I think we all could use a bit of fun after the last few days. Trust me, this video, The aptly named "This Too Shall Pass" (which has totally won the internet today) might be the most fun you'll have all week. Enjoy.
Career Naval Officer and member of the House Armed Services Committee Eric Massa on the President's plan to send 30,000 more US troops to Afghanistan. It's defintely worth your time.
Whether you are deliriously happy, incredibly sad, or still uncertain about how you feel about what has emerged from the House this weekend, it's probably safe to say that one thing everyone is...is sick of the whole thing.
Of course, we're far from done-but just to give us all a break, I'm going to abruptly change the subject.
I have a Flip Video camera-which I am still getting used to-and last night we ran up the hill to Snoqualmie Pass, Washington, ostensibly to test the camera's low-light capabilities...but really so we could drive around in all the fresh new snow.
There's plenty of time to get back to the political wars in a bit; but for right now let's head up the mountain, see some cool stuff, talk about what the camera can-and can't-do, and, just for fun, we'll answer the age-old Seattle question: "how long does it take to find three places that sell espresso at the top of a mountain pass in the middle of nowhere?"
I like this ad because it gives you that personal side of a candidate while mixing in a strong policy issue (jobs) and that closing line ("right now, we need to fight for upstate New York") is a very good one.
In the video below, a woman who is need of health care reform speaks at a town hall meeting hosted by Sen. Tom Coburn (R-OK). Coburn, who is known for his anti-government sentiments (while being a member of government, oddly enough), listens to the woman and gives her the usual Republican line.
Since watching the video of the Oklahoma town hall I have forwarded it to thousands of people. Spreading the call for reform has never been simpler.
But by showing the video, we do much more than shine a light on the banality of health insurance evil, we also do our part to tip the narrative towards a more American set of values.
Until now, the health care debate has been pushed a larger story about "government run insurance will take away our freedom." The opponents of reform insist that a public option will lead to tyranny and the end of America. The tears in this video bring us to a new big picture: "Americans are not free so long as they can be deprived of care by a cruel industry." Those who advocate passionately for a public option can now insist with clear evidence that an America without health care reform is an America broken by fear.
One woman's tears and the courage to stand up and tell her story could give an opportunity to us all to push the kind of change this country so desperately needs. And all we need to do is show this video to everyone we know.
There is a Facebook group that Jeffrey started to rally around this video. Once you join (if you haven't already), invite your friends to join. We need to show that there are people out there who go to these town hall meetings with real stories and real problems with their current health insurance plan (or lack thereof).
Let's help get this video to the forefront of the debate. It highlights the need for changing a broken system and the response by Coburn shows the insensitivity Republicans show merely to hold the party line.
Watching this will not make you proud to be a New Yorker. Former Lt Gov, inventor of the "death panel" nonsense and long time professional liar extraordinaire Betsy McCaughey tries to bamboozle the Jon Stewart and the Daily Show crowd. The results are not pretty.
One of the more bizarre and rambling speeches we have seen in quite some time as Sarah Palin goes Galt. Let the waves of krazy wash over you as you try, and fail, to look away:
About an hour ago, Mike Kink, Policy Director and Special Counsel for the Senate Majority, tweeted that the Senate GOP caucus had yet to show up to start passing the budget bills.
Senate Minority has not yet shown up. 11:30....tick tick tick....two hours late....
Liz followed moments later with this post about the absence of Skelos' crew.
The Senate was supposed to be in session bright and early this morning (at 9:30 a.m.) to start passing budget bills. It's now 11:30 a.m. and the Democrats are all in place. The Republicans are nowhere to be seen.
The minority has been behind closed doors in a no-staff conference for hours now. There's no indication of when they might emerge and if they'll be ready to play budget ball at that time.
The Democrats have had enough, apparently. Travis Proulx, a spokesman for Senate Majority Leader Malcolm Smith just showed up at the door of the DN office and said:
"We're gaveling in, we've been waiting on the Republicans for two hours. It's up to them whether they want to show up."
In other words, the Democrats plan to start passing the budget without the minority in the chamber to debate the bills.
It's an odd way to legislate, some might say. If you wanted to see what this all looks like, take a look at this video from less than an hour ago of a half empty Senate chamber.
President Obama has just sent a brand new email to folks in the 20th urging them to get out and vote for Scott Murphy and even providing a polling place finder link. The message was sent to those residents of the 20th who are on the Organizing for America and DNC lists.
Tomorrow, Tuesday, is the day to vote in New York's 20th Congressional District special election, and I need you to go vote.
I wrote to you last week to announce my endorsement of Scott Murphy because we need his kind of leadership and experience in Washington. It's going to be a very close race, and your vote could make all the difference.
Our movement for change has come this far because supporters like you stood up and made your voices heard every time it mattered.
With Scott in Congress, we'll work together to bring about solutions to our economic challenges and create new jobs in Upstate New York and across the country.
Having created over 1,000 jobs by starting successful businesses in clean energy and high-tech industries, Scott understands the potential we have to rebuild our economy and create a new foundation for prosperity.
That's the kind of partner I need in Washington. Please look up your polling place and vote tomorrow:
On the same day that independent polling shows Jim Tedisco's once healthy lead has become a 4 point deficit, the NRCC has slammed the panic button hard. How can you tell? Because their latest ad is one full minute of 9/11 and Osama Bin laden. For real:
Nothing spells flopsweat more than dragging up Osama Bin Laden in the closing days of a campaign. It's quite obvious they are freaking the hell out.
SEIU launched a new TV spot in the NY-20 race today. I guess it shouldn't surprise anyone that they are working the Obama endorsement as well. Not sure of the points on the buy, but I have a feeling that plenty of people in the district will be seeing this ad as well as the DNC's "Obama Supports Murphy" ad over the final weekend of the race.
It looks as if our critiques of the Senate's "One New York" program have been heard. This edition, episode 3, is simply a much, much better product. Take a look.
Also, notice that they have apparently ditched Vimeo, a tool they obviously had no idea how to use, for YouTube, which is damn near idiot proof. A good move, I'd say.
D-trip is launching a new TV ad in the 20th CD special election this morning. It's called "File" and it doesn't pull any punches, taking Tedisco to task for failing to support middle class tax relief while supporting a mortgage executive pal convicted of fraud.
