All the President's Liars

From the Huffington Post,

Former White House press secretary Scott McClellan blames President Bush and Vice President Dick Cheney for efforts to mislead the public about the role of White House aides in leaking the identity of a CIA operative.

All the presidential candidates are reacting and this is providing an opportunity for Republicans to distance themselves from Bush. So far, Huckabee is the only Republican who has, reminding voters that he isn't a "Washington insider". Oh, and Chuck Norris approves!

Of course, this latest revelation about the Bush administration comes on the eve of Thanksgiving when no one is paying attention. Just like when Bush commuted Lewis "Scooter" Libby's sentence on July 2nd right before the public went on vacation for the 4th of July holiday. These guys sure know how to strategically time their "bad news" items. I wonder what they are holding for Christmas this year.

~BT

Check out what the UA is doing

In the midst of our student government website contest, the Undergraduate Assembly has just released their second youtube address.

Did you forget the first one? There is no way you forgot Jason Karsh as a ninja.

Props to Jason and the UA on this effort to effectively communicate with their constituents. The video is detailed and rightfully focuses on individual members who are working and making significant progress on projects.

See for yourself,


~BT

Who Killed the Electric Car?

The second film in our Zeitgeist Film Series is

Who Killed the Electric Car?

Monday, November 19 at 7:30

Check out the event on Facebook.

See the trailer.

~BT

Best Student Government Website Tournament

Inspired by Ivygate's recent "Worst A Cappella Group of the Ivy League Tournament", I am announcing a little tournament here at Penn to see which branch of Penn student government has the best website/online presence. Start by taking a look at all of their websites. Chances are you've never even been to them. Who knows, they might even have some useful information.

From the NEC's website:

Class Boards:
Class of 2008: http://dolphin.upenn.edu/~class08/
Class of 2009: http://www.penn09.com
Class of 2010: http://www.penn10.net

Nominations and Elections Committee (NEC)
Website: http://dolphin.upenn.edu/~nec/

Social Planning and Events Committee (SPEC)
Website: http://specevents.net/

Student Activities Council (SAC)
Website: http://dolphin.upenn.edu/~sac/

Student Committee on Undergraduate Education (SCUE)
Website: http://dolphin.upenn.edu/~scue/

Undergraduate Assembly (UA)
Website: http://dolphin.upenn.edu/~ua/

Now you can vote. This first round of voting will determine the tournament poll positions. (I think I might need some help from someone more sports-savvy to figure out a way to do this)



Stay tuned...

~BT

Fox News Gone Wild - See for yourself

Robert Greenwald, of Outfoxed fame, has done it again and this time might be the jackpot. Earlier today, I received an email about the launch of FoxNewsPorn.com. This follows a great report by Keith Olbrmann on Monday in his number one story:

Fox Gone Wild: Bill O'Reilly's words often require translation. So "culture warrior" turns into "smut peddler"... just as fast as you can say "great video". And in our number one story on the Countdown, it isn't just Bill-o showing soft-core porn while railing against soft-core porn. It's the entire Fixed Noise establishment. The latest recorded example -- 4:24 P-M Eastern Standard Time, today. And film-maker Robert Greenwald (who will join us)... has documented a telling slice of it in his four-minute video production. "Family Values"... as seen in the Alice-Through-The-Looking-Glass kaleidoscope that is, Fox News.

See the Olbermann clip here.

With so much crazy, partisan, and misleading reporting on Fox News nothing seems to hit them where it hurts: advertisers. But, I think Greenwald has found the perfect angle to really expose Fox News for what it is: a right-wing mouthpiece for hypocritical conservatives. With this, we see the hypocrisy of Fox News' 'conservatism' and family values. I wonder what Tony Perkins of the Family Research Council is going to say about this. Do these Fox News clips represent his family values?

And what about the advertisers? I find it hard to see how they will be able to resist the outpouring of complaints theywill be receiving once word of FoxNewsPorn spreads. We need to hit Fox and News Corp where it hurts, on the bottom line. I hope the next step is an online tool that allows people to submit complaints to prominent advertisers.

You can even spread the news via facebook by becoming a fan of FoxNewsPorn.

Check out Fox Attacks Decency. Over half a million views so far. You can sign the petition telling the FCC that you should not be forced to pay for FOX's smut.


~BT

Join the Campus Progress Chapter at UPenn

I've previously mentioned Campus Progress on this blog and have highlighted our first few events at Penn, notably the Iraq Film Series and the recently announced Zeitgeist Film Series.

I would like to now invite you to join our Googlegroup to stay up to date with future events and get more involved in the group.

We have begun planning some environmentally-related events for the spring semester that we are collaborating with the Penn Environmental Group on.

