"Open Memo To: Nancy Pelosi From Cindy Sheehan
Open Memo
To: Nancy Pelosi
From Cindy Sheehan
Hey Nan,
How's that "liberal agenda" going for you these days?
You have had quite a run as the first female Speaker of the House, haven't you?
In that almost four years now, you have fully funded the wars; rammed through the bankster bailouts and the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Modernization Act; refused to hold the criminals of the Bush administration accountable; supported the torture policies of George Bush and wanted even stricter measures against suspected terrorists; obediently supported and defended the murderous Israeli oppression of Palestine; presided over the worst jobs' hemorrhage since the Great Depression (can you see all the jobless and homeless from your mansion on the hill in Pac Heights?) and the only "victory" that you can claim is a feeble health care "reform" bill that you admit you had no idea what it contained, when in reality, it was just a massive welfare program for your corporate buddies in the industry.
You are going to become a lame duck Speaker early next month when your party loses its majority--now don't think I am thrilled that the Republicans are returning to a majority, at least in your House, because I think your party and the GOP are just different sides of the same coin--but you can't say I didn't warn you back in 2006 that if you and your party didn't end the wars and hold BushCo accountable that your euphoria would be short-lived.
I literally brought that warning home to you in 2008 when I stood for election against you as an Independent in your district. I again tried to send you the gift of a wake up call through my platform and candidacy that ending the wars;, increasing jobs here in the US; fully funding education; protecting people's homes from eviction and foreclosure; protecting the environment from destruction; and justice for war crimes were what the people wanted. Nancy, your party's impending defeat proves that if you ever were in touch with "the people," that time passed long before you assumed the Speaker's gavel and when you relinquish the gavel, you will be just another empty lavender pants suit--an obscenely expensive lavender pants suit, but empty all the same.
So you can't say that I didn't warn you and your colleagues that the people shouldn't be ignored. I now realize that the warning fell on deaf ears and was futile, but also that the political game your party and the other party play are far more important to you than the people of this world are, anyway.
With the elections rapidly approaching on November 2, you once again are up for re-election yourself and the people of San Francisco will dutifully obey their Democratic impulses and send you back to DC one more time, no matter how atrocious you have been, ( The question of the day, though, Nan, is when you lose your Speakership will you resign your seat? Hey, I know! Maybe you and your good buddy, George Bush, can have play dates in your mutual retirements ?) but you do have opponents. I know of two for sure, the firmly antiwar Republican, John Dennis and the firmly antiwar and anti-Capitalist Peace and Freedom Candidate Gloria La Riva.
My good friend, SF politico and former VP Candidate, Matt Gonzalez, has endorsed John Dennis because, as is your custom, you gutlessly refused to debate him. I am also encouraging you (once again, futilely) to not only debate John Dennis, but Gloria La Riva, too.
I like and admire both John and Gloria and support them as human beings who both have the two things that you lack but would have made you a much better person: courage and integrity.
As someone who got a kick in the teeth from the political school of elitism two years ago, I can't endorse anyone for Federal elections which I believe are only a huge sham and scandal at any rate, but I am convinced that either John or Gloria would represent district 8 in California far better than you have on your best day.
I did warn you many times and I would childishly like to say: "I told ya so," but there is so much at stake here on proverbial Main Street that I don't feel like your defeat is going to be a victory (frankly, your party's unlikely victory would also be a defeat for Main Street) for anybody except the non-partisan ruling class that pulls the levers to propagate their agenda and pad their bank accounts at our expense.
In never-ending struggle against everything you represent,
Cindy Sheehan
--MORE--"
SAN FRANCISCO — While polls were showing her to be among the country’s most disliked politicians, Democrats were ducking her on the campaign trail and the Republican Party chairman was riding around in a “Fire Pelosi!’’ bus, the speaker of the House was checking out mattresses.
Related: 2006 All Over Again
“Wow, this is great,’’ said a sleep-deprived Nancy Pelosi as she stroked a plush specimen during a tour of McRoskey Mattress Co. here on Wednesday. While few politicians ever look comfortable on factory floors, Pelosi, the California Democrat, seemed particularly ill-suited, her big, shiny pearls clashing with the goofy safety goggles she was required to wear.
The elites think your safety equipment is funny looking.
