August 28, 2008 02:20 PM (EDT)
IMPORTANT WEBSITE UPDATE, THURSDAY AUGUST 28
We'll be migrating our databases and Web site to new servers for the next few hours. While we are migrating we will try to retain all user accounts created during the transition. However, if you create an account this afternoon and then cannot log in on the new server you may have to register again.
We apologize for any inconvenience you may experience during our transition. Please direct any difficulties you have to feedback@downsizedc.org.
Robert O'Gwynn Posted August 28, 2008 02:20 PM (EDT)
August 27, 2008 01:53 PM (EDT)
"I planted some bird seed. A bird came up. Now I don't know what to feed it."
-- anonymous
Subject: Congress is Coming Back Soon
Congress will return to work when the party conventions end. It will be a brief session before they adjourn again to campaign. Short sessions are often full of hi-jinks. Will we be ready to resist?
I'm not sure.
We launched a new website last month. We had to. Congress has made it harder and harder for their constituents to communicate with them through sites like ours. Our new website was designed to make it easier for us to hurdle these barriers. But complex new systems always have problems . . .
Our new site didn't work for many users. People got frustrated, including us. We identified the likely cause of the problem and took steps to fix it, but that took time. Now, we think we're done.
Today, our "beta testers" have been called back into action. If they find the website is working ok, we'll re-launch it tomorrow.
But this month feels
Jim Babka Posted August 27, 2008 01:53 PM (EDT)
August 24, 2008 12:01 AM (EDT)
And Congressman Ron Paul is my guest for the first three segments!
Later in the show, I'll also be joined by...
Jim Babka Posted August 24, 2008 12:01 AM (EDT)
August 22, 2008 12:21 PM (EDT)
Ron Paul on Sunday & Other Radio Stuff
Quote of the Day:From the Washington Post's Mensa Invitational in which readers take any word from the dictionary, alter it by adding, subtracting, or changing one letter, and then supply a new definition . . .
"Sarchasm: The gulf between the author of sarcastic wit and the person who doesn't get it."
Subject: Ron Paul this Sunday, plus other radio stuff
We've been quiet lately, not sending many Dispatches. There are two reasons for this. One, Congress is away, and two, we've been working to fix some of the technical problems with our new website. We also know that many DC Downsizers are away on vacation in August, so this seemed like the perfect time to take a break and do some house cleaning.
But get ready, we're going to start pounding on Congress again very soon. In the meantime, I'll be on the Jerry Hughes show today, and Sunday I'll be interviewing Ron Paul on the FINAL episode of _my_ radio show.
In addition to Ron Paul,
Jim Babka Posted August 22, 2008 12:21 PM (EDT)
August 19, 2008 10:01 AM (EDT)
More Progress on the Enumerated Powers Act
Change the political environment. Recruit more DC Downsizers. Share this message with others.Quotes of the Day:
NINTH AMENDMENT: The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people.
TENTH AMENDMENT: The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people.
Subject: More progress on the "Enumerated Powers Act"
The "Enumerated Powers Act" would force Congress to cite its Constitutional authority for every law it passes. When we last reported to you in late July this bill had 52 co-sponsors in the House, and had just been introduced in the Senate by Tom Coburn, gaining a whopping 22 co-sponsors almost immediately.
Progress has slowed since then, but there is another new co-sponsor in the House. Representative Pete Sessions of Texas came on board on July 23, 2008, just a couple of days after we last contacted Congress about this bill. Maybe some of you made the difference with Mr. Sessions, so let's keep pushing . . .
Jim Babka Posted August 19, 2008 10:01 AM (EDT)
August 17, 2008 08:00 AM (EDT)
This backdoor Real ID card is called the Transportation Worker Identification Credential; TWIC card for short. My guest, during the second hour, will be Lowell Rogers, a brown-water, tugboat engineer. More about Lowell and the card in just a moment.
But first, I want to announce two other things . . .
First, this is my second-to-last live broadcast. August 24 will be my final episode, and Congressman Ron Paul is scheduled to be the featured guest of that August 24 episode (that's not today, but next Sunday).
Second, this is MY radio show. This program is about what interests me, and you receive this message because of a promotional arrangement between Yours Truly, and DownsizeDC.org. The guests, topics, and views expressed on the show are not those of the staff, management, and sponsors of DownsizeDC.org.
That's relevant because for the first hour we're going to discuss something that may interest you, but it's not normal political fare. But I believe it's relevant.
My guest during the first hour will be Frank Viola, co-author of the book, "Pagan Christianity."
Jim Babka Posted August 17, 2008 08:00 AM (EDT)
August 15, 2008 01:30 PM (EDT)
Iran News Summary: August 14, 2008
The following daily news summary is provided courtesty of our coaltion partners at the Open Society Institute . . .
Perry Willis Posted August 15, 2008 01:30 PM (EDT)
August 14, 2008 04:12 PM (EDT)
Iran News Summary: August 12 & 13, 2008
The following daily news summary is provided courtesty of our coaltion partners at the Open Society Institute . . .
Perry Willis Posted August 14, 2008 04:12 PM (EDT)
August 13, 2008 04:40 PM (EDT)
Right now, environmentalists are discovering something that all pro-liberty activists -- Constitutionalists, DC Downsizers, etc. (hereafter referred to as, "The Movement") should know as well -- stressful situations do not, generally, cause people to respond in a good way.
We all know of cases where someone under severe stress achieved new clarity as a result -- a light for their path -- that caused them to wake up, reform, and improve their behavior. Stressful situations can sometimes lead to good results, but I believe such outcomes are the exception rather than the rule.
There are many in The Movement who think financial collapse, political havoc, or some other cataclysm would focus the minds of the people and move them in a better direction. In the common vernacular... the public would "wake up."
Jim Babka Posted August 13, 2008 04:40 PM (EDT)
August 13, 2008 11:38 AM (EDT)
Stop the Killer Horse Hormones
Quote of the Day:"In a society in which it is a moral offense to be different from your neighbor your only escape is to never let them find out."
-- Robert A. Heinlein
Subject: Stop the Killer Horse Hormones
Estrogen hormones derived from animals have dangerous side-effects. Estriol doesn't. But the FDA has banned Estriol in favor of the animal derived hormones. Here's why ...
Wyeth Pharmaceutical makes animal derived hormone medications. On October 6, 2005 Wyeth petitioned the FDA to prohibit the use of Estriol, a competitor to Wyeth's "horse hormones." Estriol is chemically identical to human estrogen, while Wyeth's horse hormones are not. Animal derived hormones are associated with a number of health risks, such as blood clots and cancer, while Estriol is associated with a vast number of health benefits, and NO negative side-effects.
Jim Babka Posted August 13, 2008 11:38 AM (EDT)
