Open Thread – Homework
21 11 2009
“Homework on a Saturday?” you think. “What’s the deal with THAT?”
Well, this is the deal. We’ve been waiting for health care, and talking about health care and listening to other people talk about health care, and getting screamed at by teabaggers talking about the evils of health care, and suffering through round after round of endless wrangling in the House, and now…
There is a health care bill coming from the Senate. Or is there? After all this time, and all this effort, the Republicans in the Senate want to vote no on cloture. This means that they don’t even want to talk about it. They want no discussion. But, the other side of the aisle, and most of the American people DO want to talk about it. Very very much. The longer this debate drags on, the more people will die. It’s a simple fact.
And just to add insult to injury, the drum beat of conservative radio talk in Anchorage has been incessant. “Call your Senator and tell them to vote NO!” “Health care bad. Obstructionism good!” “Call now! Tell your friends!” “No no no!”
And this went on ALL. DAY. LONG. And whenever that happens the folks on the other end of the line have to make note of how many calls they have gotten asking them to vote no, versus how many want them to vote yes.
So, what I’m asking is this. Pick up your phone and make a super-quick, painless, friendly call to the offices of Mark Begich and Lisa Murkowski and tell them YES! Yes, yes, yes. Vote yes to start talking! Vote yes to move the debate a step ahead! Vote yes to bring us into the home stretch of health care debate! Yes for dialog! Yes for discussion!
And if you can only make one call, that’s OK but make it to Mark Begich’s office. Imagine those poor forlorn phone answerers who have been dealing with the rabid teabaggers all day. They will LOVE to hear from you. You’ll be like a little gift. A smile. A ray of sunshine.
And once you do that, you can do a little add-on and call Lisa Murkowski. She always likes to quote the statistics and say “I’ve gotten this many phone calls and not one of them said yes.” It’s irritating. Because there are more people who want this to proceed than people who don’t. But the people who don’t want it, get their marching orders and call in. Actually the people that don’t want cloture, really DO. They just don’t realize it. So do them a favor too.
The vote will come today, so no procrastinating. Right now pick up your phone and call.
All you have to say is “Hi, I’m calling to urge the senator to vote yes on cloture for the health care bill.” And that’ll do it.
Yes, right now! I’ll wait….
Senator Begich 202-224-3004
Senator Murkowski 202-224-6665
And when you’re done, you get a reward! You get to write a comment or drop me an email and let me know you did it! And if you’re out of state, please call your senator too and let us know.
Homework is always fun when you do it with a group of friends.
UPDATE:
For those of you who have had trouble getting through to Mark Begich’s office, here’s why. An email went out from AmeriPAC today with the subject line “KILL OBAMACARE” and the phones have been flooded. So it’s even more important to hang in there and try to get your call through. I got through without a problem, but for those who couldn’t connect, please keep trying. The vote will be tonight at 8pm Eastern time. Stay tuned. Thanks to all who are getting engaged.
November 21st, 2009 at 12:13 PM
I tried again to Lisa’s office and got through. I urged a yes vote and the responder took my name and address. At the end, I asked him to please urge Sen Murkowski to vote yes because there is nothing to be lost by continuing to talk.
November 21st, 2009 at 12:14 PM
Because she’s a master at making people afraid of her. She LIKES it that way, the more people who don’t care for her hate her, the better for her. It’s her line of defense, her sick upper hand psych play, if you can get them afraid you can psych them out.
Most won’t dare question her, because if they do, they’ll look like they’re picking on her. She’s set up the “fake” meme.
How many would call her out on this and point it out? EVERYBODY should be! She has no credibility on this issue, she is not like one of them. But no, even her adoring fans who know this won’t even question it. She is not like them in every way, but they are too stupid to realize it. She’s also NOT middle class. But she can speak stupid, I guess they have that much in common. Or like she says, they wouldn’t be there would they. Gah, Scarah, you are such a sick fraud.
Do they not think her mean girl personal thoughts in her book as strange? odd? Immature? Drama’ish? All onesided? She writes what she was thinking as events were occurring, does that “thinking” not set off warning sirens? Because if that’s what all those folks who line up for hours, in cold and rain, wasting their time, actually relate to, then man, we have a sick group of unreal Americans.
