Assorted snark, superlatives edition

• Second most dangerous organization in America: Progressive Majority. I know, I know. It made coffee shoot out of my nose, too.

• "Most heavy-handed" move by the state GOP: Threatening one of their own. [UPDATE: johne has more on this story.]

• Most successful state senator and representative: Joan Fitz-Gerald and Mike Cerbo, respectively.

• Most underhanded move by the Bush administration: Tough one, but last week's reinterpretation of the Endangered Species Act was pretty slimy.

• Busiest man in the state: The guv.

• Wonkiest greeting: "Happy Long Bill Day!" In vaguely related linkage, here's a story about Ritter administration budget director Todd Saliman:

"A budget is more than a spreadsheet. It's a values document, and where you spend your money reflects where your values are. That's pretty powerful."

Diana DeGette: Change America's course in Iraq

A press release from the congresswoman states, in part:

"Today I had the opportunity to support legislation that will change America's course in Iraq," said Rep. DeGette. "The U.S. Troop Readiness, Veterans' Health and Iraq Accountability Act shows that Congress is no longer a rubber stamp for President Bush's failed Iraq policy."

H.R. 1591 is legislation that will, for the first time require the President to:
• Set an August 2008 deadline for the removal of U.S. forces from Iraq.
• Enforce established readiness standards for the deployment of U.S. combat forces.
• And certify on July 1, and October 1, 2007 that the Iraq government is meeting political and military benchmarks.

The President has indicated that he will veto HR-1591 if the bill makes it through the Senate.

Would George W. Bush support HB-1331?

HD36's Morgan Carroll writes about HB-1331 at SquareState:

...I am sponsoring, along with Rep. Debbie Stafford (R-Aurora) and Sen. Lois Tochtrop (D - Thornton) HB 07-1331. Several other states have taken a far more aggressive lead on sharing public information with the public to help make informed decisions when selecting a physician... HB 1331 enhances the information service provided by the Colorado Board of Medical Examiners to the public so that patients can search for professional infractions against a license or findings of medical negligence. Every patient deserves the ability to make an informed choice and provide informed consent when possible.

Even the White House recognizes that an informed patient more likely to make good decisions. The President's healthcare plan includes this sentence:

To get the best quality care for the best price, patients need to know in advance what their medical options are, the quality and expertise of doctors and hospitals in their area, and what their medical procedure will cost. (Ed. - Emphasis added)

Critterthink on climate change

The Bush administration admitted that polar bears were endangered by global warming and the loss of sea ice. And then prohibited its scientists from discussing polar bears, global warming and the loss of sea ice. Huh? Critterthink explains.

UPDATE: Weatherdem weighs in at SquareState.

Salazar meets with Bush and I have my second meltdown of the week

So what can I write about today, given that Coloradolib's 2nd All Positive, All The Time Week is nearing its end?

Well, Colorado Senator Ken Salazar is the second high-ranking Colorado Democrat to meet with the President this week. Sounds promising. The Post reports:

Sen. Ken Salazar met with President Bush Friday to discuss energy policy and request additional funding for the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) in Colorado.

Vice President Dick Cheney, Secretary of Energy Samuel Bodman, and nine other U.S. senators also attended the hour-long meeting at the White House, which Salazar said the president called to declare that energy was "on his mind" and demonstrate that he has a "working knowledge of alternative fuels."

"My main point to the president was that he's right to spotlight the energy issues that are facing our country and we need (his) leadership in order to get something done," Salazar said.

The topic of global warming did not come up.

So that sounds positive. Wait a second. No it doesn't. It sounds like an egregious example of political fluff. Let's try again. What else is going on? Ann Coulter called John Edwards a "faggot."

I give up. All Positive, All The Time Week is hard.

More assorted APATTW nonsnark

• Edwards to Denver: "Be inspired!"
• Saturn to galaxy: "Be awed!"
• Denver Three to White House: "Be sorry!"

