Stem Cells and Church-States

Kathrine Harris is famous for her involvement with the disputed Presidential election of 2000 as the Secretary of State of Florida, but her notoriety - or some might say infamy - is not carrying her very far in her bid to unseat Senator Bill Nelson. Taking a page out of the Rove playbook, she is courting the right-wing fundamentalist Evangelical community.

In an interview with the Florida Baptist Witness, Harris claimed that the separation of church and state is a "lie we have been told" and that "God is the one who chooses our rulers."

She also claimed "..if you're not electing Christians, then in essence you are going to legislate sin," and "...if people aren't involved in helping godly men in getting elected than we’re going to have a nation of secular laws. That’s not what our founding fathers intended and that’s certainly isn't what God intended."

It seems she has a very narrow view of what it means to be a Christian by the policies she advocates for. Obviously this is why she felt the need - along with Congressman John "Miami Mob Boss" Sweeney and Governor Jeb "Jim Crow" Bush - to suppress the will of "average citizens who are not Christians, because they don’t know better" and ensure the selection of Dubya as President by the Supreme Court in 2000.

Bush made a similar statement with his use of the only veto in his entire time as President on a bill that would have expanded federal funding for medical research involving embryonic stem cells. This potentially life-saving research is supported by the majority of the scientific community, both houses of Congress, and the American public - but that isn't good enough for "the Decider," or apparently some of our local candidates for office.

The issue of stem cell research is not only a national one, as some states have stepped up to fill the funding void left by Bush's veto. At the Business and Professional Women's Candidate Forum in Plattsburgh on Thursday, Republicans Betty Little, and Janet Duprey, and even Democrat Kevin Nichols limited their support to adult stem cells - when even Republican Senate Majority Leader, and Doctor, Bill Frist has said, "embryonic stem cells uniquely hold specific promise ... that adult stem cells cannot provide."

During his rambling and unfocused performance at the August 24th forum, Nichols even went so far as to claim that embryonic stem cell research was some kind of scam - giving me one more reason to vote for Andrew Brockway for Assembly in the Democratic Primary on September 12. Andy voiced his strong objection to the President's veto and said he supports all stem cell research, noting even Nancy Reagan was a strong advocate for the research.

State Senate candidate Tim Merrick stated that officials attempting to hinder embryonic stem cell research where holding the religious objections of a few over the future of medicine and the will of the majority of Americans. As a Chiropractor he understands the strong potential benefits to those with spinal injuries.

"Local" Congressman John McHugh (NY23) joined Bush and Harris on the march toward theocracy by being one of the few in the House to vote against HR 810. Bob Johnson, the Democratic / Working Families candidate for New York's 23rd Congressional district, and a Doctor, had a different view on the issue.

With his vote on July 19 upholding President Bush’s first veto in five and a half years, Congressman John McHugh has denied federal funding for promising stem cell research that could help thousands of his constituents and millions of Americans who are afflicted with life threatening diseases. McHugh not only supported President Bush, whom he serves as a loyal foot soldier whenever his vote is needed, but he voted against the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act, that was passed by the Senate and a majority of the House, including 50 votes by McHugh’s Republican colleagues.

The well established therapy of in vitro fertilization (IVF) has provided tens of thousands of couples with the chance to have children who otherwise would have been denied the wondrous privilege of raising the next generation. IVF, however, has now come into collision with the potential of stem cell therapy. Moral consistency demands that we either abandon both or embrace IVF and the new promise of stem cell research. By abandoning both, we dash the hopes of infertile couples and the long sought after therapy of disease for which there are no lasting treatments.

