I am working every day to end the war and protect people at risk, and I know how easy it is to sit in judgment of others and make unilateral pronouncements and promises you're in no position to deliver. I'd rather avoid that kind of "woulda coulda shoulda" rhetoric, but that's not the important consideration. This is: Either Ben Cardin will be our next Senator or else Michael Steele will win, empowering the worst right wing extremists. This is so important to Peace Voters because Ben Cardin delivered on the critical votes that matter most, and won the highest marks from peace groups for his voting record.
Oct 31, 2006

2006 Elections
Working for Democratic Majorities
I work with Progressive Democrats of America, various MeetUp.com groups, MoveOn.org and Democracy for America - all of which endorse and support Democratic control of the House and Senate. I stand for the issues by working for the issues every day. I make no apologies for working to help John Conyers will return as the Chair of the House Judiciary Committee replacing Right wing anti-immigrant extremist Sensenbrenner next January and Russ Feingold will assume the Chair of the Senate Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights and Property Rights.
Oct 10, 2006

2006 Elections
Rove Republicans Trying to "Steele" Senate
In his ubiquitous ads Michael Steele says Maryland needs a "new kind of Senator." Considering that he's angling to replace Paul Sarbannes, a smart, kind and effective leader, Steele's change can only be for the worse. Few would trade a sterling Senator for shameless Steele who wrote asking me for money to run more of these ads.

Perhaps the biggest lie Steele tells is that he has "a clear vision for changing business-as-usual in Washington, D.C." Considering Steele's unquestioning and unalloyed support for the Bush / Cheney policies and his embrace of Karl Rove and right wing tactics, it's clear that Steele has no intent to change anything in Washington. Except to make Maryland an unwitting enabler of continued right wing extremism. Long story short, if you work for a living, the Republicans want to "Steele" your money and give it to their elite powerful campaign contributors. Don't let Steele lie to you about what he wants to do to you.
Oct 10, 2006

"Articles of Impeachment"
Openly oppose Bush Cheney
We oppose Bush and Cheney because we support America as it was and as it should be. Bush and his administration attack the Constitutional fabric of the United States in the name of security. This threatens our freedom. Speak out! Openly oppose the Bush/Cheney regime!
Oct 6, 2006

Mike Hersh on the Web
Columns on the Web
Columns and articles at American Politics Journal, the Liberal Slant, Bush Watch and other websites. I've been lucky to have several online publications carry my writing. Unfortunately none of them can afford to pay a dime. That's where you come in. Please click on the links to the left of these comments, and kick in $20 or more to keep me writing and working for you. Thanks!

-- Mike Hersh
Mar 30, 2006

Inspect Iraq, Don't Attack
Of Lies and Men
People who defend Bush's rush to war - first demanding inspections, then demanding the inspectors leave Iraq to make way for the massive terror bombing and invasion - deny Bush lied about Iraq. I watched Rep. Dana Rohrbacher, R-CA claim that Bush didn't lie about anything at a House International Relations Committee session. Wrong. Bush lied several times about Iraq with the intent of inflaming the public in support of his plans to attack Iraq.
Mar 12, 2006

Democrats
Kerry Thank-You Received with Gratitude
Mike Hersh, Robyn Landis, and Karen Bradley write: Kerry Thank-You Received with Gratitude, Our encouragement of leadership makes a difference. In recognition of his efforts to filibuster Samuel Alito's Supreme Court Justice nomination, the Backbone Campaign, Progressive Democrats of America, the Democracy Cell Project and Democrats.com presented Sen. John Kerry one of the Backbone Campaign's official "Spine thank-you" cards.
Mar 11, 2006

Inspect Iraq, Don't Attack
Two Things You Can Do to Help the Iraqi People
I heard tonight from an Iraqi engineer, an Iraqi doctor, an Iraqi pharmacist, an Iraqi college professor and other Iraqi women that the Iraqi people - Kurds, Sunni, Shia and others - all believe US forces will never their their nation. They told us how each morning Iraqi families say good-bye to each other, not knowing if they will ever see their child or parent or brother or sister alive again. That our media lie to us about them. That the Bush/Cheney regime wants a crisis or civil war in Iraq as an excuse to stay forever. That no one cares about them and their suffering. Show them you care about them.
Mar 10, 2006

