The First 100 Days

At the end of this remarkable week, we're starting to look ahead to the First 100 Days of the Obama presidency. Already, we're hearing calls in the mainstream media warning the new administration "not to overreach." And working overtime, the Inside-the-Beltway Punditocracy continues to reveal its ability to ignore reality--even while describing itself as "realist"--with its claims that this is still a center-right nation, despite all evidence to the contrary.

But as Nobel Prize winning economist Paul Krugman writes in today's New York Times, "Let's hope that Mr. Obama has the good sense to ignore this advice...this year's presidential election was a clear referendum on political philosophies--and the progressive philosophy won."

Obama himself his talked about needing to measure his accomplishments over the first 1,000 Days, rather than 100, given the problems he has inherited from arguably the worst president ever (my words, not Obama's). Indeed, it will take years to undo the damage of the Bush administration and the conservative ideology that has dominated this country for nearly thirty years. But the First 100 Days are still crucial--not only in signaling to the American people and the world that the administration will take determined steps to repair this nation--but there is a historical precedent for the need to move forward expeditiously in order to seize the moment and the mandate.

President Obama will need to be bold to deal with the challenges he faces: a cratering economy, broken healthcare system, two wars, poverty and inequality, and the stained US reputation in the world. The millions who were mobilized and inspired by Obama's campaign and candidacy also have their work cut out for them--continuing to drive a bold agenda to respond to these crises--just as progressives have in recent years on the war, energy independence, trade, healthcare, and other issues that are defining the new "center" of American politics and hearts and minds.

Here is a list of actions--ones I care deeply about--that President Obama can take in the First 100 Days to immediately achieve real and significant change. Some of these he can literally achieve on Day 1 with the stroke of a pen, others will demand coalition building and an inside-outside strategy to push legislation. Many of these ideas are drawn from good groups like the Center for Constitutional Rights, Amnesty International USA, the Apollo Alliance, and Public Citizen. You may have others and I'd welcome hearing yours - just post a comment.

Bush Executive Orders: As Obama himself said of his first 100 days when campaigning in Denver, "I would call my attorney general in and review every single executive order issued by George Bush and overturn those laws or executive decisions that I feel violate the constitution."

Economic Stimulus: Stop the bleeding--through expanded health and unemployment benefits and providing real aid to beleaguered state and local governments so they can sustain essential public services.

Iraq: Present plan and hold to your timeline for withdrawal.

Health Care Reform: Begin immediately by expanding health insurance to kids and passing the State Children's Health Insurance Program legislation vetoed by Bush.

Women's Health and Reproductive Rights: Repeal the Global Gag Rule that requires NGOs receiving federal funding to neither promote nor perform abortions in other countries.

Energy and the Economy: Announce a clean energy strategy that will reduce oil dependence, address global warming, create thousands of green jobs, and improve national security. Groups like the Apollo Alliance, Center for American Progress, and Natural Resources Defense Council have strong and concrete plans in this regard. Incorporate elements of this plan into stimulus package.

Bailout for Main Street: Work to ensure that homeowners have real opportunities to renegotiate mortgages and remain in their homes.

Poverty and Inequality: Appoint a Hunger Czar--as Senator George McGovern and Congressman Jim McGovern call for in a recent op-ed--who would "coordinate the various food, nutrition and anti-poverty programs... to increase the independence, purchasing power and food security of every human being." Announce your commitment to the goal of cutting poverty in half in ten years.

Labor and Trade: Reject Colombia, Korea and Panama trade agreements as currently written and ensure future agreements promote the public interest. Work towards passage of Employee Free Choice Act.

Science: Allow federal funding of embryonic stem cell research.

Global Warming: Reverse the Bush EPA decision and allow California to regulate greenhouse gas emissions from cars and trucks. Call for a new climate treaty and ask Al Gore to lead that effort.

Guantánamo: Close it, and try people in the US or resettle in countries where they face no risk of persecution or torture. New York Times columnist Nicholas Kristof offers a compelling idea to "turn it into an international center for research on tropical diseases that afflict poor countries... [serving as] an example of multilateral humanitarianism"

Detention: Close all CIA black sites and secret detention sites. End extraordinary rendition. Abolish preventive detention that allows people to be held indefinitely without charge. Initiate criminal investigations into programs of rendition and secret detention. End trials by military commission. End opposition to full habeas corpus hearings for detainees in Guantánamo and other similar situations. Make known the names and whereabouts of all those detained in rendition and secret detention programs.

Torture: End use in court of any evidence obtained through torture. Officially reject all memos, signing statements and executive orders that justify the use of torture. Establish an independent commission of inquiry into all aspects of detention and interrogation practices in the "war on terror." Announce administration will work for redress and remedy for victims of human rights violations for which US authorities are found to be responsible.

Protect Dissent: Ensure that the FBI adheres to surveillance guidelines. Open Justice Department investigation into surveillance related misconduct. Pledge to end all secret surveillance programs not reviewed by courts or congressional committees.

Limit State Secrets Privilege: issue new Executive Orders that reverse the expansion of state secrets privilege and the over-classification of documents. Pass legislation making it clear that military contractors are accountable for abuses.

Roll Back Executive Power: Repudiate unitary presidency. Renounce use of signing statements as a tool for altering legislation. Pledge to abide by the War Powers Act and end abuse of Authorization to Use Military Force. (Or as Bruce Fein--a key player in the Reagan Justice Department--said, "Renounce presidential power to initiate war anywhere on the planet, including Iran.")

These are doable, and by taking these steps--with deliberate haste-- President Obama would get a real start on repairing our nation and people's lives.

Comments (121)

1. "I hear what ya sayin, but, I live in the very bowels of racism, the deep south. In fact I heard a joke the other day that I hadn't heard in 20+ years. "Know how you get a "N" out of a tree in Mississippi? Cut the rope." Told to a group of white men in our court house. And it got a laugh.

   I think that we will see an increase in racism before it gets better."

   I agree.

   I am from Deep South and it is still the same and always will be....

   that being said, we have a chance to transform this country now...for the better..for a change....

   let's help Obama get things done so we aren't back at square one in 2012.....

   there needs to be transparency and accountability now...

   as an Obama supporter, it is what we are all promised, at the very least, for govt. to be accountable and responsible to the people...

   I don't want to say "mandate" because that is what dubya had when he squandered it and dems took over...and he did nothing but pass all sorts of anti-environmental laws....

   Number one: Obama should reverse all these recent bush signings and allow california to institute its' own emissions regulations that bush vetoed....

   and give more power to states...

   second: allow "alternative" energy such as geothermal, wind, solar to be treated as "public utilities"

   ironically, right now they are not, while cell towers are.....in our federal policy....

   etc, etc....there are a number of things obama can do "on day one"....and seek help from everybody on both sides....

   smart growth intiatives such as training students for "green" careers in construction etc...and more tax incentives for solar power, residential at a federal level is crucial.....

   states cannot do everything themselves...and when they ask for help, bush has just vetoed them...

   Posted by jrs112 at 11/07/2008 @ 3:33pm

2. Katrina first off, i want to say how very proud and how much of a fan of you i am. if we do not agree on the process to our shared goals and values, I appreciate you taking the stage whenever you can to voice uncensored your thoughts and beliefs for a better nation and world as a whole.

   The biggest immediate problem we face is the potential complacency of all the new voters who for 18months or less jumped on the political bandwagon (with good and much needed hope and intentions) and then to think our job is over because the right person won. To the contrary what they must know is that they must continue to pursue and get involved with the same vigor and passion as the millions did during the campaign. President Obama stated many a times that he needs our help, and we cannot expect him to defend the interest of the people by himself. FOr although he is president and is a remarkable man for his ability to communicate and inspire the people to give a damn for a change, he himself is far from perfect and is but a man. Without our help he can and likely will fall victim to the greedy washington elites and wallstreet devils, if we are not there standing right behind him. We all know the power of the President, but he/she is nothing with a divided disinterested people against a united greedy elite cause. If there is anything I can do to help I am at the service of this well organized united group for Progress (The Nation). "I dare do all that may become a man, who dares more is none!" We are the Keepers of our Fate. And powerful beyond any means. The symbol if not the man himself, Obama, is a small but significant recent testament to that power!

   Posted by I-Prinze at 11/07/2008 @ 3:46pm

3. KVH calls for the 'full court press' as we enter the third day of Obama as president elect...

   ...and most of us are SO ready!

   Good picks all... but the one that seems the most important to me was not listed. Since our electoral system is the only guarantee that 'we the people' have as to the popular selection and election of our representatives...

   ...I think that now is the time to focus on a bipartisan effort to completely revamp our voting experience... creating verifiable paper/cyber trails, and bringing unquestionable legitimacy back into our election process.

   IMHO... it's still kinda fishy.

   Posted by ttr at 11/07/2008 @ 3:59pm

4. "And working overtime, the Inside-the-Beltway Punditocracy continues to reveal its ability to ignore reality--"

   Ms vanden Heuvel, aren't YOU one of the Punditocracy who likes to ignore the reality of...

   the DEFICIT?

   Saying "To hell with it, we need to spend trillions on domestic spending with a New New Deal"?