The list of diseases for which stem cell technologies could be applied is legion: diabetes, Parkinsonism, Alzheimer’s, spinal cord injuries, Lou Gehrig’s (ALS), cystic fibrosis, stroke, burns, heart disease, osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, the muscular dystrophies, kidney and liver disease that end in organ failure, and the thousands of diseases that are a result of a genetic mutation. For most of those with these diseases, a cure or therapy would be nothing less than the gift of life. - Bob Johnson

Emryonic Stem Cell research has real potential - just in the last few months the research has shown promise in the repair of paralysis and a possible AIDS cure - we can not allow religious extremists to hold our public policy hostage. Kathrine Harris is a prime example of the kind of "representative" that is trying to turn back the clock on America's progress, but some of our local "representatives" are not far removed from her.

We need to take things in a new direction in our government, Bob Johnson, Tim Merrick, and Andrew Brockway will bring the change we need in Washington and Albany.

Lamont Catching Lieberman

As I had expected Ned Lamont is catching up to Joementum in the general election campaign for Senator from Connecticut

While Lieberman's Democratic support is slipping away to Lamont, his Republican support is as high as it is going to go. Most of the Independents are just as anti-Iraq War as the Democrats, and when they have gotten a chance to get to know Lamont they will support him just as the Democrats did.

Poll: Lieberman, Lamont running neck-and-neck

(CNN) -- A new poll by the American Research Group indicated a statistical dead heat in the U.S. Senate race in Connecticut between upstart Democratic nominee Ned Lamont and incumbent Sen. Joseph Lieberman.

Some 44 percent of respondents deemed "likely voters" supported Lieberman, while 42 percent said they would vote for Lamont in the November election. This gap was well within the margin of error of plus-or-minus 3.5 percentage points. Republican nominee Alan Schlesinger got backing from 3 percent of likely voters.

The Democratic Party is Uniting for Victory

Despite many rumblings about the conflict between Howard Dean (DNC) and Rahm Emanuel (DCCC), the Democratic Party is starting to look a lot more united, and the Connecticut Democratic primary voters rejection of "Lie and Die" could be the reason.

Although a small few in the Democratic Party cling to the undead remains of the Joementum campaign, the vast majority are on board the Lamont express toward victory in 2006.

The Democratic unity is inspiring and day by day it continues to grow. In nearby Burlington, Vermont Democracy for America will be holding an event with Ned Lamont and some great Vermont candidates. Well known Democrats Bill Clinton, John Kerry, and John Edwards have spoken out very convincingly on the Connecticut Senate race.

DNC Chairman Howard Dean and potential 2008 Presidential hopeful Governor Bill Richardson have called on Lieberman to respect the primary and stop his selfish Conneticut for Lieberman campaign. Previously non-committal DSCC Chairman Chuck Schumer has endorsed Ned Lamont, and DCCC Chairman Rahm Emanuel (D-Il) had a very interesting take on the race:

“What’s playing out here is that being a rubber stamp for George Bush is politically dangerous to life threatening.” - Rahm Emanuel

If they can build on this growing unity I know that the power structures of the Democratic Party can win in November. All the actions of each of the strong arms of the Democrats will join together to form the tidal wave of change that can restore our American democracy.

Howard Dean's DNC is working on an excellent program to turn-out the Democratic vote called 100 Actions that will keep people around the nation actively involved in the Democratic Party's efforts to Take Back America from the right-wing rubber-stamp Republicans. Howard's 50-State Strategy is working, but the DCCC is doing some great work as well.

The GOP-Auction House project reveals how the Bush Republican Congress is selling out America, and their new video "Stay the Course" reveals the failed "strategery" that is hurting us at home and abroad - the DSCC has their own version of the video also.

The DCCC is now seeking the online community's input with the "Candidate for Change" Contest.

In our "Candidate for Change" Contest, you -- the DCCC community -- will choose your top three favorite candidates from a list of some of our hardest-working, most progressive campaigns who have shown they can win. Cast your vote today, the deadline is Wednesday, August 23rd.

Cast Your Vote Today for the DCCC's "Candidate for Change" Contest

The winners will receive a tremendous boost from the DCCC and the DCCC Community, right when it's needed most:

• A fundraising email from Democratic House Leader Nancy Pelosi or DCCC Chairman Rahm Emanuel to our list;
• A phone bank run out of the Democratic National Headquarters for their campaign;
• The feature spot on our Web site to get their message out, with a link to their campaign contribution page;
• An online chat with the DCCC community to exchange ideas on the campaign and the future of our country.

