I happened to catch about 15 seconds on Anderson Cooper on CNN tonight, in the middle of the ongoing story on the Bernie Madoff Ponzi Scheme, which we're all reading and hearing about in the MSM over the past few days: here,  here, and here.

But, the REAL horror story, at least as far as the Progressive blogosphere's concerned, is just unfolding. The reality is that Madoff's crimes have resulted in the virtual evisceration of hundreds of the very best, privately-funded social programs in the U.S. and throughout the world.

Madoff, single-handedly, has done more harm to the Progressive cause than almost anyone yet realizes. And, that's because The JEHT Foundation, one of the leading providers of grants for all things Progressive, has just abruptly announced they're shutting their doors at the end of January as a result of having come to the realization that they've lost virtually all their money because it was all under Madoff's management.

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We Progressive Democrats have become distracted. We have been consumed and overwhelmed with our desire to see our candidate win the Democratic Nomination that we are on the verge of losing our political minds. We have twisted our definition of what a Progressive is in an attempt to match our choices running for President. I think we need a break. I think we need to go back and look at what a real Progressive has to say about the various issues we are currently discussing. I think we need to refocus our attention on our common goals as Progressive Democrats and remind ourselves just who we are and what we stand for. I have a small request. Take a short break. It won't be long. It will only take 21:23 minuets. I would like for you all to watch this video of one of our top leaders of the Progressive Democrats. This speech, given by the Honorable Russell D. Feingold , is a reminder of who we are and what we stand for as Progressive Democrats. I found it refreshing and enlightening and I believe you will as well.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zQ_zu2uPo 2M&mode=related&search=

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Republicans (and Republican fellow travelers, such as Lieberman has become) immediately sought to salve their fears about the rising tide of progressive democratic politics symbolized by the Lamont victory in Connecticut by resorting to Orwellian doublespeak that sought to twist new signs of democratic strength into signs of weakness or extremism. What a surprise!

Instead of recognizing what the Lamont victory clearly represents--the growing strength of a progressive democratic resurgence in this country that has clear ideas about how to build a strong America by taking our government back from the corporate sycophants in Congress who have been systematically and continually weakening our country, the Republicans would like to deflect attention from their own terrible weakness and failures of policy through Orwellian language games that deny the new center of political strength: progressive democracy.  

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This morning started off early as John was able to do a short interview with WIXN-1460AM in Dixon. Danette Dallgas-Frey knows her business. John had his say about the Voters pledge and we went off to meet some of the fine Dixon populace in a local bookstore. There we enjoyed conversation and exchanged views with folks from both sides of the aisle. Time to head to the riverfront. Did I mention the heat was enough to think eggs would cook pavement? The humidity was so thick that fish were trying to swim up out of the water. It was what has become a typical day blogging for John Laesch.

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You should know that there is now definitive information to the effect that what are being called the "corporate forces within the Democratic Party," or "Wall Street Democrats" are organizing a project to neutralize the party's grassroots movement. They call their putsch "the Hamilton Project." This is probably not "only a test," folks.

This information has appeared at Sirotablog HERE, AT WORKING FOR CHANGE, and at TODAY'S SIROTABLOG 4/9/06.

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