   Much of what you said I agree with, and Obama promised. (Remember, Obama AND McCain both promised to close Gitmo and work on alternative energy...it's bipartisan).

   But if he disasterously tries to implement The Whole Left-Wing Smash of massive new spending and either a suicidal tax hike (not the modest one he's proposed) or IGNORING the deficit)....

   he'll pull a "Clinton-1993" and the GOP will have a good shot at "Re-Gingriching" in 2010.

   I think he's smarter than that...I hope he is anyway.

   Posted by Mask at 11/07/2008 @ 4:02pm

5. The 'New Deal' wasn't a choice, Mask...

   ...it was a necessity.

   Stay tuned for future developments...;^)

   Posted by ttr at 11/07/2008 @ 4:10pm

6. Si, close Gitmo &, a splendid idea, open an international research center for tropical diseases, inviting Cuba's splendid doctors to join in.

   Which means restoring normal relations with Cuba in the 1st 100 days. Get it out of the way, sooner the better, and then normal will become normal.

   Particularly with a country now known to have oil reserves equal to those of the US ... its offshore oilfield developement being financeded by China, the same country essentially financing our Iraq war, so far to the tune of a trillion plus in US indebtedness.

   That's reality.

   Posted by sloper at 11/07/2008 @ 4:19pm

7. Sorry KVH, but Obama has already made up in his mind who he will help our first. Seems the UAW and the Big 3 are more important that the little guys on main street.

   Oh well, so much for "change you can believe in".

   Posted by ACook at 11/07/2008 @ 4:44pm

8. Part of Obama's message thus far has been: more personal responsibility and involvement. Let's act like citizens! In keeping with this, I think it would be great if Ms. Vanden Heuvel's most excellent list could be arranged in order of ascending difficulty and need for consensus-building. Then we could more easily figure out which ones we might have to organize and pressure our congresspeople about. I'm in complete agreement about seizing the day, especially with tasks easily accomplished (so, for example, maybe take more time about health care reform). Let's acknowledge the criminalities of the past, undo them, and move on!

   Posted by Rake at 11/07/2008 @ 4:53pm

9. Yep, there are a few trillion getting siphoned off via spicketts to new con repub no-bid MIC/Energy/Insurance/Phram contracts... not to mention the Wall St., banking and auto-- bail outs.

   OK, so it's time for those few largess with 'the means' benefitted via the many, to contribute back to the nation that made it all possible.

   Why isn't that considered patriotic, is it only the poor and downtrodden that are capable of patriotic deeds?

   Turning off the spickketts to the greed will pay for a lot of necessities that without is leading this country to 2nd-3rd world status.

   BTW no strong middle class makes for some lousy shoppers... HELLO.

   Posted by hsuBfools at 11/07/2008 @ 5:02pm

10. The first 100 days of FEAR have already begun. Even now the sheep cannot open their eyes to see that what they were told about Obama was crapola.

    [MIDLOTHIAN, Va. – When 10-year-old Austin Smith heard Barack Obama had been elected president, he had one question: Does this mean I won't get a new gun for Christmas?

    That brought his mother, the camouflage-clad Rachel Smith, to Bob Moates Sports Shop on Thursday, where she was picking out that special 20-gauge shotgun -- one of at least five weapons she plans to buy before Obama takes office in January.

    Stewart Wallin, owner of Get Some Guns in the Salt Lake City suburb of Murray, Utah, said he sold nine assault weapons the day after Obama was elected. That same day, the gun store Cheaper Than Dirt! in Fort Worth, Texas, sold $101,000 worth of merchandise, shattering its single-day sales record, store owner DeWayne Irwin said.

    One Georgia gun shop advertised an "Obama sale" on an outdoor sign, but the owner took it down after people complained that the shop appeared to be issuing a call to violence against the country's first black leader.

    The president of a Montana gun manufacturer stepped down last month after word that he supported Obama led to calls for a boycott of the company.

    "I don't think he'll be able to stand up to that anti-Second Amendment wing of the Democratic party that's just been spoiling for chance to ban America's guns," LaPierre said of Obama. ]

    Yep, that's all I hear from the dems is "Ban all guns!"

    propaganda eating sheep!

    Posted by crabwalk at 11/07/2008 @ 5:10pm

11. That's reality. Posted by sloper at 11/07/2008 @ 4:19pm | ignore this person | warn this person

    yes, it is. I find it ironic that Cuba now has oil. that will make our boycott of them even less effective.

    Posted by emile duBois at 11/07/2008 @ 6:21pm

12. I'd really like to see a daily Obama camp memo..transitioning into an Obama administration memo after inauguration..setting a goal, or an endevour for people to collectively "set our shoulders to" in an immediate way.

    Imagine if 10 million of the people who voted for him all changed their light bulbs to CFLs within a few weeks.

    That would be a step towards energy independence indeed.

    Posted by Thevail at 11/07/2008 @ 6:39pm

13. Really appreciate Rake's point...I believe the toughtest issues here involve healthcare, a bold economic stimulus package ---one of large enough scale to be commensurate with pain and crisis--and declaring he will begin to move on what he promised regarding ending the Iraq war. I see linkages between these three--of course, easiest and also imporant (and easiest because it will require a sweep of his good pen and signature) is repealing global gag rule...kvh

    Posted by Katrina vanden Heuvel at 11/07/2008 @ 7:53pm

14. Posted by ttr at 11/07/2008 @ 4:10pm

    Deficits of a trillion EVERY YEAR...and projected National Debt in the DOZENS of trillions...

    is not a "necessity" now.

    Posted by Mask at 11/07/2008 @ 8:02pm

15. katrina must be rolling her sleeves up to get to work to pull the Dems to the left ...especially with rahm emanuel, paul volker, rob rubin (andmaybe colin powell!!!) at obama's side.

    Katrina! do you remember your debate with rahm on charlie rose in January of 2000? just to refresh your memory, you may want to check it out...its on youtube.

    Posted by nationy at 11/07/2008 @ 8:04pm

16. Those are all terrific suggestions for the FIRST 100.

    For all those days after, how about:

    1. Reestablish the primacy of the FTC in regulating monopolies, where under the last several administrations the policy has been, "No company can be too big for America." Breakup the largest 100 corporations, and put limits on foreign ownership of U.S. companies.

    2. Wake up the FCC and release us from the choke-hold of corporate broadcast media. Enforce the public service sections of their licenses. Create a broadcast environment that is attractive for small, privately owned radio stations.

    3. Introduce legislation to prevent price gouging on the part of all public utilities and big oil.

    4. Sign the Kyoto protocol.

    5. Join the International Court of Justice and offer up Dick Cheney as a goodwill gesture.

    As for the programs that actually require funding...

    Maybe next time.

    Posted by jackwells at 11/07/2008 @ 8:14pm

17. I forgot one important one:

    Reestablish the cap on the usury rate.

    Posted by jackwells at 11/07/2008 @ 8:22pm

18. Posted by Katrina vanden Heuvel at 11/07/2008 @ 7:53pm

    Katrina, I understand you're a busy woman and probably don't follow up regularly, but...

    Do you really think that nationalizing health care while the US economy is in the proverbial gutter is really prudent?

    I'm a proud supporter of a healthcare plan, and a slightly unwilling Obama voter, I just don't see how one can be implemented within the first 100 days of Obama taking office.

    My main fear is a failure in implementing such a system will set a precedent, and keep us from seeing a successful program for some time.

    Posted by TexasFlood at 11/08/2008 @ 12:00am

19. "5. Join the International Court of Justice and offer up Dick Cheney as a goodwill gesture. "

    The Pentagon would never allow it ... but We the People might rejoice.

    Posted by sloper at 11/08/2008 @ 12:28am

20. I think Obama should keep his email communications going so we can talk to him regularly. If I were able to talk to him, the first thing I'd ask would be to pitch the idea of awful appointees like Summers in favor of people's people like Jamie Galbraith. If his commitment to change is clear, he should appoint people who reflect it, like Chuck Hagel at State and Jim Webb at Defense. I think the blog suggestions about individual action like changing lightbulbs are good, too. My high school student council just began a big recycling program; if that were done nationally, we would see tangible change. I also think Obama should respond to Ahmadinejad's letter...MA is obviously reaching out.

    Posted by mimsky at 11/08/2008 @ 01:33am

21. mr. obama's gonna ease it in.

    slow and methodical. a game of chess, not hungry, hungry hippos.

    the deficit's gonna take a blow during the next while, but no so much that anything ultragroovy's gonna be actified.

    just printin' a little extra to keep the tub afloat until all the patches can be put into place after the bush torpedoes.

    if things stabilize around 2010, look for some new jangly stuff to sway in front of the voters for the midterms.

    in the meantime, maybe a greentech thingy, but more show than substance.

    probably a few "committees" on health care. they're cheap enough.

    Posted by frosty zoom at 11/08/2008 @ 01:53am

22. I knew the our Scrappy Senator had a penchant for veering sharply down wall street, but I wish that he hadn't displayed it quite so blatantly. His campaign rhetoric seems to become meaningless "bottom" up sloganeering.

    Posted by lachatte at 11/08/2008 @ 02:08am

23. "I knew the our Scrappy Senator had a penchant for veering sharply down wall street...."