On the brink of an election that could end Pelosi’s four-year run as speaker, her recent doings underscore an enduring truth: This most vilified of politicians is also one of the most resolute.
In recent months, the 70-year-old speaker’s days have been packed with private fund-raising events across the country for many of the Democrats who have been publicly avoiding her like bedbugs.
Related: Boston Globe Bed and Breakfast
(Since the beginning of 2009, she has raised $52.3 million for Democratic incumbents, candidates, and the party’s congressional campaign committee, second only to President Obama among Democrats.)
She has jackhammered her party’s “Take America Forward’’ message while campaigning in her district and for candidates across the country. And she has batted away a daily barrage of “What if’’ questions from friends, nervous incumbents and reporters — as in “What if Democrats lose their majority?’’ (Would she run for minority leader? Would she quit Congress?)
Would we care?
Efforts to engage Pelosi on such questions are futile. “We’re not losing,’’ she said in a brief interview after the mattress company tour.
It is called denial.
It is hard to find anyone who claims to have heard Pelosi entertain doubts about winning. “She believes deep in her soul that the Democrats will keep the majority,’’ said Larry Horowitz, a friend and adviser.
Then the machines have been rigged!
Whether that is denial, superstition, insight, or spin is a subject of some debate. Pelosi is fully aware that the bad economy, the electoral map, and historical trends favor Republicans, said Roz Wyman, a longtime Democratic activist in Los Angeles.
“She knows the situation and exactly what she is up against,’’ said Wyman, a frequent late-night phone buddy. “We pretty much talk about everything, especially our grandchildren. But we never talk about losing.’’
Pelosi has been engaged in district-by-district assessments of races, a type of political card-counting she learned as the daughter of a Baltimore mayor and US representative. While her congressional seat appears safe, it often seems now as though Pelosi’s name is on the ballot in every congressional district in the country, as Republicans criticize her record.
She knows which of her members are in trouble, which need her help and — just as important — which ones absolutely do not want it.
--more--"
Related:
"We in Congress stand by Israel," the leader of the House, Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., assured Netanyahu at an all-smiles appearance before the cameras. "In Congress we speak with one voice on the subject of Israel."
"House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has been trying to pressure some of those Democrats to switch their votes.... California Democratic Congresswoman Lynn Woolsey says the White House has also threatened to pull support from freshman anti-war Democrats who vote no on the bill.... In the crosshairs of the big guns at the White House and on Capitol Hill are anti-war freshmen legislators and the movement to hold those responsible for torture accountable.
In funding the wars, the White House has been able to rely on strong GOP support to marginalize the anti-war Democrats who have pledged to vote against continued funding (as 51 Democrats did in May when the supplemental was first voted on). But the White House is running into trouble now because of Republican opposition to some of the provisions added to the bill (and one removed), meaning the pro-war Democrats actually need a fair number of anti-war Democrats to switch sides. In short, the current battle will clearly reveal exactly how many Democrats actually oppose these wars. And, according to reports, the White House and Democratic Leadership have the gloves off in the fight:
Rep. Lynn Woolsey of California, a leader of the antiwar Democrats, said the White House is threatening to withdraw support from freshmen who oppose the bill, saying “you’ll never hear from us again.” She said the House leadership also is targeting the freshmen. “It’s really hard for the freshmen,” she said. “Nancy’s pretty powerful.”
Not for much longer.
Also see: Pelosi Protested at Shea-Porter Promo
Some of the most disappointing political revelations of my lifetime.
But don't change back to those icky Repuglicans no matter what you do!
And how is this for a pie in the face, Democrats?
"Loyalty costly for some Democrats
WASHINGTON — Grasping to keep control of Congress, Democratic leaders are turning their backs on some of their staunchest supporters in the House and propping up stronger candidates who have routinely defied them on health care, climate change, and other major issues.
That has to make someone feel real good, huh?
And it JUST GOES to SHOW you the FRAUD and FOOLEY of AmeriKan politics!
There are CERTAIN ISSUES you can disagree, and certain issues where you can NOT disagree.
Raw politics — the drive to win a House-majority 218 seats, no matter how — is increasingly trumping policy and loyalty in these decisions, as Democrats shift money and attention in the closing days of the campaign toward races they can win and pull back from those seemingly lost.
