Yesterday, on “Face the Nation”, Dede Scozzaffava played counter-point to Dick Armey, the man responsible for destroying her campaign for Congress in the special election for NY 23. The transcript from the show can be read here, Dede shows up about half-way down.  The New York Observer, though, feels like a follow-through was lacking.  I agree:

Scozzafava and Armey were invited for a segment pegged to last week’s news that the national G.O.P. may adopt a sort-of litmus test for future Republican candidates, requiring them to support eight of ten agenda items to receive official party backing.

They were the perfect guests for this topic, with the Armey-assisted destruction of Scozzafava’s campaign in the 23^rd District serving as a preview of the implications of such a purity test.

An extended back-and-forth between them would have vividly illustrated the purity vs. pragmatism debate that is now gripping the G.O.P. - and that Armey’s side is clearly winning. It also would have been fun to watch. Too bad the format didn’t allow for any direct interaction between them.

Apparently, the GOP is having a discussion about adopting this litmus test in order to determine who receives endorsements and funding, in the future, from the Republican party.  Scozzafava’s campaign was just the beginning.  This idea of Republican/Conservative purity will certainly solidify those from the Christian right who hunger to follow blindly behind a candidate adhering to their twisted beliefs.

This sort of discussion would never happen in the Democratic Party.  Democrats, for the most part are independent thinkers and rebel, accordingly, when being told what to think and do.

It is so much easier to be a good Republican, than it is to be a good Democrat-no thought required.  Just blind allegiance.

FYI -ahead of President Obama’s Afghanistan speech tomorrow - Rep Massa hits the TV shows.

The Ed Show - Rep Massa appears on the Ed Schultz show again tonight @ 6:30pm.  check local listings for MSNBC.

Capital Tonight -  about 8:00pm Rep Massa will appear on Capital Tonight. Locally it is broadcast on YNN in Rochester and Buffalo.  it is on News 10 Now in the Southern Tier.

Update - here is the video clip for Massa’s appearance on Capital Tonight.

Has this crossed anyone’s mind?

Wasn’t this the country that we were once going to sell U.S. Port security operations?

Just a reminder that security comes in different forms - physical and financial.

Need a reminder about the controversy?  Wikipedia has a decent rundown.

Dodged that bullet, didn’t we?

Well, not really - AIG actually purchased the Dubai operations back in 2006.

With our recent problems regarding peaceful demonstrations in the city of Rochester, maybe it’s time to learn the dos and don’ts of public activism.

Repeal of DOMA and DADT are the driving issues and the Local LGBT community has put together an evening workshop to help us sort it all out:

Rallies, Marches, Protests or Civil Disobedience: Are you delivering the message you want?

Seasoned activists and the New York Civil Liberties Union combine to offer reliable information to help you run effective events, maximize your message and avoid unintended problems. This is good information for anyone who demonstrates. Joining us are Gary Pudup from NYCLU New York Civil Liberties Union and Rebecca Newberry, formerly of CampusOut, Direct Action Trainer.

Co-sponsors of this community informational seminar include: Civil Rights Front, Gay Alliance, Pride at Work AFL-CIO, Out & Equal NY Finger Lakes, Parents Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG) - and EqualityROC.

Event: Taking it to the Streets
What: Workshop
Start Time: Tuesday, December 8 at 7:00pm
End Time: Tuesday, December 8 at 9:00pm
Where: 875 East Main Street - Gay Alliance - Rochester NY

Seems like this workshop should be able to increase our effectiveness while keeping us within the parameters of our civil liberties.

So, it’s been getting back to me that there’s lots of rumors about my demise.  Conspiracy theorists point to the fact that I’m barefoot on the cover of “Airbare8’s Greatest Posts” coffee-table book, or that stlo7’s posts frequently contain subliminal references about how “I buried btp”.

Some suppose that student_bee_reporter stung me with lethal rapier wit, or that ladkiddo drowned me in a big vat of Enfamil.

Sadly, it’s nothing quite so glamourous as all that.  After 5 months looking for a job, I went a little crazy when I finally found work– I’d done a massive amount of networking and a number of opportunities came through all at once.  I took many of them on and they proceeded to eat my life.  It was like my schedule by Reaganomics– 50% of my time was spent on one job, 50% on another job, and the final 50% on the third project.  I would wake up in the morning already behind on 5 different things.

Obviously not sustainable, especially given the toll it took on my fam, and unrelated family dramas that were happening concurrently.  Obviously not sustainable in any way.

I’m now in what I hope is the tail-end of all that craziness, as I’ve been forcibly prying the excess work from my cold, dead, hands and handing it off to others.  I miss being able to contribute and participate in other things, like RT (and sleeping).

I’ve been out of the loop, politically, for a few months now, and it has given me an interesting perspective on local and national politics.   It’s interesting to not be part of the hyper-informed set that writes and reads RT.  Frustrating, but interesting.

