President Half Pregnant with Insurance Companies

Congressman Anthony Weiner (NY- 9) discusses the healthcare system with Bill Maher on Real Time and takes a bold stand on Obama's centrist style that has contributed to the confusing conversation on healthcare.

"The President has tried to be half pregnant with the insurance companies and pharmaceutical companies....The healthcare insurance company shouldn't exist at all...It's not to say that they are venal. I'm sure there were some very good people in the '80s making $800 toilets for the Dept. of Defense. I'm not sure that's an argument for keeping them around."

-Anthony Weiner

GreenPeace Takes Climate Action to New Heights

Earlier today, GreenPeace activists rappelled off the face of Mt. Rushmore, North Dakota after hanging a 60 foot banner placing President Obama's face next to that of Lincoln. The banner suggests that politics has corrupted the climate bill.

Happy Valentine's from Jib-Jab

Bill Moyers Hosts Critics of Cloistered Political Press

Bill Moyers recently interviewed two progressive journalists, Glenn Greenwald and Jay Rosen, who are counting Obama's first days in D.C. with a sharp eye on the political opinion makers who drive so much of the story we all consume. Listen to the full show.

Greenwald suggested that the media's treatment of the Daschle nomination provides an example of how complicitly it perpetuates business-as-usual conduct in Washington D.C.. The media missed the real story. While it focused on Daschle's tax problems, it said nothing of how the retired Congressman has capitalized on his former office by providing legislative consulting to wealthy individuals and large corporations, including those in the health care industry.

“Most people consider that to be corruption. That's what Barack Obama called it when he ran,” said Greenwald. “Yet, to members of the media, who have spent their lives in Washington, who are friends and colleagues of the people who are engorging themselves on this corrupt system, that is just the way of life. It's like breathing air or drinking water.”

Rosen said that the Washington media players are part of a broken system intent upon keeping themselves relevant in order to maintain a career. “I think there's a tendency for Washington journalists to see everything converging towards the political game that they are themselves masters of...The reason you won't see an Amy Goodman of “Democracy Now!” on “Meet the Press” is that it would discredit the narrative that's been building up for a long time.”

Rosen conjectures that Obama was probably a little surprised at the strength of the symbiotic relationship between political opinion makers and the political elite. “He is naturally a compromiser. And I think he's going to be pulled between playing a savvy inside game and trying to mobilize anger from outside of Washington. He's going to seesaw between these two things"

Both journalists optimistically agree that if Obama can hold fast to his early promises, the press corps will eventually adjust its narrative to embrace a more progressive story. However, Obama will not be able to do that without outside force. Citizen journalism and other internet social networks can shame the press corps into changing.

Here's the complete transcript.



Glenn Greenwald is a constitutional lawyer turned journalist. His blog on Salon.com is one of the most influential on the internet. He's written two best sellers: "How Would a Patriot Act?" about President Bush and executive power, and "A Tragic Legacy." His most recent book is "Great American Hypocrites."

Jay Rosen is a founder of the citizen journalism movement and is a professor of journalism at New York University, as well as a widely published writer and media critic. He created the popular blog called PressThink, subtitled "Ghost of Democracy in the Media Machine."

Republicans Adjust Brand to Absorb Alienated Moderate Conservatives

Is Black the new Black?

When Barack Obama won the Presidential election, a shift occurred around the world. Suddenly, a black man attained the highest position of power in the United States and arguably the world. People across America said they had not believed that they would live to see the day when a "black man" would win the Presidency.

In response to President Obama's surprising and effective campaign, delegates of the Republican National Committee selected former Maryland Lieutenant Governor Michael Steele as its new chairman, hoping to change its brand from that of extreme Limbaugh loving conservatives to that of minority embracing pro-economic moderates.

Former RNC Chairman Mike Duncan responded to the news by declaring, "Obviously the winds of change are blowing." Duncan had hoped to have been re-elected.

"It's time for something completely different," Steele said at his acceptance speech. "We are going to bring this party to every corner, every board room, every neighborhood, every community, and we are going to say to friend and foe alike, we want you to be a part of us. We want you to work with us. And for those of you who want to obstruct, get ready to get knocked over."

"The RNC isn't diverse yet," said CBS News chief political consultant Marc Ambinder. "When people speak of broadening the party's geographic diversity, they are speaking in code. They mean that the party needs to welcome more moderates; needs to be more forgiving of departures from orthodoxy; needs to be less antagonistic to pro-choicers and gays."

Progressives Don Lite Shades in the Obama Glow

Bill Moyers provides a Progressive critique of the fledgling Obama Administration in this post-inauguration show. David Sirota, author of "The Uprising" and Wall Street Journalist Thomas Frank describe their excitement over the new administration but also their caution. While President Obama has privately indicated progressive values, , both these writers contend that the reaching across the aisle has gone further than necessary.

