Booman Tribune ~ A Progressive Community

big surprise, the corrupt corporatist hack won, and most hopes for any real progress against this criminal war will run into his obstructionism for the next two years.

Say goodbye to any real progress in the House, folks, a body that will join the Senate in continued bipartisan screwing of average Americans and the rule of law.

"Whenever a Voice of Moderation addresses liberals, its sole purpose is to stomp out any real sign of life." - James Wolcott

by Madman in the Marketplace on Thu Nov 16th, 2006 at 12:29:28 PM EST

Is it possible for you to ever be happy about anything when it comes to politics? All I ever read from you is about how shitty things are.

And it's not like Murtha is clean, either. The guy is much more ethically challenged than Hoyer, regardless of what you think about their ideologies.

by PsiFighter37 on Thu Nov 16th, 2006 at 12:40:16 PM EST
[ Parent ]

I'm no fan of Murtha, but if I had to choose btwn old-school bring-home-the-bacon machine corruption like his vs. neo-liberal-free-trade-corporate-ass-kissing corruption like Hoyer's, I'll take Murtha any day. At least old pols like him get schools built and roads paved.

I'll stop pointing out how dark the night is the day when you stop being a jump-on-the-bandwagon fanboy for scumbag corrupt, misogynist homophobic pols.

"Whenever a Voice of Moderation addresses liberals, its sole purpose is to stomp out any real sign of life." - James Wolcott

by Madman in the Marketplace on Thu Nov 16th, 2006 at 12:56:49 PM EST
[ Parent ]

A jump-on-the-wagon fanboy? Good one. Apparently, you weren't aware that I preferred Murtha over Hoyer in this race. But it's over, and it's time to move on to more important matters.

And you can keep pointing out how dark the night is. In the end, you're not going to accomplish much of anything by doing that.

by PsiFighter37 on Thu Nov 16th, 2006 at 01:02:58 PM EST
[ Parent ]

what seems to matter to you is to cheer on the "team", no matter what terrible policies or choices they make.

If they made little flags w/ donkeys on them you'd be right up front waving them. Maybe you could paint yourself blue white a big white "D" on your chest.

"Whenever a Voice of Moderation addresses liberals, its sole purpose is to stomp out any real sign of life." - James Wolcott

by Madman in the Marketplace on Thu Nov 16th, 2006 at 01:12:07 PM EST
[ Parent ]

You really shouldn't make comments about people whose stuff you clearly have never bothered to read. For starters, read this piece or this one.

by PsiFighter37 on Thu Nov 16th, 2006 at 01:15:27 PM EST
[ Parent ]

I'm biased because I know psi personally and like him. But I think you are just being obnoxious here Madman.

by BooMan on Thu Nov 16th, 2006 at 02:10:09 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Steny Wins (4.00 / 5)

He chides me that I have nothing to add to the conversation, and I'm the one being obnoxious?

I don't respond well to lectures from hectoring "activists" eager to tell the rest of us that we should "move on" or "work with the team" or some other empty nonsense. If I wanted to get told to shut up because I was too negative, I'd re-register at Little Orange Footballs.

"Whenever a Voice of Moderation addresses liberals, its sole purpose is to stomp out any real sign of life." - James Wolcott

by Madman in the Marketplace on Thu Nov 16th, 2006 at 04:15:45 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Whatever floats your boat, man. I'm just saying that always complaining about the state of the Democratic Party isn't going to get much of anywhere. Work to change the party from within...that's the only way it's going to happen.

by PsiFighter37 on Thu Nov 16th, 2006 at 05:56:22 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Steny Wins (4.00 / 4)

changing the party from within is one manner whereby one can enact change. one can also change it from without. after all, is that not what carol shea-porter did? a true progressive with no support from the dccc and the dlc, with whom the dccc and their various apologists were essentially affiliated, she took to the streets and managed to get elected, thereby forcing the caucus to move to the left by her sheer presence.

Learn more about Bobby Jindal.

by louisianagirl (fantastic [dot] reality -at- hotmail [dot] com) on Thu Nov 16th, 2006 at 06:00:40 PM EST
[ Parent ]

well said.

Hell, anybody who knows history that people within only manage change when there is serious pressure from without. See the civil rights movement, for example, or women's suffrage.

"Whenever a Voice of Moderation addresses liberals, its sole purpose is to stomp out any real sign of life." - James Wolcott

by Madman in the Marketplace on Thu Nov 16th, 2006 at 06:08:36 PM EST
[ Parent ]

PsiFighter37 (none / 0)

Is a jump-on-the-bandwagon fanboy for scumbag corrupt, misogynist homophobic pols?! Who knew? You guys have been holding out on me.

