Palin denounces her critics as cowardly

She really is the gift that keeps on giving. Maybe we can goad Joe the Plumber to keep acting like an idiot too. We could all use a good laugh.

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Reid may put Lieberman chairmanship to a vote

This is getting interesting. Any Democrat who supports this traitor will be held personally responsible when Lieberman launches his full committee witch hunts against the Obama administration.

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The leaders of the No on 8 campaign issued a statement today

I'm not sure, but I think they just scolded you.

This has been an incredibly difficult week for Californians who are disappointed in the passage of Proposition 8, which takes away the right to marry for same-sex couples in our state. We feel a profound sense of disappointment in this defeat, but know that in order to move forward we must continue to stand together as one community in order to secure full equality in California.

In working to defeat Prop 8, a profound coalition banded together to fight for equality. Faith leaders, labor, teachers, civil rights leaders and communities of color, Republicans, Democrats, and Independents, public officials, local school boards and city councils, parents, corporate law firms and bar associations, businesses, and people from all walks of life joined together to stand up against discrimination. We must build on this coalition in order to achieve equal rights for all Californians.

We achieve nothing if we isolate the people who did not stand with us in this fight. We only further divide our state if we attempt to blame people of faith, African American voters, rural communities and others for this loss. We know people of all faiths, races and backgrounds stand with us in our fight to end discrimination, and will continue to do so. Now more than ever it is critical that we work together and respect our differences that make us a diverse and unique society. Only with that understanding will we achieve justice and equality for all.

Dr. Delores A. Jacobs
CEO
Center Advocacy Project
Lorri L. Jean
CEO
L.A. Gay & Lesbian Center
Kate Kendell
Executive Director
National Center for Lesbian Rights
Geoff Kors
Executive Director
Equality California

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More Prop 8 protests planned this weekend across California

Andy has the details.

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I'd like your help regarding Utah and Prop 8

Gang,

I'm talking with some friends about possible "next steps" with regards to the passage of the anti-gay Prop 8 in California. We could use a little research help. It's been said that as many as 4 out of 5 dollars donated to the anti-gay Prop 8 forces came from Mormons, especially those in Utah. I'd like to know more about the Prop 8 donors.

Specifically, I'd like someone to go through the list of donors to Prop 8 and pull for us:

1. The Top donors to Yes on 8 overall, who are they, where are they from, and how much did they give.
2. Tell us the companies the top donors work for, and where those companies are based.
3. Tell us the positions the top donors hold in these companies (I'm especially interested in anti-gay donors who hold senior management positions in their businesses, like the nice gentleman we wrote about yesterday who runs a number of Marriott hotels).
4. A more general question - are there companies that have an especially large number of employees who gave to the anti-gay forces supporting Prop 8?
5. I'm also interested in Yes on 8 donors, and more generally anti-gay donors (to causes other than Prop 8), with specific ties to Utah (either the donor lives in Utah or works for a company in, or based in, Utah).
6. I'd like a list of the top businesses based in Utah.

Mormons have also been quite active supporting anti-gay causes in Alaska, Oregon and other places. I'd like a list of the anti-gay causes the Mormons have supported financially in the past, how much they've donated, etc. I'd also like the answers to the same questions above, as they pertain to the anti-gay campaigns in Alaska, Oregon, etc.

If you can think of anything else that might be useful, feel free to send it along. You can email me the information via the link at the top of the blog, the "send me tips" link, or you can feel free to post information in the comments.

One last thing. For each of the questions above, I'd like you to provide us with some "proof" of what you find, so we can fact check and make sure the information is correct (i.e., give us the Web address where you found the info, etc.)

Thanks as always, JOHN and company Read More......

This was an amazing week

We're stung by what happened in California. But, let's not forget how significant this week was. Read this.

Then watch this compilation from Jed:

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Obama on the pressing issue of "the dog"

The president-elect discussed the pressing issues -- and the family dog. This is classic:



Dog lovers will love this -- especially those of us who got our dogs from the shelter. I understand the Obama's predicament. I have allergies and my shelter dog, Boomer, is a pure cocker spaniel. No one wanted him because, at seven, he was an older dog. He's been my loyal and trusty companion for over eight years now. And, actually, Barack Obama may remember seeing Boomer on Connecticut Avenue near the Washington Hilton back in early February of 2007. He's a very handsome dog, if I must say so, and Obama did give us a wave.

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AP on possibility of Utah/Sundance boycott over anti-gay Mormon hate

AP:

Utah's growing tourism industry and the star-studded Sundance Film Festival are being targeted for a boycott by bloggers, gay rights activists and others seeking to punish the Mormon church for its aggressive promotion of California's ban on gay marriage.

It could be a heavy price to pay. Tourism brings in $6 billion a year to Utah, with world-class skiing, the spectacular red rock country and the film festival founded by Robert Redford among the state's popular tourist draws.

