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Joe Wilson, Meet Rob Miller.

Well, we all know what unfortunate moment will be most remembered from the President’s speech on health care last night;  a heckle from another ill-mannered, sophomoric, Republican who is far more interested in disruption than discussion.  This time it’s Joe Wilson from … wait for it … South Carolina.  It’s been a rough couple months for the thinking folks of South Carolina.  Believe me, Alaskans can sympathize.

Up until today, Joe Wilson was just another anonymous Southern Republican troglodyte Congressman, unknown to all but the poor people of South Carolina and the most serious horse race junkies.

Today, he’s the hyena who disgraced himself, his party, and the House chamber by screaming “you lie!” like an 8 year-old during the President’s eloquent speech on the most critical challenge facing our nation.

There’s something we can do to let Joe Wilson know what we think of his childish approach to a serious problem — we can help out Rob Miller. Rob is an Iraq War vet — a Marine who came back to South Carolina to try and restore dignity to South Carolina’s Second CD, where Joe Wilson was selling out the district by voting for unfair trade deals and corporate giveaways. Despite being a relative unknown, being outspent by a substantial margin, and a general Republican lean to the district, Rob came within just 8 points of knocking Wilson off in 2008. And we’re lucky to have him running again.

Rob’s a fair trade Democrat who supports the Employee Free Choice Act. He’s a breath of fresh air for a state that desperately needs new leadership.  And we can help him tonight, as the nation sees what an immature loser his opponent is. Let’s chip in to help Rob with early financial support, and with the notoriety Wilson has brought on himself, we’ve got a chance to help send Joe Wilson packing, and to bring maturity and decency to South Carolina politics.

And not only did the man behave badly, he is the one who actually lied.  Wilson accused the President of lying when he said the bill would not cover illegal aliens.  Here is the actual language from HR3200.

SEC. 246. NO FEDERAL PAYMENT FOR UNDOCUMENTED ALIENS.

Nothing in this subtitle shall allow Federal payments for affordability credits on behalf of individuals who are not lawfully present in the United States.

So, if the antics of the Republicans make you crazy, and if you find yourself reaching for the Maalox every time one of them opens their yap, spend your Maalox money on good progressive candidates instead.  Even if it’s only a few dollars, it makes a difference.  Think of each dollar like a goot metaphorical poke with a toothpick, and then multiply it by a few hundred thousand.

And also know that people like the following commenter at FOXNation are going to be trying to keep people like Wilson in office.

Act Blue via Daily Kos has already racked up close to $150,000 for Rob Miller today, so use the link above and keep it coming! (Totals to Rob Miller are approaching $400,000!)

And by the way,

over his entire congressional career, health professionals represent Wilson’s top industry contributors, donating a total of $244,196 to his campaign, according to the Center for Responsive Politics OpenSecrets.org database. He received another $86,150 from pharmaceutical companies, $73,050 from insurance companies and $68,000 from hospitals and nursing homes.

Comments

comments

Comments
176 Responses to “Joe Wilson, Meet Rob Miller.”
  1. Claw Washout Palin says:

    I wrote MediaMatters and ask them why they are not targeting Murdock and some of his business associates that are spreadding lies and hatred across the media. Murdock needs to be held responsible for some of their actions. He’s the Money Man that is supplying them.

  2. Claw Washout Palin says:

    Here’s the petition link from, Progressive Change , to censure Joe Wilson

    http://salsa.wiredforchange.com/o/5649/t/4997/content.jsp?content_KEY=2825&tag=pof_auto

  3. lilly says:

    Joe Wilson is begging for donations.

    Poor cry baby. The big, bad democrats are intent on sending a blue dog democrat to Congress.

    I actually think the man is worried.

  4. lilly says:

    Murdock owns Rotten Tomatos?

    D-mn. I access that site. But it’s movie reviews.

    I wonder what he can get out of Rotten Tomatos, the reviews are from papers he doesn’t own. And no advertising.

    As far as Joe Wilson. I think he has lost his standing in S.C.. He is begging for donations. I think he’s cooked his own goose in South Carolina. Nationally he is scorned, except by racists. He’s given the republicans a black eye.

    It may have suddenly dawned on him, that his fellow South Carolinians value their reputation for courtesy and good manners. He has besmirched South Carolinas good name in that one respect.

    They might agree with him, but not how he did it.

    Plus ,he was dead wrong, and the man hasn’t the grace to apologise properly with a gun held to his head by his associates.

    I think this is the turning point for Obama, and I’m not an Obama fan. I wrote in Chuck Hagel for president.

    I really enjoyed Keith Olbermann giving him the business, ditto Sarah Palin who I will now refer to privately as “Murdocks Creature.”

  5. MadCity Chick says:

    Boycotting as much of Murdoch as possible.

    What does Rupert Murdoch own? Quite a bit quite frankly. Click through each heading for the ‘types’ of companies at this link. Website actually breaks it down quite nicely.

    http://www.newscorp.com/management/index.html

    An example of just a fraction of what he owns. Under the heading ‘Other Assets’ these companies are listed. All owned by Murdoch’s Newscorp.

    AmericanIdol.com
    AskMen
    Broadsystem
    Beliefnet
    careerone.com.au
    CARSguide.com.au
    Fox.com
    Fox Interactive Media
    FoxSports.com
    FoxSports.com.au
    hulu.com
    IGN Entertainment
    kSolo
    Milkround
    MySpace
    National Rugby League
    NDS
    News.com.au
    News Digital Media
    News Outdoor
    Rotten Tomatoes
    Scout
    Spring Widgets
    truelocal.com.au
    WhatIfSports

    As I said this is just a tiny portion of what he owns. Truly disturbing how much he has his hands in.

  6. Shorebird says:

    And lest we forget: Miss Teen South Carolina
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lj3iNxZ8Dww

  7. GA Peach a/k/a Lance the Boil aka Crust Scramble says:

    Sorry, if this has been posted before

    http://www.alternet.org/story/142563/14_things_you_need_to_know_about_obama_heckler%2C_rep._joe_wilson/

    This one just pi$$e$ me off – what a hypocrite.

    -8. A military veteran whose health-care coverage is set for life, even after he retires from Congress, Wilson has “voted 11 times against health care for veterans in eight years, even as he voted ‘aye’ for the Iraq War…, ” according to Adam Weinstein, an uninsured Iraq-war veteran, writing at Newsweek’s The Gaggle-

  8. Kath the Scrappy says:

    #169 lilly Says:
    September 11th, 2009 at 5:22 AM

    “boycott Murdocks biased cartel.” #142 That is a great suggestion.

    In one smaller item, his paper the Sun almost destroyed the Scots singer Susan Boyle, who now has the biggest advance record in Amazon this year. I think her record is out in November 24th of this year. She wasn’t good looking, or polished, so they really did a number on the lady. Fortunatly Simon Cowell did the right thing by her.

    OMG, I never before made the connection. Those creeps were relentless on Susan Boyle. Unbelievable that they needed to bully her so. Will check Amazon, I want to buy whatever she sings.

    Thanks for telling the connection WRT the Sun.

  9. lilly says:

    “boycott Murdocks biased cartel.” #142 That is a great suggestion.

    We can’t do much about Wilson, that’s for South Carolinas voters.

    Advertisers shrank away from Glen Beck, but Murdock supports him since they only moved their advertising to other programs on Fox.

    Lets face it Sarah Palin is his sock puppet now.

    We can boycott the octupus and his vast worldwide cartel and network, and in one way, the way that hurts, is boycott whoever advertises in his papers or on Fox.

    I don’t know what Murdocks agenda is. Does anyone here have any idea?

    I think his son is attacking the BBC in some way. And his newspapers were caught spying and interfering in British politics in unacceptable ways. They got away with a hefty fine if I recall correctly.

    In one smaller item, his paper the Sun almost destroyed the Scots singer Susan Boyle, who now has the biggest advance record in Amazon this year. I think her record is out in November 24th of this year. She wasn’t good looking, or polished, so they really did a number on the lady. Fortunatly Simon Cowell did the right thing by her.

    I have often googled up her you tube of “I Dreamed a Dream” from Les Mis.

    A small item, but indicative of his power to destroy.

    It lifts the spirits.

  10. Kath the Scrappy says:

    Frankly, the good folks of S.C. must be reeling lately. Like some kind of embarrassment competition with AK:

    The Republican Senate & even the SC GOP Party asking the adulterous Governor to resign, just this past couple of days.

    Then the buffoon Joe Wilson trying to disrupt President Obama’s speech before Congress, like he was at some Town Mtg doing his teabagging.

    Plus, their Sanford appointed, abstinence promoting, home-schooling mom of four, who quietly resigned Sep 1, 2009 (must read, now THIS is funny):

    “Creationist Chairwoman of S.C. Board of Education Resigns as Sex Scandal Goes Public.
    http://www.nateanddi.com/?p=424

    “And today we add yet another evangelical official to the ever-growing mass of flotsam swirling down the drain of conservative political hypocrisy:

    Kristin Maguire, the Chairwoman of the S.C. State Board of Education resigned her post shortly before SC poliblog FITSNews published a piece claiming that Maguire is a “prolific author of hardcore erotic fiction on the Internet.” FITS promised something juicy was on the way last Friday, which is actually when she submitted her resignation to the LuvGov himself. The article also alleges that Maguire engaged in lap dances at bars, public indecency at Jenny Sanford’s desk in the governor’s office, and points to a probable cover-up by Sanford’s staff when they were tipped off earlier this year.” …snipped…

    She has been a vocal anti-evolutionist and is a strong supporter of “abstinence only” sex education. When she was elevated to lead the S.C. Board, her appointment was hailed as a victory for social conservatives and cheered on Christian blogs and websites across the Southeast. …snipped…

  11. Kath the Scrappy says:

    I donated via ActBlue yesterday. Shocking to see how fast the thermometer was shooting up. Over $5,000 added just in the short time I went to the living rm to grab my credit card, happy to see it’s still bubbling.

