NOW Is THEN?

have we come very far ??

http://www.billsretroworld.com/RETROLIFE.HTM

I want the Siamese Cat Lamps !!!!

mornin’ murphy-don’t know if I was the one that posted the question about listing women’s issues on the list of constituent issues. You do have me pegged though, because I do question that very point whenever I write to someone.

Regarding definitions of feminism, I found this website awhile ago. Today’s topic is a good day to post the link:

http://www.megaessays.com/essay_search/definition_feminism.html

Hi Murphy – must’ve been webbie – do we know the names of the reps suporting? I know Klobuchar signed on & I think a couple of others had too – where can I find who the 96 dems and 14 reps are?

Also just heard on the news – Burris won’t be charged – prosecutors said not enough evidence – honestly now – did anybody really think there would be any charges – this is Illinois after all – what the hell is wrong with the people in that state – do they really think it’s a great honor to be so corrupt? Not much there to be proud of I’m thinking but that’s just me………
Heard Jindal is trying to clean up Louisiana – maybe Illinois could do the same thing – nah – no more pay to play – bambi & his buddies would go nuts……………..
ACORN gets to play with the census money – Michelle Bachman – my rep for my district is repub but she says as far as census is concerned – she’s only gonna tell them how many people live in her house – original census only called for count of people -she’s really radical right wing but I agree with her on this – $5000 fine or not – come get me…………..

I like the slogan too – BTW murphy – did you get any response from Greta?????

Susie1945
“Where can I find who the 96 dems and 14 reps are?”

Here is the link: http://thomas.loc.gov/
click in bubble, Bill # then type in HR 406

THANK YOU SO MUCH MURPHY, particularly for tolerating my persistence! Must go now, last minute stuff.
Will try to check in tonight.

NOW is so yesterday. Prowl done.

US Troops Out of Iraqi Cities? Think Again

Just last week, within a 48-hour news period, readers were treated to two diametrically opposed headlines, one touting “U.S. Forces Out of Iraqi Cities by June 30,” the other, the very next day, “U.S. Wants Sadr City Base Open After Deadline.” Both quote U.S. military brass directly, albeit two different generals, but the whipsawing here suggests someone up top is taking it for granted that Americans – particularly that flighty media – aren’t paying much attention to Iraq at all.

One thing is clear: despite Obama’s assurances in Cairo to the contrary, there will be U.S. combat troops all over the capital city of Baghdad, on the outskirts, and based just outside if not within the cities of Ramadi, Basra, Mosul, and others, after June 30. As Maj. Gen. David Perkins said in April, “We don’t want to rush failure here. This isn’t just, we’re going home. We’re just moving” (to other areas of Iraq).

http://original.antiwar.com/vlahos/2009/06/10/us-troops-out-of-iraqi/

Scarlet and VTcat

Thanks for posts re Walpin. Political Courage? Give us a break.

A whole lotta crap is about to happen in the news:

Iran’s Ruling Cleric Warns of Bloodshed if Protests Persist:

Sharply increasing the level of confrontation, he said that opposition leaders would be “responsible for bloodshed and chaos” if they did not stop further rallies in protest of last week’s disputed presidential election. He called for all sides to halt any violence.

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/06/20/world/middleeast/20iran.html?_r=1&hp

‘Cleric” WTF, more a rabid murderer. Gotta give these voters kudos for standing up to their gov. when it means putting their lives on the line.

—–
and if that story doesn’t move you, how about this one?

U.S. Military Set to Intercept North Korean Ship Suspected of Proliferating Missiles, Nukes

The USS John McCain, a navy destroyer, will intercept the ship Kang Nam as soon as it leaves the vicinity off the coast of China, according to a senior U.S. defense official.

:snip:

Defense Secretary Robert Gates said Thursday the military is “watching” that situation “very closely,” and would have “some concerns” if North Korea launched a missile in the direction of Hawaii. But he expressed confidence in U.S. ability to handle such a launch.

Gates said he’s directed the deployment of the Theater High Altitude Area Defense, a mobile missile defense system used for knocking down long- and medium-range missiles.

http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2009/06/19/military-set-intercept-north-korean-ship-suspected-proliferatin-missiles-nukes/

——— What else could go wrong all at once???
Nothing like having Baracko in the drivers seat.

Wish I could pull the covers over my head and wake up when Hillary is President.

I think we should write a formal letter of dismissal to ALL the Senators. Maybe it would help them wake up and stop letting iamsobeautifulwheresamirror? break the laws of this country as he is doing! Maybe they would realize that they need to step up and put a stop to all these czars.

A Sample:
Senator ________
It has come to my attention that you no longer are meeting my expectations or requirements as my representative in Washington. The lack of interest that you have shown in pursuing those Choices that would protect our country’s way of life, our personal freedoms and our best interests is disturbing.
However, I will not call you and tell you that you have only one hour to resign or be fired, I will allow you ample time to work out a notice. Americans are tired of the BS that you ‘Senators’ are allowing to pass through Congress. We are sick of bailing out mis-managed companies, we are sick of lining pockets, we are sick of cronyism, we are sick of paying for useless programs, we are sick of the czars, we are sick of speed readers, (wasn’t that special??) we are sick of expanding government –in short–we are already sick of this new administration who apparently believe that they can make their own rules and laws.’Senators’ are supposed to be the watchdogs of making sure the President stays with-in the guidelines of our laws and Constitution. What are you doing? What are you thinking? Do you remember us? We elected you as a representative of ourselves ! Do you honestly believe that if America is ‘allowed’ to stay on the fast track to spending money that we will even survive as a nation??? Get real! Wake up! Stop kowtowing and do your job! It is sickening to watch all you people bowing and scraping!! Grow a back bone!!

