from Talk to Action

This Monday, the Family Research Council's Tony Perkins came out swinging.

USA Today this morning gave front-page treatment to a story on the possible consequences of the U.S. Supreme Court amending its 1973 Roe v. Wade ruling on abortion. "Rules on abortion may depend on where you live," headlined the newspaper. NARAL's Kellie Copeland is quoted saying "[We] feel the fight is coming back to the states." ... What this points to is the impact that the pro-life movement has had on the nation--more states than not would stand on the side of life, showing how far out the courts are on this issue of abortion. Pro-abortionists are growing desperate attempting now not only to silence the voice of the unborn but those that advocate for them as well.

Ummm ... well, Tony, not quite. Apparently fearing the same firestorm of a backlash that now has quite a few of the heroes of the South Dakota legislature scrambling to defend themselves even against more moderate challengers within their own party, plenty of their co-advocates in statehouses around the country are smelling smoke on the wind ... and prudently silencing themselves.

Could they stand on their hind legs? Do you think?

performing pastel-colored poodle,
in a clown and poodle show
[OCRegister]

Ari Berman in The Nation takes a look at the Dems, embroiled in their running soap opera of duck and cover. Hide from it all but be The Alternative --also known as The Candidate:

Iraq returned as a central theme in George W. Bush's State of the Union address this year. With the war on the minds of many members of the public and with the 2006 midterm elections approaching, it seemed natural that the opposition party would forcefully challenge the President's policy.

catch it and hold it still in your hand, listen to what rises beyond El Norte:

The following is drawn from the text of a speech given on December 24 at the "In Defense of Humanity" conference.

Our Struggle is Against US Imperialism

I Believe Only in the Power of the People

By EVO MORALES

What happened these past days in Bolivia was a great revolt by those who have been oppressed for more than 500 years. The will of the people was imposed this September and October, and has begun to overcome the empire's cannons. We have lived for so many years through the confrontation of two cultures: the culture of life represented by the indigenous people, and the culture of death represented by West. When we the indigenous people--together with the workers and even the businessmen of our country--fight for life and justice, the State responds with its "democratic rule of law."

UPDATE: This blog was a response to a diary posted by Kid Oakland on Kos. I strongly disagreed with what KO had to say. It was basically the same old, same old, 'do whatever it takes to get Democrats elected in 2006 and 2008, we have to take back the majority before we can do anything else.' Here's a link to that diary.
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2006/1/27/165439/648

This morning when I went on dailykos, KO had a new diary up on what the filibuster has to be, disciplined, principled, and about one issue and one issue only, A Filibuster For Choice. I found it extremely encouraging that my voice had been listened to and heard. In my heart of hearts, I believe what most women want is to be heard which leads to the respect we deserve and a place at the table. Here's a link to Kid Oakland's new diary. http://www.dailykos.com/story/2006/1/28/132916/459

This post is in reference to a diary that floridagal has up at boomantribune. My words started off as a comment to her diary but have become so long I'm embarrassed to post it! So what I'll do is post this here at home, and if anyone's interested feel free to go over and give her a read and bounce back here for my take-down. Almost everyone in the thread over at booman as i write this is also an Our Word member.

Floridagal's Kamarck and her Third Way admonition to liberals irritated the heck out of me.