And after what happened with local elections this fall, as well as disappointments like the uphill struggle of proper healthcare reform, I truly believe we need to step back, ask “WTF”, and gain a better understanding of what makes people tick.  Or it’s going to continually be like we’re watching the horror movie, where everyone is going down to the unlit basement, and we’re like “DON’T GO DOWN THERE!!! CAN’T..YOU…HEAR…THE…MUSIC???  C’MON, PEOPLE!”

I will do my best to try to raise these “WTF” questions going forward, even if I don’t have time yet to offer any answers.

One last note– even though I’ve been out of the loop and off the grid politically, I have been keeping occasional tabs on what’s going on with all y’all here at RT.  The forced distance I’ve had to keep has given me more of the perspective of a reader as opposed to a highly-biased contributor. (Hint for those who are similarly time-constrained– go straight for the “In case you missed it…” posts by stlo7– they are the gateway drug that quickly directs you to the more detailed posts throughout the week.)

And I have to say, I’m amazed at the quality of what I read here, and the frequency, given that RT has been short-staffed for some time now.

I am proud to be a part of this, and I’m looking forward to easing back in as my life comes back into balance. Thanks all for continuing to write and read.  I believe we are part of something bigger here.  Spidey sense is telling me it’s bigger than politics, but it’s not saying much more than that at this point.  I guess I have to adjust my tinfoil hat and wait for more transmissions from the mothership or something to get a clearer picture.  (Ladkiddo, can you scoot 2 steps over?  Now move your arms just like so.  Ok  great, the signal’s coming in now…)

Welcome to another week that was on Rochesterturning.  It was a shortened holiday week as the crew at RT gathered around their respective Thanksgiving dinner tables.  Still, we had a Republican State Senator advocating for more government,  closing arguments in the ex-State Senator Bruno Trial, Rep. Louise Slaughter focusing on Trade, and David Sirota joining the D&C syndicated columnist list.

Let’s get to it, shall we?

State political scene

State Senator Joe Robach wants more government and doesn’t mind wasting the people’s time advocating for it.

Closing arguments are made as Joe Bruno’s trial moves to the jury.

Rudy Giuliani decides to run for US Senate as a stepping stone to a White House run in 2012.  Have fun with that, Rudy!  Meanwhile, there are others who, per this news article, are not wishing Senator Gillibrand well.  That is too cynical and conspiratorial for even stlo.

Meanwhile, the vaunted Democratic candidate bench will be tested as Republican State Assemblymen Greg Ball, AD-40 decides to  run for State Senate.

The ‘War”

Well, there are “two” and the one in the news now is the one in Afghanistan.   On Tuesday, President Obama will announce his strategy.  He has used the words like “…finishing the job” which makes me nervous. Yeah, nervous.  Frankly, I’m not sure I know what our job in Afghanistan currently is.    OK, we will have to wait until Tuesday.

Still, Nancy Pelosi and House Democrats are talking war funding problems.    Congressman Massa (NY-29) says time to come home - again.  Senator Bernie Sanders talks war and Health care as well.

Look talk all you want - but two questions.  What are we doing there again?  How do we get it done?

Quick Clicks -

Imagine a trade bill that levels the playing field, adds accountability, and cancels a trade pact if participants don’t meet their obligations.  Pretty good eh?  Well, Rep Louise Slaughter authored such a bill.  Actually there are two and she is co-sponsoring the other. 

In very good news, David Sirota was selected by the D&C as a syndicated columnist.  RT is happy to have played a role in that selection as Sirota acknowledged in the comments.

What is next for Sarah Palin?  We think we know and agree with D&C opinion editor Lawrence - she is heading to the media.

Tom Daschle is back “helping” with the health reform.   Gee, thanks -

Wingnuts is back - politics and prayer are mixed and it’s bad.

ex-Bush Press Secretary Dana Perino, apparently, is the best the GOP has to offer even if she can’t recall  when 9-11 occurred.  In other news, she apparently doesn’t know who is buried in Grant’s tomb either.

Finally, as the RT crew gathered around our virtual Thanksgiving table, we noted many things.  We noted that  Adam Sandler and Arlo Guthrie can be used to reference the same topic and 4 horses, with really bad sounding names, don’t appear on the horizon.  Most of all though, we gave thanks to you, our readers.  Because like Anita Bryant once said, a blog without readers is like a day without sunshine, or something like that.  So, thanks for showing up. We will keep the eco-friendly lights on for you.

That’s it - see you next week…

The D&C had a piece about Joe Robach sponsoring a bill to split New York State into 2 states.  Rochester would be in the new “State” that would not include New York City. Basically, Joe Robach wants to add a new state legislature, Governor, AG, comptroller, 2 new federal Senators, some new House of Representatives and all their supporting staffs.