Ritter dines at the White House

The Ritter-Bush mini-summit I mentioned yesterday only sort of happened. The Denver Post reports:

In the White House's state dining room, Bush toasted Ritter and the nation's other governors, pledging that they could "do big things" together.

With the festivities over, Ritter returned to the White House on Monday with a list of Colorado issues he wanted to discuss. In particular, he wanted to press Bush about funding for the National Renewable Energy Laboratory in Golden.

He never got the chance. Instead, Ritter experienced the slow pace of working in Washington on issues important to states.

But the assembled governors were able to attempt to communicate their concerns with National Guard deployment and No Child Left Behind.

Bill Ritter to meet with President Bush

Speaking truth to power:

Ritter, who is in the nation's capitol for the National Governors Association's winter meetings, told an alliance of labor, business and environmental groups this morning that he hopes to make the case for promoting energy independence when he and other governors make their customary visit to the White House.

The 2007 federal budget: Colorado edition

Everybody (and everybody and everybody and everybody) has already pointed out that President Bush's new $2.9 trillion budget proposal funds a massive increase in military spending by cutting or underfunding domestic programs. What impact might we see locally? A couple highlights:

The White House's website trumpets funding for the State Children's Health Insurance Program, but in a press release, Diana DeGette stated that the budget may underfund the program by $10 billion, "putting the nearly 176,000 uninsured children in Colorado at risk."

The budget would sell off federal lands to fund an increase in national park spending. And it would cut expected funding for Golden's National Renewable Energy Laboratory. As Mark Udall said, "Energy independence is so critical to our national security, our energy security and our economy that we cannot afford to shortchange programs that will move us forward."

Cross-posted at SquareState.

The many, many people who are not Diana DeGette

At some point during Democratic CD1 representative Diana DeGette's media luncheon, I realized that many people are not Diana DeGette. Like me. And you. And all the people discussed below.

The 106th Congress was not Diana DeGette.

DeGette started by running down the early accomplishments of the 110th Congress. In just the first 100 hours, Congress passed bills to implement the recommendations of the 9/11 Commission, increase the minimum wage, improve America's energy situation, and more.

Then DeGette talked about global climate change and Iraq War escalation. And she listed the leadership posts she'll hold in the House.

One goal she won't pursue: The impeachment of George Bush. She said it would be a distraction from issues like healthcare and global warming.

The contrast between the Democrats of the year 2007 and their Republican counterparts from eight years ago couldn't have been clearer. Imagine how much better off America would have been if the Republican-controlled 106th Congress had put aside its petty and nasty partisan games and focused on moving America forward.

George Bush is not Diana DeGette.

DeGette is an advocate of increased protection for children on the Internet. She is drafting legislation that would require ISPs to keep records for one year, making it possible for police to trace crimes back to the perpetrators. Privacy advocates worry that the bill could infringe on the rights of Internet users. But DeGette, herself an ACLU member, envisions safeguards to protect the innocent. Law enforcement officials would have demonstrate probable cause and obtain a subpoena before accessing records. And Internet providers would be asked to retain identifying data only, not communications.

The President has his war on terror. DeGette has her war on online predators. But DeGette has the skill and vision to wage her war without trampling the Constitution. Bush does not.

Tom Tancredo is not Diana DeGette.

I often tell the story of the elderly African-America woman who stopped me on a Denver sidewalk to tell me how much she loved Diana DeGette. I was doing a lit drop for Bill Ritter. And I asked the lady if she would be voting for him in November.

"I will if he's in the same party as Diana DeGette," she answered.

I asked DeGette how she'd managed to engender this sort of loyalty while leading a national campaign to legalize federal funding for embryonic stem cell research. She talked about her roots in Denver and her passion for seeing the West prosper.

Like DeGette, Congressman Tom Tancredo is a national player with a signature issue. But Tancredo's issue has consumed him to the point where he has lost touch with his district. DeGette's has not.

