just for fun....the road to nowhere

today Carl Wolfson and Christine Alexandra (morning crew Portland’s Progressive AM 620KPOJ), filling in for Thom Hartmann, had a "call in challenge" to name Sarah Palin's new book ...(limit 6 words) my favorite was a fella who called in

"Sarah Palin-the road to nowhere"

with a sub-title....

" I can see myself from here"

it worked especially well for me cuz i consider herself a glaring symptom of our national diagnosis (well, one of the major ones) Narcissistic personality disorder.

Glenn Beck Blows Thru Mt. Vernon

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Skagit County Young Democrats organized the protest. Some folks from Whatcom County went down to add their voices... I recognize several familiar faces in the video's.

KOMO4 - W. Washington greets Glenn Beck with huzzahs, hisses



Mt .Vernon says NO to Mad Hater Glenn Beck




Glenn Beck Recieves The Key To Mt. Vernon, Washington



Mount Vernon City Council Rejects "Glenn Beck Day"

Protect Insurance Companies PSA

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Protect Insurance Companies PSA

Protect Insurance Companies PSA from Will Ferrell

a g-zillionth wake up call from Kunstler

I always enjoy reading this righteous pessimist, with keen observational skills, a quest for knowledge and a very sharp intellect. He levels the g-zillionth wake up call, hoping we will be our best selves and go optimistically in search of a new way of living that offers future generations a home on planet earth. Oh, did I mention his quick wit!

Reality Receding
public James Howard Kunstler
on September 14, 2009 6:33 AM

...........We have to dismantle things that have no future and rebuild things that will allow daily life to function. We have to say goodbye to big box shopping and rebuild Main Street. More people will be needed to work in farming and fewer in tourism, public relations, gambling, and party planning. We have to make some basic useful products in this country again. We have to systematically decommission suburbia and reactivate our small towns and small cities. We have to prepare for the contraction of our large cities. We have to let the sun set on Happy Motoring and rebuild our trains, transit systems, harbors, and inland waterways. We have to reorganize schooling at a much more modest level. We have to close down most of the overseas military bases we're operating and conclude our wars in Asia. Mostly, we have to recover a national sense of common purpose and common decency. There is obviously a lot of work to do in the list above, which could translate into paychecks and careers -- but not if we direct all our resources into propping up the failing structures of yesterday.

full article

prepare to live differently.

we're #37

this is hilarious and speaks (or sings) to the insane chaotic drama code playing out in this country. we pay 40% more than others and rank 37.... it begs the question...where, oh where, did the money go?? or for some more fun.... where did the money go?

Another Rightwing Smear of ACORN

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Foxnews runs the video over and over again, without having bothered to check whether it was for real, because it fit the politics they're pushing. When that happens it's called propaganda, not news.

Fox News Caught in a Smear: Media Matters calls for accountability following shameful omission during ACORN reports

And it didn't take much digging to begin uncovering the truth about the Rightwing political operative that Foxnews calls "a filmmaker":
Right Wing Darling James O’Keefe: The Man Who Exposed ACORN and Lucky Charms

Zachary Roth at TPM Muckraker gets to the heart of what's really going on here:

Conservatives and Republicans have longed waged a campaign against ACORN, focused mainly on the group's voter registration activities. During the 2008 cycle, ACORN, by its own tally, helped register over 1.3 million low-income, minority, and young -- in other words, predominantly Democratic -- voters across the country.

Health Care Reform March

today about 200 folks showed up to voice our support for sweeping reforms to our current healthcare system. it was a beautiful day in Bellingham and it was a pleasure to be with all who came to take part. many of those there have been working tirelessly on this for years. thank you!!! we are in this for the long haul .... the healthcare profiteers have no intention of stopping the feeding at our public trough. here are a few photos and there will be video to follow....

A coalition of Bellingham and Whatcom County organizations are sponsoring the Bellingham Health Care Reform March at noon on September 12 at Maritime Heritage Park at 500 W. Holly in Bellingham. The public is invited.


The Whatcom Democrats, United for National Healthcare, MoveOn Bellingham Council, Organizing for America, Jobs with Justice, Whatcom Peace & Justice Center & other local groups are participating in the march. All of these groups support sweeping reforms in the current health care system. Some of these groups support private health insurance reform, others support a national single payer health care system, and still others support a mixed system with private insurance and a national public insurance option.

Dr. Chris Covert-Bowlds came over on his lunch hour and eloquently made the case for healthcare reform....

A Public Option Isn't Scary

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Former Labor Secretary Robert Reich explains what a public option for healthcare coverage really means for working people.

Doug Ericksen's Town Hall Meeting

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A brief report on Doug Ericksen's town hall meeting.

The high point of the meeting came at the beginning. When Doug and his helpers couldn't find an American flag, they ad-libbed by putting a yard sign with a picture of a flag up on an easel and asked everyone to pledge allegiance to that.

After that, it became much less entertaining. Doug's presentation was billed as the Washington State House Republicans plan to reform health care, but it turned out to be just a rehash of all the bills they didn't get out of committee last session. They don't seem to have any new, or realistic, ideas.

The one, possibly, new idea was the final bullet in Doug's powerpoint presentation. Something about an amendment to the State Constitution that would affirm that the U.S. Constitution has a tenth amendment. I took that proposal to be a little, coded, red meat for the Republicans wingnut base who want to reinterpret the Constitution.

The attendees of the town hall were Doug's Republican supporters, that always turn out for him, and a mix of people who support real National health care reform. The tea party people were no where to be seen. So, the Q&A was a polite and orderly affair.