Can Obama fight the flight from facts?

The flight from facts is one that's hit our nation when it comes to more than just the President, despite the increase of fact checking sites and myth busting, study after study has demonstrated some of our population is mired in only wanting to believe what they want to believe, no matter what the facts truly are.

This Newsweek piece -- How Obama can fight the lies is an recommended read. Part of which:

Our maddening times demand that the truth be forthrightly stated at the outset, and not just that the president has nothing in common with the führer beyond the possession of a dog. The outlandish stories about Barack Hussein Obama are simply false: he wasn’t born outside the United States (the tabloid “proof” has been debunked as a crude forgery); he has never been a Muslim (he was raised by an atheist and became a practicing Christian in his 20s); his policies are not “socialist” (he explicitly rejected advice to nationalize the banks and wants the government out of General Motors and Chrysler as quickly as possible); he is not a “warmonger” (he promised in 2008 to withdraw from Iraq and escalate in Afghanistan and has done so); he is neither a coddler of terrorists (he has already ordered the killing of more “high value” Qaeda targets in 18 months than his predecessor did in eight years), nor a coddler of Wall Street (his financial-reform package, while watered down, was the most vigorous since the New Deal), nor an enemy of American business (he and the Chamber of Commerce favor tax credits for small business that were stymied by the GOP to deprive him of a victory). And that’s just the short list of lies.

Progressives tired of Democratic failures

The following came in via e-mail as a fundraising request, but I think it's important that what is being said be pointed out.

Democrats: Epic Fai


Lisa -

That's right, I said it -- Insider Democrats scored another epic fail.

I mean, just take a look at this headline in yesterday's New York Times -- "Plan to Aid 9/11 Victims Is Rejected in House."

Here's the best part -- the vote was 255-159 in favor of the bill. Now, I wasn't a math major, but 255 was bigger than 159 last I checked.

So, what happened? Democrats brought up the bill under special rules requiring two-thirds support to pass. So even though the bill had clear majority support, it still failed.

This isn't the sort of bold progressive leadership I fought for in 2006 and 2008. I worked to elect Democrats to get stuff done, but they keep letting Republicans trip them up with parliamentary tricks. I'm sick of it.

That's why here at DFA we don't support just any Democrat, we support Better Democrats. We support Democrats with backbone, who are willing to lead on the tough issues and get stuff done -- Democrats like Howard Dean and Alan Grayson. But we can't do it alone. We rely on small contributions from supporters across the country to get our work done. Contribute today to support our mission.

Help elect Democrats with backbone, leaders who know that 255 is bigger than 159 -- Contribute $10 right now.

Progressive legislation has been killed or watered down over and over again. The public option -- killed. Climate change legislation -- killed. Wall Street reform -- watered down. Now, Democrats are letting Republicans kill bills to help 9/11 victims.

In 2006, Insider Democrats told us to sit down and be quiet -- we needed to retake the Congress, even if it meant we weren't electing the most progressive candidates.

In 2008, Insider Democrats told us to sit down and be quiet -- we needed to retake the White House and get 60 votes in the Senate, even if it meant we weren't electing the most progressive candidates.

Well, now it's 2010 and it's time they learned DFA members aren't going to sit down and be quiet. We're not going to support candidates just because they have a "D" next to their name.

But if we're going to fire up progressives and elect a real, progressive majority then we need to start today. So here's the plan: We're going to put staff on the ground in critical states where our progressive primary challengers won, like Joe Sestak in Pennsylvania and Elaine Marshall in North Carolina. And we're going to work to elect progressives like Beth Krom in so-called "red" districts, just like we did with Alan Grayson in 2008.

I don't want to see headlines like that one in the New York Times again. I want to wake up on the day after Election Day and see "Progressives Win" in big, bold letters. Contribute today to help make it happen.

-Arshad

Arshad Hasan, Executive Director
Democracy for America

Tea Party is a party opposed to the idea of parties

While I recommend reading this article What is the Tea Party in USA Today, one part especially caught my attention:

Even so, the movement is less a party than an anti-party, with no clear consensus about whom its national leaders are and a generally dyspeptic view of organized political power.

"It's a party opposed to the idea of parties," says Jill Lepore, a Harvard historian whose book about the movement, The Whites of Their Eyes, is scheduled to be published in October. The Tea Party reminds her more of a religious revival than a political movement. She compares it to the Second Great Awakening in the 1830s, a religious resurgence that helped fuel temperance and abolitionism.

