Editorial/Political cartooning takes rare talent…talent I wish I had! This one was done by a dear friend of mine - Pat Racimora - who I hope will let me post more of them. 
|
We need veterans like Ashwin Madia, Tim Walz, and Leonard Boswell in Congress to lead us out of Iraq and to support our troops. Click here to donate to their campaigns today! |
 |
It's no surprise that a war veteran, Senator Jim Webb, has led the fight in expanding the GI Bill to give our troops the education benefits they were promised. Those who have worn the uniform know first-hand how much our troops have sacrificed and what it takes to support members of the armed forces.
That's why it was critical our community helped elect Jim Webb in 2006, and it's also the reason I'm backing three veterans who are running for Congress this fall. Though 30,000 Americans have signed a petition in support of Senator Webb's GI Bill, our opponents are already weakening the bill because it is too "generous" for our troops. We need more veterans in Congress who will help bring our soldiers home from Iraq and stand up for those who have defended our nation.
Join me and support veteran candidates Ashwin Madia, Tim Walz, and Leonard Boswell by donating to their campaigns today!
http://www.actblue.com/page/3vets
 |
Ashwin Madia is running in Minnesota's 3rd Congressional district, and his candidacy presents a prime opportunity for Democrats to pick up this open seat. As an Iraq War veteran, Ashwin Madia knows as well as anyone the importance of getting our troops out of Iraq and safely home. He spent seven months in Iraq, working with U.S. officials, European Union and United Nations representatives, and Iraqi judicial officers to strengthen the Iraqi criminal justice system.
Ashwin's extensive experience in Iraq would bring a needed perspective on our nation's interests in the Middle East. We need his voice in Congress, and with your early support he'll win this fall.
Help send Ashwin to Congress -- click on the link below to donate to his campaign today!
http://www.actblue.com/page/3vets
 |
Two years ago, Representative Tim Walz defeated a six term incumbent Republican in Minnesota's 1st Congressional District. As a 24-year member of the Army National Guard, Tim understands the need to increase education benefits for our soldiers and has co-sponsored the House version of Senator Webb's GI Bill.
But Karl Rove and the National Republican Congressional Committee have named Tim as a top target for 2008. Already, well-funded special interest groups have launched misleading TV ads against Congressman Walz because he continues to stand up to the Bush Administration and its failed policies.
Help Tim Walz fight against the GOP's attacks and win a second term. Donate to his campaign today!
http://www.actblue.com/page/3vets
 |
In 2006, WesPAC helped Leonard Boswell fight off a "swiftboat" attempt on him in Iowa, and our efforts helped re-elect Leonard. As a 20-year veteran of the Army, he too supports an expanded GI Bill for our veterans and has pushed for increases in funding for the Department of Veterans Affairs.
We can't afford to lose a true American hero like Leonard in Congress, and we can't take it for granted that the right-wing won't smear him again this November.
Help re-elect Congressman Boswell by donating to his campaign now!
http://www.actblue.com/page/3vets
The insight of those who serve in the armed forces is too often lost in our nation's dialogue about foreign policy, health care, education, and veterans issues. With your support, we'll strengthen the voices of those who have risked their lives for our country by sending 3 veterans to Congress in 2008.
Thank you for your support.
Sincerely,
Wes Clark
Help Andrew Rice keep up his momentum -- click here to donate to his Senate campaign today!
Like me, Andrew Rice never thought he'd run for office. But Andrew's life took a dramatic turn when his older brother was killed in the 9/11 attacks on the World Trade Center. The tragedy redirected Andrew on a course of public activism, first with the surviving families of 9/11 and later with a successful run for State Senate in Oklahoma.
Today, he's challenging Republican incumbent Senator James Inhofe in Oklahoma, who has blindly supported the Bush administration's failed war policies in Iraq. Andrew's campaign is gaining momentum every day, but he needs your help to defeat Inhofe this fall.
Help send a new leader to the Senate from Oklahoma -- click on the link below to donate to Andrew Rice's campaign today!
http://www.actblue.com/page/helpandrew
Andrew has spent his entire life helping others less fortunate than himself. He holds a Master's Degree in Theology, and has worked in Sri Lanka and Thailand to help fight disease and hunger. As a State Senator, Andrew added 38,000 Oklahoma children to a government-sponsored health insurance program and helped create a task force to tackle the problem of hunger in Oklahoma.
Andrew's record stands in strong contrast to that of Senator Inhofe, who has voted against veterans' health care funding, against funding for troops in the field including armored vehicles, and has blocked an increase in medical care funding for active duty military personnel.
We need more leaders like Andrew Rice in the Senate -- click on the link below to contribute to his campaign today!
http://www.actblue.com/page/helpandrew
Already, Inhofe's failure to represent the needs of Oklahoma is costing him votes. Recent polling by Pete Brodnitz of Benenson Strategy Group found that when Oklahoma voters hear positive statements about Rice's values, agenda and background, they favor him over the incumbent by a 43% to 41% margin. And while Oklahoma has long been dismissed as a "red" state, Andrew's commitment to a new direction for America is gaining traction across the state among voters who are weary of Inhofe's extremist politics.
Let's prove the media and our opponents wrong, and show that Oklahoma is ready to send a Democrat to the Senate. Contribute to Andrew's campaign today!
http://www.actblue.com/page/helpandrew
Thank you.
Sincerely,
Wes Clark
April 18th, 2008
Dear Super Delegates,
In a few months, you will be asked to make a final and immensely difficult choice that will likely decide the Democratic nominee for president. Unfortunately, that choice is not between Senator Obama or Senator Clinton – for everyone’s sake, I wish it were that simple. The choice you must make is really much more personal – it’s the type of choice all of us must make at some point in our lives, and it’s never easy. It’s the choice between what we personally want and hope will work vs. what we know is probably the greater good and best for others. OK, that’s the kindest way I can put it. The more blunt way is this: it’s the choice between doing what is best for yourself vs. doing what is best for everyone else, even and especially when it isn’t what you personally want.
