Swiftboating on the Erie Canal

And so it begins.
Swiftboating: it's not how to deal with the recent flooding.

The Huffington Post has a piece entitled, "The Swiftboaters are Back in the Water" It got my attention because Ray Meier's name came up:

Rick Reed of Stevens Reed Curcio & Potholm (SRCP) was hired by the Swift Boat Veterans for Truth. And what have they been up to, you ask? Working with LaCivita at USA Next, for one. From Maine Firm to Help "Dynamite" Opposition to Social Security Privatization:

"The Maine connection comes through Rick Reed, partner at the Maine firm Stevens Reed Curcio & Potholm who USA Next is attempting to hire."

And SRCP is continuing to otherwise stir up trouble. March 2005: American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee, Speak Out Against Misleading Driver's License TV Ad:

"Recently, the Coalition for a Secure Driver's License, released a television advertisement [created by Stevens Reed Curcio & Potholm] regarding the issue of illegal immigrants' access to photo IDs and drivers' licenses. The advertisement incorrectly conflates the issues of immigration and national security while also inflaming fears about Arabs, Muslims, and Arab-Americans. In effect, the Coalition for a Secure Driver's License utilizes anti-terrorism rhetoric to push their anti-immigration agenda."

For 2006 campaign SRCP has signed up with two Ohio Republicans, Craig Foltin and Frank Guglielmi, and sending a media consultant with the Ray Meier campaign in New York. Swiftboating is sure to follow.

The article goes into great detail about "swiftboating," how it's done and who is guilty of it.

In the Readers' Digest condensed version, it's the somewhat recent tool of personal, unfounded, highly emotionally charged attacks, typically envoking fear and rage used by Republicans against anyone. Sen. Kerry was a target, and so too was Sen. McCain. They're not opposed to cannibalism.

And it's on its way here.

Not that it'll be the first time we see it here. Just the first time someone's renting it locally.

Don't put your rubber boots away just yet. And start taking your anti-oxidents. When swiftboating's in the air, you're going to need to think to protect yourself.
Maimun

Blue Moon, We're not Standing Alone

I haven't been a big fan of the DNC or DCCC for a while. I'm still a Democratic committee member and am a true believer that if you're not in the game you give up your right to bellyache. And I almost always have an opinion.

So, when the previously named groups ask for my continued financial support, I told them not until they get back to continued support of Democrats and not Repukelican wannabes.

They're getting there. I'm not trustful of rapid, radical change. Anything that's changed that fast can be again changed that fast, so I can live with steps in the right direction.

DCCC took one last week.

Michael Arcuri was named to the "Red to Blue" program, a program launched in February to take back the House majority.

Obviously, the Bandministration thinks that Mike can take the NY 24th into the Blue, too. Why else would the first shot be the Creepy Veep himself?

But, more than red or blue, we've been mostly purple around here.

Most NY24thers believe that we were lied to to get us into a war we shouldn't be in.

Most believe that we should get out, but in a way that doesn't create more harm than we've already done.

Most believe that a minimum living wage should be a national standard.

Most believe that a woman has the right to choose, but how much better if prevention were stronger?

Most believe that we are a nation of immigrants and to be otherwise dishonors our grandparents.

Most believe that everyone should have the chance to go to college.

Most believe that it is a national shame that too many Americans need to choose between food, rent and medicines.

Most believe that national security and civil rights are not mutually exclusive.

Most believe that gas costs unfairly too much.

Most believe that the American government, from city halls to the White House should be open and honest.

These are Democratic values. They are also American Values.

We've been Blue all along.
Maimun