Grammy's to Bush and Rednecks Everywhere: Drop Dead

To quote Don Henley Sunday night as he announced another award for the Dixie Chicks, "Yeah!" Good for the girls! The Chicks, with their five-Grammy-winning album "Taking the Long Way," fired back a big fuck you to the Bush administration and bigots everywhere who vilified the group after lead singer Natalie Maines' harsh Iraq war criticism of President Bush back in March 2003. Maines had told audiences that "Just so you know, we're ashamed the president of the United States is from Texas." Well, back in 2003, some people actually still liked Bush, and called for boycotts and the ladies' heads. Funny what effect a few years has on the national pulse.

The Dixie Chicks--Maines, Martie Maguire and Emily Robison--took the Grammy in all five categories they were up for: record, song and album of the year; best country album; and best country performance by a group or duo.

The group's members were obviously quite moved by their tremendous vindication. "I think people are using their freedom of speech here tonight with all of these awards," Maines said. "We get the message. There's a lot of awesome music this year and fantastic performances. I'm very humbled. I think people were using their voice the same way this loudmouth did."

Robison acknowledged the stress the controversy placed on her family: "I think they're the ones who probably had it the hardest there for the last three years. I just wanted to recognize that we know what you went through."

Maguire said, ..."I think our core fans have always stayed true to us, and I want to thank them for staying with us. And we wouldn't have done this album without everything we went through, so we have no regrets."

Accepting their final award of the night, Maines thanked bandmates Robison and Martie Maguire for their support: "For the first time in my life, I'm speechless. Thank you Martie and Emily, for stickin' by me. I told you I'd take you to the Grammys. Stick with me. Thank you everyone. We are very, very appreciative and honored."

Success is the sweetest revenge. Here's to not just Maines' incredible artistic achievements, but her political prescience as well.


On another subject......we could use your help at The Adrienne Shelly Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated in my wife's honor to help carry out her spirit and passion, with the goal of providing film school scholarships and grants to women filmmakers. As many of you know, Adrienne was brutally killed here in NYC on November 1st. Please visit our website to learn more about our mission and to make a donation. Every little contribution helps preserve Adrienne's legacy, and to help create something positive out of this horrible tragedy. Thank you.

"Run, Al, Run." Here's Another Notable Case For Al Gore Running and Winning

In his February 8th Rolling Stone piece called "Run, Al, Run," Tim Dickinson begins with the following:

"A stiff vice president campaigns on his administration's legacy of unprecedented prosperity. Looks terrible on TV. Bows out, following a disputed vote count. Then, two terms later, with no incumbent in the race, he re-enters the fray. Promises to change the course of a disastrous war founded on lies. And charges to victory. I'm referring, of course, to the 1968 campaign of Richard Milhous Nixon. But four decades later, history has a chance to repeat itself for Albert Arnold Gore.

"If the Democrats were going to sit down and construct the perfect candidate for 2008, they'd be hard-pressed to improve on Gore. Unlike Hillary Clinton, he has no controversial vote on Iraq to defend. Unlike Barack Obama and John Edwards, he has extensive experience in both the Senate and the White House. He has put aside his wooden, policy-wonk demeanor to emerge as the Bush administration's most eloquent critic. And thanks to "An Inconvenient Truth," Gore is not only the most impassioned leader on the most urgent crisis facing the planet, he's also a Hollywood celebrity, the star of the third-highest-grossing documentary of all time."

Dickinson is dead on. As I've said for over two years now, Al Gore is the Democrats' best hope for regaining the White House in 2008. The will he or won't he charade has gone on too long, and Dickinson essentially predicts that The Goracle will soon toss his hat into the ring, and he cites several of the nation's leading political pundits to back up his contention:

"He's running in a nontraditional way, which has been powerful," says Bill Carrick, a veteran Democratic consultant. "It has made him look much more interesting than if he had just been the former vice president sitting out there and thinking about a run...If Howard Dean could raise $59 million on the Internet, the mind boggles as to what Al Gore might do."

"Gore may have more money than anybody within days of entering the race," said
Joe Trippi, Dean's 2004 campaign manager, who believes Gore could raise $200 million or more on the 'net.

"There are millions of people who call themselves environmental activists, but until now, no one has ever been able to make the environment a voting issue," says GOP strategist Frank Luntz. "Gore took the environment from deep inside the newspaper and put it on the front page for the first time. He would be able to say to people, 'If you really care about global warming, you have to vote for me.'"

"Gore seems committed to being a late candidate," says Bill Clinton's former strategist Dick Morris. "He's not going to be out front as a playmaker. He's going to wait and see if there's room for him."

"Jumping in too early is a huge mistake for him," says Tony Coelho, who chaired Gore's 2000 campaign. "If the party wants to have Hillary, there's nothing Gore can do or say to stop it. But Barack Obama could be a godsend for Gore. Obama makes Hillary look like just another politician, as opposed to a fresh woman's face. He could slow her up, and John Edwards can create further doubts."

And the Hillary, Edwards, Obama slugfest could be a big boon to Gore, according to David Gergen, who's former bosses include Nixon, Reagan and Clinton. "If the three of them fight each other to a bloody draw, nobody emerges as the cherished front-runner. Then you to turn to Al Gore as someone who is not scarred up by the battle. He would look very formidable.....If Gore secures the nomination, his chances of victory would be strong."

The push for Gore is becoming louder and stronger. Clearly, the top strategists are really starting to stir, and the pressure on Gore--from a timing perspective--is intensifying. Make no mistake: Al Gore saying he's not running is not Al Gore not running. He will run. And he will likely win. As Dickinson writes, "he would also have history on his side: Andrew Jackson and Grover Cleveland, both of whom won the popular vote but lost the presidency, reached the White House on their next tries." And let's not forget Nixon, the other Comeback Kid. That Gore is now a Nobel Peace Prize nominee only makes him even more attractive.

2008 presents Al Gore with truly the best opportunity in his political career to capture his life-long dream of becoming president. Don't think for even one second that he will not seize the day. He's just playing it smart.


