Edwards leading the way

If there was any doubt about Edwards shedding himself of a consultant leaden campaign and letting his instincts lead the way on issues let those doubts be washed away now. We learn via Daily Kos the Edwards campaign has just thrown FOXNews for a loop again by exposing them for what they really are: nothing more than a propaganda arm of the GOP.

Edwards thumbed his nose earlier at FOXNews' attempt to frame the race for the Democratic nomination through right wing spin by not accepting an earlier invitation to the FOXNews sponsored debate in Nevada this August. Now he tells FOXNews again "no thanks" via an e-mail by deputy campaign director John Prince with the bark off:

"We just called the CBC to let them know
that we're looking forward to their January debate with CNN but we're not going
to participate in the proposed debate with Fox. The CBC champions critical
issues that matter enormously to the future of our country, and we look forward
to discussing them throughout this campaign and at their debate in January. But
we believe there's just no reason for Democrats to give Fox a platform to
advance the right-wing agenda while pretending they're objective. If there was
any uncertainty as to Fox's objectivity, it was put to rest when they attacked
Democratic candidates, Democratic constituency groups, and the Nevada Democratic
party when their last proposed debate was cancelled for lack of
support."

Wow. Can't get any clearer than that. This crystallizes the issue regarding the other candidates in the field as he outflanks them letting them know he's controlling his campaign and defining it before anyone else can. There's no hesitation waiting for a decision by "consultant committee" while the other campaigns are left reacting.

Meanwhile Edwards is sure to hit them with another right hook as he pivots and calls for the others to co-sponsor the Feingold-Reid Iraq bill. (note: Chris Dodd already has).

Wow, indeed. Go John, Go! Can't wait to see him here in Jacksonville on Wednesday.

Cut-rate Hacks

One of my favorite lines from the movie Casablanca is when Humphrey Bogart's character shoots a look at Peter Lorre, in that way only Bogart could, and informs him, "I don't mind a parasite, just a cut-rate one." Bogart crystallized his feeling for someone like Lorre's character in the same way I feel about media hacks. In general, I don't mind them as they are a reality in today's world, I just mind cut-rate ones.

This brings me to Today Show's Matt Lauer who seems to personify the very splendor of cut-rate media hackery. There is no doubt who the Today Show's democraphic is: a strange, distorted 5th Avenue view of "soccer mom" sensibilities projected via the likes of Lauer, Meredith Vieira, Ann Curry and Al Roker. The very flower of that sensiblity, the vaccous and incredibly shallow Katie Couric, has now moved on to "anchor" [in more ways than one as she sinks the ratings] the CBS Evening News.

I'm not at all stunned at the one-dimensional qualities served up by Lauer as he makes near comedic attmepts to act as a serious "on the record" interviewer whenever he has political reporters or elected representatives on. But Lauer seems to redefine that cheap hackery whenever he serves up questions within the context of Rovian issue framing that only a White House stenographer could appreciate. So when Tim Russert appeared yesterday morning to cover the days political news, Lauer reached new heights of hackery only he could manage:

"LAUER: Vice President Cheney called
Nancy Pelosi’s trip to Syria “bad behavior,” a Washington Post editorial on
Thursday called it “counter-productive and foolish,” and an op-ed in the Wall
Street Journal this morning goes a step further and suggests her trip may
actually have been a felony, that it may have violated something called the
Logan Act. Tim, is this the way the Democrats wanted to get off the mark in
terms of foreign affairs?"

It's that lack of pretense acting as a lackey for the White House that's so disturbing. Since Lauer went the whole nine yards with this frame why not just go that last yard, cut to the real intent of the question, and change the wording to reflect that: "Tim, by aiding, abetting and sympathizing with terrorists doesn't this undermine the Democrats posing as real patriotic Americans?"

