“Counting President Obama, he last eight presidents have gone on television and promised to move America towards an energy-independent future.”

Stewart’s hilarious, yet sad, commentary should serve as a reminder to us all:  Presidents can only lend rhetorical weight to the nation’s goals.  Without support from the electorate, they’re just words.

                          

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Think Progress reports that Virginia isn’t the only state harboring nostalgia for the Confederacy —  Both Mississippi And Georgia Have Confederate History Proclamations Without Any Mention of Slavery.

                          

Now that the Democrats have successfully passed reform, DeMint has taken to pushing back the goal posts, telling Face the Nation‘s Bob Schieffer that the true test of the GOP’s cynical strategy will come with the results of the 2010 midterm elections.

Stephen, of course, has some fun with DeMint’s assessment:

                          

For political junkies, it’s a telling summarization of the just how sharp the partisan fault-lines have become. For historians, it’s window into a momentous moment in social policy. For humorists it’s, well, a guilty pleasure…

                          

This clip is but the first.  Follow the link below the clip to see parts, two & three.

From the BigThink.com post:

The legendary activist, author, and historian wanted to be remembered for “introducing a different way of thinking about the world,” and as “somebody who gave people a feeling of hope and power that they didn’t have before.”

Read More–> Remembering Howard Zinn – BigThink.com

                          

The below clip is from her final 2009 broadcast.  Within it, Maddow gives a fantastic explanation for why the shadowy fringe of right-wing politics should be subjected to constant scrutiny.

                          

Clip via Brave New Films

[vodpod id=Groupvideo.4015548&w=425&h=350&fv=]

                          

Thanks to Mario Piperni for bringing this clip to my attention.

Check out his site: mariopiperni.com ~ Political Issues & Not

[vodpod id=Groupvideo.3923190&w=425&h=350&fv=%26rel%3D0%26border%3D0%26]

                          

Uploaded by YouTube user: FasttrackHistory, 30 January 2009

[vodpod id=Groupvideo.3917248&w=425&h=350&fv=%26rel%3D0%26border%3D0%26]

                          

A key liberal group released an ad Tuesday encouraging lawmakers to support health reform, likening the vote to support for historic social programs.

A new 30-second television spot from the group Americans United for Change pushes lawmakers do weather any controversy over the health proposals before Congress and cast a vote in favor of the reforms…

(Read more or digg it)

Here’s the ad:

[vodpod id=Groupvideo.3840675&w=425&h=350&fv=%26rel%3D0%26border%3D0%26]

                          

Former Labor Secretary Robert Reich explains what a public option for healthcare coverage really means for working people.

[vodpod id=Groupvideo.3484405&w=425&h=350&fv=%26rel%3D0%26border%3D0%26]

                          

Without doubt, the coolest, most uplifting video clip I’ve seen in years. Many thanks to @annavan for passing this along. The clip is, as you put it, “best wedding entrance ever!”

Be sure to the read the OutspokenMedia.com post that goes along with the clip. The author, Lisa Barone, nails it:

That’s what happens when you do something people aren’t expecting. When you don’t allow yourself to get caught up in the pomp and circumstance of it all. When you finally stop taking yourself so seriously. When you embrace the moment, remember what life used to feel like and go for it.

Spot on. 

                          

[vodpod id=Groupvideo.2774450&w=425&h=350&fv=%26rel%3D0%26border%3D0%26]