In thinking about recent events, there's great reason to feel pessimistic. Dems appear to have failed the progressives - and frankly, Obama is failing. What has Obama done for the left since he got into office? Even before he won the election, he failed on the telecomm immunity issue. And all you have to do is peruse through a few of Glenn Greenwald's posts to see what he's done with detainee policies (long story short - continuing or even strengthening Bush's unconstitutional policies). The bank bailout may have turned around the stock market to some extent, but it gave trillions of dollars of taxpayer money to corporations like Goldman Sachs, who now are back to the same old. Where's the upside for everyday Americans?

And now - the ONE thing that may redeem Obama and the Dems to some extent - REAL health care reform - looks like it's falling through. They're going to put together a lame package and call it "reform", but nothing will improve for Americans. Then if they need to, they'll say "oh, we didn't know it would be like this etc etc" even though those on the left always warned them on the urgency to get this passed (even pushing for Congress stay through the recess if they had to), just like we did about the Iraq war. When I look at these stupid protests at townhalls, I have to agree with Bill Maher - we live in Stupid America. People here don't know what to truly get passionate and outraged about - they're all Fixed News-brainwashed puppies getting worked up about "socialism" and birth certificates instead of illegal wars that are costing them more than they'll ever know. They protest health care reform that will actually HELP them, their families, and children. And they continue to vote for people (both Repugs and Dems, at this point) that have other interests at heart who won't fight for them.

Certain liberal blogs also deserve fingers pointed at them, if Obama doesn't push this through - e.g. HuffPo and DailyKos, which went so far as to endorse Obama and convince everyone that he had progressive interests at heart. Now I do find myself wondering - was Hillary the right choice at least for this one issue, that may have trumped all others?? Would she have been more of a friend to the Left? Ah, hindsight. The hatred of Hillary coming from those blogs seemed irrational (and continues to - The Huffington Post seems to be descending into Tabloid Trash territory). However, we all decided to have faith that Obama really does stand for Hope and Change. And now here we are today, with Rahm Emanuel "warning" liberals to stop attacking Dems.  (Um Rahm - why the heck should we stop?  If Dems aren't supporting progressive ideals, then they're not the party of the progressives and deserve our negative attention.) Why should progressives continue putting up with being treated like little children and duped for our votes during election time?  Just because Obama was better than the alternative - McCain??  Is simply being "the next best alternative" enough at this point??   

Who else is tired and exhausted from this crap? After the elation I felt of Obama winning the presidency a few months ago, I'm astonished that I feel so downright disappointed right now. I know it hasn't been long since Obama became president (Bush had 8 full years to royally screw things up) - but if health care isn't fixed NOW when we finally have an opportunity to - what else can be more important? What else could have such a positive impact on the living standards and security of most Americans?  Personally I think that Obama NEEDS to push a plan with a robust public option through the budget reconciliation process.  So I ask everyone here if they have more encouraging thoughts. And please tell me, what are the NEXT steps????  Because I hate to say it, but today is one of those days where I feel like Hope.... is slipping away.

-- Seth Cohen

The plight of Paul Minor, Mississippi trial lawyer, deserves a lot more attention than it's been getting so far in the blogosphere.   The questionable prosecution of this attorney is outlined at ePluribus Media, along with several links to scattered coverage on this issue.

This is probably one of many examples of the repercussions of the politicization of the DOJ brought about by the Bush administration.  How many people were hired by people like Monica Goodling?  And now that we have discovered that qualified candidates were rejected and conservative extremists were accepted - what is to be done about those extremists now in these positions?  I think the repercussions of the politicization has been glossed over in the media and in the blogosphere.  With people like them in the DOJ, Paul is and will continue to be only one of many victims of political prosecution.

Paul was man enough to take on big tobacco in the 90's, and now he may not get to see his dying wife because he's stuck in jail.  The Justice Department is giving pathetic excuses about why Paul is a "danger to the community."   Where's the outrage?