Saturday, January 21, 2006

RadioNation With Laura Flanders: Robert Redford on Saturday! Elizabeth Holtzman on Sunday! Sundance both days! Listen!

Sometimes you can't catch a break to save your ass.

I post at The Common Ills early this morning. Give the heads up to RadioNation with Laura Flanders. Know C.I's speaking schedule today and read about Ava & Jess speaking today too so figured while I finished my coffee, I'd go in to the e-mails at the public TCI account and answer a few to help out. Do about ten replies, okay I had three cups of coffee, and read I don't know how many. Then I head out to do my thing, get back, check my own e-mail, "Kat! You haven't posted about Laura Flanders!"

What????? I go to The Common Ills to make sure my post didn't disappear. It didn't. It's top of the page. Ruth's Morning Edition Report is up too so be sure to read that. Oh, I think, they must mean hear at my own site.

Have I ever not posted about Laura Flanders at the last minute here? Would it be a Saturday if I wasn't pulling my hair out and cursing as I typed quickly while I attempted to play beat the clock, or at least beat the Air America Radio news break that comes at the top of the hour?

No.

By the way, one of the e-mails I answered at TCI public account was from a visitor concerned about something not being widely known so I'm printing it here:

I received an article from a friend in Colorado. The article was from the Colorado Daily. The article troubled me a great deal. There was a 2004 quote from President Bush concerning the administration's approach to wire tapping. Here's the quote -- Quote from Bush in 2004 -- "A wiretap requires a court order," President Bush declared in a statement in 2004. He added, "When we're talking about chasing down terrorists, we're talking about getting a court order when we do so. It's important for our fellow citizens to understand [that] constitutional guarantees are in place... because we value the Constitution." To me this is such a big deal and the President is the one that evidently said this. I'd like to know what you think about this issue and if your aware of the quote.

Here's my reply:

Replying for C.I. The quotes been noted at TCI a few times. It's an important one. Elizabeth Holtzman notes it in her article "The Impeachment of George W. Bush" and she'll be a guest Sunday on RadioNation with Laura Flanders which you might find interesting. I'm sure you know she helped prepare impeachment charges against Richard Nixon.
I'll make a point to pass this on to C.I. but I'm not sure when it will be noted again due to the concentration on Alito at present.
Thank you for writing and keep fighting,
Kat

So see, I was getting the word out even when I was sipping my cup of coffee. The point has been made at The Common Ills more than once. I'm not sure it's been made here. In fact, I doubt it has. But for ____ it's made here now. (Though he probably read that and thought, "Who the heck is Kat?" so he'll never see it here but, karmically, I felt it was my duty to note it here.)

Can you say ?
I bet a lot more of you can with the nomination of . I've done several pieces this week for the gina & krista round-robin noting what I'm doing to get the word out that we need a .

That means person to person contact. And, like Rebecca noted yesterday, it means follow ups. Don't leave it with someone telling you that they will contact their senators, follow up and ask them if they did? Or, the idea C.I. came up with and that Rebecca used Friday to much success, have the numbers and your cell phone handy and hand it over the minute someone says, "I will contact my senators." People may mean to while they're talking to you face to face, then something comes up. Maybe dinner needs cooking, or the garbage needs taking out, or whatever. I've followed C.I.'s recommendation and handed over the cell phone with the numbers.

Today, I hung out with a group of young women. I didn't give a speech, we just talked about why this mattered and the need to be active. They're all in the music classes my friend teaches.
They're amazingly talented but they aren't activists. Or they weren't. I'll be following up on Monday to make sure they did get active but sometimes what seems so obvious to us, isn't as obvious to everyone. These women are gifted beyond belief when it comes to music but they'd never had anyone break down basic activism. My point here is, if you know someone, woman or man, who is really talented and gifted, don't assume that because they know everything about their area of interest that they know how to get active. It's like riding a bike, someone needs to help you out the first time.