Over the last several months, and right up until the day of the national convention, you will continue to be wooed from all sides; the candidates want you to do what’s best for them, the party wants you to do what’s best for it, and the voters of your area want your vote to reflect their preference. The pressure will only get worse, and no matter which way you go, you’re probably going to make someone unhappy. That’s OK. I’m guessing no where in the “Super Delegate Handbook” does it say one of your responsibilities is to make people happy. Hang on to that thought. It’s one of two you’re going to need to remember most when you make your final decision on the convention floor.
So – how are you to make this decision? Let’s be honest – many of you will never have so much power to shape history, nor your own personal future, as you will have with this vote. And it’s that last bit – the personal future part – where this starts to get complicated. At some point in this process, don’t be surprised if someone suggests to you something along the lines of “if you play your cards right and vote for so-and-so, you can write your own ticket,” or “stick with me and I’ll make sure you have a seat at the table”’ or “so-and-so is who we want, and you don’t want to be on the wrong side of this when the day’s over”’ or, my personal favorite, the short and sweet, “you owe me”’ or some other version of a carrot or stick arm twist. The less power you currently enjoy, the greater the pressure you’re likely to feel to do what someone with more power wants you to do. This isn’t meant to be an indictment or condemnation of anyone. It’s just what happens, so there’s no point in telling ourselves it doesn’t.
I’m not sending this out in order to tell you who I think you should vote for. My state had its say on Super Tuesday. I’m here to give you slightly different advice – presumptuous of me, I know – but it’s advice I don’t hear anyone else out there giving you. So here goes…
Because you will cast the last votes in this contest, you have an incredible advantage over the general public voters; the advantage of time. You will have had at least two months’ more time to examine each candidate than every other voter – for the nearly half of the country who voted by Super Tuesday, that’s six and a half months’ more information you’ve gained than we had when we voted. That’s huge! Consider how much more we’ve learned about the candidates in the last few months than in the previous year. What more will we learn in the coming months? I don’t know, but the longer the battle goes on, the better the odds we’ll get a clearer picture of the true mettle of these two people and the more informed your vote can be.
A second advantage you have is that you’re party insiders. You are privy to information, gossip, rumor, history and facts most of us will never know. Those of you who are sitting politicians especially – you know how the game is played – you know the difference between sponsoring bills, co-sponsoring bills, and writing bills and what kind of leadership and talent is evidenced by each. You know the difference between sitting on committees and working on them. You know why these candidates have cast their senate votes as they have in detail we will never hear, which of the hundreds of votes were critical, which weren’t and who showed up for each. You know the kind of stress and pressure you and your colleagues face every day – and how much more intense it is for a president – and you’ve likely witnessed how each of these two candidates bears up under those stresses and pressures. You know, better than any of the rest of us, the full breadth and depth of the problems the next president will have to face. Rip through this information without mercy, but with every ounce of objectivity you can muster. Close your ears to the charismatic cadence of campaign speeches and promises. Ignore the polls – you know most of them are bullshit. Forget who you like or hate. Remember who gets the jobs done and who gets problems solved. Those of us general public voters have the luxury of ‘falling in love’ with a candidate – you don’t. You have to be smarter than us. And don’t seek the counsel of others in the party – you’re on your own this time and you’ve got to suck it up and trust your own instincts and brains. Let me repeat that: trust only your own instinct and brains. This time our future really does depend on your ability to do just that.
It is because of these two advantages, your votes carry the power to essentially save us from ourselves. In all likelihood, that’s precisely what you may have to do. You must not falter. Earlier, I told you it wasn’t your responsibility to make people happy, and to hold on to that thought as it was one of two you would most need to remember. Here’s the second one: in this vote, your responsibility isn’t to choose the best person for the party – but to choose the best, strongest, most capable person to lead the country. They may not be one and the same, and this is why Party must never come before Country. Forgetting this dooms us all.
I know what I’m asking of each of you is far from easy, and I’m sorry for that. I do understand the political risks you face should your choice go against the wishes of allies and friends.
Good luck, God speed, and thank you,
K.A. Flinn
| I'm grateful for all you've done to change the course of our country and send countless progressives to Congress these past four years. But the 2008 elections are coming up soon, and we need to take the White House and increase our majorities in Congress. Contribute to WesPAC in celebration of our Fourth Anniversary today! |
Click to Contribute >> |
The Clark Community and WesPAC didn't start with me. It was born out of a group of people who wanted to restore our nation's security and prosperity, address the threats facing America without sacrificing our civil liberties, and fight the unwise policies of the Bush Administration.
It's with the help of people like you that I founded WesPAC and that we have come to change the course of this country. As we celebrate WesPAC's fourth anniversary this month, I'd like to take a moment and look back on what we have accomplished together, and thank your for standing by me these past four years:
The Draft Clark movement started in 2003 with just a handful of activists -- only five years later, our organization includes over 300,000 activists working to increase our Democratic majorities in Congress and bring new leadership to Washington.
Your energy and commitment to our country has helped change the course of our nation both internationally and domestically. Americans across the country are frustrated with our strategic blunders in the Middle East, a weak economy and an administration that has failed to represent the interests of the people. That's why we started a campaign to stop war with Iran, sent over 25,000 emails to Congress urging our Representatives to get Ed Shultz's show on Armed Forces Radio, and have sent more than 260,000 emails to our nation's leaders demanding change in Washington.
Time and again, the WesPAC community has fought for a shared purpose to strengthen our national security, stand by our veterans, and make sure that the government is representing the interests of all Americans. But I alone could not have had the impact that we as a community have had on our nation -- instead it has taken the work of thousands of people like you to make our voice heard.
Of course, what I'm most proud of is our success in sending countless Democrats to Congress. Since 2004, I've asked you to help progressive candidates across the country, and together we have raised over 1.5 million dollars for over 100 candidates. Raising 1.5 million dollars takes more than just one person -- it takes the support of a community, and you are part of a community that has propelled countless Democratic candidates to victory at election time.