On another subject......we could use your help at The Adrienne Shelly Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated in my wife's honor to help carry out her spirit and passion, with the goal of providing film school scholarships and grants to women filmmakers. As many of you know, Adrienne was brutally killed here in NYC on November 1st. Please visit our website to learn more about our mission and to make a donation. Every little contribution helps preserve Adrienne's legacy, and to help create something positive out of this horrible tragedy. Thank you.

Does Michelle Malkin Hate America?

About 200,000 Americans from all over the nation converged this weekend on Washington, D.C.'s North Mall to protest the Iraq war and demand its end. And according to right-wing pundit and Fox News commentator Michelle Malkin, they all did so because they hate America and its military.

On Monday's "The O'Reilly Factor" with Bill O'Reilly, Malkin said of the protestors: "Their opposition to the war is not rooted in principle, but in clear Bush hatred, and in a desire to see this country fail....It's a big temper tantrum, and that's all the left has to offer....If you listen very closely to...a lot of the rhetoric that you heard this weekend, it is very virulently anti-troops and anti-American. There's no doubt about that."

I am so sick of hearing this divisive right-wing garbage. Does Malkin actually believe this incendiary rhetoric she spews on Fox? Does she truly believe that people take to the streets of America to protest a war--in which 3000 U.S. soldiers have died--because they hate the troops? Not because of principle, but because they hate Bush and want America to fail? How could such ignorant, inciteful suppositions come from such a seemingly bright woman? Perhaps it is Malkin who hates America and the democratic principles for which it stands? Perhaps Malkin would rather just the Iraqis have the fruits of democracy and all the free speech trappings that go with it...and not America? Perhaps Malkin would rather see people like Jane Fonda, Susan Sarandon and Sean Penn stripped of their inaliable right to criticize their government? As O'Reilly lamented about Penn, "you shouldn't be up at the microphone, Mr. Penn. You have no reason to be there." So untrue, Mr. O'Reilly, he has every reason to be there. It's his right to be there. The same rights your deranged president sent 3000 to die obtaining for Iraq. To O'Reilly and Malkin, I guess the average Iraqi deserves more personal freedoms than we Americans do...that is of course unless we happen to agree them.

Tell us, Mr. O'Reilly and Ms. Malkin, do you hate America?


On another subject......we could use your help at The Adrienne Shelly Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated in my wife's honor to help carry out her spirit and passion, with the goal of providing film school scholarships and grants to women filmmakers. As many of you know, Adrienne was brutally killed here in NYC on November 1st. Please visit our website to learn more about our mission and to make a donation. Every little contribution helps preserve Adrienne's legacy, and to help create something positive out of this horrible tragedy. Thank you.

"Imagine How It Would've Been." Could This Be Candidate Gore's Campaign Theme?

Frank Luntz, perhaps the preeminent Republican political strategist and pollster, appearing on Air America's Al Franken show Friday, said former vice-president Al Gore would make a terrific presidential candidate. And he suggested that Gore will be able to stand before America and say, "Imagine how it would've been" had he become president in 2000 and not George W. Bush. In hindsight, he called Gore "right" about a lot of issues.

So, imagine an America without the Iraq war. Imagine an America that's respected among its allies, and feared by its enemies. Imagine an America that's concerned about global warming and the environment. Imagine an America that's not divided into two socio-economic groups, as John Edwards laments. Imagine an America where the middle class, not the wealthy, get the tax breaks. Imagine an America where the minimum wage is not a paltry $5.15. Imagine an America that's actually led by a brilliant, caring, diplomat who can string three words together in a sentence without sounding like a blathering idiot. Makes ya wanna weep, no?

So if you're listening Al, it's time. It's time to stop the coy routine and officially enter the race. You know you're gonna do it, we know you're gonna do it, so just do it. America needs you. The world needs you.
Yes, imagine how it would've been. America deserves to no longer imagine....


On another subject......we could use your help at The Adrienne Shelly Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated in my wife's honor to help carry out her spirit and passion, with the goal of providing film school scholarships and grants to women filmmakers. As many of you know, Adrienne was brutally killed here in NYC on November 1st. Please visit our website to learn more about our mission and to make a donation. Every little contribution helps preserve Adrienne's legacy, and to help create something positive out of this horrible tragedy. Thank you.

Kerry Bows Out of '08 Race, Narrowing Pack for a Likely Gore Run

Former Democratic presidential hopeful John Kerry took himself out of the running for president in 2008, choosing instead to devote his energies to ending the Iraq war. Call me crazy, but Al Gore's prospects just got even better than before. If he doesn't announce soon I'll eat my hat.

Kerry made his startling announcement on the floor of the U.S. Senate Wednesday during hearings on the IraQuagmire.

"Two years ago, I sought the presidency to lead us on a different course," Kerry said. "We came close . . . certainly close enough to be tempted to try again. There are powerful reasons to want to continue that fight now. But I have concluded this isn't the time for me to mount a presidential campaign."

The 64-year-old Massachusettes Senator said he's committed to spending the next two years helping shape America's Iraq policy so that Bush's successor will have "a reasonable prospect of success" in the war-torn nation.

"I don't want the next president to find that they have inherited a nation still divided and a policy destined to end as Vietnam did - in a bitter and sad legacy," he said.

With Kerry gone, Gore's main competition is Sen. Barack Obama (IL), Sen. Hillary Clinton (NY) and former North Carolina Senator John Edwards. Those of you who are regular readers here know my thoughts on Obama: all hype, no substance. Hillary? I like her and think she'd make a fine president. But as with Obama, when the time comes to close the curtain and vote, America's true sexism and racism will keep these two out of the White House. As for Edwards, no way in hell would he be elected president. Like Clinton, he'd make for a good prez, but he just doesn't have the gravitas to pull it off. I'm afraid the Repugs' "Breck Girl" tag has had a lasting effect. That leaves The Goracle. He's got the most experience; was anti-war from the start; and is the global warming/environmental guru. He's 'net savvy, would have instant access to massive funds, and would likely have Howard Dean's DNC behind him as payback for his staunch support of the former Vermont Governor's own presidential bid in 2004.

