I see that Congress will consider a major bail out of the financial institutions, possibly in the next week. While we don’t know all of the details yet, it will most likely involve the taxpayers taking on $700 billion of bad debt and getting little in return.

As Representatives who voted for the bankruptcy bill, it would be immoral of you to support such a bail out. After all, with that vote you showed no sympathy for guardsmen called up to Iraq – a war most of you supported – or Afghanistan at a pay lower than their civilian job not being able to pay the bills. And you had no sympathy for the parent of a child without health care -that many of you have done nothing to help them get – who had to put the bills on their credit card and then got overwhelmed. Now, to sympathize with huge corporations that made bad decisions would just be rank hypocracy in service of the very, very rich.

XXOO

Carl Ballard

For the record, I love Jim McDermott, and am going to vote for him in the general election. He’s been the conscience of the House on important issues like the war and universal health care. He’s been a leader on things like eliminating poverty around the world, and here at home. He’s had the trust of his colleagues to earn an important spot in the Ways and Means committee, and chair of its Income and Family Support subcommittee. His push on the extension of unemployment benefits alone is worthy of reelecting him.

But since it’s a given that he’s getting to the general election with the crazy top-two, McDermott’s supporters can chose his opponent. So, I’m hoping you’ll join me in casting a ballot for perpetual candidate, and harmless crazy Goodspaceguy Nelson, because unlike the Republican in the race, he’s probably aware that Saddam Hussein is dead.

For the record, here’s the relevant portion of the form letter I got today in response to this. For what it’s worth, she voted the right way on the bill and on all the amendments.

As you may know, H.R. 6304, the FISA Amendments Act of 2008, is the most comprehensive overhaul to the nation’s electronic surveillance laws in thirty years. The bill also provides retroactive immunity for telecommunications companies that participated in the president’s warrantless wiretapping program. Though it was an improvement over previous legislation in many ways, H.R. 6304 offered blanket retroactive immunity to telecommunications companies that may have illegally allowed the government to spy on innocent Americans, and I voted against it.

For the love of Jesus and all the saints, don’t vote for the shitty FISA law on Tuesday. Yeah, you already voted the wrong way once, and I don’t hold out too much hope that you’ll do the right thing. Still, I couldn’t let myself not write you on this. I couldn’t let myself not be on the record opposing this.

The 4th amendment clearly spells out the notion that, “The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.” There is no reason to go back on this basic, fundamental, wonderful principal: Not because we’re in a digital age; not because we’re afraid; certainly not for political expediency. So I’m appealing to you morally to do what’s right: don’t weaken the protections in the FISA law, and don’t let those law breaking telecoms get away with violating our rights.

Sincerely,
Carl Ballard
HASeattle

35 years ago, in the early days of the Pinochet regime in Chile, folk singer Victor Jara was murdered. Yesterday, one of the people involved, colonel, Mario Manriquez Bravo was found guilty. It’s really an amazing story, and I recommend that you read the whole thing here.

The dictatorship ultimately banned Jara’s music. They even banned some of the folk instruments often used to play it.

That day is over.

The boxing arena where he was murdered is now called Victor Jara Stadium.

Almost thirty-five years later, and nearly two decades after the end of the dictatorship, a Chilean court has found a retired colonel, Mario Manriquez Bravo, guilty in the murder of Victor Jara.

Unfortunately, they also closed the case, despite the clear involvement of numerous others. The Jara family’s attorneys believe that the court is still protecting the rest for political reasons. Now come appeals.

For those of you who read HA, maybe comment from time to time, this blogging thing may look simple. Write up a few posts, and then go on with your day. Certainly, some of us (er, me) just post somewhat rarely, and expect to stay at our day jobs.

Goldy expects to actually make a living from writing here, and as a fan of the blog who wants to see the quality stay high, I certainly appreciate that. As a friend of Goldy’s, I think it’s nuts: Someone with his skills in technology and knowledge in politics should by rights make a lot more money than he does.

