Senate of Mexico OKs drug decriminalization

Community (This content is not subject to review by Daily Kos staff prior to publication.)

Wednesday April 29, 2009 · 11:18 AM PDT

2009/04/29 · 11:18

With all the (justifiable) worry about swine flu, another story coming out of Mexico seems to have escaped notice:

Mexico's Senate approved a bill on Tuesday decriminalizing possession of small amounts of narcotics for personal use, in order to free resources to fight violent drug cartels.

The bill, proposed by conservative President Felipe Calderon, would make it legal to carry up to 5 grams (0.18 ounces) of marijuana, 500 milligrams (0.018 ounces) of cocaine and tiny quantities of other drugs such as heroin and methamphetamines. (Reuters)

The bill awaits approval by the Mexican Chamber of Deputies. A similar law in 2006 was passed by the Mexican Congress, but vetoed by the previous President of Mexico, Vicente Fox, under pressure from the Bush Administration.

Poll

83 votes Show Results

Could this Mexican law be a significant step in drug reform?

83 votes Vote Now!

Could this Mexican law be a significant step in drug reform?

Yes, this is unprecedented

40 votes

Yes, although this is nothing new

20 votes

No, it's nothing new

3 votes

No, it will be vetoed under U.S. pressure

9 votes

I don't know

9 votes

Tarta

2 votes

ACTION: House Dems may kill "Freedom to Travel to Cuba"

baudelairien

Community (This content is not subject to review by Daily Kos staff prior to publication.)

Sunday April 26, 2009 · 5:03 PM PDT

2009/04/26 · 17:03

The Freedom to Travel to Cuba Act (H.R.874/S.428) is referred to committee in both chambers of Congress, and has been since the second week of February. Bills by this name died in committee 2003 and 2007, never making it to the floor for a vote.

It could happen again: The U.S.-Cuba Democracy PAC (USCD PAC), the largest single ideological Defense and Foreign Policy PAC, has been successful in stacking the House Committee on Foreign Affairs. The only way that this bill will make it back to the floor is if we can peel off the support of Democrats that the anti-Cuba lobby thinks are in its pocket.

Poll

22 votes Show Results

My Representative in the House...

22 votes Vote Now!

My Representative in the House...

...is a co-sponsor of the Freedom to Travel to Cuba Act

5 votes

...has spoken out against the Freedom to Travel to Cuba Act

2 votes

...has not taken a position, but would probably support it

3 votes

...has not taken a position, but would probably oppose it

5 votes

...is a mystery to me and my neighbors

4 votes

...is a nice thought, but I'm not a U.S. citizen

1 vote

...bakes a mean pecan pie

2 votes

ACTION: Fight for your Freedom to Travel

baudelairien

Community (This content is not subject to review by Daily Kos staff prior to publication.)

Tuesday April 07, 2009 · 8:22 AM PDT

2009/04/07 · 08:22

U.S. Citizens can travel to any country in the world except one. It's not the one that the U.S. fought a bloody war with 40 years ago. It's not the one that seized the U.S. embassy 30 years ago. No, we cannot travel to the country which 50 years ago overthrew a military dictator who had taken power in a coup d'état. None of these countries are democracies, but only one is subject to a travel ban.

With the announcement of the "Freedom to Travel to Cuba Act", a bipartisan initiative introduced by Sens. Byron Dorgan (D-ND) and Mike Enzi (R-WY) and Reps. Bill Delahunt (D, MA-10) and Jeff Flake (R, AZ-6) in March, it seems as if we may at last be approaching a sane policy on travel to Cuba. But first, we need to overcome the obstructionism of the gang who thinks that 50 years of failed policy isn't enough.

Poll

18 votes Show Results

I'm going to...

18 votes Vote Now!

I'm going to...

...call my representatives

2 votes

...write my representatives

2 votes

...thank my lucky stars my representatives are already sponsors

2 votes

...have to accept that my representatives are immovable on this issue

1 vote

...hope, from a distant shore, that it comes to pass

0 votes

...visit Cuba as soon as it passes

6 votes

...bake a pie

5 votes

Congress considers "Freedom to Travel to Cuba"

baudelairien

Community (This content is not subject to review by Daily Kos staff prior to publication.)

Tuesday March 31, 2009 · 9:01 AM PDT

2009/03/31 · 09:01

Senators Byron Dorgan (D-ND) and Mike Enzi (R-WY) have introduced a bill to the senate that would lift the travel restrictions that currently prevent U.S. citizens from visiting Cuba. Called the "Freedom to Travel to Cuba Act" (S.428), it is cosponsored by 20 senators. The House is considering a companion measure (H.R. 874) introduced by Bill Delahunt (D, MA-10) and Jeff Flake (R, AZ-6), with 121 cosponsors.

Speaking of the bill, Sen. Dorgan said:

Seems to me when you have a policy that has failed for five decades, you ought to take a look at it again and see if you should modify it. We allow Americans travel to Vietnam and China, both communist countries.

