all by themselves, however; their racist mother was their “manager” and “inspiration” for their neo-Nazi songbook.
Meanwhile, Boeing has apparently decided that it will move a second 787 assembly line to South Carolina (where it already builds parts of the plane’s fuselage in North Charleston), after the break-down of the so-called talks with the machinists' union in Washington (no thanks to our weak governor). But it seems likely that these talks were just for show and never serious; Boeing didn’t enter the discussions in good faith, and never intended not to move assembly to South Carolina, a so-called “right to work” state—which means, ironically, that workers have no rights (like having your locker room arbitrarily taken away because someone higher-up the food chain wants it). Proof of this is the “secret” pacts made with Boeing obliquely referred to by Columbia lawmakers before the final decision was made. The number of new jobs that Boeing is expected to create in South Carolina (in order to trigger the handing out of state funds) is more than needed for the second 787 line, so it appears that the company plans on a program of moving additional union jobs from Washington to non-union South Carolina.
A thought on the House’s “final” healthcare reform bill introduced on Thursday. Other than Dennis Kucinich and a few others, almost all Democrats back it; the Republicans can do whatever it is they do when no one is looking. But it does make too many concessions to the insurance industry in that it weakens the public option’s ability to control costs and force real competition. But it’s a “beginning,” and given weak-kneed Democrats, we ought be thankful for whatever we can get.