Question of the Day -- Circular Firing Squad
Edition

post from My Left Wing - Front Page on 27 September 2007 01:23:50 PM. © My Left Wing - Front Page

Diane is taking a well-deserved break, and I can see no else is making with the question, so I'll take a stab at it. The only question I have on my mind, other than the greater workings of universe, pertains to the reason Diane is worn the fuck out. For the autocrats to the right of us, it's easy to form consensus. They don't tolerate dissent and unite themselves against some common enemy. As discussed here, there may be genuine cognitive differences between left and right wing people. We on the left appear much more likely to question and evaluate everything... including each other, it would seem. So my question for today is fairly simple. Is it possible for left wing groups to function as something other than a circular firing squad?

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Real Quick on Chris Dodd

post from The Washington Note on 27 September 2007 01:23:00 PM. © The Washington Note

A lot of folks out there think I'm a sucker for good email notes -- or very effective, personalized fundraising appeals like Hillary Clinton's invitation to all of us (including me) to possibly have lunch with her, after she...

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Senate passes hate crimes legislation

post from Daily Kos on 27 September 2007 01:18:03 PM. © Daily Kos

It's been a steady stream of bad news. But today, the Senate passed -- with a 60-vote ~~veto~~ filibuster-proof majority.

Reid:

The Matthew Shepard Local Law Enforcement Enhancement Act would strengthen the ability of federal, state, and local governments to investigate and prosecute hate crimes. This amendment would remove the current limitation on federal jurisdiction that allows federal involvement only in cases in which the assailant intended to prevent a victim from engaged in a 'federally protected activity,' such as voting. This amendment would expand the groups protected under current law to include all hate crimes – including those based on disability, gender, sexual orientation, and gender identity. And this amendment would provide the Department of Justice the authority to assist state and local jurisdictions in prosecuting violent hate crimes, or to take the lead in such prosecutions where local authorities are unwilling or unable to act.

Americablog has a partial list of the Republicans who voted with the Democratic majority:

John Warner
Richard Lugar
Susan Collins
Olympia Snowe
George Voinovich
Arlen Specter
Norm Coleman
Gordon Smith

Adulterer David Vitter and Larry "I'm still in the closet!" Craig voted "no". Of course.

Update: Here's the roll call. In addition to those listed above, Republican Judd Gregg also voted against it. His fellow Granite Stater, embattled Republican John Sununu, voted for hate. McCain wussed out and missed the vote.

As for the Democrats, every single one of them voted for the legislation, as did the chamber's two independents.

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Jenna on Iraq: Its complicated.

post from Think Progress on 27 September 2007 01:18:00 PM. © Think Progress

In her soon-to-be-aired interview with ABC’s Diane Sawyer, Jenna Bush is very forthcoming about her marriage plans and her fiancée Henry Hager. But she was far more circumspect about her views on Iraq:

“You know I’m not here to talk about that, but I’m also not a policymaker,” she told Sawyer in an interview to be aired by ABC News’ 20/20 . “It’s a really complicated, obviously a very complicated subject. Everybody can agree on that.”

She said she understood critics who argue that she and her twin sister, Barbara, should serve in Iraq. “Obviously I understand that question and see what the point of that question is for sure. I think there are many ways to serve your country,” she said.

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On her blog, Bruce attacked "the Soros Media
Gestapo, Media Matters"

post from Media Matters for America on 27 September 2007 01:16:06 PM. © Media Matters for America

In a September 26 entry on her blog, radio host Tammy Bruce previewed her appearance that evening on Fox News' The O'Reilly Factor by asserting, "Tonight on O'Reilly we'll be talking about the increasing attacks he's been under by the [George] Soros Media Gestapo, Media Matters. Once again, the left, via MM, has resorted to their default position in attempting to demonizing [sic] someone, specifically by calling [host Bill] O'Reilly a racist." Bruce, who has described[...]

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Reed Calls Bush SCHIP Veto Threat Spiteful

post from Kmareka.com on 27 September 2007 01:16:00 PM. © Kmareka.com

Jack Reed spoke on the floor of the Senate yesterday, calling for the President to support health insurance for children in the US. Behind him in the picture are John Kerry (D-MA) and Debbie Stabenow (D-MI). Floor Statement by U.S. Senator Jack Reed September 26, 2007 MR. REED: Thank you, Mr. President. Mr. [...]

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And Pedestrians

post from Eschaton on 27 September 2007 01:16:00 PM. © Eschaton

And, yes, pedestrians can be incredibly stupid, too.

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Explain Your SCHIP Vote to the Children.

post from Crooks and Liars on 27 September 2007 01:14:56 PM. © Crooks and Liars

Eeek, Mommy! He wants to take my health insurance!PBS Now: While 45 percent of all children in the United States are receiving some form of public medical assistance, nine million children are not covered by either public or private health care.Bush opposes SCHIP, which provides health insurance to children. Children. [...]

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BuzzFlash Mailbag for September 27, 2007

post from BuzzFlash.org - Progressive News and Commentary with an Attitude | Fight Ignorance: Read BuzzFlash on 27 September 2007 01:14:28 PM. © BuzzFlash.org - Progressive News and Commentary with an Attitude | Fight Ignorance: Read BuzzFlash

BUZZFLASH MAILBAG

Want to join the conversation? Share your thoughts with other Mailbag readers by clicking here.

Subject: ACLU

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What I've Learned: Long Panels Edition

I'm really much better at absorbing information through reading rather than listening. This becomes truer as the event becomes larger. It becomes staggeringly true if the event is taking place in a wirelessly equipped conference hall.[...]

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