Poll

81 votes Show Results

The next decades-long policy failure on the chopping block?

81 votes Vote Now!

The next decades-long policy failure on the chopping block?

It's time to offer migrant workers a path to citizenship

10 votes

It's time to restore relations with Iran

12 votes

It's time the Palestinians got statehood

20 votes

It's time to decriminalize marijuana

32 votes

It's pudding time, children (or pie, if that's your thing)

7 votes

Cuba (hearts) Obama

baudelairien

Community (This content is not subject to review by Daily Kos staff prior to publication.)

Friday January 23, 2009 · 10:03 PM PST

2009/01/23 · 22:03

In a letter to the Cuban people published today (Spanish/English translation), 82-year-old Fidel Castro offered rare praise for the newly inaugurated U.S. president:

Nobody can doubt the sincerity of Obama's words when he says he will make his country into a model of freedom, respect for human rights in the world and for the independence of other nations.

Argentinian President Cristina Fernandez, who met with Castro during a four-day visit to Cuba, had this to say:

Fidel believes in Obama. He told me he had followed the inauguration of Barack Obama very closely, that he had watched the inauguration on television all day.

And just yesterday, El Comandante's brother, President Raul Castro, called President Obama "a good man."

Could this be a sign of things to come?

Poll

129 votes Show Results

Whither U.S. Cuban relations?

129 votes Vote Now!

Whither U.S. Cuban relations?

No change. Cuba must embrace Human Rights first.

5 votes

Loosen the embargo. Allow travel and remittances.

11 votes

Loosen the embargo. Allow travel and remittances. And cigars.

24 votes

Re-establish diplomatic relations after Fidel dies.

5 votes

Re-establish diplomatic relations ASAP.

34 votes

End the embargo now!

42 votes

Surrender to Cuba. Embrace communism. Â¡Viva la revoluciÃ³n!

6 votes

Wolverines!

1 vote

Bye, bye Cuban-American pie!

1 vote

PBS: Cheney blames Democrats for terror, bad economy

baudelairien

Community (This content is not subject to review by Daily Kos staff prior to publication.)

Wednesday January 14, 2009 · 5:24 PM PST

2009/01/14 · 17:24

In a PBS interview airing tonight, outgoing Vice President Dick Cheney told Jim Lehrer "the terror threat was inherited because of the poor handling by previous presidents" and blamed the "Democrat-controlled Congress" for failing to defuse the "key triggers" of the financial crisis.

Cheney said that he leaves Washington with "a great sense of accomplishment" and called descriptions of the Bush Administration as a failure "dead wrong".

(Story found on Talking Points Memo.)

Poll

171 votes Show Results

Cheney's most reality-challenged assertion?

171 votes Vote Now!

Cheney's most reality-challenged assertion?

The threat of terrorism is Bill Clinton's fault

9 votes

The economic crisis is the fault of congressional Democrats

8 votes

Iraq is a vibrant democracy and a major accomplishment

11 votes

"We donâ€<sup>TM</sup>t torture and that we would not support torture"

8 votes

"History will judge this administration in a fairly favorable light"

33 votes

Joe Lieberman is "a great guy"

5 votes

Where the ^*&$ do I start?

85 votes

How's the pie in Wyoming?

12 votes

U.S. votes against decriminalizing homosexuality

baudelairien

Community (This content is not subject to review by Daily Kos staff prior to publication.)

Monday December 22, 2008 · 2:28 PM PST

2008/12/22 · 14:28

Did you know that last week the United States voted against a United Nations declaration to decriminalize homosexuality? Apparently, the notion that..

sexual orientation or gender identity may under no circumstances be the basis for criminal penalties, in particular executions, arrests or detention

...is too controversial for our representatives at the U.N. to support. In opposing this measure, the U.S. sided with Russia, China, the Vatican, and the Organization of the Islamic Conference.

Although the vote was held several days ago, I didn't know about it until it was posted on Foreign Policy magazine's (excellent) blog this afternoon. Had I paid more attention to theantidesi101's diary from last week, perhaps this wouldn't have caught me by surprise. Then again, there's another story sucking all of the oxygen from the room.

baudelairien

Community (This content is not subject to review by Daily Kos staff prior to publication.)

Wednesday April 30, 2008 · 10:22 AM PDT

2008/04/30 · 10:22

Hawaii Democratic Senator Daniel Inouye is headlining a fundraiser for Alaska Senator Ted "Tubes" Stevens. Stevens, despite 40 years in the Senate, is considered vulnerable this year: Stevens is under federal investigation for his possible involvement in a corruption scandal that has rocked the Alaskan Republican establishment, and he is facing a strong Democratic challenge from Anchorage Mayor Mark Begich.

