John Edwards:

This isn’t about petty politics or good intentions.

Corporate greed and influence in Washington are stealing our children’s future.

The moral test of our generation is whether we’re going to allow this broken system to go on without a fight or take on corporate greed and stand up for the middle class and American jobs before it’s too late.

They aren’t going to just give their power away.

Saving the middle class is going to be an epic battle, and that’s a fight I was born for.

http://johnedwards.com/news/pr…

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John Edwards: the Fight



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v…

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So Who’s Fighting who, and for What?

The assertion:

Corporate greed and influence in Washington are stealing our children’s future.

How so?

Do those “greedy corporations”  just stroll into Congress and demand that legislators, just give them concessions?

Well sometimes — but usually its much more subtle than that. Usually they just hire someone to do this convincing for them.

And those they employ, know the “behind the scenes” working of Washington quite well — They don’t become highly paid Lobbyists for nothing!

Lobbying is hard work! The stress level and the burn out rates in the Lobbying industry is high. Lobbying Firms must resort to snapping up “retiring Congressmen”, in a system known as the “revolving door”. Sometimes Lobbyists need a break too, and they go back into Politics for a spell (just ask Fred Thompson).

Lobbying Firms also have been known to recruit this country’s best talent, in places like Harvard and Princeton.  Recent graduates, are probably easier to train, and ready to “go that extra mile” in order to make a name for themselves:

from the Princeton Review Career page:

Lobbyist: Day in the Life

First and foremost, lobbyists must be adept at the art of persuasion, which is the mainstay of their job. They must figure out how to sway politicians to vote on legislation in a way that favors the interest they represent.

When normally opposing groups find a common area of interest and can present a united front they are extremely effective.

Lobbying can be direct or indirect.

Direct lobbying means actually meeting with congressmen and providing them with information pertinent to a bill being voted on. The lobbyist imparts her information with the help of graphs, charts, polls, and reports that she has hunted up or created. Needless to say, this is usually information that the politician might not otherwise have access to, that casts the matter in a light favorable to the interest the lobbyist represents.

Sometimes, lobbyists will even sit down and help a politician draft legislation that is advantageous for their interest.

Maintaining good relations with politicians who can be relied on to support the lobbyist”s interest is key. While lobbyists and their employers cannot themselves make large campaign donations to politicians, they can, and do, raise money from other sources for reelection campaigns.

Indirect lobbying, sometimes referred to as grassroots organizing, is a bit less glamorous. Grassroots lobbyists enlist the help of the community to influence politicians by writing, calling, or demonstrating on the organization”s behalf. This means long hours spent on the phone and writing letters, trying to rouse the community to get involved. These lobbyists also report to politicians about the concerns and reactions they have gotten from community members. Indirect lobbying is also done through the media. Grassroots lobbyists write articles for newspapers and magazines and appear on talk shows to generate interest in and awareness of their issues.

There are no licensing or certification requirements, but lobbyists are required to register with the state and federal governments. Most lobbyists have college degrees. A major in political science, journalism, law, communications, public relations, or economics should stand future lobbyists in good stead.

Many lobbyists also come from careers as legislators, as former politicians often capitalize on their years of government service and their connections to old pals still in office. This is the “revolving door” that recent legislation has begun to regulate.

Indeed, networking is the name of the game in lobbying, where people are hired as much for who they know as what they know. Someone who can schmooze at high levels will start his lobbying career from an accordingly high perch, while others face a long hard climb upwards.

http://www.princetonreview.com…

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So how are Corporations, stealing our Children’s future?

By sheer numbers and dollars spent, to block legislation, or otherwise, insert clauses to laws, helpful to their Profits Margin — and little else.  That’s what unchecked greed gets you, in a Free Market society, where Corporations make up the rules, and the People must take a back seat.

Here’s the list of the most influential power-brokers in Washington, and chances are you never even heard of them:

Top Lobbying Firms, 1998-2007

Lobbying firm – Total [retainer fees]

Patton Boggs LLP

$251,392,000

Cassidy & Assoc

$247,275,000

Akin, Gump et al

$205,225,000

Van Scoyoc Assoc

$167,198,000

Barbour, Griffith & Rogers

$126,640,000

Williams & Jensen

$123,404,000

Ernst & Young

$112,871,560

Hogan & Hartson

$109,293,907

Greenberg Traurig LLP

$96,708,249

Quinn, Gillespie & Assoc

$95,637,500

PMA Group

$92,680,132

Preston, Gates et al

$88,720,000

Verner, Liipfert et al

$88,595,000

PriceWaterhouseCoopers

$85,534,945

Holland & Knight

$74,969,544

Alcalde & Fay

$70,290,660

Clark & Weinstock

$69,725,000

Timmons & Co

$69,068,000

PodestaMattoon

$68,955,000

Washington Group

$68,820,000

In addition to campaign contributions to elected officials and candidates, companies, labor unions, and other organizations spend billions of dollars each year to lobby Congress and federal agencies.

Some special interests retain lobbying firms, many of them located along Washington’s legendary K Street; others have lobbyists working in-house.

http://www.opensecrets.org/lob…

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THIS — is the “Broken System in Washington” that Edwards talks about in that Ad!

This is “the moral test of our generation”:

whether we’re going to allow this broken system to go on without a fight or take on corporate greed and stand up for the middle class and American jobs before it’s too late.

Have you every wondered why we don’t have:

– Universal Health Care

– Energy Independence

– Fair tax policy

– Fair trade policy

Well who do you think can afford to hire “enough” Lobbyists to get their way?

How much did you give to Sierra Club last year? What about the Natural Resource Defense Council? Chances are it wasn’t enough! Big Oil no doubt gave more to many of these Lobbying Firms — and yet another year slipped by, with NO REAL ACTION, toward Energy Independence, and stopping Global Warming!

That’s just Wrong!  This system of Government of our IS Broken!

When are we gonna show a little backbone — and do something about it? (that is something that Edwards often asks, too)

Those Mega-Million-dollar Lobbying Firms have “built a Wall around Washington”!  That Wall keeps out the voices and concerns of ordinary Americans like you and me!

It’s time for that Wall to come down!

Part 1

http://youtube.com/watch?v=B6_…

—-

Part 2: John Edwards’ Speech: DNC Fall Meeting



http://youtube.com/watch?v=vB4…

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We do not have to settle for a system

that protects Exxon Mobil’s Profits —

But does NOT protect the Planet!



History will judge US, on this moment,

in this Election —

Did we grow too cautious for a Campaign Check,

or Did we grow together and Protect our Planet?

…

Part 3

http://youtube.com/watch?v=Npx…

—-

Other candidates think that to change the system you got to “work within the system” — if that approach worked, we’d already have – Universal Health Care, Energy Independence, Fair tax policy, Fair trade policy!



I guess “working the system” really only works for those who can afford to “pay to play”?

Hmmmm … maybe I should contact MY Lobbyist?

Wait a minute, who’s that?

Who’s going to Lobby for ME?

Who’s going to Fight for MY Issues?