And BTW, the Michigan BS story, how she promised them she’d be back. That was a direct slap across the face to John McCain without having to actually say anything bad about him. She’s saving that ammo. Hell, he’s afraid of Scarah too.
If you look at photos from that day, you can see tension between the two of them. You can see Scarah opposes his decision and is angry over it. And you can see in McCains that he’s dreaded picking her and he hopes to God she doesn’t make things worse.
From day one, Scarah was an albatross around the campaigns neck, that got heavier and heavier. All because she lied to them, misrepresented herself and wanted to lie to the American people. They had no clue how unqualified she was and the trouble she bring. It must have been a campaign from hell. I would have quit before I’d help foist Scarah on our country.
The drawn out Troopergate investigation scandal was a huge drain on the ticket and a messy distraction. The unwed pregnant daughter didn’t help either. Those two scandal items came from her, not the opposition researchers. And she wants to blame the Bush administration for the failed win, rich and classy as always Scarah.
AKM said: “OK, remember the part about Todd being part Alaska Native? Well, guess what comes with that? Free health care. Yup. Socialist government-run health care. And it works really well. Todd gets it, Track gets it, Bristol gets it, Willow gets it, Piper gets it, and Trig gets it. Sarah gets it too, for all her pregnancies.”
November 21st, 2009 at 12:15 PM
Check out Sully’s latest post about $arah’s knowledge of history:
http://andrewsullivan.theatlantic.com/the_daily_dish/2009/11/sarahs-folly.html
November 21st, 2009 at 12:16 PM
I sent e-mails to McCain and Kyl. Phone calls? Not so much. Both Senators have made it abundantly clear for years that they are totally disinterested in any opinion but their own. I am gathering information to verify that fact for McCain’s re-election campaign in 2010 and for Kyl’s in 2012. With effort and luck, We in Arizona will have responsive Democratic representation within three years.
November 21st, 2009 at 12:18 PM
Irishgirl Says:
I was scrolling through the Levi photographs, when my 17 yr old son and his friend arrived home. They were observing me from outside the window looking at naked pics of a 19 yr old. That one was hard to explain!!!
****************************************************
What a Hoot ! Laughed so hard I was crying. Thanks I needed that . Made my day.
November 21st, 2009 at 12:31 PM
Called both Lisa and Mark asking them to vote YES on cloture for the health care bill.
November 21st, 2009 at 12:35 PM
Thanks for the nudge– I emailed both senators and got my husband to do so too.
November 21st, 2009 at 12:36 PM
I did call Mr. Durbin’s office to thank him. I did not call Mr. Burris, because I am so mad at that man I could spit. I emailed him.
http://tinyurl.com/y9mruxj
November 21st, 2009 at 12:55 PM
WASHINGTON – In a show of unity, Senate Democrats sealed a 60-vote majority needed to advance health care legislation Saturday ahead of an evening showdown with Republicans eager to doom the bill and inflict a punishing defeat on President Barack Obama.
Done… early.
November 21st, 2009 at 1:06 PM
Irish girl, blame it all on me -the bar… (subconstious typo?) -I meant BAD influence. That’s what all my other friends do!! Cheers.
;-0
November 21st, 2009 at 1:08 PM
how did murkowski get the # 666 in her phone # I would had that changed . called right through to mark they were happy to talk to me .
November 21st, 2009 at 1:11 PM
NEW TAKE ON SARAH AND 2012
Okay, I wandered over to this Jeffrey Goldberg post via Sully, that quoted Sarah Palin saying to Barbara Walters that “more and more Jewish people will be flocking to Israel in the days and weeks and months ahead” So our little Sarah thinks the Rapture is immanent, and so she really isn’t worried about 2012. Days, and Weeks? Evidently it’s about to happen really soon.
http://jeffreygoldberg.theatlantic.com/archives/2009/11/sarah_palin_and_the_rapture.php
November 21st, 2009 at 1:24 PM
Ummm …. looks like “Yes It Did Happen!”
Wow! I just know it was my e-mails that made aaalllllll the difference in the vote
Now the real work begins.
Brain churning …. big obstacle – people afraid of change, afraid of what’s in the bill, made afraid primarily by what they see on TV or hear on the radio.
How to get them un-afraid …. tricky.
Sarah Palin’s FB page and Tweets are poised to disseminate much of that fear…. how to counteract it?
