In my email tonight I see that Jim Dean of the DFA has sent out an email asking for money to run ads whining at Congress for this stinking war funding vote. (We have to “pay” Bush to raise the minimum wage with the blood of our children? Sorry guys, this does not strike me as a great trade.)

John Edwards on the other hand has sent out a tocsin to arms:

About an hour ago, the Senate caved to President Bush and sent him another blank check to continue the war in Iraq.

This is a serious blow for all of us, but no one lost more today than the troops in the field who continue to sacrifice so nobly and their families still waiting back home.

It’s a hard moment, but you and I don’t have the luxury of getting discouraged. We must remember: This is not over. For those of us committed to change, it has only begun.

This weekend, thousands of us will take action in our communities to support the troops and end the war. We will speak out in public. We will send care packages to soldiers in Iraq. We will gather letters for Congress and the president. And on Memorial Day, we will remember and honor those who sacrificed everything for their nation.

Join us:

www.SupportTheTroopsEndTheWar.com

After tonight, one thing is now perfectly clear: No one else is going to end this war for us. Bush will not listen. Congress will not fight. There’s no one left to lead the country now but we the people.

That’s what it comes down to. Yeah, Edwards has the luxury of being out of office at the moment and didn’t have to face the decision those still in Congress did. Sucks to be them, doesn’t it?

For that matter it kinda sucks to be us, too. Because John’s right.  Read more 

Republicans block Iraq war debate. So, what are the anti-Democrats afraid of?

Of course, they’re all afraid of actual military service, for themselves or their kids, we know that (“other priorities”), but I meant, but why would the anti-Democrats be nervous about going on the record and giving Bush’s “new way forward” an “up-or-down” vote of confidence?

Aren’t the anti-Democrats up there on the Hill to do the people’s work?  Read more 

History is such a hoot. From an interesting blog called Civil War Power Tour (don’t ask; just go read Confederates in the Attic by Tony Horwitz to understand the name) we find that the phenomena of Chest-Beating War Fans who do their part for the Glorious Cause on that vital battlefield called the Home Front rather than waste their tremendous talents on the battlefield dates back to a much earlier time. This is by Oliver Wendell Holmes, and he called the Yellow Elephant The Sweet Little Man:

Dedicated to the Stay-at-Home Rangers.

Now while our soldiers are fighting our battles,
Each at his post to do all that he can,
Down among Rebels and contraband chattels,
What are you doing, my sweet little man?

All the brave boys under canvas are sleeping;
All of them pressing to march with the van,
Far from the home where their sweethearts are weeping;
What are you waiting for, sweet little man?

You with the terrible warlike moustaches,
Fit for a colonel or chief of a clan,
You with the waist made for sword-belts and sashes,
Where are your shoulder-straps, sweet little man?  Read more 

As a precaution, the governor was ushered into a T-station supply closet and stayed there until the crowd left.

Run away! Run away!  Read more 

Titter.

But I’m sure JimmyJeff likes it soft, right Karl? I bet all that moaning, “No, no!” makes it better.  Read more