Who’s going to “represent WE the People”

in that power-broker circus, called DC?

Who’s got the guts, and the experience to take on this “epic fight of a generation”?

That Fighter sounds like John Edwards to me!

The question is, Is America ready to step up, and help fix this Broken System?

If not now, when?

Ever?

Learn more about why Lobbyist’s influence MUST be reigned in:

http://www.dailykos.com/story/…

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Our Country needs, Hope … yes very much so.

Our Country also needs Competence in SO many Government Positions of power … NO more ‘Heck of Job — Brownies’ PLEASE!

But the one thing America needs even more than Hope and Competence — it’s Real Leadership!

What is Real Leadership made up of?

More Compromise and Committee meetings?  (I hope not)

Media Fanfare and soaring rhetoric?  (nice, but …)

How about Honesty, How about taking a real Stand?

How about talking straight with the American People, and detailing all the ‘Hard Work’ and ‘Sacrifice’ that Real Change will ultimately require?

That’s what Real Leaders do.

They tell you the Truth, and speaking the Truth eventually leads to widespread Action, and the Changes we need.

Once again John Edwards, has NOT failed to Lead on the Issues, so important to everyday Americans …

Edwards HAS been taking Stands, all along. And he continues to do so:

(1) Edwards Statement On Destruction Of Tapes By CIA

(2) African-American Leaders Discuss Edwards’ “Plan For Opportunity For All Americans”

(3) Edwards talks about 14th Anniversary Of NAFTA in New Hampshire

(4) Southwest Iowa Newspaper endorses Edwards

(5) Senator Bill Bradley Interviews Presidential Candidate John Edwards

(6) Edwards confident about South Carolina

(7) Edwards: Real Leaders take Stands — on Social Security

(8) Edwards confidence about his new Administration

(1) Edwards Statement On Destruction Of Tapes By CIA

Chapel Hill, North Carolina – Today, Senator John Edwards released the following statement on the CIA’s destruction of interrogation tapes:

“I was disturbed to learn that the CIA deliberately destroyed video recordings of interrogations it conducted using extreme techniques. These tapes were destroyed during the ongoing 9-11 Commission investigation, raising deeply troubling questions about whether their destruction was intended to prevent the American people from learning the truth about the harsh interrogation techniques sanctioned by the Bush-Cheney Administration. Particularly with an issue so critical to our moral authority in the world, the American people deserve the truth, not suspicious excuses and evasions.

“Torture is morally wrong, it is illegal, it is ineffective, it endangers our own troops and citizens, and it plays into the hands of our enemies. My administration will uphold and protect the law rather than trampling over it.”

http://www.johnedwards.com/new…

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If you’re wondering what kind of Commander and Chief Edwards would be on the global stage of Foreign Affairs (short answer — a good one!), here’s some recommended reading:

Edwards on Bush Today; John Edwards: No Rush to War with Iran

by TomP – Tue Dec 04, 2007

http://www.dailykos.com/story/…

—-

Edwards: the Lesson of Iraq and a New Strategy for Iran

by jamess – Fri Dec 07, 2007

http://www.dailykos.com/story/…

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On the Domestic Front, Edwards continues to show Leadership on how to heal another kind of ‘divide’ in our Country:

(2) African-American Leaders Discuss Edwards’ “Plan For Opportunity For All Americans”

Columbia, South Carolina – Key African-American supporters held a conference call today to discuss Senator Edwards’ “Plan for Opportunity for All Americans,” which includes proposals for creating good jobs, guaranteeing universal health care and reforming the criminal justice system.

…

“Too many Americans are separated from the opportunities of our country,” said Texas State Representative Garnet Coleman. “Senator Edwards has dedicated his life to building One America, where every person has the same opportunities to work hard and get ahead.”

“Senator Edwards has laid out detailed plans to strengthen African-American communities and all communities by expanding the middle class and ending poverty in America,” said Tyrone Freeman, president of SEIU United Long Term Care Workers West. “If we work together, I have faith we’ll be able to lift up families and make a real difference in people’s lives.”

…

Building One America: A Plan for Opportunity for All Americans

There are still Two Americas — one favored and the other forgotten. While they are not defined by race, the Two Americas have a disproportionate impact on people of color and in many ways reflect the tragic history of race in this country.

…

As someone who grew up in the segregated South, Senator Edwards feels a special responsibility on the issue of race in America and has made equality of opportunity the central tenet of his campaign. To build One America and make sure everyone has the same chances that America has given to him, he supports:



 – Guaranteeing Health Care for Every American

 – Strengthening Schools So Every Child Can Succeed

 – Ending the Disgrace of Two Criminal Justice Systems

 – Creating Safe and Affordable Housing

 – Protecting the Right to Vote

 – Ending Poverty in America

 – Helping Small Businesses

 – Environmental Justice

 – Enforcing Civil Rights Laws

 – Closing the Digital Divide

for more details:

http://johnedwards.com/news/pr…

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(3) Edwards talks about 14th Anniversary Of NAFTA in New Hampshire

AP is finally following Edwards on the Trail, today they report that:

Edwards Condemns NAFTA

By HOLLY RAMER

CONCORD, N.H. (AP) – Democratic presidential hopeful John Edwards says he wants to replace the empty promise that NAFTA would create millions of jobs with his own promise to be a tough negotiator on trade deals.

On the 14th anniversary of the North American Free Trade Agreement, Edwards planned to condemn the deal that lowered trade barriers between the United States and Canada and Mexico, arguing that it has paved the way for a series of deals that put the interests of multninational corporations ahead of working families.

“NAFTA was sold to the American people with promises that it would grow the economy and create millions of new jobs. But today, we know those promises were empty,” he said in remarks prepared for delivery at a town hall forum in Derry. “In all three countries, it has hurt workers and families while helping corporate insiders.”

The former North Carolina senator said more than 5 million American jobs have gone overseas since President Bush took office, and that up to 30 million more could follow in the next decade.

“The folks in Washington say that trade is good for the economy, even if it hurts a few ‘losers,'” he said. “That’s the word they use, losers, and it tells you something about how they see regular American workers and families who are struggling to compete.”

The former North Carolina senator said the effects of NAFTA and other trade deals is evident in New Hampshire’s north country, where several paper mills have closed in recent years. As president, he said he would pursue trade deals that leave most families better off and that include strong labor and environmental standards.

Edwards also has said he would make enforcing trade laws a greater priority and eliminate tax incentives that encourage U.S. companies to move overseas.

http://ap.google.com/article/A…

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The Edwards Plan for Smart and Safe Trade:

Be a Tough Negotiator, Unafraid to Reject Bad Deals:

The American position in trade negotiations has been formulated behind closed doors with help from corporate lobbyists. Under the “fast track” procedure, Congress could not amend the resulting deals. Not surprisingly, trade agreements include special privileges for corporations, such as strong remedies for commercial rights and unprecedented rights to challenge environmental and health laws, but failed to protect workers.

As president, Edwards will pursue trade deals that:

   – Make most families better off, considering its impact on jobs, wages, and prices.

