Did the DCCC finally get a sense of humor?

Local Portland rant

Why does my suspicion antenna go up when I get glossy postcards [size 6x11 !] almost daily from a group telling me to vote YES YES YES YES [yup 4 of them] on a measure that they do not even give the number for?

Perhaps because the alleged group sending thee 6x11 glossies never tell me WHO they are? Even their website lacks the names of the "group." So maybe my antenna is correct and this is a group or an individual who will benefit from a change in how Portland operates?

Anonymous mailings will always put my suspicion antenna way high! If you truly believe in what you are proposing - put your names on the mailings. The less glossy but more factual letters I got from the people against this change in government had their names in the mailings. And they only sent them once. Apparently they believe I can read and think and do not need the George Bush school of propaganda to form an opinion.

I have lived in many cities and towns - under all sorts of governments...My take? THEY ALL HAVE PROBLEMS. I have never lived anywhere that has had efficient government. Government - like democracy is messy. Mess is GOOD - propaganda and forcing a position anonymously is BAD.

That's my take on the proposal to "fix" city hall. Although I am relatively new to Portland, I did learn that our wise citizens have rejected this type of fix several times.

Keep Portland Weird - and messy - and with the system we have.

My letter to Nancy Pelosi

I am not a constituent but I am a USA citizen and one who loves that a woman is the speaker.

I am also the thankful mother of a son who choose to spend time in the military and is now out and safe.

I am a long time war protester and am asking you to bring our children home now - note I do not call them "troops."
They are all someone's children.

DO NOT give in to mr. 28%. He is counting on the Democrats to cave and obey him for fear of being called anti-troop.

The American public is solidly against this occupation and wants our children home. If the Iraqi "politicians" can take a two month vacation - why not allow our children to also come home for two months. Sounds like a fair trade to me.

Respectfully,

Lynn Dorman, Ph.D.

If you want to send her a letter of your own - here is the email address: AmericanVoices@mail.house.gov

mr. 28% vetoes funding for troops

Saying the bill " substitutes the opinions of politicians for the judgment of our military commanders" mr. 28% vetoed the funding bill.

Here are 2 comments:

From a commander on that very ground [now retired]:

May 1, 2007

President George W. Bush
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue
Washington, DC 20500

Dear Mr. President,

Today, in your veto message regarding the bipartisan legislation just passed on Operation Iraqi Freedom, you asserted that you so decided because you listen to your commanders on the ground.

Respectfully, as your former commander on the ground, your administration did not listen to our best advice. In fact, a number of my fellow Generals were forced out of their jobs, because they did not tell you what you wanted to hear -- most notably General Eric Shinseki, whose foresight regarding troop levels was advice you rejected, at our troops' peril.

[...]

As someone who served this nation for decades, I have the utmost respect for the office you hold. However, as a man of conscience, I could not sit idly by as you told the American people today that your veto was based on the recommendations of military men. Your administration ignored the advice of our military's finest minds before, and I see no evidence that you are listening to them now.

I urge you to reconsider your position, and work with Congress to pass a bill that achieves the goals laid out above.

Respectfully,

Major General Paul D. Eaton, USA, Retired

and a YouTube video

May Day

May Day is the day we used to do maypole dances when I was a kid in the New York City public schools.

May Day is also a distress call.

And now May Day is forever Mission Accomplished Reminder Day