updated
2:43 a.m.
And it couldn't happen to a bigger bag o' batshit bunch of mutha fucka's... From IHT : Private contractors working for the U.S. government in Iraq will lose their immunity from Iraqi law under a new pact with Baghdad, senior American officials said on Thursday. The contractors, who provide everything from personal security to meals for U.S. forces and officials in Iraq, were told they shoul...
My Right to be Left - 12:07 a.m.
Today has been quite the roller coaster ride. Now the SOS has McClintock up by 1,793 votes. Stay tuned. From the Sac Bee : State Sen. Tom McClintock's campaign on Friday surged to nearly a 1,800-vote lead in the tight congressional battle against Democrat Charlie Brown, perhaps sealing victory in the foothill district. "We're not claiming victory, but we just think it's mathematically im...
Nite Swimming - Fri 11:32 p.m.
Evan Wolfson over at the group Freedom To Marry has provided these great maps depicting the current state of governmental recognition nationwide. ...
The Mad Professah Lectures - Fri 8:25 p.m.
There's a town hall meeting tomorrow morning from 8am-11am at Los Angeles Trade Tech Auditorium ( 400 West washington Boulevard ) featuring a Who's Who of Black Los Angeles: FEATURED SPEAKERS Danny Bakewell Jr., Editor, Los Angeles Sentinel Jasmyne Cannick, Journalist and Political Activist Rev. Eric Lee, SCLC of Greater Los Angeles Laurnea, Recording Artist Jody Watley, Recording Arti...
The Mad Professah Lectures - Fri 8:25 p.m. - 6 clicks ![]()
Via the CA Secretary of State's office , McClintock's lead over Brown has shrunk to 359. ADDED: McClintock's lead has gone down another 30 votes to 329. (evening report)...
Nite Swimming - Fri 8:25 p.m. - 3 clicks ![]()
"It is time to stop kidding ourselves. This wasn't a breakthrough year for American women in politics. It was a brutal one. The glass ceiling remains firmly in place -- not cracked, as Hillary Clinton insisted as she tried to claim rhetorical victory after her defeat in the Democratic nominating contest. It wasn't even scratched with the candidacy of Sarah Palin as the Republican vice presidentia...
Nite Swimming - Fri 8:25 p.m. - 3 clicks ![]()
Calitics - Fri 7:31 p.m. - 5 clicks ![]()
DailyKos (California) - Fri 7:08 p.m. - 4 clicks ![]()
D-Day - Fri 5:49 p.m. - 7 clicks ![]()
OCEAN BEACH, CA. Ocean Beach residents who have organized recently to save the Ocean Beach Library from closure, have called for another rally in front of the OB branch. The rally has been called for Saturday, November 22nd at noon. This second rally in front of the OB library is part of a series of [...]...
OB Rag - Fri 4:25 p.m.
OCEAN BEACH, CA. Kristina Lee of Fox News is interviewing me at this very moment. Watch me at 10 PM at FOX 5 - CH. 5. Her report emphasizes the use of blogs and social websites in politics and activism. I hope she got my good side. ...
OB Rag - Fri 4:25 p.m.
Down With Tyranny - Fri 4:25 p.m. - 30 clicks ![]()
Down With Tyranny - Fri 4:25 p.m. - 18 clicks ![]()
By Frank D. Russo The latest word from the Charlie Brown for Congress campaign is that Tom McClintock’s lead continues to narrow in California’s 4th Congressional District and is down to just 359 votes. Provisional ballots, even in some of the counties that voted for McClintock are reportedly breaking......
California Progress Report - Fri 4:25 p.m. - 8 clicks ![]()
This job didn't work as well as he might have hoped, so Governor Schwarzenegger is already looking ahead, reportedly having conversations with Barack Obama's team about a potential appointment down the road, according to the Los Angeles Times. Obama told Arnold he was going to buff up at the White House and needed some help; the Governor responded that he wanted the President-elect to coach him i...
California Majority Report - Fri 4:25 p.m. - 7 clicks ![]()
Sacramento For Democracy - Fri 3:07 p.m. - 4 clicks ![]()
By David Dayen d-day If you want to know why Speaker Karen Bass is talking very loudly about a federal bailout for California, you just have to read the local papers. The Merced Sun-Star: “At Tuesday's board meeting Superintendent Terry Brace explained the district will lose $3.5 million under......