With your help, we've done great work so far for the 2008 elections, but we can't take it for granted that we'll come out on top in November. We're facing a Republican Party that is willing to do anything to cling to their seats in Congress, and our opponents are already throwing mud at progressive candidates. It's critical that we win the White House and increase our margins in Congress to move our sound economic and foreign policies forward.
We've come a long way since WesPAC was founded four years ago. I'm grateful that you've joined me in our mission to bring new leadership to Washington and repair our nation's image in the world. And with your help, we'll succeed by leaps and bounds in 2008.
Sincerely,
Wes Clark
| Why is John McCain silent on passing a new GI Bill for our 'new greatest generation?" Tell John McCain to do the right thing and co-sponsor the new GI Bill. |
 |
McCain must lead the charge
A new GI Bill needs his support, yet the war-hero candidate appears reluctant.
By Wesley K. Clark and Jon Soltz | Los Angeles Times | April 10, 2008
Sen. John McCain served his nation with honor in Vietnam, and he is right to be proud of his service. But by hedging on whether he will support a "GI Bill for the 21st Century," he is casting doubt on his own commitment to the newest generation of American heroes.
The Post-9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Act, sponsored by Sens. Jim Webb (D-Va.) and Chuck Hagel (R-Neb.), will restore the promise of a cost-free education to those who serve in the military. The original GI Bill transformed American history, providing education for returning soldiers. The GI Bill not only recognized our nation's moral duty for the enormous sacrifices of our World War II veterans, but it helped create America's middle class and spurred decades of economic growth for our country. Economists estimate that the original bill returned anywhere between $5 and $13 for every dollar we spent on it. But the original GI Bill has become woefully outdated, to the point where the average benefit doesn't even cover half the cost of an in-state student's education at a public college.
| The original GI Bill transformed American history, providing education for returning soldiers. Not only was this our nation’s moral duty for the unbelievable sacrifices of our World War II veterans, it helped create America's middle class and spurred decades of economic growth for our country. Why then is John McCain silent on passing a new GI Bill for our 'new greatest generation?" Tell John McCain to do the right thing and co-sponsor the new GI Bill. |
Robert Lopez served 8 years in our military, fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan as a tank commander. He was told he'd get his whole education bill paid for when he got out of the service. Mr. Lopez has fought and sacrificed for our country but like so many others, Mr. Lopez has faced the bleak reality of a government that has turned its back on its veterans.
That is why Senators Jim Webb and Chuck Hagel proposed the new GI Bill, which would bring back WWII-style standards of providing vets with full tuition, room and board. And that is why 51 senators have signed on, including 9 Republicans like John Warner, giving this GI Bill tremendous bi-partisan support.
But it isn't enough. Faced with unprecedented filibusters, the only way to ensure Senate passage of the GI Bill is to get 60 co-sponsors. So far, John McCain has refused. The same McCain who insists he supports our troops. The same McCain who is voting lockstep with the Bush administration (who have also resisted this bill). We need to get John McCain to do the right thing -- to sign now and signal to other Republican leaders that we should be strongly behind our vets.
Sign the petition to John McCain!
The original GI Bill transformed American history, providing education for returning soldiers. Not only was this our nation's moral duty for the unbelievable sacrifices of our World War II veterans, it helped create America's middle class and spurred decades of economic growth for our country.
Why then is John McCain silent on passing a new GI Bill for our "new greatest generation?"
Robert Lopez thinks John McCain ought to stand in his shoes to know how difficult it is to be a vet and have to pay staggering education costs. THIS is your call to arms. Pass the video along and implore your friends to sign the petition.
Click here to watch the video and sign the petition today!
WesPAC, VoteVets.org and Brave New Films feel passionately about giving our veterans the support they rightly deserve. Our government owes our troops returning from Iraq and Afghanistan the opportunity to receive full educational benefits. These patriots have fought hard for our government; it's time our government started fighting hard for them.
Sincerely yours,
Wes Clark, Robert Greenwald, and Jon Soltz
|
Mary, Carol and Darcy are running in tight races, and they need our help -- click here to donate to their campaigns before the March 31st deadline! |
|
"It's going to be a bloodbath."
That's what National Republican Senatorial Committee chairman John Ensign promised Louisiana Senator Mary Landrieu in her re-election race this fall. And we can expect this to be the playbook across the country.
That's why I wanted to make sure you help me support Mary and two other candidates that I am sure will be under nonstop attacks from the national Republicans this fall: Carol Shea-Porter (NH-1) and Darcy Burner (WA-8).
Join me and give Mary, Carol, and Darcy the resources to fight back. Please contribute to their campaigns before the March 31st end of quarter deadline!
http://www.actblue.com/page/FightWithWes
 |
Mary is leading the fight to rebuild hurricane-damaged parts of Louisiana after the Bush Administration's mismanagement led to unbelievable delays and mistakes. She's taking George Bush head on, overriding President Bush's veto of a bill providing $7 billion to restore wetlands and rebuild levees after Hurricane Katrina.
Mary Landrieu is also trying to fix our priorities on national security. She has been a strong and persistent voice calling on the Bush Administration to focus on capturing the person actually responsible for 9/11: Osama Bin Laden.
Now, national Republican operatives want to take Mary out, making her race their #1 priority. Mary's voice is one we can't afford to lose this year. Donate to her campaign before the March 31st deadline!
http://www.actblue.com/page/FightWithWes
 |
Carol Shea-Porter is running for re-election in New Hampshire's 1st Congressional District. As many of you know, Carol is a member of our Clark community, volunteering for my presidential campaign 4 years ago. After the 2004 election, I urged people to get involved, run for office and bring new leadership to the party. Carol did just that, and with our help beat the odds to become New Hampshire's first female member of Congress.