I suspect Gore's sitting back waiting to see the near-term reaction to both the Obama and Clinton semi-announcements. When the fallout comes, as it will, look for Gore to toss his sombrero into the ring. But what about all of Gore's denials that he's running, you say? You mean those half-hearted, less-than-convincing ones from the King of Coy? Stay tuned.....

Condi Defends Her Madman Boss with Infuriating Psychobabble

It's not an increase. It's not an escalation. It's an "augmentation." No, we're not talking about fixing a pair of saggy boobs here folks, it's how Secretary of State Condescending Rice described Bush's planned 20,000 "troop surge" into Baghdad. When challenged by a bi-partisan panel of Senators this week, Condi lied, side-stepped and offered up nothing but a bunch of Bushevik bullshit. In one day this administration plays more word-parsing and semantics games than Bill Clinton ever did in eight years.

Consider this exchange between Rice and Nebraska's Sen. Chuck Hagel (R) before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee:

HAGEL: My question was the escalation of American troops in Iraq.

RICE: But I think you asked who was supporting it. And I said the Kurdish parties, Prime Minister Maliki and his Shia allies, and the IIP support a plan to do this. And they know that the augmentation of American forces is part of that plan.

Now, as to the question of escalation, I think that I don’t see it, and the president doesn’t see it, as an escalation. What he sees…

HAGEL: Putting 22,000 new troops, more troops in, is not an escalation?

RICE: Well, I think, Senator, escalation is not just a matter of how many numbers you put in. Escalation is also a question of, are you changing the strategic goal of what you’re trying to do? Are you escalating…

HAGEL: Would you call it a decrease, and billions of dollars more that you need for it?

RICE: I would call it, Senator, an augmentation that allows the Iraqis to deal with this very serious problem that they have in Baghdad.

Hagel has called the Iraq quagmire "the most dangerous foreign policy blunder in this country since Vietnam."

Sorry Condi, but sending 20,000+ more troops into Iraq--about 15% of current totals--sure as hell constitutes an increase. And a pretty big one at that. But why should we expect truth and honesty from these liars now, after 3 1/2 years of their miserably failed war...a debacle that they're now desperately trying to salvage unfortunately at the expense of our young men and women.

Forget the fact that voters in November delivered a loud anti-war message to Bush. Forget that a new Washington Post-ABC News poll taken after Bush's January 10th speech showed that 61% of Americans now oppose such an increase. Forget the advice of the generals. And of even most Republicans now. Of any sane human being. No, this president is intent on carrying out his reckless, lethal plan for Iraq, no matter what anyone thinks or says.

Condi Rice is a walking, talking insult to every American. I'm not so sure she's merely a mouthpiece for Bush. I'm convinced she believes her own reprehensible rhetoric about peace, stability and Democracy in the region. She might even be more of a loon than her deranged boss, if that's at all possible.

Listening to Condi's incessant drivel makes me want to scream the line from that classic scene in 'Dog Day Afternoon" where Al Pacino's desperate bank-robbing character turns down a shady deal with cops by saying to the Detective, Charles Durning, "Kiss me. Kiss me. "Because I like to get kissed before I get fucked."


On another subject......we could use your help at The Adrienne Shelly Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated in my wife's honor to help carry out her spirit and passion, with the goal of providing film school scholarships and grants to women filmmakers. As many of you know, Adrienne was brutally killed here in NYC on November 1st. Please visit our website to learn more about our mission and to make a donation. Every little contribution helps preserve Adrienne's legacy, and to help create something positive out of this horrible tragedy. Thank you.

Bush's War Machine Revs Up. How Many Soldiers Have to Die Before this Dangerous Fool Realizes That It's Over?

Back in November, an overwhelming majority of voters sent a loud anti-war message to President Bush by punishing Republicans and giving decisive victories--and control of both houses of Congress--to Democrats. Did he get the message? What do you think? In true Bush "it's-my-ball" arrogance and stubbornness, the Decider-in-Chief will go before the American public tomorrow evening and make his request to send 20,000 more soldiers to Iraq in a "troop surge" designed to regain control over Baghdad. That's right. Election, shmection, I'm the Decider. Remember, this is a guy who, with 51% of the vote in '04, proudly claimed he had a "mandate."

It's been 3 1/2 years and 3000 dead soldiers since the worst military blunder in U.S. history began. It's such an obvious failure that even the generals on the ground are saying more troops will not accomplish Bush's goals. Mind you, this is the same president that's on record as saying that the generals will be the ones to decide when and if more troops are needed. And the same president who said that sending more troops will send a message to the enemy that they're winning. But this dangerous fool couldn't care less what anyone thinks because, as long he doesn't pull out, he hasn't lost. As long as he keeps us fighting, in his delusional head, there's still a chance of winning. It's like those internet stocks I still hold from the 90's that are virtually worthless. I haven't lost anything until I sell, right?

Does this maniacal war-monger really think that by sending 20,000 more troops we'll be getting any closer to achieving our long-range goals in that country (whatever the hell those goals are)? That we'll secure Baghdad? That we'll regain control of the Sunni Triangle and send a strong message to Muqtada Al Sadr's al Mahdi army and other Shiite militia that Democracy will prevail? Of course not. Just like every other time the U.S. intensified its military efforts. This is a country that mocks the U.S. A country led by a defiant Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, who's made it clear he's running the country, not Bush. A country that punished it's former torturous dictator by hastily hanging him and taunting him. They've clearly come a long way, huh? Un-Curious George should be proud of the thriving Democracy he's created.

With Iraq already mired in large-scale civil war, the last thing we should be doing is sending more young men and women to die in Bush's quagmire. It's pathetic the level of denial our president is in. And if it's not denial, it's something worse: intentionally ignoring the facts on the ground, choosing to send soldiers to die because he can't stomach the thought of losing. Well, some battles are won and some are lost. And this one's over. Someone needs to stop this maniac before he kills again and again and again.

