Marine Finds Unlikely Reinforcements Online:
Nerds

John Hodgman was right. It's the revenge of the nerds in America right now. These past few years we've seen self-proclaimed, highly-influential nerds using the power of online technology to play a huge role in driving public policy, political campaigns and organizing grassroots engagement. In the 2008 presidential campaign both McCain and Obama harnessed the power of new media to address voters, raise millions and rally their supporters. And just in the last two weeks, Twitter is revolutionizing the way protests are coordinated and communicated in Iran.

But social networking isn't just for electoral battles. It's transforming the way communities organize for the public good. And now, nerds--and I say that with the utmost respect-- are changing the lives of thousands of soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines. Case in point, Rey Leal, an Iraq veteran, found his community online and began his journey home from war:

Rey served in Fallujah during some of the heaviest fighting, earning a Bronze Star with valor as a Private First Class, an almost unheard of accomplishment for a Marine of his rank. When he was discharged in February 2008, Rey looked forward to returning to Texas to begin a new chapter with his wife and infant son. Unfortunately, Rey's transition home from combat was far from easy. He struggled with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and spent months trying to deal with his symptoms, including severe depression and insomnia. His marriage at a breaking point, Rey sought treatment.

Yet, instead of having resources at his fingertips, his closest VA hospital was over five hours away. And at his nearest outpatient clinic, there was just one psychologist, taking appointments only two days a week. It wasn't until Rey saw IAVA's "Alone" Public Service Announcement on TV that his transitional journey began.

He decided to check out the website, CommunityofVeterans.org--a social network exclusively for Iraq and Afghanistan veterans. The first of its kind, the website is the lynchpin of a new national outreach campaign to ease the transition for vets returning home from combat.

Immediately, Rey found a community on CommunityofVeterans.org. Thousands of other veterans were inside. For the first time since returning home, Rey started to feel like he wasn't operating in a silo with unique issues, but could share them with his peers, many of whom were all tackling the same issues he was.

According to Rey, "I honestly didn't find help until I learned of IAVA and Community of Veterans. This made me realize that I wasn't alone in my struggle. I felt I could talk to these strangers about my problems on COV and for some reason they wouldn't judge me. I knew they understood."

Rey told his story to other veterans through IAVA's social networking tools and Monday, I shared his journey with a much wider audience --again with a little help from technology. I was at the Personal Democracy Forum (PdF) in New York City to present IAVA's groundbreaking new social networking site with Craigslist Founder Craig Newmark and Ning CEO Gina Bianchini. For those of you who don't know, the PdF is the world's largest conference on technology and politics. Everyone from Mayor Michael Bloomberg to Ana Marie Cox have come together to explore how technology is transforming politics, democracy and society.

But Communityofveterans.org isn't just a tech phenomenon--it's a movement that is literally saving lives. And for that, we have online technology (and countless nerds) to thank.

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FORA.tv - Jeff Halper: Countdown to Apartheid in
Israel

FORA.tv - Jeff Halper: Countdown to Apartheid in IsraelThe Israeli-Palestinian conflict is an issue that has divided opinions since the state of Israel was formed in 1948. What are the obstacles to achieving peace in the Middle East? Dr. Jeff Halper is[...]

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http://cat008.blogspot.com/2009/07/foratv-jeff-halper-countdown-to.html

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Bye-Bye Ali Frick.

ThinkProgress recently bid farewell to our dear friend and colleague, Ali Frick. For nearly two years, Ali passionately devoted her energy to delivering consistently interesting, insightful, and high-quality posts for ThinkProgress. Around the office, she was always brimming with exuberance, driven in equal parts by her strong desire for progressive reform and her anger at right-wing distortions and lies. A look at some of her greatest hits:

Right-Wing Apoplectic Over Pixar?s WALL-E: ?Malthusian Fear Mongering,? ?Fascistic Elements? [Link]

REPORT: Why Bush?s ?Enhanced Interrogation? Program Failed [Link]

McCain Takes Bold Stance On Torture: ?We Cannot Ever Torture Any American? [Link]

Freshman Rep. Cao: ?I Hope That The GOP Will Not Tolerate? Extreme Anti-Immigrant Rhetoric [Link]

?El Rushbo? Endorses Himself For President: I Have ?The Qualifications? As Clinton?s ?Real Co-President? [Link]

Chris Matthews Stumps Right-Wing Radio Host: ?Tell Me What Chamberlain Did?? ?I Don?t Know? [Link]

O?Reilly creates a ninth day of Hanukkah. [Link]

G. Gordon Liddy On Sotomayor: ?Let?s Hope That The Key Conferences Aren?t When She?s Menstruating? [Link]

Rep. Culberson Offers Incoherent And Illogical Stance On Gay Marriage [Link]

Ali will be attending Yale Law School in the fall. We wish her the best of luck in the next chapter of her life. She?ll always be (the most spirited) part of our team.