Carol is one of us, running a truly grassroots-driven campaign. She understands the need to engage the Middle East with diplomacy, provide better health care for all Americans, and take care of our veterans. But she's one of the Republicans' top targets this year, and her campaign is facing a tough election in November.
Help Carol Shea-Porter win a second term. Support her campaign before Monday's fundraising deadline!
http://www.actblue.com/page/FightWithWes
 |
I have written to you before about Darcy Burner, who is running for Congress in Washington's 8th District. She comes from a military family, and her family background will bring a needed perspective on the war in Iraq and veterans issues to Congress.
Two years ago, Darcy lost a tight race to Republican Dave Reichert, but Darcy doesn't give up so easily. We helped her get close last cycle. It's time for us to put her over the top. George Bush and Karl Rove have already come to Washington to help her opponent. We have to respond.
The race is sure to be tight again. Please contribute to Darcy's campaign and put her over the top in 2008!
http://www.actblue.com/page/FightWithWes
Americans are looking to Democrats to fix the mess created by the Bush Administration. They are looking for change, and they are looking to us to deliver it. Republicans know that their only chance is to drag us down into the gutter with relentless attacks and distortions.
We can't let them do it.
Sincerely,
Wes Clark
In these final days before the Texas primary, I'm hitting the campaign trail for Hillary Clinton.
I hope you can join me at one of the following events.
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 29, 2008
Meet and Greet with Hillary Clinton and Veterans
Waco Convention Center
100 Washington Ave
Waco, TX
1:30 pm
Veterans/Early Vote Rally with Hillary Clinton
Waco Convention Center
100 Washington Ave
Waco, TX
2:30 pm
Hillary Clinton El Paso Field Office
800 North Mesa
El Paso, TX
8:00 pm
n
| Today, it's time to act again. But alone, I am just a single voice. So I am asking you to add your voice to mine. To help me send a message that our time is now. That we must act now to fix all that this administration has broken. That Hillary is the leader we need. |
Please add your voice to mine. Contribute to Hillary's campaign today!
Last Tuesday, more than 15 million Americans voted in Democratic primaries and caucuses across 22 states. In fact, Democrats outnumbered Republicans on Super Tuesday by a nearly 2-to-1 margin. It was an astounding display of democracy and a testament to the passion of Democrats and like-minded independents in this year's presidential primary.
As you know, I'm supporting Hillary Clinton for President. I could list countless reasons why, but I think one story about Hillary sums it all up.
After the war in Kosovo was over, she and the President flew in to meet the troops. I watched her engage with the privates, sergeants and the colonels. She knew the issues, she knew the personal aspects and she had their respect. In my talk with her, I could see she had followed the issues closely and was well in-tune with the military and diplomatic requirements. She could have been the Commander-in-Chief.
This race couldn't be closer -- and the stakes for our country couldn't be higher. Hillary is going to need millions of dollars to compete in the upcoming states, so I'm asking you to join me. Already, 75,000 people have contributed to Hillary since Super Tuesday. The time to act is now. Please contribute to Hillary today!
http://www.hillaryclinton.com/wesclark
Just think about what George W. Bush is leaving behind for the next President. Imagine walking into the Oval Office with a weakening economy, a broken health care system, fractured relationships with nations across the world, and of course, the mess in Iraq.
There is one candidate I know who can deal with these challenges right from Day One: Hillary Clinton.
The qualities I saw in Hillary that day in Kosovo are what we need today: Wisdom, compassion, intelligence, and moral courage.
I believe in Hillary deeply. I need you to stand with me -- right now. Make a contribution to Hillary's campaign today.
http://www.hillaryclinton.com/wesclark
I spent 34 years in uniform because I love our country. After I retired, I saw this president take us needlessly into Iraq only to watch as our men and women in uniform made sacrifices while the war architects in the White House made none. I couldn't stand on the sidelines and do nothing.
In 2003, with your support, I ran for president. And though we were not successful, I know that our voices together made a difference.
Today, it's time to act again. But alone, I am just a single voice. So I am asking you to add your voice to mine. To help me send a message that our time is now. That we must act now to fix all that this administration has broken. That Hillary is the leader we need.
Please add your voice to mine. Contribute to Hillary's campaign and help her reach voters across America.
http://www.hillaryclinton.com/wesclark
Thank you for your support over all these years. It heartens me to know that we are still connected -- fighting for what is right for our families, our country, and our future. And that we are still united by something I said several years ago: We can do better. We will do better. And we will do it together.
Sincerely,
Wes Clark
 |
2008 is critical.
We're finalizing our 2008 budget, and I need your help. My goal this year is to not only elect a Democratic president, but to also build working majorities in the U.S. House and Senate.
From bringing an end to the occupation in Iraq to providing health care to children, Republicans have obstructed important legislation at unprecedented rates. This must stop. We need to elect more Democrats to break this logjam.
Today, we're launching our 2008 Kickoff Fund. Our goal is to raise $20,080 by Friday. Please contribute to our 2008 fundraising drive today!
http://securingamerica.com/contribute
WesPAC has already endorsed numerous candidates for the 2008 cycle, and we're ready to make history again.
Can Rick Noriega be the next Jim Webb? Will Jon Powers be the next Joe Sestak?
We can answer these questions with a resounding "Yes" but only if we get out on the campaign trail to support them. We can't wait until election day. We must act now.
I'm ready to hit the campaign trail for Rick, Jon, and dozens of other candidates. I need your help to do it. Please contribute to our 2008 Kickoff Fund today.
http://securingamerica.com/contribute
I thank you for your previous financial support. You've made a difference. But there is still so much more we can do. To end the occupation in Iraq, to ensure every American has access to quality health care, to fight climate change, we must elect more Democrats.
That's why I am asking you to donate to WesPAC's 2008 Kickoff Fund. Make sure we reach our $20,080 goal by midnight Friday!
http://securingamerica.com/contribute
Thank you for your support.
