Three Rivers Online: We're Putting the Alternative Back Into the Press/Editor and Publisher Philip Shropshire

This is the New Acid Jazz Channel. I'm not sure about the future of the company behind the old Acid Channel, which you can find here. We'll check them out again in a few months. Anyway, here's a new company. You can also catch a widescreen version here.

ITEM: I attended the PA Progressive Summit held in Harrisburg over the weekend. I was quite surprised that I made the trip. It was somewhat unexpected. It was also much more of a big to do than I expected. It was just as polished as Netroots Nation. It also made one of the mistakes of Netroots Nation by putting too many interesting panels side by side. One way Netroots Nation made up for that is they filmed a lot of those sessions. Unfortunately, that wasn't the case at the first PA Progressive Summit. I would hope that they do tape those sessions the next year.

I've written a number of stories at my Examiner post, and still have a few more to file, about the event. I also reviewed both the senate and governor's debate. Only Democrats showed up. I'm reprinting those reviews here:

PA Progressive Summit 2010: Impressions of the Specter vs. Sestak Senate Primary Debate

You can watch the entirety of the debate on PCN here. It does require you to poke around some though. Its probably worth the effort.

The PA Progressive Summit 2010 was held in Harrisburg Jan. 29 through Jan. 30, more information here. The "debate" between House Rep. Joe Sestak and current Democratic Party Sen. Arlen Specter was held Saturday night.

Here are my random impressions, more or less.

One: It wasn't really a debate between the candidates, but a moderated session where Joe Sestak appeared first and then answered questions from the audience. Then Joe left the stage and Arlen Specter, choosing to stand perhaps to show his "vitality", also answered questions for about 45 minutes. Verdict: points to Specter. And: who designed this format? What Sestak should want is face to face encounters with Specter, who at times, looked to be a very old man. This format didn't allow for contrast or even intelligent follow up questions. Its quite clear that Joe would have had some followup questions.

Two: Keep in mind that I endorse Joe Sestak. Joe Sestak is relatively young and, so far, the most progressive legislator/former admiral I have ever seen. There are few issues that I disagree with when it comes to Joe Sestak and I'm assuming that's he's getting very good advice from Chris Bowers of Open Left , who's been advising him. So if its a close call I would probably say Joe Sestak. Unfortunately, because of the format, this seemed to be more of a personality contest. I think Specter wins that confrontation every time. He came off warm and gracious. By the way, just a personal note of observation learned from watching senators closely for about 30 years: Senators tend to be superior politicians and generally very likeable. They have to have a talent for making you like them even when they're acting against your interests. (Former Senator Barack Obama is exhibit A. and more on that Republican smackdown later...)

Three: Labor has always been in the tank for Arlen Specter. I first heard rumors back in the 80s that Specter had essentially bought off Labor's leadership. When I worked for America Coming Together in 2004 we were downstairs from Joe Hoeffel, who was running against Arlen Specter for that senate seat. For some reason, it never occurred t our organization to support Joe Hoeffel, who was better and still remains better on almost all progressive issues, especially labor's. Just to recap: America Coming Together was pretty much run by the American labor movement. I suppose it could have been an ethnic decision. Both Andy Stern (SEIU reps were operating out of our office...) and George Soros are Jewish. That's not a good reason to base your political decision making on. I imagine that's why labor's power seems to be in a permanent decline. I mean, Obama didn't support the African American governor of New York just because he was African American. Then again, perhaps that's just a reflection of how weak African American political power is compared to Jewish American political power. For the record, Barack Obama is supporting Arlen Spector in the Democratic primary for senate. In a wishful way, I'd like to think that he would do the same for David Patterson if he was a senator and he needed a 60th vote. Yet a small yet insistent voice in my gut tells me "No he wouldn't."

Four: Light of hope: there haven't been a lot of labor endorsements for Specter. Of course, Joe Sestak needs more than just labor not endorsing Specter. Joe Sestak needs labor's enthusiastic backing. Rendell and Obama have sown up most of the establishment Democratic Party endorsements for Specter. This is a long list. Labor can't sit this one out. I'm trying to imagine how Sestak could match Specter's ground game without an enthusiastic labor base and my imagination fails. I say that as an aspiring science fiction writer. Let's hope that Sestak doesn't get the 2004 Joe Hoeffel treatment from the American labor movement.