    ~lachatte

    Speakin' of which, I caught Moyers Journal tonight and his interview with Kevin Phillips.

    Excellent analysis.

    I recommend readers here to check the Moyers website periodically and view the 20 minutes or so of footage.

    Best political tv in America in my opinion.

    Posted by b_kool_66 at 11/08/2008 @ 02:28am

24. Just wanted to add a brief note on the Moyers post above.

    Also featured at the beginning of the episode was an interview with the fine author and historian Eric Foner of Columbia U. as well as The Nation's own fine columnist Patricia Williams. I hadn't had the pleasure of hearing from Ms. Williams before other than reading her columns. Very nice to hear and see her speaking very eloquently with Mr. Moyers.

    A short segment featuring Moyers and Studs Terkel on an Amtrak passage to the west coast in '84 is priceless as well.

    Again, Moyers is an American icon that ought to be viewed on his show by the broader American public so much more so than the evening news shows, or the cable news networks.

    Posted by b_kool_66 at 11/08/2008 @ 03:21am

25. Reverse the massive trend toward making the USA a "service oriented" adjunct for big business. This requires returning to a modern industrial economy, instead of spiriting manufacturing off to countries tailor-made for cheap labor and no respect for labor rights. Educators and scientists (including Carl Sagan, I believe) have pointed out a very powerful positive relationship between a healthy industrial economy and the health of its democratic institutions. The reason, in part, is that a public educated and literate enough to operate and thrive in a complex industrial world is also educated and literate enough to understand complex, evolving issues which confront us everyday. Less culture shock, less ignorance, more flexibility, wider healthier perspectives on the world in general and human rights in particular. Paramount here is the role played by a good strong familiarity with basic science and technology on the part of an educated public. This is Jeffersonian, pure and sweet. On the other hand, a public reduced effectively to "service"-oriented labor is held by big business to 'not need' the previously higher quality education in the sciences, math, the arts, literature and more. Such a public is easier to fool, lie to, manipulate. Easier to divide. Get it?! Ie: There's a deeper reason why our beautiful childrens' SATs and other test scores are in general far lower than those of their peers in other industrial nations... 'Sheep' are easier to lead around by the nose than a richly educated people.

    Posted by stargene at 11/08/2008 @ 04:07am

26. Mask is right about the deficit being the elephant in the room.

    Billy Clinton cut the deficit at the cost of drastically scaling back his middle-class tax cut to a working-class cut, leading to the 1994 revolt.

    Tax cuts for the wealthy have promoted nothing but asset bubbles, and the deficits created by Repub tax cuts have driven up interest rates: Americans are being evicted from their houses today because the Repubs inflated house prices, then inflated mortgage interest.

    Obama's tax hike won't suffice to pay for his new programs. But even a modest tax cut for families in need (most of us) will pay for itself (as any Repub will tell you) by promoting economic growth.

    Posted by samcrossett at 11/08/2008 @ 08:14am

27. As a Democrat who enthusiastically voted for Barack Obama I believe it would be a huge mistake to misread the election results as a mandate to take the country liberal. The United States clearly is a moderate, middle of the road country in terms of its politics and if the new administration pushes too far to the left there will be a backlash which will cause the Democrats to lose big time in the next Congressional elections.

    This election was a vote against Bush/Cheney, the Iraq War, torture, the response to Hurricane Katrina, and Sarah Palin. If John McCain had ran a better campaign and chosen a qualified running mate the results would have been much, much closer, and that is not a mandate to take the country liberal.

    When a liberal State like California that votes 70% for Obama also votes to overturn gay marriage this should give the left wing pause as to how far they can push the country. What Americans want from Obama is the economy restored, the healthcare system restructured to benefit everyone fairly, the environment a priority, etc. The American people are middle of the road on social issues and misreading the election will cost the Democrats dearly next time.

    Posted by markjkoch at 11/08/2008 @ 08:45am

28. First 50 days...

    Establish Work and Re-education Camps in regional sections of the United States. White men will be the first to report, followed by White women that wear Palin type glasses and that spew rhetoric similar to REDRIVER. Of course that excludes those that Obama has taken as spiritual brides in keeping with his Grant Park 1st statement ; "Where da white women at!".

    HEY! Why not make RED and Pontis nightmares come true?

    Posted by crabwalk at 11/08/2008 @ 10:03am

29. Posted by RedRiver_. at 11/08/2008 @ 12:03am

    It's simple logic, RED/RIO...

    A. You believe your paranoid crapola...and are a suicidal (waiting to be picked up and taken away by Obama's Gestapo)....because you don't seem to be planning on moving...

    or B. EVEN YOU don't believe your own bullshit.

    Which is it?

    Posted by Mask at 11/08/2008 @ 10:48am

30. Even if I end up despising Barack Obama as much as I despise George Bush, at least I can watch the press conferences without wanting to tear my hear out because I can't believe how inarticulate, dull, and downright stupid our president is.

    Obama: At least his lying SOUNDS good!

    Posted by TexasFlood at 11/08/2008 @ 11:16am

31. *tear my HAIR out

    Sorry!

    Posted by TexasFlood at 11/08/2008 @ 11:20am

32. redriver-Christians make up over 85% of the country and conservatives are about half the country.We are,also,the most well armed country on the planet.What that means is that the paranoid things that reese,plunger,and you believe will happen won't happen.We are,simply,too big of a country and too well armed for it to happen.

    Posted by i'm nobody at 11/08/2008 @ 11:31am

33. As always I generally like what you propose Katrina. A BIG MISS:

    Supposedly the world at large is looking for dramatic changes in relationships with the USA. The media informed us of how Sen.Obama is so popular in so many countries. So it would behove President Obama to respond with proposals that show a new direction (including the role USAID will play) in US-Developing World relations.

    The most critical issue in the developing world (some 150 countries) is that of poverty and the environment. I dont mean global warming sub-issues but those to do with natural resources and conservation of ecosystems coupled with serious environmental impacts as they affect the lives of some 3 Billion wretchedly poor! I wish President Elect Obama the very best and as I said before, he has the potential to become a great President. All the best Sam

    Posted by samgeorge at 11/08/2008 @ 12:01pm

34. Here's a simple one which will have great effect: Issue an instruction to all Embassy staff in US Embassies in foreign countries to be polite and sympathetic to ALL foreign nationals with whom they deal.

    Currently, US Embassies are a nightmare for anyone attempting to interact with arrogant, rude, hostile, unsympathetic staff behind impenetrable barriers of bullet- and bomb-proofing. One stands in endless lines and haers the endless tales of woe, anger and frustration. The bastard behind the glass is constrained by bastard rules to be a bastard, and he/she is presenting the Face of America. Your face.

    It's the real, personal interface with the Rest of the World, and it is totally screwed up.

    Posted by mikecope at 11/08/2008 @ 1:45pm

35. It's the real, personal interface with the Rest of the World, and it is totally screwed up.

    Posted by mikecope at 11/08/2008 @ 1:45pm

    Scope, you got this so right.

    And if measures aren't set in place in Obama's 1st 100 days to start reversing this, we'll have yet another indicator that change is rhetorical.

    The resulting deep disappointment would only compound the current US disasters abroad.

    The real rot & danger lies less within State, and far more within "Homeland Security," a deeply flawed & fraudulent dept that should be dismantled, its essential divisions returned whence they were stolen.

    With Chertoff & his ilk removed beyond the margins, as our country's real security is most certainly not their 1st priority, since their loyalties so clearly do not lie with We the People of the USA.

    Posted by sloper at 11/08/2008 @ 2:13pm

36. I'm from California and I can tell you that the yes vote on 8 is an anachronism driven by a huge campaign of deliberate lies and misrepresentations. The Mormon Church and other ultra conservative religious groups targeted black and latino and lower income communities and told them they needed to vote yes to protect marriage and their children. These people did not understand the civil rights issues around marriage equality and I believe most of them would never have voted for this measure which institutionalizes prejudice had they realized the truth. Unfortunately the No on 8 Campaign did not reach these people. These churches who deliberately violated the regulations governing their tax exempt 501c3 status by direct political action should have their tax exempt status revoked by the IRS. They were so eager to establish a beach head in my state they forgot to obey the law and will be held to account for it. Whatever happened to the separation of church and state?

    Posted by macdon1 at 11/08/2008 @ 4:27pm

37. Not so long ago I saw a foreign movie (mostly German) in which a character is buying a sweater, and looking at the label, sees it was made in America, and with revulsion and an "Ugh!" she throws the sweater back.

    Americans have never liked being criticed, least of all experiencing revulsion. Their arrogance and ignorance never helped much. Bush's unspeakable torture policies constributed mostly to the horror the rest of the world has for us, justifiably. Obama, just by being lected, will certainly start to reverse that, but he also has to reverse many of the dictatorial totalitarian policies our Fuerer enacted.

    What about all those 800 concentration camps that have been unused? What about accountability and punishment for war crimes? If Obama ignores that, the rest of the world will see how superficial we are and always have been.

