Newsworthy Notes from the Blogosphere
Hey, Look at This! Gordon Fischer has a Blog!
Gordon, you sly dog, why didn't you mention this when you wrote me the other day? Gordon Fischer, former head of the Iowa Democratic Party, says of his new blog, Iowa True Blue:
One of the principles guiding this Blog is the concept of personal responsibility.For Iowa's public servants, that means being accountable for their
votes, the contributions they receive, and the leadership they choose.
On the topic of Congressman Tom Delay, Iowa Republicans appear to have
a great deal of explaining to do.
Couldn't agree more, Gordon. Without accountability, we've got NOTHING.
So, if
you're into Iowa politics (and why are you reading Blog for Iowa if you're not?), definitely check out Iowa True Blue.
It ought to be a good read. And I love that great graphic
depiction of Ol' Gordo! (pictured above on the right) Nice start, Gordon!
And speaking of accountability . . . From Sirotablog, 7.28.05
by David Sirota
Pelosi Demands Accountability from the “CAFTA 15”
Roll
Call has a new report up about House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D)
holding an emergency meeting of the House Democratic Steering Committee
tonight to discuss formal sanctions against the 15 Democrats who sold
out their party and voted for the corporate-written Central American
Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA). Pelosi raised “the likelihood that
defectors' committee assignments would be reviewed at tonight’s meeting
of the Steering Committee.” That's absolutely necessary – why should
Democrats who undermine their party be given plum committee assignments
over other, far more loyal and principled Democrats? Pelosi should be
commended for her courage – and now she needs to back up her words with
action.
The
story goes on to note that “Several Democratic sources said Pelosi and
other House leaders are particularly upset with New York Reps. Greg
Meeks and Ed Towns, members of exclusive committees with safe seats,
who voted for CAFTA.”
Meeks
had the nerve to say that he “voted my conscience” on CAFTA, despite
his long history of selling off his votes on trade to the highest
corporate bidder.
From Yellow Dog Blog, 7.29.05
by Bob Geiger
And for MORE Democratic Straight Talk . . .
Democrat
Paul Hackett, an Iraq war veteran who is running for Congress in Ohio's
second district – the election is Tuesday – appeared on “Hardball” with
Chris Matthews last night. Hackett appears to be following some
of DNC Chairman Howard Dean's lead, giving straight answers and
refusing to back down from his criticism of [George W. Bush] and
calling Bush a “chicken hawk.”
Here are excerpts:
MATTHEWS: What is a chicken hawk?
HACKETT:
Chicken hawk is somebody who is not willing to fight the fight of their
age, their generation, and speaks brashly and with unnecessary bravado
when they're sending other kids and other sons and daughters, other
folks' sons and daughters, off to war.
It is —
encompasses language like, bring it on. It encompasses language like,
you're with us or you're against us and we're going to take it to you.
And I think that's dangerous. And I've got to tell you, you know, when
we're over there fighting in Iraq, Marines and soldiers, and we hear
language like, bring it on coming from the Oval Office, that's a
danger. We don't need that. That's encouraging an…
MATTHEWS: Paul, why did you call [Bush] — why did you call [Bush], whose office you respect, a chicken hawk?
HACKETT:
I respect the office of the president of the United States. I said
those words. I meant them. I stand by them. I would say them again.
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