Re-Invest In National Service

For the last 8 years President Bush has paid patriotic lip service to national service while cutting programs and squandering Americans desire to serve domestically following 9/11.

Many Americans have the desire and willingness to serve domestically, they simply need a strong leader to pave the way. A leader like President Roosevelt who created the National Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930’s. A leader with the vision of President Kennedy who created the Peace Corps, or Johnson who created Volunteers in Service to America. Once again America needs a President that is willing to invest in national service and the future of our communities.

In the last 4 years the federal agency that funds AmeriCorps, the Corporation for National and Community Service, has seen its budget slashed by over $105 million dollars. President Bush has continually signed off on legislation that has reduced the number of full-time AmeriCorps members at a time when our communities need it the most. There are now more Americans applying to serve than positions are available.

AmeriCorps members tutor and mentor some of the 14 million school age kids that have no supervised place to go after school. They help care for the 56 million people that lack access to healthcare. They clean our rivers and streams to ensure Americans have safe drinking water. They protect our forests from devastating fires. They provide much needed relief to those directly affected by natural disasters, and they organize volunteers to do the same.

Senator Obama has been an outspoken proponent of national service, and has outlined an extensive plan to increase opportunities to serve domestically. His plan entails tripling the number of AmeriCorps members, and doubling the Peace Corps. Senator Obama has also proposed the most innovative program of any candidate with what he calls the “Green Job Corps.” Green Job Corps would create an energy-focused jobs program to provide disadvantaged youth with service opportunities addressing energy use while getting practical experience in a fast growing career field.

Not only has Senator Obama crafted sound national service policy, he has also shown an ability to energize youth like few other politicians past or present. Obama has the vision and Kennedy-esk charisma required to re-invest in America’s long history of national service.

A Smart Campaign

Obama's camp has made some very smart strategic moves since becoming the presumptive nominee. Here are the headlines:

• Obama Taking Over Democratic National Committee Partly To Avoid Kerry's Fate
• Obama Camp Unveils "Fight The Smears" Web Site
• Obama Will Staff Every State
• Obama backs Lieberman against the wall (literally)
• Obama goes after McCain's economic policy

The polls show that he is solidifying the party, lets hope he continues to do so. Keep up the good work, Sen. Obama!

McCain Doesn't Know How To Operate A COMPUTER

This blows my mind. Honestly, unreal.

Kos put it best:

There are those who chafe a bit when we take shots at McCain's age, but there's always a deeper point lurking behind many of those shots (cheap or not) -- leading the world's sole superpower in this digital era should require basic understanding of those things which drive the modern culture and economy. Asked whether he is a Mac or PC person, McCain answered:

"Neither, I'm an illiterate that has to rely on my wife for all of the assistance I can get."

..[snip]

Technology now infects every corner of our lives, from cell phones to computers to the internet. It has given us access to the worlds' libraries, empowering us with direct access to information. It has connected us with people all over this country and world, dramatically redefining what the word "community" means. It is dramatically reshaping entire sectors of our economy -- from the nation's thriving tech sector, to legacy sectors like publishing, music, motion picture, medicine, and retail. And how many workplaces remain without computers?

How can a candidate who admits he is stuck in the 20th century lead a country in the 21st, when he lacks even the most basic understanding of how this brave new century operates? He doesn't know how people interact and communicate. He doesn't know have the faintest idea of how they work. And this from the guy who once chaired the commerce committee!

Voter ID Laws Gone Mad

Republicans have been pushing strict voter ID laws all over the country, disenfranchising thousands of low income, homeless, and elderly Americans, even though such laws address a problem that doesn't exist.

Take for instance this woman from McCain's home state of Arizona.

SURPRISE, Ariz. -- A 97-year-old Surprise woman who has voted in the past 19 presidential elections said she finds herself a casualty in the voter ID battle.

[Snip]

Preiss was born in 1910 in Clinton, Ky., before birth certificates were issued. She said she no longer has a driver's license and never had a passport.