California Progress Report - Fri 1:28 p.m. - 12 clicks ![]()
• Governor & Legislative Leaders Continue Meetings – But No Agreement On How To Bridge Huge Budget Shortfall • Major Changes At Dept of Health Care Services • Shewry & Rosenstein Retiring At End of December By Marty D. Omoto Director/Organizer California Disability Community Action Network The State Senate and......
California Progress Report - Fri 1:28 p.m. - 8 clicks ![]()
I am usually a fan of everything that J.J. Abrams (creator of Lost and Alias ) does but this trailer for next summer's Star Trek remake looks a bit iffy to me. It's definitely a new direction for the venerable sci-fi franchise. There's no real sense of what the story is about (besides a deeper look at the origins of the major characters like James T. Kirk, Spock and "Scotty") and ...
The Mad Professah Lectures - Fri 11:52 a.m.
Sacramento For Democracy - Fri 11:52 a.m. - 7 clicks ![]()
Sacramento For Democracy - Fri 11:52 a.m. - 2 clicks ![]()
The following Open Letter to the community has started getting attention November 13, 2008 Dear Community, We are on the cusp of a new era as our country has elected its first African-American president, Barack Obama. We hope this unprecedented event will usher in a new chapter in our nation’s history. This past week has been a difficult time. With the passage of Proposition 8 in California t...
The Mad Professah Lectures - Fri 11:07 a.m. - 10 clicks ![]()
If you like folk music you will love this. By the Righteous Mothers . Click here to listen. Will open a new window as I am hosting the mp3 on Sirens Chronicles. Enjoy!...
My Right to be Left - Fri 11:06 a.m.
We sure as hell don't like it either. From Reuters : BAGHDAD (Reuters) - Followers of Shi'ite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr marched on Friday against a pact letting U.S. forces stay in Iraq until 2011, toppling an effigy of President George W. Bush where U.S. troops once tore down a statue of Saddam Hussein. Thousands of demonstrators chanted and waved Iraqi flags in Baghdad's Firdos square, where U.S...
My Right to be Left - Fri 11:06 a.m.
From ProPublica : Here is a rundown of rules and regulations that the Bush administration is pushing through the rulemaking process in its waning days. We will update the list regularly by adding new rules, inserting links to breaking news on each rule, and tracking each rule through the rulemaking process. If you know of other rules we should add to this list, please send us an email h...
My Right to be Left - Fri 11:06 a.m. - 9 clicks ![]()
Swiftspeech - Fri 10:31 a.m. - 5 clicks ![]()
• California will need a multiyear strategy for responding • Policymakers will need to focus on the priorities • California will need to rethink the role of the state and its local partners By Leon E. Panetta and Thomas V. McKernan Co-Chairs California Forward As the economic crisis worsens, the......
California Progress Report - Fri 9:20 a.m. - 10 clicks ![]()
Environmental champion, Representative Henry Waxman (D-Los Angeles) ousted Rep. John Dingell (D-General Motors) from his longtime post as Chairman to the House Energy and Commerce Committee. (The New York Times article is worth a read). This is a huge win for the environment and opens the doors for rapid action on dealing with climate change [...]...
California League of Conservation Voters - Fri 9:20 a.m. - 9 clicks ![]()
Dr. James Fine Economist and Policy Scientist Environmental Defense Fund [Editor’s note: This is the testimony given by Dr. Fine at the California Air Resources Board hearing on implementing the landmark AB32 passed in 2006 to reduce greenhouse gases in California and reduce global warming.] In two short years since......
California Progress Report - Fri 8:48 a.m. - 9 clicks ![]()
People's Vanguard of Davis - Fri 8:26 a.m. - 10 clicks ![]()
Down With Tyranny - Fri 8:26 a.m. - 28 clicks ![]()
By Irwin Nowick Given that this might well be final writings for Californiaprogressreport given that Mr. Russo is coming back to “The Building”. I therefore wanted to do a general wrap up. In terms of the legal front very little happened this week other than that the California Supreme Court......
California Progress Report - Fri 8:26 a.m. - 8 clicks ![]()
By Brian Leubitz Founder and Publisher Calitics For years upon years, most states had consistent vehicle license fees. They didn't vary all that much from state to state, averaging around 2% of stated value. You paid your couple hundred bucks per year and for that you got to use a......
