Blogs

Dear J Street Member,

What happened to Joe Lieberman? He used to be a guy we could look up to: In his first campaign for public office, he ran on his anti-Vietnam war credentials. He broke barriers as the first Jew to run for Vice President in 2000.

But now, Lieberman has become the poster boy for Jewish leaders who trade away their progressive values in return for unquestioning support for Israel.

You may have noticed the recent belligerent back and forth between the Bush
Administration and the government of Iran. Unfortunately, Congress has now
joined the melee. Over 200 Representatives have co-sponsored a resolution
calling for a military blockade of Iran.

One group, TrueMajority is urging Congress to reject this effort to escalate
the war of words with Iran.

Send a message to your Representative against a blockade of Iran right now:

http://www.TrueMajority.org/NoBlockade

Thanks,

twineballsandy

I received this email this morning from MoveOn. They are trying to reach 500,000 signatures to present to the executives at FOX to insist that they stop smearing the Obamas. I have signed and would appreciate your company. Click on the link and share with your friends.

Sandy Tracy aka twineballsandy

https://pol.moveon.org/donate/foxsmears.html?rc=wexler2

Recently, the US government concluded that speculators are not to blame for the recent run-up in oil prices. However, serious doubt is cast on this "conclusion" when oil prices dropped nearly $11 per barrel in intra-day trading on July 15, 2008 after Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke. Clearly, this drop of 7% had more to do with the expected future demand (speculation) than it does with actual demand. Considering that fuel prices have risen by 35% in the past year it does not take a mathematical genius to figure out that the impact of speculation is significant.

It is quite frustrating to continually hear McCain-Bush call for increased oil drilling in environmentally sensitive areas. While this may sound good, increase supply should increase price, it will not work. The problem is that the amount of oil, in these areas is a small drop in the bucket. Oil prices are what they are because of the unrest in the Middle East, where the largest quantities of oil can be found. Since we can not come even close to supplying our own demand we will be dependent on that area for oil. Unless we completely end our dependence on oil!

There are still many who refuse to admit that global warming is happening. If that is so then why is it that every year the ice at the North Pole dwindles?

Once again the Bush-McCain team has come up with a short term solution that will do nothing to solve our high priced energy woes other than to fill the pockets of their friends.  While it sounds good to open up drilling in environmentally sensitive areas it will do little if nothing to fix the problem.
 

Regardless of how we feel about the war we must take the time to honor our troops. These are people who took an oath to defend this country and its interest. These are people who took an oath to follow the orders of their superior officers. It would be wrong to extend our anger of the Iraq war to those people who are fighting in it and it would be wrong to extend our anger towards those who fought in other foreign wars.

MN Governor Pawlenty recently showed some of his true “colors” when he vetoed legislation that would allow the paint companies to collect used paint from retail outlets.  Currently the counties of MN hold yearly collections for paint as it is considered a hazardous chemical and the bill is paid for using monies collected from property taxes.  

This November US citizens will not only be voting in a presidential election but they will also be taking part in a battle for or against diplomacy.  This fact was highlighted just recently when Obama spoke of Iran and other US adversaries and how he would talk to them without demanding that they meet “all” of the US’s demands.  McCain quickly attacked Obama for these statements claiming that he is “down playing” the threat posed by many of our adversaries.  Truth be told though, what is the harm in talking to your adversary.