Thoughts on the Urban/Exurban Dichotomy

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Tuesday December 28, 2004 · 7:53 AM PST

2004/12/28 · 07:53

"Democracy," that is a system of government in which the free citizens take an active part and theoretically control the affairs of state, is a creation of URBAN culture.

Democracy was born in the ancient Greek CITY-state of Athens.

The ancient Greek word for "city-state" was "polis," from which we get our modern word "politics." Read More

An example of California's enlightenment

PhillipG

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Monday December 27, 2004 · 11:19 AM PST

2004/12/27 · 11:19

When it comes to political and other type of thought in this country, I abide by the notion that RELATIVELY SPEAKING, California is one of the most progressive and enlightened places in this country. By saying this, I also acknowledge that it is far from perfect.

Nonetheless, in contrast to "red state, heartland America," it far outstrips ANY of those states' in terms of its willingness to be progressive and move forward.

As a most recent example of this, see what the State of California is trying to do with respect to environmental regulation and mandatory reduction of auto emissions and greenhouse gasses . . . and how the auto industry is fighting them every step of the way:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A45646-2004Dec7.html

Conyers & the Congressional Challenge to Voting Irregularities

PhillipG

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Monday December 27, 2004 · 11:14 AM PST

2004/12/27 · 11:14

Here is an interesting article from "The Black Commentator" on Rep. John Conyers' optimism this year when it comes to his ability to muster Senate support for challenging the validity of the election results on January 6, 2005:

http://www.blackcommentator.com/119/119_cover_vote_thieves.html

As much as I like BC, I don't share their optimism with respect to Conyers' chances of success in getting anyone in the Senate to support any House members' challenge.

Suckered by Harold Ford, Jr. (Part II)

PhillipG

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Sunday December 26, 2004 · 10:28 AM PST

2004/12/26 · 10:28

A few diary posts back, I posted a diary entry which was basically my attempt to warn the Kos community about Congressman Harold Ford, Jr., of Memphis, Tennessee, and what a self-serving and opportunistic DLC traitor to Democratic and progressive causes he is. The reason I felt this effort necessary is that in many circles, Ford comes off smooth, slick and attractive, and, coupled with the fact that he is young and an African-American, he is considered the front runner for the Dem nomination for Bill Frist's U.S. Senate seat in 2006.

In the body of that diary entry, I also gave a link to an article from the progressive online publication "The Black Commentator" that DOCUMENTED some of the ways in which Ford has been a complete sell out (I suggest that you folks go to that diary entry, click on that BC link, and read the article if you know nothing about Ford.) Read More

Leaving America

PhillipG

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Wednesday December 22, 2004 · 2:40 PM PST

2004/12/22 · 14:40

Judging from many comments I've come across on the boards, a number of people would like to know how to leave the country.

Well, here is a good place to START:

http://www.escapeartist.com/EFAM_Special_Supplement/Special_Supplement.html

It is an online magazine called "Escape from America."

Certainly, the guy who runs it is out to make a buck. Nonetheless, ever since the aftermath of 9/11 started to hit home to me in terms of curtailment of civil liberties and evil policies, I have gotten some useful information from it.

So, click it on.

Like I said, it is a good place to START to get information about the issue.

On "New Democrats": Excellent Editorial

PhillipG

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Tuesday December 21, 2004 · 12:15 PM PST

2004/12/21 · 12:15

There's been a lot of discussion these past weeks about the direction the Democratic Party should take in the future.

Words and phrases like "reform," "centrism," "too far to the left," "values," and "national security," have been thrown around and debated.

Well here is an excellent editorial by a buzzflash reader on the whole issue, and specifically on the DLC/New Republic/Peter Beinart position:

http://www.buzzflash.com/contributors/04/12/con04555.html

Who Will B the Dems' Next "Mr. Electable?"

