Mirror Universe

ITEM: If you just sign up to support the SEIU's effort at a public health care option, they will donate one dollar to Open Left. I signed up even though I already get the SEIU's mailings.

I also left this comment::

Thank You Andy Stern and the SEIU (4.00 / 1)
I know there are people who are upset with the SEIU ads that are running over at the Daily Kos but I think those people couldn't be more wrong. Look, we've had a business press and business press only for years now. If the SEIU wants to create a proxy labor press by investing in liberal blogs then let them do so. I suppose that might affect influence but you know what I agree with the SEIU on most issues anyway!

This would create the situation that they have in Europe where different factions have their own papers. That's a good thing. Right now, we have an allegedly "objective" business press that reflects wealth and power on all the important issues, and certainly never gets tired of their half hour infomercial documentaries or their GEICO ads--another reason you will never see real criticism of the insurance industry in the business press. We have a business press and, not surprisingly on a number of issues, one business party. Those facts are related. That has to change and creating a labor press is one way to do it.

What Andy Stern is doing is a good thing. I just wish the rest of the labor movement would wake up and realize that they need to support their liberal blogger friends as well!

Philip Shropshire
www.threeriversonline.com

PS: My site could use some ads too!

PPS: Labor needs its own party! You have the resources. You should run my old ACT co worker Tom Huffman or Braddock's John Fetterman or even Chris Bowers for that PA. Senate seat. If you want access, then elect one of your own...! You have the power to do it...!

PPPS: And start your own labor press...but it looks like you're already moving there. Hell, if you pay me one hundred bucks a week I'll write about labor issues fulltime here....!
by: Steelydan3 @ Fri May 29, 2009 at 15:23
[ Reply ]

Labels: andy stern, open left, SEIU

// posted by Philip Shropshire @ 11:53 PM 0 Comments Links to this post

May 28 (originally published)

ITEM: Paul Pope's Adam Strange. I'm not sure if this is a new online comic or something that will appear on the stands. It looks great though. Related: Legendary 80s comic (Kaluta and Lee) Starstruck is also making a return. Below: Controversial Memorial Day toon by Mr. Fish.

ITEM: I see that Jenn Jannon, Karen Nussbaum and Working America have failed to meet the challenge. How predictable.

Labels: Jenn Jannon, Working America

// posted by Philip Shropshire @ 2:20 AM 0 Comments Links to this post

June 14th PST

ITEM: I'll be featuring the best artists (IMHO) I saw at the Three Rivers Arts Festival all this week. This is Mr. Hooper. He's from Nashville. Looks like he's ready for the cover of Juxtapoz.

Labels: Juxtapoz, Mr Hooper, three river arts

// posted by Philip Shropshire @ 11:55 PM 0 Comments Links to this post

A Quick 8 Links O Science Around the Internets

Kewl New Band Name: Radioactive Wasps
How To Build Your Own DIY UAVs. Not to be used by bad people, ever.
New and Free Video Capture Software
Something That Couldn't Possibly Go Wrong
Something That Couldn't Possibly Go Wrong Part II
Interesting Site Called Wise Geek
New Anonymous and Free Bittorrent Client...Which You Shouldn't Use!
15 Year Old Creates Algae Based Energy System

Labels: science, technology

// posted by Philip Shropshire @ 11:52 AM 0 Comments Links to this post

Dear PHILIP,

All of us at Planned Parenthood of Western Pennsylvania are outraged and deeply saddened at the murder of Dr. George Tiller by an abortion protester on Sunday morning. Our most sincere sympathies go out to Dr. Tiller's family, to his dedicated and brave staff, and to the thousands of women who have benefited from Dr. Tiller's courage, compassion, and unwavering dedication to women's health care.

Please join the pro-choice community this evening, June 1st, from 7:30 to 8:30 for a candlelight vigil to honor Dr. Tiller. The vigil will be held at the East Liberty Presbyterian Church on the corner of Highland Avenue and Penn Avenue. We urge you to show your support and join us in mourning and solidarity.

