politics, pop culture, social networking, and thoughts from a recovering progressive mind

Love it!

Stewart does it again and debunks the faux news from Fox News:

Many of my readers know that I was the Director of the Denounce Torture Campaign with Amnesty International, USA this last year. One of my main focus was to educate America on the issues around human rights abuses when it comes to the War on Terror. Specifically, Torture. One of my last successes was to secure the arrival of a replica of a Gitmo Cell to tour the states during the Presidential election.

The UK section of Amnesty International has had some major success with their Unsubscribe campaign that utilizes Web 2.0, social networks, and viral marketing. This latest, powerful video was on the issue of water-boarding. It has received some major press and has become successfully viral.

It is wonderful to see such an organization really use these strategies in an effective way.

I met Tom Hayden through launching Progressive Democrats of America (PDA) with my friend Tim Carpenter.  Tim and Tom have known each other for years. Throughout building PDA Tom grew close as a friend and constantly tested my progressive values. The first day I met him at the conference at Roxburry, MA. I had the privilege to introduce him. During his speech he received no less the 5 standing ovations.  How do I follow him?

He made comment that the future of the movement belongs with American’s youth. When he ended the speech with that comment… he had planned to exit stage right where hundreds of activists waiting to talk to him. Knowing I was next to speak and him wanting to give the stage to the future generations… he stopped… and did not walk off the stage. He took a chair right behind me for my entire speech. At that moment I knew Tom was a man of action. He puts his words into action.

Today, after spending years working with him on Capitol Hill, on the streets, and even during the 2004 Democratic Convention… I consider him a friend and mentor.

Here is a great interview with him and Naomi Klein.

email: vince.yanez@azed.gov for community feedback

Live debates via “tweets” to your crackberry!

Can the candidates stay within the 140 character limits?

Very interesting!