   – Enforce labor rights — including the right to organize and bargain collectively and prohibitions against forced labor, child labor, and discrimination – to prevent a global race to the bottom and help build a global middle class.

   – Protect the environment, preventing the exploitation of weak or poorly enforced laws and greenhouse gas commitments if necessary.

   – Clearly prohibit currency manipulation that puts American businesses at a disadvantage.

Demand a Level Playing Field for Trade: …

Edwards will assign top prosecutors at the U.S. Department of Justice to the job of enforcing trade laws, including the stronger labor and environment standards he will negotiate. …

Eliminate Tax Incentives to Move Offshore: …

Edwards will eliminate the benefit of deferral in low-tax countries, ensuring that American companies’ profits are taxed when earned …

Revamp Trade Assistance and the Safety Net to Help Dislocated Workers and Communities: …

Edwards will fight for these workers and their communities, by modernizing unemployment insurance to cover 500,000 more workers a year and creating a new “Training Works” initiative tied to high-wage jobs.

He will help communities recover quickly from mass layoffs with better advance warning and more resources to shore up the local tax base, plans for attracting family-sustaining jobs, and help for local businesses.

Ensure the Safety of Imported Food, Drugs and Toys:

Food imports more than doubled in the last decade and Americans eat 260 pounds of imported foods a year. Nearly 80 percent of children’s toys are made in China …

   – Enforce mandatory country-of-origin labeling on all food, increase inspections of imported food, and require the Food and Drug Administration to assess foreign nation’s food safety systems.

   – Raise penalties for toy safety violations, require independent testing, authorize border detention and inspection of toys in high-risk categories and ensure the independence of the Consumer Product Safety Commission.

   – Mandate the pharmaceutical industry to quickly implement non-forgeable electronic “track-and-trace pedigrees” to ensure that drugs stay safe at every step in the supply chain — from factory to store and require sellers to prove that their drugs came from an authorized distributor.

http://johnedwards.com/news/pr…

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And in case you missed it TomP covered this NAFTA anniversary, and its implications, in an excellent post earlier today:

Edwards on NAFTA Anniversary Day: “Those promises were empty”; NAFTA Failed.

by TomP – Sat Dec 08, 2007

http://www.dailykos.com/story/…

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(4) Southwest Iowa Newspaper endorses Edwards

And in Iowa, where the People know the the meaning of ‘Hard Work’, those important Endorsements keep going to John Edwards:

Southwest Iowa Newspaper: Edwards “Represents The Best Of What This Country Has To Offer”

Des Moines, Iowa – Senator John Edwards today received the endorsement of Valley News Today, a daily newspaper in Shenandoah, Iowa. The paper, which covers a rural southwestern Iowa community, does not typically endorse presidential candidates and has not done so in recent presidential primaries. The paper’s endorsement reflects Edwards’ appeal to rural America and his commitment to making sure Iowans in every part of the state know where he stands on the important issues facing our country. Edwards is the only candidate to visit and take questions from Iowans in all 99 counties twice, and has announced the public support of more than 1,000 rural Iowans.

“As the only Democratic candidate with rural roots, Edwards knows first hand about the daily trials and tribulations of the working poor,” reads the endorsement. “As a result of his upbringing, he has by far the most specific, most progressive and most far-reaching ideas to improve our nation.“

http://www.johnedwards.com/new…

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(5) Senator Bill Bradley Interviews Presidential Candidate John Edwards

Talk about REAL Progressives taking notice of What Edwards is saying — check this out:

Reuters

Senator Bill Bradley Interviews Presidential Candidate John Edwards — Exclusively On SIRIUS Satellite Radio

Two visionaries speak with candor on the state of politics, the importance of this election, and what the future holds

Bradley and Edwards share an optimistic view of the potential of what this country can accomplish if united under strong and compassionate leadership. Both believe in the power of the voice of the individual, and in this thought-provoking and candid conversation, Edwards shares his goals, concerns and plans if elected.

“We are by nature optimistic, strong, and courageous. What we need is a president and a leader who actually believes in the American people, and believes in the extraordinary human capital and potential of the American people,” said John Edwards.

“I want to be surrounded by really smart, talented people who say to me, ‘You’re wrong.  Mr. President, you’re just dead wrong about that.’ …If we’re going to make hard decisions, the last thing I need is a bunch of people around me just telling me how smart I am and how great I am. …We’ve seen what the result is when that’s your approach.”

Senator Bradley’s interview with John Edwards will air December 10th at 5:00 am, 7:00 am, 12:00 pm, 2:00 pm, and 11:00 pm, all times ET.

Visit www.sirius.com for more information.

http://www.reuters.com/article…

(6) Edwards confident about South Carolina

What me worry?

Edwards confident:  Presidential hopeful predicts win in S.C. Democratic primary

By RODDIE BURRIS

SENECA – Former Sen. John Edwards said Thursday he’s confident at least 75 percent of S.C. voters have not decided for whom they will vote next year.

…

Edwards predicted that when S.C. voters begin focusing on the presidential race, he will be their man.

“I won it in 2004, and might I remind you that in the polls I was doing less well then than I am now.”

When voters are reminded that he grew up here, that he understands their lives and will fight for them, “they’ll respond,” Edwards assured.

http://www.thestate.com/local/…

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(7) Edwards: Real Leaders take Stands — on Social Security

This IS What Leadership is ALL About — and John Edwards has been telling you where he Stands, all year!

UnionLeader.com

Edwards: Real leaders take stands

By PHILIP ELLIOTT — The Associated Press

MANCHESTER –  Democrat John Edwards yesterday criticized rival Hillary Rodham Clinton, saying candidates who seek the White House should take strong, clear stands on difficult issues like Social Security.

Clinton has said she doesn’t want to put forward a specific plan now to shore up Social Security, but would wait for recommendations from a bipartisan commission because any plan will need the support of Democrats and Republicans to be enacted.

Asked about her stance at an AARP-Divided We Fail lunch on health and financial security, Edwards told seniors: “If you want to be President of the United States, you should lead. Leadership means taking clear, strong positions for the American people. … I’ve said very clearly what I would do, not said I’m going to wait and figure this out later.”

http://www.unionleader.com/art…

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Washington Post — The Trail

Was [Edwards] suggesting that Clinton was not showing leadership? he was asked. “I’m saying I am,” he answered.

Social Security has emerged as a flash point in the Democratic debate. Edwards has proposed raising the cap on income that is taxed for Social Security, which now stands at $97,500, possibly allowing for a “doughnut hole” of income over $97,500 that is not taxed but then taxing income over $200,000. Barack Obama has also said he would favor raising the cap, on some occasions endorsing a doughnut hole approach and on some occasions referring simply to lifting the cap.

Clinton has declined to lay out specific options for shoring up the Social Security system, saying that she would start by restoring fiscal discipline and then convene a bipartisan commission to study a long-term fix.

http://blog.washingtonpost.com…

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(8) Edwards confidence about his new Administration

Real Leaders — Lead!