California Progress Report - Fri 8:26 a.m. - 7 clicks ![]()
Sacramento For Democracy - Fri 12:25 a.m. - 11 clicks ![]()
The vote difference between Hannah-Beth Jackson and Tony Strickland in recent days has decreased from 2,141 votes to 1,721 with Strickland still very much in the lead. Here's what the table looks like with Santa Barbara counting 2,000 provisional ballots and HBJ gaining 65% of that vote. (Click to Enlarge) Can Hannah-Beth catch up at this point? HBJ's campaign sent out a nice email today...
BlogaBarbara - Fri 12:24 a.m. - 12 clicks ![]()
By Mitchell H. Katz, M.D. Today is the Great American Smokeout and while San Franciscans are doing their part to help people battle nicotine addiction, recently, I became aware that not all the health insurance plans for our county workers in San Francisco -- nor in many other counties......
California Progress Report - Thu 10:08 p.m. - 9 clicks ![]()
Down With Tyranny - Thu 9:21 p.m. - 17 clicks ![]()
Down With Tyranny - Thu 9:21 p.m. - 54 clicks ![]()
DailyKos (California) - Thu 6:24 p.m. - 20 clicks ![]()
Our good friend and fellow librarian activist Anna Daniels has sent a letter to the San Diego City Council and we post it in its entirety below. Anna also sent a special note to the residents of Ocean Beach. Here’s the note: Ocean Beach Library Supporters: I know that it is a palatable solution at the [...]...
OB Rag - Thu 6:07 p.m. - 12 clicks ![]()
A tribute to Rick ...
OB Rag - Thu 5:44 p.m.
D-Day - Thu 5:44 p.m. - 14 clicks ![]()
Calitics - Thu 5:44 p.m. - 10 clicks ![]()
By Judy Dugan Research Director Consumer Watchdog Do you wonder what the insurance giant AIG is doing with its $150 billion-with-a-b in taxpayer bailout money? Well, this is what showed up in my mailbox today. Thick cardboard stock, high-gloss finish, about 8x10 and cut out in pretty, ocean-y shapes.......
California Progress Report - Thu 4:50 p.m.
Why do the Republicans want the United States to get rid of the remaining manufacturing that we do here? ...
Seeing the Forest - Thu 2:31 p.m. - 2 clicks ![]()
Rick Nadeau 1944-2008We just heard the very sad news. Rick Nadeau, best of friends, writer for the OB Rag, intellectual par excellence, just passed today, at 12:45pm PST. Rick had been fighting cancer for the past two years, and today took his last breath while in the arms of his love and wife, Diana, at [...]...
OB Rag - Thu 1:47 p.m. - 14 clicks ![]()
The Democratic Daily - Thu 1:26 p.m. - 2 clicks ![]()
Last Thursday I appeared on NPR's News & Notes hosted by Farai Chideya taped live at NPR Wesrt stuidios in Culver Citym CA. Interestingly, they had webcam recording everything, so the video of most of my appearance is now available online . ...
The Mad Professah Lectures - Thu 1:26 p.m. - 17 clicks ![]()
See a revised (better) version of this post at Speak Out California I want to caution about the use of the word "they" in current policy debates. How we understand a problem has huge implications... ...
Seeing the Forest - Thu 1:26 p.m. - 2 clicks ![]()
By Anthony Wright Executive Director of Health Access California As the various caucuses at the U.S. House of Representatives make their decisions, California is showing a lot of leadership, and is poised to show more leadership on health care California Congresswoman Lynn Woolsey maintains her position as co-chair of the......
California Progress Report - Thu 1:25 p.m. - 15 clicks ![]()
By David Dayen d-day This is a very big deal. Henry Waxman has been nominated by the House's Steering Committee to be the head of the House panel on Energy and Commerce, ahead of longtime chair John Dingell. The implications for such a change would be huge, but it's......
California Progress Report - Thu 1:25 p.m. - 13 clicks ![]()
By Paul Hogarth Yesterday, the California Supreme Court announced it would take up the legal challenges to Proposition 8. But while lawyers debate the future of marriage equality, activists are planning next steps regardless of the outcome. There’s a lot of grass-roots energy emanating from the recent protests, and......