On another subject......we could use your help at The Adrienne Shelly Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated in my wife's honor to help carry out her spirit and passion, with the goal of providing film school scholarships and grants to women filmmakers. As many of you know, Adrienne was brutally killed here in NYC on November 1st. Please visit our website to learn more about our mission and to make a donation. Every little contribution helps preserve Adrienne's legacy, and to help create something positive out of this horrible tragedy. Thank you.

Al Gore's Right About Global Warming

If anyone doubts that global warming is a grave threat to our planet, just take a look at what's been happening here in New York. It's January 5th, and it'll be in the 60's today. Tomorrow, 70, high 40's and 50's the rest of the week. And let's not forget the unseasonably high tempts for virtually the entire months of November, December as well as the start of January. And not one single, solitary snowflake has been spotted to-date. Coincidence, you say? Not the result of trapped greenhouse gases? No fears of melting ice caps for you? Well, I for one think at some future point we're all going to be living in boat houses.

Al Gore's site www.climatecrisis.net summarizes global warming this way: "By burning fossil fuels such as coal, gas and oil and clearing forests we have dramatically increased the amount of carbon dioxide in the Earth's atmosphere - trapping solar energy close to the earth instead of releasing it into space - and as a result, temperatures are rising." On Gore's site you can find loads of facts and evidence that supports his warnings: glaciers are melting, plants and animals are being forced from their habitat, and category 4 and 5 hurricanes have almost doubled in the last 30 years.

The kind of weather we're experiencing is abnormal and suspect, and should not be shrugged off as some freakish anomaly. What we're seeing is the result of years of abuses from man-made pollutants. We can all enjoy the warm weather all we like here in NY and elsewhere, but it's not without consequence. For example, it's wreaking havoc on the retail industry, where manufacturers' unsold inventories of coats and other winter garments is staggering; in the travel industry, where ski resorts are suffering; on vegetation, where flowers are prematurely blooming and might not naturally bloom again in the Spring.

In his film "An Inconvenient Truth" last year Gore laid out a doomsday scenario that's downright chilling. The polar ice caps will melt, he says, with warmer water temperatures causing more intense, longer hurricanes resulting in greater greater property damage. We'll continue to see hotter Summers, warmer and shorter Winters. We'll see unprecedented droughts, famines and flooding. Greenland will melt. The global sea level would then rise 20 feet and much of the world flood.

Sounds like a great campaign speech to me.....

On another subject......we could use your help at The Adrienne Shelly Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated in my wife's honor to help carry out her spirit and passion, with the goal of providing film school scholarships and grants to women filmmakers. As many of you know, Adrienne was brutally killed here in NYC on November 1st. Please visit our website to learn more about our mission and to make a donation. Every little contribution helps preserve Adrienne's legacy, and to help create something positive out of this horrible tragedy. Thank you.

Why Al Gore WIll Run For President

Is there any sane Democrat out there who believes, at this juncture, that there’s a more electible candidate for president in 2008 than Al Gore? That there’s an individual with a more impressive political dossier than The Goracle? Gore himself recognizes his potential. He knows this is the best opportunity he’s had in his 30-year career to send a moving truck to the White House. An even better chance than after eight years as Bill Clinton’s vice president, when he was a much younger, more arrogant and less passionate nominee. This is not 2000. Al Gore is a changed man. And the country is a much different place. And that’s exactly why he will soon announce that he’s going to run.

With Evan Bayh, Russ Feingold and Mark Warner out of the running, that leaves Tom Vilsack, Wes Clark, Bill Richardson, Joe Biden and the front runners, Barack Obama, John Edwards and Hillary Clinton. Obama is running on hype and charisma, not substance. When all the hoopla ends, and the honeymoon is over, what will surface is a Congressman with just two years experience and not much else. Don’t get me wrong. The guy’s a dynamo; lots of charm, sincerity and promise. But he needs about 6-8 more years before he’ll be taken seriously at election time. John Edwards, who just announced, will never win the nomination. He's simply not presidential. He’s a smart, well-intentioned guy, but so am I. And I can assure you that I won’t be living in the White House either. That leaves Hillary. I won’t get into the whole ‘she’s not electible’ thing. It’s much too complicated. And that’s precisely why Gore makes the most sense.

Al Gore’s a Vietnam vet who served four terms in the U.S. House of Representatives, two terms in the Senate, and eight years as vice president. And he’s brilliant. A guy who truly understands myriad domestic and foreign policy issues. A global warming guru. It’s laughable to even put him in the same category as Edwards and Obama, and even Clinton. And let’s not forget that he won the popular vote in 2000, and as some say, the electoral college as well.

It’s no coincidence that Gore’s been everywhere these past couple of years. He’s a smart, calculating pol, and you better bet your ass he smells opportunity. When he announces, he’ll have tremendous political and financial currency and support from which to build a successful campaign. He’s already been quietly assembling a seasoned team to help him, tapping people like Roy Neel who was a key aide in his 2000 presidential bid.

Gore is the right man at the right time. There’s 3000 dead US soldiers in a war that’s become a Middle East catastrophe, with no end in sight. Americans have finally realized that the economy is a bit more important to them than gay marriage. And if the East Coast’s Summer-like November and December is any proof, global warming is a real threat and not some crunchy liberal’s fantasy problem.

Al Gore. 2008 presidential candidate. It’s a matter of when, not if. Take it to the bank.


On another subject......we could use your help at The Adrienne Shelly Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated in my wife's honor to help carry out her spirit and passion, with the goal of providing film school scholarships and grants to women filmmakers. As many of you know, Adrienne was brutally killed here in NYC on November 1st. Please visit our website to learn more about our mission and to make a donation. Every little contribution helps preserve Adrienne's legacy, and to help create something positive out of this horrible tragedy. Thank you.

Senseless Death

It's taken me almost two months to write again. What's inspired me is a subject I've written about often in the past: the Iraq War, and how it's been responsible for the senseless death of tens of thousands of Americans and Iraqis. Unfortunately, as many of you know, I know a lot about senseless death. And nothing ignites my passion more these days than seeing so many young men and women dying for an unjust cause. It's time for the carnage to stop. It's time that President Bush puts an end to this violent, out-of-control debacle. The worst military blunder in the history of our great nation.