I did the Alice Paul prowl and I am doing the walprin prowl.–because wrong is wrong.

Greta would do a great job if she ever got the green light to do a special on feminism. I doubt that she’d be allowed.

Hi Remember:

It was on the news today, OLIVE GARDEN pulled their
ads.—–It was only a local radio station here
in WNY, but they are extremely reliable.

I’m ready for the Walprin prowl,

Who’s doing it to WHO????

Am I missing something (like usual)

Well, that did it!!! I had just typed “Beck” and my computer went berserk and all the programs and documents on my computer started opening at once. That must have been payback for something……..

I was writing to comment on Sunshinelvr’ GREAT letter, refusing to apologize about hearing another great letter on Beck’s program as I did a click-by the other night (!) and wondering if you had all seen it? It was an open letter to the country’s leadership from a Janet Contreras of Arizona (I will find a link) – it was very passionate, like Sunshinelvr’s letter.

Not sure I agree with everything she wrote but here’s the link:

http://www.glennbeck.com/content/articles/article/198/26742/

Now, please don’t get on my case ya’ll for surfing the stations!

I heard Beck read that letter, RemVem. It is quite a letter!
and thank you for you kind comments on mine. It needs to be refined and polished, but I sometimes get carried away in my -ahem- passion!

glenn beck sucks but he can be useful at times, like a TOOL

happy friday, PUMAs

He Persephone: Happy Friday to you also,

It’s slow around here on Fridays,
I guess it’s good sometimes, gives us a
break

hey hi he michelina! how’s the baby?

waiting for info on Walpin prowl.

the Obots are putting out their “it’s been debunked” meme..

Baby is wonderful, and another on the way in
February, hoping for a boy.

We don’t want it debunked, I realize it’s
not a woman’s issue, but it is REAL IMPORTANT.

CJK was spearheading this, but she’s busy today,
and I wouldn’t know who to write to to complain
except——The Senator what’s her name,
I only remember mine, and they are all
over woman’s issues, they’re great like
that.

E-mailed my rep. re: Alice Paul. This is about the 10th e-mail I have sent him of the last few months. Don’t have much hope for him to join in, but I’ll keep trying.

How’s THIS for UNFIREKENBELIEVABLE:—they really suck
Link: wivbtv.com—we should have their JOBS–
God we’re all nuts with this government.
———————————————-
NY Senate takes the
weekend off
Should they get a paycheck?
Updated: Friday, 19 Jun 2009, 1:28 PM EDT
Published : Friday, 19 Jun 2009, 1:27 PM EDT

Rich Newberg
Posted by Emma Orn
BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) – After two weeks getting nothing done, New York’s stalemated Senators are taking the weekend off.

Should they get a paycheck if they can’t even agree on a presiding officer to authorize payment?

Governor David Paterson is asking the same question, pointing out that even though they can’t agree on the leadership of the Senate, they have agreed on a way to keep getting paid.

Sarah on No Quarter is watching the Walpin story and has a good video of his interview with Lou Dobbs:

http://www.noquarterusa.net/blog/2009/06/19/gerald-walpin-does-dobbs-open-thread/

Walpin says what he wants is a Congressional hearing and investigation.

The Obama Administration cannot be allowed to get away with this.
The “confused” comments about Walpin were obnoxious and offensive but I’m much more concerned that this is just the beginning of the removal of anyone who dares to expose their corruption.

Perse: it’s very IMPORTANT, yes!!

Hillary’s surgery was a success:

http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2009/06/19/clintons-elbow-surgery-success/

CJK I love your letter and Sunshine you is cooking!
I want to fire every last one of the Washington assholes give em 2 seconds to beat it!!
Every once in a while one will step up and say hey I’m not for that and then vote for it anyway. When it comes time to be reelected they will claim they never backed such and such. We are being scammed right and left!
They are so sure the next election is bought and paid for they have no worries…and maybe they don’t.
Time to send the letters and fire the DORKS.
Send registered, receipt signature required.

Wow thanks for the pic of Hillary Clinton. Murphy you smoke!!!

murphy link from myiq at TC:
(and do hang onto that burka!)

Netroots Nation dives into inanity
Category: Politics • Religion
Posted on: June 18, 2009 5:09 PM, by PZ Myers

Netroots Nation, the big lefty political/blogging meeting, is organizing sessions for their conference in August. Unfortunately, they seem have given up on the idea of a secular nation, because this one session on A New Progressive Vision for Church and State has a bizarre description.

The old liberal vision of a total separation of religion from politics has been discredited. Despite growing secularization, a secular progressive majority is still impossible, and a new two-part approach is needed–one that first admits that there is no political wall of separation. Voters must be allowed, without criticism, to propose policies based on religious belief. But, when government speaks and acts, messages must be universal. The burden is on religious believers, therefore, to explain public references like “under God” in universal terms. For example, the word “God” can refer to the ceaseless creativity of the universe and the objective validity of human rights. Promoting and accepting religious images as universal will help heal culture-war divisions and promote the formation of a broad-based progressive coalition.

That makes no sense at all. Separation of church and state certainly isn’t discredited — if anything, the experience of the last few years makes it more important than ever. Voters can already propose policies based on religion, and they do, unfortunately…but whoever wrote this thinks there should be no criticism? That’s insane. This is a progressive organization that is proposing that we shouldn’t even criticize religious intrusion into government.

And then look what they do: they redefine “god” into a waffling, meaningless placeholder for anything anyone wants!