Five: Here's some advice for Joe Sestak: if and when he gets an opportunity to debate Specter he needs to politely but insistently question him on his positions. I thought Specter had two bad moments during the debate where he played the decent elder statesman of stature. Someone had asked him a legitimate question about his record and he showed, I thought, a disturbing flash of anger that reminded me of Montgomery Burns of Simpson's fame. It just seemed quite unseemly. That wasn't a guy who would get my vote, at least for 10 seconds anyway. For the record, I also thought Specter's 2nd worst moment was when he danced around ending the filibuster in the senate. It was clear that he hadn't an answer or more than likely didn't want to end the Senate's powergrab supermajority. He should have said either yes or no. He kind of danced around and didn't really answer the guy's question. Here's a question for Sestak: "Would Specter support the nuclear option in the senate if it meant passing a public health care plan that had a public option? Or any other meaningful legislation?"

Six: I don't care if Specter gets a zillion endorsements. A Specter vs. Toomey race means an unenthusiastic democratic base vs. a justifiablly enthused republican base. I just don't see an old and tired Arlen Specter beating Pat Toomey in the general election. And now Specter's vote doesn't seem to be as important.

Not change we can believe in, again.

Labels: PA Progressive Summit

Some quick impressions of PA Progressive 2010 Democrat gubernatorial debate.

I watched all four of the remaining Democratic Party nominees debate last night at the Pennsylvania Progressive Summit 2010. The debaters included Allegheny County Commissioner Dan Onorato, Montgomery County Commissioner Joe Hoeffel, Scranton Mayor Chris Doherty and Pennsylvania Auditor General Jack Wagner.

Quick Impressions

I think Onorato will probably win it because he's raised the most money, a whopping 8 million dollars. That's just the way it is in our very corrupt country. There's no Santa Claus, either. I don't think anybody else is even close. The only other number that I've even seen is Joe Hoeffel's, which is about a measley 400000. Despite this, I have to say that the best informed of the candidates on policy issues seemed to be Dan Onorato. I like, and this is very important to me after watching the Dems in action at the national level over the last 8 months or so, Hoeffel the most but I just don't think you can pull off a victory when you're being outspent 20 to 1.
Scranton Mayor Chris Doherty, who seems like a likeable guy with a likeable family (and lots of 'em. Six kids I think...) just didn't look ready for primetime as a professional political speaker. Politicians have to speak well, especially if they're being outspent by a zillion dollars. He also had the worst moment of the night when answering a question about Marijuana legalization. First, he said, and I'm paraphrasing, that he would continue to lock people up for the crime. But he also spoke about the "Drug Menace" and seemed to imply that Crack and Heroin and Marijuana were somehow equal things when in fact they're clearly not. No one is arguing that Crack has medicinal value.And the more he spoke about how evil the evil drugs were, kind of like that "Drugs are bad mmmmkay" guy on South Park, the audience started to reply with boos and some low level hissing. I just don't see him winning the nomination.
Wagner had the second worst moment of the night when he danced around a question by Planned Parenthood. The question made a lot of sense and kind of went like this: if Roe v Wade is overturned (kind of likely since they just overturned much older 100 year precedent in that gawdawful Citizen United corporations are people too case...) would he veto the likely bill that would arrive at has desk criminalizing abortion and subsequently women and their lawbreaker doctors. He simply didn't give a straight answer. He should have said that when the Pennsylvania legislature gives him a law that will recriminalize abortion in the state that he would sign it, and probably sign it proudly. He's a longtime pro lifer. Not this evasive nonsense about supporting the current law and nebulous talk about protecting the "children". Disgraceful. Related: Both Chelsa Wagner and her husband Khari "Mr. Mom" Mosley were there as well. I dropped lit for Ms. Wagner and I'm very proud of her sensational work as a state rep. I've known Khari for years and respect his politics. But, if they weren't related to Jack Wagner by blood and/or marriage there is no way that they would be supporting his campaign. It would be either Onorato of Hoeffel as the imaginary diety is my witness.
Even though I mentioned the inevitability of an Onorato win in a bad way, I don't think Onorato would be a bad governor. In fact, I think he would be a pretty good governor. It would probably be a continuation of the Ed Rendell regime, which wasn't bad. We just have to watch out to make sure that Dan doesn't try to sell our state highways to rich folks.

I'll have more later since I'm attending the summit.