Now as a comparative let's look at Cheney's appearance on Limbaugh this past Thursday:

"LIMBAUGH: Can you share with
us whether or not you understand their [the Democrats] devotion, or their seeming allegiance to
the concept of U.S. defeat?
THE VICE PRESIDENT: I can't."

And Limbaugh is the unapologetic winger here. If there is even the slightest difference between Lauer's and Limbaugh's framing, then I guess I've been taking too many of Morpheus' blue pills.

[h/t the 13th juror]

Welcome back Frank

Though professional sports lost me years ago [that last baseball strike in the early 90's was the final straw for me] up until last year I continued to listen to local sports analyst and radio talk show host, Frank Frangie, because of the cultural insight he always seemed to give sports in general. His in depth knowledge and thoughtful perspectives regarding the average fan made him a must listen. But he gave listeners more than that. For me he seemed to be able to put sports issues in a larger context and what it means culturally as a whole while at the same time satisfying this markets rabid desire for slavish attention to detail regarding team match ups and play breakdowns.

While in the hands of others this type of show would usually have the effect of boring me to tears, somehow, in Frank's hands he managed to make me want to listen anyway. Compared to his contemporaries in this market they were and still are nothing more than cookie cutter hacks who are quite interchangeable. That's why when he left the 4:00pm time slot last year, for me, it seem to leave a black hole for that kind of recreational listening. As a UF alumnus his take on anything relating to Gator sports was highly valued.

Last week I was delighted to discover he planned to return to the afternoon time slot via a new local station: WJXL 1010 AM teaming with co-host Mike Dempsey. I couldn't be more delighted. This past week, especially in light of the Florida Gators repeating as NCAA basketball national champions, this return couldn't be more timely.

Jacksonville Welcomes John Edwards

The DCDEC is reporting via the new Duval Demomcrats official blog that former V.P. candidate and current 2008 candidate for President John Edwards will be in town this coming Wednesday, April 11th at the FCCJ South Campus, in the Lake Room of the Wilson Center at 7:00 PM. Though I am an Al Gore supporter waiting to see if he can be drawn into this race, my second choice is the former NC Senator John Edwards. I couldn't be more thrilled at the prospect of seeing him in town. When Gore had whittled down his VP choices to two candidtates in 2000, the NC Senator was the other. What could have been.

The contrast between this visit and Sen. Barak Obama's visit last week is striking for two reasons. First, as he did last week here in Jacksonville, Sen. Obama still uses the tired old habit of expensive local fundraiser visits at the expense of working middle & lower class voters having an opportunity to see the candidate for themselves on a personal level. I'm sure Mr. Edwards has these same fundraisers, but last time when he was a POTUS candidate I did not notice one time on his political calendar where he did one at the expense of a local meet and greet for the general public. Secondly, though I'm a fan of Sen. Obama and see a lot of promise in him, I'm still waiting for him to take a stand on something.......anything. So far, I've watched Mr. Edwards lead the way in deciding not to participate in the Nevada FOXNews sponsored debate helping to delegitimize that network which is nothing more than a propaganda arm for the WH and the GOP. This is followed by his leading the way saying how wrong he was for his Iraq war authorization vote.

Watching Obama waffle recently on the supplemental funding bill and Hillary doing the triangulation dance on her Iraq war vote and abortion leaves me wanting in the current crop of candidates with the exception of Edwards. I'm delighted at the opportunity to see him again.

My guitar gently weeps...

If so much tragedy wasn't associated with this, the satirical quality would tansend all normal realms of conservation and ascend into howls of laughter at the mere mention of these idiots. You know how you can tell the GOP knows they own this war? The lengths they will go to make sure everyone knows it's getting back to "normal" in Baghdad and freedom is on the march!