I’d like to know who came up with this garbage — it reeks of the Jim Wallis/Amy Sullivan camp of liberal theocrats, although neither is actually on the panel.

http://scienceblogs.com/pharyngula/2009/06/netroots_nation_dives_into_ina.php

myiq’s post
http://riverdaughter.wordpress.com/2009/06/19/left-behind/

and for those of you too chicken to call radio shows (ME) you can listen to Lou live by clicking on the link in #60

geeez… instead of “god” why not use statements like:
ceaseless creativity of the universe and the objective validity of human rights.

Print it right there on our currency:
“In the ceaseless creativity of the universe and the objective validity of human rights, we trust.”
or, let’s not and just say we did.

dances

I just told my Repub neighbors YESTERDAY that I refused to attend their damned town committee meetings b/c they just can’t stick to political issues and leave Christianity and God out of it.

I really let them have it and I’m sure their pissed at me.

and then i read this:

http://riverdaughter.wordpress.com/2009/06/19/left-behind/

what is this bullshit?

HELENA, Mont. (AP) — Job applicants with the city of Bozeman are finding that their private Internet discussions and pictures may not be so private after all.

The city is asking job seekers for the user names and passwords to Internet social networking or Web groups to which they belong. The decision is sparking an outcry from those who say the policy goes way too far.

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5j8jn3O0JgrEGN8znw-q2Y5-FcldAD98TQPT80

I am soooooo over the dems.

Sunshinelvr 06.19.09 at 2:43 pm

I have your letter ready to send to my senator on Monday.
I will send it registered mail, receipt requested.
Thanks it is a great letter and I only tweaked it a tiny bit….added I was sorry I ever voted for him, and I never will again.

Finally some good news for me.

A new Japanese study warns that being very skinny is even more dangerous, and that slightly chubby people live longer.

http://www.breitbart.com/article.php?id=CNG.c7aaeb7940626693fa418a1eab2291f6.81&show_article=1

A sales woman is driving through the Reservation toward home when she sees an Indian woman thumbing a ride on the side of the road.
As the trip had been long and quiet, she stops the car and the Indian woman gets in. After a bit of small talk, the Indian woman notices a brown bag on the front seat.
“What’s in the bag?” asks the Indian woman.
“It’s a bottle of wine. I got it for my husband,” says the sales woman.
The Indian lady is silent for a moment then says, “Good trade.”

good to know Obama is working hard:

Obama calls Lakers, Penguins coaches
Posted: 12:05 PM ET

From CNN White House Producer Jamie Crawford

WHITE HOUSE (CNN) – The head coaches for the Los Angeles Lakers and the Pittsburgh Penguins received congratulatory calls yesterday from President Obama.

The president — a basketball fan himself who still plays occasionally — called Lakers coach Phil Jackson to congratulate the team for winning the NBA finals, according to the White House. They also discussed the keys to the Lakers’ success, and “the President’s interest in the Lakers’ triangle offense.”

Obama also made a point to congratulate Jackson on his record-setting 10th championship as a head coach — four with the Lakers, and six with Obama’s hometown Chicago Bulls. He told Jackson he has admired him since his days as coach of the Bulls, and looked forward to meeting him and congratulating the Lakers in person at the White House.

Why not ban full veil, says French government spokesman

excerpt:

Sarkozy’s leftwing urban policies secretary, herself a Muslim and former president of a women’s rights group, today gave her support to “a total ban” on the burka. “I am for the banning of this coffin which kills basic freedoms,” Fadela Amara told Le Parisien newspaper. “This debate has to clear the way to a law which protects women.”

the rest:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2009/jun/19/veil-burka-france-muslim-women

HP do you know one about the three mice in the bar?

(not as funny for me read as it is to hear him tell it – he’s really good at being the mice and has had lots of practice since it’s the only joke he knows.

http://www.digitalroom.net/index2.html

81
persephone 06.19.09 at 6:38 pm
LOL

off topic-here’s an excerpt from ABC’s response to the RNC letter noting that using the White House to broadcast ABC shows was a merging of government and media. The RNC also noted that by only allowing BO’s viewpoints was biased, etc. The ABC website has the RNC letter as well as their response.

I wondered what I had been missing over the past couple years in ABC’s coverage of BO since they state, “Second, ABC News prides itself on covering all sides of important issues and asking direct questions of all newsmakers — of all political persuasions — even when others have taken a more partisan approach”

http://blogs.abcnews.com/pressroom/2009/06/abc-news-responds-to-rnc-letter-.html

HOUSE AND SENATE PASS LEGISLATION INTRODUCED BY REP. BACA TO CREATE NATIVE AMERICAN HERITAGE DAY
O.K.! I DON”T believe this! Joe Baca (Sponsor of HR 406-Alice Paul Congressional Medal) . . .Got one pushed through for the Native Americans! Just waiting for Obama’s signature!
After it passed the House, it went to the Senate and was passed THE SAME DAY!

What gives! What’s so hard about recognizing A WOMAN!

On Tuesday, June 2, 2009, the House of Representatives passed H.J. Res. 40, legislation introduced by Congressman Joe Baca to designate the Friday after Thanksgiving as Native American Heritage Day 2009, a day to pay tribute to Native Americans for their many contributions to the United States. On Tuesday, June 9, 2009 the U.S. Senate also passed H.J. Res. 40. The bill now heads to the White House to be signed into law by President Obama.

88
DancesWithPumas 06.19.09 at 8:09 pm

I think I have to go to sleep now.
g’night.

———————————
Hey it must not be 5:30 there! Wake up woman..we need to have you open your card at midnight!!!

Do not go to bed…tomorrow is another day and it will only get worse…shit is spewing from the admin faster than a super flusher toilet!!!

The Healing Has Begun… U.S. Senate Apologizes For Slavery

Russell Simmons

Today, we celebrate Juneteenth, a day commemorating the announcement of the abolition of slavery on June 19, 1865. Yesterday, after 144 years, the United States Senate apologized for slavery.