Labels: onorato, PA Progressive Summit

// posted by Philip Shropshire @ 6:28 PM 0 Comments Links to this post

ITEM: The music channel has stopped playing by itself which is nice. However, its clear now that people hadn't noticed it before and refused to make that effort to hit that play button. I'll probably keep it off but I might turn on the auto play sporadically just so that people know that its there. Oh well. I know one thing for sure: It's definitely better than any corporate music channel that I've seen. Of course, I'm competing with Jersey Shore so there's not much competition....MTVU, or MTVUniversity I think, makes me think I must really hate college kids. Or I hate the college kids who watch this station. Or I hate college kids that watch pretty much the same videos that I see on VH-1...Its clear that they're not playing the best music, but the best music that Viacom happens to own.

Added a new video to The Acid Jazz Channel "broadcast and the focus group "the be lonely,dashing home"" http://bit.ly/5c0zox

She's also doing Youtube videos. Stephanie, to my mind's eye, is a real bomb throwing radical doing cartoon strips. I think, like a lot of intelligent people, she's come to the conclusion that there's not much you can do to change things within the system. Check out this video and notice the pickaxe and the rifle in the background...I think she's trying to tell me something...By the way, she has a wonderful girly sing song voice which would be perfect for comedy and that would not immediately tip you off that she's arguing for a violent overthrow of the state but there you go...Better keep a watch on Stephanie. I have a feeling a few people are...

Related: Here she is calling for revolution...I think. Is there a sign up page? An app mayhap? Who do we kill and where do we begin?..these decisions are hard.

ITEM: The channel above is automatically turning on and I hate that. That's because I always hate it when I go to a site and I'm hit with noise. On the other hand, hits are up but I don't know why. I'll let it ride for a day or two...

I've been busy with my other responsibilities netwise. Here are those links now:

ITEM: “Bush Was Responsible for Destroying Haitian Democracy”–Randall Robinson on Obama Tapping Bush to Co-Chair US Relief Efforts

Quick point here: its not just that the first Bush was better, but where's Jimmy Carter? I hope it wasn't something Jimmy Carter said about Israel, Rahm...

ITEM: Naomi Klein Issues Haiti Disaster Capitalism Alert: Stop Them Before They Shock Again

ITEM: Pennies for Haiti, Billions for Israel, Egypt

This actually came from CBS and it asks a good question: Why so much money for Israel and Egypt and so little for Haiti, one of the poorest nations on the planet?

This is sort of connected to what I wrote here. You should be able to help people--without the bribe of mystical heavens or the threat of Venus hot Hells--simply because its the right thing to do. You should also be able to do it without the help of Radical Cleric Pat Robertson's minions or anyone like him.

Stand aside puny mortals! I am now the official Pittsburgh Atheism Examiner. I can now spread my Unbelief on a daily basis. And this shall I do! So sez Thor (!)...or myself, whatever.

Options to give your money to Haiti Relief that don't involve Radical Cleric Pat Robertson.

While channel surfing I noticed Radical Cleric Pat Robertson asking for money for Haitian victims of the ~~hurricane~~ earthquake. I interpret this to mean that there is a God of Shameless Audacity that watches over us all, albeit somewhat malevolently. Why would I give my money to some jerk who answers to Pat Robertson? How will that work on the ground with Pat's no doubt equally sensitive minions? "Uh, yeah I suppose I could give you much needed food water and medical supplies as long as you renounce your voodoo paganish ways and show regret at fighting against enslavement 200 years ago...signed with your blood and let's face it you've got plenty of that gushing out of you...did I mention that I speak for the Lord?"

As luck would have it online left wing rag Alternet suggested another way to support Haiti in its time of need. The group is called Americares.

Here's the appeal I got. The line that struck me is that for every 10 dollars you send you get $350 dollars in aid. I dipped into the Shropshire Estate Fortune and kicked in 20 bucks.

What Alternet said:

Dear Philip,

AmeriCares has been on the ground in Haiti since 1984. Over the years, they've provided more than $145 million worth of medical aid and humanitan assistance in that country. This is why AlterNet, from our earned advertising revenue in 2009, has made a donation to AmeriCares' relief efforts in Haiti. We hope you can join us in making a contribution, even a small one. In this case every dollar literally helps save lives.

