Although this post typically starts with the week’s earworm, there’s much more important business at hand: There’s another battle underway on the FISA front, set to explode tomorrow afternoon — and our presidential hopefuls who also hold seats in the U.S. Senate haven’t decided if returning to beltway to defend our rights is more important that holding another campaign stop.
Instead of me re-capping for everyone, head over to Hold Fast for information and a link to CREDO, a website where you can encourage the senators in the presidential race to return to the beltway and fight against retroactive immunity for the telecom industries that allowed the current White House administration to spy on Americans without required warrants.
For even more on what’s going on:
- Crooks and Liars
- ACLU’s DialyKos Diary
- Mike Allen on the Politico
- Kia Franklin on TortDeform
- Jane Hamsher on firedoglake
- Matt Stoller on OpenLeft
- Joshua Wyeth on Lead or Get Out of the Way
- Jeff Stein on CQ Politics (This link describes how U.S. intelligence tapped the phone of Lawrence Wright, a Pulitzer Prize-winning author — starting in 2002!)
- Shakesville (This is a righteous rant and sums up so many of my own feelings perfectly.)
- Stop the Spying!
It is believed that if Democrats do not cave on this legislation, it will become a centerpiece of the upcoming State of the Union address with the Dems painted as being soft on terror. Too bad most Americans agree that they don’t like being spied on by the government without cause or warrant. Now we just need to make sure Democrats understand that too.
Garth Brooks & Trisha Yearwood – In Another’s Eyes:
For the holidays this year, my wonderful, sexy guy bought me an iPod. I have to admit that I never really had much desire for one, but, now that I’ve got it, I’m addicted — big time. I’ve always been an avid reader, but life often gets in the way of sitting down with a good book. I still try to make time to hold and read non-fiction titles that strike my fancy, but fiction books — or really any book reading for fun — had been drastically reduced as I run, trying to be one of those “have-it-all” women.
Long ago, I discovered books on tape and completely fell in love. Now I can be cooking, cleaning, driving, jogging, hiking or doing any number of mindless tasks while listening to a great book. It has to be one of my favorite aspects of technology. The CD player in the car was great, but if you’ve ever attempted jogging or hiking with a portable CD, then you know it leaves much to be desired. The iPod changes all that. No more skipping. No more toting CDs. No more fuss.
Another thing I’ve discovered are podcasts. There are three, in particular, that I love and look forward to downloading. Amanda Marcotte produces a podcast for RH Reality Check that is both funny and informative. For political tidbits and whatnot, I enjoy the podcast produced by the guys at Political Lunch. Finally, I also have enjoyed listening to Packing Heat, erotica writing tips and techniques, which offers lots of basic writing tips as well as writing assignments and goals. I also must admit that I get a cheap thrill from carrying Anderson Cooper around in my pocket… but that’s probably just the erotica talking.
Now it’s your turn: What are some of your favorite podcasts?
James G. Lindberg, guest blogging at Around Des Moines, has compiled an excellent resource list for those Iowans in need of all types of help or for those who want to be more involved in their community.
In case you didn’t know, the Green Party has a presidential candidate. Being Green in Iowa has a basic overview of the candidate — Kenty Mesplay.
Iowa Voters has an article about a new federal voting integrity bill that might be able to ease tensions between Iowa Gov. Chet Culver and Secretary of State Michael Mauro. More info via link and also an opportunity for you to contact your congressman and encourage support.
Despite crumbling infrastructure, looming recession, seemingly endless war and a national housing crisis, we can always count on Republicans to put the real needs of citizens foremost in their thoughts.
Jay Wagner, reporting on Iowa Independent, makes this point well when he writes about a proposed residency requirement for Iowa marriage licenses. Some believe that at least one part of a couple applying for a marriage license in the state should be required to have been a resident for 12 months. Of course, this is being considered because of fear of same-sex marriage.
“It would help to alleviate the de facto gay marriage situation,” [Iowa Rep. Dwayne] Alons said.
Although I’ve not researched this, I’m wondering how much of a damper the measure would place on the local economies in places like Nashua where the “little brown church in the vale” has long been a popular marriage location. (Matter-of-fact, it is where I took my marriage vows.)
Of course, we’d never want Iowa to be a destination for such things as two people in love, ready to commit to a lifetime of partnership and mutual adoration. We’d never want our state to be a place cherished by married couples and, perhaps, a destination they’d return to repeatedly. What a devastating thought.
Dana Boone has a TON of photographs from the “I’ll Make Me a World in Iowa” African-American culture celebration. Hop over to Brown Iowa to see the photos and learn more about the event.
I really want to attend the Summit on Economic Justice for Women this April in Atlanta. Anyone want to sponsor me? Better yet, we should organize statewide meetings/conferences of the same ilk in Iowa.
