Deval Patrick sworn in as Mass Governor

Last Thursday, Deval Patrick was sworn in as Governor of Massachusetts, the first African American so elected and the second elected Governor in the history of the United States.  Above is an excerpt of his address and below is the conclusion.  Deval is a good brotha and a progressive politician.  After 16 years of divisive wedge issue politics and presidential posturing by a fraud like Mitt Romney, I am glad the people of Massachusetts will be able to refresh themselves with what good government feels like.

“To the earliest settlers of this Commonwealth, as we have been reminded on a couple of occasions today, this Commonwealth was their shining “city on a hill.”   To this kid from the South Side of Chicago, Massachusetts is my city on a hill.  For every mother living month to month; for every student struggling to get through school; for every dad working two jobs and wondering which one is going to be shipped overseas; for every fisherman wondering whether this year’s catch will do; for every immigrant wondering whether the American Dream is a myth; for every teacher, every bus driver, every government clerk, every firefighter, every small business owner doing your best and wondering whether anyone appreciates you; for every one of God’s children who calls Massachusetts home – let’s rebuild our “city on a hill,” and make it shine again.”

Kennedy introduces bill to kill Bush surge plan

Our old warrior, Teddy Kennedy has suited up, manned up, and introduced legislation to stop the ignorant patrician’s attempt to escalate the war in Vietraq.

“The President is Commander-in-Chief, but in our democracy he is still accountable to the people. Our system of checks and balances gives Congress – as the elected representatives of the people – a central role in decisions on war and peace.”

“Today, therefore, I am introducing legislation to reclaim the rightful role of Congress and the people’s right to a full voice in the President’s plan to send more troops to Iraq. Congressman Ed Markey of Massachusetts will introduce similar legislation in the House of Representatives. Our bill will say that no additional troops can be sent and no additional dollars can be spent on such an escalation, unless and until Congress approves the President’s plan. Our proposal is a straightforward exercise of the power granted to Congress by Article I, section 8 of the Constitution. There can be no doubt that the Constitution gives Congress the authority to decide whether to fund military action. And Congress can demand a justification from the President for such action before it appropriates the funds to carry it out.”

“This bill will give all Americans – from Maine to Florida to California to Alaska and Hawaii – an opportunity to hold the President accountable for his actions. The President’s speech must be the beginning – not the end – of a new national discussion of our policy in Iraq. Congress must have a genuine debate over the wisdom of the President’s plan. Let us hear the arguments for it and against it. Then let us vote on it in the light of day. Let the American people hear – yes or no – where their elected representatives stand on one of the greatest challenges of our time.”

Call your Senators and Congressperson and tell them to show Senator Kennedy’s bill some love.

The Whore finds a John to ride

My good sista, Rikyrah, has alerted Skeptical Brotha to a new developement with America’s favorite Corporate Whore, former Tennessee Congressman Harold Ford, Jr. He seems to be angling for a new a new position practicing the world’s oldest profession at the Democratic Leadership Council, the corporate protection arm of the Democratic Party.  How nice.  I thought the whore would have found a more lucrative John to ride in the downtime between Senate runs.  Well, no matter, it seems that the media generated sympathy machine for his close loss has the entire right-wing of the party at his beck and call.  The ink is not dry on the deal and they might be able to dig up another, more acceptable white hack to drive their corporate agenda.  I’ll be paying attention to see what else develops.