Don Hazen
Executive Editor, AlterNet.org

Related: The National Atheism Examiner points out that you can also give to Doctors Without Borders, which is a completely secular organization you can give your money to. More from that article:

The Freedom From Religion Foundation made a donation to Doctors Without Borders Haiti Earthquake Response Thursday for its Haiti relief, following the 7.0 earthquake that hit Haiti this week—the largest earthquake on that besieged island state in 200 years causing untold misery.

Doctors Without Borders has doctors in Haiti now and has favorable ratings as an entirely secular charity.

"There are many secular charities that serve needy people regardless of religion, and whose purposes are to help, not to proselytize, and which do not conduct charitable actions to promote religion," noted Foundation co-president Annie Laurie Gaylor. "The Foundation encourages its members to donate to Doctors Without Borders or high-rated secular charities with actions already ongoing in Haiti."

Foundation Co-President Annie Laurie Gaylor praised the decision of Pres. Barack Obama for not repeating the mistake of the preceding administration after Hurricane Katrina. After that disaster, the Federal Emergency Management Agency prominently listed Operation Blessing, an evangelical Christian charity founded by Rev. Pat Robertson. Religious charities had overwhelmingly dominated FEMA's list of recommended charities, which the Foundation had protested in 2005.

The White House website simply recommends the (secular) Red Cross and U.S. AID, and FEMA recommends the Red Cross.

Radical Cleric Pat proves his religion is a mirror for his horrible Republican political beliefs

One of the reasons I turned from religion is that I just got a bad vibe from too many of the people who make up the clergy. Prime example number one would have to be Pat Robertson. Here's a guy who never has a bad thing to say about just any junta in recent memory. And while the world looks in horror at what's happening in Haiti Radical Cleric Pat Robertson finds a way to blame its citizens for an earthquake. No, really. That's what he said.

Here's his quote from the Christian Scientist Monitor (Look, their reporting is decent. There's no evidence that its anywhere near the Washington "Moonie" Times where editors have to publicly proclaim their love of Christ and/or the paper's owner...):

Mr. Robertson’s theory that Haitian slaves made a “pact with the devil” 200 years ago in order to free themselves from the hated clutches of Napoleon Bonaparte's regime – resulting in a curse that led to the destruction of much of Port-au-Prince and a massive loss of life in Tuesday's earthquake – got the usual chuckles of disbelief among local intelligentsia about American culture.

Haiti's people, and this is the kind of history that probably isn't taught a lot in our schools, was the first group of slaves to win their independence from slavery. We think this is why Pat Robertson thinks their cursed, because according to Radical Christian Clerics like Pat, slaves should be happy being slaves. I might add, that according to Sam Harris, you could easily make the assumption that Christianity favors slavery. Yet another reason to reject Christianity. If you read the rest of that Christian Science Monitor story you'll find that Pat gets his history wrong as well. Big shock there.

Remember: Pat Robertson also openly called for the assassination of Hugo Chavez. I guess he was looking for an Angel of Death. Here's the pertinent Youtube clip:

Radical Cleric Pat Calls for Jihad against Chavez

This also confirms the recent study that your God tends to conform to your political beliefs.

Senate candidate Joe Sestak gets local Pittsburgh endorsements today

Senate candidate Joe Sestak will get a number of local endorsements from area Pittsburgh politicians today. I think the biggest name in the press release is Pennsylvania State Senator Jim Ferlo. City Controller Mike Lamb is also a bit of a coup. Lamb doesn't often go against the machine. He has also secured the nominations of two city councilmen and one ward leader. I guess one question: Is this it? If Arlen Specter wins the primary, then he would immediately revert to his Joe Lieberman status as a dealbreaker in all probability. As Sestak has pointed out Specter hasn't been helpful in previous attempts to help. There should be more local democratic party officials attending this. On the other hand, if you're disappointed with the Democratic Party and sense that it stands for nothing I suppose Specter will find much support locally. Its not like being a lifelong Republican would disqualify you from being a democrat. I suppose this is why Democratic "Majorities" in the house and senate don't really mean very much. "Sigh" as they say...

Wonk fight! Firedoglake's Jon Walker vs. Numbers Cruncher Nate Smith on Healthcare in 30 minutes.

ITEM: That cover was part of a series where different professions ruled the world. "Preferred Risk" is a world where the insurance adjustors have won. I'm beginning to think this was the most accurate prediction of the future.