Looks like we have more distractions and excuses from Joe Robach and probably the wedge issue the upstate  GOP needs as they move forward into the 2010 election cycle when the State Senate is up for reelection:  Let’s blame New York City.

per Robach

“We’re completely overwhelmed … by the policies of New York City,”

This, from a guy who says his job is a waste of time.

“What my day consisted of was going to conferences, attending press conferences to see what people were saying and I called constituents in Rochester. I went into session to almost immediately stand at ease for a conference of my colleagues on the Democratic side for several hours,” he said.

The best part of the article?  (my bold)

Studies show that New York City and its suburbs, where the state’s richest residents are concentrated, pay more in taxes than upstate residents do. But Robach said that by starting over and rolling back taxes and programs supported by downstate lawmakers, upstate could run a cheaper government.

The financial relationship between upstate and downstate was detailed in a 2004 study by the Center for Governmental Research, which found that upstate’s rural and urban communities “are significant net recipients of revenue from downstate.”

Revenue flows from downstate to upstate, yet, Joe Robach wants so split New York State.  I suppose that was soooo 2004 but the study also says it was consistent with a similar report in 1999.

How about Joe Robach and his fellow Albany lawmakers put aside their personal agendas and petty differences and actually pass laws that make New York State a better place?  How about Joe Robach actually do the job he says is a waste of time?  How about Joe Robach stops finding excuses?

Now, let’s not put too much hope that this bill will actually pass given that the prospects of the bill are summed up in the lede.

Legally, it would be years in the making.

Financially, it might not make sense.

because

Even if it were to pass in the state Legislature, every county legislature in the state would have to agree to put it on their ballots and, even then, the referendum would be nonbinding. And if New Yorkers ultimately did agree to a divorce, an act of Congress would be required to admit the new state to the union.

Of course, his job is a waste of time when you focus on bills that, even he says, are a long shot.

Tomorrow morning, Senator Bernie Sanders will be discussing Afghanistan and health care with George Stephanopoulos:

Senator Bernie Sanders will be George Stephanopoulos’ guest Sunday on the ABC News program This Week to discuss the war in Afghanistan and the debate over health care reform. Sanders and Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina will discuss the future of the war in Afghanistan as President Barack Obama plans to make a major announcement on Tuesday regarding American and NATO troops.  “This Week” airs nationwide and broadcasts at 9 a.m. in Vermont. To let us know what you think, take the new health care poll, click here.

In regards to health care, this quote from Senator Sander’s site stresses the importance of the states being able to pursue a single payer system, individually:

He said he will fight to include language in the final bill that will give states such as Vermont “flexibility” to try other health care systems, including a single-payer system.

Happy Thanksgiving - How was dinner? Reading RT to escape from the kids and/or the in-laws?    Hope you spent more time at the dinner table than on the group W bench.

Enjoy Arlo Guthrie and his visit to Alice’s Restaurant.

I found this video over at the Youtubes and thought it would be a fun way to say Happy Thanksgiving to all our wonderful readers.  We are ever thankful for you, who keep the political conversation going.  May dialogue always win out over diatribe.  We appreciate everyone who reads and comments for making this so.

(I’m also grateful for the SuperAwesomeKoolGuy who put this video together)

From all of us, to all of you:

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

The president is talking about sending up to 40,000 additional troops into Afghanistan.  Stlo7 wrote about it today, Eric Massa talked about it on the floor of the house at the beginning of November, on the 2,950th day of that war and he spoke about it again 2 days ago on the Ed Schulz Show:

The monetary loss is monumental, but the human loss is unconscionable.

Let me reiterate: Time to come home.

Remember when I expressed surprise that President Obama nominated former Bush Press Secretary Perino to a board overseeing overseas broadcasts? Yeah, check this out.

She reminds America, as she is calling the Fort Hood mass murder a terrorist attack, that “We did not have a terrorist attack on our country during President Bush’s term.”   Perino already got a Cuban history lesson.  Maybe now she needs to visit New York City and the big hole in the ground called “ground zero” (or the Pentagon or a field in PA).  Love the way the Faux news people neglect to correct her.

Oh yeah.

Which begs the question - what exactly is a terrorist attack?  The DC sniper?  Anthrax?  Mass shootings at schools?  When did these happen again?  Or do we only have terrorist attacks when some guy named Hasan, or something similiar, and who happens to be a Muslim, kills people.

Got to pay for it, people, and it has to be worth it.   What are we trying to accomplish in Afghanistan again?

Nancy Pelosi says -

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi warned Tuesday that every dollar President Obama decides to spend on the war in Afghanistan is one less that’s available to help bring about an economic recovery, improve the jobs situation and bank away political capital for Democrats leading up to the midterm elections.