Elaine's asking us to all note this from the Feminist Wire Friday:

More Senators Announce Opposition to Alito
More Senators have announced their opposition to Samuel Alito for the Supreme Court. Encouragingly, no additional Democrats have announced support for Alito since Ben Nelson (NE). Senator Richard Durbin (D-IL), the Democratic Whip, announced his opposition to a packed auditorium at Northwestern University School of Law.
"In the record, the writings, the words, and the life of Samuel Alito, I searched for evidence of his caring heart -- evidence that for the next two or three decades he would use his position on the Supreme Court to enlarge our freedom, protect our privacy, and respect the delicate balance of power and responsibility our Constitution creates," said Senator Durbin. "At the end of the day, at this historic moment, I cannot say with confidence that Samuel Alito meets that test."
Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA), in announcing his opposition, said, "Based on his record, I am gravely concerned that Judge Alito does not believe the Congress has the authority to protect the fundamental rights of all Americans."
Other Senators who have announced publicly their opposition to Alito include Patrick Leahy (D-VT) (the Ranking Democrat on the Judiciary Committee), Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) (the only woman on the Judiciary Committee), Ted Kennedy (D-MA), Ken Salazar (D-CO), and Max Baucus (D-MT). Senators Leahy, Baucus, and Salazar all voted for John Roberts in September.
GET THE INSIDE SCOOP with The Smeal Report and the New Leif blogs at MsMagazine.com
TAKE ACTION Call your Senators and urge them to oppose Alito
DONATE Make an emergency contribution to the Feminist Majority's Save Roe Campaign. We must be a strong voice in this crucial fight to save Roe and the Supreme Court for women's rights.
Media Resources: Harkin statement 1/19/06; Durbin statement 1/19/06; Feminist Majority

We are getting the word out, we are doing more than talking. We can "shake the mountain, stop the confirmation of alito." But that means working even harder.

I'll also follow Wally, Mike and pretty much every other community member with their own website by recommending that you read Danny Schechter's "AFTER ALITO: WHAT HAPPENED? WHAT NOW?" which will help you think about the battle beyond Alito.


Cedric and Betty have been hitting hard on the topic of filibuster in the roundrobins. And remember that Betty's latest chapter is up in the continuing story of Betinna. And don't forget to check out Trina's Kitchen tonight for the latest from Trina.

If you're tired from getting the word out and from being active, check out RadioNation with Laura Flanders because it always inspires me.

RadioNation with Laura Flanders
Live from Sundance!This weekend Air America and The Nation magazine go to the Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah.
Saturdays & Sundays, 7-10pm ET on Air America Radio
On Saturday, we talk to founder Robert Redford about a quarter-century of nurturing independent film... festival Programming Director John Cooper about this year's films... Filmmakers Patricia Foulkrod and James Longley about their independent documentaries on Iraq, Byron Hurt on his film on machismo and hip hop culture, and more.
On Sunday, we'll hear from former Congresswoman Elizabeth Holtzman -- she was on Nixon's impeachment committee and believes W. deserves the same. The media roundtable features Joel Pomeroy, executive producer of "Crossing Arizona" and Freida Lee Mock, director and screenwriter of "Wrestling with Angels: Playwright Tony Kushner".
Tune in. And if you missed it, last weekend's live broadcast from Salt Lake City can be podcast from http://thenation.com It's all on RadioNation with Laura Flanders this weekend on Air America Radio.

Saturday Redford! Sunday Holtzman! Both days, Sundance! It's going to be two great shows and you know Laura's going to fill you not just with information but also with inspiration. So check it out.





























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Thursday, January 19, 2006

Filibuster, filibuster, filibuster

's nomination can be stopped. The , and the country, can be saved and spared. We need "no" votes and we need a
.

Good news comes from :

No on Alito Momentum Building
The momentum to stop the confirmation of Samuel Alito to the Supreme Court is growing. Several Democratic Senators have already announced their intention to oppose Alito.
These Senators include Patrick Leahy (VT), Ranking Democrat on the Senate Judiciary Committee; Judiciary Committee member Ted Kennedy (MA); Barbara Mikulski (MD); and Max Baucus (MT). Senators Leahy and Baucus had voted to confirm John Roberts in September.
The option for a filibuster to block Alito is still on the table.
GET THE INSIDE SCOOP
with The Smeal Report and the New Leif blogs at Ms Magazine.com
TAKE ACTION
Call your Senators and urge them to oppose Alito
DONATE
Make an emergency contribution to the Feminist Majority’s Save Roe Campaign. We must be a strong voice in this crucial fight to save Roe and the Supreme Court for women’s rights.
Media Resources: Feminist Majority

I saw that at The Common Ills today and it was the best news I've heard all week.