    Posted by mystic at 11/08/2008 @ 4:51pm

38. HELLO ALL: GREAT ARTICLE !! BEWARE OF THE USA RIGHT, LIBERTARIANS, CONSPIRACY THEORISTS AND THE ULTRA-RIGHT WHICH ARE ALREADY WISHING AND PRAYING FOR A FAILURE OF OBAMA'S GOVERNANCE !!

    http://www.change.gov/

    I am a socialist, but not a dogmatic, sectarian, closed minded socialist from the XX Century old school. I understand that countries evolve thru stages, and Obama is just a stage and leap foward toward progress, toward socialist, participative democracy of the XXI Century.

    It is time for the new left, for the 21st Century Socialists, for the Bolivarian Socialists and to unite into a Historical Proyect, so that with our support Obama would pave the way toward a Socialism of the XXI Century, with a US constitutional reform thru a constutional assembly, social missions, workers cooperatives, nationalizations, community councils, and economic reforms.

    Let's party and celebrate Obama's victory: The best thing that has happened to USA since its foundation !!

    God bless Obama and the new left.

    Posted by marxist-socialist at 11/08/2008 @ 7:08pm

39. I realize that our " Scrappy Senator" needs to show Wall Street that he is centrist and non threatening, but couldn't he have at least one Naomi Klein or one Paul Krugman around. How about Jamie Galbraith? Is trading in K Street for Wall Street the answer? Talk about going from mutt, his words folks, to neon white

    Posted by lachatte at 11/08/2008 @ 7:23pm

40. And as soon as I can stop my wife from weeping I'm going to cook supper.

    Posted by lachatte at 11/08/2008 @ 7:26pm

41. Posted by marxist-socialist at 11/08/2008 @ 7:08pm

    I call "GOP poser".

    Posted by Mask at 11/08/2008 @ 7:40pm

42. Posted by Red River-11:08 12:03 AM

    "We cannot continue to rely only on our military in order to achieve the national security objectives that we've set. We've got to have a civilian national security force that's just as powerful, just as strong, just as well-funded." (as spoken by Obamanation himself in Colorado)

    Seriously dude, if you're going to use a quote, let's get the facts straight. This particular quote has been veted and found to originate from a July 2 speech in colorado pertaining to the expansion of the foreign service, peace corps, and Americorps. It has nothing to do with a thug army behaving like SS troops as you would have anyone believe. And BTW, don't we already have one of those led by one Eric Prinz with a name from the dark side of Hell itself, that would set alarm bells off on anyone or any nation: BLACKWATER? Ever hear of them? If you want to fantasize yourself as another Ann Coulter, knock yourself out, but doing so only leads to outright lies.

    KVH has a knockout list with which to start, but I agree with mystic; if we want to really repair the damage this inferior past presidency has wrought, we need to make a serious case to round up the criminals that are about to exit: Cheney at the head of the list, followed by Richard Perle, Wolfowitz, Douglas Feith, Dubya Bush, Dr. Rice, David Addington, The Scooter man, and the list goes on and on and on. Security isn't about who has the biggest toys; no doubt, every nation will need some for self defense, but security starts and finishes with honest dealings and respectful behavior to fellow men and nations. Once the respect is gone, no amount of weaponry, no matter how big, will keep any of us "secure." Get the AG of each state to file charges against the Bush team and PROSECUTE!

    Posted by Damascian at 11/08/2008 @ 9:56pm

43. I left out Karl Rove. He's got to be near the top of the list.

    Obama needs to work on the Israeli/Palestinian challenge. This also has to be a top priority. The central reason why the U.S. is well dispised is their unrelenting and ill distinguished roll in proping up the Israelis. It is bad enough that the Israelis got away with forming their nation illegally and with unparralled US aide in 1947, and then committing some major arm twisting when the UN voted for partition. This issue has been a massive blockage to world progress and specifically to progress in the ME even before 1947, knowing that the Zionists were in the process of sometimes buying land and more often, literally stealing it. What is done is done; but one way we can begin to put this together is to convince the Israelis to understand the untold damage they have done and to start out with an apology. Yup, I said it: an apology. This is not going to fix everything but it will be a start. Many Palestinians literally still have the keys to what was once their homes; still hold onto the deeds to their land, proving the theft that zionists in 1947 and '48 committed. Obama must address this. There are several people he should seek out: Rashid khalidi, Ralph Nader, Juan Cole, and there are others who would jump at the chance to address this issue if he gave them cabinet status. To wait like Bush waited, and ignored it into what turned into a deeper and more festering sore is unacceptable to this nation and the people in the Middle East.

    Posted by Damascian at 11/08/2008 @ 10:19pm

44. Posted by marxist-socialist at 11/08/2008 @ 7:08pm I call "GOP poser". Posted by Mask at 11/08/2008 @ 7:40pm

    I dunno, Mask. He sounds just wacky enough to be a true far left wing-nut.

    Damascian- Give us some help. Can you specify some charges for each person? "crimes against the state", or "libel against the people" don't count. One charge per person should be enough.

    Posted by twillie at 11/08/2008 @ 10:29pm

45. How about this.

    1. Remove all force personnel from Iraq by June 2009. Leave only logistics and support personnel to turn the reigns over to the Iraqi government.

    2. Move out of Afghanistan, but supply aid to the government to rebuild infrastructure there. We've screwed their country up enough...it's time to leave. To hell with Bin Laden and Pakistan.

    3. Cut the DOD, Pentagon, and military spending by 50%.

    4. Close 80% of our overseas bases.

    5. Invest heavily in a high speed interstate rail system in the U.S.

    6. Invest in green technology, provide tax breaks to companies coming up with alternative methods to provide energy to our system.

    7. Shut down the Homeland Security Joke. It's draining our tax dollars and hasn't done shit. Go back to using the FBI and let it do it's job.

    8. Investigate ties from the American Heritage Foundation, The Cato Institute, the IMF and World Bank. See if fraud has taken place.

    9. Clean house in the FDA, FCC,EPA, DOJ and pretty much else everything else the neocons have politicized with cronyism.

    10. Investigate offshore tax havens by American citizens evading taxes and prosecute to the nth degree.

    Posted by Wolfgang1 at 11/08/2008 @ 10:47pm

46. 3. Cut the DOD, Pentagon, and military spending by 50%.

    4. Close 80% of our overseas bases.

    Those two simple goals right there accomplish one with the other. If someone can come up with a justification why we need a military presence in Ramstein any more (other than supporting the local German economy) I'd like to hear it.

    Posted by yutsano at 11/08/2008 @ 11:18pm

47. Here's why. Because sometime, somewhere, someone is going to start something. Think 1914, 1939, and 1950. We may try to ignore it, or pretend it doesn't concern us. But, when we do finally go to the rescue, it helps to have military forward deployed. we may not want to get involved, but the 20th century shows we will be. That's why we have bases in Asia and Europe. And, I get the feeling they like it, because they can spend money on social programs rather than defense.

    Damascian- I'm waiting.

    Posted by twillie at 11/08/2008 @ 11:36pm

48. "Don't count" you say? For you, I'm going to have to make an exception, since you obviously are not capable of counting to one. Each and every one of Mr. bush's henchmen knew of the fiasco that they were creating. As far back as 1992, Wolfowitz and his cronies had planned for an attack on Iraq. Those, like Karl Rove worked on the policies that put the Iraq war in gear. It was bad enough that the Cheney/Bush junta would make a shambles of our foreign policy, but when they illegally imprison innocent men (Gitmo - read Moazzem Begg's book Enemy Combatant), cart them off to who knows where when no crime has been committed, killing innocent individuals in a country that has not attacked us or even threatened to attack us, illegally wire tap without warrant (clearly unconstitutional) and last but certainly not least, send our own military into harms way without cause which itself becomes cause for the charge of murder. The war clearly was a war of choice and that being the case, falls into the realm of a premeditated intent to do an act, as Vincent Bugliosi writes in his latest book, The Prosecution of G.W. Bush for Murder. This was shown to be case law in United States vs. Shaw where Bugliosi teaches all of us (you included, if you ever decide to read his book)that intent, although important, does not have to be the main lynchpin in a successful prosecution. "Implied malice" which is an act "without regard for the life and safety of others" leading to their deaths, can be used as an argument. But this gets too involved for a short space such as this. If you are in fact willing to find the truth about Cheney and Bush's (not to mention the underlings who worked for and with them) illegal acts, you'll have to read more investigatively than write vacuously.

    Posted by Damascian at 11/08/2008 @ 11:38pm

49. Those two simple goals right there accomplish one with the other. If someone can come up with a justification why we need a military presence in Ramstein any more (other than supporting the local German economy) I'd like to hear it.

    Posted by yutsano at 11/08/2008 @ 11:18pm

    You said it brother. I was stationed at Iraklion AS Crete Greece and when I was there I wondered what the hell we were doing there in the first place. Keep in mind this was during the cold war and that was a listening post. We no longer are at that base. The Greeks can handle their security just fine, and also can "listen in" just as well as we can.

    People in this country have been brainwashed to think that we can do everything better than everyone else. From what I've seen, we are pretty damn arrogant and need to take a step back and realize we aren't better than anyone. Our country is a great country, but that doesn't give us the right nor the authority to run the world.

    We've got enough problems on our turf to deal with without getting inolved in crap on the other side of the planet.