***

"Make no mistake, this battle is about self-determination by women of the direction and course of their lives and their family's lives. Abortion is about women's hopes and dreams. Abortion is a matter of survival for women." - Dr. George Tiller, physician and advocate

Labels: planned parenthood, pro choice, pro life terrorism

// posted by Philip Shropshire @ 5:18 PM 0 Comments Links to this post

Rep. Joe Sestak (D-PA) is privately telling supporters that he intends to run for Senate, TPMDC has confirmed.

"He intends to get in the race," says Meg Infantino, the Congressman's sister, who works at Sestak for Congress. "In the not too distant future, he will sit down with his wife and daughter to make the final decision."

The move would constitute a primary challenge to Sen. Arlen Specter (D-PA), who intends to run for re-election in 2010, after having switched parties earlier this year.

Earlier today, a Sestak volunteer and contributor received a handwritten note from Sestak himself, announcing his intent to run and asking for a contribution. The source provided TPMDC a scan of the letter:

If this is true then this is excellent news. Sestak is a little too conservative for my tastes but at least he's been a loyal democrat and its also clear that labor supports him. I don't trust Arlen and I'm not thrilled with the hardball that's coming from Party Leaders asking me to accept Arlen as a loyal democrat when, of course, Arlen is on record as stating that he never promised to be "a loyal democrat." The truth of the matter is that you could throw any two dozen statewide leaders into a room, aim a rock, and you would come up with a Democrat that would better represent both the party and the state better than Arlen Specter.

Related: This is from a Daily Kos post. Here are the issues that Sestak is for and you won't have to wonder if he'll be for them after election day:

Here is a summary of his responses: http://firedoglake.com/...

Does not agree that we have enhanced our security or intelligence thru torture. Believes it has placed service members at greater danger from countries that do torture.

Supports the repeal of "Don't Ask Don't Tell". Would like to take the lead along with Murphy (D-PA) and Murtha (D-PA)

Supports Sec. Gates' recent proposal to transform the military to where it is not numbers but capability which measures the military.

Supports a health plan similar to one in Mass. which he says is similar to Obama's. Supports Medicare, Medicaid and public plan standards.

Supports stem cell research. Says "It's great having President Obama here."

Completely aware of same things we are: budget reconciliation requires only 51 votes to pass, and healthcare reform package has been virtually guaranteed the same fate...not sure why there was a Specter deal.

Supports labor/EFCA (co-sponsor)

Supports public healh care opinion [option]

Supports Obama's budget resolution (voted for it)

Supports cramdowns (voted for it)

Supports Cap and Trade (co-sponsor of Waxman's bill and Markey's bill)

Voted on bailout bill even though he received over 3500 e-mails and letters from constituents telling him not to. Said he read research
which said the bill was absolutely critical and voted with his brain and not his ideology.

Supports regulation in the Federal Reserve, and other institutions. Says we need proper reserves, transparency and reporting of trades. Comments ms. Brofsky of the CFTC who in 1998 tried to implement such.

Supports a commission to find out what really amount of torture occured. Supports using the justice system to punish those responsible for designing the policies.

Will turn down a bid for Senate IF and ONLY "If Arlen Specter truly embraces the principles and policies necessary for good governance and the economic, health, energy/environment, education, and defense securities needed by Pennsylvanians and by our nation...and we believe he will stick to them for the full 6 years"

Supports re-institution of the Assault Weapons ban, child locks, ATF Surprise inspections, etc.

by Tokar on Mon May 04, 2009 at 09:25:20 AM PDT

The trouble though is labor. Even if Specter votes for EFCA--and right now he's against it--they should support Sestak or another Democratic Party nominee. As someone who's lived in Pennsylvania most of his life I don't trust the state's labor organizations to make the right call on this one. And I don't see how Sestak wins without unanimous labor support. He would need the support of both labor factions to make a decent run.

Labels: efca, sestak, specter

// posted by Philip Shropshire @ 10:58 PM 0 Comments Links to this post