What emerges from the polls and interviews is a deeply engaged, highly skeptical group of people — even toward others in their ranks.

If those in support of the Tea Party mentality were to gain enough governmental control, I can believe their extreme conservative positions could have an impact on our nation. While it would not be temperance and abolitionism that would be the result, it's easy to predict illegal immigrants would be a target, affirmative action would be eliminated/diminished and safety net programs for the poor would be gutted.

Personally, what I find most interesting when it comes to some of the online debate encounters I have had with some Tea Party supporters is their level of anger and how easily they express hatred towards liberals and elected officials. That's not to say I have not had reasoned debates with members of the Tea Party, but it is much more rare than with those of other political philosophy. The disdain and the lack of respect expressed does not bode well for our nation as it at times easily surpasses those on the left who took issue with President Bush and Republican office holders.

Economic discontent remains the biggest threat

While not being a fan of David Plouffe or David Axelrod, I can't disagree with their comments in this Washington Post article, Democrats shaping battle plan against Republicans for November. Especially this:

"We'd better act as a party as if the House and the Senate and every major governor's race is at stake and in danger, because they could be."

Plouffe and other Democratic strategists say Obama will play an important role in making the case that the Republican Party is one of obstruction and indifference. But they think the outcome in November will depend as much on the skill of candidates in mobilizing potential supporters who are now disinclined to vote.

Economic discontent remains the biggest threat to the Democrats' political prospects this fall. The issue has become more acute with growing fears that the economy has lost steam in recent weeks. Friday's unemployment report will provide more evidence.

"I think that as long as the economy is struggling, the economy is going to be a decisive issue," White House senior adviser David Axelrod said. "The question is whether people believe at the end of the day [that] turning backward to the policies that got us into the disaster is really the answer. That's a debate we're going to have."

I don't agree that the fear of Republicans taking control will motivate the Democratic base to create victories, it may motivate the base. It will rely more on the quality and skill of the candidates because it will most likely be the voter who is not affiliated closely with either party that is the deciding factor in many of these elections.

The Power of the independents...

In Toledo two of the five main mayoral candidates are independents, one is a Republican and two are Democrats. Some have made a big deal out of the rise of the independent candidates for mayor and for City Council yet the reality is Toledo has non-partisan municipal elections so here, the whole party label or no label really is not as critical as on a partisan election basis.

That said, while there is some truth to tomorrow's column by Charlie Cook, Bleeding Independents it's not quite beyond the bandage point. The reality that most like to ignore is that more people who vote are of no party than of D or R. It's something I keep pointing out on my local blog that people love to ignore when they proclaim that "Toledo is a Democrat town" -- No it's not...People in Toledo vote for Democrats but registered Democrats in Toledo do not hold a majority, though there are quite a bit more of them than registered Republicans most voters don't declare a party, which means they don't vote in the partisan primaries. Which realistically leaves them with no voice until the general election where they are forced to decide between the Democrat elected by more voters or the Republican elected by less voters. Simple common sense should dictate how that plays out most times...

Toledo is not some strange microcosm, though some may want to believe that, independents who felt their chances were better with Obama over McCain are not going to abandon ship unless there is a better alternative to what we have now. For Republicans to score big in 2010 they have to do something more than just say "No" -- and political parties know how important 2010 is when it comes to the apportionment boards...Which means both Democrats and Republicans will have their game faces on and be raising money as well as spending money to win and to try to convince a disgusted, at times apathetic public that they are the lesser of two evils...

The end of the trick or treat years...

This Halloween Invitation from Holiday-Invitations (http://www.holiday-invitations.com) where they will create a special design just for you and they will print and ship your order the same day it's approved; reminded me that this year will be my first year without having to worry about the "Trick or Treat" part of the invitation Halloween season since my youngest is now in High School. Sure there will be Halloween party invitations, that we might actually go to now instead of having to go from house to house treat gathering, yet despite looking forward to the possible Halloween invitations, I know I'll miss those pillow case laden with candy moments...

More bobbing for apples...

Have you actually ever tried to bob for apples? Especially wearing Halloween make up? Now that would make the perfect set of Photo Halloween Invitations to be able to use year after year if I was going to use a Photo Halloween Invitation. I could also imagine a series of Photo Invitations Halloween involving friends trying to bob for apples. Or you could go for the safer option and have your apple bobbing limited to bobbing it in caramel...Either way through Invitations-Shoppe (http://www.invitations-shoppe.com) you can add a photo, logo or picture to any card on their site and if you don't see the perfect Halloween Party Invitations? They'll create a special design just for you...