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Happy Second of July!!A Big Fat Slob

It is July 2, which means it is time for my annual tilt against the History you learnt. This may be news to those of you not history majors (or my children, who had to listen to the story every year for the last couple of decades)-- but, the Continental[...]

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http://www.abigfatslob.com/2009/07/happy-second-of-july.html

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Charlie Rangel Calls Drug Companies Thieves

The serious side: Charlie Rangel was interviewed about health care reform by MSNBC and said:

"Everyone knows that people around the table are stealing, but they don't want to turn each other in if they're going to have to pay the full penalty," said Rep. Charles Rangel, chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee.

Asked in an interview on MSNBC what he meant by stealing, the New York Democrat replied, "I mean stealing."

He later specified big pharma as an example. 

Now, the Congressman is right. The thievery of big phrarma knows no bounds. And before you talk about how they need to cover drug development costs, tell me about it AFTER you list out the multi-million dollar expenditures on the execs, boards, advertising campaigns and especially how much they spend developing drugs for "conditions" that didn't exist until there was a drug created for them. 

However, I can't resist the associated snark. And I apologize in advance. It's all in how you define "theft." If you don't pay your taxes, is that "stealing" from the Federal government, or just gaming the system? What about unpaid parking tickets? Pots and kettles. 

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North Korea Ups the Ante With Latest Missile
Launch

Because we don't have anything else to worry about, right?

SEOUL (Reuters) - North Korea test-fired two short-range missiles on Thursday, further stoking tension in the region that was already high due to Pyongyang's nuclear test and threats to boost its nuclear arsenal in response to U.N. sanctions.

North Korea fired two surface-to-ship missiles off its east coast that flew about 100 km (60 miles) and splashed into the sea, a South Korean defense official said.

A South Korean daily said that the secretive North may also test fire mid-range missiles in a matter of days.

Washington said this week it had tightened its crackdown on firms linked to the North's lucrative proliferation of missiles, a major source of cash for the destitute state, and has sent the U.S. point man for sanctions to Asia for discussions.

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Tomorrow on DWT: Noah reflects on the life and
career of Michael Jackson, and what's been missing from the media hoopla

video details and more



Surely you weren't expecting me (Ken, that is) to have anything useful to say on the subject?

As a matter of fact, though, a couple of years ago I found myself watching some sort of TV entertainment retrospective at the home of some friends, and on came an early Jackson Five clip, and there smiling broadly and singing and above all moving all over that damned stage was this amazing little kid. I didn't know until I was told who the little kid was, but I knew that whoever he was, he was riveting. You just couldn't not keep your eyes glued to him. Some kinds of talent work that way: They're explosive and instantly and universally recognizable, and it doesn't matter that you can't explain the what or why.

I think anyone who cares about MJ and (especially) his music will be fascinated by Noah's reflections, including a terrific bit of personal witness from a crucial point in Michael's career. It'll be our 6am (PT) post in the morning. -- Ken
#


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http://downwithtyranny.blogspot.com/2009/07/tomorrow-on-dwt-noah-reflects-on-life
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New Dem health plan costs less, covers more --
and has a public option

This is going to make some Republican (and conservadem) heads explode:

WASHINGTON — Democrats on a key Senate Committee outlined a revised and far less costly health care plan Wednesday night that includes a government-run insurance option and an annual fee on employers who do not offer coverage to their workers.

The plan carries a 10-year price tag of slightly over $600 billion, and would lead toward an estimated 97 percent of all Americans having coverage, according to the Congressional Budget Office, Sens. Edward M. Kennedy and Chris Dodd said in a letter to other members of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee. The AP obtained a copy.

The key thing to remember is that last time around, we were looking at a $1 trillion price tag over 10 years -- and millions without coverage.

