A New Wave

Temporary Fixes for Housing Crisis

Although he hasn't yet signed the housing bill passed by the Senate this weekend, President Bush removed his objections to the measure and is scheduled to sign it soon.

It's a big band-aid for an even-bigger problem, but it does offer some relief to some homeowners and to local communities where foreclosures have hit hardest. The bill also authorizes new oversight for Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac,and pumps additional funding into FHA:

The bill establishes a $300-billion fund under the Federal Housing Administration to help distressed homeowners get more affordable, government-backed mortgages and get out from under exotic mortgages they cannot afford.

Medicare: The Other Big Vote And Its Implications

In the discussions that ensued about Senate passage of FISA, another big vote didn't get much attention: Medicare - specifically, a bill to reverse mandated cuts in doctors' reimbursement fees.

The Senate passed this bill with room to spare, overriding a second Republican filibuster. The first time it was brought to the floor, Democrats failed to get a majority and the bill was tabled. Companion legislation in the House passed by a wide margin. - more -

Hillary Clinton's Principled Position On FISA

I won't rehash what has already been written about the Senate vote on FISA. Detailed analysis, roll-call votes and what the new bill does and doesn't do are available here, here, here and here. Glenn Greenwald, as usual, has the most in-depth and insightful review and analysis.

Progressives are hurt and angry that Obama caved on FISA. At the same time, they seem surprised that Hillary Clinton didn't. I'm not. Her position on FISA has been crystal clear from the beginning and she has never wavered.

Happy 4th of July! - Part III

Ah, the Swedes. So insistent about little things - like freedom, privacy, civil liberties. So committed to ensuring that their civil liberties remain intact. Granted, Sweden is a lot smaller than the U.S. Still, the fact that a majority of Swedish citizens understand the threat posed by unwarranted eavesdropping/snooping and will take action about it is encouraging. We have a role model:

Happy 4th of July! - Part II

I received an e-letter from Jay Inslee yesterday regarding his position on FISA. Rep. Inslee represents Washington's First Congressional District and is thus my representative. He is also a terrific representative and legislator.

I am especially proud of the fact that he voted no on the 2008 FISA Amendments. Here is his brief statement from CR:

Happy 4th of July! - Part I

In keeping with the spirit of the holiday, Sen. Patty Murray has introduced legislation to provide an array of health care services at VA hospitals/clinics, for female veterans:

The legislation, the Women Veterans Health Improvement Act of 2008, seeks to prepare the VA for the unprecedented influx of female veterans who will access care there in the coming years. The legislation addresses many of the unique needs of female veterans by authorizing programs to improve care for Military Sexual Trauma (MST), increase research on the current barriers to care, and expand women veterans staff positions at the VA.

The bill was passed as part of S. 2969 – The Veterans' Health Care Authorization Act of 2008 -- a larger "omnibus" bill that incorporated a number of different veterans' health care measures.

Enough With The Roe v. Wade Arguments

Since Hillary Clinton conceded the Democratic nomination on June 7, I have read at least two articles a day by progressive bloggers telling Democratic women why it is in women's best interests to vote for Barack Obama. Of the numerous articles, these six are the most representative arguments.

In every case these purveyors of wisdom alternately chide us, berate us for being angry at the media, the Democratic Party system, and its leaders, and lecture us about throwing away our Freedom of Choice if we do not do the right thing and vote for Barack Obama.

First, let me get something out of the way: I'm a proponent and advocate of ensuring women's reproductive rights.

Obama Is Just A Politician After All: PART II

It's been a rough couple of days for the O-godosphere (Obama's online cheerleaders). First he makes a political calculation to abandon public financing so that he can use his own online ATM (otherwise known as "small donors"). Then he capitulates on a reworked FISA bill, which was passed by the House of Representatives on Friday.

Obama is at least old enough and smart enough to know that his decisions must, of necessity, be political; that they are frequently the best-available and best-intended compromises; and that this is how the world works (more often than not). His young supporters do not know this.

Obama Is Just A Politician After All: PART I

To paraphrase Larry Johnson's post from yesterday, it's been somewhat painful to read and hear liberal bloggers' outcries over Barack Obama's statements last week to forego public financing and, more importantly, his acceptance of a reworked FISA law, which was passed by the House on Friday.

Frankly, I'm amused to see the level of apoplexy among so-called progressive bloggers over Obama's abandonment of principle, capitulation to politics-as-usual, and political calculation. Many of them are shocked, shocked! to learn that Barack Obama is, after all, just a politician.

Hillary Clinton: Our New Populist-Feminist Heroine

Blogs and news sites are buzzing about John Heilemann's excellent profile of Hillary Clinton in this week's issue of New York Magazine.

Above all, Heilemann's article is real journalism and not the slash-and-burn, take-down, smackdown variety of "news" practiced by Chris Matthews, Keith Olbermann, MSNBC, FOX, and so many others.