Thankfully Stephen Colbert and John Stewart have become our political court jesters. Gleefully telling truths that journalists, politicians and leaders from every sector in public life are afraid too. By shouting the unspeakable they force us to face the truth like adults. It’s time to stop trying to “start a debate” and start fixing our problems.

We have never needed them more.

He defines Democracy as needing 3 things:

1. Freedom – self determination, of movement, private property
2. Liberty – rule of law, representation, civil rights, minority rights
3. Social Safety Net – retirement, health care, police protection

He champions the concept that fair capitalism is the first step to building the necessary institutions for a democracy to take hold. Markets that are open and well regulated help build the skills necessary to make a democracy work.

With a little luck and a lot of support Oregon may get a great new Senator. These are the kind of people who we need to find and support for office. Born without an arm or fibula’s in either leg wasn’t tough enough but at 14 his high school was closed because the school budget didn’t pass. By the time he was 21 he had graduated from Harvard Law. He knows what it means to have to fight the vested interests and to have people underestimate him. As long as candidates like this are willing to go into government we might just have a chance.

The best part is he uses his hook as… wait for it… his hook! (ugh)

The ads are perfect!

No You Can’t

With their passage of the FISA bill they have failed in their duty. I call on them to reconsider this tragic failure. A failure that will join a sad list of similar congressional failures enacted by past fearful congresses. They are to be despised for pitied for living in fear.

These are their names:

Perhaps they should take another look at the oath they swore to the people of the United Staes.

I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; and that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office on which I am about to enter: So help me God.

With Hillary sinking in the polls and Barack rising they were going to have to do something. The first plan, using the “D” word, didn’t work. What to do? Enter Bill Clinton on Charlie Rose last week. Where in his smoothest slick willie tones warns america that to vote for Barack Obama is to “roll the dice“. Be afraid! Be very afraid!

After all Hillary relied on her experience when she voted to authorize the Iraq War. She used that same experience to give George Bush the green light to invade Iran. She trusted her experience to support torture but must now reject her experience because she doesn’t support it anymore.

Bill Clinton also asked, “When is the last time we elected a president based on one year of service in the Senate before he started running?” the answer? 1860. The candidate? Abraham Lincoln. Oh wait, he never won any National or Executive office.

Gimmee those dice!
Daddy needs a new administration…

Here’s a breakdown:

• 9/11 created a crisis that everyone wanted to respond to.
• Cheney argues that in order to “protect the country” the president had to be given complete unchecked power.
• Cheney found like minded executive power fundamentalists
• Cheney placed them throughout the beaurecracy to help him push it through.
• Justice department yes-men lawyers made up justifications for the power grab.
• They cowed people by saying, If you try to stop us “American Blood will be on your hands.”
• A president, who wanted to show everybody how tough he was, liked the idea.
• A Republican Congress agreed.
• The President of the United States is now above the law.
• The President of the United States is now able to choose, on his own, which laws he will follow.

Frank Rich has called us out and it’s about time. As even more details continue to become public about the Bush administration’s illegal activities to “protect us” Rich is asking – what price are we willing to pay for that protection?

• Being spied on without cause?
• Being denied the right to face our accusers in a court of law?
• Placing some Americans above the law?

All these things have already happened using the excuse of “protecting us from terrorists” – BOO! Are you scared yet? Rich is asking what are you going to do as the rights and laws that make America what it is are given away for the false promise of “protecting us” from the boogeyman. Were you hiding under the bed crying “Please don’t let the terrorists get me!”? Were you afraid to fly on a plane? Afraid to visit a foreign country? Well stop it. Act like a real American. Stop being afraid. The United States of America is The Land of the Free and the Home of the Brave. If you want to be free you have to be brave. GTFU!

If I have to be a victim of the next mass murder in NYC to protect these rights – so be it. I’d rather die that way than being crushed by a decaying bridge, trapped in a sub-standard mine or from a toothache.

Sow the question is, will you be remembered as a Good American or a coward?