    On Earthlink last night giving the story about this all, I noticed that Joe Wilson is no novice to controversy, ummm did someone mention the word “racist”?:

    http://my.earthlink.net/article/us?guid=20090910/4aa887d0_3421_1334520090910773873998

    “During the 2004 presidential campaign, he demanded that Sen. John Kerry, D-Mass., apologize for his 1971 comments criticizing those who served in Vietnam. Former Democratic Sen. Max Cleland of Georgia, who lost both legs and an arm in Vietnam, defended Kerry and called Wilson a “chicken hawk” for supporting military action without going to war. However, two of Wilson’s sons have served in Iraq.

    In 2003, Wilson called it “unseemly” for the mixed-race daughter of Sen. Strom Thurmond, Essie Mae Washington-Williams, to identify the longtime South Carolina senator as her father after his death.

    “It’s a smear on the image that (Thurmond) has as a person of high integrity who has been so loyal to the people of South Carolina,” he told The State newspaper of Columbia. Wilson had worked as an intern in Thurmond’s office. After a public outcry, he said he had the utmost respect for Washington-Williams.” …snipped..

  12. swe123 says:

    Wow…that link above on Rob Miller was terrific. I encourage everyone to read it. And now that I know more about him I will definitely be donating to his campaign.

  13. Lani Formerly Bash Budweiser Palin says:

    Wilson is in trouble. Rob Miller doesn’t just post on his own blog, he’s been on HuffPo. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/rob-miller/why-im-running-for-congre_b_139582.html

  14. tigerwine says:

    What is it with the “Joes” and the Republican party? Joe 6 Pack, Joe the Plumber, and now Joe Wilson.

  15. NY Dem says:

    Unfortunately, Shimkus is in one of the “safest of safe” Republican Districts in Southern Illinois (Illinois-19). One of two Districts in the State that voted heavily for McCain. Shimkus won his last election something like 64 % to 33 % for his opponent.

    Very happy to see Mr. Miller doing so well in the fund-raising department after the Joe Wilson debacle. I hope he does top 1 million dollars. Really makes you sit up and take notice of the power of the internet and how it will be greatly affect each and every election for all time to come; just as it did the 2008 Presidential election.

  16. Lani Formerly Bash Budweiser Palin says:

    Donations to Miller have topped $700,000. Think he’ll hit a million?
    http://www.actblue.com/entity/fundraisers/19079

  17. BigSlick says:

    Rob Miller is a BLOGGER!

    http://robmillerforcongress.blogspot.com/

    And rather eloquent I might add….

  18. BigSlick says:

    #154
    Rob in Ca Says:
    September 10th, 2009 at 8:08 PM

    Let’s censure Shimkus too.

    I have sat through many frustrating meetings. These guys need to grow up or, preferably, go away.

    Boehner, Cantor, Steele, McConnell…there is not one Republican leader that will keep these clowns in line. So obviously, we need to pass the legislation on our own. There is really no one to talk to.

    #155
    Chaim Says:
    September 10th, 2009 at 8:19 PM

    So Rep. Shimkus walked out on the President’s speech “out of frustration.” Ahem. Your “frustration” caused you to make a show of rudely walking off the job; President Obama’s frustration with you and your colleagues caused him to come and make that speech. I like the President’s approach better. Grow up.

    ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

    Who is running against them in the next election?

    They all have their own Rob Miller out there somewhere….

  19. BigSlick says:

    Letterman rocks tonite…..

  20. honestyinGov says:

    Lettermans Top Ten tonight will be about Mr Wilsons excuses for screaming out during Pres. Obama’s speech…. still to come.

    Dave refers to Sarah Palin about her claim of ‘ death panels ‘… etc… small talk.

    He says Sarah’s is all for death panels……
    SHE was the one who ‘ pulled the plug ‘ on John McCains campaign.. bada BING!

  21. mlaiuppa says:

    Rob Miller is approaching $700,000.

    http://www.actblue.com/entity/fundraisers/19079

    Thanks, Joe. You lame doofus.

  22. Chaim says:

    So Rep. Shimkus walked out on the President’s speech “out of frustration.” Ahem. Your “frustration” caused you to make a show of rudely walking off the job; President Obama’s frustration with you and your colleagues caused him to come and make that speech. I like the President’s approach better. Grow up.

  23. Rob in Ca says:

    Let’s censure Shimkus too.

    I have sat through many frustrating meetings. These guys need to grow up or, preferably, go away.

    Boehner, Cantor, Steele, McConnell…there is not one Republican leader that will keep these clowns in line. So obviously, we need to pass the legislation on our own. There is really no one to talk to.

  24. michigander says:

    Krubozumo @138 – nailed it again, at least in my opinion (and nswfm CA’s)

    Ooh, two little Arctic Foxes on Letterman….

  25. in exile (SC version) says:

    One more thing, then back to paper grading…
    I just saw at HuffPo that another Repub dissed the President by walking out during th speech:
    Rep. John Shimkus Walked Out On Obama Speech Out Of “Frustration”
    Shimkus Walks Out

  26. in exile (SC version) says:

    139 @GA Peach
    What. A. Jerk. (and again, I enjoyed reading the comments.)

  27. in exile (SC version) says:

    Letterman is Top 10 reasons Joe Wilson yelled at the President –
    #2 was ‘It’s been weeks since a Republican politician embarrassed the state of South Carolina’

  28. nswfm CA says:

    KN, as usual, you have.

  29. Star says:

    Holy Moly – Just checked in…Looks like i have a lot of reading to catch up on..
    Huff post is hot tonite..Daily Kos same there..
    J. Wilson is a ^ickhead..LMBO BBL

  30. Bea says:

    Apparently, Baby Boy Wilson (Alan) is the only announced candidate so far for SC Atty General. I think we should keep an eye on that race too and throw a little $$$-love to whomever the Dems run. Wouldn’t it be nice to defeat the whole POS Wilson family in a single election?

  31. Bea says:

    139 GA Peach a/k/a Lance the Boil aka Crust Scramble Says:
    September 10th, 2009 at 6:41 PM
    And the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree….
    _____

    Does dim son want a moneybomb dropped on him TOO??? Does he? ‘Cause he’s clearly a lying POS just like his dear old daddy. Off to research who is running against Wilsonofabeyotch Jr…

    (had to ammend my swear for the spam filter…LOL)

  32. Bea says:

    139 GA Peach a/k/a Lance the Boil aka Crust Scramble Says:
    September 10th, 2009 at 6:41 PM
    And the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree….

    http://www.thestate.com/breaking/story/937284.html
    _____

    Does dim son want a moneybomb dropped on him TOO??? Does he? ‘Cause he’s clearly a lying POS just like his dear old daddy. Off to research who is running against Wilsonofabitch Jr…

  33. Aussie Blue Sky says:

    Olbermann’s evisceration of Wrong Way Wilson. Ten minutes well spent.

    http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3036677/#32790023

  34. sauerkraut says:

    Adderson “digging his own” Graves Wilson?

    His confederate predecessors must be dayum proud of their spawn.

  35. GA Peach a/k/a Lance the Boil aka Crust Scramble says:

    And the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree….

    http://www.thestate.com/breaking/story/937284.html

  36. Krubozumo Nyankoye says:

    Disclaimer: I am off into the bush for two or three weeks so I won’t be able to respond.

    South Carolina? Oh yes, that is where Fort Sumpter is. Any surprise that 149 years later that same mentality prevails? I am not a student of wars, or of the US civil war, but if memory serves me, the seccesionists got their collective behinds kicked. Actually, that is generous, they were destroyed.

    The relevance is of course pretty clear to anyone paying any attention, this guy Wilson is a dyed in the wool Southern racist, plain and simple. He has some truly bizzare fantasy that the south will rise again. Good luck with that!

    I will say it again, the organ of most import in this contest is the utterly biased Murdoch cartel. I am calling for a world wide boycott of his whole enterprise. He is rich, no doubt about that, but only because he has the support of corporations in the form of advertising revenues.

    We, the people, can take that away from him.

    To pre-empt those who might argue that it is wrong to constrain the freedom of the press, my only answer, such freedom does not include the freedom to propagandize with out right lies and deception. Despite what the Supreme court might rule.

    The supreme court cannot prevent the populace from threatening advertisers with a boycott. And the supreme court cannot prevent an effective boycott if it becomes necessary.

    Once more, need I point out that what this incident represents is the indelible fact that racism is the motive behind most of the opposition to Obama.