And Real Leaders start being the Change, they would want to see …

Some may think this presumptuous, to me it says Edwards has the confidence it takes to lead the greatest nation in the world:

Despite poll numbers, Edwards said he already has made a list of candidates for his running mate and his Cabinet.

The Democrats’ 2004 vice presidential nominee said he would seek out “the most qualified, most competent, most independent, strong-minded people that I can find” for a Cabinet.

“I want people who will say, ‘You’re wrong about this. You’re not right. You’re going to do harm if you do this,'” Edwards said. “The goal is not to make me feel good about myself.”

He said he would consider Republicans for his Cabinet, but not his vice president.

“If I’m elected president, what that means is America is ready for my version of the future of our country,” Edwards said.

“If something happens and I couldn’t complete my term, I would want to ensure that that vice president would push forward with this same vision, because that’s what America is voting for.”

http://www.unionleader.com/art…

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Now that’s Confidence!

Who’s ready to Lead America on Day One — No On the Job Training required?

Sounds like John Edwards to me and to an ever growing number of forward-thinking Americans too!

Who’s ready to look you in eye, and tell you what they will do, to restore America’s Moral Authority — both at home, and aboard?

And who’s ready to form another Committee to study the matter, and get back with you, someday?

Edwards is fighting for Equal Opportunity for All Americans — and Edwards IS doing the ‘Hard Work’ already, by spelling out detailed steps of what needs to be done, by spelling out the differences between himself and the other ‘would-be’ Leaders:

http://johnedwards.com/issues/

—-

Others may have the Media Spotlight, but Why is it that they frequently are playing “catch up” with the many detailed Progressive Policies, that Edwards was almost always the first to boldly declare?

Who is not afraid to Stand up for the Progressive Issues that  matter to working Americans — John Edwards, that’s who!

How that old saying go …

Either Lead, Follow, or get out of the Way!

(I’ll give you one guess, which one of those Options, Edwards has been working overtime on, already!)

Long before it was “popular”, John Edwards was calling for a New Strategy for Iran (and the War on Terror in general)

Long before the NIE Report, threw water on the GOP’s fiery rhetoric about the looming dangers of Iran, Edwards was saying we must learn the lessons of the Iraq War — NOT Repeat them in Iran!

Long before the cynical Rumsfeld Memos were leaked (proving Edwards right), John Edwards was busy “reframing” the Global War on Terror, calling it “a ‘bumper sticker’ slogan Bush had used to justify everything …”

Did Edwards get Media Attention and fanfare for his insightful and stateman-like leadership — NO, but he DID help to change the national conversation!

So Much so, that insiders in NIE (National Intelligence Estimate), seem to have taken his advice that: “We’ve got to stand up to Bush and Cheney and the Neocons …”

Even though Bush knew of the NIE Report Conclusions, as early as August this year:

At a press briefing this morning, President Bush said he was told by his Director of National Intelligence Mike McConnell “in August” that “we have some new information” regarding Iran’s nuclear program.

In spite of knowing there was No imminent threat of Nukes from Iran, Bush continued to trump up the neocon agenda, of looking under chairs and in closets for the next generation of WMD’s (Weapons of Mass Delusion)!

Indeed as recently as mid Oct, Bush was raising the spectre of World War III:

WASHINGTON (Reuters) – U.S. President George W. Bush warned on Wednesday a nuclear-armed Iran could lead to World War III as he tried to shore up international opposition to Tehran amid Russian skepticism over its nuclear ambitions.

More “bumper sticker” sloganeering — no doubt! Thanks goodness for the voices of reason and sanity within the NIE, for deciding to go public, with there previously internal Report. True Patriots, I’d say, inside government, taking a stand against — more Neocon manipulation of the American People! Bravo!

So what were the Conclusions of the sea-change Report from the National Intelligence Estimate (NIE)?

November 2007

National Intelligence Estimates (NIE)

Iran: Nuclear Intentions and Capabilities

Key Judgments

We judge with high confidence that in fall 2003, Tehran halted its nuclear weapons program.

…

– We judge with high confidence that the halt lasted at least several years.

– We assess with moderate confidence Tehran had not restarted its nuclear weapons program as of mid-2007, but we do not know whether it currently intends to develop nuclear weapons.

– We continue to assess with moderate-to-high confidence that Iran does not currently have a nuclear weapon.

– Tehran’s decision to halt its nuclear weapons program suggests it is less determined to develop nuclear weapons than we have been judging since 2005. Our assessment that the program probably was halted primarily in response to international pressure suggests Iran may be more vulnerable to influence on the issue than we judged previously.

…

We judge with moderate confidence that the earliest possible date Iran would be technically capable of producing enough HEU for a weapon is late 2009, but that this is very unlikely.

– We judge with moderate confidence Iran probably would be technically capable of producing enough HEU for a weapon sometime during the 2010-2015 time frame. (INR judges Iran is unlikely to achieve this capability before 2013 because of foreseeable technical and programmatic problems.)

All agencies recognize the possibility that this capability may not be attained until after 2015.

http://media.npr.org/documents… (pdf)

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So what are the implications for the Bush Agenda, and for those Presidential hopefuls, who want to pick up where Bush left off? NPR has a few thoughts on the implications this NIE news:

npr

NIE Report May Block Military Force Against Iran

by Mike Shuster

Morning Edition, December 5, 2007 – The emergence of the new National Intelligence Estimate on Iran is presenting a major challenge to the policies of the Bush administration.

The report’s primary conclusion – that Iran halted a secret nuclear weapons program four years ago – appears to raise barriers to the use of military force against Iran and raise questions about whether economic sanctions are even justified.

…

President Defends Iran Policy

As justification for continuing his Iran policy, the president cited the NIE’s judgment that Iran chose to shut down its covert nuclear program in 2003 because of international pressure. The president said he wants that pressure to continue.

But in 2003, there were no economic sanctions against Iran. The U.S. refused to engage with Iran and dismissed the European decision to negotiate as fruitless.

…

Recently, the administration has been talking about even tougher sanctions, all the while suggesting the possibility of military attack.

But the first casualty of the NIE’s conclusions appears to be the military option. Many experts think it is impossible now. Bruce Riedel, who spent 30 years in the CIA, is among them. Riedel is a scholar with the Saban Center for Middle East Policy at the Brookings Institution.

“There is no possible way that the United States could now use unilateral military force in the wake of this estimate. I don’t think the political calculus in this country or that of our allies abroad would tolerate it,” he said.

http://www.npr.org/templates/s…

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Interesting. And indeed hopeful. Maybe the world can begin to recover from the disastrous policy of endless preemptive war! Maybe America CAN return to our core values, that most of us believe, in afterall? Let hope so.

John Edwards has been calling for ENDING the policies of preemptive war and the application of “smart power”, as early as May of this year, and recently as November, in a Major Speech CNN’s Wolf Blitzer called “important”:

John Edwards: Situation Room-Nov 2007

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v…

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Here’s are some of the key points of this important Edwards Foreign Policy speech. Funny how today’s current events, are once again proving, “John Edwards IS Right, again!”