Being a DCCC "Candidate for Change" could give your favorite candidates the additional boost they need to put them over the top on Election Day. It will send a message to their opponents and the media that the DCCC grassroots are behind them. Cast your vote now!

Cast Your Vote Today for the DCCC's "Candidate for Change" Contest

Please write in Bob Johnson (NY-23) in the "other" box and also support our great New York Candidates Mike Arcuri (NY-24) and Kirsten Gillibrand (NY-20).

Also remember to tell your firends and neighbors about the Viggo Mortensen events in the North Country for Bob Johnson. New York will be the Republican's Waterloo this year and Bob Johnson needs our support to make him a part of that coming victory for America.

John McHugh is Lost

Apparently John McHugh has forgotten where his Congressional district is - not all that surprising when you consider 95.9% of his individual contributions come from outside the state of New York.

The McHugh for Congress campaign attacked Bob Johnson over his planned events with famed actor - and North Country NY native - Viggo Mortensen. The campaign spokesman claimed Johnson's only support came from Hollywood and McHugh's support was in his district, but the facts show otherwise.

"Who is John McHugh working for?" Johnson asked. "With those fundraising numbers, it certainly appears he isn't working for the people of northern and central New York. The sad reality of Washington today is that you work for the people who pay to get you elected. Is it any wonder he votes to give tax cuts to those in Fairfax, West Palm Beach and Darien while he throws the rest of us into insurmountable debt?" Johnson noted. "I travel all over this district, from Lake Ontario to Lake Champlain, attending house parties raising funds to get our message out. It's everyday people supporting me in our district - not PACs and moneyed special interests."

"I'm frankly shocked that the John McHugh campaign would stoop so low as to question the support of a local man just because he later found success," Bob Johnson said. "This doesn't have to be the poorest congressional district in Upstate New York. It's time to attain real success for everyone - to end our dependence on a government subsidized economy - to get real jobs and real industry and stand on our own two feet. For him to take a break from raising money in Virginia to attack us for building support in northern and central New York - well, it's just another indication that John McHugh has lost touch with his constituents and his district.
-Bob Johnson for Congress Campaign

Changing the Course of Our Nation With Bob Johnson and the Democratic Party

It didn't take long for the Republicans and the Connecticut for Lieberman Party to exploit the news of the terror plot in London.

“If we just pick up like Ned Lamont wants us to do, get out by a date certain, it will be taken as a tremendous victory by the same people who wanted to blow up these planes in this plot hatched in England,” Mr. Lieberman said at a campaign event at lunchtime in Waterbury, Conn. “It will strengthen them and they will strike again.”
- Joementum in the New York Times

-----

"I'd rather be talking about this than all of the other things that Congress hasn't done well," one Republican congressional aide told AFP on condition of anonymity because of possible reprisals.

"Weeks before September 11th, this is going to play big," said another White House official, who also spoke on condition of not being named, adding that some Democratic candidates won't "look as appealing" under the circumstances.
- AFP

What they are unwilling - or unable - to understand is that Americans are sick of the War in Iraq and they want a New Direction for America.

Future leaders of the Democratic Party, Bob Johnson and Ned Lamont, understand that we need real solutions, not Republican rhetoric.

This crisis actually shows that the Republican policies have not made us any safer. The terrorists apparently received training in Pakistan, which continues to be a terrorist safe haven. Since we took our eye off the ball in Afghanistan to go on the ridiculous Iraq misadventure the region has been sliding back toward anarchy.

After five years of Bush's Terror War the same region of the world continues to produce 9/11 style plots. Maybe if Reagan and the Republicans hadn't trained and funded the Mujaheddin to fight the Soviets in Afghanistan we wouldn't have Al Queda today. Regardless, it is clear that the current Bush Republican foreign policy of "Lie and Die" creates terrorists faster than we can possibly kill them.