Regards,
Wes Clark
In keeping with Spirit of Christmas, and what Christmas is really about - we wanted to include the link to this song from World War 1 - “Christmas In The Trenches” - sung by John McDermott - and dedicate it to all the men and women serving overseas, away from their loved ones. We want you to know we thank you for the job you do, and wish you all a safe and very Merry Christmas, and Peace in the coming year.
Christmas in the Trenches (John McCutcheon)
My name is Francis Tolliver, I come from Liverpool.
Two years ago the war was waiting for me after school.
To Belgium and to Flanders, to Germany to here
I fought for King and country I love dear.
‘Twas Christmas in the trenches, where the frost so bitter hung,
The frozen fields of France were still, no Christmas song was sung
Our families back in England were toasting us that day
Their brave and glorious lads so far away.
I was lying with my messmate on the cold and rocky ground
When across the lines of battle came a most peculiar sound
Says I, “Now listen up, me boys!” each soldier strained to hear
As one young German voice sang out so clear.
“He’s singing bloody well, you know!” my partner says to me
Soon, one by one, each German voice joined in harmony
The cannons rested silent, the gas clouds rolled no more
As Christmas brought us respite from the war
As soon as they were finished and a reverent pause was spent
“God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen” struck up some lads from Kent
The next they sang was “Stille Nacht.” “Tis `Silent Night’,” says I
And in two tongues one song filled up that sky
“There’s someone coming toward us!” the front line sentry cried
All sights were fixed on one long figure trudging from their side
His truce flag, like a Christmas star, shown on that plain so bright
As he, bravely, strode unarmed into the night
Soon one by one on either side walked into No Man’s Land
With neither gun nor bayonet we met there hand to hand
We shared some secret brandy and we wished each other well
And in a flare-lit soccer game we gave ‘em hell
We traded chocolates, cigarettes, and photographs from home
These sons and fathers far away from families of their own
Young Sanders played his squeezebox and they had a violin
This curious and unlikely band of men
Soon daylight stole upon us and France was France once more
With sad farewells we each prepared to settle back to war
But the question haunted every heart that lived that wonderous night
“Whose family have I fixed within my sights?”
‘Twas Christmas in the trenches where the frost, so bitter hung
The frozen fields of France were warmed as songs of peace were sung
For the walls they’d kept between us to exact the work of war
Had been crumbled and were gone forevermore
My name is Francis Tolliver, in Liverpool I dwell
Each Christmas come since World War I, I’ve learned its lessons well
That the ones who call the shots won’t be among the dead and lame
And on each end of the rifle we’re the same
Pouring rain. 10-hour long lines. A final margin of just 2%. This was Ohio in 2004.
But one year before any votes are cast in the general election, we have a chance to send a message to voters in Ohio and across the country: 2008 will not be 2004.
Robin Weirauch is running for the open seat in Ohio's 5th congressional district. Voters will be hitting the ballot box in less than two weeks on December 11.
A victory in OH-5 will send a message across Ohio and America that voters are ready to turn the page on George W. Bush and the Republicans. Contribute to Robin's campaign today!
http://www.actblue.com/page/WinOhio5
As the daughter of a retired Master Sergeant in the United States Air Force, Robin will do more than simply repeat slogans like "Support the Troops." She will fight to bring a responsible end to the war in Iraq and make sure our veterans receive the health care they deserve.
A former Emergency Medical Technician and the wife of a retired police officer, Robin has honest middle class values. She understands the critical issues for working-class people such as education, fair trade policies, and bringing good jobs back to Northwest Ohio. She will ensure that all Americans have access to the opportunities that will help them and their children succeed in the 21st Century.
Northwest Ohio and Congress need Robin's strong, honest, independent voice.
Give Robin the final push she needs to win this seat for Democrats and give us the momentum we need heading into the 2008 elections!
http://www.actblue.com/page/WinOhio5
Like many of the races I've asked you to help with in the past, this is a tough district. It's a Republican district, but as I've said before, we've got to compete everywhere. Republican districts can become Democratic districts. Republican states can become Democratic states. But only if we contest the seats.
I remember campaigning last year in Montana with Jon Tester, standing with Jim Webb in Virginia, and barnstorming some of the reddest Congressional districts in the final days of the 2006 elections. With you by my side, we changed the map.
We have the chance to do it again. Bush won this district by 20 points in 2004, but in 2006, Governor Ted Strickland and Senator Sherrod Brown carried it for Democrats. Now in this special election, just 13 days away, Robin Weirauch can win Ohio's 5th district...with your help.
Please rush a contribution to Robin in these final days before the special election on December 11.
http://www.actblue.com/page/WinOhio5
You are helping to change our country, and I can't thank you enough for all you do.
Regards,
Wes Clark
What was that phrase again?? Something about repeating the same actions in hopes of getting a different result…now, tell me again…was that the definition of insanity, or stupidity?
If you haven’t had the opportunity to read this bill, which uselessly passed the House last night by a vote of 218 to 203, and will either fail to pass the Senate entirely, or fail to pass it in a veto-proof manner, here it is: http://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/getdoc.cgi?dbname=110_cong_bills&docid=f:h4156ih.txt.pdf
Why do Congressional Dems keep doing this? Haven’t they figured out yet that as long as Bush is in office, no bill using troop withdrawl as a condition will get passed? Or, gee, are they more interested in looking like they really tried to hold the Bush admin’s feet to the fire come election day? It’s beginning to look a lot like the latter rather than the former. How sad for the institution. How disgusting, unethical and reprehensible for the harm it causes everyone - including them - and especially the military!
In my unqualified opinion - this is a badly conceived bill. If it had been the first such bill the House Dem majority had floated, it would only be a less lousy bill. Unfortunately, this is just the latest in a series of failed efforts to force this administration to end the war and bring the troops home before the end of the Bush term. This particular leverage doesn’t work. Stop using it. You are wasting time, and quite probably, lives, dear Congress.
