Today is the day that will make or break the Democrats. The health care bill has finally arrived on the floor of the congress. After months of in fighting and scare mongering, we finally get to find out what the Democrats are made of. Failure will surely mean the Democrats will be wiped out in 2010. Success will mean the polls will sky rocket for the Democrats and plunge for the Republicans. The urgency and pressure will be immense. Already the Republicans have used bullying tactics against female Democrat speakers wanting to talk about how the health care bill will help women. There are tea baggers in the gallery ready to intimidate Democrat members of congress. The battle lines have been drawn. Let the battle begin.
UPDATE: Saturday, 11:00 pm US East Coast – the House Bill passes 220-215.
If Corrupt Democrats Kill the Public Option, It’s All Harry
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Go! Firedoglake! Go!
http://firedoglake.com
Thank God someone’s prepared to rant Jen.
I’ve joined the “get drunk and piss on all of them” mob after today’s little farce.
What a bunch of smug, self satisfied bastards, who think that wedging their political opponents is more important than being able to look their own fucking children in the eye in ten years time.
Phillip Ruddock comes to mind, when considering how these pricks will go to their graves. Fuck em all!!
Jeez, got it at the top without even looking!
I had to put this one up. This is what we’re up against in 2010.
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http://thinkprogress.org/2009/11/23/fox-pie-chart/
paddy – yay! brother in arms (and bottle)
I am so digusted and affronted -and pissed.
is there anything good on television cos I don’t know what the hell else to do. Except run for paliament and that’s a goddamn waste of time too.
So… any ideas?
and ChrisB- you are so right about the batteries.
:mad>
ok
and 
and really annoyed.
Rush to the ABC and watch a classy bit of Oscar Wilde Jen.
A good woman.
AKA Lady Windamere’s fan. It’s a beauty.
and (rant continues)
I honestly don’t give a rats right now about the US health system – I know I should , I should, ..
but our own government is selling us down the toilet -literally- and
we are all going to have to stand by and try and still be gratified Howard isn’t the PM.
But it just isn’t doing it for me I’m afraid.
Maybe better batteries…
what a friggin disgrace the Canberra Press Gallery are.
Tomorrow they should all wake up and collectively hang their heads in shame. It is all a big laughable game to them.
They are a twittering twattering fraternal disgrace.
Turnballs presser was their lowest ebb yet….until their next.
Someone should nuke Canberra.
paddy -
you romantic you.
(or scalett Johannsen tragic)
mr Harry H-
you don’t know how heartfelt my support for that propsition is- except that I am , of course, opposed to nuclear warfare…
but castration seem fair.
Now that’s a surprise! NOT!
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http://politicalwire.com
Obama Not Losing Independents
Charles Franklin notes there have been several articles about President Obama losing support among independents.
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http://politicalwire.com
511
Sorry to disappoint Jen.
But I’m a Helen Hunt tragic.
Meanwhile Jonathan Green’s tweet sort of sums up the BS happening in Canberra right now.
If you don’t laugh at the fuckers, they’ll only make you cry. Grrrr!!!
continued on The AmericaBlog
For anyone thinking that the health care thing is done and dusted – the following clip is a good lesson in the realities of democracy in motion.
517
Catrina
If Senator Browns enthusiasm spills over to all the other Dems there could be a positive result.
However they will need to hogtie those four renegade dems who are threatening to filibuster if the public option remains.
Maybe Harry Reid neds to look at a reconcilliation vote to counter a filibuster.
mmkay….the embarrassing events of today have come to an apt conclusion:
Steven Fielding has just pronounced that “Malcolm and the Libs have lost their credibility”
Fielding lecturing on credibility.
Shoot me now.
If Facebook was a country it would be the third largest country in the world. My space would be the fifth largest country. What happens if they went to war????
Chris B at 520
That would be a twenty-first century soap opera.
MyFace live coming to a screen near you – just SMS your vote to YOURMYBITCH.
Fees on messages may exceed normal rates.
save a bullet for me HarryH…
“Former Howard government minister Kevin Andrews last night declared himself a candidate for the leadership after a day of chaos and fury in the Liberal Party over Mr Turnbull’s handling of the climate issue.”
Fckmedead.
Seriously, who the f*ck is Kevin Andrews? Surely the coalition morons can’t think he’s a credible option? And yeah, isn’t it ridiculous that we’re talking about this pathetic rabble of losers rather than saving the planet? It’s all pretty depressing really.
