DISCLAIMER: (This does NOT apply to anyone here obviously, this is a kos exclusive that I am posting here first, because of the information I gathered I figure cross posting is appropriate. Some of you may not agree with everything, but I am tired of the anti-public option campaign there and the attacks on FDL, Jane Hamsher, slinkerwink, and everyone else making a difference and applying pressure to our Representatives; what a progressive movement is supposed to do. I haven't posted this yet as I want to pick the right time as I will probably have to post this early for a bigger impact, though it will probably be ignored anyway. I think this information is important. I'm tired of insurance employees and those that believe wholeheartedly in the industry pressuring people to accept any bill that passes and touting ineffective stand alone regulations as effective. I'll also let all of you help me pick a title.)
I am writing this diary in a response to a deceptive campaign I see going on here. The activists at FDL are being slandered even though their efforts are one of the few actually getting results. It should not be something held in contempt if one truly believes in working for progress, as this is the way the progressive reforms of our history were brought forth that we all hold so dear. They want to hold our representatives accountable because in case anyone forgot we live in a representative Democracy via a Republic. They are holding their feet to the fire on what they campaigned on, what the American people want, and what their constituents want for the most part. Chris Bowers put it well as well as mcjoan:
The Democratic National Convention is in Denver this week.
Energy is a big issue this week at the DNC Convention.
The same folks who financed the Swiftboaters for "Truth" in 2004 are financing hateful and lying ads against Obama.
Interestingly, there is a link between these three statements, and that link is the answer to this question: Who is appearing at the Big Tent (the place for progressive bloggers and new media journalists) in Denver on Wednesday?
We all know how much Bill O'Reilly loves the website Daily Kos. He's compared Kossacks to the Nazis and spent a lot of time bashing Presidential candidates for appearing at Yearly Kos. Two days ago, O'Reilly kept spewing his hatred for Daily Kos, this time his sights were set squarely at Markos Moulitsas. Here's a snippet from Media Matters:
Now, the purveyor of this revolting website who's probably one of the most despicable Americans in the country -- show his picture if we have it. This man is basically now using the website to elevate the level of hatred toward the Bushes and anybody else.
And Newsweek magazine, by the way, has legitimized him by giving him a columnist position. I talked to the editor by email, and I said I can't believe that you're -- that's like hiring David Duke. Again, I use Duke too much, but I have to -- the level of hatred coming out of that website is unprecedented. Isn't it?
Regardless of how you guys feel about the level of vitriol over at Brand X, Markos Moulitsas is no David Duke. That is a disgusting comparison and I'm still shocked that he can get away with saying things like that. O'Reilly is claiming that Veteran Markos is one of the most "despicable" Americans in the country. Most people would consider murderers, rapists and thieves to be pretty despicable. Moulitsas is none of the above. Markos is a veteran that started a progressive website where other people could share the same views. Apparently, O'Reilly can't get beyond his differences in political opinions to show some respect for an American Veteran.
There is still no word regarding the whereabouts of Jamyang Kyi, the Tibetan journalist, singer and author who has been detained by Chinese authorities according to her husband:
Her husband, Lamao Jia, told The Associated Press she was first detained on April 1 and has not been seen since April 7. He said he didn't know who had taken his wife into custody.
Described as "apolitical", Jamyang Kyi focuses on the issues of Tibetan culture and women's rights. This YouTube gives on a flavor of the type of creative work she produces:
Reporters Without Borders has issued a statement calling on the European Union to intercede on her behalf: http://www.rsf.org/article.php...
While Jamyang Kyi uses the language of song to try to build cultural understanding, Duke University student Grace Wang, from Qingdao, China, attempted to use the language of reconciliation and understanding to bridge the gap between pro-Tibet and pro-China groups on campus.
She is now the victim of a vicious online attack for speaking out.
Over at Daily Kos, NYCeve brought Nick Columbo's case to the blogoshpere's attention. Nick Columbo is battling bone cancer and was being denied a treatment by Pacificare that could save his life. He had tried numerous treatments before but nothing had been effective. The doctors suggested that they try a procedure called cyberknife, a radiation treatment known for its precision. Pacificare refused to cover the treatment, but has since caved due to public outrage. That's right folks, they caved!!!!
Here's a snippet from Denver's Business Journal:
Inspired by the pleas of Nick's 19-year-old brother Ricky -- A national web of friends and family of Nick -- CNA/NNOC registered nurses, doctors, healthcare advocates, and netroot supporters pitched in on a national day of action Monday on Nick's behalf. Hundreds of phone callers clogged the lines of PacifiCare and United Healthcare offices around the country yesterday, at times shutting down the phone system, and leading a spokesman to complain about being "overwhelmed" by healthcare activists.
This is a short diary to basically get a discussion going: what has happened to daily kos?
I am increasingly disturbed by the shrillness and Obama is god phenomenon there. Every day there is some new accusation about her, which turns out to be nothing new, lots of tin foil hattery.
Kos has weighed in too, which is greatly disturbing to me.