With my newly appointed position as the United Nations Goodwill Ambassador for the Permanent Memorial to the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade, I vow to work on behalf of our young people to make sure that we never have to feel this sort of pain again. As we all know, slavery and human trafficking exist all around the world, at record numbers. We must remember the past, however we also must work to prevent our mistakes from happening again in the future. I will work even harder in my roles as a United Nations Goodwill Ambassador, and I urge you all to take a moment to recognize the importance of the actions of the United States Senate. Let the healing continue…

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/russell-simmons/the-healing-has-begunus-s_b_217901.html

persephone 06.19.09 at 4:51 pm
dances
I just told my Repub neighbors YESTERDAY that I refused to attend their damned town committee meetings b/c they just can’t stick to political issues and leave Christianity and God out of it.
I really let them have it and I’m sure their pissed at me.
and then i read this:
http://riverdaughter.wordpress.com/2009/06/19/left-behind/
what is this bullshit?
————–
I read riverdaughter and followed the links and it sounds like the Alliance of Civilizations mentioned by Obama in his Cairo speech. Alliance of Civilizations = one religion. The only thing is it is not bullshit. It is real

Rancho… have a wonderful time and most of all Relax and Enjoy yourself….. We will be looking forward to your return…. Oh, one for the road…. Your favorite….. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a0EDX07Kgj0

(((Casper)))! Thanks! I needed that! See #89

I went to his site to make sure Baca has a category for “Women”s Issues”, (and he does), but then discovered this Native AMerican Heritage day. I believe both were proposed about the same time!

Get my email? . . Don’t forget

I’m gonna play it again, while I try to take a nap! BAAAAAAAD Headache!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a0EDX07Kgj0

The fraud is on TV again – tv & radio Correspondents dinner & is telling jokes I guess – I turned it off – he makes me wanna puke and sorry – I just had something to eat…………………

Remember when all of the major broadcast networks save ABC aired bambi collectively in prime time? Why would he now choose ABC over nbc for his infomercial? Was there a divvying up back then? I feel like every action taken by this administration has been orchestrated. The fly in the oval office was that a metaphor for those against him. Why would PETA issue a statement about that? Makes no sense to me, unless of course peta wants to ban pennicilin as that kills something living too. I believe the fly and the response were if not set up at least manipulated. These people play the media game better than anyone ever. I have attempted to show the I got 99 problems Iowa video to fence sitters and they tell me it is fake as the main stream media would never let that happen.

95
Russell Simmons
————–
Isn’t he the gansta rap mogul… the one who supports and produces sexism and misogyny with his label?

Rancho,
You won’t be able to sleep. I tried it. Too bright out.

Am I really alone in believing that bambi swatting a fly was a media set up in response to the letterman/Palin fiasco? He brushed Hillary off his shoulders like dandruff and the first big deal across all media happens and he swats it with zero effort. I’d love to know how in a room with some serious heat generated by lamps would a fly zero in on him?

Dances
Don’t know — I said we opted to eat here this afternoon because I believe in what Olive Garden did. He didn’t respond in a bad way. I guess I would say he was grossly indifferent. That is why I asked for a mail in comment card. Don’t know his politics but it would be very easy for him to drop it in the trash. I know when I was a waiter and people would fill out the little cards left in the check book I always junked the critical ones. Who wouldn’t? Anywho sent the comment off and let them know I selected them because of thier stance.

Dances – you have mail

Henry, I posted a response from Olive Garden today that indicated they did not pull ads but their contract with the show came to a natural conclusion and they have not decided whetehre to renew or not.

Will be back later I hope – have had computer problems and been off researching Walpin/Americorps.

RememberNovember
olive garden here no there
the giant is abc and its assumption that there will not be a reaction. ABC owns Disney, touchstone. miramax, lifetime and so much more. Espn-espn2 more. Magazines. Never in the history of a broadcast boycott has there ever been offered a chance like what abc is giving us. Cancel trips- universal is just as much fun. Kill cable. BVlock the stations — nielsen may not report but trust me when they sit down for negotions cable will listen.

BBL
what does that mean?

remember
my bad should have fig’d that out
best of luck to you

henry-I think BO’s killing of the fly was so that he would have something to list as an accomplishment. Hence the action to have the camera man get a picture of the corpse.

And I don’t leave the blog because you come on. If you will look at my last post you will see there was a large gap after it. And the post after mine is Dances posting that she is going to sleep. hmmmmm, I hadn’t made the connection until now. Subtle, Dances, real subtle.

henry-well technically he didn’t catch the fly; it had landed on him and he smacked it while it was on his forearm. So his reflexes don’t have to be that good. I had an aunt who could catch a fly in mid-air. She would then walk over to the door and let the fly go (PETA would be so happy). I think the whole fly incident (joking aside) is just another example of the media’s love affair with anything BO does.

Good night pumas…don’t think I will be back on tonight.

And the post after mine is Dances posting that she is going to sleep. hmmmmm, I hadn’t made the connection until now. Subtle, Dances, real subtle.
——————
LOL!
Trust me, it was purely coincidental

I cannot stop screaming about this —- why why would news media show icky killing a fly?
Think about it– it is the weirdest thing ever shown about a president. You can call me the most paranoid person on the planet but I have serious doubts about a fly getting into the most secure building in the world and then under intense heat setting down on the wanna be prez and then being killed with one fell swoop by the pretender, Sorry don’t buy it think it was a set up. And then Petas response was beyond a joke.They say nothing when he orders a burger but get up in arms when he kills a fly? Again how do they fell about antibiotics?

I can’t believe all the news on the fly. Superfly get’s dissed by PETA. Things must be really bad when that’s the best news that comes from the WH. Obots must be in a Kool-aid coma.