PhillipG

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Tuesday December 21, 2004 · 7:27 AM PST

2004/12/21 · 07:27

In 2008, who do you think the powers-that-be will put forth and try to convince the members of the Democratic Party is the one who is "most electable" as a ploy to convince Democratic voters to reject anyone with a truly populist orientation that is not in bed with corporate America?

Or do you even think they'll even use this "Mr. Electable" meme--or a variation on it--in 2008?

Will they attempt to use another strategy to convince the Dems to vote against their own self-interests?

Or will there even be a 2008?

Sirota SKEWARS you DLC-type centrists.

PhillipG

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Friday December 17, 2004 · 2:32 PM PST

2004/12/17 · 14:32

Ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha.

Check out this must-read in "The Nation" by David Sirota:

http://www.thenation.com/doc.mhtml?i=20050103&c=2&s=sirota

So much for the memes of the "centrist" and DLC shills on Kos like fleetadmiral, jiacinto, garfield, modestmouse, and a host of others who come on here and parrot their idiotic received wisdom about how the Democratic Party needs to be "centrist" to win and don't understand the concept of "economic populism." Read More

Will U B Suckered by Harold Ford, Jr.?

PhillipG

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Friday December 17, 2004 · 8:02 AM PST

2004/12/17 · 08:02

Apparently, Harold Ford, Jr., just formally announced that he is a candidate for the United States Senate seat for Tennessee that will be decided in 2006 when Frist leaves.

Now, a lot of people on Kos and on the left side of the blogosphere have expressed admiration for Ford. In my opinion, Harold Ford, Jr., is a slick, glib, opportunistic, self-serving, dishonest, self-hating and African American-betraying piece of DLC fecal extrement.

Now before you all jump on me for saying this, let me set forth the reasons for my position:
Read More

Is Mary Beth Cahill: An idiot or what?

PhillipG

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Thursday December 16, 2004 · 8:33 AM PST

2004/12/16 · 08:33

Check out this article from "Newsday" in which Kerry campaign mucky-muck admits underestimating the impact the "Swift Boat Veterans for Truth" ads would have:

http://www.newsday.com/news/nationworld/nation/wire/sns-ap-bush-kerry-managers,0,7580888.story?coll= sns-ap-nation-headlines

Pay particularly close attention to her surprise that the cable news stations "amplified" the initial allegations, even though those allegations were disproven.

Where the fuck has this woman been for the past several years if she was not able to anticipate the way the corporate media would cover these allegations?

This, to me, is just exhibit number 3478 demonstrating how, at its highest levels, the people who run the Democratic Party inhabit rarified bubbles that put them out of touch with reality and make them lacking in any real common sense.

Disney and "Farenheit 9/11": An object lesson in the corporate media

PhillipG

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Tuesday December 14, 2004 · 7:56 AM PST

2004/12/14 · 07:56

I came across this article on, of all places, Fox News:

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,141303,00.html

It basically documents how the memebers of Disney's board of directors have substantial ties to Halliburton and Carlisle, two of the entities that are skewered in Michael Moore's film, "Farenheit 9/11." Read More

The Draft, Conspiracy Theories, History, and 9/11.

PhillipG

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Saturday December 11, 2004 · 8:23 AM PST

2004/12/11 · 08:23

I'll begin this diary entry with links to two articles that point to the strain U.S. armed forces are facing in Iraq:

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,3-1397131,00.html

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&ncid=742&e=1&u=/usatoday/20041210/cm_usatoda y/strainbeginstoshowasiraqstretchesmilitarythin

Now, as one of these articles points out, the situation is such that if the Bushies have any other imperialistic designs other than Iraq (Iran? Venezuela? Cuba?) involving the use of the U.S. military, there's no way they are going to be able to do anything about them given the current realities described in the two articles.

But when in the past has reality, or even the word "no," gotten in the way of the Bushinistas going after anything they want? I mean, if there is one slogan to me that sums up the Bush Administration it is the old Alcoholics Anonymous statement: "Self will run riot." Read More

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