SmileyCentral.com

PMS Purchase More Shoes

by Militarytracy on Thu Nov 16th, 2006 at 01:05:14 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: PsiFighter37 (none / 1)

I was going to email you and let you know, but you don't have your address in your profile so I couldn't. Your loss. Nice turkey. I know it's bad for democracy, accountability and freedom to post pictures of turkeys, but since you started it...

by Chris on Thu Nov 16th, 2006 at 02:11:23 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: PsiFighter37 (none / 1)

Some pictures of some turkeys are even worse for democracy, accountability and freedom to post but I can't help myself

Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting

PMS Purchase More Shoes

by Militarytracy on Thu Nov 16th, 2006 at 02:52:28 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: PsiFighter37 (4.00 / 2)

That picture was really bad for freedom, democracy, accountability and probably ponies too. Oh, well. We've gone and ruined everything, so now I'm taking aim at liberty and universal suffrage with this tender picture featuring a chimp gazing longingly into the eyes of a turkey.

by Chris on Thu Nov 16th, 2006 at 03:14:52 PM EST
[ Parent ]

My God, I give up (none / 0)

I can't compete with Silence of the Lambs.

PMS Purchase More Shoes

by Militarytracy on Thu Nov 16th, 2006 at 03:34:55 PM EST
[ Parent ]

More like "Airplane" if you ask me (none / 0)

"Tom, do you like gladiator movies?"

The avalanche has started. It is too late for the pebbles to vote. -- Ambassador Kosh

by Omir the Storyteller (omir.the.storyteller -CAT- gmail -DOG- com) on Thu Nov 16th, 2006 at 03:37:30 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: More like "Airplane" if you ask me (none / 1)

Reminds me of the first time an infant recognizes its specular image in the mirror.

Learn more about Bobby Jindal.

by louisianagirl (fantastic [dot] reality -at- hotmail [dot] com) on Thu Nov 16th, 2006 at 03:41:53 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Excellent for noting Hoyer's shortcomings. I refrain from commenting on the remainder of your comment.

Learn more about Bobby Jindal.

by louisianagirl (fantastic [dot] reality -at- hotmail [dot] com) on Thu Nov 16th, 2006 at 01:09:25 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Pelosi is masterful. Hoyer knows it. Murtha knows it. All 3 will work together.

with a wink, wink to Hoyer, Pelosi knew Hoyer had the votes but needed to keep Murtha on side with her 'open' support.

Who cares how the reich-wing pundits frame it? In 48 hrs that'll be behind us....onward to mounting Attacks: Iran, Saudi Arabia, and micronesia. Never heard of micronesia? - they're about to discover oil.

Well, "You can't vote for war and disown the results"

by idredit on Thu Nov 16th, 2006 at 12:30:29 PM EST

Re: Steny Wins (4.00 / 2)

I don't particularly care for either of them but I am really proud of Nancy Pelosi. She has earned a place in the history books. Now show us you deserve it Madame Speaker Pelosi.

Frodo failed...Bush has got the ring.

by alohaleezy on Thu Nov 16th, 2006 at 12:31:23 PM EST

Dana Bash just said that Pelosi (4.00 / 2)

made some horrible strategic blooper or something because she backed Murtha. What is with all this friggin Drama? Pelosi started an illegal war or something huh?

PMS Purchase More Shoes

by Militarytracy on Thu Nov 16th, 2006 at 01:18:51 PM EST

Re: Dana Bash just said that Pelosi (4.00 / 2)

unbelievable! on the day Pelosi wins Speaker of the House, the media is calling it some sort of defeat! it's beyond all reason...

Silly, silly boys...

by OldCoastie on Thu Nov 16th, 2006 at 03:17:04 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Dana Bash just said that Pelosi (none / 1)

Yeah, Wash Post is similarly dramatic, saying that this is a "major blow" to her. Please.

Steny wants to be Speaker and if she was really that weak then HE would be Speaker.

Can't hear ya, Peach!

by AP on Thu Nov 16th, 2006 at 02:51:27 PM EST
[ Parent ]

All this Media reporting of inner party "conflict" on the Dem side... has anyone in the press talked about the battle for Minority Leader on the Repub side?

Why is it such a BIG NEWSWORTHY DEAL when the Dems have some kind of internal split (which is resolved by an election in a matter of days) -- as if competition between two senior House reps for a party leadership post does NOT mean that the support will be split?

Hoyer winning does not mean that those who voted for him didn't support Pelosi even if she backed Murtha... She won HER post unanimously, after all.

I think the media is LOOKING for conflict here... (look for industry and corporate mouthpieces to announce that this is a "return to the center" for the House Dems, despite the fact that the Progressive Caucus is now the biggest in the House.)

The Dems have never been a lock-step group (and we don't want them to be, really). Disagreement does not mean weakness. Some day maybe the media will figure that out.

But I'm not holding my breath.