On the radio today, KPFA's The Morning Show, moderated a discussion/debate on the topic and the anti-choice woman appeared to not be satisfied with making up figures, she had to resort to making outlandish comparison, like comparing it to kiddie porn while then saying things like, "I'm not suggesting that they're the same thing."
That's exactly what the weasel was suggesting.

And if you've had an then you are damaged, according to her. She spoke of women who had been raped and offered her own theories there as well.

Then she went on to, I guess thinking it made her look sympathetic, say that she supports castrating rapists. Let the circle of violence continue, the "pro-life" way.

Listening to the uptight bitch deny that she was supporting Alito, I started to worry that Alito might not be enough for her. Maybe she wants hands chopped off of accused shoplifters? Maybe she wants feet cut off of people who run red lights?

She doesn't have a clue.

She's like the Carrie Nations of today. It's not enough that no one's forcing her to have an abortion. It's not enough that she can work for an organization providing assistance to women who want to have children but are financially strapped. She wants to grab her axe and destroy the right of any other woman to decide what they want to do.

We're up against people like this and we need to be fighting. So contact your senators tell them filibuster the nomination.



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Saturday, January 14, 2006

RadiNation With Laura Flanders airing in minutes (for those who listen live)

Just posted the following at The Common Ills. I'll note that it took 14 minutes to publish that entry. To publish it once. I'll also tell you that additional tags were needed but Technoarti kept returning a "Sorry" message about heavy traffic.

"RadioNation with Laura Flanders: Rocky Anderson, Lorna Vogt, Luciano Collano, Stuart Klawans, Ryan Tronier, Reobert Gehrke, Chip Ward and more"

Kat here asking you to sing along with me for a minute.
We are a part of the RadioNation Radio!
What's this RadioNation? It's the new name for Laura Flanders' show: RadioNation with Laura Flanders. Laura teams up with The Nation magazine to bring you six hours of radio.

"B-b-but Kat, Laura already brought us three hours on Saturday and three hours on Sunday."

Let me try to break it down for you. Each show on Air America reflects the views of the host. The wonderful Janeane Garofalo and her co-host Sam Seder do The Majority Report and their show might be the magazine equivalent of any number of shows. Other shows? Eh, not so lucky. The one the community dislikes intensely, hosted by Baby Cries a Lot, could be called Parade with Baby Cries a Lot if it were to partner up with its print equivalent.

Like The Nation magazine, Laura Flanders has never felt the need to take part in Operation Happy Talk regarding the invasion/occupation of Iraq. The stained fingers, the flawed elections and "elections" didn't lead her to second guess reality. (Nor the magazine.) It's teaming a strong broadcasting voice (much more than actually) with a strong magazine (ditto).

I'd call it a "marriage" but I'm afraid the 'vangicals would self-implode. They're already on the verge of losing it having to face the facts that a woman can fall in love with a woman or a man can fall in love with a man and that either couple can go on to build a happy home, I think the thought of a marriage between a radio program and a magazine might be enough too much for them and I'm sure Oral Roberts University has clock towers.

I am sure that this teaming is a good thing. It takes two strong resources and teams them which can potentially (hold on to your Left Behind DVDs and books, 'vangicals) blend audiences for both and increase exposure (someone pick up the elderly man who'd been fanning himself with the latest "news"letter from Jimmy Dobson's Focus on the Fool) for both. So I think it's a great partnership. I support the rights of radio programs and magazines to marry. And if you listened to RadioNation with Laura Flanders last Saturday and Sunday, you know the world didn't come to an end but a wonderful show got even more wonderful.

Now let me note what Martha passed on:

RadioNation with Laura Flanders
This Saturday & Sunday, 7-10pm ET on Air America Radio
On Saturday, pro-peace, pro-Kyoto protocols, pro-LGBT equality, MAYOR ROCKY ANDERSON is as different from Utah's Senator Hatch as you can be.
Want to end the failed war on drugs? Utah's Harm Reduction Project are forging the way. We'll talk to LORNA VOGT and LUCIANO COLLANO. Utahn youth are PSYC'hed to take on the state legislature. LGBT Utahns want their Brokeback Mountain, and the Nation's STUART KLAWANS has a review.
On Sunday, our journalists' roundtable features RYAN TRONIER of KRCL's "RadioActive" and ROBERT GEHRKE, DC correspondent for the Salt Lake Tribune. We'll also hear from environmentalists achieving the impossible with among others, TomDispatch contributor CHIP WARD.
It's all on RadioNation with Laura Flanders this weekend on Air America Radio.

