Category Archives: Blue Left

Sodding the Commons

By Frank Paynter | Published: September 25, 2010

Netroots Wisconsin hosts Uniting the Cheddarsphere in Madison today. They tapped me for the panel “Fighting Astroturf-Based Telecom Policy and a Corporate Broadband Future.” Astroturf? Whazzat? Take a look at this excerpt from a letter filed with the FCC by the “Arkansas Retired Seniors Coalition,” a group that leaves no trace of itself on the [...]

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Hippie punch

By Frank Paynter | Published: September 23, 2010

David Axelrod had a little dust-up with bloggers from the left today when he tried to drum up some enthusiasm for the Dems in the fall elections. Susie Madrak said he made her feel like the town ho’. “Hippie punching.” Never heard that before. I have this horrible feeling that I’ve been hippie punched a [...]

Also posted in Bloggers 'n blogs, Blogging and Flogging | Tagged | Comments closed

The R Word

By Administrator | Published: February 4, 2010

The only people more cruel than kids are grown-ups. One day last August Rahm Emanuel reminded us of that when he called liberal activists “retarded.” I’m sure he brought that insult with him as baggage from the school yard. Early last week his off-hand insult was dredged up by Wall Street Journal reporter Peter Wallsten [...]

Also posted in Class Warfare, Democracy, Disparities, Politics, Racism | Tagged , , | Comments closed

Obama and the Insane Clown Posse

By Frank Paynter | Published: December 18, 2009

Eric Holder owes America a special prosecutor. We need to bring charges against Bush, Cheney, and their willing accomplices. (That would be you, Hate Radio pundits; and you, PNAC; and sadly lots of others.) President Obama shows no inclination to get the mess sorted out. In fact he seems to enjoy the cluttered agenda, the [...]

Also posted in Peace and Politics, Politics, Public Services | Comments closed

New Year Revolution

By Frank Paynter | Published: December 17, 2009

President Obama has had a year to set things right, and outside my window there are not yet fields of wild flowers in dappled sunlight beneath rainbows with unicorns frolicking. In fact, not much has changed. I could say I told you so, but of course I didn’t tell anybody so. In 2008, the prospect [...]

Also posted in Global Concern, Government, Patriotism, Peace and Politics, Politics | Comments closed

Single payer without compromise

By Frank Paynter | Published: August 27, 2009

The time has come for the Democratic majority to act in unison to implement universal single-payer medical care in the US. The US corporatocracy, the profit taking machine that dominates every facet of our lives, must stand aside. No sly winks and nudges. No fear mongering. No lobbying, vote buying, or bullying. Here is how [...]

Also posted in Class Warfare, Democracy, Government, Medical Advice, Politics, Public Services | Comments closed

August 20 is Elders for Health Care Reform Day

By Frank Paynter | Published: August 19, 2009

A week or so ago, Ronni Bennett (Time Goes By) called for our reflections on health care reform. She proposed: That next week, on Thursday 20 August, elderbloggers rise up on their blogs in support of health care reform including a public option That we denounce the say-no-to-everything Republicans and their handmaidens, the Blue Dog [...]

Also posted in Government, Medical Advice, Public Services | Comments closed

Good enough, smart enough, and people like him

By Frank Paynter | Published: June 30, 2009

Al Franken has finally been declared the winner of the Minnesota Senate race. According to NPR, the State Supreme Court ruling was unanimous. Minnesota’s Republican governor, Tim Pawlenty, has said previously that he would certify Franken if the Court directed him to do so. Follow-up news coming soon on the Daily Show, I’m sure.

Also posted in Democracy, Government, People, Politics | Comments closed