The Republicans and the Connecticut for Lieberman Party claim to be about values, but it is Democrats like Bob Johnson who understand what real American values are.

Democrats are standing up for our values. I'm running for Congress in New York's 23rd district because I believe in Democratic values. I believe that an individual life has value, and that people have dignity beyond their economic worth. I believe that hard-working Americans shouldn't have to go without proper health care. In fact, I don't believe any American should go without health care and that a hospital has an obligation to treat whoever passes through its doors. I believe that going to war is a profound moral decision, a decision in which the entire country needs to be involved and listened to. I believe that Americans have a right to feel secure when they talk on the phone. I believe that government should be open, accountable, and effective. I believe that science has a positive role to play and should not be stifled by government ideology. I believe that we have an obligation to the next generation and that he who has the most toys does not win the game. I believe that we are not in this alone, but together and that helping others requires sacrifice and not just lip service. My values command me to love and help my neighbor and not denigrate them. I believe in paying my debts and staying within my means. These are Democratic values. They are American values.
- Bob Johnson, future US Congressman, on Daily Kos

Bob Johnson will be traveling the around the district with renowned actor Viggo Mortensen (Lord of the Rings, History of Violence, Hildago) discussing how we need to change the course in America, I suggest everyone who can to join him.

The Democratic Party of today is strong and we understand that America's future depends on finding new dynamic solutions based in reality. The Republicans and the Connecticut for Lieberman Party foolishly cling to the mistakes of the past - like the War in Iraq - they feel reality has a liberal bias.

Today, America is no safer, Israel is no safer, Iran is more dangerous, Osama bin Laden is still at large, and our brave troops are stuck in the middle of a bloody civil war. I believe that those leaders who got us into this mess should be held accountable.

Looking forward, I salute the patriotism and wisdom of Congressman Murtha and others who emphasize that “stay the course” is not a winning strategy for Iraq or America. Our best chance of success requires that the Iraqis take control of their own destiny. America should make clear that we have no designs upon their oil and no plans for permanent bases. While we will continue to provide logistical and training support as long as we are asked, our frontline military troops should begin to be redeployed and our troops should start heading home.
- Ned Lamont, future US Senator

Primary School - Final Exams (LAMONT WINS!! LAMONT WINS!!!)

As of this posting the polls have closed and all indications are that the Democratic party of Connecticut has booted Joementum in favor of the next Senator from Connecticut, Ned Lamont. The counting isn't quite over but I'm calling it now for Lamont (10:00 PM Lamont leads 52% to Lieberman's 48% with 81% reporting).

The momentum is building against the failed policies of the Republicans and those who would enable them to fulfill their outrageous foreign agenda.

In New York we will have our own primary on September 12 and the front-runner for Governor Elliot Spitzer has endorsed Tim Merrick for State Senate.

“Tim Merrick will be just the kind of State Senator we need,” said Spitzer. “He is a strong, principled leader with a deep understanding of the issues that affect the residents of the 45th District.

“As Governor, I know I will be able to work effectively with Tim to change the direction of state government, which for too long has served the interests of the few at the expense of the many,” added Spitzer. “Tim Merrick and I will work hard together to clean up Albany and revitalize the North Country.”

Merrick said: “I am strongly committed to bringing a spirit of change to Albany. I believe our greatness will be measured not by how well we take care of the entrenched interests, but by whether we assure that every citizen has access to affordable health care and a good education. I am also committed to taking action on spiraling property taxes to protect the American Dream of home ownership.

“I am deeply honored by Eliot Spitzer’s endorsement, and will be a strong supporter of his initiatives in the New York State Senate,” added Merrick. “And I’m glad to have a good working relationship with our future Governor so that I can effectively bring the needs and concerns of the North Country to Albany.”