Almost 3000 U.S. soldiers have been killed since the war began in March 2003, just about the same amount of people who died in the very tragedy--the 9/11 attacks--that was, at least in part, the rationale for going to war in the first place. But as we all now painfully know, with tragic consequences, there was no connection between Saddam and Osama bin Laden and al Qaeda, and the mushroom-cloud inducing WMD never existed. In short, this war was and is a fraud, perpetrated by a bunch of selfish, ego-maniacal, fear-mongering liars. But while their sons and daughters rest safely at home in the States, it is other people's children who keep dying a senseless death.

The Iraq war, unless ended as soon as possible with our troops coming home, is well on its way to becoming another Vietnam. But instead of withdrawing our troops, Bush wants to send more. And to keep fueling this military fiasco there's even talk of reinstating the draft in order to meet the many challenges our armed services now face throughout the world.

Winning the House and Senate was monumental for Democrats. But they must now do what's right, and somehow force the president's hand and help bring our troops home before America experiences even more senseless death.

On a related subject, we have created a non-profit organization, The Adrienne Shelly Foundation, dedicated in my wife's honor to help carry out her spirit and passion, with the goal of providing film school scholarships and grants to women filmmakers. Please visit our website to learn more about our mission and to make a donation. Every little contribution helps preserve Adrienne's legacy, and to help create something positive out of this horrible tragedy. Thank you.

Thank You All For Your Kindness and Support

As many of you now know, my wife, the beautiful, lovely, talented Adrienne Shelly, was brutally murdered in NYC on Nov 1. The events of the past 10 days have been tragic and devastating to me and my family, and it's been the outpouring of love and support from friends and family, and my friends and family in the Blogosphere, that's been a tremendous source of comfort. I want to thank you all from the bottom of my heart for your concern, kindness and, especially, your memories of Adrienne and how she and her work in film affected you and inspired you. I also want to congratulate you all for helping to change our great nation this week. It's the start of a new day, and now my family must begin anew as well. It will be a long, hard, painful process, but we will make it. And I promise you that the blog will back just as soon as I am ready and able to start writing again. My sincerest, heartfelt thanks to you. Keep up the fight.
Andy

BuzzFlash.com's Mark Karlin on Tonight's Ostroy/DeLaite Report

The midterm elections, war in Iraq, the Kerry controversy.....there's no shortage of hot topics to discuss with the irreverent, insightful Mark Karlin, editor and publisher of BuzzFlash.com. Karlin is tonight's guest on The Ostroy/DeLaite Report...Where Democrats Play Rough. BuzzFlash.com provides headlines, news, and commentary to over 5-million readers monthly.

The Ostroy/DeLaite Report...Where Democrats Play Rough, is a weekly political call-in talk show that tackles the Right Wing spin machine head on (www.OstroyDeLaiteReport.com). It covers the ever-changing political landscape with guests that include Michigan Congressional candidate Nancy Skinner, New York Congressional candidates Kirsten Gillibrand and John Hall, Nomi Prins, Mark Crispin Miller, WABC Radio's Ron Kuby, Marc Maron, nationally-syndicated radio host Stephanie Miller, Russ Baker, BradBlog.com's Brad Friedman, Mark Green and Fox News Political Analyst Kirsten Powers. The show airs every Wednesday at 6:30PM in NYC on Time Warner channel 67. It can also be viewed live over the internet at MNN.org. Just follow the steps to "Watch MNN/ch 67."

And mark your calendars for next Wednesday Nov. 8th, as we welcome back MSNBC political analyst, Democratic strategist and former Howard Dean campaign manager Joe Trippi for a post-election round-up.

Check Out this Awesome Spoof of Bob Corker's Harold Ford Ad: "Congressman, Call Me"

We all know how dirty politicians have been playing as the clock winds down towards Tuesday's critical midterm elections. One ad in particular, the shamelessly racist attack ad produced by Tennessee Repug Bob Corker in his hotly contested Senate race against Rep. Harold Ford Jr., has been parodied by co-creators Dan Rosen and Kevin Rooney, friends of our friend Emily out in Los Angeles (Emily's in the ad). It's a riot, and dead on. It's called "Congressman, Call Me". Check it out. It's been getting a ton of hits on YouTube, and I'm told it's going to be featured some time Wednesday on CNN.

Chris Matthews Defends Kerry Against Sleazy Repug Attacks. We Say, if Anyone Owes the Soldiers an Apology, it's Bush

Ok, so the October surprise was not exactly what Democrats were expecting: Sen. John Kerry splattered all over the airwaves, just days before the midterms, defending himself after landing in hot water over comments about Bush and Iraq which were twisted by the Repugs in a last minute, desperate and pathetic attempt to deflect attention away from their leadership's miserable military failure. A seemingly straightforward comment, in a speech to students at Pasadena City College on Monday, has become a misguided rallying cry for a political party that's sensing major defeat next Tuesday.

So what did Kerry actually say that got the Repugs' panties in a snit? "You know, education, if you make the most of it, you study hard and you do your homework, and you make an effort to be smart, you can do well. If you don't, you get stuck in Iraq." Every major Repug, from President Bush to House Speaker Denny Hastert to John McCain, has lambasted Kerry for "trashing the troops." (McCain, that opportunistic little weasel, has already sold his soul ten times over as he plans his 2008 run for the White House. The once highly respected, independent war-hero has become nothing more than a mouthpiece for Bush as he seeks the Christian conservative vote. His spine, and his principles, have said...'check please'). It's obvious to anyone not poisoned by Repuglican rhetoric that Kerry was commenting on Bush, not the troops.

