Friday Random Ten

Because I totally got tired of the video thing but still obsess over music.  And because everyone needs a weekend place to vent.  And because I desperately need people to think I’m trendy (ironically).  I’m copying a million other people (not least of all D-Day…or Dave Dayen…or both).

1. Stars – The Night Starts Here
2. Elliott Smith – Placeholder
3. The Blow – Hock It (Yacht Remix)
4. Chromatics – Night Drive
5. The National – Mistaken For Strangers
6. The Woodentops – You Make Me Feel
7. Art in Manila – Set the Woods on Fire
8. ABX – Bonde Do Roll Out (Ludacris vs. Bonde do Role)
9. Lifesavas –  Night Out (feat. George Clinton and Meganut)
10. Arctic Monkeys – Fluorescent Adolescent

PLUS! The best you won’t find anywhere else, check out Onili and wonder how quickly you can snag the album.

July 20, 2007 Blog Roundup

Today’s Blog Roundup is on the flip. Predictably, lots of budget stuff, but also education, poverty, labor, and environment.

If I missed something, let me know in comments.

Budgets Are (Sometimes)
Moral Documents

Land, Air & Water

Infrastructure

People

Vote Hope supports Charlie Brown

(Woohoo. More support for Charlie! I love it that VH is expanding to support other candidates. – promoted by Julia Rosen)

Vote Hope is pleased to announce our support for Charlie Brown, the Democrat running for Congress in the 4th Congressional District of California. With his fighting spirit and optimistic vision for the future, Charlie Brown has given hope and inspiration to Democrats in the 4th District who have endured for 16 years the corrupt leadership of Republican Rep. John Doolittle.

Brown ran a tough and brave race against Doolittle in 2006, losing to the Republican by less than 4% points in one of the most conservative districts in Northern California. Brown announced earlier this year that he is running again, and Vote Hope is proud to stand with him.

People in this country are hungry for change, and Vote Hope is supporting federal, state and local candidates through 2008 and beyond who are committed to fighting for our values of fairness, equality and justice in public office. We see Brown’s race as strategic nationally, and early support for him critical. Vote Hope will continue to identify and evaluate candidates in California — including 2006 incumbents and new challengers — who we can rally around to increase voter engagement and participation in this critical election cycle.  At the top of our ticket is Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama, who is inspiring hundreds of thousands of people across California and the country to be involved in politics, many for the first time.

As a Political Action Committee (PAC) operating independently from any campaign or campaign committee, Vote Hope will be able to take our message about these candidates directly to voters, and using the momentum and energy around them to register new voters, get infrequent voters to the polls and increase both the size and the diversity of California’s exclusive electorate.

Giuliani Coming to San Francisco, Yuck

I can’t believe that sick adulturous warmonger is coming to stain my city. But here are the gory details (via email).

Please join Rudy for a discussion on energy independence on Monday, July 23rd. Program begins at 2:45 pm. Doors open at 2:30 pm.

Fairmont San Francisco
Pavilion Room
950 Mason Street
San Francisco, CA 94108

RSVP to Tom Roberts at (347) 226-0556 or [email protected]

Just a couple blocks from our place. I’m ill. Maybe at least some of our finest progressives and “greet” him during his visit.

Perata on GOP Tax credit: “Irresponsible”

I posted a modified version of my voodoo economics post on DailyKos. Recs appreciated.

Apparently, the Senate will not be blindly agreeing to the Assembly’s deal.  Sen. President Pro Tem Don Perata has lambasted the separate bill that would provide over $500 million in tax breaks as “irresponsible.” More from the Sac. Bee:

Senate President Pro Tem Don Perata is blasting as dead on arrival a last-minute deal that helped win Assembly passage of a $103 billion state spending plan in the wee hours of Friday morning.

“It’s an irresponsible action to take in the dark of night, without any debate or discussion,” Perata said of the Assembly compromise.

Perata’s vow to reporters, which came about noon Friday after he had huddled with his caucus for an hour, raised new doubts about ending the Legislature’s lengthy budget impasse.  (SacBee 7/20/07)

Flip it…

Well, I called for progressive senators to stand up to this giveaway, and apparently um, Don Perata responded. Well, that ain’t bad.  And, even the Speaker is distressed about some of the tax credits, although 4 of the 5 plans were put forwards by progressive Democrats (thanks Steve!). So, here’s the Speaker on his deal:


powered by ODEO

Well, I don’t know if I’d call that a ringing endorsement, but I guess he’s just happy it got done. But, given that he’s recessed the Assembly, there could be some major issues if the Senate substantially alters the deal.  So, we’ve got a long road to hoe before this is done.