Democrats had slavery and sent men to die in a war to uphold slavery, and then they used the KKK to keep black votes down so that Republican governments could collapse in the South without freed black support. Yet even with such a history on civil rights, the Democrats are still seen as the part of black freedom while Republicans are seen as the party of discrimination and racism (See Helen for example).

Don’t hold your breath that the “Democrats will not have an excuse to stand on”.

I like the list! Let’s get it expanded. Don’t forget the Fairness Doctrine. That one is filibuster-worthy.

It could be called ‘The Declaration of Patriotic Resistance’

Thomas (#46)
Thomas, I think the loyal opposition has to have its own voice and should be loud and proud. But I do agree you pick and choose your battles. Those battles I hope to see fought loudly and with total determination to win. We’ve got some good guys in the House who are GIRDING THEIR LOINS for the good fight, and thank you Joe Biden. I hope in 2010 we see many more of them!

http://astuteblogger.blogspot.com/2008/11/seven-pledges-for-america.html

While i believe you mean well, I will tell you that you are wrong. The republicans that remain in Congress are there because their constituents wanted them rather than Democrat. It is their civic duty to oppose plans that they believe are bad for their constituents, and bad for America.
I am not advocating being an obstructionsit. I am advocating that Rep continue to act based on certain political principles held by their base. If it coincide with what the Dems/Obama wants, then lets make it the best deal possible. If it conflict with what would be best for America, state our opposition and reason for opposition.

neither obstructionists or collaborators should we be

Of course you’re correct in every way. Personally, I’d choose to fire her. On the other hand, if she were in the school I was a school board member for, we would not be able to fire her. She would have to be counseled. Then given a period to remediate her behavior. Then counseled again. It takes about 2-3 years to get a teacher _gone_ unless they choose to respond to the pressure by leaving. It’s usually pointed out to them that if they choose to resign, they are more likely to get hired elsewhere than if they get fired, and that often results in their making that choice. If they choose to stick it out and then sue the district for some sort of improper or unwarranted action, it can get expensive for the district, so we always made sure that the t’s were crossed and the i’s were dotted.

If the Republicans are smart, they will keep the trap shut for at least 18 months. Don’t attack. Don’t undermine and obstruct.

If they were smart, they will positively look for bipartisan legislation and strike deals with President Obama and the Democrats. They should be as meek as a dove and as docile as a lamb and try to give President Obama what he wants… within reason.

Our country is facing countless challenges. The financial crisis, the housing crisis, an aggressive and increasingly militant Russia, Iran, terrorists… the list goes on and on. I, for one, am willing to give President-elect Obama the benefit of the doubt despite the enormity of my reservations about the man.

As an American and a patriot, I want him to succeed as an American President and see our country move forward, and I sincerely don’t wish to treat liberals as enemies, even though the sentiment is oftentimes not reciprocated.

Give Obama all the support you can muster within the scope of your conscience, and if/when things blow up, the Democrats will not have an excuse to stand on. They have the Presidency. Both Houses of Congress. The majority of the judge-ships.

Obama has promised everyone and everything, and if the Republicans are smart, they would give him the full credit for the meltdowns and disasters that he said he could fix. That would almost inevitably give the Republicans control of at least the House in the mid-term elections in 2010.

… but I don’t think the Republicans are going to do this play. Sniping at the heels might be too great a temptation for them.

If you have not yet seen the video of the teacher in North Carolina asking her young students who they supported, you need to. It now is on Drudge and it is making the rounds elsewhere.

Here is the link:

http://www.citizen-times.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=200881106074

No matter who you voted for, this type of behavior is absolutely unacceptable coming from a teacher. No one with a shred of decency in them can defend her behavior and willingness to shame and humiliate children who are too young to have developed an understanding of war and politics. It is even more horrific that she did this to children of our military.

Bookworm, please let me know if you do not wish for this sort of information to be published on your site. If not, I understand. But I strongly encourage people to watch this video, read the newspaper article, and then contact the school system.

NOTE: It appears that this woman was teaching in Asheville at the time the video was shot. Apparently, she now teaches in Cumberland County, which is home to Fort Bragg and thousands upon thousands of military families who have children in this school system.

I have already written a lengthy letter to every member of the Cumberland County School Board. If you wish to do so as well, here is the school system’s website:

http://www.communications.ccs.k12.nc.us/Board/BOE.htm

If you contact them, please be polite. There are so many good people who are doing amazing work in our schools and they already have a tough job. But the school system needs to know that this is not acceptable.

Deana

You know…you may have just put your finger on the reason why the jump from the Senate to the White House is such an infrequent one. There’s no doubt that there are some who are leaders, and in the Senate will be recognized as such, but a _true_ independent – especially one who is independent and outspoken, who is not willing to fall into the “you scratch my back and I’ll scratch yours” mentality is _not_ going to garner much support in the Senate – either during a term there or in a run for the Presidency. In fact, I think it would be a terminal political act to be such a person.

I think many have seriously underestimated Palin. She may not have been ready, but I think she’s much more capable and intelligent than many give her credit for. Her “magic”, it seems to me, was also in her willingness to say “here is where I stand” – a breath of fresh air after all the mealy mouthed politicians we’ve become accustomed to. I have no doubt she’d have a lot to learn…but I also have no doubt she’d learn it quickly. That McCain hasn’t come out and quashed the rumors says nothing good about him.

Yes, that link to the Palin stuff is sad. I question the manner in which Fox (and Cameron in particular) reported on it.

>> I wouldn’t be surprised, by the way, if Palin were to step down from her position as Alaskan governor and allow her Lieutenant Governor to appoint her to Ted Stevens’ senatorial position >>

I wonder if it might not be a terrible idea for Palin to angle for the Senate. The Senate is about collegiality and go-along, get-along. I don’t want her to become identified with THAT. And I still think governor-to-president is a far better career path…

Especially I believe, if a Senator is going to run on a campaign against Washington, against the corruption and bad-spending, bad-tax crowd in D.C., he or she has to resign their Senate seat when they launch their campaign. The collegiality of the Senate simply cannot be reconciled against that kind of campaign. Not if the campaign is to be taken seriously.