    Also too, don’t lose sight of the fact that this incident is nothing compared to the contest that Obama spoke to. He is trying to solve one of the worst problems the country faces, bankruptcy induced by insurance monopolies.
    First we get the public option, in his second term we get single payer and we put them all out of business. The republicans want to drown government in a bathtub, I say let’s drown the republicans in a tea cup.

    I hope I have contributed something of value to the discussion.

    Cheers,

  37. GA Peach a/k/a Lance the Boil aka Crust Scramble says:

    #130 Shorebird Says:
    September 10th, 2009 at 5:49 PM

    I still think it would have been really cool if Speaker Pelosi had gaveled the guy to order and asked the sgt-of-arms to escort the distinguished gentleman from South Carolina out of the chamber.
    ————
    I’d loved to have seen that, too, but I bet our classy President told everybody not to do that no matter what.

  38. in exile (SC version) says:

    @Aussie – I actually like Jenny S – she’s taken their 4 sons and moved out of the governor’s mansion. She’s wronged and she says so.

  39. Diane from Arkansas says:

    Jojoba1: I hope so, too. I’ve heard Axelrod, et all say they watch Rachel and I would think she has made sure they know about the crazy about to descend on D.C. and ‘ol Joe’s participation. Good time for the Prez to be on the HealthCare speaking tour he’s planning.
    It is scary. I can only hope that it will spread more sunshine on the elected creeps and bring them into sharp focus for the vast majority of Americans who truly love their country. I called my Congressman and asked that he repudiate this guy not only for his childish rant, but also his hypocritical involvement in anarchy.
    I also wrote Joe and told him that for 8 long years hundreds of millions Americans bit their tongues until we could all ran to the voting booth and kick most of ’em out, and he couldn’t keep his mouth shut for 1 hour.
    Sheesh!

  40. sharon in canada says:

    and a person wonders why it was so important for Pres Obama to speak to the school children about respect and citizenship.
    Who is their role model now?….Joe Wilson (and his ilk.)….not.

  41. Aussie Blue Sky says:

    @ 120 in exile (SC version)

    If Sanford clears out now and saves all that politicking next year, will that benefit SC or will it just leave time for more and different politicking?

    Regardless, I think he should just go. Give his wife an Oscar for Best Actress for her performance as “Wronged But Understanding Wife” and remind them Gahd wants them to live together.

  42. Basheert says:

    KeithO has nicknamed him “wrong way Wilson” – I personally thought it was kinda catchy and it’s easy to think of him that way.

    What do you all think?

  43. trisha says:

    Me too.

  44. Shorebird says:

    I still think it would have been really cool if Speaker Pelosi had gaveled the guy to order and asked the sgt-of-arms to escort the distinguished gentleman from South Carolina out of the chamber.

  45. MinNJ says:

    I agree, Trisha. I just hope our president is still alive. Scares me a lot.

  46. Lee323 says:

    I just donated to Rob Miller’s campaign. The national total is $671,000+

  47. trisha says:

    jojobo1 Says:
    September 10th, 2009 at 4:45 PM
    http://www.politifact.com/truth-o-meter/statements/2009/sep/09/joe-wilson/joe-wilson-south-carolina-said-obama-lied-he-didnt/
    A pants on fire lie for joe wilson
    _______________________________
    This is great, but the wingnuts who believe that Joe-The- Heckler is a hero will never see it. They get their information from Fox and a the right wing radio nuts only. Sad.

  48. trisha says:

    There is a really scary Hollywood futuristic movie in all of this.

    It’s about a large group of people who get all their information from one source—a corporation. This corporation..cough..cough…Fox, controls the minds of it’s viewers and leads them to vote in favor of the large corporation and against their own bests interests. These people are mesmerized by this corporation and believe everything they say to be the truth. These people rise up and terrorize their own country. The country is divided, the people of the nation lose and the corporation wins.

    Oh wait……………..it’s not a movie, it’s real. Sigh. Cocktail anyone?

  49. jojobo1 says:

    Diane I would hope our government official are on top of this I did notice that someone was taken into custody for trying to get into the congress property,I think it was and a rifle and ammunition was found in the trunk of his car.He just happened to want to park where vehicles are searched before entry..

  50. GA Peach a/k/a Lance the Boil aka Crust Scramble says:

    OMG, Bea, that’s like in 24 hours. Amazing!

    @jojobo1 – We’ve got to keep the pressure on. I’m starting to think of Jack, Saxby and Johnny as my new best friends (lol). Now that they’re hearing from me, they’re going to be hearing a lot more from me. And I don’t care if I hear from them or not.

  51. GA Peach a/k/a Lance the Boil aka Crust Scramble says:

    @jojobo1 #116

    I’m w/ you. Our President has so much class and I think if anyone had called attention to ‘Joe’ Wilson, he would have blown (in a nice, non-confrontational way) them off, too.

    @in exile

    Hang in there. I’ve learned from here that ‘sunshine is the best disinfectant’. The sun’s not going to quit shining on Sanford anytime soon.

  52. jojobo1 says:

    Ga Peach I did the first time also senator etc but no longer My rep is a republican and he only answered one e-mail not the other two I sent him that showed how wrong headed he was I of course did not use that term in my letter but I did tell several republican senators they should be ashamed of them selves for not wanting under insured and uninsured to be able to afford some kind of medical care.I usually hit the ones that speak the loudest McCain ,Hatch and a few others .Some don’t have a contact that I could find and Wilson’s just said the site was unavailable to check back later but I found a link by someone I think it was from the dccc and a message was sent to him thru them.I even got Lieberman and gave him what for after he was accepted back into the party and now he is back with McCain.

  53. Bea says:

    Miller up to just under $612K on ActBlue alone!!! 🙂

  54. in exile (SC version) says:

    It’s been a rough couple months for the thinking folks of South Carolina. Believe me, Alaskans can sympathize.
    ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
    Thanks, AKM, for your sympathy. We have had a recent outbread of stupid. The reason I list myself as ‘in exile’ is that the prevailing political climate is so completely overwhelmingly Republican, and that is tied into the majority Southern Baptist churches. Any thinking Republicans (Graham; Inglis) are shouted down by those far to the right. They are accused of treason to the party – they aren’t conservative (or reactionary) enough. Egad!

    (OT) The Sanford debacle is still unfolding, and he is still saying he won’t resign. Other Republicans are calling for his resignation, but now his lawyers are trying to justify his use of travel funds by looking at travel by other officials, including other governors. (see article below – he ‘used planes less than other governors’ – who do you think he is referring to here, haha)
    A recent article from the Columbia, SC newspaper is here: Sanford Investigates Others’ Travel
    The comments at the end of the article are quite entertaining, along with some YouTube links.
    snip
    “…After disappearing to Argentina for five days in June and later admitting an extramarital affair, Sanford’s record — particularly his state-funded business-class travel, use of state planes and campaign expenses has come under scrutiny and criticism.
    Sanford has pushed back against critics in recent weeks, arguing he has done nothing different from past administrations and that the criticisms are politically based. Sanford said he has used state planes less than other governors.
    The State Ethics Commission is investigating Sanford’s use of state planes and other resources, as well as how he reimbursed himself from his campaign funds. House lawmakers expect a bill will be introduced to impeach Sanford in December when the Legislature begins filing bills for January’s session.”

  55. MinNJ says:

    Diane: great information. I hope that it fails completely. How is hate Christian? How is not caring fot the less fortunate Christian? At a loss here.

  56. MinNJ says:

    Never believed him in the first place, but nice to know that he’s a totally complete a@@*ole.

  57. Diane from Arkansas says:

    Heads up Mudpuppies….just now on Rachel: Joe Wilson will be attending the 9/12 Tea Party March on Washington, sponsored by our favorite group Freedomworks and cosponsored by a group that calls for the “overthrough of the United States Government”. Marchers are encouraged to “buy guns” and told it “will be a day of reckoning”, “states will secede one after the other”.
    A United States Congressman has aboslutely no business at this event that advocates for the overthrow of our government.

    A steady stream of bottom feeders stopped by his DC office to congratulate him today.

  58. jojobo1 says:

    I forgot I wanted to say I think things were handled they way they should have been President Obama went on with his speech.If it had been handled when it happened it would really have been a big interruption.This way it is a win win for everyone the way it was handled.The man made a fool of himself and the more people google him the more they will find out that he is behind the insurance companies,Hospitals and drug companies

  59. GA Peach a/k/a Lance the Boil aka Crust Scramble says:

    I was blessed. Every morning when I woke up the Atlanta Journal (their motto was ‘covers Dixie like the dew’), the Atlanta Constitution and the Florida Times-Union were on the table. My dad read from front to back so I read from back to front. I still read newspapers that way.

  60. MinNJ says:

    I have to pay extra for MSNBC, so I rely on you to tell me what’s the deal. I thank you.

  61. Baker's Dozen says:

    That quote from Susan in AKM’s post says “glad he called a spade a spade or a liar a liar . . . ” Since spade is a pejorative for, uh, a black man, what she says is “glad he called that black man a liar.”
    Yet another proof that all these rants are actually people who can’t stand the thought that we have a black president but can’t bring themselves to say so.

  62. Empish says:

    Mark Begich coming up on Rachel Maddow show!

  63. MinNJ says:

    “We are not here to fear the future, we are here to shape it.” President Obama to the Joint Session of Congress.

