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From the Denver trip I bring home an enhanced desire to fund AMTRAK!  GO BIDEN

More directly related to the Convention, my major observations are these:

1. So many well-known leaders in one place, so many committed citizens, such a diverse and interactively diverse crowd in the convention setting!

2. However, in events outside the hall there was indeed a form of segregation - by event invitation; with bigwigs getting special attention in terms of parties, transportation flexibility, and access.

3. In general there was an enormous display of good humor in crowds, lines, and downtime, and an overwhelmingly friendly welcome from the Colorado hosts.

4. The extensive "other" convention had excellent programs and speakers on issues; in the first days I could attend but later it became impossible logistically

5. Heavy security reigned for major venues; it was unobtrusive but evident elsewhere.

6. Minimal protests and disagreements surfaced; unity for the Obama-Biden team prevailed.

7. The convention was as green as it could be.

8. A wide range of groups held events and influenced the platform, but in general the convention focused on the candidates and on defeating McCain.

9. Confident, articulate women and minorities showed their stuff at the podium every night.

10. Here today, gone tomorrow - by Friday morning the press was gone as were the security details, the road blocks, the vendors - and the delegates and friends scattered to work on the election just weeks away.

I stayed an extra day to visit Lowry Air Force Base (now decommissioned) as part of my other major project - writing Dear Coach: Letters Home From WWII - but I am eager to get home and continue my political work.

Does Joe Pitts need a half-million to win in the 16th Congressional District?  Yes, and even that won't  be enough.  He can't BUY the votes of citizens tired of the Bush-Pitts years.  If voters have a choice (and they do), Pitts won't convince them to vote for a supporter of outrageous government spending.  Those who read the "how they voted" news know very well that Pitts supports Bush, oil companies, and health care companies - not the PEOPLE of PA-16 who need alternative energy sources and universal healthcare. 

In recent elections, people have been sending their messages with their votes - they are increasingly disappointed in the incumbent and more and more willing to look at an honest, hard-working, caring challenger -  a candidate like Bruce Slater in 2008.

Saturday, August 23, 2008

Americans Need to Tear Down This Wall
by Walter Brasch

Most illegal immigrants pose no problems. They don't receive American benefits, contrary to a lot of Internet gossip. Most try to avoid getting into trouble, since their purpose of being in America isn't to get noticed by the police. And, for those who think putting up a wall will keep terrorists out of the country, reflect upon this: The 9/11 hijackers had American-issued visas to be in the U.S. Read more...

The “Being Stupid” and “Sounding Strong” Policy Connection
by Stephen Crockett, co-host of Democratic Talk Radio

Developments in the ongoing conflict between the nations of Georgia and Russia grew very hot this past week. The conflict has very long historical roots and has been potentially ready to explode since the collapse of the Soviet Union. The comments of John McCain on the current outbreak of war has demonstrated the close connection between “sounding strong” for domestic political considerations and “being stupid” in the execution of American foreign policy.

McCain has a tendency to talk tough and to threaten military consequences far too often for the comfort of many foreign policy experts and American citizens. McCain seems to have the first response impulse to use force and to send in the troops. This sometimes is appropriate but often is not the wise or intelligent course of action. McCain seems to discount the limits of military force in achieving foreign policy objectives and the negative blowback or other unintended consequences of getting involved in military conflicts without carefully studying the facts first. Read more...

'Medaling' With Free Speech at the Olympics
by Walter Brasch

President Bush sounded just like a liberal.

Yes, you read that right. Bush. Liberal. Same sentence.

At the new U.S. embassy in Beijing on the opening day of the Olympics, he said, "All people should have the freedom to say what they think." Without even blinking, he also told the world, while directing his comments at the Chinese, "We strongly believe societies which allow the free expression of ideas tend to be the most prosperous and the most peaceful."

The day before, in Tibet, he boldly said, "America stands in firm opposition to China's detention of political dissidents and human rights advocates and religious activists." He said he was speaking out "for a free press, freedom of assembly, and labor rights, not to antagonize China's leaders but because trusting its people with greater freedom is the only way for China to develop its full potential."

There was only one problem with the President's comments. His actions the past seven years have proven he doesn't believe what his speech writers told him to say.

In Charleston, W. Va., at a Bush speech on July 4, 2004, non-violent protestors were handcuffed and arrested.

In Pittsburgh, a retired steelworker was arrested for carrying a sign. In Michigan, it was a student. In Hamilton, N.J., it was the mother of a soldier killed in Iraq who asked the wrong question of Laura Bush. Read more...

U.S. Congressman Joe Pitts hosted a meeting about the AES Sparrows Point liquefied natural-gas plant and pipeline project on Aug. 12 at Octorara High School auditorium.

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission representatives were present.

Commission representatives attended a June 11 public meeting in East Brandywine regarding the AES Sparrows Point project. That meeting drew about 75 people, some from Maryland. At that time, residents expressed frustration over a lack of information about whether the project would affect their properties. Others pointed out deficiencies in a draft environmental impact statement.

Brandywine Conservancy officials said the Sparrows Point project will directly affect 2,500 acres protected by conservation easements.

AES proposes to construct and operate a liquefied natural-gas import terminal in Sparrows Point, Md. The terminal would consist of facilities capable of unloading liquefied natural-gas ships, storing the liquefied gas and later vaporizing it to create natural gas.