~BT

We could all use a smile

From the geniuses behind "Shoes", their second installment "Let me borrow that top"


~BT

Jason Karsh Steps Up on Safety Concerns

Earlier tonight, the chair of the Undergraduate Assembly, Jason Karsh sent an email alert regarding the recent public safety issues that have arisen at the University of Pennsylvania.

After hearing about the disturbing events last night, Karsh did what any good UA chair would do and had a meeting with Maureen Rush to clarify the facts and make sure that students had the correct information. I applaud him and any other members who were involved in this effort.

This is a clear example of Penn's student government working hard on behalf of their constituents. The email is clear, clarifies all the facts and makes suggestions for students. Jason also goes further and reassures us based on the briefings he received today. Having previously been "in the room" per se, I know the feeling and I trust Jason's judgment.

Here is the email in its entirety, judge for yourself:

Sent: November-13-07 8:00 PM

Subject: ***Public Safety- Update from the Undergraduate Assembly***

Please forward this message on to your constituencies:

Fellow Penn Undergraduates,

Last night, I was deeply disturbed, as many of you were, to receive the university-wide e-mail from the Division of Public Safety regarding the Monday morning stranger-rape that occurred on the 4000 block of Spruce Street. Shortly thereafter, I was taken aback by another widely-circulated e-mail that depicted an account of an Allied Barton security guard/walking escort who walked a female undergraduate student home and later exposed himself to her.

After a productive meeting this afternoon attended by Maureen Rush, Vice President of the Division of Public Safety, other DPS officials, Allied Barton representatives, and Penn students, the Undergraduate Assembly (UA) wants to make certain that the record is set straight and that we indeed remain a safe and secure community at Penn.

The findings from this meeting give me complete confidence that the issues are being addressed properly and that there is no reason to distrust Penn's men and women in uniform .

Here are the facts:

4000 Block of Spruce Incident:
-Yesterday morning at about 5AM a female student was sexually assaulted in her apartment
-the victim was not physically injured
-this was reported in the DP and was the 3rd incident of stranger rape that has occurred at Penn since 1994
-they are highly unusual but naturally have a deep impact on the psyche of those within our community

What should we do now?:

-Make sure you LOCK YOUR DOORS !

-There is currently an increased overt and covert patrolling by law enforcement (Penn Police and Philadelphia Police) in Penn's vicinity.

-If you wish to seek counseling or have any concerns, please call DPS Special Services at 215-898-6600, as they are on-call 24/7.

-Report any suspicious activity to DPS and Penn Police at 215-573-3333.

Security Guard Incident:
The facts:

-A Penn student was offered to be escorted by an Allied Barton security officer, which is normal procedure if an escort sees someone walking home alone and is not currently on a call.

-The Allied Barton security officer, who has worked at Penn for nine months with no prior criminal background, exposed himself.

-He was quickly identified after the incident was reported and was taken into custody.

-He is no longer employed by Allied Barton.

- NO UNIFORMS HAVE BEEN STOLEN. Any reports of stolen uniforms are false.

What's being done to address this situation as of tonight?
-All security guards/escorts will have photo IDs on them that they will be wearing visibly around their neck or on their jackets.

-All security guards/escorts will have courtesy cards to give to you, stating their name, and what to do to give feedback. (Additionally, you can cross-reference their courtesy card to their ID.)

-All security guards/escorts will introduce themselves, present their ID, and provide you with a courtesy card.

As someone who is deeply troubled by these incidents, after being presented with the facts and follow-up, I feel absolutely confident in my safety and security on campus. I believe that with our increased vigilance and the efforts made by the Division of Public Safety and the folks at Allied Barton, we are taking steps towards a restored faith in the safety and security of Penn's campus.

My thoughts are with the victims of the egregious acts of crime that occurred within our community, and we must show resolve by demonstrating that it will take more than highly unusual crimes perpetrated within a 24-hour period to break the spirit of the Penn community.

Sincerely,

Jason Karsh

--
Jason Adam Karsh
Chairman, Undergraduate Assembly
University of Pennsylvania
uachair@dolphin.upenn.edu

~BT

Tancredo goes over the top

From Wonkette,

Republican presidential candidate Tom Tancredo’s new ad ups the ante for him — and this is for a guy who said we should bomb Muslim holy places. Every single word in this ad is funny, and it’s read by some really, really old-sounding guy.

See it on youtube.

Over at mydd.com, Todd Beeton writes,

Yep, "elect me...or else!" is pretty much all the Republicans have to run on, Tancredo's just the first to say it. What's so jarring is the honesty with which he says it.

~BT

Obama has the 'big mo'

Momentum, that is.