    Posted by Wolfgang1 at 11/08/2008 @ 11:39pm

50. And, I get the feeling they like it, because they can spend money on social programs rather than defense.

    Damascian- I'm waiting.

    Posted by twillie at 11/08/2008 @ 11:36pm

    TW, First of all, I could give a shit less if other nations liked us providing for their defense or not. Screw that, our economy is in trouble. Let the nations of the world provide their own military defense and spend accordingly. I don't know about you, but I'm tired of subsidizing neocon business interests via our military.

    Secondly, how in the hell is placing bases in other countries defense for the U.S.? An attack on another country is not an attack on the U.S. I didn't see any nation (including ours) attack Saudi Arabia for it's citizen's attack this country on 9/11. Instead, the business folks decided that Iraq was the perfect place to set up shop to continue their power grab well into the next administration's time frame.

    The question all Americans need to ask themselves is this. Is the ME oil worth all of this? Are overseas business ventures worth all of the death and destruction once we turn the pentagon, IMF, World Bank and neocons loose for profits? The answer to all of the above is a strong hell no.

    Posted by Wolfgang1 at 11/08/2008 @ 11:52pm

51. Texas Flood 11/08/2008 10:29PM

    Here we go with the fear mongoring. If anyone has anything to say against Israel, they must be a muslim extremists or anti semetic. Of course, I wouldn't expect you to know that Arabs are also semites and that Israelis have not only behaved anti semetically to their Arab brethren but also in a true imperialist and expansionist manner that has been nothing short of stabbing one's brother in the back for a peice of land that was being shared anyway for centuries. No question about it, Jerusalem before 1947, was populated with about 65 to 70% of people of the Jewish faith. Muslims and those of the Jewish faith (sephardic and Hasidic) lived peacefully among Palestinians until the Ashkanazi sect made inroads into Palestine. But they didn't come to live among those who legitimately owned their land, they came to confiscate it. Clearly Texas Flood, you don't know a wit about M.E. History. Read some of Rhashid Khalidi's work or even, Pat Buchanan's if you like. Take a trip to the M.E. Find what the pulse of the people might be. Read Haaretz, arguably Israel's leading newspaper. Check out the many abuses the Israelis have committed, not only against Arabs, but, hell, against US!!

    The Israelis innocent? You've got to be joking!!

    Posted by Damascian at 11/09/2008 @ 12:00am

52. LOL

    And you're clearly too stupid and/or pompous to understand sarcasm.

    Hilarious.

    Posted by TexasFlood at 11/09/2008 @ 12:08am

53. Frankly, I have no idea how I could have been interpreted as serious there...

    I'll try harder next time to be a sarcastic dick, so nothing is lost in translation.

    Posted by TexasFlood at 11/09/2008 @ 12:17am

54. Dont stop, thinking about tomorrow,

    Happy days are here again

    Dont stop, it'll soon be here,

    The skies above are clear again

    It'll be, better than before,

    So let's sing a song of cheer again

    Yesterdays gone, yesterdays gone

    Happy days are here again.

    Posted by chinpoko at 11/09/2008 @ 01:32am

55. Mrs Heuvel you write: ...the worst president ever (my words, not Obama's). You are wrong. Even you will live in the future materially better, because USA with military bases all over the world, dominate it. Even Obama isn't better because he will continue the war in Afganisthan. This war too, it is about oil and gas and not about terror. From this practical point of view has Bush made a lot more than many others presidents.

    Posted by Janko1 at 11/09/2008 @ 02:37am

56. His biggest donor was Goldman-Sachs. He is the "token negro" of the new world order. Nothing will change for the better.

    Posted by heuristic at 11/09/2008 @ 06:57am

57. Posted by TexasFlood at 11/09/2008 @ 12:17am |

    LOL

    And you're clearly too stupid and/or pompous to understand sarcasm.

    Hilarious.

    Posted by TexasFlood at 11/09/2008 @ 12:08am | warn this person Frankly, I have no idea how I could have been interpreted as serious there...

    I'll try harder next time to be a sarcastic dick, so nothing is lost in translation.

    O.K. Lost in translation it was. Pompous ass, I'm not and neither do you have to be known as a "sarcastic dick." I guess we all get caught up at some time in the nastiness of debate with specious statements such as "Jew hating."

    Mea culpa

    Posted by Damascian at 11/09/2008 @ 09:45am

58. Posted by Mask at 11/08/2008 @ 7:40pm | ignore this person | warn this person

    And I call you an american citizen who suffers from fear, paranoia and depression, thanx to the 8 years of fascist neocons.

    And an american citizen who judges, labels, defamate and condemns other people without evidence, and proofs, like most americans. That's why this country is the way it is: Divided, dumbed down and bankrupt. because of its irrational, egocentric citizens !!

    .

    Posted by marxist-socialist at 11/09/2008 @ 10:23am

59. Obama should do a constitutional reform, thru a constituional assembly in order to let a president be elected unlimited times like Venezuela, so that he can govern for 12 years

    Posted by marxist-socialist at 11/09/2008 @ 10:28am

60. I'm worried that too much faith is being put in Obama. He's a politician and he was clearly the lesser of the two evils. However, this grassroots infrastructure he's created could come in very handy in achieving real progress in our country. Now that the voters have an anti-Republican attitude we need to break the backs of the GOP once and for all. It wouldn't be too difficult to do. They're already squabbling amongst each other over the defeat. Most people that vote republican, I find, do so for internal reasons (self-loathing gays, people from poor backgrounds that want to belong to the rich kids club, Their parents voted GOP. etc...) so if we utilize this grassroots infrastructure effectively, we may win their voted by merit. The over zealous religious members of the Republican constituency could be easily persuaded to form their own party. People like Pat Robertson salivate at the thought of heading a political party with minions of thoughtless pious voters to manipulate. Effectively, then what's left of the GOP are warmongers finally exposed. With the Republican party out of the way debates would have to be open to all parties. The Democrats would splinter and then maybe we would have a shot at real democracy in this country.

    Posted by OccidentalPeninsular at 11/09/2008 @ 1:55pm

61. Posted by marxist-socialist at 11/09/2008 @ 10:23am

    You are a poser, a conservative/Republican posing as a "wild-eyed radical socialist who thinks Obama is just swell" to somehow generate the idea that Obama is as radical and socialist as this personae.

    Your problem is you're TOO over-the-top even for the legitimate Naderites (like CRABWALK) or the real socialists (like CKA2ND)...

    and your next post mentioning Venezuela, proves that.

    Nobody's buying your bullshit.

    Posted by Mask at 11/09/2008 @ 4:24pm

62. A fundamental question many are now asking is - IS US HEALTH CARE REFORM NOW ON HOLD?

    My opinion- I do agree that other pressing priorities like the economy, preventing further home foreclosures, securing jobs, infrastructure improvements and reallocating our military resources MUST come first because of the crisis mode of most of these.

    However three fundamental thoughts from me on health care reform-how?and when?

    1)All of the above priorities actually affect health and health care expenditures profoundly! "It's all related" says Sen. Chris Dodd and others.

    2)Rebuilding our public health infrastructure and even more so our public health credibility must start immediately- Our Government health agencies like CDC,FDA,EPA, etc need to regain the trust of the American Public who correctly perceives that the Government is not adequately protecting their health! This fix relates to good and new Presidential appointments!

    3)A fundamental reality was stated by head of our NIH Dr.Elias Zerhouni a few summers ago, and by many others, that a high-tech-high-cost treatment driven "disease care system" is NOT economically sustainable. We should not be trying to figure out how to finance a fundamentally conceptually broken health care system. That said the key to a sustainable future in health care is ethical and compassionate rationing or, if we don't like that politically charged "R" word, suggest use "allocationof proven efficacious(does it work?) and safe (does it harm?) medical interventions" (both diagnostic and therapeutic) This change must be incrementally implemented since the US Public is so wedded to a treatment model of health care.

    Dr. Rick Lippin Southampton,Pa

    Posted by drricklippin at 11/09/2008 @ 5:10pm

63. What about doing Guantanamo, Detention and Torture the very first day in Office?

    Posted by bnerin at 11/09/2008 @ 6:35pm

64. An item to file under that last one: restore a daily White House tour line, despite those Ellipse bleachers with the blue canopy having been mysteriously ix-nayed.

    With all the re-education that must occur on the checks and balances, we can no longer afford a nation thinking the White House tour is the Capitol's deliverable. Especially not when Scott McClellan circa 2003 is the one who promised.

    It's not important, but it is.

    You're the best.

    Posted by missdenotata at 11/09/2008 @ 8:26pm

65. Mask: You are like most american citizens, authoritarian, fascist, insulting, sectarian, egocentric, and not respectful of others ideologies. You are a reactionary who doesn't accept that there are others with different ideologies. I am Socialist, Marxist, Revolutionary, because Kapitalism won't fix USA (trust me)

    do you think that capitalism is gonna save the majority of people in America? you are brainwashed like most american citizens by CNN, FOX and mainstream media. You are like most joesixpacks of the Republican Party who resort to namecalling and labeling.

    But aside from your dumb mentality, let met teach you that Neoliberal Corporate Capitalism, will not get Americans out of poverty, what the neoliberal corporatist model does is puts all the wealth in the pockets of the big fish, and increases suffering, poverty and unemployment in the majority.