"At a fundamental level, the Utah Mormons crossed the line on this one," said gay rights activist John Aravosis, an influential Washington, D.C-based blogger. "They just took marriage away from 20,000 couples and made their children bastards. You don't do that and get away with it."

....The backlash against the church — and by extension Utah — has been immediate. Protests erupted outside Mormon temples, Facebook groups formed telling people to boycott Utah and Web sites such as mormonsstoleourrights.com began popping up, calling for an end to the church's tax-exempt status.

Aravosis is the editor of the popular political blog, americablog.com, which has about 900,000 unique monthly visitors.

He's calling for skiers to choose any state but Utah and for Hollywood actors and directors to pull out of the Sundance Film Festival. Other bloggers and readers have responded to his call.

"There's a movement afoot and large donors are involved who are very interested in organizing a campaign, because I do not believe in frivolous boycotts," said Aravosis, who has helped organize boycotts against Dr. Laura's television show, Microsoft and Ford over gay rights issues. "The main focus is going to be going after the Utah brand. At this point, honestly, we're going to destroy the Utah brand. It is a hate state."

Messages left with a Sundance spokeswoman Thursday and Friday were not immediately returned.

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Melissa Etheridge refusing to pay California taxes over Prop 8

Good for her. The spontaneous grassroots anger and activism on this issue has been really heartening. I'm talking with some key friends about what more we can do. Stay tuned.

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President-elect Barack Obama's first press conference

Our next president is giving his first press conference focusing on the economy this afternoon. His initial statement concluded with these words:

Let me close by saying that I do not underestimate the enormity of the task that lies ahead. We have taken some major actions to date, and we will need further actions during this transition and subsequent months. Some of those choices will be difficult, but America is a strong and resilient country. I know that we will succeed if we put aside partisanship and work together as one nation. And that is what I intend to do.

Obama is joined on the stage by his economic team:

William Daley - Chairman of the Midwest, JP Morgan Chase; Former Secretary, U.S. Dept of Commerce, 1997-2000

Robert Reich - University of California, Berkeley; Former Secretary, U.S. Dept of Labor, 1993-1997

Penny Pritzker - CEO, Classic Residence by Hyatt

Roger Ferguson - President and CEO, TIAA-CREF and former Vice Chairman of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve

Lawrence Summers - Harvard University; Managing Director, D.E. Shaw; Former Secretary, U.S. Dept of Treasury, 1999-2001

Anne Mulcahy - Chairman and CEO, Xerox

Richard Parsons - Chairman of the Board, Time Warner

Paul Volcker - Former Chairman, U.S. Federal Reserve 1979-1987

Rahm Emanuel - United States Representative (IL-05)

President Elect Obama

Vice President Elect Biden

Jennifer Granholm - Governor, State of Michigan

Robert Rubin - Director and Senior Counselor, Citigroup; Former Secretary, U.S. Dept of Treasury, 1995-1999

David Bonior - Member House of Representatives (Michigan) 1977-2003

Laura Tyson - (Haas School of Business, University of California, Berkeley; Former Chairman, National Economic Council, 1995-1996; Former Chairman, President’s Council of Economic Advisors, 1993-1995)

Antonio Villaraigosa - Mayor, City of Los Angeles

William Donaldson - Former Chairman of the SEC, 2003-2005

Eric Schmidt - Chairman and CEO, Google

Roel Campos - Former Commissioner of the SEC

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Senator Byrd gives up Chairmanship of Appropriations Committee

This is a major development in the Senate. The Appropriations Committee is arguably the most important committee. There had been a lot of speculation about what would happen to Robert Byrd, who chairs that committee. But, today, he did the right thing and voluntarily left that post:

Senate legend Robert Byrd, approaching 91 this month and hailing a “new day in Washington,” said he would voluntarily give up the chairmanship of the Senate Appropriations Committee with the new Congress.

“To everything there is a season and a time for every purpose under heaven,” said Byrd, who had fended off earlier challenges this past spring and summer.“Those Biblical words from Ecclesiastes 3:1 express my feelings about this particular time in my life.”

“I have been privileged to be a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee for 50 years and to have chaired the committee for ten years, during a time of enormous change in our great country, both culturally and politically. I have learned that nothing is quite so permanent as change. It is simply a part of living and should not be feared.“

Byrd shows class while Lieberman begs to keep his chairmanship. But, then again, Lieberman has no class or dignity left.

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Letters to Harry Reid and calls to Democratic Senators: Joe Must Go

Urge Senator Reid to show Joe Lieberman the door.

Josh Orton wants us to outflank Lieberman with his Democratic colleagues, too:

Lieberman was hoping to privately lobby his colleagues to save him. But with the curtain pulled back, we can lobby the same potential Lieberman allies. And now they'll have to choose between personal loyalty to Joe and doing the right thing - with the whole world watching.