What does Senator Inouye think he is doing? Alaskan and Hawaiian Kossacks and anybody else interested in helping Stevens to retire -- you know what to do! (Suggestions for action after the fold.)

baudelairien

Community (This content is not subject to review by Daily Kos staff prior to publication.)

Wednesday April 16, 2008 · 10:26 AM PDT

2008/04/16 · 10:26

With the endorsements of Representatives David Price and Mel Watt of North Carolina, Barack Obama picked up his eighth and ninth congressional endorsements from supporters of John Edwards. Along with other Democratic members of North Carolina's congressional delegation, both Price and Watt supported Edwards before he suspended his campaign. Representative G.K. Butterfield of North Carolina endorsed Obama in January. North Carolina holds its primary on May 6.

Before today's announcement, Representative Stephanie Herseth Sandlin of South Dakota was the last Edwards supporter to endorse Barack Obama. South Dakota holds its primary on June 3.

Of the 16 Representatives who endorsed John Edwards, none have switched their support to Hillary Clinton. A complete list of Edwards' congressional supporters follows.

Poll

287 votes Show Results

Will Clinton pick up any of Edwards' congressional endorsements?

287 votes Vote Now!

Will Clinton pick up any of Edwards' congressional endorsements?

156 votes

Yes, 1 or 2

81 votes

Yes, 3 to 5

10 votes

Yes, most of the rest

7 votes

Mmm, 3.1415926

33 votes

Clinton campaign may be "in the red"

baudelairien

Community (This content is not subject to review by Daily Kos staff prior to publication.)

Friday March 21, 2008 · 2:35 PM PDT

2008/03/21 · 14:35

According to Michael Luo of the New York Times Politics Blog, the Clinton campaign's debts at the end of February exceeded usable cash on hand. With $21.5 million of campaign contributions earmarked exclusively for the general election, Clinton had only $11.7 million of primary funds on hand, less than the outstanding total of $8.7 million in miscellaneous debt plus the $5 million that Hillary Clinton loaned her own campaign in January.

This news is unrelated to a debunked misreading of Los Angeles Times story that raised (quickly answered) questions about the $35 million dollars that the Clinton campaign raised in February.

Poll

217 votes Show Results

Is the Clinton campaign out of gas?

217 votes Vote Now!

Is the Clinton campaign out of gas?

Yes.

109 votes

Maybe.

37 votes

No.

7 votes

The pump don't work, cause the vandals took the handle.

43 votes

Suddenly, I'm craving pie.

21 votes

AP: Dodd endorses Obama

baudelairien

Community (This content is not subject to review by Daily Kos staff prior to publication.)

Tuesday February 26, 2008 · 2:12 AM PST

2008/02/26 · 02:12

Update [2008-2-26 10:33:53 by baudelairien]: AP has the story here and here. UPI here. CNN here.

Previously: "Dodd to endorse Obama"

Dodd will endorse his colleague, a senator from Illinois, in Cleveland on Tuesday, according to a Democratic official close to Dodd who requested anonymity because no formal announcement had been made.

(full AP story)

Additional sources below, as they are available...

Poll

1477 votes Show Results

Which Democratic candidate will we hear from next?

1477 votes Vote Now!

Which Democratic candidate will we hear from next?

Joe Biden

437 votes

John Edwards

408 votes

Mike Gravel

31 votes

Dennis Kucinich

70 votes

Bill Richardson

383 votes

None of the above

148 votes

Pickups from Edwards: Obama 6, Hillary 0

baudelairien

Community (This content is not subject to review by Daily Kos staff prior to publication.)

Tuesday February 12, 2008 · 11:36 PM PST

2008/02/12 · 23:36

With the endorsement of Texas Representative Charlie Gonzalez (TX-20, San Antonio), Barack Obama picked up his sixth congressional endorsement from supporters of John Edwards. In the last week, Obama was also endorsed by David Obey (WI-7, northwest Wisconsin), and Congressional Progressive Caucus member Eddie Bernice Johnson (TX-30, Dallas), both of whom supported Edwards before he suspended his campaign. Each of these endorsements came from upcoming primary states: Wisconsin holds its primaries February 19 and Texas March 4. Of the 16 Representatives who endorsed John Edwards, none have switched their support to Hillary Clinton.

A complete list of Edwards' congressional supporters follows.

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Senate of Mexico OKs drug decriminalization

ACTION: House Dems may kill "Freedom to Travel to Cuba"

ACTION: Fight for your Freedom to Travel

Congress considers "Freedom to Travel to Cuba"

Cuba (hearts) Obama

PBS: Cheney blames Democrats for terror, bad economy

U.S. votes against decriminalizing homosexuality

Sen. Inouye (D-HI) fundraising for Sen. Ted Stevens (R-AK)

Watt and Price endorse Obama (Edwards pickups: O 9; C 0)

Clinton campaign may be "in the red"

AP: Dodd endorses Obama

Pickups from Edwards: Obama 6, Hillary 0