This is a video I put together from the Washington D.C. rally to support Bradley Manning and end the wars.

Wisconsin State Senator Tim Carpenter asks Gov. Walker to resign because of what was revealed on the fake Koch call:

Dear Governor Walker,

I am informed that a tape recording has been released in which you apparently held an extensive discussion with someone you believed to be your campaign supporter, David Koch. The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel states that the caller was actually a reporter, pretending to be David Koch, and it has posted a transcript of the recording. It appears that you admit the call occurred, and have not contested the authenticity of transcript.

David Koch is the billionaire businessman who reportedly contributed thousands to your campaign and who the media claims is a key source of funding for shadowy political groups that spend hundreds of thousands of dollars attacking your political adversaries in our state.

At a historic moment in our State’s history, brought on by your refusal to compromise with elected officials regarding the elimination of worker’s rights, you still refuse to talk with Democratic legislators. However, you apparently have no problem taking a phone call from “Mr. Koch” and to:

•Discuss your strategy to lay off public workers to seek partisan advantage to pass your agenda;

•Discuss your plan to lure Democratic legislators to the Capitol on the pretext of negotiation, but then state that you would never actually negotiate;

•Discuss your plan to use the pretext of negotiation to get a quorum for legislative fiscal action that Republicans so far have not been able to do;

•Discuss that you considered the “planting” of paid troublemakers into the peaceful protests at our Capitol; and to

•Give your enthusiastic acceptance to an offer from “Koch” to fly you out on a vacation to show you a “good time” once you “crush these bastards.” Your response was “That would be outstanding…” Given that Koch’s businesses could reap vast rewards with the ‘no bid’ sale of the Wisconsin’s power plants that you propose in your budget repair bill, this response is severely troubling.

Governor Walker, this tape would make Richard Nixon blush. If the recording and the items discussed by you are indeed your plans, you have no business being in public office in our State, and should resign.

Sincerely,

Tim Carpenter

State Senator

PDF of letter here…

Ian Murphy of The Beast posed as David Koch and had an interesting 20-minute phone call (if it’s real) with union-busting Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker. Here’s the audio, in two parts:

(second part after jump)

Read the rest of this entry →

SOTU word cloud via NPR

President Obama’s 2011 State of the Union Address as prepared for delivery:

Mr. Speaker, Mr. Vice President, Members of Congress, distinguished guests, and fellow Americans:

Tonight I want to begin by congratulating the men and women of the 112th Congress, as well as your new Speaker, John Boehner. And as we mark this occasion, we are also mindful of the empty chair in this Chamber, and pray for the health of our colleague — and our friend — Gabby Giffords.

It’s no secret that those of us here tonight have had our differences over the last two years. The debates have been contentious; we have fought fiercely for our beliefs. And that’s a good thing. That’s what a robust democracy demands. That’s what helps set us apart as a nation.

But there’s a reason the tragedy in Tucson gave us pause. Amid all the noise and passions and rancor of our public debate, Tucson reminded us that no matter who we are or where we come from, each of us is a part of something greater — something more consequential than party or political preference.

We are part of the American family. We believe that in a country where every race and faith and point of view can be found, we are still bound together as one people; that we share common hopes and a common creed; that the dreams of a little girl in Tucson are not so different than those of our own children, and that they all deserve the chance to be fulfilled.

That, too, is what sets us apart as a nation.

Now, by itself, this simple recognition won’t usher in a new era of cooperation. What comes of this moment is up to us. What comes of this moment will be determined not by whether we can sit together tonight, but whether we can work together tomorrow.

I believe we can. I believe we must. That’s what the people who sent us here expect of us. With their votes, they’ve determined that governing will now be a shared responsibility between parties. New laws will only pass with support from Democrats and Republicans. We will move forward together, or not at all — for the challenges we face are bigger than party, and bigger than politics.

At stake right now is not who wins the next election — after all, we just had an election. At stake is whether new jobs and industries take root in this country, or somewhere else. It’s whether the hard work and industry of our people is rewarded. It’s whether we sustain the leadership that has made America not just a place on a map, but a light to the world.

We are poised for progress. Two years after the worst recession most of us have ever known, the stock market has come roaring back. Corporate profits are up. The economy is growing again.

But we have never measured progress by these yardsticks alone. We measure progress by the success of our people. By the jobs they can find and the quality of life those jobs offer. By the prospects of a small business owner who dreams of turning a good idea into a thriving enterprise. By the opportunities for a better life that we pass on to our children.

That’s the project the American people want us to work on. Together.  . . . Read the rest of this entry →

Pres. Obama signs “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” Repeal Act of 2010

Live video stream via MSNBC

The Senate Debates and Votes on the DREAM Act and DADT Repeal

Video via MSNBC:

President Obama Speaks on the Afghanistan-Pakistan Annual Review

Live feed via the White House:

Video via MSNBC:

Update: Here’s the transcript – Statement by the President on the Afghanistan-Pakistan Annual Review

This Mark Fiore animation is a few weeks old, but it seems quite appropriate today.

Uncompromise:

Live feed from MSNBC (you may have to endure a commercial before the live feed loads). The President is due out any minute–until then, enjoy the rock stylings of the 101st Airborne’s very own Nutz!

Click here to open video in a new window.

Obama traveled to Bagram to thank the troops, but according to Press Sec. Gibbs, a meeting with Afghan Pres. Hamid Karzai was canceled due to dangerous winds. A teleconference with Karzai was also canceled at the last minute.