If they hear from enough of us, there's no way Joe keeps his position of power.

So let's get to the phones. And the emails.

The number for the Capitol switchboard is (202) 224-3121. Start with your own Senator, but call the more conservative members of the Dem caucus too. Ask whether they support Lieberman remaining as Chair of the Homeland Security committee, given his unfair attacks on President-elect Obama. Be polite, and calm. The young people who answer the phones are entry-level staffers.

Post what you hear in the comments. Let's outflank Lieberman.

Joe must go.

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Lieberman "keeping options open" to becoming a Republican

Did you need to hear anything else? He's open to the idea. Fine, someone give him a map to the Republican caucus and kick the traitor out the door.

Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) has reached out to Sen. Joseph Lieberman (I-Conn.) about the prospect of joining the Republican conference, but Lieberman is still bargaining with Democratic leaders to keep his chairmanship, according to Senate aides in both parties.

“Senator Lieberman’s preference is to stay in the caucus, but he’s going to keep all his options open,” a Lieberman aide said. “McConnell has reached out to him and at this stage his position is he wants to remain in the caucus but losing the chairmanship is unacceptable.”

A Republican Senate aide said Friday morning that there was little McConnell could offer in terms of high ranking committee slots, which is why Lieberman is resisting overtures from the Republican side.

Get that? The only reason Lieberman hasn't said yes to becoming a Republican is because the Republican bribe isn't big enough. Amazing. Read More......

Lieberman is begging to keep his committee chair

Over our collective dead bodies.

Sen. Joe Lieberman pleaded with Democratic bosses Thursday to keep his job as chairman of the Homeland Security Committee after stumping ceaselessly for GOPer John McCain.

It may be too late for Lieberman (I-Conn.), a former Democrat, whose non-stop campaigning for McCain angered President-elect Barack Obama, insiders confirmed to the Daily News.

"You don't run around the country campaigning for McCain and saying you're afraid the Democrats will get a 60-seat [filibuster-proof] majority, and then beg to keep your chairmanship," said a senior Democratic source.

Another key Democrat called Lieberman's behavior during the campaign, including an appearance at the Republican National Convention, "overly partisan and very insulting."

... Lieberman tried to make an appeal to Obama - who had irked his party's left by supporting Lieberman in the 2006 primary - saying, "I completely agree with President-elect Obama that we must now unite to get our economy going again and to keep the American people safe."

And to any Democrats who are wavering on kicking Lieberman out, consider this: Do you really want Chairman Lieberman using his committee staff to run non-stop investigations of the Obama administration? You know he will. Ir's only a matter of time before Traitor Joe turns on us again. He spoke at the freaking convention, people. He stood behind McCain during McCain's final rally Monday night. No más. Read More......

On Obama's economic meeting today

In the midst of the continuing bad economic news, our president-elect is getting down to business. Obama is holding a meeting with his top economic advisers today. It's an impressive group:

President-elect Obama is calling on economic experts to discuss the first steps toward healing a damaged economy as he forms a new administration in the face of a worsening crisis.

"We're not starting from nowhere," said Lawrence Summers, a Treasury secretary under President Clinton and one of the 17 members of Obama's transition economic advisory board who were to meet Friday with Obama.

"Throughout his campaign the president-elect has been talking about what we need to do. We need to put the middle class at the center of the policy approach in a way that it hasn't been these last years," Summers told NBC's "Today."

Leaders of business, government and academia to meet with Obama and Vice President-elect Joe Biden include executives from Xerox Corp., Time Warner Inc., Google Inc. and the Hyatt hotel company. Investor Warren Buffett was participating by telephone.

Obama also was holding his first news conference as president-elect after the meeting.

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Oh yeah, now the Mormons want to play nice. Too late.

From Huff Post:

Given their history, Mormons know about being targeted for being different. Yet in a full-on offensive, the LDS Church mobilized in favor of California's Proposition 8, a ballot initiative that bans gay marriage. Mormons donated $19 million to the cause -- nearly four out of five dollars raised. And now that the initiative has passed, apparently Mormons want to play nice; an LDS Church leader called Wednesday for members to heal rifts caused by the campaign by treating each other with "civility, with respect and with love."

Not. So. Fast. Gay people are fed up and have learned a thing or two about mobilizing themselves -- and not just for angry rallies. Some pro-Proposition 8 folks may come to regret their not so private support of hate. And were you thinking about skiing in Utah this year? Hmmm, Colorado's looking pretty appealing these days.

I think it's also time for the Sundance Film Festival to leave Utah. And for any gay and gay-friendly producers to pull their films, and for gay and gay-friendly Sundance goers to skip the festival until it leaves Utah. Read More......