The Democrats are shelling out $40 million in 59 congressional districts in the last three weeks of the campaign for TV advertising. Republicans, boosted by well-funded outside groups, are working to expand the political battleground by pouring money into 82 races next week alone.
Feelings are being hurt along the way.....
Like I am supposed to care about some looters feelings when we, the American people, have been so grievously wounded and abused by both parties for so long?
Awwww, their feelings are hurt.
Tell it to all the war dead, f***ers!
The House campaign arm has in recent days canceled millions of dollars worth of advertising it had planned for Representative Steve Driehaus and other endangered Democrats including his fellow Ohioan Mary Jo Kilroy, Suzanne Kosmas in Florida, Betsy Markey in Colorado, and Steve Kagen in Wisconsin. All of them voted for President Obama’s health care overhaul and for legislation to curb carbon emissions, and were savaged by Republicans on the campaign trail for doing so.
The list of Democratic candidates being lavished with national party help in the final days of the race includes many of the defectors on those marquee votes....
Which tells you THOSE VOTES were not really so "marquee" after all.
And now the agenda-pushing paper is full of gay, race, and immigrant stories today.
I'm SO SICK of the CORPORATE MEDIA MANIPULATION, DIVISIONS, and DIVERSIONS!
We care about WAR, TAXES, and TYRANNY!
What the corporate media is filled with is, well, I'll spare you the colorful and fragrant description today.
These representatives are in tight contests that Democrats believe they must win to hold Republicans back from the 40-seat gain that would hand the GOP House control.
With Democraps that.... VOTE as REPUGLICANS?!!
That's SOME SHELL GAME they have going on, huh?
Party leaders deny they are abandoning any Democrats at this critical stage in the campaign and argue they are maintaining the flexibility to help all of their candidates.
What else can you call it? You take the advert$ing dollar$ away and....
Of course, when it comes to the WARS and SUCH, well... NO DEVIATION!
And now there is NO ANTIWAR FACTION at all!!
Thanks, Nan!
Recipients include some who enthusiastically supported the party line, such as Representative Raul Grijalva in Arizona — who is facing an unexpectedly tough race — and some who did not, such as Representative Chet Edwards of Texas, locked in a close battle for an 11th term.
The House is gone -- or will be in a free and fair election. That's just the narrow political reality in the prism of AmeriKan politics.
“What we’re doing is focusing on races across the country to make sure that there’s that majority so that we can move forward on an agenda that serves working families and taxpayers,’’ said Representative Chris Van Hollen of Maryland, the chairman of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee.
Now let me get this straight: he's saying they have to keep a slim majority to continue to work on these things when they couldn't get it through with a darn near super-majority.
What the hell where you waiting for? How come tax money continues to be tossed at the wars, Wall Street, and Israel?
I mean, it is not like that will change with Repuglicans back in power (it will likely only get worse; every time we vote for "change" the "change" is in the opposite direction. See 2006 and 2008 campaigns); however, none of that changes (ha-ha) the fact that DEMOCRATS FAILED and that is WHY they are going to be BOOTED out of the HOUSE!
I think it is going to be a record-turnout on that side, even larger than 1994. Sixty-plus seats will flip at least. It's all in the numbers and anti-incumbent rage.
Democratic strategists acknowledge the tough decisions are based on harsh reality: If the party loses the House, all of its plans and Obama’s would face major GOP roadblocks, so right now it is about scoring as many wins around the country as possible, whether that benefits friends or foes of core party principles.
We USED TO CALL THAT BETRAYAL, but it's ALL POLITICS!!!
And you WONDER WHY WE ARE SOUR on Democrats?
NO CORE PRINCIPLES, huh?
NO SPINE, either!
“They have to make very cold-blooded decisions,’’ said former representative Martin Frost of Texas, who held Van Hollen’s job in the 1990s.
I thought that was why we were not supposed to vote Repuglican.
--more--"
Related:
"The Five Boxes of Liberty
- The Moving Box—right of association, in particular territorially via migration
- The Soap Box—right of free speech
- The Ballot Box—right to a voice in your government
- The Jury Box—right to a trial by jury of your peers
- The Ammunition Box—right to threaten or use appropriate violence in self-defense
You see where we are standing; why won't you listen?