The unmitigated gall of this Repug attack on Kerry is beyond infuriating. How dare these notorious chickenhawks--who used college deferments, family connections and every other tactic known to man in order to escape serving in Vietnam--even suggest that Sen. Kerry, a highly decorated Vietnam combat veteran, had actually intended to malign and disparage our soldiers. Unlike these cowardly, privileged rich kids, Kerry actually served (read: enlisted) our military and bled on the battlefield defending America. What balls the Busheviks have to suddenly claim the mantle of bravery while Swift Boating the stellar record of someone like Kerry and mangling his words.

Speaking to a typical group of Kool-aid-drunken Repugs in Georgia Tuesday, Bush had the audacity to claim that Kerry had insulted the intelligence of Americans troops. "The senator's suggestion that the men and women of our military are somehow uneducated is insulting and it is shameful. The members of the United States military are plenty smart and they are plenty brave, and the senator from Massachusetts owes them an apology." Excuse me while I go puke.

If anyone owes the troops an apology, Mr. President, it is you. You and your administration have used and abused their loyalty and courage to further your maniacal political agenda. And while you're at it, you can apologize to the American people as well. You owe us all an apology for:

1. Lying about WMD in order to justify an invasion of Iraq
2. Failing to provide enough troops to secure the country after toppling Saddam
3. Failing to adequately equip the troops with life-saving body armor
4. Failing to be honest with the troops and the public about the failing war
5. Lying about the circumstances surrounding Pat Tillman's death
6. Lying about the circumstances surrounding Pvt. Jessica Lynch's rescue
7. Having Defense Secretary Rumsfeld lie about knowing where the WMD were
8. Having VP Dick Cheney constantly lie about the "progress" in Iraq
9. Lying that the "mission was accomplished"
10. Lying to America that Democrats want the terrorists to win
11. Lying about never saying "stay the course"
12. For the death of 3000 U.S soldiers
13. For the maiming and wounding of tens of thousands of others

On his Hardball program Tuesday, Chris Matthews chastised several Repuglican spinners, asking incredulously if they truly believed Kerry was trashing the troops instead of Bush. Matthews, in acknowledging the highly orchestrated attack campaign on Kerry, cited the many communications he's received from the GOP.

"You wouldn't believe the number of press releases coming into this studio from the top Republicans, all of them, in a grand bit of choreography," Matthews said. "Not since the June Taylor dancers has there been so much choreography."

Matthews added that, in the context of the entire Kerry speech, it seems clear what the Senator's intention was: "My interpretation became after seeing it a couple times and reading the text of what he's saying...he was out there trashing the president's lack of preparation for going into Iraq. And by the way, I agree with him on that. If this president had more sense of history about the Middle East, we would not be stuck in Iraq." Kudos to Chris.

Even right-wing strategist Matthew Dowd agreed: "I think John Kerry supports the troops...he was a member of the military. I think that John Kerry's intention always has been, in his own way, to support the troops."

"Insulting and shameful," you say Mr. President? Exactly, but it's your behavior, and that of your reckless, irresponsible White House mob of Cheney, Rice, Rumsfeld and Rove, that has insulted and shamed every single American. When are you going to apologize for what you've done to our soldiers and to this country?

Message to the Busheviks: Kerry's not running for anything, you are. If you think the American people next Tuesday are gonna focus on his bad jokes versus how you've destroyed our country, guess again.

NY Post Endorses Hillary Clinton for 12 More Years. Just What the Heck is Rupert Murdoch Up To?

On any given day, the New York Post can be viewed as a vehicle for the Republican Party to spread its pro-Bush, anti-Democrat rhetoric. So it's kind of a surprise to read in its editorial pages Monday that it endorses Sen. Hillary Clinton's (D-NY) bid for re-election. Not for another term, mind you, but for two more terms...until 2018. Has the Post turned a corner here in a desire to be more fair and balanced, just like its sibling at Fox News (that's sarcasm, folks)? Or is this part of some master plan by Murdoch, the likes of which we've yet to figure out?

The editorial, titled "Clinton: 12 More Years," expresses surprise itself that the staunchly conservative paper would be going out on a limb for Hillary, whom it cites as having more of a "centrist" record than not--particularly on national security issues. It said that her Republican challenger, John Spencer, "isn't a credible alternative", and that "Mrs. Clinton, well, she's been a pretty good senator--popular with her colleagues and as productive as a first-term legislator from the minority party probably can be."

But wait...the love doesn't stop there. "We think she's done such a good job these last six years that she'd do well to serve six more. If not 12," said the Post. "Re-elect Hillary. In 2012." Ok, just what the heck is going on here!?

The paper also raises the specter of a Clinton run for the White House in 2008: "Well, New Yorkers simply expect their major officeholders to be presidential aspirants--and the pols always rise to the bait."

As I've said all along, the Repugs would absolutely love to see Clinton run for president. The Swift Boats are fully gassed, stocked with Kool-aid, engines running and ready to launch. Is the Post's endorsement and unabashed lovefest part of Murdoch's grand plan to help make Hillary the nominee? You have to admit, something smells awfully fishy here....

Al Gore's a Huge Hit in Belgium

Al Gore's pro-environment message is resonating like wildfire in Belgium. The Goracle spent a day in Brussels in early October to promote his film "An Inconvenient Truth." He told the enraptured audience, "Our planet has a fever, and the fever has been getting steadily higher. " Since then, the country has been tripping over itself trying to enact legislation inspired by Gore's passion for the environment and concerns over global warming.

"We must take Al Gore's message seriously," said Prime Minister Guy Verhofstadt when proposing a new "environmentally friendly" tax on packages that would penalize users of aluminum or plastic, which release harmful CO2 into the atmosphere. The tax would provide incentives to switch to less harmful paper or cardboard. The measure is quickly becoming known as the "Gore tax," and could become part of the 2007 budget. The government has also proposed tax breaks for car pollution filters and deductions for energy-efficient investors.

