I belong to political groups from across the political spectrum, if only so I can keep on top of what everybody is up to. One of the groups I'm a member of is MoveOn.org which is one of the largest and most powerful lefty organizations around. Today I received a request from them to donate money to a campaign to destroy the Senator who represents our neighbors in Connecticut - Joe Lieberman. Although technically an independent, Lieberman is part of the Democrat caucus and has all the rights and privileges of a full-fledged Democrat. Why is MoveOn.org raising money to attack one of their own? Here's what it says in the email they sent me:
First, Joe Lieberman helped President Bush invade Iraq, and the Democrats in Washington forgave him. Then, he endorsed John McCain, and they forgave him again. Then, he personally attacked Barack Obama at the Republican National Convention, and still the Democrats forgave him.
Now, Joe Lieberman is single-handedly gutting health care reform. The time for forgiveness is over. It's time to hold Senator Lieberman accountable.
First, we're going to launch a huge ad campaign to make sure every last Connecticut voter knows that Senator Lieberman is blocking strong reforms. Then, we'll push Senate leaders to strip him of his chairmanship and seniority. Finally, we'll work to defeat him in his next election.
Our goal is to raise $400,000 in the next 24 hours, to send a deafeningly loud message that we've had enough of Joe Lieberman. That'll take at least 9 donations from Amherst—can you chip in $5?
Oh my, what a turn of events! With the Obama Administration less than a year old the Democrats are already at each other's throats, with litmus tests and banishment into political exile for those who don't pass. Ten months ago Democrats were talking about a new renaissance of the Left, but with the Bush foreign policy now fully endorsed by Obama in his Nobel Prize speech, the economy in shambles and an electoral bloodbath shaping up for the Democrats next year, instead of a renaissance the American Left appears to be entering the era of its final collapse.
Bill of Rights Day
Today is Bill of Rights Day, as officially declared by Congress in 1941. Sadly, surveys show that most people are very ignorant about the Bill of Rights. An American Bar Association poll showed that only 33% of Americans even know what the Bill of Rights is and 70% couldn't say what the First Amendment protects. Great job, government schools! For those who don't know, this is the Bill of Rights:
1. Freedom of religion, freedom of speech, freedom of the press, right to assemble peaceably, right to petition the government about grievances.
2. Right to keep and bear arms.
3. Citizens do not have to quarter soldiers during peacetime.
4. No unreasonable searches and seizures.
5. Rights of the accused.
6. Right to a fair trial.
7. Right to a trial by jury in civil cases also.
8. No cruel and unusual punishments.
9. Unenumerated rights go to the people.
10. Reserves all powers not given to the national government to the states or the people.
As you can see, one of the rights guaranteed in the Bill of Rights is freedom of religion. But is the Christmas tree and Chanuka lights in Northampton's Pulaski Park a proper expression of that right?
Amherst too has a Chanuka display.
Most of us think that it's okay for Christians and Jews to put up these displays, but what if Muslims wanted to put up a display honoring Islam?
Or what if atheists wanted to put up a banner reading THERE IS NO GOD across Pulaski Park or the Amherst Common? Is that cool? Why do we put religious displays in public places anyway? It's not as if there are no displays on private property, in fact nearly every storefront in downtown Hamp has a Christmas theme.
Chestnuts roasting on the cathode ray tube.
So why do we need religious displays on public property? What sort of God needs that kind of homage anyway? God is everywhere, and doesn't need to be put on display in the public square. The best way to respect the religious rights of all people is to show favoritism to none and do nothing that appears to publicly endorse one religion over another - or any religion at all. Atheists have rights too! Next year, for God's sake let's do the enlightened thing and discontinue these religious displays on public property.
Political People
Neal challenger Dr. Jay Fleitman greets his female fans at a Springfield fundraiser last weekend.
Neal challenger Tom Wesley campaigning last night at a Holyoke American Legion.
Photo of Northampton City Councilor Jesse Adams by Bill Dwight.
Around Amherst
Looking out of Starbucks with a snowflake sticker on the window.
Captain Candy has moved in where the Gypsy Dog Gallery used to be. Sure to be a hit with the after-school crowd.
On the wall outside Raos Coffee Shop.
Today's Music Video
Trevor Hall may be the latest psychedelic reggae-jamband sensation, but babies get down to him too.
I hope I don't get death threats from the tribes for saying this, but I think most reggae is repetitious. I mean I like it, but it all sounds sorta the same to me, like a song that never ends. I never quite got the religious trip that goes along with it either, although all music that praises God has virtue. I guess it just takes a white kid from South Carolina getting painted by an elephant to make it fresh.
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