    You don't have any knowledge of why USA is f*cked up economically and politically.

    You are like most bubbas, drunk on mainstream stupid TV shows and ignorance

    By the way being radical is not bad, radicalism means *roots*, it means going to root of problems.

    I think you should join the Republican Hillbilly Farmers Party !!

    Posted by marxist-socialist at 11/09/2008 @ 9:03pm

66. WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON IN THIS ONLINE MAGAZINE? IT IS FULL OF RIGHT-WINGERS AND REPUBLICANS !! I THOUGHT THAT THIS WAS A SOCIALIST SITE

    Posted by marxist-socialist at 11/09/2008 @ 9:06pm

67. HEY YOU ALL, BEWARE MASK IS A CAPITALIST, GOP, A MCCAIN FOLLOWER INFILTRATED IN THIS SITE !! HE CALLED ME A "RADICAL" BECAUSE I AM A SOCIALIST, LAST TIME I CHECKED SOCIALISM IS THE ONLY SOLUTION FOR THIS WORLD, NOT AYN RAND'S OLIGARCHIC CAPITALISM !!

    Posted by marxist-socialist at 11/09/2008 @ 9:08pm

68. We're just good, hard-working Americans like yourself.

    Posted by twillie at 11/09/2008 @ 9:12pm

69. twilie: most american citizens are too dumb, or at least too apathetic to what happens out there in the real world. Ignorance and apathy will destroy this country alone with other behavioural problems like egocentrism and immoralism. I don't think that there is much hope for this country

    Posted by marxist-socialist at 11/09/2008 @ 9:27pm

70. Posted by Damascian at 11/08/2008 @ 11:38pm

    "As far back as 1992, Wolfowitz and his cronies had planned for an attack on Iraq. Those, like Karl Rove worked on the policies that put the Iraq war in gear"

    While you're at it, you'll have to try all of those in Congress (Dem and Rep alike) who voted to go to war.

    "illegally wire tap without warrant (clearly unconstitutional)" They tapped international calls-clearly NOT unconstitutional.

    "send our own military into harms way without cause which itself becomes cause for the charge of murder." If you're going to use that charge, than we'll have to put Clinton (Somalia) and Carter (Iran) on trial too.

    "illegally imprison innocent men (Gitmo - read Moazzem Begg's book Enemy Combatant)" The old saw is that prisons are full of innocent men. I doubt his book would have sold many copies if he had fessed up to wanting to kill Americans. Gitmo was full of men captured on the battlefield, trying to kill Americans.

    Again, if you want to offer up some specific charges, this is a good forum. Talk about vacuous.

    Posted by twillie at 11/09/2008 @ 9:30pm

71. Posted by Wolfgang1 at 11/08/2008 @ 11:52pm

    "Secondly, how in the hell is placing bases in other countries defense for the U.S.? An attack on another country is not an attack on the U.S. I didn't see any nation (including ours) attack Saudi Arabia for it's citizen's attack this country on 9/11. "

    It's not defense, it's forward deployment. So we don't have to bail out a large chunk of the globe from the next Hitler, by having to invade a fortified continent. Too many Americans die that way. If we nip some of the more threatening dictators (Hussein) in the bud, it saves us from a bigger toll of lives later.

    "The question all Americans need to ask themselves is this. Is the ME oil worth all of this?"

    Are you kidding? If the Straits of Hormuz are shut down tomorrow, what happens to the price, not to mention the availability of oil. Like it or not we are utterly dependent on oil. What are you going to run your car on? or heat your home? you can't take an "oil holiday" until things straighten out. If we want to be isolationist and self-sufficient, then we should have that discussion. Until then, the oil needs to flow.

    Posted by twillie at 11/09/2008 @ 9:42pm

72. "I don't think that there is much hope for this country Posted by marxist-socialist at 11/09/2008 @ 9:27pm"

    So, why don't you move to Cuba, Bolivia, Venezuela, or north Korea?

    Posted by twillie at 11/09/2008 @ 9:47pm

73. Dear Katrina,

    Realistically, stem cell therapy and alternative energy should be closer to the top of the list as programs that will help the states and the nation make money. While embryonic stem cell research has dividends as knowledge for knowledge sake and should be pursued on that basis, the safe therapies are currently coming from "adult" stem cells - and usually from other countries. These include human umbilical cord stem cells, adipose tissue and autologous (self) stem cells. Clinical trials in these areas should be supported and expanded by states and the NIH now instead of just waiting for embryonic stem cells. Embryonic stem cells have a risk of causing tumors. Even cells derived from embryonic stem cells can cause problems if they aren't sufficiently differentiated. Too much emphasis has been placed on the religious issues and not enough on the safety issues - and journalists need to know this. Stem cell therapy using adults cells can significantly improve a person's quality of life now (including those patients with neurological disorders and especially children with neurological disorders) plus reduce the amount and expense of the patients' pharmaceuticals. Therefore, the whole issue seems more political than scientific. The focus on embryonic can be seen as a smoke screen to slow down the nation's progress towards regenerative medicine. This needs to change - but it won't change if the public is not sufficiently educated to help push for such change. The health and wealth of this nation depends on the use of adult stem cells now rather than embryonic stem cells ten years from now.

    Posted by Lynny at 11/09/2008 @ 9:54pm

74. Good post. I'm disappointed by the way the stem cell debate has degenerated into a referendum on pro/anti abortion.

    Posted by twillie at 11/09/2008 @ 10:21pm

75. The charges are no less legitimate simply because you can't understand them. I also wasn't any fan of the action in Somalia nor for that matter, the missle strike that netted literally zero for us and unnecessarilly killed innocent civilians. My disgust for the dems eventually opened me to look for alternatives. And Iran? That was a legitimate action on Carter's part due to the attack on the American Embassy which under international law is sovereign US soil. That the Patriot Act goes against Constitutional principles doesn't make that law constitutional, something the ACLU has been addressing since the inception of the Patriot Act. But then again, fear and lack of reason is the strong suit of those with little intellect. Concerning Moazzem Begg's book, his story checks out by the Pakistanis, The Brits, and the Americans (finally.) Never mind that the guy is innocent, they have someone who has to pay; all Middle Easterners look alike, the thinking goes. The American system of justice that you see as a tool for punishment is supposed to be a tool for unbiased, fair proceedings. With the Patriot Act, Cheney/Bush Junta has distorted the true spirit of our nation and unfortunately, people like you have bought into it. Ignoring the center piece of my last entry? The case law that can be used against Cheney and Bush for murder makes my argument for trying those responsible for sending troops to Iraq under false pretense and manslaughter charges. As Bugliosi is one of the eminent past prosecutors in this nation, making the argument for murder didn't surprise me. The many precedents he had to offer only validated what I knew from regular readings in the Constitution. The US vs. Shaw is not the only precedent that may be used. Read the book. It will be worth your time.

    Posted by Damascian at 11/09/2008 @ 10:53pm

76. Posted by marxist-socialist at 11/09/2008 @ 9:08pm

    Is "radical" not potentially a positive term? Do you really claim to know another man or woman's intentions with only anon blog data as your source of info?

    Posted by winyahn at 11/09/2008 @ 11:16pm

77. Mea culpa

    Posted by Damascian at 11/09/2008 @ 09:45am

    Ditto!

    Posted by TexasFlood at 11/10/2008 @ 03:15am

78. Katrina, thanks for your outline of the key issues. However, these efforts must be complimented by a reframing of our national and international discourse in several key areas in order to regain respect, trust and confidence:

    1. Deflate the FEAR BUBBLE. Efforts continue that try to inflate the level of fear of anything "not like us". We must right-size the perceived threat of terrorism (far less a risk than highway accidents) and relight the flame of humanism. Stop the "them vs us" dogma and let brotherly love begin anew.

    2. Reverse the attitude that the U.S. should be the world's police force and nation builder. Lay down the big stick we've been using to annoy the world and shift our general dialog to one of peace.

    3. Resolve anew to honor the Geneva Conventions and standard military codes of conduct. Commit quickly to cease and remediate all illegal detention of foreign citizens and to closing prisoner of war camps.

    4. Our efforts to quench terrorist activity and the operations in Iraq and Afghanistan should no longer be falsely termed "wars". That classification allows immoral and illegal actions to be justified.

    5. Make it clear that the U.S. Congress must fully return to doing its Constitutional duties and again have three functional branches of government. We should severely limit access to Congress by the "lobby state" in Washington.

    6. Regularly and actively encourage participation of the public in their Government.

    7. Refocus our international policies and trade dealings to center around interests of common people, not just their politicians. Lay aside the selfish philosophy that protecting our interests is paramount above all.

    President-Elect Obama can set the tone of dialog by encouraging his new administration members to be ambassadors of peace.

    Posted by GaryRnKY at 11/10/2008 @ 06:00am

79. Posted by marxist-socialist at 11/09/2008 @ 9:03pm

    Look Marky Socks, I'll grant you MIGHT not be a GOP poser...

    and are a nut.

    Fair enuf?

