A New Wave

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.

Pride Around The World 2008

A few highlights from Pride events. There are a couple of unusual stories, some surprises, and news about prejudice and hatred that still exists toward LGBTQs.

PRIDE NYC:

The largest of the pride celebrations in the United States, more than one million people attended today's gay pride parade in New York, which commemorates the anniversary of the 1969 Stonewall Riots.

[SNIP]

This is a particularly memorable year for New Yorkers as newly appointed NYC Gov. David Paterson recently ruled that New York will recognize same-sex marriages from other states.

(Re)United In Unity

"She rocks!"

These were the words shouted by a very enthusiastic Hillary Clinton supporter yesterday in Unity, NH to mark the celebrated joint appearance of Clinton and Barack Obama.

Hillary's Contributions to the Democratic Party

Here's a list of 2004 HillPAC contributions to Democratic organizations, including the DNC, DCCC and DSCC.

She also gave Obama's 2004 U.S. Senate campaign $10,000.

I'm still looking for additional contributions to Obama, directly or indirectly, between 2004 and now. I know from news articles and congressional finance sites that Hillary and Bill Clinton gave money to Obama's Senate campaign and they helped him "retire" his debt once he was elected.

There should be no hesitation on the part of Obama's campaign to do everything to help her retire her debt. No hesitation. Period.

How About A Woman For MTP?

Over at the White House Project, Marie Wilson & Co. have another great idea: how about a woman to moderate MTP?

I think it's a terrific idea. Their blog, "Change Everything" asks readers for names - which will be forwarded to NBC.

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.

Comedian George Carlin Dies

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Comedian George Carlin, a counter-culture hero famed for his routines about drugs, dirty words and the demise of humanity, died of heart failure at a Los Angeles-area hospital on Sunday. He was 71.

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.

Fun Stuff: Superheroes!

So, um, which Superhero might you be? Take the quiz (below) to find out.

You are Green Lantern

Hot-headed. You have strong will power and a good imagination. Green Lantern   95% Hulk   70% Spider-Man   60% Batman   60% The Flash   55% Wonder Woman   53% Robin   48% Supergirl   43% Superman   40% Catwoman   40% Iron Man   35%

 

Click here to take the Superhero Personality Test

h/t to Melissa McEwan @ Shakesville

New Polls, Intriguing Findings

New polls are out. The "horse race" polls are, in the main, nothing new, with the exception of the latest Newsweek poll, which strikes me more as an outlier, compared to daily tracking poll numbers that are probably closer to truth.

First, the horse race numbers.

To start things off, the Newsweek poll shows Obama with a whopping lead over McCain:

... new NEWSWEEK Poll shows that he has a substantial double-digit lead, 51 percent to 36 percent, over McCain among registered voters nationwide.

[snip]

Obama's current lead also reflects the large party-identification advantage the Democrats now enjoy—55 percent of all voters call themselves Democrats or say they lean toward the party while just 36 percent call themselves Republicans or lean that way.