But Goldy keeps on chugging here. For a lot less than a decent political operative makes, he’s helped more than just about anyone locally outside of the Burner campaign push the Responsible Plan into the public discourse. He has stood up to the Chinese importers of tainted pet food, David Irons, and the shameless Republican hacks pushing their lies after the 2004 election. He’s done it all with well researched, informative, and most importantly, fun posts.

Writing a compelling blog, even one with modest readership compared to many of the large national blogs, requires a lot of work. Even for Goldy, who has one of the most tolerant comment policies, there is a good deal of moderation. The new look that you see is the result of a lot of late night coding. The research that goes into his posts takes a lot of time.

So, please, Goldy only has one fundraiser per year. If you care about a quality alternative to the mainstream local media (or just if you enjoy his critiques) give some scratch. If you care about the stories he’s helped push, please give a bit. If you’ve enjoyed discussions in the comment threads (and surely someone has) consider giving a few bucks.

Also, for the long term, advertising may be a better way to go, especially if you’ve got a company or a cause you’d like to promote.

* Thank God I knew some people from Drinking Liberally, or I would have been bored out of my mind. I do appreciate the earnestness of the people there to debate resolutions, but holy shit did we really need to hand count the public financing resolution? I was there with a pregnant woman; standing in a hot sweaty gym for 4 hours was tough for me; I’m sure that extra 20 minutes of standing wasn’t good for her; and hello, the final four started at 3:00.

* Maybe it was a sense memory from being in a high school gym and later a high school auditorium, maybe it was the people I was with, maybe it’s just the events, but I was just asshole comment after asshole comment about the day’s events. It was like Mystery Science Theater 3000 except with politics.

* Sean Astin gave a good Clinton speech, but got cut off before he was done. It was good to hear him praise Obama but still be solidly in the Clinton camp. The first lady stuff, comparing Hillary positively to Abigail Adams and Elenore Roosevelt was marvelous. I feel bad about yelling, “thank you Frodo!” Especially since he didn’t actually play that part: “Rudy, Rudy, Rudy” would have been better.

* A bit better than 3 to 1 for Obama (I forget the actual count and it isn’t on the website yet, sorry if this is off). This seems fairly typical for Seattle.

* The Clinton subcaucus was a hoot. It was amazing to hear from all the people who are still going for her. A lot of great energy even in 30 second chunks. Also: Comfortable chairs in the auditorium.

* I put my name up for the state convention, and was able to keep under the allocated 30 seconds: My real name and number. There are plenty of under 30’s who support Hillary Clinton, and I’m one glad to be one of them. I’m supporting her because we can have a president who’ll work to make universal healthcare in this country and womens’ rights around the world a reality. My name and number.

* Thank Christ for the timekeepers. Molly, you rule! Janis, thank goodness you were there! It could have been a long ass break out session.

* How the hell long does it take to count the votes for delegate? Seriously, I still don’t know if I’m headed to the next level.

This is the funniest thing ever. PZ Myers just got kicked out of the crazy new creationist movie.

There is a rich, deep kind of irony that must be shared. I’m blogging this from the Apple store in the Mall of America, because I’m too amused to want to wait until I get back to my hotel room.

I went to attend a screening of the creationist propaganda movie, Expelled, a few minutes ago. Well, I tried … but I was Expelled! It was kind of weird — I was standing in line, hadn’t even gotten to the point where I had to sign in and show ID, and a policeman pulled me out of line and told me I could not go in. I asked why, of course, and he said that a producer of the film had specifically instructed him that I was not to be allowed to attend. The officer also told me that if I tried to go in, I would be arrested. I assured him that I wasn’t going to cause any trouble.

Read the whole thing, it gets better.

Damn.

Rep. Tom Lantos, the only Holocaust survivor ever to serve in Congress, died early Monday after a six-week fight with cancer, his spokeswoman said.