    Posted by Mask at 11/10/2008 @ 09:01am

80. That said the key to a sustainable future in health care is ethical and compassionate rationing or, if we don't like that politically charged "R" word, suggest use "allocationof proven efficacious(does it work?) and safe (does it harm?) medical interventions" (both diagnostic and therapeutic) This change must be incrementally implemented since the US Public is so wedded to a treatment model of health care.

    Dr. Rick Lippin Southampton,Pa

    Posted by drricklippin at 11/09/2008 @ 5:10pm

    Dr, Lippin, You got straight to the issue on that. Ethics and compassion. Those are two virtues completely lacking in the minds of the neocons. The Freidman approach was and is profits and profits only. That means cronyism, greed and iron fisted control at the top to squash anyone who gets in their way.

    Rumsfeld, Cheney, Bush, Rice, Bremer, Wolfowitz and the rest of the neocons should be doing the rest of their professional lives in cells for the grafting dirty deeds they have pulled on humanity.

    Until those people are rooted up and prosecuted for the crimes committed and are allowed to continue their ways, I don't beleive we will see any change in anything because those folks and their masters are the ones truly running the world right now.

    Posted by Wolfgang1 at 11/10/2008 @ 09:08am

81. So we don't have to bail out a large chunk of the globe from the next Hitler, by having to invade a fortified continent..... Posted by twillie at 11/09/2008 @ 9:42pm

    TW, What if we are theh next Adolf Hitler and Nazi like country? Ever taken a look at what our grand chicago school noecon leaders have done in Chile, Argentina, Poland, Russia, China to a certain degree, and now Iraq? They are in quite good company with Adolf Hitler. They are just at good at the torture game and much better than Adolf was at pulling the wool over the public's eyes back home over what they do in other countries.

    Posted by Wolfgang1 at 11/10/2008 @ 09:14am

82. The big problem for Obama will be ignoring the likes of KVH. If he does what she is asking he will be a one term President. Obama will need to govern from the center---if he doesn't he and the democrats will eventually pay the price.

    Posted by Len Mosse at 11/10/2008 @ 10:16am

83. I had to chuckle over, "arguably, the worst president ever". Come on Katrina, this is not argauble, he is blatantly the worst president this nation has ever seen. This adminsistration makes others look sterling. James Buchanan, Andrew Johnson, Warren GH. Harding and Calvin Coolidge, can be seen as stellar in comparison. bush, (I never capitalize the 'b' when writing this misantrope's name), will be seen as the most inept president this nation has ever seen. His "legacy" is one of complete and utter failure, he has the "Reverse Midas Touch", everything he touches turns to dirt, and history will not be kind to this creature. bush tried to establish a "Royal Rule" for the presidency, something the vast majority of Americans detest. In any case, the neo-con movement, hopefully, has been destroyed, and your list hits the mark. Thanks for a great read!

    Posted by rasputin195 at 11/10/2008 @ 10:32am

84. I agree with Katrina. Let's hope he over reaches and goes full bore on a far left agenda. Please please please.

    Posted by abell12ct at 11/10/2008 @ 11:14am

85. Posted by abell12ct at 11/10/2008 @ 11:14am

    Logic, abell...to these questions-

    1. Why do you say that?

    2. Doesn't that mean things would get WORSE for America?

    Ergo. 3. Didn't you just say "Please please please"...

    to things getting WORSE for America????

    Posted by Mask at 11/10/2008 @ 12:48pm

86. macdon wrote: "Whatever happened to the separation of church and state?"

    are you kidding? there never was one. just rhetoric.

    Posted by urmygyro at 11/10/2008 @ 12:58pm

87. Posted by abell12ct at 11/10/2008 @ 11:14am

    You selfish, un-patriotic, treasonous righties WANT America to fail!

    All so you can implement your fascist, neo-con agenda.

    Republicans hate America.

    Wow. Poni-logic. Lookit all I learned from the neo-cons on this site.

    Posted by Malcontent at 11/10/2008 @ 2:09pm

88. Posted by Malcontent at 11/10/2008 @ 2:09pm

    Go take a stiff drink and calm down. Obama is still president elect today...

    Posted by lvliberty1 at 11/10/2008 @ 2:54pm

89. Katrina,

    How about including a living wage on your list?

    1/3 of the workforce laboring full-time at McJob wages?

    Adjusted for inflation, the minimum wage would be $10 per hour.

    It's the very least that decency requires.

    Posted by zwelch154 at 11/10/2008 @ 5:15pm

90. Katrina Get settled in. You're gonna remain frustated and sour cause we just ain't going that far left.

    Posted by SimpleJack at 11/10/2008 @ 6:53pm

91. unless people unionize and prove to employers that employers can count on them to be employees for a long period of time - we will continue to have a workforce that drifts from job to job. the way to build up to a good wage is to give your employer a "bad" choice: lose a valuable employee or pay you more. i say quote unquote bad because employers will, by and large, retain valuable employees, if it's not unsustainable to otherwise. and without a strong resume, a new employer has no reason to pay new employees a good wage.

    i used to be a recruiter, placing people at blue collar jobs. the employers, for the most part, wold hire the temp employees full time if they proved they were reliable and did their jobs well. trust me, this was a rather low standard. most of the people i placed, roughly 80-90%, could not meet this standard.

    the american blue collar workforce hasn't earned the right to complain, by and large, and even if they had, without a union, they are pissing against the wind.

    but with a mobile society, so many people moving all the time, the workers don't build strength.

    i'm not trying to paint employers as perfect, but too many employers give them an "easy" choice- pay them little because they are bad at their jobs, take a lot of time off, and refuse to stay put. the quote unquote easy choice is "take the meager paycheck or leave, we'll replace you." and they're right.

    Posted by urmygyro at 11/10/2008 @ 7:41pm

92. America soon is going to be destroyed.Read the truth here. http://www.realjewnews.com http://www.eaec.org http://www.powerofprophecy.com/ http://scripturesforamerica.org this country is doomed

    Posted by marxist-socialist at 11/10/2008 @ 9:01pm

93. Posted by marxist-socialist at 11/10/2008 @ 9:01pm

    Frickin weirdo.

    Posted by Benchrest at 11/10/2008 @ 9:55pm

94. Posted by Benchrest at 11/10/2008 @ 9:55pm

    Nope....I think MARKCANYON, our honest-to-gosh neo-Nazi, has returned!

    Posted by Mask at 11/10/2008 @ 10:07pm

95. Posted by Mask at 11/10/2008 @ 10:07pm

    Gotta be something like that. This is one bizzare individual.

    Posted by Benchrest at 11/10/2008 @ 10:16pm

96. Dear Ms. Vanden Heuvel,

    I'm sure you know what Obadee Obada would do with your list.

    Let's keep America clean!

    Posted by WWW at 11/10/2008 @ 11:13pm

97. With all the talk about the government giving General Motors $$$ to (as GM says "at the very least have working capital, to stay in business") keep them solvent... how about getting that money from the freakin' oil companies, instead of the American taxpayers!!! After all, the oil companies are no better than co-conspirators with the auto makers in killing the electric car. (If you haven't ever seen it, watch the documentary "Who Killed the Electric Car" http://www.sonyclassics.com/whokilledtheelectriccar/electric.html). After stopping production on electric cars (granted, just one of many fuel conservation options) and recalling/destroying all existing models... the auto makers continued to crank out more giant gas-guzzling SUVs and Hummers -- even as they became more and more less viable. The oil companies are making billions, if not trillions, in profits. If their partner in crime (GM) needs a handout... let the $$$ come from oily pockets!!! Whatever happened to the proposed Windfall Profit Tax (for the oil companies) that was mentioned in Congress not too long ago??? Did it just vanish, without any action??? Has anyone else thought of this possibility to "save" GM???

    Posted by bragawave at 11/11/2008 @ 12:32am

98. With all the talk about the government giving General Motors $$$ to (as GM says "at the very least have working capital, to stay in business") keep them solvent... how about getting that money from the freakin' oil companies, instead of the American taxpayers!!! After all, the oil companies are no better than co-conspirators with the auto makers in killing the electric car. (If you haven't ever seen it, watch the documentary "Who Killed the Electric Car" http://www.sonyclassics.com/whokilledtheelectriccar/electric.html). After stopping production on electric cars (granted, just one of many fuel conservation options) and recalling/destroying all existing models... the auto makers continued to crank out more giant gas-guzzling SUVs and Hummers -- even as they became more and more less viable. The oil companies are making billions, if not trillions, in profits. If their partner in crime (GM) needs a handout... let the $$$ come from oily pockets!!! Whatever happened to the proposed Windfall Profit Tax (for the oil companies) that was mentioned in Congress not too long ago??? Did it just vanish, without any action??? Has anyone else thought of this possibility to "save" GM???

    Posted by bragawave at 11/11/2008 @ 12:34am

99. Dunderhead, you probably own some stakes in oil and don't even know it. Corps. don't have money, they only have money that was given to them by their shareholders, you know by buying stocks and all. So if you take the profits your taking from the shareholders who own the company. Funny how things like that work huh? And you want to know who those shareholders are? They are investments from retirees and state funds, 401k's etc. etc.

