How many Mike Browns did Bush appoint?
Sun Sep 25, 2005 at 12:53:27 PM PDT
This is disturbing! Maybe this is old news but first I have heard about it.
THE FDA: His official FDA biography notes that Gottlieb, 33, who got his medical degree at Mount Sinai School of Medicine, did a previous stint providing policy advice at the agency, as well as at the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, and was a fellow at the American Enterprise Institute, a conservative think tank. What the bio omits is that his most recent job was as editor of a popular Wall Street newsletter, the Forbes/Gottlieb Medical Technology Investor, in which he offered such tips as "Three Biotech Stocks to Buy Now." In declaring Gottlieb a "noted authority" who had written more than 300 policy and medical articles, the biography neglects the fact that many of those articles criticized the FDA for being too slow to approve new drugs and too quick to issue warning letters when it suspects ones already on the market might be unsafe.
http://rawstory.com/news/2005/TIME_Sunday_How_many_Mike_Browns_did_Bush_appo_0925.html
Efforts to gut Endangered Species Act.
Sun Sep 18, 2005 at 09:47:09 AM PDT
This information from the Sierra Club is very disappointing.
Leaked documents indicate that Congressman Richard Pombo (R-Calif) is pushing forward with efforts to gut the Endangered Species Act, America's safety net for fish and wildlife at the edge of extinction. A hearing has been scheduled for Wednesday, September 21st on a bill that was developed in secretive, closed-door sessions. The full House of Representatives could vote on the bill as early as the week of September 26th.
http://www.sierraclub.com/pressroom/releases/pr2005-09-16a.asp
Reduction of class sizes in schools.
Thu Aug 25, 2005 at 02:29:16 PM PDT
Reducing class size gives students more individualized attentions. This doesn't take a lot of research to figure out. Anyone attended public school? It can be easy to fade into the background of a class if one desires. Teachers are burdened with large class sizes and absolutely do the best they can to provide the time and attention needed to help children learn. When the ratio is 30 to 1, it is clearly a struggle for teachers and students alike. Considerable research has shown that reducing class size increases student achievement.
Nationally funded preschool for all 4 year-olds.
Wed Aug 24, 2005 at 06:08:36 PM PDT
I don't have kids. I have 3 step-children who are way past preschool and all doing very well in school. We live in a suburb with relatively decent public schools.
I have a 5-year old nephew who was in preschool. It was paid for by the government because he was considerably behind in terms of development in comparison to other 3 and 4 year olds. My sister called one day last year with joy in her voice "We have to pay for pre-school now because he is all caught up!" I have never heard somone so happy to pay for something before. I love him dearly. I am glad they were able to afford preschool once the government funding was no longer technically necessary.
Severe disinformation syndrome
Fri Aug 05, 2005 at 12:18:36 PM PDT
I was recently watching the local news a scientist was talking about how he quit his job of 30 + years with the federal government because they often changed what he wrote. He would turn in a report and the text would be changed to minimize an issue or omit something completely. In frustration, he gave up.
I didn't think much about the story at the time but now I was reading about a similar subject at Peer.org.
The federal government suffers from a "severe disinformation syndrome" in which agency specialists are pressured to alter reports by managers who are promoted for breaking the law, according to congressional testimony delivered today by Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility (PEER). As a consequence, scientific and technical papers, particularly within environmental agencies, are routinely censored, altered or manipulated for political purposes.
http://www.peer.org/news/news_id.php?row_id=554
Democrats have a plan for retirement security.
Mon Aug 01, 2005 at 04:14:23 PM PDT
I realize the Democrats had a plan years ago. Social Security. It has been working quite well.
But we can truly do more to help people plan for retirement. The Democratic Party has a concrete, here-are-the-details plan. Their plan is to build retirement security, expand opportunities to save, and ensure pension fairness. Here are the details.
Complete lack of Republican investigation into Rove scandal.
Fri Jul 29, 2005 at 01:29:43 PM PDT
The clock ticks on. The Republicans are not investigating an act of treason. The Rove scandal is in the news often. But the Republicans in the Senate do nothing.
