This week's newsletter focuses a little more on simply winning as Democrats and a little less on primaries within the Democratic Party than my recent newsletters, but it is time we start focusing on winning the Senate and Presidency. I do still refer to the need for progressives to win primaries, and once again draw people's attention to my Progressive Primary Act Blue Site. Hope you guys can help in these primaries as well as in the Senate races I highlight. But mostly, this weeks newsletter directly confront's John McCain as the candidate who promises us nothing but more war, more recession, more inflation.

The year is such a big one for politics. I am amazed how many people are extra involved. One friend describes it as "Democrat fever," and is finding that people are eagerly digging deeper than usual to win. And there are already payoffs.

One of the most important things to happen this last week was Kofi Annan has finally gotten the battling factions in Kenya to sign a peace agreement. I was watching a segment on Current TV about the situation in Kenya and it was really worrisome. Some thought it could turn into another Rwanda, though others felt Kenya would pull itself together before it sank that low. But the truth is, one of Africa's more stable nations nearly collapsed into a bloody civil war. Kofi Annan has for now eased the crisis and could deserve a Nobel Peace Prize for his efforts. The chaos in Kenya had a personal connection for me because some of my loans through Kiva were in the areas of Kenya where the fighting was taking place. As I write here, the situation there was really bad and many of the businesses I loaned to in Kenya may no longer exist.

Lots more below the fold!

For those who are focused on Congress, you might be surprised to learn that Alaska may be among our best shots at picking up one Senate and one House seat. Keep an eye on Alaska. Republican corruption has been exploding, with four State level politicians arrested, some pleading guilty. One Alaska Senator and their single House Rep are also  implicated. This gives us a great shot at winning the state. Alaska may turn blue this year if we pay some attention to it.

On a personal note, I have a new scientific paper coming out in the Journal of Cell Biology. This comes from work I did more than two years ago! My current work is going slower, but overall looks promising. I hope to write up my current work within a year.

This week I discuss the Bush family's endorsement of John McCain, re-enforcing my assertion that McCain offers nothing but a Third Bush term. I also discuss Republican corruption in Alaska and voting irregularities in NYC. And I continue to highlight local events in all the states where I have had a good number of readers. I also highlight some peace rallies, alternative energy events and impeachment events around the nation. Don't forget to visit an advertiser or two and if you want more, please visit Culture Kitchen.

The Progressive Democrat Newsletter grew out of the frustration of the 2004 election. I have try mixing my own rants and ideas, with national issues, news items, and some very local groups and events in an attempt to both help shape debate and to help people find their own ways of getting involved.

This week I highlight John McCain again, the probable Republican nominee who offers America nothing but a third term of failed Bush policies. I also bring you info on a web seminar (so all can participate) from the Union of Concerned Scientists focusing on reducing America's carbon emissions. I also highlight one of the most important organizations around: Progressive Majority. And I continue to highlight local events in all the states where I have had a good number of readers. I also highlight some peace rallies, alternative energy events and impeachment events around the nation. Don't forget to visit an advertiser or two and if you want more, please visit Culture Kitchen.

The Progressive Democrat Newsletter grew out of the frustration of the 2004 election. I have try mixing my own rants and ideas, with national issues, news items, and some very local groups and events in an attempt to both help shape debate and to help people find their own ways of getting involved.

This week I highlight John McCain, the probably Republican nominee who offers America nothing but a third term of failed Bush policies. I also discuss Biofuels. Unlike some, I do think biofuels can play a role in a new energy economy and I discuss some ideas that may help. As a piece of the solution, biofuels may be a small part, but still might be helpful if done right. And I continue to highlight local events in all the states where I have had a good number of readers. Diane Benson, a candidate for Congress in Alaska, is coming to visit NYC...I am hoping to meet her. I highlight Darwin Day events in many of these sates as Darwin's Birthday approaches. I also highlight some peace rallies, alternative energy events and impeachment events around the nation. Don't forget to visit an advertiser or two and if you want more, please visit Culture Kitchen.

The Progressive Democrat Newsletter grew out of the frustration of the 2004 election. I have try mixing my own rants and ideas, with national issues, news items, and some very local groups and events in an attempt to both help shape debate and to help people find their own ways of getting involved.

This week I highlight the Drum Major Institute's response to the State of the Union and a short video showing "The Real McCain" (a must see for any Dr. Strangelove fans out there). I also discuss the importance of Primary elections, including Mark Pera's, Steve Harrison's and Dennis Kucinich's, for the strength of the progressive movement. And I continue to highlight local events in all the states where I have had a good number of readers. I highlight Darwin Day events in many of these sates as Darwin's Birthday approaches. Interestingly, Florida and Texas are joining New York and California as states where I have lots of readers. Don't forget to visit an advertiser or two and if you want more, please visit Culture Kitchen.

The Progressive Democrat Newsletter grew out of the frustration of the 2004 election. I have try mixing my own rants and ideas, with national issues, news items, and some very local groups and events in an attempt to both help shape debate and to help people find their own ways of getting involved.

This week I highlight Bill O'Reilly's latest insult: denying the existence of some 200,000 homeless Veterans. For my NYC readers I highlight a very important attempt in the City Council to require permits for citizens to use devices that detect harmful materials in the air, water and soil. For my North Carolina readers I highlight a Democratic candidate for Congress, Marshall Adame, who is pissing off the mercenary firm Blackwater. I am urging people to support Marshall Adame for his willingness to challenge Blackwater. And I continue to highlight local events in all the states where I have had a good number of readers. Interestingly, Florida and Texas are joining New York and California as states where I have lots of readers. Don't forget to visit an advertiser or two and if you want more, please visit Culture Kitchen.

Headed for Kernersville, N.C., Bush will visit the Deere-Hitachi Construction Machinery Corp. this afternoon from 12:45-2:00.

It's always interesting to me how the Bush Administration picks its photo-op targets, but this one is strange.  The trip purports to visit this Japanese-American "success story" in order to tout the economy.  As you may know, North Carolina has been particularly hard hit in the textile manufacturing sector, as well as in furniture and tobacco industries.  Those were the "big three" the State relied on for many decades.

Maybe the folks in Kernersville won't remember those other problems as Bush delivers his speech, again to supporters.

For the record, though, a registered Democrat will meet him at the airport when he touches down.  Winfield Rose, an 80-year-old retired pharmacist will recieve the President's Volunteer Service Award.  According to a release from the White House, he has given this award to more than 450 people since 2002.

According to the local News and Record, Rose has spent the last 11 years as a volunteer pharmach technician at HealthServe Community Health Clinic, which serves the medically uninsured and underinsured.

That's nice, really.  But wouldn't it be even nicer if Bush promoted policies that made Rose's volunteer service unncessary?

Diebold, friend to Republicans everywhere, has withdrawn it's bid to sell its voting machines in North Carolina.  Why?  Because North Carolina passed regulations that would have forced Diebold to reveal their source code.  

As always, sunshine is a very effective antisceptic.