"You can see my mother's not a national threat," said her son Nathan Nemnich. "Been voting since 1932."

Nemnich produced the files documenting his attempts to get her registered.

"A delayed birth certificate," he said. "You have to have witnesses. Everybody's dead."

When the family tried to get school records from Tennessee, they found out the school no longer exists.

The League has set up an easy tool for letting your elected officials know you wont stand for these types of voter ID laws.

McCain Hearts Cheney, Hell Yeah!

While there are many reasons not to vote for John McCain, this one has to rank in the top 5.

Asked whether he'd be interested in Cheney had the vice president not already served under Bush for two terms, McCain said: “I don’t know if I would want him as vice president. He and I have the same strengths. But to serve in other capacities? Hell, yeah.” Via- Politico

Obama should release a statement saying "Cheney's only invitation to Capital Hill during an Obama administration will come in the form of a subpoena."

The "T" Is Bad For Your Health

I never realized just how loud Boston's transit system was until a recent trip to Chicago, where my "El" ride seemed considerably more quite than my frequent trips on the "T". I noticed how much of a difference having the "El" trains outside made, where the sound can simply escape into the sky instead of reverberating through narrow brick tunnels like the ones under ol' Boston.

Come to find out... Boston's "T" is actually dangerously loud. Candice Novak found several places throughout Boston's subway system where noise reached unhealthy levels between 85 and 100 decibels. She also pointed out, that the risk of suffering permanent hearing loss significantly increases when you turn up your Ipod to tune out the train noise. It's a great article, so check it out.

Ohio Gov. Says No To VP

Ohio's popular Democratic Governor, Ted Strickland, might be a smart choice for Obama's VP, but it looks like that wont happen.

Asked on NPR's "All Things Considered" if he is auditioning to be Obama's running mate, Strickland said, "Absolutely not. If drafted I will not run, nominated I will not accept and if elected I will not serve. So, I don’t know how more crystal clear I can be."

Who is James L. Jones?

There are plenty of names being floated around to join Obama's on the presidential ticket, but today was the first time I heard the name James L. Jones.

Chuck Todd writes:

Jones, a Vietnam vet born in Kansas City, MO (swing state alert!), was a career military officer rising to one of the highest posts possible. Now retired, Jones has been critical of the number of troops currently in Afghanistan. He's been appointed to independent posts by both the Democratic Congress and the Republican-run State Department

Jones currently is the president and CEO of the Institute for 21st Century Energy, which is an affiliate of the US Chamber of Commerce, not exactly the type of organization a typical Democrat gets involved with. Potentially problematic is that he's on Chevron's board. He also serves on the boards of Boeing and Invacare, a manufacturer and distributor of medical equipment. (Invacare’s slogan, ironically, is: “Yes, you can.”)

Gen. Jone's 40 years in the Marines would easily supplement Obama's lack of foreign policy experience. Check out his Wiki Bio.

The First Mrs John McCain

Republicans spend plenty of time trying to "save" the family from various "societal ills" while sweeping their own infidelities under the rug. So, it should come as no surprise that most Americans have never heard of John McCain's first wife, Carol.

Thankfully, Sharon Churcher penned her unbelievable story. Read it. Pass it on.

Kucinich Moves To Impeach

Via Politico-

Rep. Dennis Kucinich (D-Ohio) introduced 35 articles of impeachment against President Bush on Monday night, reading the resolution into the Congressional Record.

Kucinich, who unsuccessfully sought the Democratic presidential nomination this year, unveiled a litany of alleged illegal and improper acts by Bush, including war crimes.

Kucinich's Democratic colleagues will shut this effort down, but I think impeachment has more support among the general public than they recognize.

CivilMass Trivia: If Bush and Cheney were removed from office, we would have our first female President-- Nancy Pelosi.

Bush Fired Rove In Church

According to a new book, President Bush fired his closest and most controversial adviser, Karl Rove, while at church.

Why at church?

So he didn't have to listen to his temper tantrum.