Keith Olbermann speaks for me.

by JanetT in MD on Thu Nov 16th, 2006 at 01:55:13 PM EST

149-86

Will we ever know how our representatives voted?

Learn more about Bobby Jindal.

by louisianagirl (fantastic [dot] reality -at- hotmail [dot] com) on Thu Nov 16th, 2006 at 12:19:25 PM EST

No...it's a ballot by secret vote.

Whatever, it's not a big deal. Time to move on to more important issues.

by PsiFighter37 on Thu Nov 16th, 2006 at 12:20:13 PM EST
[ Parent ]

I guess the war in Iraq is not very important.

Learn more about Bobby Jindal.

by louisianagirl (fantastic [dot] reality -at- hotmail [dot] com) on Thu Nov 16th, 2006 at 12:23:17 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Nah...not really. This isn't the vote I'd worry about.

The punditocracy will weigh in with their oh-so-very learned opinions for a few days, and then it will be on to other things.

Like the actual war.

Chin up. There are many other votes to watch. And they're not by secret ballot, either.

Can't hear ya, Peach!

by AP on Thu Nov 16th, 2006 at 12:34:24 PM EST
[ Parent ]

I am not too upset; I am just disappointed.

Learn more about Bobby Jindal.

by louisianagirl (fantastic [dot] reality -at- hotmail [dot] com) on Thu Nov 16th, 2006 at 12:35:52 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Yeah, I can understand.

Steny...on social votes, anyway, is much more aligned with me than Murtha.

But Murtha showed some spine and testicular fortitude on the war. And the hatchet job done on him by bringing up a 26yo case in which he was not charged (but looked shady) just confirmed that some of TPTB don't want him around.

He's not maj leader. Fine. But he's not going away, either. And the Post's editorial board, et. al, will just have to deal with that.

Can't hear ya, Peach!

by AP on Thu Nov 16th, 2006 at 12:48:20 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Oh, I'm sure I can guess how my rep (Wynn) voted.

Interesting that the CURRENT Congress Democrats get to elect the leadership of the NEXT one, though. Something about that just doesn't feel right to me. (At least, I'm assuming that's the case, based on what I've seen in the media and blogs, though I know the incoming freshmen have been on the Hill getting their orientation and all...)

Pelosi has the big chair, and we have the majority, and that's what matters. On to the REAL business...

Mr. Murtha, you keep right on doing what you're doing.

Keith Olbermann speaks for me.

by JanetT in MD on Thu Nov 16th, 2006 at 12:28:20 PM EST

I am pretty sure that the new congress is the one that elects the leaders for 110 congress, others can correct me if I am wrong, but that appears to be the case. No one lost their seat in Dem. caucus this year.

Click here to step into the Village Blue2

by diane101 (dianed101 @ yahoo.com) on Thu Nov 16th, 2006 at 12:40:39 PM EST
[ Parent ]

yes, the vote count tells the story. 149-86. That's 235 votes, and must include not only our 230 reps, but DC, Guam, Amer. Samoa, Virgin Islands, and maybe Puerto Rico?

by BooMan on Thu Nov 16th, 2006 at 12:45:22 PM EST
[ Parent ]

I think you are right. I always forget about delegates.

Learn more about Bobby Jindal.

by louisianagirl (fantastic [dot] reality -at- hotmail [dot] com) on Thu Nov 16th, 2006 at 12:46:35 PM EST
[ Parent ]

I wouldn't be too sure...especially since there's a fair amount of resentment of Steny in some parts. If you want to measure "who's boss" it's clear who won b/w the two.

But because it's by secret ballot, we'll never know.

Now that the Dems are in the majority again, will Wynn focus on House issues or will he focus on fixing his broken machine in Prince George's County? (He's my rep, too.)

We shall see. I shall not hold my breath.

Can't hear ya, Peach!

by AP on Thu Nov 16th, 2006 at 12:40:58 PM EST
[ Parent ]

I feel for you. At least you do not have to deal with Rodney Alexander.

Learn more about Bobby Jindal.

by louisianagirl (fantastic [dot] reality -at- hotmail [dot] com) on Thu Nov 16th, 2006 at 12:44:20 PM EST
[ Parent ]

:<)

I was just disgusted after the primary, but on second glace, I think there's opportunity in the air. I don't know of Donna Edwards' plans, but Al knows his machine is busted, if not totally dead. There's been building resentment toward Wynn that he meddles too damned much in local affairs and doesn't focus on being a Congressman.

I'll allow that it must be tempting, since unlike most other members, he happens to live a few minutes from the Capitol (barring traffic, of course). It's not like someone who has to make a beeline for train or plane every weekend.