  64. GA Peach a/k/a Lance the Boil aka Crust Scramble says:

    That explains it, moseyon.

    ‘Honorable’ southerners never give up their given names for a ‘nick’ name. They may shorten it, but calling himself “Joe” – that’s like “Bubba”. He should’ve kept Adderson. lol. ‘Ad Wilson’ – much better.

  65. pacos_gal says:

    I think I just freaked my sister out big time. I’m sure I can hear her blood pressure raising even now. It wasn’t really a conversation on liberal vs conservative. (I would be the liberal and she would be the conservative) Just a “did you see on something or other on Fox news the other day” I sort of just blanked everything once I heard Fox. I just said…”nope, you know I have a parental block on FoxNews” She asked why since I don’t have young children at home any longer. I simply said that I didn’t want any of my friends kids to accidently turn it on while flicking through channels and hear hate speech, that we aren’t use to that sort of thing and I’m not going to subject young ears to it, nor myself”. No comment, at all, dead air, conversation totally changed to something mundane involving other family members.

    I thought it was funny later, but I’m sure since she has often said that she Only watches Fox for her news, that she was not a happy camper. I think the dead air part said that pretty well. (she thought that I blocked all news from kids or something, but I let her know it was only Fox that is blocked)

  66. moseyon says:

    Did you know he is another false” JOE”.
    Hes real name is Adderson Graves Wilson.
    Yep, Joe sound better.

  67. GA Peach a/k/a Lance the Boil aka Crust Scramble says:

    @ Fired UP

    Thank G-d my parents thought it was a bad thing to get all my information from one source. (D-mn, it’s their fault I’m an information junkie!).

    And thanks, I love best wishes.

  68. GA Peach a/k/a Lance the Boil aka Crust Scramble says:

    @Martha UYS

    I’m still amazed that we actually elected this GREAT President. He makes me proud every single day.

  69. Fired UP aka Falter Locust Palin says:

    @Ga Peach- I wouldn’t take that bet- sure loser on my part. Faux is their favorite channel. Rush is their hero. They would love to see Cheney in ’12. I suspect I am a grave disappointment, but such is life. I am the one I have to answer to every night before I fall asleep.

    You have my admiration and best wishes for the strength of your convictions. It is not easy living there. You can’t go anywhere without having to listen to Faux. Although I loved it when I was in high school, once I left and experienced differing opinions and thoughts, I stopped fitting in. Am currently happily ensconced in the land of fruits and nuts, as my dad would say! (others call it California).

  70. GA Peach a/k/a Lance the Boil aka Crust Scramble says:

    @nswfm CA #93

    I think the point is it’s positive reinforcement for the good guys and a smack upside the head of the bad guys. I think the idea is to take action, not just to complain to the like-minded people among us (without taking action).
    ————

    I agree. It took me awhile, but I’ve started taking action!

  71. Martha Unalaska Yard Sign says:

    BTW, I thought it was awesome that the President gave such a great speech, and he heard what they said but I don’t think it completely took him by surprise. He went on to finish one of the greatest speeches I’ve ever heard! Beautifully done by President Obama!

  72. 0whole1 says:

    Ripley:
    >Can’t wait till the elections in CT…. LIEberman is going down.

    I think the Daily Kos just posted that the AFLCIO is *not* endorsing him this time.

  73. GA Peach a/k/a Lance the Boil aka Crust Scramble says:

    @BBHounds #96

    Please copy and send.

    BTW, before when I wrote to my representatives, I would address them as Representative Kingston, Senator Chambless, etc. Not anymore.
    I hail them now by their first name. They’re no better (and in some cases, much worse) than me. I address them by their 1st name – if they have no respect for their office, neither do I.

  74. ILTBF says:

    We should forgive Mr. Wilson. After all, Joe and his Republican colleagues in South Carolina had been using those exact words for months when addressing their “honorable” Governor. South Carolina and Alaska – The Home of Repugnent Leaders.

  75. BBHounds says:

    And NOW…I am going to send Rob Miller some money.

    Semper fi Marine!

  76. GA Peach a/k/a Lance the Boil aka Crust Scramble says:

    @Fired UP aka Falter Locust Palin

    JMO, The forest IS the trees.

    And yes, I really live here amongst the base.

    I’m getting there, Fired UP, but I wouldn’t have started moving in this direction w/out this place.

    And I’ll bet you this month’s mortgage payment that your georgia repub family only watches faux news.

  77. BBHounds says:

    Can you believe what Joe Wilson expects to pass as an apology? His momma needs to slap him!

    “I, ah, last night, heard from the leadership that they, ah, wanted me to contact the White House, ah, and state that, ah, my, statements, ah, were inappropriate. I did. I’m very grateful that the White House in talking with them, they indicated that they appreciated the call and that we needed to have a civil discussion about the health care issues, and I certainly agree with that.”

    What an pin-headed bigot.

    #76 GA Peach

    Too funny. May I copy your letter and send it around to my Reps after I finish slapping pin-head on his facebook page?

  78. 0whole1 says:

    Miller’s almost hit $600,000 last time I checked.

  79. Ripley says:

    I wonder if SP didn’t plant that mor”a”n in there to yell out, so as to take the focus off her self. I bet there’s something big coming up the pike, or the Yukon.

    I’d love to see the SC Mudpups organize a little gathering with signs and stuff…..Do we have more than about 2 of you guys out there?

    Can’t wait till the elections in CT…. LIEberman is going down.

  80. nswfm CA says:

    #
    91
    GA Peach a/k/a Lance the Boil aka Crust Scramble Says:
    September 10th, 2009 at 3:44 PM

    @Fired UP aka Falter Locust Palin #88

    My great worry here is that the focus is diverted from the real goal and that we spend too much time and energy on the Republicans- which does nothing but empower them.

    The less time we spend focusing on the Republicans and their bad behavior…..
    ————

    I respectively disagree. This mudpup was raised up by AKM and Shannyn and the best thing and surest way to get rid of these people is to focus on their bad behavior and CALL THEM OUT. We Progressives have been too nice and conciliatory. It’s way past time to pull a Rob Miller on all of them.
    ======
    I think the point is it’s positive reinforcement for the good guys and a smack upside the head of the bad guys. I think the idea is to take action, not just to complain to the like-minded people among us (without taking action).

  81. Fired UP aka Falter Locust Palin says:

    @Ga Peach #91:

    If people want to give money to Rob Miller as a way to register their disapproval, I say GO FOR IT! I don’t mean to dissuade anyone from letting Wilson know that he acted unforgivably, just to make sure we don’t lose the forest for the trees!

    Also, I hope that your name indicates your state of residence. My (Republican) family lives in Georgia and I made the mistake of engaging in the conversation about the President’s Speech. I can only hope you raise your voice often to counterbalance the other side.. .because they are not going to right that boat themselves, that is for sure.

    🙂

  82. GA Peach a/k/a Lance the Boil aka Crust Scramble says:

    @Fired UP aka Falter Locust Palin #88

    My great worry here is that the focus is diverted from the real goal and that we spend too much time and energy on the Republicans- which does nothing but empower them.

    The less time we spend focusing on the Republicans and their bad behavior…..
    ————

    I respectively disagree. This mudpup was raised up by AKM and Shannyn and the best thing and surest way to get rid of these people is to focus on their bad behavior and CALL THEM OUT. We Progressives have been too nice and conciliatory. It’s way past time to pull a Rob Miller on all of them.

  83. michigander says:

    Yes, he needs to be slammed down but I do like how Barney Frank, Jarrett and others deemed Wilson, (SP) as insignificant. No need to name names (SP), just state facts and turn the other cheek so to speak. That Biblical phrase has often been misinterpretted.

    Turning the other cheek can work wonders as long as you’re walking away from the BS and stating the truth.

  84. Bill Hess says:

    Not long after Obama’s speech, I visited the CNN, MSNBC and Fox News websites. Obama’s speech was the lead story on MCNBC, but Joe Wilson’s outburst was the lead on both CNN and Fox.

    Telling as it was, it was the main event.

    Very sad, I thought.

  85. BigSlick says:

    #
    56
    Rationalist Says:
    September 10th, 2009 at 1:01 PM

    Hey – by the way:

    Sedition is a term of law which refers to overt conduct, such as speech and organization, that is deemed by the legal authority as tending toward insurrection against the established order. Sedition often includes subversion of a constitution and incitement of discontent (or resistance) to lawful authority. Sedition may include any commotion, though not aimed at direct and open violence against the laws. Seditious words in writing are seditious libel. A seditionist is one who engages in or promotes the interests of sedition.
    ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

    Remember that voice on Palin for President saying “Joe the Light Bulb”?

    Now imagine it says “Joe the Seditionist” when you click on a picture of Joe Wilson.

  86. Fired UP aka Falter Locust Palin says:

    My great worry here is that the focus is diverted from the real goal and that we spend too much time and energy on the Republicans- which does nothing but empower them. They clearly believe that any attention is good attention, and they are using every bit of attention today to repeat their lies and disinformation.

    The less time we spend focusing on the Republicans and their bad behavior, the more time we have to spend on getting health care reform passed.

  87. sauerkraut says:

    Joe Wilson gets my asshat of the month award. No one else is close.

  88. trisha says:

    What’s Pelosi’s email. They need to send a clear message that this type of behavior will NOT be tolerated. If they don’t take action, they will do it again.