The second segment features a discussion with Columbia law professor and Nation columnist Patricia Williams and Princeton politics and African American studies professor Melissa Harris-Lacewell. They discuss the ramifications for the nation in electing its first President of color. While the world hangs on to the hope, the pundits variously push and praise Obama's seizure upon this opportunity.

Senator Clinton Meets a Friendly Hearing

Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy

Obama's Rock-Star Status Challenged in Gaza-Israel Conflict

Much of the world cheered when Barack Obama won the 2008 US Presidential Election. Never has there been such an international out pour of delight. However, Obama's recent cabinet appointments and decision to refrain from calling for a cease fire in the current Israel-Gaza/Lebanon conflict has drawn the sharp criticism of Progressives, Greens and Black Nationalists. As if that's not enough, Democratic House members are also responding to appointments with ruffled feathers.

Black Agenda Report Editor Glen Ford has been critical of Obama for a long time, pointing out that while the President-Elect holds celebrity status amongst many in the black community, their vision is short-sighted. Ford indicates that Obama stands on the shoulders of Martin Luther King, Jr. but does not fulfill the promise of the Civil Rights leader.

Ford, an outspoken Black Nationalist, points instead to Green Party Presidential Candidate Cynthia McKinney as "Black America's moral emissary to the world...Thanks to the presence of the former Georgia congresswoman and Green Party presidential candidate on the mission, millions of Arabs have been made aware of a different Black America, one that is not silent, like Barack Obama, in the face of a purposely inflicted human rights catastrophe."

Obama has asserted that he is very concerned with the recent conflict but that "there is only one President at a time." This defense is sour sloganism for activists who are impatient for solutions to the conditions of Palestinians in Gaza. Progressive Democrats are more patient, but still critical. Ben Cohen writes in the Huffington Post that Obama and Clinton's silence on the Gaza is a failure that will lead to the strengthening of Hamas.

Given that President Bush is already halfway to the Crawford Ranch, Obama's deference leaves a vacuum of opinion from the White House.

Obama's Cabinet Takes Strategic Form

The appointments of President-Elect Barack Obama receive critical judgement from journalist Naomi Klein, Robert Kuttner and Michael Hudson in this Democracy NOW segment.

Michael Pollan Discusses Impact of Food Production Facing New Administration

In this video, Michael Pollan offers a new plan for America's food production in this Web 2.0 2008 discussion held in San Francisco in early November. Pollan, gifted with a great sense of humor as he exposes hard truths about our food production and eating patterns, suggests that President-Elect Obama use the bully pulpit to:

• replace 5 acres of pristine Whitehouse lawn and replace it with organic crops, providing a backdrop for all those news segments that sends a new message to Americans;
  
• appoint someone like Alice Water, who values organic and sustainably grown food, as head chef;
• additionally, appoint an organic farmer to a Whitehouse post, in order to elevate the perceived value of farming.

President Bush Accepts that Mistakes - Well There's Been a Few

President Bush sits down with CNN to discuss the 2008 Presidential Election and the truthiness of his regrets from his two term in this video.

Ralph Nader Douses New American Hero with Verbal Vinegar *update

*updated with links to other articles with long and interesting threads of comments

Ralph Nader loves to turn a phrase or evoke a parable, but there's a lot of reaction to this latest word play. In this clip, he catches some heat from the Fox TV host when he describes the governing choices of the President-Elect Obama as either to be that of Uncle Sam or Uncle Tom. This kind of hyperbole lends Nader to criticism by many who do not follow his deliberate prose. The show's host scolds him for not having some kind of reverence for this day. For Nader, it's just another day of protest.

In general, the two Progressive Presidential candidates, Nader and McKinney, responded to Obama's win with enthusiasm and recognition that this is a big day for people of color. Both crafted the motivating messages for their followers, that the job is not done and that they must apply continued pressure on politicians. However, where Nader applies vinegar, McKinney applies honey. Both are useful antiseptics with different purposes.

For some interesting reflections on the Nader comment, follow these threads:
Truthdig
The Daily Beast
SFGate

McKinney Says Time is Out for Special Interests - Election of Obama a Great Opportunity

Cynthia McKinney, Green Party Presidential Candidate, extended her congratulations to the President-Elect, but extended the challenge to her progressive audience to keep up the charge. The group was awaiting election news results for bosom friend and peace activist Congressional candidate Cindy Sheehan at her campaign headquarters in San Francisco, California.

"Time is out for OUT special interest rule in Washington D.C. Time is out for special interest rule in Sacramento, California and in all the state capitols across this country.

It is time for us to take our country back and I believe the change in the White House is the beginning of people thinking that they are taking their country back. And our work is to organize, mobilize, agitate to make sure that actually takes place."

