There's a New Blog in Town

Called "TPM Cafe," this new blog is an offshoot of Josh Marshall's "Talking Points Memo." Each week there's a guest blogger -- this week it's Bernie Sanders, Vemont's Independent Representative. His first post ends like this (and it's a doozie):

"The Administration's demand that we unnecessarily sacrifice our liberty in the name of security is fundamentally anti-democratic and, frankly speaking, un-American. Other examples (and I'll list just a few because I know this post is getting long) of Bush's efforts to transform American institutions include attempts to consolidate the media into the hands of fewer and fewer large corporations, the erosion of Congressional checks over the President's ability to wage war unilaterally, the vicious and seemingly unrelenting assault on the independence of the American judiciary, and the elimination of any Senate power over the choice of either executive or judicial nominees.

The fights over all these issues are too often portrayed merely as partisan brinksmanship. But the truth is that these are fights over the very essence of our Constitutional democracy. Any other portrayal trivializes the importance of these values and institutions that are the underpinnings of our society.

The political stakes in America have never been higher. If we lose, if the grass roots of America don't speak out, if we do not turn back the radical Bush Administration, we will for the first time in our nation's history see the next generation both less free and less economical prosperous than we are. What an incredible challenge we face. That is why I think it is so important for all of us to be involved in the political process and why I'm so glad to be communicating with you through TPMCafe today. I know I've touched on a lot of topics in a short space but my hope is to spark some interesting and informative exchanges. So pull up a chair to the Table for One and let's get started."

Read the rest here.