It all started with an interview with the New York Times where Obama discussed taking on Clinton more forcefully and raised the stakes in the last debate in Philadelphia. As Chris Bowers points out,

For the first three weeks of October, the press ran with the "Clinton is inevitable" narrative. However, at some point, they grew bored with that story, and picked up the "Clinton is going to get attacked" and "when will Clinton stumble" narratives. Obama's claim that he was going to attack Clinton more forcefully was, as Media Matters showed, all the rage in the three days leading up to the debate. Both the attacks and Clinton stumbles were expected. In short, Clinton is now down a bit because the press told everyone for several days that, because of the attacks, poor debate performance and by "playing the gender card," she should be down. And so, they can move on from the boring, played-out inevitability narrative.

After reviewing some new polls out of New Hampshire, Bowers concludes,

Clinton is down, and her supporters seem to have moved to other candidates at roughly the same proportions as those candidates stand in the polls. Three factors are probably at play here. First, it seems that Clinton was dropping a bit even before the debate. Second, while the debate was not watched by many people, it was watched by some, and the combined attacks on Clinton during the debate probably made an impact. Third, after the debate, the news coverage was fairly harshly anti-Clinton, and that certainly made an impact as well. How much each of these factors made a difference is anyone's guess, but I remain a little spooked by how easily the established media was able to move Clinton's, or really anyone's, numbers downward when they wanted to. Her advantage in New Hampshire seems to have been trimmed by 7-9 points, and most of that change probably happened in only one week from only October 31st to November 6th.

Meanwhile, back in Iowa, where the democratic presidential primary will be decided and where there is still a three-way tie between Clinton, Edwards and Obama, democracts gathered for the big Jefferson Jackson Dinner. According to David Ypsen at the Des Moines Register,

The six leading Democratic presidential candidates showed up for the Iowa Democratic Party's big Jefferson Jackson Dinner on Saturday night, and five of them gave very good speeches.

Barack Obama's was excellent. It was one of the best of his campaign.

The passion he showed should help him close the gap on Hillary Clinton by tipping some undecided caucusgoers his way.

His oratory was moving, and he successfully contrasted himself with the others — especially Clinton — without being snide or nasty about it.

After reading such a glowing review, I couldn't resist the temptation to watch the speech for myself. After a quick search, I found that the Obama campaign had posted the whole speech.


An incredible speech it was! The coverage of it has rightfully been postive. Around the blogosphere:

• TalkingPointsMemo - The 'big mo' from the J-J dinner?

If last night's speech was any indication, Obama is now trying to strike a balance, threading an ideological needle. He used '04 themes ("I don't want to pit blue America against red America, I want to lead the United States of America"), while slamming Bush-style politics ("The era of Scooter Libby justice, Brownie incompetence, and Karl Rove politics will finally be over"), and subtly criticizing the Democratic frontrunner ("Not answering questions because we're afraid our answers won't be popular just won't do it").

Apparently, it was a rhetorical challenge that worked pretty well, though one can't help but wonder what the race would look like now if Obama had hit some of these same notes sooner.

• Mike Luxe at Openleft.com - Time for Obama to Make a Move

Coming at a time of relative weakness by Hillary, and with a strong J-J performance, Obama is now well-positioned to make a major move forward and take the lead in Iowa. If he does that over the next couple of weeks, he might gain real momentum, as all the anti-Hillary folks who have been split between a lot of different candidates might start gravitating in his direction. If he grabs the lead, a lot of people who have been disappointed by his somewhat listless campaign in recent months might be re-interested and re-energized.

• At mydd.com - Obama's Remarkable J-J speech

This section was particularly pointed.

The same old Washington textbook campaigns just won't do. Not answering questions because we're afraid people won't like the answer just won't do....Tri-angulating or poll driven positions because we're worried about what Mitt or Rudy will say about us just won't do.

Here, he's tapping into Clinton's real weakness, which was on display at the recent debate and is the reason for the viral success of Edwards's Politics of Parsing web video: Clinton's double speak. But he doesn't stop there. Later in the speech, he calls Clinton out on some of her more hawkish votes, arguing that it's her way of tacking to the right for the general election.

I am running for president because I am sick and tired of Democrats thinking that the only way to look tough on national security by talking and acting and voting like George Bush Republicans. When I am this party's nominee, my opponent will not be able to say I voted for the war in Iraq or gave Bush the benefit of the doubt on Iran or that I support Bush/Cheney policies of not talking to people we don't like.

Not only is he aligning Clinton with Bush and Cheney much more effectively than he did over the summer, but he's portraying Clinton as sort of a partisan traitor in a way, someone who'd sell out the values of the Democratic Party to act more "Republican" in order to win. Obama is saying we can win by being Democrats...acting like a Democrat is a winning strategy. That's very appealing and, while risky, I think was the best way to go after the beloved first lady who is widely perceived to have been a Democratic champion against the right-wing machine.

Things are getting interesting!