Inspect Iraq, Don't Attack
Iraqi Women - Witnesses to War
Mike Hersh and Karen Bradley report: Five women from Iraq discussed their experiences and explained the situation in Occupied Iraq at a press conference facilitated by Code Pink and Representative Eddie Bernice Johnson. Dr Entisar Mohammad Ariabi delivered their conclusion: "The central cause of tragedy in Iraq is the occupation." Noting that the event promoted a Women's Call for Peace on International Women's Day, Dr. Ariabi described the current conditions: "Iraqi women are looking for their children under rubble, and looking for their husbands in prison. Pregnant women cannot find sufficient care. No hospital or delivery room. Ambulances are shot."
Mar 10, 2006

Anti-Fascism Files
"Not in our name!"
Mike Hersh: I spoke with Cindy Sheehan just before she had to leave for medical tests in the DC area. She was badly hurt, much worse than when she was roughed up and jailed for wearing a t-shirt at the State of the Union. I saw her just before and after that fiasco as well. She showed me her bruises which hadn't fully healed before this latest brutality.

The violence against Cindy and others keeps escalating in parallel with the violence against our freedom and our Constitution. Bush, Cheney and the thugs working with them feel our pressure and they're responding with even more cruelty. It won't work. It never does. The more violent and irrational the criminals become, the more sleeping Americans will wake up and say, "Not in our name!"
Mar 10, 2006

Anti-Fascism Files
There and Criminals and There are CRIMINALS
Cindy Sheehan writes: As I lie here in bed recuperating from the injuries that I received from a federal agent and the NYPD in front of the US Mission to the UN (USUN) the other day, I have had time to reflect on the experience, the state of our union and its descent into a fascist state.

One of our so-called crimes in front of USUN was "Obstructing Governmental Administration." I say "Hell, yes! Anyone with a conscience or any moral courage should be doing everything in his/her power to obstruct the administration of the Bush government. Only massive, peaceful, non-violent resistance to his calamitous policies will be able to stem the dreadful tide!
Mar 10, 2006

Activism
Montgomery County Steps Up
Mike Hersh writes: The Montgomery County, Maryland PDA chapter grew out of MeetUps on several topics, Montgomery County for Kerry, and others groups. We adopted the name The Montgomery County Progress Alliance to promote progressive values, policies, and candidates in our county, state, and nation. We've met each month and fostered cooperation between progressives and concerned citizens.

We'll continue sponsoring events, informing ourselves and the public, lobbying elected officials, and supporting progressive candidates in our county, state, and nation. We've welcomed more candidates to meet with us, held Out of Iraq events in DC and Maryland, and rallied in Annapolis to override vetoes of important legislation. Help us by attending and working on our events, contributing your ideas and financial support, and volunteering with MCPA in 2006. Please visit www.mc-progressivealliance.com. For more information about PDA organizing in Maryland, contact me at mikehersh@mikehersh.com. In other states, see: http://pdamerica.org/orgs/findstate.php
Mar 9, 2006

2006 Elections
Recovering from the Hackett/Brown Train Wreck
Mike Hersh writes: I wish this whole thing went down differently, but this trainwreck was coming for a long time. Without pointing fingers - I like and respect both Brown and Hackett - I ask: What should we do now? After much discussion about this firestorm with smart people I trust and like, I understand and recognize that good people are angry for two reasons - one good, one misplaced. Some assume Sherrod Brown is a corporate GOP-lite wimp. I believe they will change their minds about this and support Brown once they know his record. That anger is misplaced. But people also resent the heavy-handed tactics employed to push Hackett out of the race. So do I, and for the same reasons our friends have mentioned.
Feb 15, 2006

2006 Elections
We Need Christine Cegelis in Congress
Mike Hersh writes: This is the home stretch. Help us win with a rising progressive leader. The Illinois primary is March 21st. Progressive Democrats of America activists and other progressives from across the USA are contributing time and money generously. We have a clear choice: support a progressive leader or watch an inexperienced candidate run in a district she doesn't know, risking a loss in November that would hand the Delay crowd another seat in Congress. The stakes are high! This is probably the most important political commitment you can make in the current election cycle.
Feb 11, 2006