California Progress Report - Thu 1:25 p.m. - 7 clicks ![]()
By Robert Cruickshank In the days after Proposition 8's passage, much was made of a CNN Exit Poll showing 70% of African Americans voted for Prop 8. That poll had a number of problems including a small sample size. But the damage had been done, and it soon became conventional......
California Progress Report - Thu 1:25 p.m.
By Richard Holober Executive Director Consumer Federation of California Exxon Mobil, Shell, Chevron and Occidental Petroleum combined reported record profits of $36 billion for the third quarter of 2008. That’s $400 million in profits every day, seven days a week. Those four oil giants extract over 70% of the......
California Progress Report - Thu 1:25 p.m. - 16 clicks ![]()
The only thing Still President Bush has succeeded at is assuring his place as the worst American President ever. Not content with destroying the economy (even if you still have a job, take a look at your 401K), starting and failing to finish two wars (Iraq and Afghanistan), leading a thoroughly corrupt administration (Alberto Gonzalez [...]...
California League of Conservation Voters - Thu 1:25 p.m. - 2 clicks ![]()
Agitprop - Thu 1:25 p.m. - 2 clicks ![]()
The San Francisco Chronicle has an interesting front-page article in today's paper trying to read between the lines in Wednesday's California Supreme Court decision to hear the lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of Proposition 8 . The meatof the story concentrates on Justice Joyce L. Kennard, who voted with the 4-3 majority in the case legalizing marriage equality, but who (surprising...
The Mad Professah Lectures - Thu 10:52 a.m. - 17 clicks ![]()
Fiction Peter Matthiessen, Shadow Country Nonfictio n Annette Gordon-Reed, The Hemingses of Monticello: An American Family Poetry Mark Doty, Fire to Fire: New and Collected Poems Young People's Literature Judy Blundell, What I Saw and How I Lied ...
Nite Swimming - Thu 10:09 a.m.
Down With Tyranny - Thu 9:11 a.m. - 16 clicks ![]()
Down With Tyranny - Thu 9:11 a.m. - 49 clicks ![]()
Waxman, the bulldog extraordinaire, in a secret vote has won the chair for the Energy and Commerce Committee this morning, per Politico. I do heart Henry Waxman. Not only is he left of the center on many things, he is an environmentalist and he takes no prisoners on his current committee, the House Oversight and Reform Committee. This move shakes up the old boys network of awarding Chair...
My Right to be Left - Thu 8:23 a.m. - 13 clicks ![]()
D-Day - Thu 8:22 a.m. - 15 clicks ![]()
D-Day - Thu 8:22 a.m. - 13 clicks ![]()
D-Day - Thu 8:01 a.m. - 10 clicks ![]()
By State Senator Sheila Kuehl Regarding SB 840.... Senator Mark Leno will be introducing SB 840 (or whatever number may be assigned) in the next legislative session (January 2009). If you received updates regarding SB 840 from me, you will, in the future, receive the updates from Senator Leno.......
California Progress Report - Thu 5:44 a.m. - 13 clicks ![]()
California Progress Report - Thu 5:28 a.m. - 19 clicks ![]()
California Progress Report - Thu 5:28 a.m. - 12 clicks ![]()
California Progress Report - Thu 5:28 a.m. - 6 clicks ![]()
D-Day - Thu 4:00 a.m. - 5 clicks ![]()
How We Blew It California's Prop 8 Defeat A Bungled Campaign, A Call for Change, The 'Ick' Factor, and Historical Inevitability By Terry Leftgoff Last night I attended a meeting in to hear some of the leaders of the losing No on Prop 8 campaign discuss why they thought we lost. I found myself strongly disagreeing with their assessment. I also found myself in excellent company among the many...
The Mad Professah Lectures - Thu 3:31 a.m. - 13 clicks ![]()
Down With Tyranny - Wed 10:09 p.m. - 41 clicks ![]()
Down With Tyranny - Wed 9:20 p.m. - 52 clicks ![]()
Down With Tyranny - Wed 9:20 p.m. - 6 clicks ![]()
Sacramento For Democracy - Wed 7:02 p.m. - 7 clicks ![]()
by Anna Daniels / Wednesday, November 19, 2008 8:40 AM Here is the email I sent to all the City Councilmembers and the Mayor today: I know you all want to find a way to support libraries and park & rec. This requires the following: Time for review and discussion The mayor threw out [...]...