The Senate Democrats are correctly calling for an investigation. Apparently, doing nothing is acceptable to the Republicans. Talk about a double standard.
Republicans support terrorism.
Thu Jul 28, 2005 at 05:49:03 PM PDT
Why doesn't the public get it? They think the Republicans are so strong on terroism. But they certainly are not strong on terrorism if it might affect a little money making.
During debate today on the Defense Authorization bill, the Republican controlled Senate killed an amendment by Senator Frank R. Lautenberg (D-NJ) that would have closed a loophole that allows U.S. companies to do business through offshore shell corporations with states that sponsor terrorism. Currently, a number of U.S. firms do business with Iran.
"My amendment is simple: it would have closed a loophole in the law that allows U.S. companies to do business with countries that sponsor terrorism," said Senator Lautenberg. "But the Republican leaders in the Senate decided the interests of such terrorist states as Iran should come before the safety and security of the people of this country."
http://lautenberg.senate.gov/~lautenberg/press/2003/01/2005726746.html
Minimize money's role in campaigns.
Sun Jun 05, 2005 at 03:02:03 PM PDT
The level of money needed to run a campaign for President, Senator, or Congressman is outrageously high, in my opinion. First of all, it really leaves out the common man. Ordinary, everyday, run-of-the mill people can't run for these national offices because they lack the ability to raise the necessary funds. Secondly, it leaves out most third parties because the third party canidates cannot generate enough money to run a successful campaign. Now that most everyone is left out due to the financial constraints of the election process, the two people with the most money spend most of their time raising more money to fund their television ads. It disgusts me. By the time I have watched hugely expensive commericials on television over and over touting one canidate or antoher, I hate process. I become so disenfranchised that I don't even want to vote.
I vote because I must. Because the Republicans are tearing down a really wonderful country. But I don't like all the money spent prior to the elections when the money could clearly be going towards a greater good.
Any annoying family stories that you want to share?
Sat May 14, 2005 at 05:15:43 PM PDT
My sister was difficult to deal with this week. We are fairly close. But sometimes we get on each others nerves.
I was over at her house on Wednesday and went to her son's t-ball game. It was five year-olds playing and incredibly precious. Sometimes they would hit the ball and run to third. One kid laid down on the dirt and made dirt angels while playing short stop. It was adorable and sweet.
Her husband was coaching 3rd base. The main coach was helping the boys get the a ball on the T. Our dad was helping take care of the boys on the bench.
This bothered my sister. She thought our dad should just sit down and watch the game. She thought he was overstepping his boundaries. I thought it was fine.
Welcome Home GI Bill
Fri May 13, 2005 at 07:42:15 AM PDT
Democratic Senator Durbin from Illinois has introduced the Welcome Home GI Bill. This bill is legislation that will offer additional healthcare, education and housing benefits for soldiers returning from combat. Glad to hear it!
"In 1944, Congress passed the GI Bill, which provided opportunities to millions of veterans and their families," said Durbin. "The GI Bill opened the doors to higher education and homeownership to many who had historically been shut out. I am proud to join Congressman Emanuel today to bring our service men and women a GI Bill for the 21st century. Our legislation will help new veterans as they build their lives after serving their country."
http://durbin.senate.gov/record.cfm?id=237571&
Improving literacy for teenagers in the U.S.
Thu May 12, 2005 at 06:42:21 PM PDT
Concerned about the well-being of America's teenagers, senators on Capitol Hill are gradually gathering support for the PASS Act--"Pathways for All Students to Succeed." This is an bill introduced by Senator Murray that supports funding for literacy.
Senator Murray first introduced the PASS Act in the 108th Congress to help America's teenagers graduate from high school, go on to college, and enter the working world with the skills they need to succeed. She reintroduced the bill (S.921) this (109th) Congress to help vulnerable students during high school by providing needed training, guidance and resources.
http://murray.senate.gov/pass/index.cfm
Is it just me or does this seem like a bill that every Senator should automatically gets on board with? Who doesn't want our teenagers to be able to read so they can function as adults in the very near future?
