No Chance of a Cease Fire? How about peace then?

As the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah enters a third week, Secretary of State Rice canceled her trip to Beirut today. The administration has parroted the same line since the start, that a cease fire would only delay the action not prevent it. And you know what, they're right. If we only broker a cease fire, it will only allow the two sides an opportunity to dig in and re-arm.

So why then aren't we pushing for a broader peace agreement? Yes Hezbollah will never agree to such a pact, but Lebanon and Syria may. If offered a chance at the funds from the West needed to rebuild it's country, and an offer of peace from Israel, Lebanon would certainly jump at such an offer. Syria as an relatively oil poor Arab nation also needs to strengthened ties with the West to survive economically. Syria is a secular Sunni nation, it's bedfellow Iran is a fundamentalist Shiite nation, that Syria must recognize will at some point look to remake in it's own image. The chance to re-ally itself with the Jordans and Turkeys and Egypts of the Arab world is an opportunity that Syria would be well advised to take. And as Libya illustrates, the US is willing to make friends with dictators, even ones who have sponsored terrorism against it.

What does this have to do with Hezbollah? Lebanon gives it refuge and it shred of legitimacy (remember Hezbollah hold a majority of seats in parliament there)while Syria provides the funding and funnels Iranian arms to it. If it loses these two key patrons it will find itself isolated from it's only remaining patron Iran.

So why aren't we proceeding with these talks? That's a question for the White House, but it is a question we need to start asking.

Disgruntled Republicans

With the price of gas now over three dollars a gallon, many Republicans are stepping back and reconsidering their party. Tonight I was talking with a friend of mine who so happens to be a disgruntled Republican. I thought it was rather interesting listening to his ideas on how the country should be ran. Interesting enough, his biggest complaint was about the issue of gay marriage. My friend stated, "you know, with the gas prices, war in Iraq, war in Lebanon, and the crisis with North Korea; the President of the United States decides that the issue most affecting us is gay marriage. I don't care if a man marries a man in Indianapolis, but I want a job and a comfortable life." He later went on to state, "with people my age being blown up, leaders of the party lying, and officials not listening, I will vote Democrat next election." Listening to his complaints, I could not help but think that this man is no different than myself. We may align ourselves with different colors and mascots, but in the end Republican or Democrat we all want the same things. Democrats have an unique opportunity to swing the country in a different direction this election year. After all, the Democratic Party is the party of the people. We Democrats in Cass County need to mobolize in mass. Not only do we need to target swing voters, but I believe that we need to target Republicans. A Democrat can win in Cass County, just look at our mayor in Logansport. Democrat or Republican, we are all Americans. Cass County can and will be a Democratic stronghold for years to come. All we have to do is work, work, work, and work some more. For now is the time to change the world!

"But history will judge you, and as the years pass, you will ultimately judge yourself, in the extent to which you have used your gifts and talents to lighten and enrich the lives of your fellow men. In your hands lies the future of your world and the fulfillment of the best qualities of your own spirit." Robert F. Kennedy

Ethics are for Others: BMV Strikes Back

Remember Mitch's pleas to government workers to report problems that go unresolved directly to him?

Yeah, not so much.

Karen Woods was fired Tuesday from the BMV the day after sending an email to the Governor's office detailing the failures of the new computer system at the bureau.

Interesting an accidental moment of truth occurred when the BMV spokesman, Greg Cook was asked if the firing was related to the email:

"I think it is," Cook said. "I don't know the specifics, but I think it is."

His Family Must Be So Proud.

Not just anybody gets to be GOP Crony of the week. Simple math will tell you that not everybody will get a turn, so for Chocola to be so honored... well he really must have worked hard to earn it. How hard? Well let's take a look at his accomplishments:

He voted against bonuses for Afghanistan and Iraq veterans (HR 3289)
He voted to cut student aid (S 1932)
He's voted with indicted former Congressman Tom DeLay 94% of the time. Including the time to ease House ethics rules to excuse some of DeLay's indiscretions.