Unemployment rate up to 6.5%

CNN just reported job losses in October were "worse than expected." More from Reuters:

U.S. employers cut payrolls by 240,000 in October, much more severely than expected, while September registered the biggest monthly loss in jobs in nearly seven years, according to a government report on Friday that showed U.S. labor markets were sharply deteriorating.

The Labor Department said the national unemployment rate shot up to 6.5 percent from 6.1 percent in September, the highest since March 1994.

Obama is doing a meeting with his economic advisers today. This economy is a disaster.

I know we all know this but, wow, Bush really made a mess of the country.

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Friday Morning Open Thread

Good morning.

What a week. We really did change the world. That really doesn't happen very often.

I think everyone is slowing starting to catch up on their sleep -- and to accept that we did indeed win.

Our friend, Bob Geiger, compiled some of the best post-election editorial cartoons. Check them out. You'll smile.

Still monitoring the Senate races in Alaska and Minnesota. In Georgia, still some votes to be counted, but it looks like the December 2nd runoff is underway.

There's a lot going on....start threading the news...

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Obama to promote oversite at FDA

What a shocking concept. I'm afraid it's going to take time to rebuild the FDA back into the organization that it used to be but the process has to start. Ignoring the basic organizational responsibilities has been the Bush approach but those days are coming to an end.

Long seen as the government's premier consumer protection agency, the FDA stumbled under Bush. Recurring drug and food safety lapses came against a backdrop of shrinking budgets and long periods without a permanent leader. In Congress, a senior Republican complained the FDA had gotten too cozy with industry.

Obama is being urged to move quickly to appoint an FDA commissioner. Already more than a half-dozen names are in circulation: outside critics such as Cleveland Clinic cardiologist Dr. Steven Nissen; insiders such as Susan Wood, a former director of the FDA's women's health office; and public health advocates such as Dr. Joshua Sharfstein, Baltimore's health chief.

Food safety will be a priority for Obama's FDA. "He thinks this is a fundamental role of government to ensure that people's food is safe and he has been concerned that we are not in a position to ensure that," said Neera Tanden, a senior campaign adviser.

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Obama may create a "climate czar"

Good idea and it's about time the US joined the modern world. In Europe, countries (and the media in general) have a much stronger emphasis on climate impact and are constantly discussing the environmental impact of business, food, transportation, you name it. I recently watched a few tech vendors make presentations to large groups of corporate users and was surprised at how many people chose to join the discussions. It was all about the environmental impact (and cost savings due to energy savings) that brought people in. The subject is a top priority with many EU governments and it shows.

Governments can play a positive role in guiding the discussion as opposed to sitting on the sidelines and pretending as though the problem doesn't exist, as we've witnessed for eight years.

Environmental groups see Barack Obama’s presidential victory as a chance to undo the Bush legacy on global warming, and one idea they are discussing is the possibility of a White House “climate czar”.

Activists say such a post could oversee various government agencies, including the Environmental Protection Agency and the Interior Department, to focus on tackling global warming and fostering clean energy to jump-start the flagging economy.

“For the first time, candidates and voters are really connecting the dots between energy, the environment and the economy,” said Cathy Duvall, Sierra Club’s political director. She said at a news briefing that Obama had made it clear that investing in cleaner energy would be a top priority in his plan for economic recovery.

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GOP: "We're rock bottom"

I caught a few seconds of one Republican on CNN commenting on the election and wow, he sounded so grumpy. After the last eight years, I can't help but enjoy listening to the GOP in such a state.

In a sign of how far the party has fallen, the Republicans set up a hotline and website yesterday appealing for suggestions from the public on how to rebuild.

It is a long way from the ambition of Karl Rove, George Bush's strategy adviser, four years ago to build a party that would dominate US politics for a generation.

A Republican congressman from Michigan, Thaddeus McCotter, told the Washington Times: "We're rock bottom. We are now free to start thinking again, acting again, and doing the right thing by what our constituents and our country need."

Ed Rogers, a White House staffer under Ronald Reagan and George Bush Sr, in an article for the Washington Post, wrote: "Let the autopsy begin ... We didn't just lose, we got beat ... Republicans must learn from their mistakes and come back with a clear purpose and a clear definition of what being a Republican means."

Americans are generally forward thinking and positive so until the GOP can move beyond fear, hatred and backwards ideas, they're going to stuck. Since the radical right took over the party, making any changes and moving back to the middle will not easy fast or easy. Read More......

Bush's dog bit a reporter

I'm not sure what to make of this one. Dog, however, needed a slap on the butt, in my view, after biting someone. And I'm a dog person, grew up with them, but your dog isn't permitted to draw blood and have you walk away.

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Conservative Italian prime minister comments on Obama's suntan

Think Palin with an accent.

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