Why not try writing a bill that will actually accomplish much of what we want, and that actually has a snowball’s chance in Hell of getting passed by both houses and not vetoed for a change? Baby steps…
For instance - give him the $50 Billion, with three provisions: one tied to the last provision in the bill…
(g) Not later than February 15, 2008, the President shall submit to the Congress in classified and unclassified form a comprehensive regional stability plan for the Middle East, which shall include a military, diplomatic, political and economic strategy that provides for the national security interests of the United States in the region and for the engagement of targeted counterterrorism oper ations. The plan shall include a detailed description of the projected United States military force presence in and around the Middle East region for the 5-year period beginning on October 1, 2008.
one tied to diplomacy: Bush has to form and send, by March 1st, 2008, a bi-partisan diplomatic team to work the region, including Iran, along the lines of the Dayton Accord group,
one tied to some specific, significant, goals the Iraqi Parliament must complete, by, say, October 31st, 2008. If either fails to complete their end of the bargain, no more money.
This possibly accomplishes a few of things :
Just a thought or two from an idiot…
UPDATE:
I left out an important point in this, and I really apologize for that! Here it is: what’s missing from this bill??
There’s no “or else”. Lots of sticks that sorta look like carrots, but no actual sticks! When I said: “If either fails to complete their end of the bargain, no more money.” I should have finished the thought with: “…until you comply.” That means the only money that will be paid is troop salaries, and necessary costs to house, feed, and otherwise take care of our troops, no diplomatic salaries, no reconstruction money, no aid packages, no contractor payments, nothing. Everything will come to a grinding, deafening, halt. And, oh yeah…the troops will be taking a little vacation (but will stay where they are) until you do comply.
There is a way to play hardball and get the desired outcome - they just have use their brains and stop playing politics first.
In the interest of full disclosure, yes, I will be voting for Senator Clinton, but not because I’m a Hillary fan or because I dislike Republicans or even because someone I respect as much as Wes Clark endorsed her. If you’d asked me a year ago, and some of you did, could I imagine any circumstance under which I would vote for Hillary Clinton for president, I would have, and did, say no. Then I remembered what’s best for my country is a hell of a lot more important than what I want, and wrote this comment June 30th:
Well - since then I’ve been paying more attention to her, and the others, and no longer distrust her just as a matter of course. But more on that in a moment. Let me put this issue another way…
This is not the time for amateurs. Considering the particular circumstances in which we find ourselves now and for the foreseeable future, this is not the time for on the job training either.
What’s best for the country is to have a team of pros in the White House on the first day of the new administration come January 2009, who know where the light switches are and how to find the bathrooms without an escort. That includes the president and vice president. Given the possibility that the state of the Union, by 2009, may well include us being at war in three separate countries simultaneously, we don’t have time for any administration to spend reading “How To Run The Country For Dummies.” Currently, there is only one campaign that satisfies that criteria and that’s the Clinton campaign. But let me explain myself by reposting the pertinent part of the comment I mentioned above…
If forced to be dispassionate about her, one might consider the following:
In recent posts and comments (all over the blogosphere), I’ve seen several people refer - quite negatively - to the practice of “triangulation”. It seems to bother people more that Hillary may do it than when Bill did it. Maybe because it was a seemingly newer practice when Bill did it. Well, it isn’t new, and it isn’t bad. It’s actually quite smart…unless you happen to be a someone who thinks it’s a bad idea to listen to what constituents think and try to find a way to do as they wish. Yep…that’s bad. Why would anyone want to have a politician listen to and consider the views of all of their constituents, including, God forbid, non-Democratic ones!
For all the yelling we voters do about our representatives not standing up for what they want, we seem to have a bad habit of forgetting they are supposed to stand up for what we want. I’ll take a little more of that triangulation, thanks. Consequently, I am less concerned with whether or not I can trust her personal positions, so long as I can trust she will not further violate the positions of the country.
I’m less concerned she be the smartest person in the room, so long as she is wise enough to surround herself with the smartest people available - even if, and especially if, they are smarter than her. So far, she has demonstrated that wisdom.
I also appreciate that, unlike both Senator Obama and former Senator Edwards, she has paid her political dues by at least completing a full senatorial term before running for the presidency. That demonstrates, at least, that she has some patience. Senators Obama and Edwards haven’t seemed to consider that important. To my thinking, deciding to run for president before one has even completed half of one’s first senatorial term, demonstrates not patience, not loyalty, not a commitment to obligation, not a desire to restore hope, and certainly not wisdom, but rather a childish egotism.
I’m sorry but I’ve had enough of a childishly egotistical president in the last seven years to last me a lifetime. I’d like an adult with a modicum of wisdom to be the next president, please. While Sentors Biden and Dodd both qualify as such adults too - they can’t win the nomination. She can. And, contrary to my previous opinion of her, and while it will by no means be a cakewalk, she can also win the general election.
But…and I say this to all Democrats, with the greatest respect for your individuality and your opinions, there is a time to push your pet candidate or issue/single issue/”my” issue importance - it’s when you have a veto-proof majority in both houses. When you don’t have that majority, then it’s time to suck it up, look at the big picture and pull together. If your party cannot do that, especially when it matters most to the survival of what we want to believe we are as a people and as a country, then you doom us all to wondering what could have been…again.
Beat the Deadline
 |
| For helping us reach our $25,000 goal by midnight tonight! |
I'm in Chicago today and wanted to dash off a quick note to you.
On Wednesday, I asked the Clark community to help us raise $25,000 in 48 hours for our "2008 Fund." We're less than $10,000 from meeting our goal before our deadline tonight.
Please rush a contribution to WesPAC before midnight tonight!
http://securingamerica.com/contribute
I need your help to keep speaking out. Today, my hometown newspaper, the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, called our efforts to remove Rush Limbaugh's show from Armed Forces Radio "sad." Is it sad to fight for our troops' right to express their views on the war? Is it sad to stop airing Rush Limbaugh's hateful speech over taxpayer funded airwaves?