The Company was a powerful, efficient, and monstrous insurance organization that controlled the entire world, scientifically regulating everything in life: war, epidemics, one-a-day food pills and test-tube sex...all through the use of its patented, terrifying human deep-freeze vault. Claims Adjuster Wills, a great believer in the Company, begins to have second thoughts when he meets beautiful and sorrowful Rena, whose radical father lies in a frozen subterranean vault.

If you're interested, then you can look up "Gladiator at Law" where the lawyers run everything. Then there's the forefather of these kinds of stories and a great read that I wish Woody Allen would direct and star in: "The Space Merchants", where the advertising community rules the world. All these books were written in the 50s and they all came true. Related: Frederick Pohl, who I think co wrote all those books, still lives and is probably the oldest blogger in captivity. I can not understand why more of his books and short stories haven't made it to the Big Screen. He's still a great writer by the way. Have to permalink this when I have time...check out this post on Stanislaw Lem and Stalin....

ITEM: And here's what I've doing over at the Progressive Examiner. Click to read more:

ITEM: You know, a year ago, I would have thought showing President Obama as a waiter who served special interests kind of racist. Now, it seems kind of accurate. From Lloyd Dangle who's been on a roll as of late.

Actually, President Obama did stab us in the back on the public option.

What's the difference befween a corporate dem and a republican? Apparently, they speak better while they're screwing you. Not much else. I guess they'll be better on the courts, unless he cuts a deal with somebody rich. Very discouraging.

Anyway, there are numerous rebutalls to Obama's "I never campaigned on the public option" lie.

Here's a Daily Kos piece which lists, I think, about 10 times where he has publicly said that he supports the public option.

When I am president, I will sign a universal health care law by the end of my first term. My plan will cover the uninsured by letting people buy into the same kind of health care plan that members of Congress give themselves.

The very first promise I made on this campaign was that as president, I will sign a universal health care plan into law by the end of my first term in office. Today I want to lay out the details of that plan - a plan that not only guarantees coverage for every American, but also brings down the cost of health care and reduces every family's premiums by as much as $2500.

If you are one of the 45 million Americans who don't have health insurance, you will have it after this plan becomes law. No one will be turned away because of a preexisting condition or illness. Everyone will be able buy into a new health insurance plan that's similar to the one that every federal employee - from a postal worker in Iowa to a Congressman in Washington - currently has for themselves. It will cover all essential medical services, including preventive, maternity, disease management, and mental health care.

If you cannot afford this insurance, you will receive a subsidy to pay for it... If you change jobs, your insurance will go with you... If you want more choices, you will also have the option of purchasing a number of affordable private plans that have similar benefits and standards for quality and efficiency.

So, to sum up, we don't ask that the president be the reincarnation of Huey Newton, but it would be nice if he kept his word and somewhat modest campaign promises.

New Bold Progressives ad that proves that Obama campaigned on the public option.

ITEM: I've been busy at my Examiner site. In fact, I've been all over the Internet just not here. I guess that's the future.

How to Negotiate (For Health Care, Jobs, Bankruptcy Reform, etc) Like the DNC in toon form.

ITEM: This is from the evolved Jorn Barger's weblog, a term that he coined but got no money for, which uses a new Google tool called Google Reader. It's a Sunday toon from what looks to be a lame newspaper strip that I would otherwise never read. Here it is or definition of a conservative:

You know what's funny about this? I know a lot of conservative republicans who don't own jack. They're laid off, they don't have health care, they have bad sales jobs that they have to fight to keep...The genius of the American propaganda model is that everyone shares the worldview of the ruling classes even when its clear that you're not a member of the ruling classes and that a lot of these policies hurt you. Let's hear it for Proles who favor cutting the capital gains tax...

First up: Jesus and Mo. This cartoon, and I say this rarely, has been confirmed by a recent study. Turns out that your personal beliefs about the reality of the world and your God's tend to coincide. It's not luck.

Two: From Pharyrngula and I can testify that this is a problem with some of the Christians I've known and met.

Category: Religion
Posted on: December 5, 2009 10:12 AM, by PZ Myers

Can you bear yet another case of religion-rationalized child abuse?

Over three months in 2006, as her five children grew more emaciated and listless by the day, Estelle Walker made no move to find a job, no effort to scrounge up a meal, her kids told a jury yesterday.