    Posted by kwoodyh at 11/11/2008 @ 08:38am

100. number one item on the Obama to do list: 1. Ignore "The Nation", KVH, and all who contribute to this magazine --at all cost

     Posted by Len Mosse at 11/11/2008 @ 10:42am

101. Len Mosse,

     number one item on the Obama to do list:

     Ignore Len Mosse --at all cost !

     Posted by Mad As Hell at 11/11/2008 @ 12:40pm

102. Did you hear that whining noise?

     Posted by Malcontent at 11/11/2008 @ 1:17pm

103. The DHL disaster in Ohio should come under the heading of 'Bail Out for Main Street.' Obama can, by executive action, let it be know than the 10,000 workers there can depend on their unmployment compensation to be increased and extended until they find new, well paying jobs, or are re-trained.

     Posted by bpray1 at 11/11/2008 @ 3:24pm

104. Great article, but I hope more can be done on health care than simply renew children's health care. Obam's pay or play initiative is a minimal approach and needs to be done as quickly as possible. Do the global anti-poverty initiative through allocation of 1% of the defense budget. This would be a great investment in peace. Hammering home the idea of a transformation to a green economy is an excellent way to reduce dependence on fossil fuels while promoting jobs and a clean environment.

     Posted by mikesternqrc at 11/11/2008 @ 3:30pm

105. In order to raise his own and our collective awareness of the pernicious and ubiquitous presence of toxic chemicals in our environment (not merely in our air, our water, our soil, our food, but replete in the cells of our bodies), I would invite President Obama to submit a sample of his blood to the Center for Disease Control's Biomonitoring Program, and publish the results. Perhaps, to truly "red flag" the gravity of this issue, among so many other underappreciated perils and problems we confront, he might have Michelle, Malia, and Sasha submit samples, as well. I expect, he would be seriously shocked.

     Before your eyes glaze over and you slip into a Lancome Lady, "La, la, la . . . La, la, la!" moment -- "Bio-huh? This ain't on my Top Ten List!" -- get your google or wiki on.

     Search terms:

     biomonitoring

     chemical body burden

     precautionary principle

     See, for example, Nena Baker's recent, "The Body Toxic; How the Hazardous Chemistry of Everyday Things Threatens Our Health and Well-being," or "Our Stolen Future," a book by Theo Colborn, Dianne Dumanoski, and John Peterson Myers.

     In my view, the matter of "biosafety" or "biological integrity," generally (consider the profligate introduction of genetically modified organisms into our environment, as well), is as grave a threat as any (global warming, WMD proliferation, "terrorism") we face.

     Thank you Katrina and The Nation!

     Posted by manonfyre at 11/11/2008 @ 3:34pm

106. Excellent list of changes. My addition is to combine the commitment to re-powering America with the a commitment to peace. In other words, we can stop basing our foreign policy on oil. We have the resources to produce our own energy, which will transform our interactions with other nations. President Elect Obama should being planning for the day when we now longer care how has which pipeline.

     www.theysaynothing.com

     Posted by TheySayNothing at 11/11/2008 @ 4:18pm

107. Well said, Katrina, I share your optimism. I believe that President Obama needs to be bold and aggressive and roll back a lot of "W"'s misuse of power to prove to Americans that he will not operate in that Imperial way, but will truly be the President of the people as he promised. We are all waiting with heart felt hope and anticipation. I do not believe that he will let us down.

     Posted by vlhamilton at 11/11/2008 @ 4:29pm

108. It was and has always been true: everybody wants to tell the prince what to do. Obama is elected and will do whatever it is he decides to do, notwithstanding all the handwringing and bitching of chattering classes. Let's just calm down and wait and see!

     Posted by jsens at 11/11/2008 @ 5:25pm

109. Posted by Damascian at 11/09/2008 @ 10:53pm

     "The charges are no less legitimate simply because you can't understand them." It's not that I don't understand them. You still haven't offered up any. It's simple. What are you going to charge Condi, Powell, Cheney, and others with? Stop evading my question.

     If the Patriot act is unconstitutional, it will be overturned by the judicial system. You saying "it's unconstitutional" doesn't mean spit.

     I won't be reading Bugliosi's partisan rant. I read an excerpt on the Puffington Host. Anyone who promulgates the fiction that Clinton was "impeached for having consensual sex" loses all credibility with those of us who still know the truth - Clinton commited perjury - he lied while under oath in a legal proceeding. He was not impeached for sex, but for lying under oath. The repubs probably intentionally tanked the trial, so Bush wouldn't be up against a sympathy vote for President Gore in 2000.

     Whew! Sorry, a little off track. Begg has not been found innocent in ANY legal proceeding that I've heard.

     No one captured on the battlefield in Afghanistan or Iraq falls into categories recognized by the Geneva convention. Enemy combatants wear a recognizable uniform, these guys did not. Part of the problem is that we don't know what to do with them. If you release them, after they were captured shooting at US soldiers, they'll probably go back to doing that. So, a legal proceeding needs to be developed. POWS are not entitled to trials, they are kept prisoner until hostilities cease. But, these guys are not really POWs.

     This is a little off track from the original posts, so once again D, what SPECIFIC charges are you offering up?

     Posted by twillie at 11/11/2008 @ 10:50pm

110. He was not impeached for sex, but for lying under oath. The repubs probably intentionally tanked the trial, so Bush wouldn't be up against a sympathy vote for President Gore in 2000.

     TW, He lied about a friggin BJ. That was his grand perjury you morons are so damned worried about. Here's the real question. Why was he being asked whether or not Monica blew him in the first place? What the hell did that have to do with the Whitewater Scandal. Remember that Ken Starr was hired to investigate that, not whether Clinton was being blown by interns. Last I checked, that wasn't and isn't a crime.

     While we are on that subject, has it ever occurred to you that the whole thing was a set up? Lewinsky just happened to not wash the dress said BJ took place in to keep the stains in tact for evidence. Then she just happened to tell this to her friend, Linda Tripp, on the telephone, which just happened to be recorded by Linda Tripp. This sounds a little like entrapment though Clinton never went down that road, he certainly could have.

     Pull your head out man!! Lying about a BJ, and lying and distorting facts about weapons of mass destruction to start a God damned war are on significantly different scales of lying wouldn't you say? Here's another question for you neocon boy. Why won't any of the Bush administration folks take the stand, under oath, about the WMD fiasco, the DOJ firings, the patriot act hospital signing approach

     Posted by Wolfgang1 at 11/12/2008 @ 12:10pm

111. Pull your head out man!! Lying about a BJ, and lying and distorting facts about weapons of mass destruction to start a God damned war are on significantly different scales of lying wouldn't you say? Here's another question for you neocon boy. Why won't any of the Bush administration folks take the stand, under oath, about the WMD fiasco, the DOJ firings, the patriot act hospital signing approach

     Posted by Wolfgang1 at 11/12/2008 @ 12:10pm

     The problem is that while he was getting his BJs, we were attacked FIVE TIMES by Al Qaeda, and he didn't do a damn thing about it...nothing that produced any real results, anyway. 911 was also being planned during this time. Five terrorist attacks on the United States, and the calculated planning of an infamous and historic sixth, makes Clinton's personal behavior sadly relevant. His inability to protect us, which created the conditions for the current war on terror, was a dereliction of duty of the highest order.

     So while some think that "it was just a BJ", history will not be kind to Slick Willie for his national security failures...which, in large part, were facilitated by the distractions of his moral failures.

     Posted by jimmylove at 11/12/2008 @ 1:44pm

112. So while some think that "it was just a BJ", history will not be kind to Slick Willie for his national security failures...which, in large part, were facilitated by the distractions of his moral failures.

     Posted by jimmylove at 11/12/2008 @ 1:44pm

     Who was president on 9/11? Who sat on his ass with intelligence of a possible attack on the U.S. and went to his fake ranch in Texas?

     Take your moralistic crap and cram it. I could give a rats ass if the president was screwing his dog as long as he was on the up and up with the American people and didn't prefer to hold closed door business meetings behind everyone's back. How many no-bid contracts were awarded while W has been at the helm? Look at what the Bush administration did during Katrina. It was a disaster and instead of stepping in and helping out, those bastards made as much profit off the death and destruction as possible and then promptly turned the public school system there into charter schools as well as run a good portion of the folks living there out so private businesses could set up shop.

     Bush will go down in history as not only the worst president this country ever had, but also the most corrupt president this country as ever had....and that takes some doing.

     Posted by Wolfgang1 at 11/12/2008 @ 2:18pm

113. Don't pretend like you wouldn't care if Bush was cheating on his wife. Your opinion is based on partisanship and you know it.

     If Bush were president in the 1990s, 911 most likely wouldn't have happened. It would not have gotten to that point. He would have been responding to the Al Qaeda attacks instead of getting a BJ or "screwing his dog" as you put it. Osama would have been six feet under long before Y2K, probably by about 1996. And if you don't think that 911 was planned on Clinton's watch, I've got some oceanfront property in Arizona you might be interested in.

     And why in the world are you criticizing Bush for ignoring intelligence that we MIGHT be attacked, when Clinton ignored FIVE ACTUAL ATTACKS! Hello??????????

     In your opinion, Bush may go down as the worst and most corrupt president, but based on FACTS Clinton will go down