Learning the Lesson of Iraq: A New Strategy for Iran

Nov 5, 2007

University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa



John Edwards:

This is a critical moment. As a nation, we stand today at a fork in the road with Iran. We have a real choice about the direction we’ll take. One path will replay the last seven years. It leads toward a dark future of belligerence, aggression, and war.

We need a new direction — one that will defuse the Iran threat, rather than aggravate it, one that will make America safer, not make the world more dangerous.

To understand exactly what the administration is trying to do with Iran, we need to go back to the beginning of the Bush Administration and look at how they took us to war with Iraq.

In the spring of 2002, the nation was struggling to recover from the devastating terrorist attacks of 9/11. At the same time, a group of Bush Administration neoconservatives, like Dick Cheney and Paul Wolfowitz, were strategizing for ways to start a war with Iraq. And suddenly, instead of reacting to 9/11 by working to protect America from terrorists, they saw a political opportunity to promote their right-wing ideological agenda and demonize anyone who disagreed with them.

Here’s what you have to know about these neocons — they think might makes right, every time. They believe in domination, not debate. They think America should use our military power to impose our will wherever and whenever we want. They use a sledgehammer when we should use a scalpel.

And here’s what you need to know about George Bush’s foreign policy — it’s written by these neocons, lock, stock, and barrel.

So after 9/11, instead of focusing on the terrorist threat, George Bush started promoting a radical new neoconservative doctrine he called, quote, “preventive war” — which would soon become part of his argument for war in Iraq.

Here’s what they mean by preventive war — if we see a possible threat, we go to war; we don’t exhaust diplomatic, political, and economic options, we go straight to war. Under this Bush doctrine, military force is no longer the option of last resort.

…

Harry Truman once said, “There is nothing more foolish than to think that war can be stopped by war. You don’t ‘prevent’ anything other than peace.”

That’s exactly right. Think about it — you don’t prevent wars by starting them. It would be ridiculous if it weren’t so dangerous.

This George Bush policy instead is, almost literally, “shoot first, ask questions later.”

…

So let me be clear.

We should take Iran very seriously. And as commander-in-chief, if I ever learn that any nation is threatening an imminent attack, I will do what’s necessary to protect America.

But the one thing we absolutely should not be doing is launching another so-called “preventive war” with Iran. American and the world possess a powerful arsenal of diplomatic and economic options that have not yet been used, let alone exhausted.

…

We need, in short, a new strategy for Iran. My plan for Iran has five principles.

(1) End the doctrine of preventive war

First and foremost, we need to ensure that the preventive war doctrine goes where it belongs — the trash-heap of history. As he has done with so much else, Vice President Al Gore got it right about the preventive war doctrine.

…

(2) Use smart sanctions against Iran

The second principle is to use bolder and more targeted economic sanctions to force Iran’s leaders to understand that they cannot continue to buck the will of the international community without destroying their ability to be the modern, advanced nation they so desperately want to become.

There are smart sanctions that will achieve results, and there are reckless sanctions that will backfire and play into a policy of military attacks. The Bush-Cheney sanctions Senator Clinton supports are the most radical, unprecedented, and belligerent sanctions possible. These reckless sanctions will escalate tensions between the U.S. and Iran — the thing Bush and Cheney most want — and have other unintended consequences, such as higher oil prices.

…

(3) Offer carrot of possibility to re-join the world community

The third principle of my plan is to use “carrots” — diplomatic measures to convince Iran to abandon its nuclear ambitions and re-join the world community. We should draw Iran into compliance through incentives including increased refinery capacity and a regional fuel bank that Iran could use for peaceful purposes.

And we need to use the possibility of bringing Iran into multilateral economic organizations, including the WTO, as a carrot for change.

…

(4) Open Diplomatic Communication with Iran

The fourth principle of my policy is to reengage with Iran.

Even Republicans like Senator Hagel are now urging the president to open up communications with Iran. Communication is not a concession. After all, we talked to our great enemy, the Soviet Union, at the height of tensions during the Cold War.

…

But we must always negotiate from a position of strength.

…

(5) Get other Nations to apply pressure

And the fifth and final principle is to reengage with other major nations on the challenge of Iran.

We must work with China and Russia on the problem of Iran’s nuclear ambitions. Both nations have economic relationships with Iran on trade and energy. But both nations also have a strong interest in stability in the Middle East. And neither nation wants the nuclear club to expand. In the first year of my administration, I will convene a conference with my Secretary of State and representatives from the “E.U. 3” — Great Britain, France, and Germany — Russia, China and Iran, to discuss a way out of the stalemate of the Bush Administration.

The strategy I’ve described to you today is the right way to keep America strong while keeping the peace.

It is the right way to force Iran to forgo its nuclear ambitions.

And it is the right way to restore America’s historic role as a leader of the world community — through a combination of strength, vision, and reengagement with the world.

America needs a president who can guide America through a dangerous world, with the wisdom of history by our side.

America has gone through similar challenges before.

http://johnedwards.com/news/sp…

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Edwards’ smart, targeted, and visionary Foreign Policy are among the many reasons, he has my support, in his bid for President.

This new NIE Report should cause a few changes a few Cover Stories, both in the Administration and among some Presidential Hopefuls. The GOP Hopefuls were intending to run against the Bogey Man in Iran, against those “new” WMD — Weapons of Mass Delusion. And senator Clinton was planning on running by looking as tough as the GOP on Iran and Iraq, thus her support of the Kyle-Lieberman Vote.

NOW what will they do and say in light of the NIE Report? Anything?

Will any of them admit mistakes?

Will any of them take a more Humanitarian perspective, on Global problems as Edwards has long advocated for?

Or will Candidates do what they always do — and act like “Status Quo” Bureaucrats — ignoring the relevant Facts, and just continue with “Business as Usual”! … Pssst: Iran is NOT the “clear and present danger” you all were making it out to be!

We need to give 3rd world countries Hope — NOT Hate. America needs to pull the world’s citizens to our side of the fence — and NOT push them to the other side of the fence!

We need a Statesman like John Edwards, restoring the Moral Authority of America again, and not squandering it away with more preemptive misguided military intrusions!

Until America uses our power smartly, and stops all the bullying on the block, we will never be able to lead on other critical Global Issues like Global Warming, and Aids, and Tribal Conflicts, and poverty, and Hunger, and Thirst.

As a Country we ARE Better than what the World has seen lately — it’s high time we showed them, what most Americans are really about.

But that will take real progressive Leadership, who has those goals as the core of his agenda. IMO, that will take John Edwards at the helm.

 

John Edwards frames a powerful new argument to the describe our Broken System of Government, which we put up with in Washington DC.

If you haven’t seen it yet, it well worth a listen:

Part 1:



http://youtube.com/watch?v=B6_…

Part 2:

http://youtube.com/watch?v=vB4…

Part 3:

http://youtube.com/watch?v=Npx…

Great Imaginary, fiery rhetoric!

But what exactly is “this Wall around Washington” that Edwards says we must tear down?