The problem is, he's so wedded to being a DLC-type and that is SO not this district, whether you live in Prince George's or Montgomery (the counties he represents). E.g., the war. Most African-Americans--whether lower middle class, middle-middle class or upper middle class--oppose this war and have from the beginning. (Name me a chickenhawk who even KNOWS a person in the military and/or war...not even a relative. They are clueless.) And that ish came as a surprise to him! But he thought there would be no price to pay for it.

Fact is, Donna only had to get to 40% to make him vulnerable, since he usually wins his races w/ 85-90% of the votes. She got w/in 3000 votes of him her first time out the gate. Telling.

So if he doesn't watch his ass--and watch it, he will, because the person most surprised by all this was Wynn--he will be out of a job.

People smell blood in the water and he knows it. He's just really late to a party that's already started: The extreme dissatisfaction that MANY people feel toward him.

Can't hear ya, Peach!

by AP on Thu Nov 16th, 2006 at 01:08:30 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Is Wynn a member of the DLC? This Karen Carter people are foisting upon us in New Orleans is also DLC. She apparently thinks we can move beyond Civil Rights. WHAT A JOKE. And she is far to right for New Orleans. Jefferson is too. What is with these machine politicians? And while you at least have a group of people championing Donna Edwards, who I love, we in Louisiana get support for a DLC Democrat who will just be more of the same.

But I do look forward to Gloria Hearn. I hope she will run against Rodney Alexander again in 2008. She is the real deal, and next time she will have more time and more money if she runs.

Learn more about Bobby Jindal.

by louisianagirl (fantastic [dot] reality -at- hotmail [dot] com) on Thu Nov 16th, 2006 at 01:14:28 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Re: Steny Wins (4.00 / 2)

I don't think he is formally counted as a member (he knows his constituents would notice), and he (surprisingly) is not a member of the Houe New Democrat Coalition, but his votes for the war, bankruptcy, energy and the estate tax gives pause, not to mention teaming up with Bob Ney on campaign finance deform.

One explanation is that he was the money-raiser for the CBC Foundation. Another is that he wanted a "moderate" image for a Senate run (and boy, was THAT ever short-lived...ever wonder why he was not fully behind Kweisi Mfume from the beginning?). Still another thought is that he's positioning himself for a lobbying gig later down the line.

IMHO, it's a little of all three.

BTW, that's a damned shame about Karen Carter, but then again, Blueprint will claim members as their own. I don't see her name on the NDC press release.

That said, there's nothing to say that she won't be cozy with them, like Wynn.

Can't hear ya, Peach!

by AP on Thu Nov 16th, 2006 at 01:58:07 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Her name is not on the list, as she is yet to be elected. She has to win the runoff against Dollar Bill Jefferson first. And Jefferson is also DLC.

Learn more about Bobby Jindal.

by louisianagirl (fantastic [dot] reality -at- hotmail [dot] com) on Thu Nov 16th, 2006 at 02:27:20 PM EST
[ Parent ]

(((smacks forehead))) (none / 0)

I completely forgot. Sorry about that. Of course there's a runoff and of course it would be absolutely insane to join a faction of the caucus when you haven't been elected to it yet!

What is it a/b Dollar Bill? I swear, I thought the CBC made asses of themselves, crying about him losing his W&M seat. I get the whole closing ranks thing, but not for someone who is obviously a crook.

And are the feds any closer to actually charging this fool with anything? That's bizarre, too.

Can't hear ya, Peach!

by AP on Thu Nov 16th, 2006 at 02:46:26 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Gabby Giffords (AZ-8)
Michael Arcuri (NY-24)
Ed Perlmutter (CO-07)
Joe Courtney (CT-02)
Ron Klein (FL-22)
Tim Mahoney (FL-16)
Joe Sestak (PA-07)
Heath Shuler (NC-11)
Bruce Braley (IA-01)
Chris Carney (PA-10)
Nick Lampson (TX-22)
Jason Altmire (PA-04)
Kirstin Gillibrand (NY-20)
Baron Hill (IN-09)
Chris Murphy (CT-5)
Patrick Murphy (PA-8)

I swear, the DLC is a disease. Why are any of these people becoming "New Democrats?" I bet they will have commercials where they say: "I don't care if its a Republican idea or a Democrat idea. I work on both sides of the aisle." I am so glad I did not contribute to any of these candidates' campaigns.

Learn more about Bobby Jindal.

by louisianagirl (fantastic [dot] reality -at- hotmail [dot] com) on Thu Nov 16th, 2006 at 02:32:50 PM EST
[ Parent ]

Now the wurlitzer can talk about "bitterly divided and disorganized dems" for a day or two. Ignore it.

Congratulations, madame speaker!

by merciless on Thu Nov 16th, 2006 at 12:39:56 PM EST

I just hope Nancy and Dick have a nice date on State of the Union night.

by BooMan on Thu Nov 16th, 2006 at 01:09:19 PM EST