OB Rag - Wed 7:02 p.m. - 2 clicks ![]()
Ocean Beach residents demonstrate in support of keeping the libraries open -- foot of Newport Ave. --------- Nov. 15, 2008 (photo: Patty Jones/OB Rag Friends of OB Library Present Petitions With 1200 Signatures Against Its Closure SAN DIEGO, CA. Late this afternoon, the San Diego City Council delayed any decision on Mayor Jerry Sander’s budget cutting proposals [...]...
OB Rag - Wed 7:02 p.m. - 12 clicks ![]()
by Dave I’ve seen more sides of this ‘mortgage meltdown’ than most - real estate agent, mortgage broker, property owner, investor, forclosee, community preservation panelist, credit union asset liquidation manager. Therefore, I feel like I’ve got a little bit to say about our current mess, so I’d like to provide a little enlightenment from a [...]...
OB Rag - Wed 7:02 p.m.
OCEAN BEACH, CA. The organizers of the resistance to the proposed closure of the Ocean Beach Library have counted 1,000 signatures on their Petition to oppose its closure. OB residents and supporters of Libraries and Rec Centers everywhere are being asked to attend today’s City Council Hearing from 2 to 5 pm, on the 12th [...]...
OB Rag - Wed 7:02 p.m.
DailyKos (California) - Wed 7:01 p.m. - 14 clicks ![]()
Waxman! Today, the House Steering Committee voted 25-22 endorsing Los Angeles Congressman Henry Waxman to become the chair of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, which has been chaired by Congressman John Dingell for 28 years. Dingell, who is from Michigan, has been a big defender of the Auto Industry and has time and again [...]...
California League of Conservation Voters - Wed 7:01 p.m. - 13 clicks ![]()
San Francisco – The California Supreme Court today denied requests to stay the enforcement or implementation of Proposition 8, and at the same time agreed to decide several issues arising out of the passage of Proposition 8. The court’s order, issued in the first three cases that had been filed directly in the state’s highest court challenging the validity of Proposition 8, directed the parties ...
The Mad Professah Lectures - Wed 5:12 p.m. - 12 clicks ![]()
Proposition 8 was a "vote of the people," but at issue before the California Supreme Court is the question of whether the people can amend the State Constitution to take away fundamental rights. According to the Los Angeles Times, justices are feeling pressure from all sides, with socially conservative groups threatening recalls. Governor Schwarzenegger, for his part, has weighed in on ...
California Majority Report - Wed 5:11 p.m. - 5 clicks ![]()
By a close 25-22 vote, the House Democratic Steering and Policy panel voted today to oust Michigan Rep. John Dingell as chair of the House Energy and Commerce Committee and replace him with California Rep. Henry Waxman. Tomorrow, the entire House Democratic caucus votes to uphold or reject the recommendation. If this move stands, chalk it up as a win for California and a win for the environment...
California Majority Report - Wed 5:11 p.m. - 6 clicks ![]()
The nation of Nepal will probably be enacting full equality for LGBT citizens before the United States. That nation's highest court just issued a ruling similar to California's In Re Marriage Cases which declares that laws that discriminate based on sexual orientation (and gender identity) violate the constitution. It reiterates that all LGBTIs are defined as a "natural person" and t...
The Mad Professah Lectures - Wed 4:26 p.m. - 12 clicks ![]()
Everyone should read Oliver Willis every day because I said so. ...
Seeing the Forest - Wed 4:26 p.m.
We get health insurance through my wife's job. They pay hers, I have to pay for mine. MY share has been a little over $600 a month. It just jumped to $850, and she now has to pay $75. So we went... ...
Seeing the Forest - Wed 4:26 p.m.
You should all read Taylor Marsh every day because I said so. ...
Seeing the Forest - Wed 4:26 p.m.
Cable news channels are filled with people with not enough information trying to fill up a whole lot of time. Basically they don't have much to say. Why does anyone watch this stuff? ...
Seeing the Forest - Wed 4:26 p.m.