DancesWithPumas

Tony Hawk isn’t the only one in the White House who’s skating!
————–
No freakin’ kidding Dances!

On the health care issue, why doesn’t the O just take that simulus $ he wants to use to put all records online (and take away privacy) and use it to buy health insturance for American’s that are too freakin’ poor or unemployed to buy any. Like his bs promise of $2500 credit to buy insurance like he had as a senator???

Why the hell can’t he keep one simple promise????????????????????????????????

simulus……….. the ‘t’ ran off with the spoon. STIMULUS

BBL

Obama on his way to fucking over health care

http://townhall.com/blog/g/3877cb58-d8b2-41f1-806a-6be13943cc9c

Okay here I am going to say something really really stupid– I have no health insurance but I would almost like to see it fail if Kennedy’s name is attached, Hillary if nothing else deserves that as her legacy.

Hi Henry! I know what you mean about the health care. I do have health care, but some of my kids do not. I am really evil..I tell them to say “no habla english’ if they have an emergency. I kid you not when I was sitting at the hospital waiting to see my sister in the ER, over half the waiting room (for the ER was filled with Mexicans. To be fair, I do not know if they were citizens or not. they all appeared to speak very little english –plus the WHOLE family came. Not one of them was bleeding, crying, puking, coughing or exhibiting any signs of distress that war readily apparent. This is part of the reason health care is out of control.

Feminism
no clue as to what that means. 42 year old gay man who went to pick up my great niece years ago and looked at her and knew I’d never allow her to be subjected to the conditions she was in. Less than two with dirty socks- face covered in whatever the snack may have been that day, I walked in and this innocent creatures eyes changed immediately. Wrapped her little arms around me and said TT. Well that was her last day in subcare. Since then I just adore her. She loves the disney princess meme but I go out of my way to include Beauty and the beast.
Guess I want to say I love my little one and I want everything for her, but I don’t get feminism if it occludes me.

Got to Love this One!!!

“O”‘s problems Growing….Gitmo detainnes DON’T want to leave…would rather stay at Gitmo!!

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB124545444915932855.html

Sad story Henry and probably happening more often than not. So far my insurance has been fairly consistent and not too shabby. Of course I have had it for going on 35 years, so it would be hard for them to say –pre-existing.

sunshinelvr
please tell me you think waffles grabbing a fly was nothing but manipulation.
I cannot get over peta being upset about a fly why not then protest penicillen?

Remember November #14

On the Walprin firing.

I am outraged and will not shut up about it. When Bush pulled this kind of crap I was on the phones calling the White House, my Senators and Congress.
Did the same now. Email McCaskill. My Senators A. Spector and B. Casey Jr + Congresswoman Schwartz.
Monday I start calling the Attorney General’s office.

Attorney General Eric Holder 202-353-1555

Obama broke the law; one he co-sponsored!
202-514-2000

well.cough meds really kicking in..so good night henry, ario, dances, sandypuma, katinyourhat,trish,clinton democrat,antifish, simofish,HPBoston,webfoot,RememberNovember,MK,Pumabear, Murphy,Rancho,CJK,purplevette,CasperCat,Shadowfax,persephone,scarlett, Deb55,GOSUE4HILL, ALL other PUMAS and Lurkers! WE ARE THE ONES NO-ONE EXPECTED!!! Still THE ONES!!!!

Chris Dodd in charge of reforming Health Care.
God help US!

seel=sell

Hi PUMAs! I’ve been working on the following re the Walpin firing since I got back this evening, hence I’m emerging from lurking mode to ask/plead for your feedback. This is a LONG draft letter to EEOC Acting Chairman Stuart Ishimaru. I’m especially grateful to the following PUMAs who provided links and ideas, as well as support via the PAC blog: Dances With Pumas, FLBarbara, Juliette, michelina, persephone, PUMA-SF, Rancho, RememberNovember, scarlet, webfoot, and others. If any PUMAs are too tired or just not interested, just bypass this. But, I’d like any feedback any PUMAs care to give, including ideas to shorten, and definitely need e-mail addresses for AARP, Sen. Grassley, Rep. Issa, suggestions for other BCCs. Thanks.

DRAFT

Mr. Stuart J. Ishimaru
Acting Chairman
U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission
131 M Street, NE
Washington, DC 20507

info@eeoc.gov

Dear Mr. Ishimaru:

I am writing to express my grave concerns about the completely unwarranted, patently illegal and unconstitutional firing of Inspector General Gerald Walpin by President Barack Obama and its implications for the future of equality of rights in America, concerns that I trust you share as Acting Chairman of the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.

First, Mr. Obama did not provide Congress with the mandatory 30-day notice and explanation of cause before firing an Inspector General that are required by the 2008 Inspectors General Reform Act, a law which Mr. Obama, ironically, co-sponsored, a law that works in concert with the Inspectors General Act of 1978. These laws were established to ensure the independence and objectivity of Inspectors General by requiring that the President appoint Inspectors General “without regard to political affiliation” and “solely on the basis of integrity and demonstrated ability.”

As you may be aware, Mr. Walpin’s firing was by way of a June 10 telephone call from Norman Eisen. Mr. Eisen, ironically, is the White House Special Counsel to the President for Ethics and Government Reform. He gave Mr. Walpin an ultimatum to either resign or be fired, giving him just an hour to deliberate. When Mr. Eisen called back 45 minutes later, Mr. Walpin refused to resign. He was placed on administrative leave and forbidden to return to his office. Congress was notified on June 11 that Mr. Walpin would be removed, and no cause for the firing was given other than Mr. Obama’s lacking “confidence” in Mr. Walpin. Only after Sen. Claire McCaskill (D., MO), who sponsored the 2008 Inspectors General Reform Act, pointed out that the President had failed to follow proper procedure, and asked for a written explanation of cause, did the White House even attempt to provide one.