Watching John McCain give a press conference telling everyone within earshot things are going so well in Baghdad you can walk the streets unescorted since the "surge." Then we get the photo of him in a flak jacket with 100 armed soldiers, two Blackhawk helicopters and two Apache helicopters to make sure his jaunt to a market in downtown Baghdad was possible. Then he holds a press conference and tells everyone, "See how safe it is here?" His two GOP companions not worth a mention here claimed it was like market day in Indiana. They OWN this thing. They know it. If it wasn't for the dead, wounded and maimed, both military and civilian, the comedic factor would he enough to put someone in the hospital for laughing themselves sick. Instead, I just want to weep for those that have paid dearly for this madness.

I picked up the photo from the News Blog where someone posted it after doctoring the photo and combining Bush's guitar antics on the day Katrina was wiping out New Orleans and McCain on his delusional tour with a flak jacket telling the world that Baghdad was like a Sunday stroll. How prophetic both photographs fit perfectely to show the nearly pychotic mindset these two have trying to make sure that everyone sees the surge working.

Seeing this photo I'm reminded of the 1957 movie, "The Bridge on the River Kwai." In the last few moments of the film actor James Donald's character Major Clipton can't believe the events he just watched unfolding before his eyes. He's so horrified and stunned by the end of it all he can only muster the final two lines of the movie, "The madness! Sheer madness!"

A high school endures whispers from the past

Currently there promises to be a lively discussion over at Flog [Flolio Weekly Blog] about the results of a survey regarding a possible name change for a high school on the westside of Jacksonville: Nathan Bedord Forrest Hight School. To date the discussion has taken on a surreal context as the debate centers on whether or not a survey legitimizes a choice on whether to initiate a name change or not.

Take a look at this photo. Anything remotely tied to any reference to a painful and dark past that tore a nation apart that had to be sewn back together again like a Frankenstein monster with a recalcitrant south jumping on the back of Jim Crow to put off a future they wanted to deny is beyond vulgar - it is repugnant. Wrapping your arms around a name that serves only to remind one of those connections to a practice seen as lawful in the first 'four score and seven years' has no defense. Period. Just ask the ghost of the two fellows swinging from that tree.

Give me a break. A poll or survey only serves to put the name in a context for legitimization in the first place as though it merits consideration. Change the damn name.

What's good for Gate Petroleum...

...is good for the rest of Jacksonville? Over half a century ago General Motors CEO Charlie Wilson uttered his famous axiom during his testimoney before the Senate Commerce Committee in 1955 that crystalized the conservative philosophy of business interests of the time: "What's good for General Motors is good for the rest of America." Karen Brune Mathis, in her column for the Florida Times-Union yesterday, educates us about Mayor Peyton's "potential" in his second term by harmonizing with that famous sentiment with a head scratching fluff piece through a series of "suggestions" to encourage an audacious and courageous policy agenda.

Entitled "Peyton has luxury, duty to be fearless," she opens her article breezing by his anything but humble origins as a member of the Gate Petroleum family and his non-political ambitions for a post term return to his father's business. Moving quickly to the essence of her column she decides to focus on economic development with a number of suggestions to enable the Mayor to be bold and fearless in a second term not bound by policy trepedations usually associated with re-election. Before I get to the mainstay of her column, a call for a one day only local buisness summit, one of her suggestions is puzzeling: '[....He could]launch a sort of "Rally Jacksonville!" book club for new businesses, sending resource information to owners who might not know where to find all the help they need.' Hmmmm. Don't we already have something like that through the Jacksonville Economic Development Council? I"ve toured the site and taken in what it offeres and it includes all the resource information a new prospective business owner would need. Why waste time and city funds on the launching of yet another program when we already have one? Perhaps a little more JEDC promotion here would suffice.

Then there is her call for a "one-day-only summit for Jacksonville-based businesses to find out what they need to thrive" as the center-piece of her column. Forget that once again the JEDC seems to already have exactly what she's calling for, it's her suggestion to foster yet more growth through less regulation and a faster permitting process that stands out: "Less government red tape? Faster (but no less thorough) permitting decisions? Quick answers from regulators? Help with easing traffic congestion? Better-trained workers?" I'm not quite sure where 'bold' and 'fearless' come in to play here. These suggestions are being offered in a city already plauged with, in some instances, a matrix of congestion issues nearing meltdown prohibiting basic access to brick and morter businesses caught in a stranglehold of massive rush hour traffic jams. These are issues that have already been ignored for far to long at the expense of working families while aiding the developer community at all cost and their continued push for unfettered growth.