    It’s just like small children who test the waters of parental authority. If they get away with something, they will try it again.

    What’s scary is the wingnuts are claiming that he is a hero and that all of the GOP Congressmen should have done the same thing. Do they not understand that there are rules in the Chamber. This isn’t a frickin town hall meeting with paid protesters. What a bunch of knuckle-dragging thugs.

    I am really worried for our Country…..really worried. When the wingnuts ARE the elected officials and they heckle the President in a joint session of Congress…..oh boy…..sign.

  89. not that sarah says:

    @Ga Peach, oh my gosh– that is so funny!!!!!

    “These are sad days for America. Y’all seem intent on proving Cicero right – that “Politicians are not born, they are excreted.” ”

    I got a letter back from my congressman, but nada from Shameless or Johnny.

  90. boodog says:

    I just love Ron Reagan. (sorry, I can’t say the same for his dad) On the tube today, re Wilson’t outburst, he said “there is something very disturbing going on in this country today” and that it is up to the media to cover it and call them out on it, himself included. It also, sadly, sounds like the rest of the world is watching us with dropped jaws…

  91. GA Peach a/k/a Lance the Boil aka Crust Scramble says:

    @ not that sarah

    Already got an email back from jack’s office saying he’d be writing me a letter (form, no doubt).

    In my health care letter I sent to the 3 of them last week my final paragraph was
    ——–
    These are sad days for America.  Y’all seem intent on proving Cicero right – that “Politicians are not born, they are excreted.” 

  92. Gramiam says:

    The treehouse is open!!

  93. not that sarah says:

    GA Peach — so funny! I wrote them today, too…wish I had thought to include the reminder re freedomworks. I told them that Joe had humiliated Americans internationally, as well as the Republican party and their own offices. I urged them to censure him, as well as vote Yes on the POTUS”s healthcare reform bill, as I am sure they want to be a part of the fiscally conservative solution instead of corporate shrills (yes, shrills, not shills).

    I loved your email. LOL funny at the end!!

  94. zyggy says:

    Rob Miller will need 3X that amount to topple Joe the loud mouth.

  95. deist says:

    It made me feel better giving money to Act Blue. Miller is at about 525,000. I hope he gets at least a million as a consequence of his opponent’s vitriol. I hope Miller beats the scum bag.

  96. Basheert says:

    Rob Miller (on Act Blue) – $523,000

  97. jc in co says:

    #25 Lilly, I told them at the conservative site I visit “being proud of joe wilson is akin to being proud of lynndie england of abu ghraib fame.”
    #67 moseyon, just got an email from my senator Mark Udall, he too was summoned to the WH, he’s backing public option according to the email I received. I’m very proud of him, Colorado went blue this last time around but we’re starting to slip to purple. He’s proven to be brave and is committed to do the right thing.

  98. GA Peach a/k/a Lance the Boil aka Crust Scramble says:

    I couldn’t resist. Here’s the e-mail I sent to Jack, Saxby and Johnny.
    —–
    Please tell Joe Wilson ‘thanks’ from me. In less than 24 hours his opponent, Rob Miller, has raised almost half a million dollars. Wow, a retired Marine and an Iraq veteran, Miller ran without any help from national Democrats as a social conservative. Imagine that.

    Also, vote ‘yes’ on that health care public option thing. I’m counting on you.

    Have a great day.

    Oh, and don’t sell or share my private information. If I hear from FreedomWorks, I’ll know where it came from.

    Thanks.

  99. KaJo says:

    lilly Says: September 10th, 2009 at 1:00 PM “What is inexusable is that the members of congress had a copy of the Presidents address, so Wilsons remarks were calculated…”

    So, the Republican congressman who was interviewed this morning by Contessa Brewer or Andrea Mitchell (can’t remember who) was lying through his teeth when he said “…but none of us had copies of the President’s speech, so we didn’t know what he was going to say…therefore, sure, Joe’s reaction (and Joe is a VERY GOOD FRIEND OF MINE) was totally spontaneous!!!!”

    Yeah, right. Is there ANYTHING Republicans tell the truth about?

    And you might well guess Contessa/Andrea accepted the congressman’s statement as fact, and didn’t question him — as I know Dr. Nancy would have.

  100. Marnie says:

    72 InJuneau Says:
    September 10th, 2009 at 1:54 PM
    Marnie–you could try, but having been in a room with her more than once, I’m telling you it would be difficult!

    And, can you believe the efforts of SC politicians to out-do Alaska? I think they might, finally, be winning! For once, I wouldn’t mind not being first…

    For 60+ years I never wanted to be anywhere but Texas. Now sadly, I’m glad I’m not there. There’s lots of “what were/are they thinking.” to go around these days.

  101. Marnie says:

    70 Bea Says:
    September 10th, 2009 at 1:46 PM
    Just read that the DNC raised A MILLION dollars in the last 24 hours!

    Hope someone’s writing Wilson a nice thank you note!

    I sent somethng to Miller, with the note that thanks should be sent to Wilson.
    This is my HeeHee day, I guess.

    It’s probably the best way to spank Wison. To whoever noted that Wilson probably planed the outburst, Excellent point and worth our passing it around.

  102. InJuneau says:

    Marnie–you could try, but having been in a room with her more than once, I’m telling you it would be difficult!

    And, can you believe the efforts of SC politicians to out-do Alaska? I think they might, finally, be winning! For once, I wouldn’t mind not being first…

  103. Marnie says:

    66 InJuneau Says:
    September 10th, 2009 at 1:26 PM
    Marnie–it would take WAY MORE than a cocktail and a few glasses of wine for me to ever want to be in a room with the crazy woman of the north again. I’m not sure anyone could afford how much alcohol it would take to get me to that stage.

    We could try. Couldn’t we???
    I kind of see it, like, sitting at home on my second brewskie watching the talking heads on cable. (I actually gave up cable as being not worth it, some years ago.) After a while I kind of zone out to the babble and then begin to wonder what planet I have ended up being beamed to.

    The is not the country that it was, even in the 60’s. The ugly is no longer issue oriented its ugly hatred for the sheer joy of hatred.
    I had a aunt (She was a big Rush fan) who changed churches something like 4 times in the last 20 some years of her life. She was incapable of not finding someone or something to hate in each church. She died hating, among other things, a city of 100K total strangers, as well as her entire family.
    Sad, but seems like a lot of people live there, and Sarah’s one of them.

  104. Bea says:

    Just read that the DNC raised A MILLION dollars in the last 24 hours!

    Hope someone’s writing Wilson a nice thank you note!

  105. CRFlats says:

    YES!! This is an excellent way to deal with the cretin goober. Thanks for the info, AKM, I’m in!

    I support Goober’s First Amendment Rights, whether he deserve them or not. And my right to support his opponent is something I will use.

  106. boodog says:

    Has anybody heard from Shadow’s Heart? I hope all is ok…

  107. moseyon says:

    16 Democrates summoned to the White house
    Alaskas Mark Begich is on that list.
    Don’t know if know this yet,read at Huff.

  108. InJuneau says:

    Marnie–it would take WAY MORE than a cocktail and a few glasses of wine for me to ever want to be in a room with the crazy woman of the north again. I’m not sure anyone could afford how much alcohol it would take to get me to that stage.

  109. lilly says:

    Wilson probably said what he said for his small constituency in South Carolina and for the insurance lobbyists who fund his campaigns. His son is running for something or other, I’m not sure, maybe District Attorney, so his sons have political aspirations. We’ll see what happens in these two mens lives.

    I think Rob Millers warchest was down to about $50 in June. The backlash is enough to fund his campaign.

    Writing anything to that S.O.B. Wilson? Not me. He does have his supporters. Do you really think Wilson cares what an independent out of state American thinks? H–l no.

    He will care about the money his opponent now has.

  110. Paula says:

    Have no $$$ but will send good karma 😉

  111. Marnie says:

    48 Basheert Says:
    September 10th, 2009 at 12:52 PM
    Marnie: I’m sorry, I must disagree with you.

    ER’s are required to render LIFE SAVING aid ONLY. NO AFTERCARE. As a Level 1 Trauma Center, our hospital receives many cases known as
    the Sat nite knife-and-gun club with illegals involved. They are given EMERGENCY life saving treatment and immediately turned over to ICE for deportation when they are medically stable.

    No matter how hard hearted people try to be, physicians and nurses cannot deliberately allow people to die in their ER due to lack of insurance.

    But that is my point. Care can’t be denied so somebody pays. Either the hospital eats the loss or some other entity covers the costs.

  112. Basheert says:

    Yes everyone in Iraq has a right to health care. It’s just that they have NO doctors, nurses or hospitals.

  113. Bea says:

    Wilson is supposedly claiming the response has been “overwhelmingly positive.” More proof, IMO, that he PLANNNED it.

    Please be sure and call/email Wilson and tell him you think he’s “”overwhelmingly” full of crap.

    Also, take a minute to call Pelosi AND your own Rep to tell them you want Wilson CENSURED. If they won’t censure someone for breaking the rules, WHAT is censure for?

  114. MadCity Chick says:

    Seems the citizens of Iraq all have insurance thanks to the constitution we recently drafted for them.