Spokeswoman Lynne Weil said this morning that the 80-year-old Lantos died at Bethesda Naval Medical Center in suburban Maryland. He was surrounded by his wife Annette Lantos, daughters Annette and Katrina, and many of his 18 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

His wife said in a statement that her husband’s life was “defined by courage, optimism, and unwavering dedication to his principles and to his family.”

They sure don’t make enough Representatives like him.

Since becoming chairman of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs a year ago, he has advocated tirelessly for human rights in China, Russia, Burma and Darfur. Late last year, he assailed Yahoo executives for handing over the identity of a Chinese activist, telling them in not quite politically correct fashion: “Morally, you are pygmies.”

I was planning to live blog last night’s Hillary Clinton event, but sadly, I’m not connecting. So this is a mix of the why you should vote for Hillary post I was going to do today anyway, and a report on what you may see on C-SPAN or TVW if you are sad and pathetic (like me, but with cable).

I’m assuming that I’m not very hip, because the only song I’ve recognized so far is by the Dixie Chicks. My second favorite country music. Hey! That Tennessee Twin song is no longer operative, “Free to do what/ To chose this white man over that”. Thanks Democrats! Now don’t fuck it up.

Don’t park on the railroad track. Retard.

Someone said that they’ll need the overflow room, but who knows.

7:48 I’m pretending it’s a live blog. Feel the pretension.

7:53 Namedrop Goldy all you want, but for the slot I’m at I’m seeing a lot of saggy reporter/camera crew asses. Local press access sucks balls. And can I just say that for a group of people obsessed with what Hillary wears, the press sure are a jeans crowd. Shit, you’re seeing the next president of The United States (God willing and a lot of hard work to make it happen). Ever hear of real pants? Maybe a belt? Men, it’s called a tie. Says the blogger.

I need stilts.

8:00 According to my program, we’re starting now. I doubt it.

Anyway, I just saw a hand made sign “Hillary Clinton is paving the road for our future” held up by some adorable kids. Fake reporter rookie mistake # 1: No camera. Damn.

8:07 A lady from the Trib just pulled up next to me. I’m going to copy from her notes. “Do you make a living blogging?” How quaint. On the other hand, I bet I say “fuck” more than her. Goldy will be glad to know that the other, “real” reporters tend to be Mac people.

Now I’ve got “My Home Town” by Girl Trouble stuck in my head, God this post is super indulgent.

8:15 Kids are filling the stage, and speaking of kids, oh right, why you should support her: She has been a consistent advocate of children and families for decades. From turning the Children’s Defense Council into the powerhouse it is now, to her work for education in Arkansas, the most important issue to me, healthcare for everyone, and when that failed getting S-CHIP passed. She’s willing to get to work for us all. I’d provide links, but, you know.

8:44My program says Hill starts 14 minutes ago. I have to wake up in the morning. Fuck (see).

8:47 Niki Sullivan, the lady from the Trib, has left me with her computer. I’m such a gent, I’m not fucking with the Trib’s blog; Yet; The night is young-ish. According to the Trib website, a Lawyer admits one-night stand with Federal Way judge. I applied for the Federal Way Fire Department once. This is actually more self-indulgent than Goldy telling us what he had at the Montlake Alehouse. I win!

8:52She’s 15 minutes away, according to the announcement. So 30 minutes until she gets here. I need a private jet.

9:04One of the volunteers said 7,000 people are here. Not bad for after 9:00 on short notice when I have to wake up in the morning.

9:07 Crowd is chanting “Hillary! Hillary! Hillary!” They are excited, and I’d like to address what Goldy said earlier about down ticket. Of course it’s tough to judge by a candidate’s most excited supporters how much that candidate can excite people generally. But both here and at the Super Tuesday event, the crowd was totally riled up, and I think she can infuse that into the public in general. Also, there will be a better turn out machine by and large, and something tells me that Obama’s cult of personality will have more ticket splitters than the person running on Democratic ideals.

9:17 Fire Alarm, but nobody’s evacuating. Awesome. “Ladies and gentlemen, there is no Fire Emergency.”