This is just one column in a long series of columns that contine to be a clarion call for more status quo entrenchment. It's as if Ms. Brune Mathis gets her talking points straight out of the offices of the developers themselves. And when did cities comparable in size to Jacksonville ever not have initiatives to attract relocation of corporate headquarters from outside? This is not news. Usually when this happens these corporate entities get sweetheart tax breaks as an incentive at the expense of the property owner. They get a free pass on infrastructure up keep which they help themselves to and continue to be awash in city services like police and fire protection (just to mention a few) while property owners such as myself subsidize these new large businesses.

Ms. Brune-Mathis' columns suggest anything but bold and courageous initiatives. If that's what she really wants how's this for an audacious and courageous policy initiative: scrap every task force currently in effect with the exception of the downtown convention center which does have some merit (another time and post). Appoint a commission to study research done by Dr. Kathryn Neckerman, associate director at the Institute for Social and Economic Research and Policy, outlined here in an excellent article found in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. This piece in the Post-Gazetter focuses on her research regarding the lack of basic access to public and private services for poor and minority communities and the effects they have on the community at large. Once the study is completed have the same commision come up with proposals and initiatives tackling these very divisive issues underlined and magnified in the recent Mayoral race by the final vote count showing 25% of the population centered in those poor and minority communities completely disconnected with city government.

Now that would be something while the developer community howls over some diverted attention that doesn't cater expressly to their needs. No need to worry. Neither the Mayor nor the editorial policy board of the Florida Times-Union will allow nothing to interfere with the "What's good for Gate Petroleum is good for Jacksonville" policies so intricately tied to them both.

A new blog in town

Via Flog we find a new blog online: Duval Democrats. As a member of the local DCDEC, I am delighted to see this new development. I hope northeaset Florida Democrats will find time to meet and develop new ideas to combat the low expectations of the status quo manifested by the domination of one party rule. Prgressive/liberals need to unite and build a better message platform to let the citizens of our fair city know they have a voice, not an echo chamber for devoloper interests. As the latest local election has just demonstrated those interests are still reverberating at the expense of the the average citizen.

I hope to find a way, albeit a humbly small one, to help make this a successful venture by pubicizing this new entry in the blogosphere as loud and as often as possible.

Its a Gator Nation world...

...and everybody else just lives in it. This is an evening that is as sweet as it gets for this old Gator alum. In my senior year the Gators went 0-10-1 in football followed later by NCAA sanctions for recruiting violation in the football program. Then we endured former NC State coaching legend Norm Sloan and his checkered blazers and off-key singing wife belting out the national anthem before each game at mid court. I've endured having our domed arena named after a Florida Supreme Court segregationist judge in the early '80's. In almost 100 years Gators never claimed a national title in football or baseketball.

Now we are champions in the two premier sports in college athletics and my cup runneth over. It's hard to master this keyboard while blubbering like a baby in happiness.

[insert Gator 'chomp' here]
[insert Gator fight song here]

Go Gators!

"Time Tax"

What Jacquline Dowd said over at the 13th juror:

"Many poor and black communities are so bereft of services and retail that residents are forced to pay what could be called a "time tax" -- either extra money or loss of personal time -- to access basic services."

"Time Tax" indeed. Just head on over and read. Then read her link to the Pittsburgh Post Gazette.

Nice job Ms. Dowd

Update: This is so relevant to our recent Mayoral election here in Jacksonville. I'll post more on this later (possibly tomorrow) as to how this merges with reasons for the 24% vote Ms. Brown received. (Depending on my mood regarding the Gators tonight. GO GATORS!)