Explore with me, a few ways in which the “Rhetoric Meets Reality”, after the fold, in a simple photo-essay:

Here is the the Transcript of the DNC Speech:

Edwards DNC Speech Transcript, as prepared (pdf)

http://www.usatoday.com/news/p…

Here are some the key ideas about that “Wall around Washington” that John Edwards has so keenly identified:

————————————

John Edwards:



There’s a wall around Washington and we need to take it down. The American people are on the outside.

And on the other side, on the inside, are the powerful, the well-connected and the very wealthy.

Every single day, working men and women see that wall when they have to split their bills into two piles, pay-now and pay-later;

when they watch the factory door shut for the last time;

when they see the disappointment on their son or daughter’s face when there’s no money to pay for college.

This is not okay. That wall has to come down.

That wall has taken the greatest economy on the planet and put it in jeopardy.

Too many good paying jobs are going to other places instead of your hometown. The tax code rewards wealth and not work.

CEO’s went to work on that wall to protect their huge tax cuts and loopholes and trade deals while the great divides between the haves and everybody else grow wider and wider.

It isn’t class warfare to talk about this — this is the Truth.

   

America needs a fighter to fix this. America needs a president who will stand up and stand proudly for working people again.

————————————

SO what is this “metaphorical Wall” ?

Is it the insular nature of the “Power Elite” attracted to the city of Washington DC itself?

Is it the Echo Chamber in DC that has no time for outside voices?

Or is it anything that prevents “We the People” from getting “True Representation” out of our Elected Officials?

   Lobbyist Influence

Indeed the Wall around Washington is all of these things,

and it stands between the People and the Change We Need!

And this Wall MUST be brought down!

I think John Edwards has it right about Washington!

Kudos, he has the guts to tell the Truth about it!

If only all Candidates were so candid!

If only the People were so honest too.

John Edwards has gotten many laughs with the cutting line about Industry Lobbyists: “If you give them a seat at the Table — they’ll eat all the food!”

Lobbyists are the “Bogey Man” that’s everyone loves to hate — but are they really that big of a Deal?

It’s just Business right? Corporations are People too. They deserve to have their Voices heard in DC, too, Right?  I thought I read that somewhere in the Constitution, Didn’t I? …. Hmmmm ….

There he goes again! Talking about those big, bad Drug Companies, Insurance Companies, and Oil Companies and their Lobbyists!  Woooh Scarey!

John Edwards – Just Say No

http://www.youtube.c…

The reason we don’t have Universal Health Care today, is because of Drug Companies, Insurance Companies and their Lobbyists in Washington. They stand between you and the Health Care that you need.

We have to take this System on. We have to Change it! We have to be willing to be honest about it. I don’t believe you can change that system and bring about the change we need on Health Care, on Energy, and on everything else, unless you’re willing to say ‘It’s broken — It doesn’t work!’ If you defend it, and you say, ‘Oh well it’s fine, we’ll just take money from the Lobbyists, it’s no big deal — and then we’ll work it all out.’ — that doesn’t work! You have to say NO to these people.

You have to say as President, I represent the American People! I don’t represent Drug Companies, Insurance Companies and their Lobbyists in Washington! I don’t represent Oil Companies — I represent America! Because that’s the ONLY way we’re going to get the Change that we need in this Country. …

How dare Edwards have the audacity to want to actually “represent the American People, as President”?

Doesn’t he know, that’s not how our System of Government Works anymore?

Exactly!

Edwards does know, and he’s Just Saying No. No More!

NO More “Business as Usual”

NO More CEO’s “Buying a Seat at the Table” in Congress

Lobbying Overview – Total Spending, by Industry Sector:

NO More trading our Corporate Representatives for their, and vice versa:

Just how much of those Lobbyists BILLIONS finds its way into Congress?

HMOs – $30 Million

——-

Drug Companies – $77 Million

——-

Insurance Companies – $179 Million

——-

Oil & Gas Companies – $117 Million

——-

Electric Utilities – $81 Million

——-

No More taking over the Election Process, by helping those Representatives pay their Campaign Bills:

If previous Campaign Donation Trends are any guide, get ready for another year of “Madison Avenue” Mud-Slinging!
(the 2008 “donations” are just getting started)

HMOs

——-

Drug Companies

——-

Insurance Companies

——-

Oil & Gas Companies

——-

Electric Utilities

——-

No More taking over the Legislation Process, by reminding those Representatives WHO paid their Campaign Bills:

Here are the Top 20 Members of Congress raking it in from each Industry sector:

HMOs

——-

Drug Companies

——-

Insurance Companies

——-

Oil & Gas Companies

——-

Electric Utilities

——-

John Edwards is Ready to give them Hell! 
He knows how they operate. He’s been beating Corporate Interests for 20 years, in the court room arena.

One things for sure, John Edwards does not back down from a Fight!

John Edwards – “Give ‘Em Hell”

http://www.youtube.c…

Reform Groups Announce Six Benchmarks for Lobbying Reform

Jan 23, 2006

1. Break the nexus between lobbyists, money and lawmakers.

Cap contributions from lobbyists and lobbying firm PACs to federal candidates at $200 per election and to national parties and leadership PACs at $500 per election cycle.

Prohibit lobbyists and lobbying firms from soliciting, arranging or delivering contributions and from serving as officials on candidate campaign committees and leadership PACs.

2. Prevent private interests from financing trips and from subsidizing travel for members of Congress and staff, and executive branch officials and federal judges.

3. Ban gifts to members of Congress and staff.

4. Oversee and enforce ethics rules and lobbying laws through an independent congressional Office of Public Integrity and increase penalties for violations.

5. Slow the revolving door.

6. Place sunshine on lobbying activities and financial disclosure reports.

It will take more than just rhetoric.

John Edwards will take the power out of the hands of Lobbyists. He will:

— Take on the Lobbyists’ Power with a Constitutional Line-Item Veto:

— Prohibit Lobbyists from Giving or Raising Campaign Cash:

— Today, lobbyists approach politicians with campaign checks in one hand and wish lists in the other. Federally registered lobbyists gave over $23 million in the 2006 campaign. Edwards has never taken a dime from federal lobbyists or PACs. He will sever the connection between money and lobbyist influence by:

     * Ending lobbyist campaign contributions:

— Lobbyists should be able to make their cases on the merits, not by influencing politicians with donations. Edwards will prohibit all federal candidates from accepting campaign contributions from federal lobbyists.

     * Stopping lobbyists from bundling:

— Lobbyists solicit donations from others and direct them towards candidates to maximize their impact, a practice known as bundling. Edwards has never allowed any lobbyists to bundle donations for him. As president he will ban federal lobbyists from bundling for federal candidates.

— Close the Lobbyist Revolving Door:

     * Banning top government officials from becoming lobbyists:

     * Banning lobbyists from taking top government jobs

— Expose Lobbyist Contacts to Sunlight

— Prohibit Executive Branch Employees from Accepting Corporate Gifts

http://johnedwards.c…

———

John Edwards — The Plan to Build One America

End the Unique Power of Lobbyists

— Prohibit lobbyists from donating to campaigns or fundraising for them.