I am sure the Republicans don't want to spend the money on the program.
Confronting Homeland Security Appropriations
Wed May 04, 2005 at 07:42:51 PM PDT
My Congressman, Democrat Martin Sabo, spoke to the House Homeland Security Appropriations Subcommittee today.
They met to produce the first draft of the fiscal year 2006 Department of Homeland Security Appropriations bill. Sabo (D-MN) offered the following comments before the subcommittee:
Because of vacancies at the top in several DHS agencies, we didn't hear from some critical areas, including the State and Local Programs office that's responsible for distributing billions of dollars in grants. This bill cuts funding substantially in some of those areas.
http://sabo.house.gov/index.asp?Type=B_PR&SEC
The bill cuts funding. Wow. True to Republican form. They scream on and on about terrorism and fighting terrorism everywhere. Blah, blah, blah. They even set up special departments like Homeland Security.
But when push comes to shove, they don't fund what they say they are going to do.
Democratic Party characterized by the taxpayers league.
Wed May 04, 2005 at 01:15:25 PM PDT
This morning Nick Coleman on Air America Minnesota was speaking about various assistant editors at the St. Paul Pioneer Press that tend to lean to the Right. I read a commentary today in the Pioneer Press highlighting David Strom, president of the Minnesota Taxpayers League.
Here is a quote from David Strom:
"Government has to be there," he added, speaking of "vulnerable" individuals. "Not as the nurturer, that's where I think the left has gone astray, but it must recognize that the nurturing role has to exist.
"On the left, they believe that the proper role for government should be guided by love. That's a mistake. If you want to express love in community affairs, you have to do it yourself. You can't do it by simply writing a check to government and expect some vast bureaucracy to do it."
Love? This is our crime?
http://www.twincities.com/mld/twincities/news/editorial/11555090.htm
Winning the White House or Congress?
Sat Apr 30, 2005 at 12:18:19 PM PDT
I am wondering what you think is more important. I definitely think winning back control of the Senate and House is more important. I want a Democratically controlled congress to pass laws to protect the American people, our children, the elderly, everyone. Hey, I am 100% for a Dem in the White Hosue, but if we had to choose, which is more important to you?
Short diary. Just interested in your thoughts.
Spending money: What makes you happy?
Fri Apr 15, 2005 at 12:06:29 PM PDT
On Monday my husband wanted me to meet him in Wayzata for dinner at Sunsets, a nice restaurant on Lake Minnetonka. I said, "Let's not go out to dinner. It is such a waste of money. I would rather spend my money on painting supplies."
Painting is my new bliss. For about the last year I have been painting abstracts on canvas and have discovered how perfectly enjoyable it is. Watching the canvas come alive is pure joy for me. The canvas was blank. Now it is filled with color and light and my imagination.
I have always loved going out for dinner. I find it to be relaxing and romantic. Trying new foods is an adventure. Plus no dishes to wash!!!
Good news for the environment and Washington: Clean Car Act
Thu Apr 14, 2005 at 07:40:42 PM PDT
The beauty of nature is endless. However, it seems like Republicans are hell bent on destroying our earth.
Today there was a win for the people who care about the environment.
The state of Washington passed legislation yesterday to protect the air quality in their state.
Wolfowitz's ends Clinton policy on the DoD protecting the enviroment
Thu Apr 14, 2005 at 10:38:02 AM PDT
Ensuring environmental sustainability and security should be one of our United States main priorities. But we at dKos, we know that it is not a main priority for the Bush adminstration. Here is another recent example.
This new "Department of Defense Directive" cancels a Clinton-era directive on "Environmental Security." The new Directive trims a listing of Pentagon policy elements by eliminating provisions for --
"Reducing risk to human health and the environment by identifying, evaluating, and where necessary, remediating contamination resulting from past DoD activities";
"Protecting, preserving, and, when required, restoring, and enhancing the quality of the environment"; and
"Conserving, and restoring where necessary, the natural and cultural heritage represented on DoD installations within the United States."