Who's he kidding?

So let me get this straight. The former owner of the Texas Ranger and current occupant of the WH will miss the ceremonial first pitch of the new Baseball season. Said former owner finds it necessary to tell the media it isn't because he is afraid to be booed.

Yeah. Right. Mr. 33% popularity isn't afraid of being booed? I'm reminded of the seedy little motel one sees on backroads that advertise in broken neon letters "clean rooms." A motel with sanitary facilities should be a given without mention. Finding it necessary to advertise the fact that indeed you have "clean rooms" should be a red flag they have been an issue before. This push by the WH says the same thing. If the Texas Ranger (who is really from Connecticutt - what is it about this guy that always feels the need to dress in a costume?) feels the need to tell everyone he's missing the opening day ceremonial first pitch isn't because he's afraid of being booed,.......well, it because he's afraid of being booed. Count on it.

An ignored legacy

I would like to take a moment and discuss what Mark Woods didn't cover in his Sunday article in the Florida Times-Union, "It all started with a tap on the wall." The centerpiece of the article was about current Atlantic Beach Fleet Landing resident Capt. (USN-Retired) Richard Stratton and current GOP '08 candidate for President, Arizona Sen. John McCain as former Vietnam War POW's in the infamous Hanoi Hilton. Though I worked at Fleet Landing in Atlantic Beach for 5 years in the late '90's as a Medicare consultant and had an occasion to speak with Capt. Stratton two or three times, I seriously doubt he would remember me. But rest assured he is a legend amoung a community filled with legends that had colorful and historic careers in the service of their country in WWII, Korea and Vietnam.

The scope of Mr. Woods' article was about the relationship and shared experience between these two decorated veterans as Vietnam POW's and and one would not expect the piece to go beyond that. My concern though is their shared experiences as subjects of abuse and torture at the hands of their North Vietnamese captors and their subsequent support of Attorney General Gonzalez's interpretation of what defines torture and their support of the Military Commisson's Act 2006 [H.R. 6166 (109th Congress)] that all but ignores the basic precepts of the Geneva Convention.

There is no doubt about the honor, bravey and actions above and beyond the call of duty to their country exhibited by these two individuals. The well deserved awards and citations awarded to Capt. Stratton in particular are staggering: theSilver Star, the Legion of Merit with V, the Bronze Star with V, Air Medal,the Navy Commendation medal with V, the Combat Action Ribbon, and a PurpleHeart, as well as the POW medal. What is troubling though is his tacit support of the Military Commion's act through his support of Sen. McCain who signed on to Gonzalas' interpretation [though at first he was against it - another flip flop I might add in a growing list] and H.R. 6166. Capt. Stratton's status as a Vietnam POW was second only to that of former Admiral and Alabama Sen. Jeremiah Denton who was a captive for nearly eight years. It is extemely troublesome and disturbing when one considers the weight of those in the miliarty establishment who are against it. When one considers the current situation regading United Kindom captives in Iran it is not hard to see the consequences of the administrations actions regarding torture and Geneva. The Iranians have already violated Geneva on two occasions by realeasing video of their captors and forced signed confessons. There is the potential of a third if there are show trials for international political purposes. Thank you George W. Bush and Alberto Gonzalas. Hmmmm,......show trials. Now where have I heard that? Oh yeah, David "I'm so dangerous I only got 9 months" Hicks. That's quite a legacy there Mr. Gonzalas and Mr. Bush.

The special bond established between those former residents of the Hanoi Hilton is a dynamic only they can understand and would never be questioned. It is no doubt a special brotherhood that should be honored by one and all. The justice system and adherence to international treaties that have served us so well for the past 200+ years made us a beacon of justice, liberty and fairness to the rest of the world. These actions and current public posturing about the so called GWOT [Global War on Terror] makes a mockery of our leadership on these issues in the community of nations. Let's hope I'm wrong about Capt. Stratton's seeming support here of these policies.