Also in attendance was Presidential candidate for the Party for Socialist and Liberation Gloria La Riva.

Desperately Seeking Humor: Penguin Debates Batman

This vintage television piece is making the rounds, as well it should. A slice of humor with a dash of prophecy. Generally, the comments on this YouTube posting comically range from "Golly" to "Friends. Friends. Friends."

Progressive Politics Needs to Build Beyond Obama's Platform

Nader Calls a Super Rally in Denver for Eve of Democrats' "Big" Night

Currently shut out of the Presidential debates by the requirement thresholds set by the non-profit "Non-Partisan" corporation Commission on Presidential Debates (CPD), veteran Presidential campaigner Ralph Nader has called for a Super Rally to be held on the Eve of presumptive candidate Barack Obama's big night.

The CPD requires that candidates poll at least 15% nationally, as measured by the average of five corporate media polls. In contrast, the League of Women Voters (LWV), who sponsored the debates of three Presidential cycles (1976, 1980, 1984) employed a 5% rule as measured by independent polls.

The LWV ceased to sponsor the debates in 1988, after the George Bush and Michael Dukakis campaigns drafted the first secret debate contract, a "Memorandum of Understanding" that dictated who got to participate and who would ask the questions. On October 3, The LWV 14 trustees voted unanimously to drop out of the debates, and issued a press release:

The League of Women Voters is withdrawing sponsorship of the presidential debates ... because the demands of the two campaign organizations would perpetrate a fraud on the American voter. It has become clear to us that the candidates' organizations aim to add debates to their list of campaign-trail charades devoid of substance, spontaneity and answers to tough questions. The League has no intention of becoming an accessory to the hoodwinking of the American public.

The organization Open Debates has criticized the CPD for awarding control of the debates to Democratic and Republican campaigns. It notes that the CPD's Executive Directors are gaming lobbyist Frank Fahrenkopf and pharmaceutical lobbyist Paul Kirk. The debates are sponsored by multi-national corporations and their presence is quite visible during the televised debates.

Strict control of the poll threshold, particularly in conjunction with ballot access regulations, also instituted by the two major parties, assures that the Democrats and Republicans need not fear the invasion of dissident voices on the debate stage. However, disident voices do resonate with the public when provided the opportunity. Consider Governor Jesse Ventura who explains his surprising win thusly, "I was allowed to debate. I proved that you could go from 10 percent to 37 percent and win if you're allowed to debate. Rest assured these two parties don't want to ever see that happen again."

Earlier this year, an organization called Science Debate 2008 had tried to convene a debate between then Democratic contenders Clinton and Obama and Republican McCain. No takers. Science Debate orgnizers then hoped that they might get to host an event in the fall. Obama has agreed to just three debates as controlled by the CPD. Perhaps the Science Debate 2008, Google and Open debates could get together and present a debate which allows for the 5 per cent threshold candidates. If Obama and McCain choose not to come, they must have their reasons, but at least we'd hear from the likes of Ralph Nader, Cynthia McKinney, Bob Barr and Chuck Baldwin - maybe we can have some spontaneous dialogue that way. A novel approach to debate, spontaneity.

If you are interested in opening up the debates, you can e-sign this petition. If not for this election, than for the next.

League Of Women Voters Wikipedia Page
Open Debates
Science Debate 2008

Dems Pay for McCain's New Campaign Ad

The best advertisement is the kind you don't pay for yourself. For the Republicans and McCain, this is one step better. The Dems paid for it.

RT&T Reports Gas Station TV Access Denied to Obama in Florida

Real Time Traders Newswire (RTTNews) reports that Obama's camp claims that Gas Station TV revoked their media buy in Florida after pressure from oil companies during the 11th hour.

"Once again, the oil companies and their friends are standing with Sen. McCain, the candidate for President who is proposing to offer them a $4 billion tax cut," Obama spokesman Mark Bubriski said.

"It looks like Gas Station TV doesn't want the American people to know about Sen. Obama's plan to offer working families a $1,000 energy rebate," he added.

Well, maybe it was in the 11th hour of a 24-hour clock. According to Gas Station TV, it is and has been against company policy to run politican ads.

"At a time when presidential campaign ads monopolize prime time, we believe it is important to be able to provide traditional advertisers with a clutter-free environment to showcase their brands and target marketing messages to a captive audience," its CEO David Leider said in the statement.

It must be hard to pass up those lucrative campaign ad dollars.

The Hill reports that the Obama and McCain campaigns and the Republican National Committee (RNC) have collectively spent about $10.3 million on campaign advertisements in Pennsylvania alone. Ohio media buys have reached about $6 million. The next three states are Michigan, Florida and Virginia.

RTTNews offers articles related to news events and market information that effects trade values. It is possible that their wind testing on this matter was open to shallow reporting.