As Kathy Lee Gifford sings, “Everyone has a Story”. Those stories need to get to our lawmakers. But how? I know in my heart of hearts that the majority of people in America want health care reform, sooner than later. I know the current bill has a lot of good stuff in it.
What is the key thing that could make the “Kill the Bill”ers change their tune?
I know there has to be something, I just have a feeling. And I know if any group can run a ‘good campaign’ and make a difference, it is the Mudflatters!
Well, all this musing for later. For now, this is a little something to be celebrated.
Look, there’s a glass of wine …. a virtual toast everyone, to America’s future …
(you fill in the rest of the toast)
November 21st, 2009 at 1:25 PM
I did it.
November 21st, 2009 at 1:34 PM
Here is a compendium of $P’s pants-on-fire moments:
http://andrewsullivan.theatlantic.com/the_daily_dish/2009/11/michelle-goldberg-gets-it.html
November 21st, 2009 at 1:39 PM
I didn’t call the CA female Senators, but did sign a petition from Barbara Boxer. For those of you who are so inclined, here is a petition that I signed regarding the health care reform bill in honor of $P’s wite-out on the dr bill:
http://act.credoaction.com/campaign/send_a_coathanger/?rc=chaser&r=5023&id=6701-2213678-ra52GBx.
She’s still a twit with her twitter, so you may want to send a reminder by clicking on the link above.
November 21st, 2009 at 1:57 PM
I eventually got through to Senator Begich’s line. A very nice young man answered the phone.
November 21st, 2009 at 1:58 PM
I was poking around on Andrew Sullivan’s page and found that he had transcribed Palin’s jibber-jabber from the OR interview. Read it and weep…or laugh….or cry. I’m just glad he did it, so I didn’t have to listen to her again.
His question, Are you qualified, are you intelligent enough to be President….
I believe that I am [qualified to be president] because I have common sense, and I have, I believe, the values that are reflective of so many other American values. And I believe that what Americans are seeking is not the elitism, the kind of a spinelessness that perhaps is made up for that with some kind of elite Ivy League education and a fact resume that’s based on anything but hard work and private sector, free enterprise principles.
_____
Outside of the snark and mess of an answer, did she miss the part where the American’s were “seeking” an Ivy League educated President and voted him into office????? Did she miss that big party where millions of “real” American’s showed up to usher in said Ivy Leage educated President? She speaks as if Obama hasn’t won the election and we are back in October 2008–and she is the candidate going against Obama. What is wrong with her?
November 21st, 2009 at 2:00 PM
Irishgirl – just too funny! It brought to mind that old song “A Good Man is Hard to Find” which we used to sing as “A H**d Man is Good to Find” – seemed to always make sense after a few glasses of wine… hmmm, could still be applicable
Sorry, is it too early for salacious language? Levi does look very nice – cute tush.
November 21st, 2009 at 2:11 PM
Burrrrrrrrrisssss… man with no portfolio ought to do one decent thing in his sad Blagojavich-leaching life.
November 21st, 2009 at 2:14 PM
29 trisha Says: November 21st, 2009 at 8:17 AM
What’s funny is that he (Joe the unplumber) has been in Utah stumping for someone, and an article in the paper said he drew a crowd of two dozen. Yes, two whole dozen.
Why do they still keep using this dud?
————-
Now, there’s a spud who remains a couple dozen short of a small fry.
November 21st, 2009 at 2:15 PM
sauerkraut Says:
November 21st, 2009 at 2:11 PM
Burrrrrrrrrisssss… man with no portfolio ought to do one decent thing in his sad Blagojavich-leaching life.
And a honking huge AMEN from me! Sheesh.
November 21st, 2009 at 2:21 PM
I called both. Thanks for the numbers to make it easier. I knew Murkowski would be a no, but I made sure the young man who answered took my name and email and recorded that there are plenty of Alaskans who support HCR.
November 21st, 2009 at 2:29 PM
Andrew has her list of lies, but I know there is stuff that came out this week that isn’t on his list. For example, the Exxon claims and the lawyer who spoke out a few days ago.
He asks for corrections or ommisions, but I don’t see how to contact him. Does anyone know?
I know there are others, I just can’t keep up. Plus, I think there are more from her earlier days in Alaska, but only Alaskans would recognize those lies. Do we need to make a list and make sure he gets it?