9:20 Garry Locke and Ron Sims:

Locke:
A note from the coffee shop next to where I work this morning: All of these are my notes and should not be considered complete or accurate. God knows people talk faster than I can type. Locke was his usual. Not particularly inspiring, but not as bad as that one year after the State of the Union.

It’s amazing how many people are here on such short notice.
It’s high time we had a president who works for working families, people on Social Security and Vets; they need our help and that’s what Hillary Clinton will do for America.
This is about the future of our country.
Democrats all want change, but the challenge is who can deliver that change? Who has the experience to deliver that change? Who has the experience delivering that change? Hillary Clinton.

Sims:
Ron is great! I can’t believe that a call and response for caucusing: “Where you going to be on Saturday? When are you going to be there?” actually worked. But he’s definitely riling up the crowd. “5000 people here tonight, get used to saying ‘Hillary! Hillary! Hillary!'” God love Ron Sims (sorry Will).

9:29 Please welcome Congressman Jay Inslee:

I want to get one thing off my chest: Some people say America isn’t ready to elect a woman president, well if we can elect the single most incompetent man in the country, we’re ready to elect a woman.”
America’s destiny to provide for clean energy, we can do for clean energy what we did for space during the Apolo project.
We have one candidate running for president of the United States who truely wants universal healthcare.

National press got here, I can’t see shit.

9:33 Hillary!
Ron is leading them in a chant: “Hillary! Hillary! Hillary!”

Thank you so much, this is so amazing, I’m so happy to be here
There are so many people, I hope everybody can hear me back there
“Are you ready to pick a president?” – “YES!”
We need you to go out and caucus for me

this sounds a bit dumb, but the crowd was quite excited. Then she went on to thank Sims, Locke and Inslee, Owen, Reardon, all super volunteers. Said she’s “thrilled to have Norm Dicks, announced today.” Your superstar Senators! Frankly I’ll take that over what Obama announced Monday and Gregoire today, and that would be true even if he hadn’t included the chair of Democrats for Bush. Anyway to the meat and potatoes:

It means a lot being here, Washington has done an enormous amount to put us on the right track to fight global warming and clean energy. Washington is proving that we are “the innovation nation” We need people across the country who understand the stakes: There is no guarantee we will remain the great nation we have been, or will spark the kind of zeal that sets our sights high about what each of us can do.

I won the youth vote in MASS and CA.

This is obviously cherry picking but I hope it does something to put the dumbass idea out there, that she’s only good for people over 50, to rest. She’ll be a hell of a president for those of us under 30.

So much work to be done to repair the damage we’ll inherit from President Bush. I see an America that’s once again on fire: the Apolo’s Fire. Jay gave me a long list of companies making the future. Can we really switch gears? We are Americans, and there isn’t anything we can’t do. It’s already happening in WA.

She listed a bunch of companies, I hadn’t heard of a lot of them, and type too slowly.

I’m not asking you to take a leap of faith, I’m asking you to join with me so that the future is there for our children and our grand children. Some people think of the next election; I prefer to think of the next generation. As I look at the future I see some big goals: Build a strong prosperous middle class- it is the backbone of the American economy, and it is at risk. We’ve got to make it clear that the Federal Government will get back on the side of ordinary Americans instead of just the wealthy and well connected. We have to set our priorities about what we’re going to invest in. An investment manager who I represent in New York shouldn’t have a lower tax rate than a nurse or a teacher. That is not right in America.

This is the kind of frame that other, downticket Dems can work their message into, as opposed to some nebulous idea of change that every Republican will also be running on if Obama gets it. I’m so glad that there’s moral outrage about what’s happening to the middle class; it’s outrageous.

We know we need to be fiscally responsible. Bush squandered the surplus on the war in Iraq and tax cuts for the wealthy. It’s time to bring back our men, women, and money in Iraq. We borrow money from China to buy oil from the Saudis. The greatest hope for new jobs is in clean, renewable energy. I want a strategic energy fund that would be the equivalent of the space race. It will be funded with money we give in tax give aways for ExxonMobil. We need to put that money in Washington creating energy jobs. We need energy efficiency.