The show goes to Utah as part of the Purple tour which will take Flanders and company around the nation as they demonstrate that there are no "red" states and "blue" states. There are pockets in some states that, thanks to the consolidation of radio, haven't heard a voice break from the Bully Boy choir for many years. So the tour will not only provide you with reality about the state of the country, it will garner attention for alternate voices. And when it comes to the alternate voices living in supposed Bush country, they need some attention because they've been left on their own and they've continued speaking out. Brave people all.

Confession, after the 2004 election, I saw some of them writings, I'll call them "You are stupid and we're not" writings, insulting so-called "red" states (stereotyping the states and every person who lived in them) and I had a few chuckles. I am very thankful that members of this community who lived in those areas, had lived in those areas, or had family in those areas shared their stories for the four or five part "Red" State Series back in 2004. I know I learned from it and that it was a lot more productive than some "F**K the South" nonsense that could only turn us against each other and provide cover for a Democratic Party system that failed to reach out to many areas of the country because bean counters felt the race could be "managed" most efficiently by focusing only on certain areas. Now that Howard Dean is heading the DNC we'll be able to see if he really means to make the Democratic Party a party that competes in every state.

I live in California and money and candidates, like sunshine, flood in every election cycle. The thought of a presidential candidate not visiting various areas of my state for meet and greet functions and rallies had never entered my mind. Thanks to members, I got a better look at the realities and many of them were ugly. One that stands out is the elderly man, who'd come to count on his party headquarters as a place where he could have a cup of coffee, help out and enjoy some discussions about politics, waking up to find that the Democratic Party was no longer interested in having a headquarters in his town or his county. Or the female member who just wanted a John Kerry yard sign and had to drive two hours to get one because that's how far away her closet Democratic Party headquarters was. Those are realities and a lot more valuable than any cheap laughs. Bean counters are lazy and dangerous. Lazy because they want to win the race the easiest way possible. Dangerous because they focus on the one race. So they keep planting on the same bit of soil over and over and ignoring other parts. There are fifty states. The Democrats need to be competative in all fifty. But, as one member pointed out, do you know how long it's been since a Democrat running for president visited Hawaii in a race? I hope Howard Dean's addressing that in preparation for 2008. But RadioNation with Laura Flanders will be going around the country in their America Is Purple tour and demonstrating that regardless of where we live, we're not as different as simple jokes might make us out to be.

Not this weekend, but next, RadioNation with Laura Flanders will broadcast from the Sundance film festival so get ready for that as well.

C.I. mentioned a BuzzFlash premium to me which I'll give a shout out too. Bob Marley's Legend is a DVD you can purchase and, by purchasing, show some support for independent media (BuzzFlash). And before some members get his boxers in a wad ("boxers" because so far it's always been a male member -- which is fitting description if you think about it) and goes running to Beth with a "Dear Common Ills ombudsperson, C.I. is plugging BuzzFlash again and my favorite site is No One Knows About It Because I Never Do An E-mail To Plug It But I Get Really Offended When Other Members Who Plug BuzzFlash Or Other Sites Don't Do The Work For My Lazy Ass By Plugging My Favorite Site For Me" (really that is how those e-mails strike me), I'm plugging it. C.I. brought it up to me not for mention here but in wondering if I'd be interested in it? I said no before I realized that it was a BuzzFlash premium. (I'm big on attending concerts.) It's a great premium, obviously you can't see Bob Marley in concert today and if you're one of the many who get tired of the crowds at concerts (I love them, each grouping has their own energy -- or lack of it -- and their own personality -- ditto) or the parking hassles or whatever else, you should consider the premium. That was my plug, not C.I.'s. So the four or five who always feel the need to go running to Beth should get it correct in their e-mails that I plugged the premium but I did not shoot the deputy. ("I Shot The Sherrif" is one of the many songs you can find on the DVD.)

Now make plans to listen to Laura. Be like Carl and invite some friends over who've never listened to the show or be like Liang and have listening parties with friends who enjoy the show.

Get the word out.

And on getting the word out, let me note that the upcoming edition of Ms. sounds like a must read and if you missed C.I.'s summary of it that went up late Thursday night, please check that out and remember that the issue goes on sale Tuesday (January 17th).
















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