Air America Highlights

I'm one of those people who likes to go to sleep with the radio on -- not music, because I will listen to that and stay awake, but talk. I had a hard time sleeping the other night, and AAR was playing best of Al Franken. That included an interview with the founder of Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America. They absolutely stay non-partisan, but I love their mission statement:

The mission of Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America is to ensure the enactment of policies that properly provide for our Troops & Veterans, keep our military strong, and guarantee our national security for the purpose of a stronger America. We uniquely empower Iraq & Afghanistan combat veterans to use their credibility and experiences to speak truth to power, shape public opinion, and place a priority on these issues.

Sounds like a great mission statement for we bloggers!

Today, Al had Rahm Emanuel on as a guest pushing his new book, which I won't promote here. He suggested we all take a look at the "Contract With America" and see how it looks in the rear view mirror...

On the first day of the 104th Congress, the new Republican majority will immediately pass the following major reforms, aimed at restoring the faith and trust of the American people in their government:
FIRST, require all laws that apply to the rest of the country also apply equally to the Congress;
SECOND, select a major, independent auditing firm to conduct a comprehensive audit of Congress for waste, fraud or abuse;
THIRD, cut the number of House committees, and cut committee staff by one-third;
FOURTH, limit the terms of all committee chairs;
FIFTH, ban the casting of proxy votes in committee;
SIXTH, require committee meetings to be open to the public;
SEVENTH, require a three-fifths majority vote to pass a tax increase;
EIGHTH, guarantee an honest accounting of our Federal Budget by implementing zero base-line budgeting.

So, I'm throwing this hanging curve at you -- how're we doin on these eight promises? If you can provide links to back up your point of view, I'm happy to update and provide a group analysis.

And maybe tomorrow, Blogger will let me post pictures!