Joe Lieberman is not Diana DeGette.

DeGette represents a district that's sure to re-elect her as many times as she cares to run. Yet she still listens to her constituents. And makes time to reach out to party leaders, liberal activists and the media.

Joe Liberman lost the 2006 Democratic primary not just because of his opinion on Iraq or his fondness for Bush. He was shown the door because he looked the party faithful in the eye and told them he did not care about their opinions. He thought he was above the democratic process.

Despite the relative safety of her CD1 seat, DeGette is still taking risks and earning and re-earning her election. I don't know how much longer she'll serve. But it's hard to imagine a better representative for Denver.

More at SquareState, Daily Kos and Colorado Confidential.

I'm so gullible

The President says he wants to make it easier for Americans to buy health insurance and I'm like, "Hm, sounds good." And then I read Kirsten Hannum's post, which explains that Bush's proposal will essentially force poor, old, sick people to pay more while rich, young, healthy people receive a tax windfall. And I feel dumb for ever believing anything the POTUS says.

Colorado Democrats react to SOTU

I am keeping a thread updated with Democratic reaction at SquareState.

Diana DeGette speaks out on war escalation, terrorism

A press release from the congresswoman leaves no doubt where she stands on the President's plan:

"...President Bush is sending us in the wrong direction on Iraq. Instead of announcing a specific plan on how we are going to get out of the Iraq quagmire, he is escalating troop levels and deepening our commitment. A majority of the American people and military experts alike do not agree with this military escalation. Unfortunately, as we have seen time and time again, President Bush refuses to listen to anyone who disagrees with his position. I will not support any escalation of troops in Iraq. My colleagues in Congress and I intend to ask hard questions and exercise increased oversight of the President's Iraq policy.

DeGette favors protecting America by actually protecting America. She supports implementation of the recommendations of the 9/11 Commission. A press release from Tuesday states, in part:

[DeGette] has conducted strategy sessions with first responders in Colorado and participated in field hearings on port security through her position on the Energy and Commerce Committee. "The Republican Administration chose to largely ignore the 9/11 Commission recommendations and because of their inaction our nation is still not as safe as it should and must be," said Rep. DeGette. "Democrats are moving to fix that failure."

DeGette gains support of freshmen legislators, scientists

A press release from Colorado CD1 representative Diana DeGette states that today "Democratic Members of the 110th Congress' Freshmen class will join the lead sponsor of the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act (H.R.3), Representative Diana DeGette (D-CO) to discuss their support for the bill. Many of these new Members campaigned on expanding stem cell research and have signed on as original cosponsors to the bill."

President George W. Bush used the only veto of his administration to dismiss DeGette's first attempt at the legislation.

Recently, some have tried to portray the work of Dr. Anthony Atala of Wake Forest University as a way to render embryonic stem cell research unnecessary. From CNN:

Stem cell researchers reacted with enthusiasm and reservations to a report that scientists have found stem cells in amniotic fluid, a discovery that would allow them to sidestep the controversy over destroying embryos for research. Researchers at Wake Forest University and Harvard University reported Sunday that the stem cells they drew from amniotic fluid donated by pregnant women hold much the same promise as embryonic stem cells.

But yesterday Atala blasted that assertion in a letter, which was provided to me by DeGette's office. Atala wrote:

"I understand that some may be interpreting my research as a substitute for the need to pursue other forms of regenerative medicine therapies, such as those involving embryonic stem cells. I disagree with that assertion... It is essential that National Institute of Health-funded researchers are able to fully pursue embryonic stem cell research as a complement to research into other forms of stem cells.

The right has a long history of twisting science to meet its own ends. (Remember The Competitive Enterprise Institute?) It appears that neither DeGette or the newly elected Congress is going to let partisan politics stand in the way of research that may save millions of lives.