Simple or ornate?

When I look at Christmas Party invitations like the one below, it's a very simple design, that could be enhanced by turning it into one of the Photo Christmas Invitations or it could be used as is. The invitations Christmas season is typically a good time to use pictures of children or pets and Christmas Party Photo invites have become more popular. When you order from a site like Invitations Shoppe (www.invitations-shoppe.com) you can add a Photo, Picture or Logo to Any Card they have and if you don't find exactly what you are looking for? They'll design one for you...

Not all Christmas's are snowy...

I'm not talking about global warming or winters that just don't end up with a white Christmas but more tropical regions who might not want to send out wintery theme Christmas Invitations. When I came across this tropical invitation Christmas theme, it seemed like the perfect example for party Christmas invitations for those in a warmer climate. No matter which climate you live in you can view your Christmas Party Invitations before you buy with Holiday-Invitations patented instant preview feature. You'll also find some unique and exclusive designs at www.holiday-invitations.com.

The lore of nutcrackers...

Rather than visions of sugar plums looking at these Christmas Party Invitations and greeting cards, made me think about the lore of nutcrackers and how they go beyond the Christmas Party invitation season. Nutcrackers supposedly bring good luck, legend has it that they represent power and strength. Beyond invitations Christmas Party season, the nutcracker also has a role in The Nutcracker, a popular holiday ballet. When you get ready to order Christmas invitations, www.cardsshoppe.com will let you make unlimited changes at no cost, email your proof to you within one hour during their business day and they will print and ship your order the same day it's approved. With or without the nutcracker...

Bobbing for Apples...

One of the fun things about looking at different Halloween Invitation designs is they show quite a few of the traditions that go beyond the invitation Halloween aspect. Take bobbing for apples, while it's shown on many Halloween Party invitations, it actually existed before Halloween as a harvest custom where the young unmarried people would try to bite into an apple floating in water or from a string. The first person to bite the apple was the first one expected to get married... Whether or not you bob for apples, you can get unique and exclusive Halloween Invitations at www.invitations-shoppe.com, where you also get free shipping and ten free Thank You cards with each order...

Black cats and Halloween...

Black cats often are associated with Halloween, on more than just Halloween Party Invitations. Beyond the decorative aspect of invitations Halloween and black cats, black cats get a bad rap, having owned several, my luck never changed one way or the other (smile). There are a huge amount of Party Halloween Invitations to select from, unique and exclusive designs are out there on sites like Holiday-Invitations.com, where they give you the chance to view your Halloween Party Invitations before you buy, they have a patented instant preview feature so you know before you order your Halloween invitation or any other invitation is how you want it.

My life as a season...

I was born the first day of Spring, and while I love Spring, I've often wondered what it would be like to have been born in the Fall, there aren't many opportunities to have a theme party for a Spring birthday, beyond Mardi Gras, which while fun, doesn't have the same appeal as a Fall themed or Halloween Invitations as a birthday party. I suppose though that it would be very possible to have a party in the Spring and still use Invitations Halloween style as a theme and a party, after all it would give people the chance to dust off their Halloween costumes more than once or twice a year and while it would be hard to find them in the store, Cards Shoppe are online 365 days of the year. With the thousands of different styles out there, it wouldn't be that hard to find a Halloween Invitation that could be used in the Spring and with the Mardi Gras items that are out in Spring? It'd be easy to combine the two. Hopefully we'll be in the new house by Spring which would mean the actual space to hold a party would be possible...

It's not too early to be thinking about Christmas...

I know, the summer heat is here and you might be thinking - Christmas? But it's really not too early to be thinking about the holidays, especially when it comes to Christmas Parties. While of course you aren't going to want even think about mailing out your Christmas Invitations out now, there's no reason to not start thinking of what type of a theme you want perhaps inspired by whatever Christmas Party Invitations you find at a place like Cards Shoppe It's also not too early for planning out the date so you can make arrangements, especially if you are going to make hall or other reservations. I've often thought about doing a formal Invitation Party Christmas thing, but I always procrastinate and then? It's too late because others have their dates set and their travel arrangements made. This year? I am at least looking at Party Christmas Invitations, so perhaps this will be the year. :-)