Fox Business picked up the piece from Gas Station Network's PR firm and added:

No invoices indicating approval from Gas Station TV to run a political ad were developed and at no time were related financial transactions completed with Gas Station TV and its partners. Email chains not coming directly from Gas Station TV staff members indicating anything different are inaccurate, taken out of context and lack understanding of the standard media buying process, as well as Gas Station TV's ad review and approval process.

However, Fox also offered a lengthy description of the company straight from the companies own PR firm, so it is difficult to assess just whose gas tank is being filled.

It is all spin, of course, but as we crank the engine up on political advertising, it is worth noting the variety of spark plugs both of the mainstream camps are firing up.

Greg Palast Says Obama Should be Scared about Blacked-Out Voters

Obama Doesn't Sweat. He should.

by Greg Palast

In swing-state Colorado, the Republican Secretary of State conducted the biggest purge of voters in history, dumping a fifth of all registrations. Guess their color. In swing-state Florida, the state is refusing to accept about 85,000 new registrations from voter drives - overwhelming Black voters.

In swing state New Mexico, HALF of the Democrats of Mora, a dirt poor and overwhelmingly Hispanic county, found their registrations disappeared this year, courtesy of a Republican voting contractor.

In swing states Ohio and Nevada, new federal law is knocking out tens of thousands of voters who lost their homes to foreclosure.

My investigations partner spoke directly to Barack Obama about it. (When your partner is Robert F. Kennedy Jr., candidates take your phone call.) The cool, cool Senator Obama told Kennedy he was "concerned" about the integrity of the vote in the Southwest in particular.

He's concerned. I'm sweating.

It's time SOMEBODY raised the alarm about these missing voters; not to save Obama's candidacy – journalists should stay the heck away from partisan endorsements - but raise the alarm to save our sick democracy.

And that somebody is YOU. Joining with US, the Palast investigative team. Here's how:

We have been offered an astonishing opportunity to place the Kennedy-Palast investigative findings on a national, prime-time, major-network television broadcast. Plus, separately, we have an extraordinary offer to create a series of reports for national network radio.

But guess what? The networks will NOT PAY for our public service reports. We have to raise the start-up funds in the next two weeks to film it, record it and get it on the airwaves.

WE need YOU to fund the reports, DISSEMINATE the findings as we post the print, audio and video on the web– and ACT on it.

So, for only the second time this year, I am asking each one of you to make a tax deductible donation to the non-profit, non-partisan Palast Investigative Fund of $500, $150 or $100.

Progressives have complained for years of no opportunity to get the hard, cold sweaty truth on the air. Well, put your money where your heart and soul is.

Donate at least $500, I'll send you every book I've written and every film, signed. Send $150 and I'll send you as a gift, a copy of John Ennis' film Free For All, Armed Madhouse, The Election Files and a copy of Live from the Armed Madhouse all signed. Donate $100, and I’ll send you 3 copies, one signed to you, of "The Elections Files," (Watch the trailer here) the best of our BBC/Democracy Now films – including special never-broadcast interviews with Kennedy(Watch a clip) and fired prosecutor David Iglesias (Watch a clip).

I know you’re ponying up for your favorite candidates. But what’s the point of winning folks' votes IF NO ONE COUNTS THEM?

Please make your donation – today. No corporation, no big foundation, is going to take on this emergency in our democracy. The election’s about to be stolen – for a third time. SO WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO ABOUT IT?

Donate today (for $1,000 minimum, we’ll list you as a Producer of our next DVD, in gratitude). Why? Because the only way to get the vote-chewing cockroaches out of the voting machinery is to turn on the lights – tell the truth on them. On prime time.

After our team busted the story of Katherine Harris' attack on innocent Black voters as "felons," the NAACP sued and won back their rights. The truth CAN make the difference. Yes, we can. Indeed, we HAVE.

Think all votes should be counted in America? Then YOU stand up and be counted. Don’t expect networks or commercial sponsors to pay for your democracy. Feed the truth, donate $100 right now and pass on a copy of the Elections Files to your dippy cousin who thinks Kerry lost fair and square.

Donations from our prior and only request already paid for some of our filming in the Southwest. Don't let this story be swept under the border.

If you want more information, go to GregPalast.com, or write me directly at GregPalast.com – and hit the button, "contact Greg."

**************************
Greg Palast is a Puffin Foundation Writing Fellow for Investigative Reporting at the Nation Institute, New York. Read and view his investigations for BBC Television at www.GregPalast.com.

Noam Chomsky on the U.S. Elections, and popular opinion.

The support for Obama is a popular phenomenon, and I think it reflects the alienation of the population from the institutions. People are grasping at a straw: here's a possibility that maybe somebody will stand up for what they want. Even though he's not saying so, he looks like the kind of person who might do it.

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