Progressive Democrat Issue 196

After a brief break, the Progressive Democrat is back. LOTS going on, of course, more than I can comment on. The Gaza war, where I have strong sympathies with both sides. The impeachment of a certain disgustingly corrupt Governor of Illinois...impeached, I should add, with the help of his own Democratic Party. THAT is the difference between Dems and Repubs. Democrats WILL impeach one of their own if he is found to be corrupt. Repubs just make excuses for their own corruption and blame the media. Speaking of which, Sarah Palin spent the week whining about how the media was to blame for her losing. Yeah, right. Like her having no clue about much of anything didn't have something to do with it.

Obama's Cabinet is shaping up. I may not like each and every pick of his, but overall it looks good. Really good. After 8 years of incompetance, it looks like we will have an administration that can actually govern. And boy we will need it!

The economy continues to collapse. Environmental degradation continues apace, with massive coal waste spills illustrating for us just why coal, the technology of 150 years ago, just isn't right for the 21st Century. There was a coup in Guinea with no real action from Bush. Somalia continues to slide into chaos with no real outside help to try and stabilize it. Together these two events threaten the tenuous stability of both West and East Africa. Bangladesh had a very interesting election pitting two bitter rivals who have dominated Bangladeshi politics for years. BOTH rivals lead parties well known for corruption. But what is most interesting is that both rivals who have dominated politics in this Muslim nation are women. I have always said that Bangladesh should be a major focus of America's interaction with Islamic nations because it is a.) in desperate need of help to combat the intertwined issues of poverty, environmental degradation and corruption, b.) a very real, viable democracy despite these problems, and c.) mostly has avoided any and all tendency towards terrorism and extremism (though Bush almost blew THAT one too).

This week I discuss Sierra Leone, America's Indian Country, and the Taliban as well as continuing my local focus in 16 states where I have solid readership.

Here is this week's newsletter:

TABLE OF CONTENTS:

BOOK REVIEW: A Long Way Gone

Rape, Women and Poverty in Indian Country

The Taliban Declare Jihad on Little Girls

NYC FOCUS: 2009 Elections

NEW YORK STATE

CALIFORNIA

FLORIDA

WASHINGTON STATE

VIRGINIA

NEW JERSEY

TEXAS

GEORGIA

IOWA

WISCONSIN

COLORADO

NEVADA

ILLINOIS

ARIZONA

PENNSYLVANIA

NORTH CAROLINA