Greg Paulson, Campaign manager for the Slater for Congress Campaign, attended the meet and reports these observations:

"Pitts' meeting on proposed Sparrows Point Pipeline Project was a joke - more like a public relations stunt! 

"Pitts' press release stated the purpose of this meeting was "to provide a voice for those individuals who may be affected by the proposed pipeline to ask questions and share their concerns with both the company proposing the project and the federal regulators who will need to sign off on the project in order for it to move forward...."

"Well, that sounds like it is moving forward whether or not there is any local concern about safety, or damage to historical buildings or the environment or this area's cultural resources. But what really had me scratching my head was why there was no one making a record of the meeting. No one was recording the statements and concerns of the dozens of persons who spoke. A few notes may have been taken, but how can anyone be assured their concerns will indeed be considered by either the corporate applicants (who admitted this is a for-profit venture) and/or the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission?

"I did catch up with one of the FERC guests after the "meeting" and asked why there was no record being kept. His response: we've heard all this before over the past 2 years; anyone having concerns can mail them in if they want their concerns considered on the record.

"What a sham! Obviously, this was more of a PR stunt for an incumbent who thinks he needs visibility.

"Pitts was visible, but he expressed no concern whatsoever for any of the comments made by any of his constituents."

Why campaign hard for Obama?  Much is at stake. A Democratic victory in November is the only way to refocus our society on government of, by, and for the people.  It’s that simple. It’s that serious.

In November, we must show the world by a resounding victory that we repudiate those who would abuse citizen’s constitutional rights, loot the treasury and wreak havoc in the economy, seek war instead of peace, and jeopardize the global environment.  We must win big, defeating not just McCain but Pitts as well.

And that’s not all. It is time to deal with gender inequity in the workplace, in politics, and in the media. It is time for a little old fashioned consciousness-raising.  And, women need the protection of the Constitution. Let’s put the Equal Rights Amendment back in the Democratic Platform.  Did anyone notice when it disappeared?   The wording of the ERA is just this: Equality of Rights under the law shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or any state on account of sex.  It’s that simple.

Lois Herr, Editor

EMILY's List announced this week a new web feature, John McCain and Women. Research shows that once women hear about McCain’s record, particularly on choice, they look much less favorably on his candidacy. John McCain and Women will be the prime resource for breaking news and commentary on the Senator's votes and bill sponsorships, statements and speeches, gaffes and more.

Mining Racism in a Northeastern Pennsylvania Town
by Walter Brasch

On a street in Shenandoah, Pa., deep in the heart of the anthracite coal region, six White teens took their racial hatred to a higher level. They confronted 25-year-old Luis Ramirez, an undocumented worker, and beat him to death.

At first the police chief, the mayor, and borough manager refused to believe racism was involved. Although there was already racial and ethnic tension in the 5,000 population town, the town's political leaders were united in one belief--it was just another street fight gone bad. "I have reason to know the kids who were involved, the families who were involved, and I've never known them to harbor this type of feeling," said the borough manager.

It took police almost two weeks, even with several witnesses, to finally arrest four of the teens. The district attorney charged two of the teens with homicide, aggravated assault, and ethnic intimidation, and two others with aggravated assault and ethnic intimidation. Unindicted co-conspirators are millions of Americans and the far-right mass media. Read more...

Future Liar-in-Chief McCain and his BS Express
by Stephen Crockett, co-host of Democratic Talk Radio

The fear that Republican Presidential candidate will be soundly defeated by Obama in November has generated a massive barrage of outright lies and some very smelly BS. Some of the lies and BS come from the usual disreputable sources like Right Wing talk radio hosts, Republican bloggers, Ann Coulter clones and certain Fox News commentators. These are to be expected.

Right Wing Republican Congressional candidates have been using slash and burn campaigns and outright lies routinely since at least the 1994 election. The recent negative comments by Congresswoman Heather Wilson falsely smearing Obama are a prime example of this low road campaign style. Republican Congressman Charlie Dent has been trying to defend his close ties to the oil industry and the huge amount of money they have donated to his campaign by blaming his Democratic challenger Sam Bennett for high fuel prices. Wilson and Dent sound just like McCain. They are just frightened of the voters and trying to hide their roles in creating the current economic mess.

However, the Republican Presidential candidates usually have not been nearly as vicious or desperate as John McCain. McCain seems to have become as divorced from the truth or civil political discourse as Dick Cheney. Smears and attack lines cannot conceal the truth forever. Read more...

A Most Callous Vote
by Greg Paulson

I can no longer contain myself.  The general rule of political campaigning is that the staff of a candidate should not be involved in writing letters to the editor and similar writings which criticize the candidate’s opponent.  I need to disregard that rule.  The opinions below represent my observations while representing homeowners and borrowers over a span of 36 years as an attorney.  My clients are people, not corporate entities or lending institutions.

Congressman Joe Pitts’ vote against the American Housing Rescue and Foreclosure Prevention Act, HR 3221, legislation aimed at helping homeowners facing mortgage foreclosure, is as callous an action as any congressional representative can possibly make. 

Who does Joe Pitts represent anyway?  Read more...

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