The White House response still offered no reasonable explanation of cause for Mr. Walpin’s firing. A letter from Mr. Eisen to House and Senate leadership said only that at the May 20, 2009 board meeting of the Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS, the organization that oversees AmeriCorps), “Mr. Walpin was confused, disoriented, unable to answer questions and exhibited other behavior that led the board to question his capacity to serve,” never clarifying these remarks. Mr. Eisen noted that after this meeting, the board “lost confidence” in Mr. Walpin’s “capacity to serve,” based on that single, isolated board meeting. There are reports that the meeting was extended and that Mr. Walpin’s notes had been rifled through while he was out of the room for a few moments and that the board refused him an opportunity to reorganize his notes.

In an effort to get to the bottom of Mr. Obama’s abrupt, unexplained firing of Mr. Walpin, Sen. Charles Grassley (R., IA), another co-sponsor of the 2008 Inspectors General Reform Act, had a team of investigators from his staff meet with Mr. Eisen on Wed., June 17. Mr. Eisen provided virtually no information and refused to answer most of the factual questions posed to him. Sen. Grassley, therefore, submitted the following written questions to White House Counsel Gregory Craig, asking for written responses by June 24:

“1) Did the [Corporation for National and Community Service] Board communicate its concerns about Mr. Walpin to the White House in writing?
2) Specifically, which CNCS Board members came forward with concerns about Mr. Walpin’s ability to serve as the Inspector General?
3) Was the communication about the Board’s concerns on or about May 20, 2009 the first instance of any communications with White House personnel regarding the possibility of removing Mr. Walpin?
4) Which witnesses were interviewed in the course of Mr. Eisen’s review?
5) How many witnesses were interviewed?
6) Were any employees of the Office of Inspector General, who may have had more frequent contact with Mr. Walpin than the Board members, interviewed?
7) Was Mr. Walpin asked directly during Mr. Eisen’s review about the events of May 20, 2009?
8) Was Mr. Walpin asked for his response to the allegations submitted to the Integrity Committee by Acting U.S. Attorney Lawrence Brown?
9) What efforts were made during Mr. Eisen’s review to obtain both sides of the story or to afford the Office of Inspector General an opportunity to be heard?
10) In addition to the claim that Mr. Walpin was “confused” and “disoriented,” the letter also says he exhibited “other behavior” that led to questions about his capacity. What other behavior was Mr. Eisen referencing?
11) If the initial and primary concern had to do with Mr. Walpin’s capacity to serve for potential health reasons, why was he only given one hour to decide whether to resign or be fired?
12) If Mr. Walpin’s telecommuting arrangements since the beginning of this year were a major concern, then why was Mr. Walpin not simply asked to stop telecommuting.”
http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/opinion/blogs/beltway-confidential/NEW-White-House-refuses-to-answer-Senates-questions-on-AmeriCorps-IG-firing-48285832.html
Rep. Darrel Issa (R., CA), ranking member of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, also sent a letter to White House Counsel Craig, requesting numerous documents, and stating the following:
“In order to dispel allegations that the removal of Mr. Walpin was the product of any inappropriate political motivation, please provide responses to the following by June 26:
1.A full and complete explanation of the White House’s reason for terminating Mr. Walpin;
2.A full and complete explanation of whom the White House consulted in order to evaluate the performance of Mr. Walpin;
3. Given the White House considered Mr. Walpin’s conduct as CNCS IG so unprofessional as to warrant his removal, please provide a full and complete explanation of why the White House gave him the option of resigning; and,
4.A full and complete explanation of why the White House decided to effectuate Mr. Walpin’s removal through an ultimatum delivered over the phone.”
http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/opinion/blogs/beltway-confidential/NEW-House-Republicans-raise-questions-about-Walpin-firing-48154927.html
Mr. Walpin has served as Inspector General for the CNCS since January of 2007, and has done so with distinction. Please visit these links to see firsthand the outstanding quality of public service that Mr. Walpin has provided. http://www.cncsig.gov/PDF/StHope/StHOPEFIN.pdf
http://media.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/politics/documents/pcie_response.pdf

I have observed Mr. Walpin during several recent broadcast interviews and have seen no indication whatever of any lack of capacity. Quite the contrary, Mr. Walpin exhibits an exceptional capacity for clear, cogent, intelligent deliberation, commentary and dialog. Based on all available public evidence, the allegations in Mr. Eisen’s letter, that Mr. Walpin was “confused, disoriented, unable to answer questions,” appear to be blatantly false. As you are much aware, given your staunch opposition to any attempt by the EEOC to weaken age discrimination protection, words such as those used in Mr. Eisen’s letter to describe the behavior of an older American such as Mr. Walpin are code for ageism. As you’re well aware, such ageism is forbidden by the Federal Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967 (ADEA), as well as other federal laws enforced by the EEOC, and is being, thankfully, aggressively combated by the EEOC under your guidance.

Mr. Walpin is rightly fighting back against his firing, and is calling for a Congressional hearing and investigation.

With Mr. Walpin’s firing, Mr. Obama is in clear violation of:
q the 1978 Inspectors General Act
q the 2008 Inspectors General Reform Act
q the 1967 ADEA
q title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 Section 2000e-3 section 704
q the Civil Rights Act of 1991 as amended
q the U.S. Constitution, from which these federal laws emanate.