We need to invest in infrastructure. Within 2 years we had a bridge collapse and levies collapse in the middle of the country. We need to train people for the green collar jobs. We need to end George W. Bush’s war on science {Biggest applause line– Carl}. We know what he’s done denying Global Warming, and vetoing stem cell research. I will have Congress send me the stem cell bill, and I will sign it.

It’s horrible that anyone has to run on science is neat, but there you go.

Universal Healthcare. This is the public passion of my life. I have seen what happens when we deny healthcare. People get sick, they stay sick, and they die. In America. This is immoral. It’s time to say no more. Not in America. Healthcare is a right! I have staked my campaign on making it clear that I will do everything to bring universal healthcare.

My plan is simple: If you are happy with what you have, nothing changes. If you have no insurance, or the insurance company won’t pay, you will have options.

There are people with no insurance and with insurance that isn’t worth the paper it’s written on. I will open up the Congressional health plan, I think it’s time it’s made available to every single American. We will limit the amount you have to pay for a small percentage of your income. There aren’t enough people in the system now to control cost and quality. We will guarantee that no insurance company can deny you coverage for preexisting conditions. Cover prevention, it will help keep people well: This is a core value worth fighting for. Universal healthcare is achivable, and we aren’t leaving out anybody. We’re going to have everybody covered.

Oh hell yes!

I will end the unfunded mandate known as No Child Left Behind!

Is that a subtile attack on Ted Kennedy? No? Probably not, but still.

Let’s make college affordable again! Student loan companies are practicing preditory lending, but in America it should be an investment when you go to college. Pell grants should be indexed to the cost of higher education.

When we get back into the White House we’re going to have to clean house from top to bottom. I have an old fashoned idea: how about appointing qualified people again? How do we restore moral authority and leadership? Start ending the war in Iraq. We need to begin withdrawing troops within 60 days. We couldn’t do it immediately because there is no Bush plan, and we’ve got to do this in the right way. A lot of Iraqis stood up for us, and we’ve got to figure out what to do for them.

The era of cowboy diplomacy is over. We must lead with our values. As we bring our sons and daughters home, we must take care of them. I will be a commander in chief who understands that we have the greatest military in the world that has done everything they have been asked to do. Thousands are coming home and they don’t know what happened. They don’t have a physical wound.

Cynara distracted me, I don’t know what Hillary said for a while. She’s awesome, but she smells like an ashtray. How’s that for self-indulgent? Bye Cynara, back to the conclusion of the speech.

We have issues where we can find common ground, but we also need a president who can stand our ground. We don’t want to be unified for the sake of unity; we need to be unified for progress and for our kids and for hard working middle class Americans. We can do this together.

Caucuses are different from a primary. My theory about democracy is that everybody should participate. Stand up for me for a couple hours on Saturday, I will stand up for you and together we will change our country and make history.

Having seen Bill, Hill, and Obama live, let me tell you she was the best from a crowd riled up standpoint. 12 hours later, and I’m still thrilled.

Fun game: What one is Carl?

The legislative session starts on the 14th. It’s a short session so that the legislators can campaign for re-election. No major budget decisions. Nothing that hasn’t already gained some traction. So you can limit your expectations. But I won’t; here is what I’d like to see from our legislators:

* A cap and trade system for global warming gases. With our state’s biggest city (and several of our smaller ones) meeting Kyoto already, we ought to be able to make a cap and trade system with some real teeth. It’s my understanding that states can get into the European system if we meet their standards. This should be our goal. We can lead the country and get set up with a new commodity. Good for the environment and good for the local economy if we can make it happen.

* Income tax. Yeah, I know, a state supreme court decision in the 30’s says we can’t have one. We can have up to a 1% income tax, so here’s my proposal: A 1/2% flat tax for incomes between $30,000 and $60,000 and 1% for incomes over $60,000. We take whatever income we get from that tax and reduce the regressive state sales tax by that much.

