The best rant of 2010

I meant to include this link in my earlier post. Keith Olberman unloads on the President for his angry remarks about Progressive Democrats.

Mr. Obama attacks his base

What a terrible time for Progressive Democrats, as we watch America's twin Republican Parties seek to protect the interests of the top 2% of Americans. I refer, of course, to the GOP itself, and the Obama wing of the Democratic party. A president who can tolerate all sorts of right wing abuse heaped upon him, his campaign ideals, and even his family, reacts in rage to the criticism sent his way by the very people who elected him. He makes a terrible deal with the GOP, agreeing to save the rich their tax breaks in return for a modest extension of jobless benefits, merely postponing the issue to the depths of his re-election campaign.

This is not the first time I and other Progressives have felt the sting of his words. He must think that he can win re-election in 2012 with a coalition of Moderate Democrats, and Independents. Given that his White House seems to be the epitome of political naivete I wouldn't be surprised if he believes that Moderate Republicans will vote for him too, as he tracks ever right-ward. But I have news for you, Mr. President: there are NO moderate Republicans left in this nation. Even if they existed, they would want you to fail. Doesn't he listen to what the Senate Minority leader had to say in the aftermath of the voter rebuke that was the Mid-Term Election? Mitch McConnell had this to say to his pals at the Heritage Foundation, the right wing think tank that gave us the Bush Administration: "Over the past week, some have said it was indelicate of me to suggest that our top political priority over the next two years should be to deny President Obama a second term in office...But the fact is, if our primary legislative goals are to repeal and replace the health spending bill; to end the bailouts; cut spending; and shrink the size and scope of government, the only way to do all these things it is to put someone in the White House who won't veto any of these things. We can hope the President will start listening to the electorate after Tuesday's election. But we can't plan on it."


Come on, Barry: how about saving some of your invective and scorn for your real enemies? If you don't, you risk a reprise of the inglorious end of the Carter Administration. If someone like Senator Sanders of Vermont decided to challenge you in the primaries you will see disaffected Progressives abandon you in droves. Given the largely-unrealized promise of your campaign rhetoric, that would be a great tragedy for the nation.

I want to hear more Progressives speak out in support of Senator Sanders of Vermont.

picture source: The AtlanticWire; McConnell quote: CNN.com
video source: CSPAN

And I am guilty, too

I was referred to this funny blog via a FB friend. This is too true: guess I better get cracking.

The depressing politics of climate change

If the great Bill McKibben loses hope, is there any chance of the world's leaders coming to grips with the threats facing the planet? The idiocracy that is the climate change deniers has now strengthened its grip on American politics. Next year, the raving lunatics of the right wing will take control of the House. Meanwhile, the Wealth Club, otherwise known as the Senate, will be even more in the thrall of Big Coal and Big Oil.

What can one person do? I invested in highly efficient replacement windows in my house, replaced an aging oil heating system with an efficient gas furnace, replaced every light bulb with compact fluorescents, set the thermostat as low as possible in the winter and as high as possible in the summer. We both drive small cars, and I'll be replacing one next year with a hybrid, perhaps even one made my Ford. I walk to errands rather drive. And all these individual efforts make negligible planetary difference. What can one person do, if even Bill McKibben is losing hope.