DeGette vs. Bush, round two

A press release from Congresswoman Diana DeGette's office states:

Tomorrow, Tuesday, January 9, 2007 at 10 a.m., Representatives Diana DeGette (D-CO) and Mike Castle (R-DE), along with Senators Tom Harkin (D-IA) and Arlen Specter (R-PA) will hold a press conference on the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Act (H.R.3 and S.5), legislation to expand the current federal funding policy for stem cell research. Both bills are identical to the bill that both houses of Congress passed last year, with strong, bipartisan majorities. Regrettably, President Bush chose to exercise the first - and, so far, the only - veto of his administration to reject the bill.

More thoughts on John Edwards for President

It wasn't so long ago, I was voicing my doubts about a John Edwards candidacy. I wasn't sure whether he had the pragmatism to fix the foreign policy messes made by George W. Bush. And between Hillary the establishment favorite, Obama the fresh face, and Biden the senior statesman, there seemed to be little ownable space left for Edwards.

Today he announced a Presidential campaign that appears to be as much about movement-building as it is about winning the White House. Ezra Klein and Atrios both have commentary. The former writes:

"This campaign," Edwards promised, "will be a grassroots, ground-up campaign where we ask the people to take action." As part of that, there'll be monthly Days of Action, the first on January 27th, which will exhort volunteers and supporters to enter their communities and work on a particular issue. "Americans," Edwards kept saying," have to be patriotic about something besides war," and that means taking individual initiative to ease poverty, conserve energy, and create the Good Society even without holding office. The announcement was striking for sounding less like a campaign for the presidency and more like a telethon. His campaign would certainly like to lead in the polls, but Edwards seemed more interested in leading a movement.

Klein's post reminded me of something I wrote about Edwards when I saw him at a luncheon back in March:

Most of his speech focused on poverty. He talked about the immorality of a culture that subsidizes oil companies while cancelling school lunch programs. And he talked about the face of poverty that he has seen traveling across the country over the last year. He also offered several concrete proposals on how to end poverty, like mixed-income communities and easier access to financial aid. I kept thinking, "This doesn't sound like someone who is running for President in 2008. This sounds like someone who has found his life's calling and who has dedicated himself to it. It sounds like someone who understands the promise of self-determination and is terrified to see it slipping away."

Can Edwards' crusade catch fire in the America of 2006, where the President ended the year with a speech begging Americans to "go shopping more"?

Several ways John Hickenlooper is different from George W. Bush

Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper deserves some of the grief he's getting for the mismanaged response to last week's storm. But those comparing him to President George W. Bush circa August 29, 2005 (here and here) need to have their heads examined.

1. Hickenlooper did not spend the storm smiling through a photo-op with John McCain.

2. Hickenlooper's aides would not have worried about telling him he'd have to cut his vacation short.

3. Hickenlooper did not have to watch the storm on DVD.

4. Hickenlooper did not appoint an inept crony of a crony to head disaster response.

5. Hickenlooper's mismanagement did not help cause 1,836 fatalities.

6. Hickenlooper will not have to spend 105 billion taxpayer dollars to get the city running.

7. Hickenlooper has not tried to shift the blame to the opposition party.

8. Hickenlooper has not tried to cover up his mistakes.

Hurricaine Katrina further exposed the President's incompetence, laziness and moral poverty. At the very, very worst, the Mayor can only be accused of the former.

Ask Allard, Salazar to help DeGette wake up Bush

The U.S. Senate is beginning debate on CD1 Democratic representative Diana DeGette's bill to expand funding for stem cell research. Make sure to contact Senators Allard and Salazar and tell them to vote for the bill.

Why go to the trouble when our theocrat-in-chief has threatened to use his first-ever veto on the bill? Because you owe it to DeGette, for standing up to Bush. You owe it to the 70% of Americans who support her bill. And you owe it to all those who are fighting diseases like Parkinsons, paralysis and diabetes.

Bush is hiding from reality. Let's make sure it finds him.

Photo of Diana DeGette and Michael J. Fox courtesy of Congresswoman Diana DeGette.