As you will note upon reading the articles at the following links, Mr. Walpin’s firing likely was motivated by purely political reasons, with an attempt to justify it after the fact with completely inappropriate ageist, elder-hating, xenophobic verbiage and rationale. We have made great strides in combating racism, sexism, religious intolerance, and other forms of discrimination in the United States. We must not allow age discrimination to stand unchallenged, particularly when it is perpetrated by those at the highest levels of government. We must remain as vigilant and vigorous in recognizing and combating ageism as we have remained in recognizing and combating other forms of bigotry.

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB124511811033017539.html#articleTabs%3Darticle
http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/opinion/blogs/beltway-confidential/Gerald-Walpin-speaks-the-inside-story-of-the-AmeriCorps-firing-48030697.html
http://www.sacbee.com/latest/story/1878088.html
http://www.sacbee.com/topstories/story/1949795.html
http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/politics/First-lady-extends-her-reach-at-the-White-House_06_15-48031422.html
http://whitehouse.blogs.foxnews.com/2009/06/16/obama-accuses-fired-inspector-general-of-americorps-of-being-confused-disoriented

I urge you to honor the profound trust that this nation has reposed in you in your position as EEOC Chairman – where partisan political interests have no place – and join Mr. Walpin and members of Congress in demanding a full Congressional hearing and investigation into Mr. Walpin’s unwarranted, illegal, unconstitutional firing. If this despicable act is allowed to stand, it sends a chilling message to other Inspectors General – all of whom must remain unfettered in their roles as watchdogs over expenditures involving hard-earned taxpayer dollars – and it sends a message of despair to any and all American citizens that their rights are expendable in the face of political cronyism and corruption.

Thank you for your attention.

Sincerely,

BCCs: Sen. Charles Grassley, Rep. Darrel Issa, ontherecord@foxnews.com, hannity@foxnews.com, glennbeck@foxnews.com, loudobbs@cnn.com, AARP

Juliette, Deuteronomy 22:13-21

21Then they shall bring out the damsel to the door of her father’s house, and the men of her city shall stone her with stones that she die: because she hath wrought folly in Israel, to play the whore in her father’s house: so shalt thou put evil away from among you.

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Deuteronomy%2022:13-21&version=9;

Smugglers try to get 180 Billion in US treasury bonds across Italian border into Switzerland.

http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601039&sid=a62

If women would be one percent as outspoken as gays, they’d rule the wold…Instead, we have NOW
meanwhile from the brotherhood of powerful against the powerless
http://edgeoforever.wordpress.com/2009/06/20/quick-lets-hide-cheney-from-the-daily-show/

OK then, I’ll take the plunge as I remembered this to be her b’day as well (easy, becus someone else I know extremely well, all my life, has a b’day today, also)

Happy Birthday Dances!!!!!

Gee I hope Murphy is busy baking a cake now.

Come on Murphy one little cupcake? A naked chocolatechip cookie?

Barry continues to say that he doesn’t want to interfere or take sides in the Iranian issue.

Well, he can say anything he wants. His actions reveal whose side he is really on.

http://barenakedislam.wordpress.com/2009/06/20/why-is-obama-cutting-off-financial-aid-to-pro-democracy-groups-in-iran/

Can’t offend the mullahs, you know.

DTV Weak? Try Double Rescan

By Mark Fleischmann
June 18, 2009 — Has your television reception survived the DTV transition not quite fully intact? Here are a few tips from the Federal Communications Commission, including one we haven’t heard before.

http://www.hometheatermag.com/news/061809dtvweak/

And if rescanning doesn’t work, then those without TV over the air will have no choice but to start paying for TV service or go without. AT&T is smiling. Rescanning is not working for many in the Chicago area. They have lost ABC and CBS. Pfffft! This is progress?

Shadow #169 and Cinie: with due respect and speaking only for myself, I know that I logged untold HOURS complaining, blogging, and sending emails regarding the shit that was thrown at Hillary during the course of the primaries. I am fairly certain that many of us on this blog and around the country did the same. So I feel a bit insulted by the implication that we’re doing more for Palin than we do/did for Hillary. I also think that the “sleeping giant” awoke perhaps too late for us to really come together to support Hillary in the manner in which we have now done for Palin. Plus, I just don’t give a damn that Palin is a Republican. I just don’t. She is a woman and the power we have just displayed with this Letterman thing shows me that’s what it’s going to take for us to even BEGIN to turn the tide against misogyny. We, unlike NOW/THEN, cannot pick and choose to only support “Democratic” women.

#165 wow!!

I’m offline for a bit but taking your letter with me to read.

I’ll sign, or send-whatever the final draft is.

bbl

LJSNAustin 06.20.09 at 9:26 am

Shadow #169 and Cinie: with due respect and speaking only for myself, I know that I logged untold HOURS complaining, blogging, and sending emails regarding the shit that was thrown at Hillary during the course of the primaries. I am fairly certain that many of us on this blog and around the country did the same. So I feel a bit insulted by the implication that we’re doing more for Palin than we do/did for Hillary. I also think that the “sleeping giant” awoke perhaps too late for us to really come together to support Hillary in the manner in which we have now done for Palin. Plus, I just don’t give a damn that Palin is a Republican. I just don’t. She is a woman and the power we have just displayed with this Letterman thing shows me that’s what it’s going to take for us to even BEGIN to turn the tide against misogyny. We, unlike NOW/THEN, cannot pick and choose to only support “Democratic” women.
___________________________________
well said, and thanks for saying it. ITA.

What happened to Hillary happened faster than her supporters were able to organize. Who knew what the extent of it would be?

Still, there was plenty of outcry-squashed by the Obama machine.

If Letterman had Axelrod working for him our voices would have been lost in the wind.

If we could do the primary all over again…

OOPS! Happy Birthday CJV. May this be the year that all of your dreams come true.