Down With Tyranny - Wed 2:47 p.m. - 39 clicks ![]()
Down With Tyranny - Wed 2:28 p.m. - 46 clicks ![]()
D-Day - Wed 2:28 p.m. - 2 clicks ![]()
D-Day - Wed 2:28 p.m. - 2 clicks ![]()
D-Day - Wed 2:28 p.m. - 14 clicks ![]()
Calitics - Wed 1:07 p.m. - 12 clicks ![]()
Agitprop - Wed 12:07 p.m. - 4 clicks ![]()
The Democratic Daily - Wed 11:32 a.m. - 29 clicks ![]()
"...it’s an astounding insult to the national interest that this public crackpot remains in print, at the very top of our “press corps.” Has any “journalist” ever conducted such an extended, transparent breakdown? The lady has compared the last two Democratic nominees to the haughty Mr. Darcy, whose pride initially kept him from appreciating the wonders of the witty Miss Elizabeth Bennet. ... But...
Nite Swimming - Wed 11:31 a.m. - 14 clicks ![]()
McClintock shows a slight gain in votes and is now 592 ahead of Brown. Meanwhile on Capitol Hill: Tom McClintock and Charlie Brown are staying at the same Hyatt Regency on Capitol Hill, where they first bumped into each other Sunday night. They've toured the Capitol together. They've dined together at the Library of Congress. And tonight the two men and their wives will attend a reception for ...
Nite Swimming - Wed 11:31 a.m. - 3 clicks ![]()
According to Robert Reich , $300 Billion has been spent and went to: What happened to all the money? About a third has gone into dividends the banks are paying their shareholders. Some of the rest into executive salaries and bonuses. Another portion toward acquisitions designed to raise share values. Another chunk for bailing out giant insurer, AIG. That's not what taxpayers bargained for. ...
My Right to be Left - Wed 11:31 a.m. - 2 clicks ![]()
DCist reports that my house has no gas: In case you missed this morning’s Alert DC notice, Washington Gas reported that gas service has been interrupted to some 400 homes in the Shaw neighborhood as of just after 8 a.m. Not great timing, considering the recent cold snap. The outage was reportedly caused by a Washington Gas [...]...
Matt Ortega - Wed 11:31 a.m. - 2 clicks ![]()
DailyKos (California) - Wed 11:31 a.m. - 14 clicks ![]()
DailyKos (California) - Wed 11:31 a.m. - 22 clicks ![]()
The Obama-Biden Administration Transition website at change.gov has been updated with the officials goals of President Obama in the area of LGBT equal rights : Expand Hate Crimes Statutes : In 2004, crimes against LGBT Americans constituted the third-highest category of hate crime reported and made up more than 15 percent of such crimes. Barack Obama cosponsored legislation that wou...
The Mad Professah Lectures - Wed 9:47 a.m. - 3 clicks ![]()
California Progress Report - Wed 9:26 a.m. - 16 clicks ![]()
California Progress Report - Wed 8:40 a.m. - 9 clicks ![]()
California Progress Report - Wed 8:40 a.m. - 11 clicks ![]()
California Progress Report - Wed 8:40 a.m. - 12 clicks ![]()
California Progress Report - Wed 8:40 a.m. - 11 clicks ![]()
People's Vanguard of Davis - Wed 6:25 a.m. - 16 clicks ![]()
People's Vanguard of Davis - Wed 6:25 a.m. - 9 clicks ![]()
Calitics - Wed 3:47 a.m. - 3 clicks ![]()
Happening-Here - Wed 12:44 a.m. - 15 clicks ![]()
California Progress Report - Wed 12:44 a.m. - 14 clicks ![]()
DailyKos (California) - Tue 11:40 p.m. - 13 clicks ![]()
One of the features of living in Los Angeles is having access to KCRW 89.9 FM , one of the largest NPR affiliates in the country and an amazing source of cutting-edge music. I have been listening to the station constantly since 1994 and usually will stream it live online when travelling, even when in other countries! It has just been announced that the new KCRW Music Director will be ...
The Mad Professah Lectures - Tue 10:24 p.m. - 12 clicks ![]()
We are doing some post-election work at the Election Protection Wiki, which is online at http://epwiki.org The election is over but the election problems will return unless the system is reformed.... ...
Seeing the Forest - Tue 10:02 p.m.