I guess my prediction of Howard causing the long-term obliteration of the Liberals is getting closer
It’d be funny if it wasn’t such an awful mess of political grandstanding from both parties.
The signs are that there will not be a leadership spill today – there will be a call for a show of hands, the grumblers will fold, and that will be that. I am going to lose 50c.
David,
and i am sure you have never been more pleased to lose money.
after ridding the country of Howard, it would be a tragedy for someone like Kevin Andrews to lead a major or even a minor Party in this country.
HarryH,
It would be a farce as well as a tragedy.
But we want Andrews to lead them to oblivion just so there are no fragments of workchoices etc etc left smouldering.
Pay up David.
Don’t welch on your bet.
Talc is still leader for this week. ATM.
My roommate is going to have to wait until the end of the week for his 50 cents.
Maybe you can hang him out till next week. Dont PS’s get paid fortnightly.
This email stuff is bad, bad, bad. There is nothing in those emails that affects the science; there is nothing in those emails that show anything at all, other than – surprise, surprise – real scientists hate the denialists with a passion (and so they bloody well should). However, the fact that comments in the emails can be and are being interpreted in dangerous ways by those of ill will combined with the fact that there are very few conducting a rigorous defence means that the effect on public opinion is going to be a big blow to efforts to reduce emissions. Whichever denier leaked/hacked these emails knew what they were doing.
Good article by Ray Mcgovern making the comparisons between What Barry has to do and what JFK did regarding the Cuba crisis and Vietnam.
http://www.opednews.com/articles/Obama-Profile-in-Courage-by-Ray-McGovern-091124-717.html
no doubt DG-
happy to have a guess at who might want this to be in the puiblic arena (conspiracy though it may be).
Oil companies, coal companies, neoconservatives, fundies, …
there’s plenty.
Oh what a tangled web they weave. If this enquiry grows big enough legs there may be some documents linking some other lying politicians connected to Blair and Bush.
http://www.opednews.com/articles/UK-Inquiry-Blair-Conspire-by-Dave-Lindorff-091124-323.html
Gaffhook,
Co-incidently i just watched Oliver Stone’s JFK the other day (Free 2 week preview on foxtel movies yay lol).
Didn’t work out too well for ol Jack going against the MIC. Sorry for the conspiracy theory Cat n Dave, but it’s Ollie’s, not mine
Apparently Obama has made his decision. Next Tuesday announcement.
Gaffhook – wonder how long we will let Howard get away with his culpability.
Unbelievable!
kevin Andrews sooking about the fact that Malcs has not been nice enough to the CC denialists.
“Everybody should be embraced”… never mind that the latest reports on climate change is talking about up to 7 degrees of global warning,. Certalin death for millions.
Instead we have to listen to these pathetic,inadequate and ignorant people who have somehow maanged to find themselves in the Parliament.
Dickheads like Tuckey actually influence decisions that affect my children and theirs.
I am listening to Barnyard Joyce questioning Penny Wong in the Senate. LOL
Just checked my music that teaches kids to read. Over 100,000 views and over 50 5 star ratings! Wow! I’m excited!
http://www.youtube.com/user/kidsfunstuff#p/u/3/CKHhJZmVKM0
Damn! I don’t make a cent out of it!
536
HarryH
I hope he has included in his decision to shut this garbage down.
The continuation and expansion of Dickhead Cheneys covert killings.
http://www.opednews.com/populum/linkframe.php?linkid=101873
Harry H
Obamas presser re his decision video here.
http://www.opednews.com/populum/linkframe.php?linkid=101863
thanks Gaff
Luladinejad
Pepe Escobar: How the West could learn from Lula’s way of playing politics
http://therealnews.com/t/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=31&Itemid=74&jumival=4517&updaterx=2009-11-25+00%3A29%3A09
Oh good grief!!! Will no one rid us of this meddlesome beast?
That bloody dog is causing chaos in Canberra.
http://media.crikey.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/091125_PressGalleryWednesday.jpg
Even worse…He’s just now boasting that he’s had Xmas drinks with the PM.
According to Annabel Crabb via twitter…..He’s even seduced Therese!!
Paddy – at last ! someone in Canberra who is not just a self- serving dickhead.
(our own DG excepted of course ).