— Fight lobbyists’ bread and butter – earmarked pork-barrel spending – with a constitutional version of the line-item veto.

— Close the revolving door between Capitol Hill and K Street by banning former top officials from lobbying their colleagues and lobbyists from taking executive branch positions related to their former clients.

— Expand the congressional ban on lobbyist gifts and travel to executive branch officials.

It’s really not a Laughing Matter! The Legislation that the Lobbyists help write and pressure through Congress IS really criminal, sometimes!

IF the Focus of this Country doesn’t change soon,
from how Wall Street is doing
to how “your Street” is doing —

well America should just quit pretending to represent the People
and Actually start inviting CEO’s to Congress for Planning Sessions,
since it’s their Opinions that are the ones that matter anyways!

Oh wait, they already do —

The Cheney Energy Plan,
The Lieberman-Warner Carbon Give Away,
FCC Telecommunications Consolidation Plan,

… the list goes on.

Big Business gets the Concessions,
We the People get the Bills!

Edwards is right – It’s Time to End this Game!

And NOT when “it’s Convenient” for Politicians to fix it
(huh, when’s that ???) —  But NOW!

It seems some Senators IN OFFICE NOW, could be reforming this System of Corporate Favoritism, NOW — not “Later”? 

SO Why Aren’t they? …. Hmmm?
————

Post Script:

If John Edwards has a valid point about Lobbyists, why is the Media all too ready to just chalk it up to “Edwards has become Angry”?

Well, Could it have anything to do with the fact, that the Corporate Media is “trying to get their Seat at the Congressional Table” too?

TV-Radio Stations

——-

Books, Magazines, Newspapers

——-

It’s the American People WHO need to get Angry !@!
And Support Candidates, like John Edwards, who are willing to take on this Broken System — and NOT just go along with it!

No one else will do it for you!
Indeed, they’d rather have you “Relax, Just Go Shopping” …

“Business as Usual” is Good for “some interests”.
The ones that matter most in today’s world, it seems.

[Note: Most Images, click thru to more info!]

First thing, first. Happy Thanksgiving to all! I hope it was truly a day of optimism and hope for each of you. This is certainly a time to review the good things we each have in life.

Times spent with Family, Friends, and Good Food, form the basic fabric we call Life and History. Individual Happiness is woven from such threads. And goodness knows, we could all use just a little more Happiness in life.

Since it is a “slow news” day in terms of campaign activities, I thought I’d take a retrospective look at of some of the many things John Edwards has said he is thankful for. Please take a few moments to reflect on these, and you may find you have similar “blessings” in your life, that you are thankful for, too. 

In Honor Of Thanksgiving, Edwards Gives Thanks To American Families

http://www.youtube.c…
—-
http://johnedwards.c…
—-

The Threads:

  For two parents who worked so hard to give us a better life.

  For thirty years with one amazing woman.

  And for four wonderful children.

  For 231 years of America.

  For the hopes and determination of a nation filled with the most optimistic people on Earth.

  And for all of you, who have welcomed us into your homes and hearts.

  Thank you.

Thread (1) For two parents who worked so hard to give us a better life.

Edwards’ parents, Wallace Edwards and Bobbie Wade, were both working in the mill when they met at a square dance at a nearby state park. They married in 1952 and settled into a three-room rental in Utica Mill Village.

Edwards’ first home may be the perfect campaign prop in his quest for the presidency – the modern equivalent of the log cabin. Earlier this summer, Edwards and his parents stood outside the mill village house and took questions from reporters.

“We didn’t know any better than this was good,” said Wallace Edwards. “We had the basics, food and clothes.”

Their first child, Johnny, was born in 1953, his father taking out a $50 bank loan to pay the hospital bill. Six months later, Bobbie was back at work folding sheets on the night shift at J.P. Stevens. Wallace, who worked the day shift, took care of their son in the evenings.

They lived briefly in a public housing project, but things soon got better for the young family.

Wallace spent most of his career with Milliken & Co., a huge textile operation based in Spartanburg. He was transferred from town to town in the textile belt as he got increasingly better jobs in the industrial engineering department.
…

His father eventually left Milliken, frustrated that he could not advance further in the company because he had not attended college. He set up his own consulting firm advising textile companies.

His mother held a series of jobs, including starting a small roadside antiques store where she bought furniture, refinished it and sold it to help put her son through college. She worked for the county board of elections. She took her last job, as a rural letter carrier in West End, to provide her family with health insurance.

http://jre-whatsnott…
—-

Many, many hard working Americas can relate.  Life is often a struggle to just get by. Still the American Spirit and the will of its People is Strong.

We persevere, always hoping Our children will have a better life than we have.

That we will somehow leave the world a better place than we found it.

John’s Campaign is all about these themes.

John Edwards – America’s Jobs and America’s Wokers

http://www.youtube.c…
—-

New York Times has a wonderful photo essay, which highlight the Milestones of John Edwards’ life, including his humble beginnings.

New York Times – Nov 20, 2007
Milestones: John Edwards

An interactive timeline of John Edwards’s life and career.

http://www.nytimes.c…
—-

Edwards is truly a self-made man (with much love and support from his family of course!)

Thread (2) For thirty years with one amazing woman.

Here’s what John says about this amazing woman, Elizabeth

“She’s the most extraordinary person I’ve ever known. I call her my conscience,” John says. “She knows intuitively the difference between right and wrong. She seems to have an understanding of what to say and what’s real and what’s not. She is an extraordinary woman.”

She IS Extraordinary! Here she is, discussing their life together:

John and Elizabeth Edwards

http://www.youtube.c…
—-

Elizabeth is truly is a self-made woman, a full partner in their Life and Marriage.

Thread (3) And for four wonderful children.

Cate, Emma Claire, and Jack. Truly a source of pride and ambition for John and Elizabeth, no doubt. (John often says that “we need to fix this mess, and NOT leave it to our children.”)

and here is son Wade, who’s life was tragically cut short by an automobile accident, in 1996, at the age of 16.

Needlessly to say such a tragedy is the worse thing that a family can suffer. Parents are not suppose to outlive their children. Such a pain can change those impacted in deep and profound ways. The Edwards’ family, being human, were also deeply effected.

Here another wonderful interview and photo-essay with the Edwardses on Oprah discussing how the family was changed:

Surviving Wade — Elizabeth Edwards on Oprah

Elizabeth says that even though she’ll never understand the “why” of Wade’s death she has made peace with God. “My daily prayer is that I have enough faith that I will one day be reunited with him.”

Another “enormous” comfort for the family was Wade’s personal journal, which Elizabeth found after his death. In it he wrote, “I really want to do something great with my life. I want to start a family when I grow up. I’m going to be as good a parent to my kids as my parents are to me. But more than anything, when I die, I want to be able to say that I had a great life. So far, I’ve had a wonderful life. And I hope it keeps up.”

For Elizabeth, finding out she had breast cancer wasn’t “overwhelmingly devastating” because, unlike Wade who was killed instantly, she says she had a chance to fight.