In the local Assembly race, Andrew Brockway is facing a primary for the Democratic nomination but he has definitively secured the Working Families Party nomination. His opponent for the Democratic nomination attempted to challenge Andy's Working Families nomination - after he had submitted a statement to the Working Families Party that he would not challenge the committee's choice. Despite Andy's opponent's attempts to go back on his word, the board of elections has thrown out the petitions over an error on the forms used.

Andrew recently had an op-ed in the Adirondack Daily Enterprise that examined the problems in our area and outlined some common-sense solutions.

I congratulate the wise primary voters of Connecticut on choosing Ned Lamont for US Senate, and I am sure the local Democratic primary voters will join me in supporting Andrew Brockway for Assembly and Elliot Spitzer for Governor on September 12.

Republicans Show Paris Hilton Some Love

Seeing that Americans want a raise in the Minimum Wage, and frantically trying to stop the oncoming Democratic tidal wave in November; Republicans in the Congress linked a give away to the ultra rich to a Minimum Wage increase.

Despite a recent study by The Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Subcommittee on Investigations that found wealthy individuals avoid paying between $40 billion and $70 billion in taxes annually and corporations evade $30 billion in taxes a year by using offshore tax scams, Republicans feel Paris Hilton and company are unfairly picked on.

The Republican leadership of Congress refused to allow a simple up-or-down vote on just the minimum wage. This will allow right-wingers like John McHugh to hide their vote for a Government give-away to the super rich behind an apparently worker friendly action, while costing the American public $753 billion in the first 10 years.

Democratic and Working Famlies candidate for Congress, Bob Johnson, blogged recently about this back-handed "support" for working people that has allowed McHugh and others to falsely cloak themselves in the labor mantle.

First, he voted against CAFTA. The unions gave him big points for that. But he only voted against it after it was clear his vote was meaningless. Here's another, particularly cynical one: he co-sponsored an act giving more collective bargaining rights to health-care professionals, and then he voted against it in the middle of the night. He also once sponsored a pro-labor bill and then refused to sign the discharge petition to get it considered. But he got points on the scorecards by these actions.

His score is still low (around 40% as opposed to Hillary Clinton's or Chuck Schumer's 90), but it's fairly high for a Republican. So the belief goes ... labor has to support him because it needs friends on the other side of the aisle to work for compromises in legislation. And here you can start to see the echoes of Joe Lieberman. They need to be "bipartisan," they need to extend hands to the GOP to get things done. And, in a normal time, I'd applaud that. I am all for cooperation and putting partisan labels aside.

But this is not a normal time, and it's missing that central fact that puts all the "insiders" on the wrong side of the key issues of our time, that gives them the totally wrong impression of what's going on in the Lieberman/Lamont race. The Republican Party of Tom Delay, of John Boehner, of Bill Frist, of George W. Bush and Karl Rove ... this is not a party designed to govern in the 20th century sense, this is not a party that is interested in the give-and-take of legislative horse-trading to get the best possible outcome. This is not even a Republican Party that many traditional Republicans could really believe in. This is a party that is bent on bending the federal government completely to its vision, that has a radical view of reshaping American society and the world in a totally different image. The truth of this is obvious to anyone outside the Beltway, but it seems completely to have escaped the centralized political and media structures that dominate our discourse. Or, at best, it's only just beginning to dawn on them.

On top of that, restaurant workers in the states of Alaska, California, Minnesota, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, and Washington would actually get a pay cut because of the way the House bill is written. The new law will override laws in those states that provide better wages for restaurant workers.

The bill will come up for a vote soon in the Senate, and Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist stands to benefit if it passes in the House form - he has millions he has tried to hide from the estate tax.

In New York thanks to the efforts of the Working Families Party we avoided such a smokescreen and passed a Minimum Wage increase over the opposition of conservatives like Betty Little. Tim Merrick, her Democratic and Working Famlies Party challenger, would have voted for the Minimum Wage raise.

All Americans deserve a real Minimum Wage increase without this tax hand out for the Hilton and Frist clans.