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.

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 discuss a couple of major victories (one familiar to the dKos community, but only covering it now in my newsletter). I also continue to highlight the REAL Rudy Giuliani, countering some of his lies about 9/11/ I also do a roundup of local progressive events for places where I have had the most readers over the last couple of weeks. 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 discuss the Republican led loss of privacy in America, bringing us down almost to the level of China in terms of Surveillance. I also discuss solar energy in America. I also do a roundup of local progressive events for places where I have had the most readers over the last couple of weeks including some events I am helping organize in NYC. 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 discuss the latest horrors committed by America's mercenaries in Iraq, a couple of comments on the special elections in OH-5 and VA-1, and the comments from the Anti-Defamation League regarding the Christianization of American plitics. I also do a roundup of local progressive events for places where I have had the most readers over the last couple of weeks including anti-Semitism in NYC, Veterans for Peace in Atlanta, Georgia, and upcoming chances for meeting Rick Noriega in Texas. 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. So I have bene doing this for three years. Having organized protests against the Republican Convention, I found I had a core of activists who needed some encouragement after Bush "won" re-"election". My carefully thought out suggestions as to where we could go from that defeat led to this more-or-less weekly newsletter. Since then I have tried mixing my own rants with national issues 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 discuss Bush's latest slashing of funds for first responders, give some suggestions for holiday shopping to match your values, the irrational Republican hatred for Muslims, and a special thank you for the Oregon Democratic Party. I also discuss the anniversary of the Bhopal disaster. I also do a roundup of local progressive events for places where I have had the most readers over the last couple of weeks. 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. Having organized protests against the Republican Convention, I found I had a core of activists who were looking to me for support after Bush "won" re-"election". My carefully thought out suggestions as to where we could go from that defeat led to this more-or-less weekly newsletter.

This week I discuss fighting the Burmese dictators and making money by investing in alternative energy. I revisit from last week targeting one of the most horrible, corrupt, anti-science Republicans, Joe Barton, one of the Katrina 11. I also focus on local actions and events in New York State, New York City, Texas, Virginia, California and New Jersey. Don't forget to visit an advertiser or two and if you want more, please visit Culture Kitchen.

The topic below was originally posted in my blog the Intrepid Liberal Journal.

Martin Luther King Jr.'s birthday this week had me thinking about other pioneers with grace, wisdom and decency. One figure worth remembering is Barbara Jordan. It happens January 17th was the 11th anniversary of her death at the age of 59. Jordan was a rare figure who combined gravitas with humility. She broke down barriers to walk the corridors of power but never forgot where she came from.

Educated in the public schools of Houston, Jordan graduated from Phillis Wheatley High School in 1952. Upon earning her B.A. in political science and history from Texas Southern University in 1956 she graduated from Boston University Law School in 1959. Think about that for moment - a black woman from Texas earned a law degree in 1959.

Joe Barton is directly reponsible for shelving the Combating Autism Bill that was passed by an overwhelmingly by the Senate.   It is clear that his agenda remains with big business and politics and not the 1.5 million children and families that suffer from this terrible illness.  Have a look at his contributors,  need I say more

Joe Barton (R)
Comcast Corp
  $30,000

Lyondell Chemical
  $25,000

TXU Corp
  $24,000

Texas Spine & Joint Hospital
  $23,550

AMR Corp
  $16,750

Anadarko Petroleum
  $15,000

Verizon Communications
  $15,000

Reliant Energy
  $14,500

Suez Energy North America
  $14,500

Burlington Northern Santa Fe Corp
  $14,000

Pillsbury, Winthrop et al
  $12,250

AT&T Inc
  $11,700

Dutko Worldwide
  $10,500

Sidley Austin LLP
  $10,500

Azalea Orthopedic & Sports Medicine
  $10,350

Allergan Inc
  $10,000

American Academy of Ophthalmology
  $10,000

American College of Surgeons Prof Assn
  $10,000

American Dental Assn
  $10,000

American Electric Power
  $10,000

American Interventional Pain Physicians
  $10,000

American Osteopathic Assn
  $10,000

American Society of Anesthesiologists
  $10,000

Constellation Energy
  $10,000

Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu
  $10,000

Edison Electric Institute
  $10,000

El Paso Corp
  $10,000

Exxon Mobil
  $10,000

Merck & Co
  $10,000

National Assn of Broadcasters
  $10,000

National Assn of Convenience Stores
  $10,000

National Assn of Realtors
  $10,000

National Beer Wholesalers Assn
  $10,000

National Cable & Telecommunications Assn
  $10,000

PPL Corp
  $10,000

Texas Industries
  $10,000

Time Warner
  $10,000

UBS AG
  $10,000

   Source:  www.opensecrets.org
 

The AP reports: "Gov. Rick Perry on Tuesday ordered a Nov. 7 special election to temporarily replace resigned US Rep. Tom DeLay, a date that coincides with the general election." In the general election, Nick Lampson "is the Democratic candidate. Republicans have thrown their support to Houston City Councilwoman Shelley Sekula-Gibbs as a write-in candidate after the courts refused to remove DeLay name from the ballot."

And according to the New York Times, Sekula-Gibbs "said she would run in the special election. That means she will be on the ballot in the special election, but not in the general. Although some Republican strategists said that could leave voters hopelessly confused, Dr. Sekula-Gibbs, a dermatologist and member of the Houston City Council, said she believed that voters could cope with it."

Yeah, we all know how well voters 'cope' with election confusion. Was she asleep in a cave during Bush v. Gore?

Nevertheless, Sekula-Gibbs' listing on the Special Election ballot, but not the General Election ballot, means she is more likely to find victory in the Special Election since write-in candidates have rarely been successful in federal level general elections (about 4 times in the last 75 years).

The winner of the special election will fill DeLay's seat until his congressional term expires in January 2007. From there, the General Election winner will take over.

How does this help the Republicans in the long-run?

Governor Perry has called a special election for November 7th to fill Tom DeLay's seat from November 7th until the end of the year. Therefore, TX-22 voters will have to vote twice on election day - once in the special election, which will have ALL of the candidates on the ballot and once in the general election, which will not have a Republican on the ballot.

With this special election, the voter will have the name of the Republican candidate right there in front of them. As Democrats had signaled their intention to challenge any misspellings/variations of Republican front-runner Shelley Sekula-Gibbs, the special election is a life saver for the Texas GOP.

That's a 'life saver' alright. Tastes sweet at first but eventually dissolves into nothing.

Nick Lampson retains the edge in TX-22.