Help me continue to speak out. Contribute to our "2008 Fund" today!
http://securingamerica.com/contribute
We must also ensure we have the resources to help as many candidates as possible in 2008. This is a critical election. We must have the right leadership to fix the mess George W. Bush and the Republicans created. I'm ready to hit the campaign trail, and I need the resources to do it.
Help us reach our $25,000 goal in these final hours. Contribute to our "2008 Fund" today!
http://securingamerica.com/contribute
Thank you for making a difference.
Sincerely,
Wes Clark
Four Years and Counting
|
| Let’s keep making a difference. Please contribute to our “2008 Fund” today |
Four years ago, I was in the first month of my presidential campaign. I remember wondering to myself: “Can we make a difference? Will people come out to listen to a retired general and political outsider, who has never held elected office?”
Now, four years later, I can say without any hesitation: We made a difference.
Now let’s keep making a difference. Please contribute to our “2008 Fund” today – so we can fight for the issues and candidates that will help get America back on track in the next election!
http://securingamerica.com/contribute
With you behind me in 2003 and 2004, we helped Democrats lead the debate on the issues of Iraq and national security. We made the case: Democrats are the party of national security. Democrats will keep America safe. And though we took tough losses in 2004, we laid the groundwork for 2006. Then in 2006 your support amplified my voice. I hit the campaign trail for dozens of candidates, and we carried Democrats to victory, gaining control of Congress.
Well, I need your help again today. 2008 will be a critical election up and down the ballot as we usher in new leadership to fix the mess George W. Bush has created. While I have decided not to seek the presidency myself, we have an ambitious plan to keep me on the campaign trail helping Democrats win. Now we need the resources to do it.
We have 48 hours to raise $25,000 to jump-start our “2008 Fund.” Please make a contribution today!
http://securingamerica.com/contribute
Last cycle, WesPAC helped 42 candidates win their races across America, including several veterans and 25 candidates who flipped their seats from Republican to Democratic seats. We helped bring political balance to Armed Forces Radio by adding Ed Shultz to the airwaves, and we continued to press both Republicans and Democrats to change course in Iraq.
Now, we’re fighting to take Rush Limbaugh off taxpayer-funded Armed Forces Radio for his despicable remarks against our troops. We’re pushing for a responsible end to the occupation in Iraq. We’re speaking out to prevent a military conflict with Iran. And of course, we’re fighting to elect Democrats up and down the ballot.
I ask you to stand with me in these fights. We have 48 hours to raise $25,000 to jump-start our “2008 Fund.” Help us get there before Friday’s midnight deadline.
http://securingamerica.com/contribute
Our “2008 Fund” will make sure WesPAC and I have the resources we need to help Democrats win up-and-down the ballot, from coast-to-coast. But we can’t do it without your help.
Let’s keep making a difference.
Sincerely,
Wes Clark
| November 11, 2007 |
Go do something nice for someone who has served. And say thank you.
Over the past week or so, I’ve run into a number of people very upset about Wes’ campaign to get Rush Limbaugh dumped from Armed Forces Radio. Most are Clark supporters, and most are upset enough about this to consider no longer supporting Wes because of it. I’ve probably had this debate with about 20 people so far, and there is a common, understandable, theme. Their objection to this campaign is that, however much they detest Limbaugh and what he’s doing, going to Congress to have him removed amounts to a breech of Limbaugh’s first amendment rights/freedom of the press and censorship. So, it seemed like a good idea to write a blog about this, and try to add some points unique to this particular issue because it involves members of the armed forces and Armed Forces Radio Service, that many who are upset about this may not be taking into consideration. Here goes…
Actually, firing Rush Limbaugh (no matter who does it) violates neither his first amendment, nor does it constitute censorship, because he’s isn’t protected by that when he commits libel and defamation. Calling members of the armed services “phony soldiers” because they disagree with him constitutes libel and defamation. I’m also not too sure one can be a victim of censorship for being removed from one, of many, networks, in part, for openly censoring members of his audience on the network removing him. That would be a little like saying convicting me of murder is a violation of my first amendment rights. I was engaging in my right to freedom of expression when I went on my killing spree.(ok - yeah, that’s a little extremem, but you get the idea.)
As I read, and re-read Wes’ emails asking us to send a letter to Congress to ask them to remove Limbaugh, this is how I interpret what he’s asking, what he wants, and perhaps why he wants it and why he’s the one spearheading it. This is my opinion/interpretation, of course. So, Wes? If i’m wrong on any of this - jump in and correct it please!
I can’t see where Wes is advocating Limbaugh be removed from the airwaves, unilateraly. He’s advocating he be fired (removed) - as one of the two conservative radio talk show hosts broadcast as representative of the conservative part of the American population. Sean Hannity is the other. There are also two liberal radio talk show hosts who are broadcast as counterpoints: Ed Schultz and Alan Colmes.
The idea behind airing two conservative and two liberal political talk radio shows is, obviously, to give service members and their families as balanced a ‘touch of home’ as possible, in that particular arena.
However, when talk radio moves from open debate between a show’s host and its callers, to a host doing little more than spouting his specific viewpoint, then berating, insulting and libeling anyone who disagrees with his viewpoint in any degree, then that host no longer fulfills the purpose for which he/she was chosen to be broadcast and should be replaced by someone who does.
Wes isn’t asking Congress to stifle free speech, quite the contrary - he’s asking them to remove a host who stifle’s free speech under the guise of patriotism, and insults and disrespects the very people whose morale he’s supposed to help lift.