    “http://www.huffingtonpost.com/mark-dorlester/guaranteed-health-care-in_b_280528.html

    … it’s stated Universal Health Care is a Right.
    This is just becoming more unreal. I guess we, the American population are not deserving of such rights.

    Iraqi constitution: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Constitution_of_Iraq

    Here’s what the Universal Declaration of Human Rights says about health care:

    Article 25.

    (1) Everyone has the right to a standard of living adequate for the health and well-being of himself and of his family, including food, clothing, housing and medical care and necessary social services, and the right to security in the event of unemployment, sickness, disability, widowhood, old age or other lack of livelihood in circumstances beyond his control.

    But not a right for Americans??!!??!!??!!??!!??!!

  115. Marnie says:

    38 mae lewis Says:
    September 10th, 2009 at 12:34 PM
    Let me get this straight. Most of us have not heard of Rob Miller until the Wilson Insult Flap, and he has raised hundreds of thousands of dollars in less than 24 hours! Compare that with what-is-the-bid? for Dinner with Sarah? Last I read she was at $37,000 and asking for bids. What a contrast– some one we hardly knew vs. some one who has tried very hard to keep her name in the media every day.

    Another Zen moment, well probably not it insults Zen, but at least a HeeHee moment.

    I’ve been wondering how many would want to eat with Sarah. Who would want to have to listen to her? Wonder what she’s like after a cocktail and a couple glasses of wine?
    Did you see Shannyn on Olbermann as he tried to bid. Wonder if that 35k is his bid under someone else’s name????? Hee. Hee.

  116. nswfm CA says:

    #
    21
    Fired UP aka Falter Locust Palin Says:
    September 10th, 2009 at 12:00 PM

    Wilson is a boob. There, I said it. Now I would like to offer a challenge to everyone- if Wilson’s actions made you angry, channel that anger into contacting your Representatives and making sure they will support the President’s Health Care policies. For those who live in Republican districts, call anyway and voice your opinion- the more people who call, the more likely your Representative will move away from the far right vitriol and at least enter into a dignified discussion.

    For those who live in districts with Blue Dog Democrats (google it and you can find a list), it is CRITICAL that you voice your opinion. The President needs the Blue Dogs support, so call, write, do anything you can to let them know you expect them to support the President.

    At the end of the day, Wilson is one vote and focusing on his behavior is a distraction. Let him motivate us to be as organized as the Republicans. Let him motivate us to get all of our duly elected Representatives to line up in support of the President and his initiative.

    In my district we are having a special election, as Rep. Tauscher was chosen to work with the White House. I have already called John Garamendi’s office and offered to volunteer to make sure that we send someone to Congress who will support the President.

    Who is with me?
    =====
    I AM!

    This was from a couple of days back, which I was hoping wouldn’t get lost in the pre-Labor day stuff:

    #45nswfm CA Says:
    September 3rd, 2009 at 4:02 PM

    I hope that that this doesn’t get lost in the news of the day like the storm of the Levi article or any other storm.

    After yet another night of troubled sleep, I am fed up. We are smarter than the people with the IQ of a coughed-up hairball. I can have just as much fun or preach to the choir as the next person, but think we could be doing so much more to effect positive change. It doesn’t cost much, either.

    AKM went to Netroots Nation and came back with some great info that she’s shared with us. We need to act decisively, on the issues that matter to us. Having spent some time in marketing, I would like to suggest we use some of the tools provided to us and that we go to town with a marketing campaign for what we are looking to change.

    HamletsMill created a comprehensive contact list and posted it on the Forum—this is a truly fantastic thing to have from a marketing standpoint. I’d copy it and save it in a word document and periodically check to see if there are updates. There are instructions on how to use it. (Please use the BCC on the email ones. A neighbor sent me something on health care and I was quite horrified to see my email address with everyone else from his NASA contacts on down.)

    There are some truly eloquent writers here. I am always delighted by them. We can use their templates for inspiration to use in a concerted effort. Glenn Beck has had 57 advertisers to pull off his show. This is an amazing accomplishment and couldn’t have happened to a more deserving jerk.

    When doing a letter campaign, you may want to keep the main body of the letter and customize the intro and closing paragraphs for your target audience, where in the final paragraph, you request what you want.

    Here are two ideas from other commenters whom I thought had good ideas (there are others, but I was easily able to find these):

    ********166 Krubozumo Nyankoye Says:
    August 29th, 2009 at 5:51 PM
    I just looked at the post immediately preceding my last and I have to say, the crux of this media issue is simple. It is Fox. Murdoch’s whole enterprise is nothing more than a for hire propaganda organ. Like flu or the common cold or for that matter malaria, this is the kind of disease that will probably never be completely eradicated.

    However, I think an effort, such as:

    Dear Fox Sponsor,

    I do not watch Fox, because it is nothing but lies and propaganda, but I do notice that your firm advertises and therefore provides the revenue to support this propaganda. I find that both irresponsible, and reprehensible. You should have noticed the bias of the media you were financing, and having so noticed, should have of your own accord ceased to be complicit.

    By all evidence you have not. Therefore, henceforth, I shall specifically avoid the purchase of any of your products and will avidly encourage everyone I know to similarly deprive you of revenue.

    Further, unless you refrain from purchasing advertising time from Fox for a period of at least 5 years, I will continue to avoid your products, seek alternatives, and incite others to disdain you in a similar fashion.
    Kindest regards, ********

    Here is another:

    ********48 lynnrockets Says:
    September 2nd, 2009 at 8:28 AM

    On a more serious note, folks. Here is an announcement. Summer vacation is over. It is time to get back to school.

    Congress is returning to Washington and we must put the pressure on, as we have never done before, to ensure that a strong “public option’ is included in any health care reform bill. Here in Massachusetts, we have no problems with any of our senators or representatives. All of them are in favor of the public option and will fight for its inclusion. Many of you other states, not so much.
    You must implore them to favor the public option. I have gone so far as to contact legs in other states (most recently, Blanche Lincoln of Arkansas) to remind them that that they are Democrats and the National Democratic Platform mandates, at the very least, a public option. I am sure that these legs pay little attention to my words because I cannot vote in their states.

    Consequently, I tell them matter of factly, that if I do not see a reversal from them on this matter within 30 days, I will begin making weekly contributions to their opponents (even if they are Republicans). The sooner the person reverses his/her position on this issue, the sooner my monetary penalty will stop. My money can still have an effect in these other states.

    I understand that many people cannot come up with the money to make donations but I am sure that you can come up with some other incentive to remind these Blue Dogs that they must pursue the Democratic platform.
    Go get ‘em, Mudflatters!!!********

    I know the following can work from efforts I’ve been involved in locally. A small group of residents organized, protested, used PR and contacts with the media, wrote letters to the editors, handed out information at farmers markets, organized fundraisers, spoke at city council meetings, met with the final arbiters in Sacramento, etc. and built a disparate coalition of activists to beat back an effort by the one of the world’s largest companies from doing something idiotic off our coast. People of all ages, from eloquent great grandparents down to girls in grammar school speaking haltingly from their hearts, worked together top support the effort, and in the end, the state commission decided in our favor.

    We had our ups and downs, we organized and persuaded, and WE WON! Some of these techniques are standard stuff, but having it all in one place is helpful for things you can do in your community to fight these whackos in town halls, crazy school boards, insane TV networks and people who are nuts on health care issues.

    Using the info below, I have also been successful in getting a what I’ve asked for including $15,000 that my CPA has said never in his entire 35 year career had he heard of that happening. Here is a clean up of what I posted on the PalinGates Toxic Yogurt thread:

    From a marketing standpoint, when I complain to people, I tell them that statistics show when a customer is happy, they tell 3 people that they like the product, and when they are unhappy, they tell around 11. I then say I know a LOT more than 11 people. Maybe they’d reconsider what they are doing?

    Rather than call, I write this in a letter and FAX it to the CEOs office along with the facts that back up what I’m asking for. Having worked with some CEOs, I know their staff will act when you follow up the fax with a call to the Executive Assistant. They usually handle it by referring me to someone in Marketing, Legal or PR.

    Get a list of the equity analysts that cover the particular publicly traded company you are complaining to, (along with their phone numbers or emails or other means of contact if you can) and add the list of them as an attachment to the FAXED letter to the CEO. That will light quite a fire under the CEOs office, trust me. (I’ve given you all my secrets to getting what I want changed, so please use them wisely!)

    We can do this. We NEED TO DO THIS. There are times I’ve wanted to hide under the covers because it has gotten so insane, but you all inspire me to get out and fight. We can’t let the crazy ones take over and run this country. There are 1.2+ billion people in China and 1+ billion in India. Think of the top 10% of those two countries. The US population is about 350 million, and we seem to just get dumber and dumber, and with these protests, I can clearly see why.

    Please do what you can to stop the insanity. Make a goal of contacting X people, writing Y letters to the editor, contacting your representatives via email or fax and remind them they work for YOU, not a health insurance corporation. The time to fight back against all this BS is NOW!

  117. InJuneau says:

    samper–Are you home now? We want a report! (and I can’t play in the treehouse from here, so it can’t be there…)

  118. Rationalist says:

    Hey – by the way:

    Sedition is a term of law which refers to overt conduct, such as speech and organization, that is deemed by the legal authority as tending toward insurrection against the established order. Sedition often includes subversion of a constitution and incitement of discontent (or resistance) to lawful authority. Sedition may include any commotion, though not aimed at direct and open violence against the laws. Seditious words in writing are seditious libel. A seditionist is one who engages in or promotes the interests of sedition.

