I've been telling my readers over at my blog, Pam's House Blend, about why it's time to boot Senator Elizabeth Dole out of office for some time now. Never mind that I don't agree with her politics -- she's simply not doing the job she was elected to do -- represent and take care of the people of North Carolina. She's been inaccessible, no one seems to know when or if she's ever here (or on the Senate floor for that matter). The fact that she votes to affirm the interests of the Bush Administration is just rancid icing on the cake.

I decided to take a look at the Friends of Elizabeth Dole, her official campaign site. Maybe I just have it all wrong. Perhaps I can learn more about why she should continue to represent my state. After all, here's what Liddy "says" on the front page:

We will be using this Web site to keep my supporters updated about my work in the Senate, my visits back to North Carolina, and other happenings. I look forward to using this as another way of staying in touch with you.

Let's just let the web site speak for itself. Click on for some screenshots.

I'm posting about this development because I have connections to both Amanda Marcotte of Pandagon (I'm the co-blogger there) and Melissa McEwan of Shakespeare's Sister (we launched the Big Brass Alliance during the Downing Street Minutes brouhaha).

These fine women are two big names in the progressive blogosphere who have been tapped to work for the John Edwards campaign. Amanda will be moving to NC to helm the Edwards blog as Blogmistress (or as she refers to it, Blogatrix), and Melissa will be the campaign's Netroots Coordinator.

You can't say that they aren't a savvy crew over there at Team Edwards, because they are scooping up the big guns on the almost-A list (they are both A in my book, but we know what I mean when it comes to the big boys in the blog world, underline boys). The folks at Pandagon and at Shakes Sis are large, politically engaged and active readers -- and will give the Edwards camp a fair hearing. I'm sure that these developments are due to Elizabeth Edwards, who is well-versed and ever-present in the blogosphere.

"Our outreach to the African-American community is based on shared priorities like closing the health gap and the wealth gap and the education gap. It's not based on politics, it's based on policies, and those policy needs remain."
-- RNC head Ken Mehlman, dismissing speculation that post-Katrina bungling by the administration will have an impact on recruiting blacks to vote GOP

That's some strong Kool-Aid, let me tell you. Add to that the smoking of something quite strong if the Repugs think the Bush catastrophe after Katrina won't hurt the efforts to squeeze out some black votes.

Dyan Abena McCray, pastor of Unity Fellowship Church of Washington in D.C., said that she has received threatening phone calls, emails and had a brick thrown through the window of her car for calling Rev. Willie Wilson (r) to task for his homophobia. (Photo by Rudy K. Lawidjaja)

These unbelievable quotes came out of the mouth of a man of the cloth:

"But … women falling down on another woman, strapping yourself up with something, it ain't real. That thing ain't got no feeling in it. It ain't natural. Anytime somebody got to slap some grease on your behind and stick something in you, it's something wrong with that. Your butt ain't made for that."

"No wonder your behind is bleeding. You can't make no connection with a screw and another screw. The Bible says God made them male and female."
--The Rev. Willie Wilson, pastor of Union Temple Baptist Church in Southeast D.C. (and a former mayoral candidate) during a recorded sermon.

The political schism over gay rights in the religious black community is real, and now, vicious. Those outrageous statements deserved a response from other religious leaders in the community, and one stepped forward to say something. And she's paying for it.

Well, I've found a couple of live ones, average people, not pundits, writing about why they've moved over to the dark side. While you may not agree with them, their views provide an interesting look at why the GOP is siphoning off black votes, as well as why the Democratic establishment is asleep at the wheel. Bear with me for the lengthy ride, but it's well worth it if you're really committed to fixing what's broken about the Democratic Party.

Dems, they aren't waiting for you, and here's why

"Most black people are against Homosexual marriage, or anything of the sort. Many blacks switched and voted for President Bush over this big issue last year during the Presidential election. That and the issue of abortion. Those seem to be the two biggest topics that have dominated news headlines in the past few years. Black people want to keep our traditional values. So we turn to the Republican party."

-- Felicia (Fee) Benamon, right-wing political blogger

Eastern North Carolina U.S. Rep. Walter Jones (R) is a piece of work. Thankfully he doesn't represent my district, but this boob is responsible for some high-level, even dangerous wingnuttery. Mr. Freedom Fries is also responsible for:

* introducing a bill to name Falls Lake after bigot wingnut ex-Senator Jesse Helms

* the introduction of H.R. 235, which would obliterate this line between church and state, allowing relgious leaders to make endorsements from the pulpit.

Now, he's threatened by children's books that teach tolerance. Since he readily admits banning books is illegal, he figures that he can work his way around that little obstacle.

NC Senator Fred Smith, at the podium, is a redneck bigot that is hell-bent on enshrining discrimination in our state constitution. The latest effort is a radio ad, funded a conservative group, to help drum up support by putting pressure on Senate Pro Tem Marc Basnight to put the amendment to a vote.

This is the height of insanity -- once you reach this stage of desperation for warm bodies, the draft is around the corner. This single mom has no one to care for her son and she's being deployed -- or court martialed if she refuses to go.