The Republicans’ new so-called purity test is worthy of Joe McCarthy. Mark McKinnon on why it will doom their comeback.
continued on The Daily Beast
Palin fuels presidential rumors: ‘I like’ the sound of ‘President Palin.’
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maybe our prayers will be answered. Continued on Think Progress.
I might win that 50 cents after all …
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/politics/tony-abbott-poised-to-resign-from-shadow-cabinet-over-ets/story-e6frgczf-1225804240855
http://www.theage.com.au/national/senior-libs-on-verge-of-quitting-20091126-jtzh.html
David Gould > Nostradamus
Not yet … Although the Liberal whips are apparently ordering that no Liberal is to leave the building.
Just got in to place a small wager on Abbott to lead the Libs at the next election before they closed the markets!
Oh joy, the coalition will be run by a bunch of Teabaggers. That should liven things up.
Just heard my best girlfriend Sophie is also resigning from frontbench… this just gets better and better.
An Abbott/ Mirrabella ticket???
:mrcool:
you know what i mean…
From the ABC:
http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/11/26/2754654.htm
549
Gouldie
I heard the Mad Monk has got the numbers.
You would know better though being right there in Canberra.
I reckon he will have a go and that will be their last ditch effort to kill the ETS as Munchen and Abetz have said they wont sit on the weekend and want to do the CPRS Monday.
That probably means do it over.
I reckon there would still be seven or eight libs would vote with the government on it though after what Chainsaw went through.
Maybe Lindsay Tanners roast of Malcopops over the Grech report when he read those emails out this afternoon sealed it for the Monk.
The other thing to consider is that the the Mad Monk may have been facing imminent dismissal and took the better route of resignation – this little drama has a way to go IMO.
Turnbull could be about to resign. Press conference in a few minutes. Abbott definitely has the numbers.
David Gould at 559
This could make for an interesting Lateline episode!
I should say that Abbott ‘definitely’ has the numbers if people vote their consciences on the ETS in the leadership ballot.
Not resigning. Crash or crash through.
David Gould at 562
Nice – leaves the Monk out in the cold.
Bit of a win/win.
I like Turnbull comparatively compared to the rest of the Liberals.
He gave a good speech given the circumstances.
Worst case scenario is the Mad Monk leads the Liberals into oblivion.
It was a very good speech. I need Abbott to win the leadership tonight or tomorrow, but people are saying that it will likely happen Monday … He is costing me a net $1, the bastard.
The Liberals will go to oblivion regardless of the leader at this point. Abbott does not care about being PM in the short term: this is about the conservatives taking control of the party for the next decade.
More from the ABC on the evolving events …
http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/11/26/2754779.htm?section=australia
Anyone know a good site about Tony Abbots Fundy site.
Sorry, meant to say Tony Abbots fundy side. Meaning connections.
And Kevin Andrews.
No idea. They are both Catholics of the Pope Benedict variety, as far as I know.
Robin Williams On David Letterman 2009/11/23
Brilliant as usually. Especially on Palin.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M-_85J20BFQ&feature=player_embedded#
571 David Gould. As you are the one of us having most experience with the fundies. You shall lead the fight against those two. If they are elected leaders of the liberals.
If they are leaders, I will use all my computer experience to tie them in with the sordid side of the Catholic Church.
OK. Let’s take stock.
Abbott and Co. get into the leadership position :
avid fundamentalist Christians, climate-change denialists, pro-workchoices, instrumental in our involvement in the Iraq war, involved in the AWB scandal , anti-refugee, anti-abortion, ..
need I continue?
They have guaranteed support of every red-neck moron in Australia.
However Howard (who is their mentor) got squished.
Trouble is Rudd and Co. are only slightly to their left:
Howard-Lite got elected.
I know which is less offensive, but I am still hoping we get someone who may inspire and lead us into a future that is sustainable and decent.
And so I wait and wait…. pouring another sauvblanc…
575 Julia Giilard.
Actually Jens on the sauvblanc. Everything’s in two’s
The Liberals are toast regardless, Chris B. Abbott and co know that the Liberals will lose the next election, and probably the one after that. This is about which faction will control the party for the next decade. And given that more marginal seats are held by moderates, the calculation is that post the election the conservatives will be in a position of dominance (so no close leadership votes, no challenges et cetera).
Gillard will be leader after two more election wins from Rudd, I suspect.
Darn Abbott. Costing me a dollar by waiting until Monday …
I blame Firstdog for all this kerfuffle in Canberra myself.