Countdown to Election Day: Here's How the Senate is Shaping Up For Democrats

With just a week to go before the critical midterm elections, the smart money is on the Democrats handily winning the House of Representatives. But it's not unlikely that the Dems could wrest control of the Senate as well. Here's how the recent polls are stacking up in the key battleground Senate races:

-New Jersey: Sen. Bob Menendez (D) leads Tom Kean Jr. by 6 points
-Pennsylvania: Bob Casey Jr. (D) leads Sen. Rick Santorum (R) by 14 points
-Rhode Island: Sheldon Whitehouse (D) leads Sen. Lincoln Chafee (R) by 9 points
-Maryland: Rep. Ben Cardin (D) leads Lt. Gov. Michael Steele (R) by 11 points
-Ohio: Rep. Sherrod Brown (D) leads Sen. Mike DeWine by 8 points
-Virginia: Jim Webb (D) leads Sen. George "Macacawitz" Allen (R) by 4 points
-Montana: Jon Tester (D) leads Sen. Conrad Burns by 3 points
-Tennessee: Rep. Harold Ford Jr. (D) leads Bob Corker (R) by 5 points
-Missouri: Claire McCaskill (D) and Sen. Jim Talent (R) tied at 49% in one poll and McCaskill ahead by 3 points in another

These candidates need money. Money to fight off the onslaught of vicious Repuglican attack ads during this final week. Once again, here's where you can contribute (McCaskill, Ford, Webb and Menendez are the key races right now):

-New Jersey: Sen. Bob Menendez
http://www.menendez2006.com/

-Tennessee: Rep. Harold Ford, Jr.
http://www.fordfortennessee.com/

-Virginia: Jim Webb
http://webb.bluestatedigital.com/page/s/join

-Missouri: Claire McCaskill
http://www.claireonline.com/

-Rhode Island: Sheldon Whitehouse
http://www.whitehouseforsenate.com/

-Montana: Jon Tester
http://www.testerforsenate.com/

-Pennsylvania: Bob Casey Jr.
http://www.bobcasey.com/?splash=1

-Ohio: Rep. Sherrod Brown
http://www.sherrodbrown.com/

-Maryland: Rep. Ben Cardin
http://www.bencardin.com/

The Democrats need six seats to gain a majority and take control of the Senate. As everyone knows, a week in politics is a lifetime. Almost anything and everything could go down these next seven days. But the odds are, with the Iraq war spiraling out of control and the economy delivering more bad news each day, momentum is likely to tip further to Democrats as Americans head to the polls next Tuesday. But what's most critical is if the Dems win the voter-turnout battle. If so, the Repuglicans' reigh of terror will soon be coming to an end. Keep 'em crossed...

Maryland Repug's Bizarre Stem Cell Proposal

The battle for Maryland's Senate seat is intensifying, and stem-cell research has become one of the primary issues for voters in that state. On Sunday's Meet the Press, the controversial subject was discussed in a debate between Lt. Gov. Michael Steele (R) and Democratic challenger Rep. Ben Cardin (D). On several occasions, host Tim Russert pinned the Repug candidate's back to the wall and left him stammering for a cogent reply.

Russert asked Steele to substantiate the claim in his new ad--which features his sister, who suffers from Multiple Sclerosis--that Cardin's Michael J. Fox ad is "tasteless and deceptive." Steele said he in fact supports stem cell research, which Fox claims he doesn't. Both candidates claim to support stem-cell research, but while Cardin supports both adult and embryonic stem-cell research, Steele advocates research on adult-only cells.

Russert then said to Steele: I went up on the Web site for the National Institute of Health frequently asked questions. And let me share those with you and our viewers. "Question: Why not use adult stem cells instead of using human embryonic stem cells in research? National Institute of Health: Human embryonic stem cells are thought to have much greater developmental potential than adult stem cells." That's the issue. And...

Steele: That's the, that's the issue.

Russert: ...you're opposed to using something that has more promise than adult stem cells.

Russert continued: Why are you opposed to using embryonic stem cells? Taking of a life?

Steele: It's taking, yes, I see that as a life, and I, and I don't think that we should use federal funds to do that. And that's, and that's the difference to me.

Now here's where it gets interesting...and, quite frankly, bizarre.

Russert: Here...here's, here's a question that I have to pose: There are fertility clinics all across the country, several in Maryland--Shady Grove, Baltimore...

Steele: Mm-hmm. Mm-hmm. Yeah.

Russert: ...where they take embryonic stem cells and discard them because they're not used in pregnancies--embryos. What--will you close down those fertility clinics?

Steele: I won't close down the fertility clinics. We have options there. We could, we could set up adoptions for those, for those embryos. There are so many other options that we can pursue that we don't. And, and the key thing to keep in here-- keep in mind here, and for me, and I think for--hopefully for Ben, too, and I-- because he's a good man on this, on this subject: Science moves us in a certain direction, and it pushes the envelope, as it should. But as a society, we also must, must consider the, the, the religious, the moral, and the ethical values of that society, and that needs to be a part of this as well. So we cannot just because it's in a bill, we cannot just because a scientist or a group of scientists say,--Yeah, let's do this,--that we don't step back and, and assess for ourselves is this the moral, ethical and, and, and appropriate thing to do?

Russert: But I'm trying to, I'm trying to understand the logic. If, in fact, these embryos are being discarded by fertility clinics, and you think that's the taking of a life, how can you tolerate or allow it?

Steele: But my point is that we need to look at exactly how, how we store them, we have 400,000, I think, across the country. I, I would pursue options that would allow us to look at adoption of some of those embryos and, and to the extent that they...they'e no longer viable, that they have expired or whatever, then you have to look at what you do there. My only point is, let's step back and evaluate what our options are before we go headlong into a sear--into a science or a research that is not fully developed.

Russert: Would you forbid fertility clinics from destroying embryos?

Steele: Would I forbid them from destroying embryos? Probably would like to look at that a little bit more closely. I don't, I don't know exactly how that mechanism is set up right now with respect to each, each clinic

The reason Russert can't understand the logic is because there is no logic. The lunacy of Steele's positions on stem-cell research knows no bounds. He equates embryonic stem-cell research with the taking of life, but then refuses to emphatically agree that fertility clinics, which discard unused cells which in turn could be used in this research, should be shut down. He'd rather see these valuable cells destroyed than used for scientific/medical research. But the thing that made my head spin was his proposal to possibly put these cells up for adoption. On the eve of Halloween, I must say, nothing could be more twisted and macabre than that.