"We were supposed to wait for God to provide," said Walker's oldest daughter, now 21. "And that's what we did."

At one point, the daughter said, she and her siblings went 11 days without food. When police were at last summoned to the Sussex County cabin by neighbors, investigators found the children so malnourished they had difficulty talking.

You would think that after watching her own children waste away for months, she'd realize that god will not provide. Never has and never will.

Three: One reason why the mean ol' New Atheists are popular is that they're very good debaters. They're very good with this whole reason in argument thing. Take a look at this debate between Christopher Hitchens and Stephen Fry and representatives of the Catholic Church. What's remarkable is that they were polling this very literate audience and the more the Catholic reps spoke the more people they lost. I must confess that I find 99 percent of the debates between the New Atheists and religious people to go this way. However, this is the first time I've seen polling to confirm it. Watch the entirety of the debate here.

And we end with Jesus and Mo.

Jane Hamsher is raising money to run ads in Harry Reids home state. I think I've got an extra 10 bucks laying around. Here's what she sent me:

ITEM: Jane Hamsher, who has been critical of groups like NARAL/Planned Parenthood for being ineffective on the choice issue and included in what she has termed as the Veal Pen, has started her own group to lobby against the Bart Stupak amendment in the health care debate. Specifically: the proposed senate version of the Bart Stupak amendment. I wish her luck.

Sign (yet another) petition asking for an up or down vote on the public option.

Planned Parenthood urges opposition to Senate version of Stupak anti-choice amendment.

ITEM: This is another case of the Colbert show actually doing comedy about a pretty important topic that respectable corporate media never gets around to. This documentary is about how schools--I'm guessing mostly public schools--are being turned into prisons. This isn't exactly a new line of thought but its the kind of forbidden thought that you are never, and I mean just about ever, taught in schools. There's a whole school of criticism concerning the schools that you will never be taught, unless, and this is a stretch, you're in education. If you want to do something dangerous that the Man doesn't want you to know or understand, read up on John Holt, Ivan Illich and Paul Goodman. Eye opening stuff. You can also buy this film as a DVD, which it looks like I"m going to do.

Some mixed feelings about Michael Moore's open letter against the Afghan War.

ITEM: I finally got Atrios to give me a link. You know how? I paid for it...I bought a dirt cheap 50 dollar classified ad. Related: I finally got a girl to have "sexual relations" with me. You know how? Finish the joke yourself...Also Related: You can find the High Class (pronounce it like your fave Sopranos or Goodfellas character) +porn here. It's meant to highlight artistic porn. Honest. You can find a widescreen version of the Acid Jazz channel here and new vids here.

Sign the petition and send a coat hanger to formerly pro choice dems like Jason Altmire who voted for the Bart Stupak-Pitts amendment. Although, to be fair, Jason Altmire didn't support that amendment out of any kind of principle. Certainly not. Afterall, he voted against the final bill anyway and his reasoning for doing so outlined in a recent Post Gazette editorial is, well, silly ass. No. Jason Altmire voted for the Stupak-Pitts amendment and voted against the final health care bill anyway. He voted for the amendment as a poison pill which may yet do its dirty work. Shame on you Jason. Shame.

ITEM: Agent Ska, my fake virtual girlfriend, nearly died several days ago which would no doubt put a bit of a damper on the much utilized fantasy life. "Where is the Agent Ska?" exclaimed mostly nude 90's Bjork who was adorned with but a sock, looking worriedly toward public option Heather Graham in her Rollergirl garb..."I-I've got some bad news girls who are figments of my imagination...."

You know, I really don't think Agent Ska thought to think how her early death would affect me. Meeeeeee....On a serious note, when she said she was afraid of driving because of her epileptic seizures sometime ago I thought she was being a pussy. Now, not so much. Frankly, she's very lucky. If that happens out on the highway she's gone. She really can't drive in a society that kind of forces you to drive. She has to live in cities with decent public transit systems. She always has to rely on a friend for a ride. Of course, it helps being a pretty girl... It affects what kind of jobs you can take. I had to drive in order to do my last blue collar job. My heart goes out to her and I hope she gets better. I offer you the video above, where you look like the lead singer if you would just change your hair, as a get well gift. Related: She could also pass for Kaki King but again with the hair...