House Democrats are talking about a war tax because…

U.S. military spending in Afghanistan had reached $3.6 billion a month this summer — or more than $43 billion a year, according to estimates by the Congressional Research Service. And in the course of meeting with lawmakers, Obama has used a rough measuring stick that every 1,000 troops added will add another $1 billion to this annual basis.

President Obama is about to add additional troops to Afghanistan.   The number I heard bantered about was 32,000.  So, that adds 32 billion to the annual cost.

Gee, those Health Care, not Warfare signs make sense don’t they?

Time to come home.

Rep Slaughter is sponsoring or co-sponsoring a couple of pieces of trade legislation ( H.R. 3786 Reciprocal Market Access Act and H.R. 3012, TRADE  Act).   I’ve been hard on Rep Slaughter with regards to health care - deservedly so I might add - but on the surface these trade bills look like something decent.  Of course the devil is in the details and as details are made available we will be there.

Slaughter’s web site has a summary.  Here is mine.

HR 3012 - mandates a review of all existing trade agreements.  Replaces Fast track negotiation.  Puts trade agreement analysis in the hands of the GAO

HR 3786 - Ensure open and fair markets woith some level of accountability if the trading partner doesn’t meet their obligations.

The best part about these bills?  Well, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce hates them.  What I like is that it puts or at least attempts to put the power of trade back into the hands of Congress with some measurement to determine success.

I don’t like too much centralized power in the hands of the President.  It doesn’t matter if that person is George W. Bush where more harm will come than good or Barack Obama where more good will come than harm.

Brothers and sisters let us pray. Let us pray for the death of President Obama. Oh, wait a minute, scratch that. Instead, let’s pray they give Obama the death penalty when he is tried for treason… Wiley Drake, the pastor who called for “imprecatory prayers” for Obama to die, now wants the President to live, so he can be tried for treason:

Drake said he is now “calling for all of God’s people and prayer warriors to cease the imprecatory prayer, and pray for Mr. Obama’s protection until he can be properly tried for treason.”

Drake attributed his change of heart to “spiritual counsel” of James David Manning, pastor at ATLAH World Missionary Church in New York, contained in a 16 1/2-minute video recorded Nov. 18.

“I have asked men everywhere please do you no harm,” Manning said in remarks he addressed to “Barack Hussein the long-legged mack daddy Obama.” According to the Merriam-Webster online dictionary, “mack daddy” is slang for a slick womanizer or conspicuously successful pimp.

“I do not want to see anyone attempt, dream about, think about or ever discuss assassinating you,” Manning continued. “It is most important to you and to my savior Jesus that you live, and that you live a long life, but that you live that we might be able to bring you to trial. You see if someone does you harm, and you are not able to be brought to trial, then we lose the opportunity of proving our statements that you are not the president of the United States of America. You are not. You are an illegal alien, a usurper.”

Wow,  wasn’t it wonderful to have Sarah Palin visit us here in Rochester? She was so nice. She stayed late, until everybody in line got an autographed book. Her considerate behavior in Rochester, staying to sign every book, might have been learned after being booed for leaving without signing books for over 100 people still waiting in line Thursday in Noblesville Indiana. Some of them had waited in line seven hours, received wristbands, and thought they would meet Sarah. However, at the stroke of nine, Palin left the store.

Gee, there’s just no good movies this year. Oh, wait! Coming soon, to a DVD player near you…

This is the most significant example of religious activism since Martin Luther nailed his paper to the door. We know because we said so, and Mike Huckabee repeated it on TV. What, you haven’t heard of the Manhattan Declaration? Finally, conservative Chrtistians are taking a stand against abortion, against homosexuality, and for religious liberty. No indication on whether their desire  for religious liberty extends to non-Christians.

In a 4,700-word statement named the Manhattan Declaration, about 150 evangelical, Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox signers said they were coming together to “embrace our obligation” to speak and act in support of the dignity of all human beings, marriage as the union of a man and a woman, and the freedom to express religious convictions.

“[W]e will not comply with any edict that purports to compel our institutions to participate in abortions, embryo-destructive research, assisted suicide and euthanasia, or any other anti-life act,” the statement says, “nor will we bend to any rule purporting to force us to bless immoral sexual partnerships, treat them as marriages or the equivalent, or refrain from proclaiming the truth, as we know it, about morality and immorality and marriage and the family. We will fully and ungrudgingly render to Caesar what is Caesar’s. But under no circumstances will we render to Caesar what is God’s.”

The drafters and other signers of the Manhattan Declaration unveiled the statement at a Washington news conference. The document gets its name from the location of the first drafting committee meeting.

The timing of the document’s release — 10 months into the Obama administration — was affected by the policy proposals of the new president and a Democrat-controlled Congress, but the principles in the statement are timeless, they said.