LJSNAustin, one can support Palin as a woman and not embrace or endorse her politics. And, while PUMA was active and instrumental in the Palin/Letterman situation, the GOP forces opportunistically supporting Palin shouldn’t be overlooked. I know PUMA women supported Clinton, I’m one of them. What pisses me off is that the efforts you describe fell on deaf ears when it was about Clinton, now that the woman standing on her shoulders reaps the benefits seems wrong to me.

standing on her shoulders? oh please.
give Palin some credit. it doesn’t mean you have to take it away from Hillary.

happy birthday Dances and CJV

LJSNAustin 06.20.09 at 9:26 am

Completely agree! Also, I question the following from #170: “For Clinton’s strength and sacrifice to be overlooked while Palin is defended as she is being further exploited by the men in her party looking for any positive promotional advantage they can glom onto…”
I don’t think there are all that many GOP men trying to leverage Palin for promo advantage. In fact, I think there’s a big power struggle going on within the GOP to discredit Palin so that some of the perennial GOP men candidates can take the lead for 2012. I think her popularity with everyday Americans scares the crap out of them. Actually, I think Palin has encountered just as much, if not more, recalcitrant and sexist male opposition (from both parties) as Hillary did. It’s just different in tone. The sexism/misogyny that Palin’s been slammed with has been much more blatantly sexually aggressive, offensive and demeaning. I, too, spoke out whenever Hillary was the target of sexism/misogyny/ageism. I do not and have never overlooked her strength and sacrifice. I do, however, think she has done herself, her loyal followers and her future a tremendous disservice by now so slavishly bowing and catering to the far less qualified man she beat out fair and square in the popular primary vote.

CJK 06.20.09 at 10:05 am

“I do, however, think she has done herself, her loyal followers and her future a tremendous disservice by now so slavishly bowing and catering to the far less qualified man she beat out fair and square in the popular primary vote.”

I could not have said it any better. There had to be something behind the scenes that we will likely never know about that influnced her decision to make that move. I recently watched carefully on one of her public statements and it appeared as if she was reading from a teleprompter, speaking every word as if it was not her own. In other words, she was stating what she may have possibly been told to say. I wonder if that is the case. I am sure her future is now essentially limited.

cjv 06.20.09 at 10:15 am

“…as if she was reading from a teleprompter, speaking every word as if it was not her own…stating what she [has] been told to say.”

That has to be the only explanation. We all know she still has a brilliant, fiercely independent mind of her own. One would only hope we soon begin to see evidence that she’s continuing to use it by hearing her once again speak out on behalf of the American people whom she has served so well throughout her life, only recently appearing to have abandoned us to complete what can only be called her ‘man’datory servitude.

persephone 06.20.09 at 10:16 am

I hope I’m around to buy one of the first copies of that book!

I wish it had been Hillary too , and I have a handwritten note from Sarah Palin thanking me personally for contributing to her defense fund . I cried when I got it, and I intend to frame it . I wish from the bottom of my heart and depths of my soul it had been HIllary to whom David letterman apologised ; but lets face it , so many people owe Hillary personally ; and the women of this country and the world generally , an apology ; they need to pass that act in congress as well as the apology for slavery .
But I am so grateful the camels back was broken I dont care who added the hair , and at least it was Sarah , because she is willing to openly criticise “daddy dearest” and owes him no loyalty .
what some people do not realise abuot those jokes
is that the awareness has changed permanently
and the same reason people dont make racist jokes or antisemitic jokes, and even gay jokes … is why lettermans joke crashed
because a joke is a joke doesnt cut it anymore. Some jokes arent funny if they are hurtful beyond a boundary
and it is difficult to be at the edge of awareness for all of us …and we are… but we are dragging the knuckledraggers along kicking and screaming
when so many idiots dont get it

HP Boston 06.20.09 at 10:26 am

I agree, but would love to have seen her display that well-known “courage and guts” by abandoning the Party that abandoned her and playing the game by throwing in with the team of millions and millions of loyal followers who supported and voted for her in the primary. She could have mounted an awesome independent campaign. Even if she’d ultimately lost, she would’ve been positioned for a run in 2012. Now, what are her options?

Happy Birthday Dances and CJV!!

Happy Birthday CJV!

Cinie 06.20.09 at 10:30 am

I didn’t get the impression that anyone was bashing Clinton. I know my intentions were not. It appears more like a dissapointment on the choices she ultimately made and thus trying to figure out and exercise some ideas/thoughts on her motives for doing so.

CJK 06.20.09 at 10:33 am

We will have to see what unfolds..I am sure she has been threatened, she and her family. She spoke up for the attacks on her only child she may have had to save her life??? The truth is always stranger than the fiction…I believe the worst.

P.S. Maybe it’s time to stop referring to anyone who’s not a Democrat as a “Gooper.” I was a Democrat for 40 years, and voted Democrat all that time. After the abandonment of Hillary, the debacle of a Democratic primary and the decline of the Democratic Party as we’ve known it into fascism, I switched parties. I did that to lodge a vote in protest for the only ticket with a viable woman candidate on it, and I’m not ashamed to admit it.

CJK 06.20.09 at 10:56 am

P.S. Maybe it’s time to stop referring to anyone who’s not a Democrat as a “Gooper.” I was a Democrat for 40 years, and voted Democrat all that time. After the abandonment of Hillary, the debacle of a Democratic primary and the decline of the Democratic Party as we’ve known it into fascism, I switched parties. I did that to lodge a vote in protest for the only ticket with a viable woman candidate on it, and I’m not ashamed to admit it.

———————————-
I didn’t go quite that far but I changed to unaffiliated and I will stay that way till I die. I will never bring myself to vote for a piece of garbage. I did caste my vote for Palin as a protest to a corrupt DNC and scumbag thug.