First, we should take every opportunity we can to piss upon the arcane senate rules that essentially allow a minority of senators to control the entirety of what the country wants. This "minority" filibuster only seems to work for republicans and entrenched financial interests. I'm still waiting for forty senators who will filibuster on behalf of poor kids growing up in poverty. I want to see angry wizened senate white faces with fists clenched in the air demanding that 1 percent of the military budget go to capped 12 kid class sizes, a mac laptop for every student and the rest for performance enhanced teacher bonuses or "this filibuster will not yield"! Yeah, right. I'll wait a long time.

Two, the problem isn't just that they won't change dodgy procedural rules that give them veto power over majority needs and wants, its that they won't do what they need to do within the rules they have to get things accomplished. If it takes reconciliation to get a senate health care through the US Senate then goddamn let's use reconciliation. It should never be taken off the table. They could change the filibuster rule with a simple 51 vote rule. They wouldn't even have to make it permanent. It could be the Senate Majority leader's discretion and you could even limit it to three times a year for minor things like major presidential initiatives on health, jobs, and climate. Hey, the republicans could do it to they would just have to work toward regaining their majority by not deciding to be openly hostile of blacks, Latinos, women with brains, poor white folks or all the minorities that make up the majority of the country. You should probably change the rules completely when it comes to court and presidential appointments.

You want the names of the 51? How about 51 dem senators who actually want to see progress on issues of health, jobs and climate and would like to maintain their house and senate majorities indefinitely.

ITEM: One very good health care reform from MoveOn on triggers and another anti Jason Altmire ad that I watched on television. It was apparently funded by a group called " republicans for the environment". Now, this might be a bad thing in that republicans aren't environmentalists (Former Republican congresswoman Melissa Hart wouldn't have voted any differently.) and, assuming Machiavellian intent, they might be pleased to use legitimate reasons to get Altmire out of the way.

Here's the MoveOn ad on triggers. I had the cold last week or was it a mutated version of the Swine Flu that will kill everyone within minutes of exposure...Not sure because I have no health insurance and couldn't afford to see a doctor. I could be the last man on Earth...

You can watch the Republican hit ad here. You know what's worse: They're right about oily Jason. He voted against Cap and Trade too.

ITEM: I think that California students are right to be upset over their tuition being hiked by 30 percent. They would be stupid if they weren't. Likewise, local students should be pissed off that Pittsburgh's incompetent and unimaginative Mayor wants to tax them. On the other hand, why don't students vote more? I've always been puzzled why students don't take more of an interest in city and state elections. If you combine the students of CMU, the University of Pittsburgh and Duquesne University, then you could probably choose, at least, who the next mayor of Pittsburgh is going to be. You could also choose, probably, some of the city and county council seats as well. What's that old Ralph Nader speech line? If you don't act on politics then politics will act on you. I would like to think that tuition hikes in California and Pittsburgh might spur students to do some acting on their own. On the other other hand, I remember what it was like as a student trying to get students to think politically, about anything. It was really hard. It was like "schooling" was never actually supposed to affect the real world. Plus, I think, and this is normal, they were more preoccupied with social stuff and college and weren't interested in, you know, the outside world in a constructive way. I don't even know how you would organize students politically. The truth of the matter is that students are all over the map politically or they're trying to figure it out. Then there's the fact that, now, anyway, if you're in college and you can comfortably afford it you're probably the son and daughter of republicans. That means that you're really not into activism: You identify with the man because you've been raised by the man.

ITEM: If you're a Muslim American and you're angry about the American war effort in Iraq (not so much Afghanistan) then you know what that makes you? A sane Muslim American psychologist. The war in Iraq was and is evil. We murdered up to a million people and beyond and we took their stuff. It was a mugging of another country's natural resources. Likewise, if the country had been named, say, Ireland, and we had murdered a million or more of their citizens for spurious and transparently self interested reasons (something like T. Boone Pickens would articulate...), American Irish people would have the right to be upset. Really they would. In fact, Irish Americans would be doing a lot more than sending money to the IRA, they would be starting local chapters. And I wouldn't think they were crazy although it might make my public transit trips more exciting than I would like.

ITEM: I was going to write about how a local entrepreneur wanted to start another black radio station but he withdrew his bid. Frankly, Eddie Edwards or his sons, could do it much more cheaply and a lot better if they just did it online. You could also do more channels. You could even do something like the Acid Jazz channel but with local content.