Chris Smith writes in a recent issue of New York Magazine:

Optimists want to see the current mess as the stirring of real democracy, finally, in Albany. That would be swell, especially if public campaign financing is one result.But like Yugoslavia after Tito’s death, the short-term effect is to expose the legislative functionaries for who they really are. “Of the 62 senators, maybe five have the intelligence and integrity to actually accomplish anything,” a former Paterson administration official says.

Ouch.

The Jewish morning prayer service ends with the Psalm of the day. Psalm 82 concludes the service on Tuesdays, which is also Election Day in this Country. I find it an interesting coincidence that the Psalm, written more than two millennia ago and admonishes hypocritical leaders who favor the powerful over the poor, is read on Election Day. When I read it, I always imagine a biblical era prophet chastising contemporary Republicans.

The Birnbaum Siddur or Prayerbook reads right to left with the odd pages written in Hebrew while the even pages contain translations of the Hebrew text in archaic King James style English. I choose to pray with Birnbaum when it's an available option, over books with easier to understand English, because I'm used to its liturgical translation. Although I know how to read Hebrew and recite some prayers in that ancient tongue, I understand little of the language and pray mostly in English. Using other English translations throws me off.

Containing just 8 sentences, Psalm 82 is among the Bible's shortest chapters. Below is the Birnbaum version of the Psalm.  read more »

Securing the votes in Congress to pass real immigration solutions into law isn’t going to be easy. The next President – no matter who wins – will need to lead his own party first to get it done.

Senator Obama would surely have an uphill climb, even with a Party Platform that favors comprehensive reform. But, given an enforcement-only Party Platform and the policy positions of most Republicans in Congress, Senator McCain may need to scale a brick wall to bring his party on board!

Nevertheless, both candidates continue to talk about reform (at least in Spanish).  read more »

THIS is what we worked so hard for in 2006.

Democrats in the House voted down more funding for Bush's Iraq Quagmire today. And in the process, when a Texas Republican started spewing right wing talking points, Rep. David Obey of Wisconsin smacked him down.

Here is the long overdue smackdown of Republican Bullshit in the House:

Have no illusions. The funding proposal will be back and probably will get passed in some form. Let's hope, though, it gets passed in a form that aims for withdrawal, not more surges. Slowly, the Democrats are re-learning how to have a spine.

I HAVE AN ANTI-OBAMA E-MAIL TO SEND OUT TO GET IT CIRCULATING, BUT I NEED E-MAIL ADDRESSES TO SEND IT TO. IF YOU ARE INTERESTED, EMAIL ME AT HIPPIEISME1979@AOL.COM AND IN THE SUBJECT LINE TYPE INTERESTED AND I WILL SEND IT TO YOU. WE NEED TO GET THIS OUT THERE.