It’s all a wicked left wing plot.
http://media.crikey.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/091126_PressGalleryThursday.jpg
Don’t forget the Walkleys on SBS at 10.00pm tonight.
All those journalists, torn between prowling the corridors of power and preening themselves on camera.
Apparently ABC radio has a digital station just for the Walkley’s.
581
Security!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :MRGREEN:
Opus Dei
http://www.rickross.com/groups/opus.html
Sarah Palin in 2012 SNL Keith Olbermann
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xcwuO3bMK2g
Would Sarah Palin be the lesser of the two evils? Between Palin and Opus Dei. (if there is such a thing)?
Michelle Obama Held at Customs!!
http://www.youtube.com/user/britethorn
David this is a conspiracy!!! Check it out!
Well I have to say the Walkleys were just plain embarrassing!!
Lame jokes and awkward “dying on stage” moments from both “professional” comedians (yes Antony, this means you) and tryhard journos who should know better.
The fact that it wasn’t a live broadcast and the winners were all leaked on twitter just made it that much sadder.
I think Bernard Keane summed it up best. (on twitter naturally.)
Meanwhile, the best summary of the “fun and games” with Malcontent and the dinasours I’ve read today is probably this piece by
Alister Drysdale
Defiant Turnbull’s last stand.
http://tinyurl.com/ygtchvz
Something just popped up on my radar …
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/politics/godwin-grechs-banking-emails-revealed/story-e6frgczf-1225804379334
Your radar is definitely working Cat.
Here’s a more detailed printout of all those icebergs surrounding the good ship Turnbull.
Given that Mal’s probably toast, I suspect that he’s not going to be particularly bothered by all this. But Hockey and Abetz will still be around to cop the stink. Plus the AFP report is still to come.
From the sounds of those e-mails Grech is a complete tosser.
Throw the book at him.
Wow. That string of GG emails is revealing. As the writer concluded, how anyone didn’t have reservations about information from GG beggars belief.
On the ongoing Liberal implosion, I must say I agree with Malcolm – they are insane to opose action on climate change. He’s right, and judgement and narcissism aside, I don’t see how Malcolm or any person who isn’t a denialist could function under a party with a denialist policy.
Oh, so now it’s going to be Hockey and Dutton. Hockey is abandoning support for the ETS. The teabaggers have won.
http://www.smh.com.au/national/hockey-makes-his-move-on-turnbull-20091127-jvgp.html
I guess Hockey will just say it’s a bad scheme – which it is. But the reality is that dominated by denialists, they will simply be opposing any action on climate change. Fail.
And Dutton is just embarrassing. His latest preselection moves were ridiculous – he oozes nervousness and incompetence.
Long live King Kruddy.
Full report of the Senate (del)whitewash(/del) inquiry here.
132 pages and some very interesting reading.
Maybe the AFP might be a bit more inquisitive but i will not hold my breath.
These bastards tried to bring down the democratically elected government by stealth and fraud and should be held accountable.
It is another thing to bring the Government down by having better policies and finding raring loopholes in Government policies but this Grech episode does not sit with me i am afraid to say.
I hope Turnbull stays alive long enough to guilotene the debate this afternoon and pass the legislation so that we can at least start something.
After that i hope he does not want sympathy. Leopards and spots quickly comes to mind.
I watched the senate last night and i truly understand now why Keating called them unrepresentative swill.
The COALition Senators are nothing more than a fucking disgrace.
Talk about Jurassic park and Dinosaurs.
Sorry. Got carried away with rant.
Link to above
http://www.aph.gov.au/Senate/committee/priv_ctte/report_142/report.pdf
continued in The Huffington Post
The train wreck continues and Firstdog fesses up to his part in “The Downfall”.
http://media.crikey.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/091127_PressGalleryFriday.jpg
Perleaze……
Anyone But Bl**dy Abbott!
To think that the Rodent was my local member for many years and now a possibility of this local weasel……teeth-grinding stuff!
Can’t let Pell’s little mate have that much power over Oz sisterhood!
megan says:
Alright Megan…..as a special xmas treat, you can have………..
Ta Da!!
Kevin Bloody Andrews.
Ducking and running.
All that time that the Rodent thought he was Dubyas man of steel, Dubya really thought he was a creature from outer space. HAHAHA!
http://www.smh.com.au/world/bush-felt-blair-was-soulmate-20091127-juxq.html