I appreciate the comments. Indie Pro -- for what it's worth, I think your attitude a healthy one. My own sense is that we need to remember that our politicians -- even the Democrats -- need our leadership. Even Obama himself states that in his rhetoric. We have to hold all of our politicians accountable.

Zinn states this most emphatically, and Zinn knows from politics.

I also know that Obama (in the case of FISA) promised a fillubuster of any retroactive immunity. And if Feingold and Dodd fillibuster, Obama owes them (and us) full support.

However, if this diary were written by Obama(and barefooted does well to question if it was) then I have to give him credit for posting to progressives on an issue -- and on Kos no less -- back in 2005 when it was not quite as accepted as it is and isn't now in the mainstream.

His words don't take away the sting of his statement last week. (Yuck. I'm not sure he could have worded it more poorly -- he'll "monitor" the situation? What in heck does that mean?)

However, as Colbert would say, his diary does seem to indicate he has balls.

I don't mean to be vulgar, but the question is, which way are they swinging . . . I just wish I could be more certain.

Posted at June 24, 2008 5:29 PM in response to Re Fisa: Obama articulated his reasoning in a 2005 Kos Diary.

Exactly my point.

Posted at June 20, 2008 6:40 PM in response to Obama Backing FISA "Compromise"

And we get a McCain Supreme Court just so people can protest?

If that your vote is your strongest form of protest, you have forgotten what Democracy is all about.

It is not just about casting a ballot in November. It is about organizing for change.

If you want to make change, then work for it. Check out FireDogLake and Glenn Greenwald -- they are doing great stuff, raising money to get rid of "blue-dog" Democrats who vote with Republicans, and getting progressives elected.

Join the ACLU.

But a protest vote? I understand you are angry, but that's pretty darned whimpy.

Again: Think McCain Supreme Court.

Just think. Please!

I wish you the best,

Laura

Posted at June 20, 2008 5:36 PM in response to Obama Backing FISA "Compromise"

But I think Greg's point speaks to this. Part of the promise of Obama was that he would be able to work across the isle to reach common ground and common sense -- not compromise. There's a big difference. In other words, that he would be able to change the rhetoric, so that Democratic values would lead, because they are the values of common sense.

Today, he showed a version of compromise as collusion. That's not the same thing at all.

The hope of the Obama presidency is the hope that things like "political capital" get defined by common sense, not by Fox News and big corporations.

I love Obama, but I'm not willing to let him off the hook on this one.

Posted at June 20, 2008 5:21 PM in response to Why Obama's Support For FISA Cave-In Is Such A Downer

Thanks, Greg -- I think you articulated much of my saddness, too. I always knew Obama to be conservative (as conservative as Clinton) -- he voted for Torte Reform and for the 2005 Energy bill. However, his ability to change the rhetorical game, to say he was willing to negotiate with Iran, to say he wanted to negotiate with Cuba, to articulate the demon of racism in this country -- that shift in the paradigm of rhetoric did give me real hope.

Now, I feel empty.

It will pass. As I said on another thread, we may have needed a reminder that a politician is a politician is a politican. We are the people -- we are the ones who need to lead them.

All the best,

Laura

Posted at June 20, 2008 5:14 PM in response to Why Obama's Support For FISA Cave-In Is Such A Downer

I just called Clinton's office. Her staff says she is against the bill. I didn't hear that she would vote "no," but it seemed indicated.

Good for Clinton! Krugman deserves to get a good gloat out of this one! So does Greg, whose taken a lot from Obama supporters.

The good news here:

Let's face it, some of us Obama supporters may need a little "kick in the pants" to get us moving on issues as people who love our country. In this sense, even if we like a candidate, and even as we work to get a Democratic Congress and presidency, we still have to fight on the issues. Our office holders -- and candidates -- represent us.

So let's get back to the issues, and stop fighting each other over the Clinton vs. Obama celebrity death match.

A quick note to those who say they won't vote for Obama now:

Do you want a McCain Supreme Court? Think of what you are doing. I worked with the Green's back in 2000, thinking my 'protests' were righteous.

Do you ya kind of wish us Green's hadn't been so GoshDarned Righteous?

Stop being right, and just get us out of this mess. Show your anger by fighting this compromise -- make your statement that way. Be a citizen, be active on the issues, make Obama listen because he has to.

He's still who he was yesterday. He's still the guy who voted for the 2005 energy bill, still the guy who voted for Torte reform, and yes, still the guy who voted against the war, voted against lobbying, voted pro-choice and who has developed an incredible base. He's still, in other words, a politician.

We are the people. We are the ones who matter. Now we need to give him some leadership.

Posted at June 20, 2008 4:40 PM in response to Obama Backing FISA "Compromise"

Outstanding. I am going to call again right now and ask him to fillibuster.

Posted at June 20, 2008 10:41 AM in response to An Open Letter to Senator Obama

Dear Greg and TPM,

I haven't read the thread, but I wanted to offer a complement. I really appreciate the balanced coverage today. You offer important information concerning Obama's efforts on behalf of a "bluedog" and you offer information about his lack of stance on FISA. This is important information that we need, even if it is critical of the candidate.

At the same time, your coverage offers Obama's position as well.

Sorry if the above sounds a bit weak -- it's been a long day. However, I've certainly disagreed with you in the past. That doesn't mean I don't appreciate you and your efforts. I suppose that's my point.

All the best,

Laura

Posted at June 19, 2008 6:27 PM in response to Obama Cuts Ad For Conservative Pro-War House Dem

Hi Ben,

In case you read this, I am sorry you have to deal with uranium mining, though I'm glad that you seem to have scored a legislative victory. (Hooray!) Nonetheless, that's scary stuff.

I agree with you. The environment concerns me most; however, sometimes environmentalists make the mistake of not articulating the economic. As an Obama organizer once told me, identify the stakeholders, and try to understand what they need. Don't ignore them.

Small family farmers, hunters and environmentalists should be natural allies, but they get torn apart by bad rhetoric. If environmentalists just answered some of the day-to-day survival needs of the people on the land as they defend the land, I think they'd have more success.

Anyway, that's just my thinking.

Posted at June 19, 2008 5:18 PM in response to Please Help! Horizontal Drilling to Start in New York. Water Supply in Jeopardy; My home in Jeopardy.

Dear Laura,

Thank you for your kindness. My husband and I live in a beautiful place -- we have a pond with lots of bass, and we are surrounded by fields and mountains. We're not rich, just lucky to have found this old house.

Now, if the companies get their way, it could be a nightmare. I think this bill will pass, unfortunately. However, I'm still praying Patterson (our governor, a guy I like) may have the courage to veto it.

The good news is that people are forming community organizations so that they can get the best protections possible by contract.

But still . . . when I think that all the bass in my pond could be killed, my drinkwater left undrinkable, the mountain behind me deforested, the smell of sulfur and methane in the air . . .

Well let's just say, I feel more than a little sad.

The scary part is that to my knowledge no one has investigated how this might affect the drinking water supply to NYC. It's as if that weren't an issue. It may not be, but I'd sure as heck want to find out with a clear study before the water supply for millions of people became tainted.

Anyway, I so appreciate your graciousness. You've made my day brighter.

All the best,

Laura

Posted at June 19, 2008 5:12 PM in response to Please Help! Horizontal Drilling to Start in New York. Water Supply in Jeopardy; My home in Jeopardy.