This time we're looking at $600 billion over 10 years and 97% coverage.

What changed?

Two things. First, now the plan includes a public option, which is a far more cost effective way of expanding coverage than only subsidizing private insurance. Second, it contains a funding mechanism requiring employers who do not provide health insurance to pay an annual fee for each uncovered employee. Small businesses would be exempt from this fee.

Politically, this puts Republicans and Democratic opponents of the public option in a terrible position. They can't argue that the public option is too expensive. And they can't argue that it won't lower costs and expand coverage.

The only argument they have left is that private insurers won't be happy with the public option. To the extent that argument sways opinion, it will sway opinion in our direction.

::

Update (8:20AM) -- President Obama's comments on the new HELP legislation:

Statement by the President on Health Care Reform Bill Released by Senate HELP Committee Today

For decades, Washington has failed to act as health care costs continued to rise, crushing businesses, families and placing an unsustainable burden on governments. Today the Senate HELP committee has produced legislation that lowers costs, protects choice of doctors and plans and assures quality and affordable health care for Americans. The Congressional Budget Office has now issued a more complete review of this bill, concluding that it will cost less and cover more Americans than originally estimated.  It also contains provisions that will protect the coverage Americans get at work. When merged with the Senate Finance Committee’s companion pieces, the Senate will be prepared to vote for health reform legislation that does not add to the deficit,  reduces health care costs and covers 97% of Americans.  

The HELP Committee legislation reflects many of the principles I’ve laid out, such as reforms that will prohibit insurance companies from refusing coverage for people with pre-existing conditions and the concept of  insurance exchanges where individuals can find affordable coverage if they lose their jobs, move or get sick. Such a marketplace would allow families and some small businesses the benefit of one-stop-shopping for their health care coverage and enable them to compare price and quality and pick the plan that best suits their needs.

Among the choices that would be available in the exchange would be a public health insurance option. The public option would make health care affordable by increasing competition, providing more choices and keeping the insurance companies honest.

The legislation also improves the quality of patient care, improves safety for patients and strengthens the commitment to preventive health care – preventing people from getting sick in the first place.

I thank chairman Kennedy, Senator Dodd, and all the members of the HELP Committee for their hard work on health reform.

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Why Those Iran Protests Stopped When Michael
Jackson Died

"Mayakovsky Tree, did the protests in Iran stop because Michael Jackson still had a faithful punchbowl and his boiler was warm?"

The Mayakovsky Tree swayed at the trunk. His limbs rushed to the north like a tick fastened to the ear.

He planted a steel foot in the steam age and reclined in his idleness.

"I am large, like a girl with a bouncing ball," the Mayakovsky Tree said.

"Iran's Basij militia found Michael Jackson in his bedroom, and he wasn't breathing," I said. "He was still warm and had a punchbowl."

"Lickspittles with fountain pens compose romances for you on Headline News, where whores and hooligans walk, Shimmy."

"According to the Basij militia, Michael Jackson supervised or assisted punishable actresses in many aristocracies," I said.

A squirrel made its way up the Mayakovsky Tree, scratching its syphilitic claws along his trunk.

"Mayakovsky Tree, whether Michael Jackson wanted to or not, he brought pessimism into the publicity spike."

A hammer banged on the back porch. I hid underneath the ottoman.

"Shimmy, it's been nearly a week since U.S. troops pulled out of Iraq's major cities, and Michael Jackson still hasn't been buried."

"New compliments have arisen over Michael Jackson's vast esteem," I said. The ottoman comes with a padded top, and its underside makes me drowsy.

"Nouri al-Maliki took control of security in Iraq's urban areas, blushing like a grand piano after Michael Jackson died. Yet we don't have enough pockets to stuff our safes, Shimmy!"


Read The Full Article:
http://shimmykat.blogspot.com/2009/07/those-iran-protests-stopped-when.html

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A Whole Lot of Sparkin' Goin' On

We were discussing in the office yesterday who should play Mark Sanford in the movie. Kevin Costner? Mark Harmon? But that was before we saw Andy Cobb play the role. He's a dead ringer for Sanford.[...]

Read The Full Article:
http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/Talking-Points-Memo/~3/cM4ZkFKpl4c/a_whole_lot_of_
sparkin_goin_on.php

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