Didn’t she also lie about how she found out about Trig and his D.S.? She has, at least, told several versions. In WI a few weeks ago, it was a different story again about how the tech told her. Also, how she found out she was pregnant and how she told the kids? Didn’t she lie about that too?
November 21st, 2009 at 3:09 PM
Great little tid bit about Sarahs book numbers.
dickysdoodles.blogspot.com
November 21st, 2009 at 3:10 PM
http://www.dickysdoodles.blogspot.com
November 21st, 2009 at 3:12 PM
Just read one of the Rochester newspaper articles that says her reps have changed it from 1000 to 500. Yet just watched a news story 2 minutes ago and they are still saying 1000. Supposedly there were 150 lined up overnight. This is not a Mall store. It’s a strip type plaza so it was cold.
She could easily set herself up for another disaster today in that you cannot announce a change of rules when you have people already in line who have driven for hours to line up when the bands were to be distributed at 9 am. for her appearance at 6 pm.
November 21st, 2009 at 3:18 PM
Palin – Rochester: Here’s link to a vid and story by Democrat and Chronicle.com
http://www.democratandchronicle.com/article/20091121/NEWS01/91121001
Second page of story says there were 1000 lined up!!
November 21st, 2009 at 3:20 PM
#113 trisha – Wow! She can’t blame the librul medial for that incoherent response. I’d love to see an SNL skit with Tina Fey using that answer verbatim. Then, I dare Sarah to give some examples of her common sense.
November 21st, 2009 at 4:48 PM
Bad news:
http://www.deseretnews.com/user/comments/705346250/Glenn-Beck-stakes-out-a-more-activist-role-in-politics.html
November 21st, 2009 at 4:51 PM
From Sarah’s Twitter:
In Rochester NY now;Piper & my Dad join us here, so more FUN arrives!Folks @ these events quote those 2 from the book more than me! Luv it!
about 4 hours ago from TwitterBerry
You know, I am just not all that sure I believe that.
November 21st, 2009 at 4:51 PM
Sarah gave the everyday crazies (Beck) aspirations to be like her.
November 21st, 2009 at 4:59 PM
New post is up!! Latest installment!!
November 21st, 2009 at 5:30 PM
I placed my phone calls and had my husband get on the line for the benefit of Murkowski’s office, he let them know he’s a registered Republican in the state of AK who is for health reform, specifically a public option!
November 21st, 2009 at 5:38 PM
My senators are both strong supporters of the health care reform and the public option and I have sent them a thank you. Lieberman I sent him and McCain messages that they should be ashamed of themselves for not following the will of the people and just being obstructionist,Especially Lieberman as it is said that 68% of the people in his state want this reform and a public option. Of course no answers back cause i am not from their state.. I thought the pictures of Levi were tastefully done especially after hearing about the Prejean videos or pictures.Think he needs to lose a little weight though. especially for a 19 year old.
November 21st, 2009 at 5:48 PM
Well I’m shocked, Senator Voinovich didn’t vote. It’s not a yes but not a no, either.
I can’t help but hope a little bit that he will vote for the final bill. He is retiring in 2010 and has made some suggestions about his displeasure with the direction of his party.
Admittedly, I would enjoy a final one finger salute to the party of NO from him.
November 21st, 2009 at 7:30 PM
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/22/business/media/22beck.html
glenn beck wants to be like Acorn??? hmmm
November 21st, 2009 at 7:52 PM
this what i hope for Levi; i hope that spirit and the love of wise women and men guide this young man’s life. i pray that those spiritually inclined mudpups and those mudpups who just love to see the little ones win every once in while, will join together and wish mercy and wisdom on every young father in the world. Levi is well fed and warm and, like his mother-in law, photogenic and folksy in a really comfortable kind of way. the difference is; i believe Levi is entirely human. he is sweet and he has a brain and he is willing to be schooled. he is willing to love and be love. there so many millions out there just like him.
November 21st, 2009 at 9:47 PM
I just read on CNN that SP has made a statement asking her supporters to make calls to senators to stop health care reform. She is spouting more lies about the cost to scare people into believing that the sky is about to fall.
Off topic. Did anyone see the SP spoof on SNL tonight where she runs/or is elected president. They have Brian Williams making the announcement and show apocalyptic video clips surrounding the news. It’s the best thing I have seen in days!