The Republicans have been shamelessly and immorally desecrating the memory of our friends and family who died on 9/11 for some time now. But this week, I have finally had enough. The Republicans have declared war on America in general, destroying our economy and our Constitution. But they have declared war on NYC in particular, screwing us out of money we are entitled to, using our tragedy for their gain, using our tax money to fund their Convention while excluding us from our own city. It is time for NYC to fight back. This week the Republicans have gone so far beyond what is reasonable, moral or even sane, that I can hardly articulate my rage at their behavior.

This week two prominant Republicans continued the disgusting tradition of using 9/11 for partisan purposes, using the deaths of nearly 3000 New Yorkers for their own political benefit.

A California Congressman, Rep. Randy "Duke" Cunningham, used 9/11 to push the flag burning Amendment, claiming that those who died in 9/11 would want the amendment passed. When called on it by the New York Rep. Nadler (from Brooklyn), Nadler's mike was shut off and he was yelled at by other Republicans. This clearly shows what Republicans think of New Yorkers--we are silenced and shunned by the party that continuously uses our tragedy for their partisan politics. How could Rep. Cuunningham even DREAM of using my friend's death on 9/11 for his purposes. My friend was in favor of civil rights and freedom of expression, and he would NOT have wanted this amendment passed. How DARE Rep. Cunningham presume to speak for my friend. How DARE he presume to speak for New Yorkers. He does not know us. He does not represent us. He should stop exploiting New York's tragedy for his gain. Let us also not forget that this is the same Rep. Randy "Duke" Cunningham who sits on the powerful Appropriations defense subcommittee and has taken bribes from a defense contractor around the same time that defense contractor began getting big government contracts. This corrupt SOB has NO RIGHT to be speaking of the wishes of those brave men and women who died on 9/11.  read more »

Hosted by Abby Cook-Mack, Elena Morin, Quinn Raymond, and Liza Sabater

Wed, June 29th - 8pm onward

(Last Wednesday of every month)

Grassroots Tavern - 20 St. Marks btw 2nd & 3rd

eastvillage (at) drinkingliberally.org

This month will be the third installment of EVDL, and we're pleased to welcome our new co-host Liza, of dailygotham.com/culturekitchen.com fame. NYC elections are really starting to heat up, so the focus this time will be on getting involved on the local level.

If you have a drinking liberally pin, feel free to wear it so we can find you at the bar. If not, there's one waiting for you on Wednesday! Candidates and representatives from all campaigns are welcome to attend.

Check out www.drinkingliberally.org

Karl Rove is not stupid.

He has been systematically trying to dismantle all programs and policies that exemplified liberal ideals in government and now he has overtly taken aim at Liberalism itself. Asking for an apology and issuing statements is not enough. We are in the middle of a battle for the soul of America.

Karl Rove is just plain wrong about Liberalism and when he attack Liberals he is not attacking Democrats, he is attacking every American because every American believes in the Liberal ideals of justice and responsibility.

Liberals do not believe in higher taxes. No one believes in higher taxes. Liberals believe in investing in citizens so that all Americans have access to the American dream. Not just the privileged few. Furthermore, no leader in the history of the world has ever lowered taxes while at war. Our national deficit is such that we are more dependent on foreign nations during a time in our history when we need to be ready for the unexpected.

Liberals do not measure effectiveness of government programs by inputs and we don’t believe in expanding government. Karl Rove has presided over some of the biggest increases in federal spending and growth of federal agencies in the history of the United States.

Liberals do not believe in making this country a more litigious society. Liberals believe in protecting the individual rights of citizens. History has always been about the little guy versus the big guy. Liberals believe in the rights of the little guy.  read more »

One thing I like about NYC politics that differs from my experience in California politics is that the politicians get in there and meet the people. Doesn't matter how small the group, candidates for every local office are out there if you want to meet them. Last night I had the pleasure of meeting two of the absolute best candidates I have ever met. Both are challenging incumbents, so are long shots. But I will do what I can to help them.  read more »

The two men are Norman Siegel (former head of the NY Civil Liberties Union and current candidate for NYC Public Advocate) and Paul Wooten (civil rights attorney running for Brooklyn District Attorney). Norm Siegel was introducing Paul Wooten (the lesser known candidate) in front of a small audience at a friend's house.

First of all both were simply good people. Amiable, funny and warm. Both are superb, hot shot lawyers with strong backgrounds in civil liberties cases. Siegel is clearly the more aggressive campaigner of the two, while Wooten is more soft spoken and humble. What struck me about both of them (as opposed to the incumbents they are running against) is their sheer passion for their work, their vision, and their detailed knowlege of the nuts and bolts working of the offices they are running for. So often politicians come off as someone you might vote for because they're better than the next guy, but you don't really like them. These two guys I really liked and so did everyone else who heard them.

Andrew Rice just posted this at Daily Kos :: Comments 9/11 Family Member Running for Office]:

...I'm tired of getting angry at the vitriolic noise from the far-right of the GOP. Rove's comments are the words of a desperate, dying beast. No more petitions and angry calls to your GOP members of Congress asking them to distance themselves from the likes of Rove. Most of them will not do it, and it does not accomplish anything. There are limits to our advocacy from the outside. Instead, give to the DNC, give to the DCCC, give to moveon.org.......

I'm done just yelling from the margins, I'm running for "a seat at the table". I'm running for State Senate here in Oklahoma. My Campaign Website Don't just complain from the outside, let's get Reform Democrats elected. -Andrew Rice

Go leave him a nice thank you. I think this is amazing. In fact, in announcing his candidacy, I learned something new today : the September 11th Peaceful Tomorrow was nominated for a Nobel Peace Price :

[via Andrew Rice for Oklahoma]:

Andrew is member of the September 11th Families for Peaceful Tomorrows steering committee, and has worked tirelessly over the past 3 years as a proponent for a legal, humane, and rational response to attacks of September 11th, 2001.  read more »