After the tragic loss of a child many marriages struggle, some leading to divorce. John Edwards says through their grief, his relationship with Elizabeth got stronger. “She’s the most extraordinary person I’ve ever known. I call her my conscience,” John says …

Many families have faced such tragedy. Life has its share of pain, for all of us. Not all us us come through these events as positive and hopeful as the Edwards’ have, though. Their strength and moral compass, is truly an inspiration to many.

Thread (4)  For 231 years of America.

OK, what happened 231 years ago, I give up?

2007 – 231 = 1776

OK, wasn’t that when Thomas Jefferson set pen to paper, which set in motion, one of the greatest democracy this world has ever seen? You bet it was.

We enjoy so many freedoms still today, due the insight and courage and perseverance of the ‘founding fathers’ of this great Nation, called America!

The Declaration of Independence: A Transcription

IN CONGRESS, July 4, 1776.

The unanimous Declaration of the thirteen united States of America:

Here are a few highlights, though I recommend anyone that still loves this country, to actually sit down and read it sometime, to try to understand the foundation on which our freedoms are built:

When in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary
for one people to dissolve the political bands
which have connected them with another,

and to assume among the powers of the earth,
the separate and equal station
to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature’s God entitle them,

a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.

We hold these truths to be self-evident,

that all men are created equal,
that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights,

that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.

–That to secure these rights,

Governments are instituted among Men,
deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed,
–That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends,

it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it,
and to institute new Government,

laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form,
as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness.

…

In every stage of these Oppressions We have Petitioned for Redress
in the most humble terms:

Our repeated Petitions have been answered only by repeated injury.
…

We, therefore, the Representatives of the united States of America,
in General Congress, Assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge
of the world for the rectitude of our intentions,
do, in the Name, and by Authority of the good People of these Colonies, solemnly publish and declare,

That these United Colonies are, and of Right ought to be
Free and Independent States;

that they are Absolved from all Allegiance to the British Crown,

and that all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain, is and ought to be totally dissolved;

and that as Free and Independent States,
they have full Power to levy War,
conclude Peace,
contract Alliances,
establish Commerce,
and to do all other Acts and Things which Independent States
may of right do.

And for the support of this Declaration,
with a firm reliance on the protection of divine Providence,
we mutually pledge to each other our Lives,
our Fortunes and our sacred Honor.

The 56 signatures on the Declaration appear in the positions indicated:
…

http://www.archives….
—-

I for one, am also thankful our Country was built on the Courage and Vision of such Leaders — who indeed were NOT afraid to do the Right thing, and to LEAD!

Thread (5)  For the hopes and determination of a nation filled with the most optimistic people on Earth.

The American People are not afraid of hard work. We are not afraid of Sacrifice. But we are fearful that our wonderful democracy, and its many freedoms are being literally given away to the highest bidder. We are worried that the country we grew up in where ‘Hard Work meant achieving the America Dream’ — that ‘that Country’ could some day soon be a thing past. (Especially, if we stay on the “Business as Usual” path.)

Americans are not afraid of Hard Work, it’s just that our work so often does not accomplish what it use to. Hear why a few of those Americans are counting on Edwards to listen and help:

John Edwards – Real Change for America

http://www.youtube.c…
—-

Most Americans, see what has happened recently to this Country we love, and we want change:

Overwhelmingly, Democrats want a new direction, but so do three-quarters of independents and even half of Republicans. Sixty percent of all Americans said they feel strongly that such a change is needed after two terms of the Bush presidency.

Most Democrats Express Decided “Preference for Change Over Experience” — 73% favor presidential candidate who strongly desires to change Washington, in this recent Gallup poll.

JFK appealed to American Optimism, it is time for such Leadership again.

Be Thankful for American Optimism

John F. Kennedy spoke of American optimism, and our ability to invent and solve great problems. For Americans to solve our current multifaceted sets of problems we must reclaim the ‘can do’ spirit JFK described.

“The American, by nature, is optimistic. He is experimental, an inventor and a builder who builds best when called upon to build greatly.”

Thread (6) And for all of you, who have welcomed us into your homes and hearts.

John Edward loves to meet with WE the People, to hear our concerns, to connect in a real way. He does not turn away from the questions of People. John and Elizabeth are welcomed into the Homes and the Hearts, of many hopeful Americans all around the Country. The Edwards’ ARE fighting for US, and to many, many People, that distinction really matters!

Fighting for One America – Rewarding Work

http://www.youtube.c…
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John Edwards – Strength of America

http://www.youtube.c…
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Thread (7)  Thank you.

John Edwards wants the honor and privilege to restore America to its potential and to its historic legacy. John and Elizabeth are fighting for causes truly “bigger than themselves”. Personally, I have no doubt, they will not let us down, if we trust them with this awesome responsibility.

Learn more:

More Edwards Campaign Clips:

http://www.youtube.c…
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Edwards On the Issues:

http://johnedwards.c…
—-

————–

And thanks everyone for stopping by for this special Holiday Edition of EENR!

Me? I’m still thankful we have time to fix this Country that we love. But I worry that we may let the opportunity for Real Change, slip by, once again … a road untaken.

IMHO, America cannot afford anymore wrong turns.

Environmental Website Grist was a  sponsor to the 1st Presidential Candidate Forum on Climate and Energy.
All the Candidates that attended, did well. John Edwards was outstanding, if you go by the crowd’s reactions.

http://gristmill.gri…
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Grist Interview: Edwards on the Record – 31 Jul 2007

An interview with John Edwards about his presidential platform on energy and the environment

http://www.grist.org…
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John Edwards on the Issues:
Achieving Energy Independence & Stopping Global Warming Through A New Energy Economy

http://johnedwards.c…
—-
http://johnedwards.c…
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In case you missed the first presidential candidate climate and energy forum,
here are the clips. Senator John Edwards really impressed the crowd and the Event moderators:

Edwards at LCV/Grist Global Warming Forum, pt. 1

http://www.youtube.c…
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Edwards at LCV/Grist Global Warming Forum, pt. 2

http://www.youtube.c…
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Edwards at LCV/Grist Global Warming Forum, pt. 3

http://www.youtube.c…
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Edwards at LCV/Grist Global Warming Forum, pt. 4

http://www.youtube.c…
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Edwards at LCV/Grist Global Warming Forum, pt. 5

http://www.youtube.c…
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The American People NEED many MORE Forums like this —
which are focused on substantive issues that ACTUALLY effect Americans,
instead of the typical Media-sponsored Debates,
which are “staged” to be more like a “Boxing Match”
than an actual “Free Marketplace of Ideas”!

America is “hiring our next CEO” —
WE deserve serious Interviews of the prospective Candidates!
(NOT more spin and hype and sound bites)

Kudos and Saluation to the Global Warming Presidential Event Sponsors
you are True Patriots, and have performed a great service to the County:

– League of Conservation Voters Education Fund,
– California League of Conservation Voters Education Fund,
– Center for American Progress Action Fund,
– NRDC Action Fund,
– the Presidential Forum on Renewable Energy.

All of our “Free Press” MSM should be so responsible!

Maybe … someday.