* The article Lee linked to the other day had a suggestion for a law that will be tough to get through even this legislature, but is worth a shot:

When mothers abandon their unwanted newborns—which happens with alarming frequency—they must decide whether to leave an infant in a Dumpster, where the child is likely to die, or in a public place, where the child’s likelihood of survival is higher but so are the chances that the mother will be seen by witnesses, arrested, and prosecuted. The pandemic of abandoned newborns in the 1990s spawned a popular movement to declare emergency rooms and other medical facilities “safe havens” where mothers could abandon newborns without risking arrest. In 2002, the Washington State Legislature passed such a law.

A law that encourages people to call 911 when someone is overdosing would be grounded in the same impulse: It’s better to save lives than to prosecute every crime. But saving the lives of newborn babies is an easy sell and saving the lives of drug users is not.

But a life is a life to Senator Kline, who introduced legislation that would provide amnesty to people who call 911 to report an overdose. The bill, first introduced in 2005 and reintroduced in 2007 (remaining active in the 2008 session), states, “A person shall not be charged, subject to civil forfeiture, or otherwise prosecuted for a [drug offense] if… the person reported the drug overdose to law enforcement or summoned medical assistance at the time it was witnessed….”

Even the far from perfect law by Senator Kline would be a step in the right direction.

* Marriage Equity. Actually passing it does two things: First it gives gay couples the same recognition as the rest of us. As I told my evangelical cousin at Christmas, “what, do you want them living in sin?” But it also does something nice politically. It gets the issue off the table. Gay people aren’t going to drop the issue until they get full marriage equity, and the evangelical community isn’t going to drop the issue until gay people are all stoned to death, but having the end point puts the issue out of the minds of the rest of voters. So yeah, in the short term there may be some political fall out, but in the longer term it lets us not engage the crazies on the state level.

Anyway, there are a few from me, but I’d love to know what you want.

Flotsam Media have their pre-playoff power rankings, and they sure said a lot about the Seahawks.

This is a lazy Friday open thread.

Happy war on holiday.

* Mitt Romney gave a speech about freeance and religiosity. And he was introduced by a jackass.

* And, speaking of freedom needing religion, how about those moderate Muslims?

* And speaking of Romney, Goddamn are some of his supporters sensitive.

* And speaking of (is there a pattern here? I’ll stop) GOP whining. It’s bad that Democrats are allowed to ask questions of Republicans. And of Democrats.

* Democrats need not jump to defend the CIA when it obstructs justice.

* Political journalism is tough. But at least it’s easy to find the bias when people take short cuts and make up the news.

* Michelle Malkin and Freepers are delightful people.

Locally:

* It’s nice to know what’s a real emergency.

* The complaint against Dino Rossi was dismissed, but to the Republicans who seem to think that makes him clean, you are an idiot.

* Dino Rossi’s idea man is having trouble reading the Constitution.

This is an open thread

As to Goldy’s post this morning, I have not had sex with Larry Craig, but on the other hand, anonymous bathroom sex isn’t my thing.

* It’s so rare that you get a statement that converges so much of the bullshit that’s been going around into one delightful package.

* Bill O’Reilly has a new book out for kids. And if you’re having trouble reading the tiny tiny font, Keith Olbermann channels Fiorello LaGuardia and reads the comics for you.

* Y’all probably heard that Hillary Clinton’s Rochester, NH campaign office was taken hostage last week. What you might have missed is the freeper reaction.

* So, naming a bear Muhammad is a grave offense? Geez.

* Is Obama a Muslim version of the Manchurian Candidate? Well the fact that he’s a Christian, and that’s insane might lead you to a solid no. But for one of the nation’s most important newspapers, it’s still an open question.

* But the biggest bullshit is the fact that you don’t know what’s going on in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Locally:

* A local crazy man got to open the Republican debate.

* Doc Hastings sure doesn’t like poor children.

* Faith and Freedom need money.

* Did anyone on this blog mention the special session was bullshit?

This is an open thread