  119. Progressive In Virginia says:

    oops, should read: That’s what SC republicans should do. Poot.

  120. Progressive In Virginia says:

    “Well, shut my mouth.” No wait. That’s South Carolina’s republicans should do.

  121. lilly says:

    What is inexusable is that the members of congress had a copy of the Presidents address, so Wilsons remarks were calculated.

    The President should have been allowed to address Congress uninterupted as a courtesy.

    The members had a period after the address when they could voice their opinions.

    It was shameful, and a calculated afront, which has had a Backlash. Rob Miller will have received a half a million dollars before the 24 hour period is over. It was 442K as of 5 P.M.

    Some Backlash.

    As Charlotte the spider wove in her web.

    SOME PIG!!!!!

  122. Rationalist says:

    Just sent $25 to Rob Miller.

  123. Marnie says:

    32 Bones AK Says:
    September 10th, 2009 at 12:26 PM
    12,188 Supporters, $437,761 Raised @ ActBlue
    If Joe had not retired in 2003 he would be looking at a Courts Martial right now!

    HuffPo has a article by a fellow military man that gives Joe no quarter. Presumably Wilson is still in the reserves, since he is retired from serivce, so he may get support from others but I bet more than a few officers will remind him, that his behaviour is “unbecomming to an Officer.”

  124. Basheert says:

    Rob Miller up to $456K – from Act Blue. You can also donate at his website
    http://www.robmillerforcongress.com

    A million-dollar day for the DNC

    More evidence of a campaign-style reaction to Joe Wilson’s outburst: The DNC’s Brad Woodhouse emails that “in the 18 hours since the President, spoke 381,000 people have signed this letter in support of reform to members of Congress and we have raised – online alone – $1,087,000 – without a fund raising ask in the email.”

    Link to this letter
    http://my.barackobama.com/SupportReform

  125. jc in co says:

    #43 lilly, someone from the democratic side did say “shame on you.”
    If I would have been there I would have also said something that ended in “you”
    I only would have used one other word.

  126. Basheert says:

    Marnie: I’m sorry, I must disagree with you.

    ER’s are required to render LIFE SAVING aid ONLY. NO AFTERCARE. As a Level 1 Trauma Center, our hospital receives many cases known as
    the Sat nite knife-and-gun club with illegals involved. They are given EMERGENCY life saving treatment and immediately turned over to ICE for deportation when they are medically stable.

    No matter how hard hearted people try to be, physicians and nurses cannot deliberately allow people to die in their ER due to lack of insurance.

  127. samper says:

    ps: amusing that someone would PAY to hear word salad when they can toss an edible one at home! 🙂

  128. Marnie says:

    29 Di Says:
    September 10th, 2009 at 12:17 PM
    I’m a New Zealander, I’ve never seen anything like what’s unfolding over there. I live in Europe – they can’t believe it either. I read Al Jazeera and they are reporting on it all too.
    The world is stunned. Thank goodness for people like you and the Mudflats crowd.

    I just wish the Repugs realized that the world is indeed watching and judging us by their behaviour, since MSM talking heads cover them and their street thugs and parrot their talking points.
    That is what the world sees since that is what MSM puts out.

    It’s very depressing. Especially. since most of the world’s population isn’t white, and most of the world’s religion isn’t fake Christian. There is no up side, for the USA or for the rest of the world, in the Repocon’s behavior.

  129. samper says:

    IMPERATIVE… OOPS!

    THIS INVOLVES THE BAIL OUT FROM HOTEL HELL IN GREECE… VERY URGENT!!!

  130. samper says:

    SORRY TO INTERUPT, BUT IT’S IMERATIVE THAT GRAMIAM SEE HER PM!

    IF ANYONE HAS AN ALTERNATE WAY OF REACHING HER, PLEASE USE IT.

  131. lilly says:

    Too bad someone didn’t boo Wilson when he said it.

    I can’t get over Wilson getting away with it without censure.

    But seeing his opponent receiving so much financial support in hundreds of thousands, must make his gorge and B.P. rise. It will probably top half a million by evening if not a million.

  132. phoebe says:

    Dinner with Sarah……I’d rather drink poison.

  133. BigSlick says:

    Retired from Active Duty in the Guard but still listed in the Reserve, yes sir.

  134. Bones AK says:

    nevermind.

  135. Marvin Homer says:

    SEnd me an adress and I’ll send Rob Miller a contribution

  136. Bones AK says:

    >BigSlick
    Does that apply to retirees?

  137. mae lewis says:

    Let me get this straight. Most of us have not heard of Rob Miller until the Wilson Insult Flap, and he has raised hundreds of thousands of dollars in less than 24 hours! Compare that with what-is-the-bid? for Dinner with Sarah? Last I read she was at $37,000 and asking for bids. What a contrast– some one we hardly knew vs. some one who has tried very hard to keep her name in the media every day.

  138. BigSlick says:

    #
    32
    Bones AK Says:
    September 10th, 2009 at 12:26 PM

    If Joe had not retired in 2003 he would be looking at a Courts Martial right now!

    +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

    He is still a Reservist and subject to US Military Code.

  139. Bones AK says:

    Wonkette has a great page – check this out for a laugh:

    http://wonkette.com/411000/a-childrens-treasury-of-nancy-pelosi-animated-gifs#more-411000

  140. BigSlick says:

    In addition to the information I just posted from Adam Weinstein’s blog post at Newsweek, this should also be considered very seriously.

    Joe Wilson is a Col. in the Army Reserve. He deserves a court-martial under current US Military Code.

    http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/10/usc_sec_10_00000888—-000-.html

    snip

    TITLE 10 > Subtitle A > PART II > CHAPTER 47 > SUBCHAPTER X > § 888
    Prev | Next
    § 888. Art. 88. Contempt toward officials

    Any commissioned officer who uses contemptuous words against the President, the Vice President, Congress, the Secretary of Defense, the Secretary of a military department, the Secretary of Homeland Security, or the Governor or legislature of any State, Commonwealth, or possession in which he is on duty or present shall be punished as a court-martial may direct.

    snip

    Please contact the highest-ranking US Military Reservists in your respective States and remind them of their obligation to see that the code cited above is followed to the letter. This kind of disrespect of the President during formal governmental proceedings cannot be tolerated.

  141. Marnie says:

    Believe me I am not siding with the RepoTaliban – but

    Regardless of what the bill says ER’s in public and not for profit hospitals cannot, by law, refuse medical help to anyone regardless of anything.
    So either there has to be a back door to a government fund for the very very poor or else not for profit hospitals will continue to fail and be taken over by for profit hospitals, who can close their doors to the non insured and or poor, since their ER doors are not open to the “public” in the first place.

    The only anwer to that conflict of reality is universal health care, the issue that the Dims were elected for and the issue that they threw under the bus as soon as ever they felt like they could get away with dumping it.

  142. BigSlick says:

    Read this and see what a hypocrite Joe Wilson really is, it will astound you. If you didn’t know about Tricare before reading this article, this is a good read just to learn about how the average American is being lied to by the Right about their “opposition” to Government-run Health Care – unless it is for themselves.

    http://blog.newsweek.com/blogs/thehumancondition/archive/2009/09/10/joe-wilson-healthcare-hypocrite.aspx

    snip

    To be fair, Wilson has been consistent in his policymaking if not his personal life: according to his last congressional opponent, Wilson voted 11 times against health care for veterans in eight years, even as he voted “aye” for the Iraq War (during the debate on the war vote, he even called one Democrat “viscerally anti-American”—several times). He voted to cut veterans’ benefits—not his own—to make room for President George W. Bush’s tax cuts. He repeatedly voted for budgets that slashed funding to the Veterans Administration and TRICARE. And perhaps most bizarrely, he refused—repeatedly—to approve Democratic-led initiatives that would have extended TRICARE coverage to all reservists and National Guard members, even though a disproportionate number of them have served multiple tours in Iraq and Afghanistan─and many lost access to their civilian work benefits when they did so.

    There’s one other notable exception to Wilson’s tough-on-government record: In July, when the health-insurance debate just started heating up, he offered an amendment that would exempt TRICARE from any system of employer mandates in a health-care bill. It’s not clear whether this is necessary, since most such bills in Congress keep government benefits exempt from the rules as a matter of course. But Wilson took the opportunity to make his stand.

    “As a 31-year Army Guard and Reserve veteran, I know the importance of TRICARE,” he said in a press release. “The number of individuals who choose to enroll in TRICARE continues to rise because TRICARE is a low cost, comprehensive health plan that is portable and available in some form world-wide.” He went on to call TRICARE “world class health care,” concluding on a personal note. “I am grateful to have four sons now serving in the military, and I know that their families appreciate the availability of TRICARE,” he said.

    snip

  143. Bones AK says:

    12,188 Supporters, $437,761 Raised @ ActBlue

    CS Monitor:
    ““Rob Miller for Congress” is one of the most searched terms on the Internet. The national Democratic leadership has singled out Miller for praise. And Miller, a former Marine and Iraq war veteran, reportedly raised more than $200,000 from thousands of donors since Wilson’s outburst.”

    http://features.csmonitor.com/politics/2009/09/10/joe-wilson-outburst-a-windfall-for-sc-dem-rob-miller/

    Not sure where I saw it but ? apparently Rob Miller only had $300,000 last cycle and lost 47/53. This should be wilson’s macaca moment.