Speaking of Tom DeLay:
He's taken $40,000 from DeLay's PAC
He's taken $6,000 from convicted former Congressman Randy Cunningham.
He's taken $8,000 from Congressman Bob Ney who has been implicated in the Abramoff scandal

So you have to ask yourself how well has Chris Chocola really represented his district? And considering he doesn't actually live in his district, does he care? Are these really the values of Cass County? Of Indiana? I hope not.

No Longer Fighting with One Hand Tied Behind His Back

Probably one of the more disappointing aspects of the 2004 elections was the failure of the DCCC to support Joe Donnelly in his race against Chris Chocola. The 2nd CD was drawn to be a fairly neutral district (the fact that there is argument as to which way it leans is a sign it is close to 50/50) and Chocola was facing re-election for the first time. Two of the ingredients that you look for in an upset, a third of course being money. With the DCCC sitting it out Joe was outspent 4 to 1 and faced a late TV onslaught that allowed Chocola to win by 9 points.

Thankfully this time Joe has been able to gain the support of the DCCC via the Red to Blue program. The program that provide financial and operational support to candidates is a strong sign that Joe is in position to beat Chocola this time. With the addition of Joe, this now makes three races in Indiana that will be watched nationally, and with a net change of only 15 seats to retake the House, shows that Indiana could well be the lynch pin in November.

Getting out the Vote

First Read: Voter turnout concern - First Read - MSNBC.com

This article is definitely worth a read. It gives a general outlook for voter turnout for the 2006 elections and outlines some challenges we'll face in getting out the vote as well as some things that work in our favor.

This is going to be an interesting year for Democrats. We're living in a time when people are becoming more and more frustrated with the divisions they're seeing on Capitol Hill. Previously hardcore Republicans are sneaking glances to the left, not necessarily looking to jump ship and swim over, but maybe just to see if someone on our boat would help their boat sail a bit more smoothly. Some Republican voters may be so disenchanted with their candidates that they simply choose to stay home on election day.

Meanwhile, a fire is being lit under the Democratic Party. In a time when the Republican Party feels like its walking uphill through wet sand, the Democratic Party is finding its feet and donning roller skates. People who have never been interested in politics before are beginning to pay more attention to the nightly news. Political blog readership is up. If this administration as done anything, it has certainly taught the average citizen that feces does indeed roll downhill. The public is awakening and unfortunately, its the fetid stench of corruption and disregard for public opinion that's acting as their alarm clock.

The iron is HOT and just begging to be struck.

It is this blogger's opinion that the heaviest and most shaping blows are going to be dealt by candidates who recognize the United States' global role but who emphasize domestic consequences of that role. Public opinion is shifting but its doing so on its axis. We are still concerned about Iraq, but unlike in previous years, the main concern is less that of liberation of oppressed and terroristic countries as it is the economic pinch that liberation is causing here at home and the loss of human life. We're still concerned about the monitoring and capture of terrorists, but while the fear of attack is still on people's minds, the fear of unwarranted domestic government snooping may be a more immediate concern for voters. Our schools are in trouble. In the past few years, this administration has wanted us to believe that the problem is one of simple inadequate scholastic achievement. The public is watching education budgets being eaten by projects our president must believe to be more important and they're wondering how exactly we're supposed to ensure that no child is left behind when some schools scarely have the funding to bus them to school in the first place.

We WILL be going door to door. We WILL be calling from our phone banks. We WILL be registering voters. But when we do, it is important that we tailor our efforts to address the issues our voters are demanding to have addressed.

We cannot let this year pass us by. A midterm election is a challenge. Getting out the vote requires that we fan the flames. I think we can do it!

Relaunch Coming Soon

I admit I've allowed this blog to collect dust for a little too long. By too long I mean about six months. My apologies (assuming there is anybody to apologies to) but the good news is that we'll be adding some new people to keep it going, and I will make a concerted effort to post more often.