Below are a couple of quotes from the FAQ’s of AFN, and the History:
1. Q: Why does AFN air political-talk radio programs?
A: AFN has an obligation, backed by Congressional mandate, to provide our audience access to the same variety and diversity of programming that they would enjoy if they were back in the States. Because political talk radio is among the most popular stateside radion formats, AFN currently offers four political radio talk shows on our AFN radio schedule: Rush Limbaugh and Sean Hannity represent the conservative viewpoint and Ed Schultz and Alan Colmes represent the liberal viewpoint. We make our choices based on popularity with the American audience. We don’t censor programs. We strive to provide our overseas audience with a choice and let them decide for themselves what they want to see and hear. There is no requirement for our audience to listen to anything they personally disagree with. To review the balance we strive to achieve via the totality of our radio and TV schedules, please visit http://www.myafn.net. 2. History: On May 26, 1942, the War Department officially established AFRS with the mission of providing programming, shortwave service and broadcast equipment for U.S. military locations overseas. AFRS was to give servicemembers a “touch of home” and combat “Axis Sally and Tokyo Rose.”
Now, granted, as stated above, the AFN makes their choices based on popularity. So, yes, it would be great if his popularity could be reduced to the point he lost his show but that’s unlikely to happen if the measurement is how popular he is throughout the US, versus throughout the military and foreign service.
Limbaugh has crossed a major line by calling soldiers, whether active or veteran, “phony” for disagreeing with him primarily. But, he crossed an even bigger line by calling anyone “phony soldier” who has served, and/or are now serving during wartime. For someone who has never served in the Armed Forces, and who weilds the political clout he does, to be allowed to consider himself the arbiter of what makes a soldier “real” or “phoney” is the height of insult to anyone who serves or has served, and their loved ones.
Allowing Limbaugh to call service members “phony” is little different than allowing him to call them cowards. And that’s exactly what he’s doing. Which brings up point 2. above - one of the primary reasons for the creation of the AFRS (Armed Forces Radio Service), which was to do all possible to counteract the demoralizing influences of Tokyo Rose and Axis Sally. It was to rebuild the morale of troops far from home, not to insult them and call them phony or fake or cowardly if they dared to question or even disagree with the reasons they were fighting.
No one has a greater right to voice dissent than those charged with protecting that right with their very lives - and especially when they already must take care in how they voice that dissent. However, those on active duty are not afforded the same rights they protect and defend for the rest of us. Active duty personel can’t openly voice disagreement to their Commander in Chief, “(attack) the war aims of the United States”, etc (see Article 134 - Disloyal Statements of the UCMJ. and I might be quoting the wrong article, so if Fred or Jai are reading this hopefully they’ll post the correct article.) - to do so can be a court-martialable offense.
So - how do active duty personel get redress for Limbaugh’s statements? They can’t exactly call in to the show, announce their name and rank, tell Rush they are on active duty in Iraq or Afghanistan, then tell him they think we need to start leaving Iraq, and that he’s an asshole for calling them ‘”phony soldiers” for believing we should start leaving. We civilians can do that. But soldiers can’t.
How can active duty personel even petition to have him removed for what he’s saying, without possibly being labeled as openly dissenting the war aims of the U.S.? It’s a real tightrope, and falling off it costs people their careers and possibly their freedom for a while.
What about getting a lot of retired military and vets to lobby the DoD to have him removed? Ok - that might work, but there probably aren’t enough to make it happen.
What if we civilians lobby the DoD? Probably won’t work. The DoD is subject to Civilian Authority - that’s big “C”, big “A”, as in Congress and the President, not little “c” as in us. So for us to exert our will on the DoD, we must first exert it on our Congress members to do the right thing, and get them to tell the DoD to fire Rush. Probably this would be in the form of a congressional resolution, probably non-binding but with enough pressure to get the job done. It is not the same as passing a law to remove Rush from the air. It’s firing him for failing to perform the primamry function of his job, as it applies to AFRS - provide a ‘touch of home’ as a means to inform and lift morale, and for libeling and defaming members of the Armed Forces.
Wes isn’t asking Congress to remove Limbaugh’s right to free speech - he is heard on thousands of radio stations across the planet and has every right to his opinion. But he does not have the right to libel anyone for any reason, least of all because they might dare disagree with him. For that, he should be fired, and Wes is right to ask that, and we are right to help him ask that.
Phony soldier?
 |
| Rush Limbaugh recently labeled all Iraq veterans who want a change of direction in Iraq as "phony soldiers." But will he say this to Iraq war veteran Jon Soltz's face? |
| Email Limbaugh and urge him to invite Jon Soltz to his radio show! |
September 27, 2007
You've heard a number of times from Jon Soltz of VoteVets.org. Do you consider him a phony soldier?
According to Rush Limbaugh, Jon Soltz, an Iraq war veteran, is a phony soldier. Today, Media Matters reports that Rush Limbaugh said that those troops who come home and want to get America out of the middle of the religious civil war in Iraq are "phony soldiers."1
The question is, would Rush make these outrageous and offensive comments to Jon's face?
Take action now. Email Rush Limbaugh and urge him to invite Jon Soltz onto his radio show!
Rush Limbaugh has never worn the uniform in his life, yet he's got the moral standing to pass judgment on the men and women who risked their lives for this nation?
Polls have shown that the majority of troops on the ground in Iraq, and those who have returned, do not back the President's failed policy.
Does Rush believe, then, that the majority of the US Armed Forces are "phony?"
Major Generals John Batiste and Paul Eaton left the military and have spoken out against the Bush Administration's failed policies. These are former commanders in Iraq, and they have challenged the Administration for its stubborn refusal to listen to those commanders on the ground who have sent up warning after warning.
Does Rush believe that highly decorated Major Generals are "phony soldiers?"
Finally, recall the members of the 82nd Airborne in Iraq who wrote a New York Times op-ed, urging for a change in course in Iraq, and suggesting it was time to figure out the exit strategy. Two of them just died.
Does Rush believe these young troops are "phony soldiers?"
My challenge to you is to force Rush to invite Jon Soltz onto his show and say all of this again, right to the face of someone who served in Iraq.
Democracy demands discussion, disagreement, and dissent. It is the natural expression of our freedom. To dishonor the service of our troops because they have a different viewpoint is unconscionable. Thank you for speaking out.
Sincerely,
Wes Clark