    If Joe had not retired in 2003 he would be looking at a Courts Martial right now!

  144. phoebe says:

    I love the way Joe delivered his “lie” about illegals again & then “had to go vote “& once again the reporters let him get away with it. The outpouring of support for Miller is really heartwarming. While Congress took a break the GOP & the wingnuts have been up to mischief…..it’s payback time. I think America is speaking. Enough!

  145. MadCity Chick says:

    From Ben Smith’s blog on Politico

    A million-dollar day for the DNC

    More evidence of a campaign-style reaction to Joe Wilson’s outburst: The DNC’s Brad Woodhouse emails that “in the 18 hours since the President, spoke 381,000 people have signed this letter in support of reform to members of Congress and we have raised – online alone – $1,087,000 – without a fund raising ask in the email.”

    Link to this letter
    http://my.barackobama.com/SupportReform

  146. phoebe says:

    Just watched the video of Joe Wilson taking to reporters. Joe Wilson looks like a big old wuss to me. $400,000. How incredible!!

  147. MadCity Chick says:

    Everyone needs to go hit Politico right now and take quiz on homepage regarding success of speech to congress. Palin crazies and the rest of the crazies have negative opinion up to 57% right now.

    Poll at the bottom right of the homepage.

  148. not that sarah says:

    Gramiam — I know, the karma is gorgeous….we have raised more than Joe the Liar got by selling his soul.

    No taxation without representation, and we aren’t talking about corporations!

  149. lilly says:

    Doesn’t it feel good to see someone like Wilson being shot down by his own stupidity.

    I know to a lot of people Wilson is a hero. I go to a site where I am the only person who thinks Wilsons behavior is a disgrace. But I don’t argue, simply post my opinions in a blog section, and ignore the far right preponderance of posters.

    To me he represents everything that has gone wrong with politicians. The lobbyists have him sewn up tight.

  150. Basheert says:

    Here is the link to Mr. Wilson’s statement today where he is STILL saying that the Health Care bill WILL cover illegal aliens.

    http://seminal.firedoglake.com/diary/8009

    Yes hospitals render emergency aid to save life. That’s as far as it goes. You cannot have people dying in emergency rooms when you can stop the bleeding. Care beyond emergency is not given. Unless they can pay. And all hospitals public/private have billing depts that can make sure that somehow the patient is billed for anything beyond emergency care.

    BTW emergency care does not include people with ear infections who have waited 3 days to go to an ER. We do have “children’s SCHIP” type care here so kids are covered even if parents are not.

  151. Marnie says:

    Called a Spade a Spade???
    Well at least it honest.
    I loved Maxine Waters comments to Olbermann about a week ago in reference to, I think Grassley’s iteration of the Death Panel.
    “Let them talk, they are showing themselves.”
    Wise and politic words from Ms. Waters.

    I however am not a as nice a person as she is. Joe Wilson and Susan and their like are Neanderthals, small brained and brutish. In fact the entire Republican Congressional body behaved like ugly drunks at someone else’s party.

  152. BBHounds says:

    I spent hours trying to get through on Wilson’s D.C. phone. It was busy. I am one of the proud many that helped crash his facebook page with my spanking him for his nasty attitude. Oh…let’s not forget Eric Cantor texting throughout the speech!
    These people have the honor, luck, and responsibility of representing their neighbors in congress. What are they thinking?

  153. Fired UP aka Falter Locust Palin says:

    Wilson is a boob. There, I said it. Now I would like to offer a challenge to everyone- if Wilson’s actions made you angry, channel that anger into contacting your Representatives and making sure they will support the President’s Health Care policies. For those who live in Republican districts, call anyway and voice your opinion- the more people who call, the more likely your Representative will move away from the far right vitriol and at least enter into a dignified discussion.

    For those who live in districts with Blue Dog Democrats (google it and you can find a list), it is CRITICAL that you voice your opinion. The President needs the Blue Dogs support, so call, write, do anything you can to let them know you expect them to support the President.

    At the end of the day, Wilson is one vote and focusing on his behavior is a distraction. Let him motivate us to be as organized as the Republicans. Let him motivate us to get all of our duly elected Representatives to line up in support of the President and his initiative.

    In my district we are having a special election, as Rep. Tauscher was chosen to work with the White House. I have already called John Garamendi’s office and offered to volunteer to make sure that we send someone to Congress who will support the President.

    Who is with me?

  154. honestyinGov says:

    Looking at the choice or words that Susan used , pointed at the President , we can assume that maybe she got tired of that ‘ subtle ‘ innuendo and the word natzi just no longer fits her anger anymore. It’s very CLEAR now how she feels.

    I’ll bet Susan posts on $P’s Facebook page as well.
    Birds of a feather, flock together.

  155. ThirtyFiveUp says:

    If you include the law that even illegals who go to an ER have to be treated, and illegals who are incarcerated have to have health care and non-citizens can join the armed forces and they get health care; Joe Wilson is almost correct.

    If he was thinking of the reform bills that are proposed in Congress now, they specifically exclude illegals.

    PS. Those who honorably serve their time in our armed forces can go to the front of the line for citizenship.

    PPS Those who use the ERs are supposed to pay.

  156. Basheert says:

    So far Act Blue has him $412,000.

    By the way, Wilson just came out and AGAIN said that the health care bill DOES cover illegal immigrants. He’s standing by his stupidity.

  157. KJ in NC says:

    You are welcome, Irishgirl. There are no borders on the Mudflats and I am sure you would do the same.

    It certainly is true that money talks. I bet ol’ Joe is pretty worried right now. I even wrote him a message on the joe for congress website. They do not ask for your address or district. I used the word “pathetic”, amongst others. We can make our voices heard…and maybe lower our BPs.

  158. CoyoteMarti says:

    Miller’s page actually crashed, so his now directly links to ActBlue for a while. Welcome to the Progressive Big Time. By the way, y’all in AK should consider calling/emailing Senator Mark to encourage him after his meeting with POTUS this afternoon:

    “Pres Obama’s meeting with sixteen conservaDem Senators and Lieberman today to discuss healthcare reform. They are: Senators Mark Pryor and Blanche Lincoln of Arkansas, Mark Warner of Virginia, Jeanne Shaheen of New Hampshire, Mary Landrieu of Louisiana, Evan Bayh of Indiana, Claire McCaskill of Missouri, Tom Carper of Delaware, Arlen Specter of Pennsylvania, Mark Begich of Alaska, Mark Udall and Michael Bennet of Colorado, Ben Nelson of Nebraska, Bill Nelson of Florida, Kay Hagan of North Carolina, Herb Kohl of Wisconsin, and Independent Democrat Joe Lieberman of Connecticut.”

    The meeting is scheduled for 4:15 pm ET, in the Cabinet Room.

  159. lilly says:

    I have a feeling that Rob Miller will end up something BIG.

    Just a feeling, that with this boost in name recognition and some funds for his campaign he is on his way up in politics.

    With Sanford demolished, Palin selling her time to the highest bidder in a Paris Hilton like self promotion, (even if it does go to a worthwhile cause).

    There will be room at the top for fresher faces, those who haven’t sold what passes for souls to the devil.

  160. Gramiam says:

    Treehouse!!

  161. FW says:

    Bones AK…macaca…and yes, I am proud to be from the state where former senator George Allen had his infamous macaca moment.

    Joe Wilson has been macaca’ed

  162. sauerkraut says:

    It’s no laughing matter that you insult hyena’s in that fashion. …

  163. Bones AK says:

    Talk about a macaka(Sp?) moment.

  164. Basheert says:

    I wonder how much he HAS raised. We donated direct, we did not go through Act Blue. I suspect that $395K is a lot higher than that.

  165. Bones AK says:

    11,075 Supporters,398,697Raised$
    This is just act blue I don’t know what is on Miller’s page.
    Keep it coming!

  166. Irishgirl says:

    and thank you KJ in NC.

  167. Irishgirl says:

    Well I don’t mind sending a cheque, but I think it is illegal for me to do so.

  168. KJ in NC says:

    I contributed and it felt great. Irishgirl, when I get paid at the end of the month, I will contribute again for you in spirit.

  169. CougInPortland says:

    Huff-Po commenter had this to say (made me think of LynnRockets):

    We’ll take the high road
    And you take the low road
    But Health Care Reform will come
    Despite ye’

    Just you and your wingnuts will be sittin’ there
    With heads up your tushies a cryin’

    :>)

  170. Irishgirl says:

    *embarrassed* sorry I got up for the speech last night and I am brain dead.

  171. Irishgirl says:

    *by* embarassed grin. 🙂

  172. Gramiam says:

    A blogger friend of mine coined a new name for the right wing bigots and haters today. Hatriots!

  173. Gramiam says:

    The donations to Rep. Joe Wilson’s opponent are now over $300,000. That is more money than Jo Wilson got for selling his soul to the Insurance Companies during his career. Joe the Dumber! YOU LOSE!

  174. Irishgirl says:

    I just wish I could contribute. Bye the way AKM, I love your rants.