Hypocrite-in-Chief Bush Defends the Institution of Marriage a Week After Stumping for Philandering PA Congressman

The Bushevik BooGAYman has reared its ugly head once again. Weeks ago following the Mark Foley scandal, I held out hope that Republicans would find a new-found acceptance and tolerance of gays now that they saw just how much homosexuality existed within their own party. We here at The Ostroy Report do play rough, but we also sometimes play naive. So go ahead, say I told ya so. But I'm not giving up on humanity yet. I guess I still have faith that in my lifetime we'll see an end to racist, prejudicial rhetoric. But not this week. Following the New Jersey Supreme Court's ruling on gay marriage, President Bush and the GOP hate-mongers were out in full force gay-bashing as aggressively as ever.

Campaigning Monday in Iowa for House candidate Jeff Lamberti, Bush said, "Yesterday in New Jersey, we had another activist court issue a ruling that raises doubts about the institution of marriage," adding that marriage was "a union between a man and a woman....I believe it's a sacred institution that is critical to the health of our society and the well-being of families, and it must be defended." Oh really George? How come you didn't feel so strongly about the great institution of marriage last week when you took to the stage in Pennsylvania, embraced Rep. Don Sherwood--who recently admitted to having an extramarital affair, in which his mistress accused him of beating her--and declared: "I'm pleased to be here with Don Sherwood: he is the right man to represent the people of the 10th Congressional District from the state of Pennsylvania." The hypocrisy here is enough to make you sick.

The Repuglican Party owes a great big fat debt of gratitude to the Supreme Court of the state of New Jersey. Just ten days to go to the critical midterm elections, the court's ruling has re-energized the party's gay-bashers and reignited a hot-button issue that helped fuel the Repugs' victories in 2004. The ruling, which said that gay couples are entitled to the same legal rights and financial benefits as heterosexual couples, is breathing new life into several hotly-contested races throughout the country, where the Repugs are hoping to use it as a rallying cry and get-out-the-vote engine.

There are gay marriage amendments on the ballot in states like Tennessee and Virginia, where Repugs like Bob Corker and Sen. George Allen respectively are locked in very tight races. Allen's campaign manager said Thursday "It's an issue that's going to play a big role in the next 12 days." I guess Allen's hopeful that Virginians hate gays more than they do racist Senators. And in Pennsylvania, Sen. Rick "Man-on-dog-sex" Santorum, the biggest gay-basher in Washington, is hoping the NJ ruling will tilt support back his way after consistently trailing Bob Casey Jr. in the polls by double-digits.

It's getting real ugly out there folks. The Repugs' attack ads are getting more personal, more deceptive and more vile. And now the BooGAYman has surfaced again. But will Americans be stupid enough to fall for this infuriating crap once again? Will they forget about Iraq, terrorism, North Korea, Iran, Hurricane Katrina, gas prices, oil prices, stagnant wages, rising interest rates, scandal and corruption and instead be suckered into believing Karl Rove's bullshit that gay marriage should be the biggest problem in their lives? Like I said, I'm still optimistic that Americans will do the right thing on Nov 7th. I hope I'm right.

With Just Eleven Days to Go, Here's How You Can Help Democrats Win the House and Senate

On November 7th voters will have the chance to change the course of modern American history by changing the power structure that Republicans have had a choke-hold on for 12 years. Many key races are very tight and getting ugly in terms of the GOP's deceptive, untrue, shameful attack ads in the campaign's final week. What we as Democrats can do to help our candidates, and our party, win next month is to send money. That's what these brave folks need most right now in order to effectively combat the onslaught of negative ads being produced by the Repugs (see "The Stakes"; Bob Corker's ads attacking Harold Ford Jr in Tennessee; Rick Santorum's Bob Casey ads; the stem-cell battle in Missouri; etc). In the final days of the 2006 campaign, it's all about money, money, money.

In the Senate, Democrats need six seats to regain control. Here are the tightest races, and the candidates who need your money most (these Democrats either are ahead by just a a few percentage points, or are in dead heats):

-New Jersey: Sen. Bob Menendez
http://www.menendez2006.com/

-Tennessee: Rep. Harold Ford, Jr.
http://www.fordfortennessee.com/

-Virginia: Jim Webb
http://webb.bluestatedigital.com/page/s/join

-Missouri: Claire McCaskill
http://www.claireonline.com/

-Rhode Island: Sheldon Whitehouse
http://www.whitehouseforsenate.com/

-Montana: Jon Tester
http://www.testerforsenate.com/

The following Democrats hold strong leads, but still need a massive war chest:

-Pennsylvania: Bob Casey Jr.
http://www.bobcasey.com/?splash=1

-Ohio: Rep. Sherrod Brown
http://www.sherrodbrown.com/

In the House, where Democrats need 15 seats to take control, there are dozens of candidates locked in tight races that desperately need contributions. These include:

-New York: Kirsten Gillibrand
http://www.gillibrand2006.com/About

-New York: John Hall
http://www.johnhallforcongress.com/

-Michigan: Nancy Skinner
http://www.SkinnerforCongress.com

-Pennsylvania: Joe Sestak
http://www.sestakforcongress.com/

-Illinois: John Laesch (challenging House Speaker Denny Hastert)
http://www.john06.com/

-Illinois: Tammy Duckworth (seeking seat of retiring Republican Henry Hyde)
http://www.duckworthforcongress.com/

There are many other worthy House candidates and close races as well. You can find them on the 'net in minutes.

You can also send money to the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee and organizations such as MoveOn.org. Your money will spent on worthy candidates in the most needed races:

http://www.dscc.org/index_home.html

http://www.dscc.org/index_home.html

http://www.moveon.org/

Please send whatever you can. The Repugs are very good at pulling out all stops in the final days of the election. We must combat this aggressiveness with that of our own. We have a real shot here at winning both the House and Senate. Let's together make it a reality.