~BT

Zeitgeist Film Series

Following on the success of last month's Campus Progress Iraq Film Series, where we screened No End in Sight and Iraq for Sale, I am happy to announce our next film series co-sponsored with Current TV: The Zeitgeist Film Series

Campus Progress, Current TV and Harrison College House

present

The Zeitgeist Film Series

• Monday, November 12 at 7:30: The Corporation
• Monday, November 19 at 7:30: Who Killed the Electric Car?
• Thursday, November 29 at 8:00: Crossing Arizona

All screenings will take place at the Harrison College House rooftop lounge. Pizza and refreshments will be served.

***Monday, November 12: The Corporation

Provoking, witty, stylish and sweepingly informative, THE CORPORATION explores the nature and spectacular rise of the dominant institution of our time. Part film and part movement, The Corporation is transforming audiences and dazzling critics with its insightful and compelling analysis. Taking its status as a legal "person" to the logical conclusion, the film puts the corporation on the psychiatrist’s couch to ask "What kind of person is it?" The Corporation includes interviews with 40 corporate insiders and critics - including Noam Chomsky, Naomi Klein, Milton Friedman, Howard Zinn, Vandana Shiva and Michael Moore - plus true confessions, case studies and strategies for change.

***Monday, November 19: Who Killed the Electric Car?

A documentary that investigates the birth and death of the electric car, as well as the role of renewable energy and sustainable living in the future. Check out the New York Times review.

***Thursday, November 29: Crossing Arizona

Crossing Arizona examines immigration and border policy through the eyes of those directly affected by it. Frustrated ranchers go out day after day to repair cut fences and pick up the trash that endangers their livestock and livelihoods. Humanitarian groups place water stations in the desert in an attempt to save lives. Political activists rally against anti-migrant ballot initiatives and try to counter rampant fear mongering. Farmers who depend on the illegal work force face each day with the fear that they may lose their workers to a border patrol sweep. And now there are the Minutemen, an armed citizen patrol group taking border security into their own hands. Crossing Arizona reveals the surprising political stances people take when immigration and border policy fails everyone

~BT

Afternoon Tunes - 04-11-07

Good song and video. check it out.

Chicane Feat. Bryan Adams - Don't Give Up



~BT

Conservative Ideas and Media

I want to share a great post from Akkam's Razor about the perceived negative bias towards conservatives and their ideas.

What is it about conservatives that they perceive bias anytime one of their outstandingly brilliant ideas get challenged? Or better still, that they are crucified for their beliefs socially and economically? From Mashable's Mark "Rizzn" Hopkins :

"I’m going to come out and say it here, brand me how you like, but I lean libertarian to conservative in my political beliefs, and on my personal blog and podcast, have made no bones about that. It’s given me a unique opportunity to meet other folks in high tech, folks that you know and have heard of from big time reputable companies and Web 2.0 startups, and who’s services you likely use. Many of these same folks have in confidence have told me that as a conservative, they don’t really feel comfortable publicizing their political affiliations for fear of it affecting their business negatively."

Rzklkng, the author of Akkom's Razor, offers the following explanation:

In the marketplace of ideas, where anyone can contribute, and anyone can evaluate, conservatives consistently deliver inferior products. Even more importantly, the longer and greater their ability to peddle their wares, the stronger and more extreme the public rejection of them.

Historically, the only way conservatives have been able to get a fair hearing is to speak to the choir. I'm looking at you, FOXNEWS, along with the usual cadre of partisan subjects, such as Rush Limbaugh, the Washington Times, and the gaggle of other wingnut welfare recipients. CNN and MSNBC are too liberal? Launch a conservative cable channel. Wikipedia has a liberal bias? Launch Conservapedia. The only place where bad ideas get considered is when there is a monopoly on ideology, a complete lack of balance, and an audience that dare not challenge the party-line.

Don't blame the medium for the public's rejection of your products. It's not because they are horribly biased by the liberal press-media-academia-and now internets, it's that your ideas suck, and that they pander to the lowest common denominators of our society. Conservative media are affirmative action for bad ideas.

I really couldn't of said it better myself. Thinking about it, conservative media really do provide affirmative action for bad ideas. Just look at the huge well-financed conservative think tanks that produce papers and books and then can invest in major marketing of their ideas.

That is why I have been excited about the continued growth of the Center for American Progress which has become a great counterweight to the Heritage Foundations of the world. You should check out their amazing ThinkProgress blog and Campus Progress, the Center’s comprehensive effort to strengthen progressive voices on college and university campuses nationwide and to empower new generations of progressive leaders. I am slightly biased given that I recently started a Campus Progress chapter at the University of Pennsylvania. Join our facebook group here.

~BT

Evening Tunes

Faithless - We Come 1

~BT