Left In Lowell

Ron Bell, former Deputy Campaign Manager and, by consensus of the grassroots, an absolutely amazing organizer, has been tapped by Gov. Patrick to head up the Public Liaison Office, which is a new post dedicated to encouraging civic engagement. He announced it in his weekly podcast, which is worth a listen. Some more info from the press release:

Public Liaison staff will be tasked with exploring creative new ways for neighborhoods and communities to communicate with each other and with the Governor’s Office. They will also work to engage people who are not traditionally active in political life. (more…)

A myriad of resolutions against Bush’s escalation in Iraq or against the war itself, some binding, many not, is a great cause to confusion even to someone who follows it. Senator Russ Feingold has been a credible voice about the war since the very first vote, and he says the joint bipartisan non-binding resolution negotiated by Sens. Warner and Levin is not only useless (being non-binding) but actually is a “back-door authorization of the President’s misguided policies” (bold mine):

Unfortunately, the new Warner-Levin resolution that many Democrats are pushing is flawed and unacceptable. It rejects the surge, but it also misunderstands the situation in Iraq and endorses the President’s underlying approach. It’s basically a back-door authorization of the President’s misguided policies, and passing it would be a big mistake. Under the guise of constructive criticism, the Warner-Levin resolution signs off on the President continuing indefinite military operations in Iraq that will not address the fundamental political challenges in Iraq, and that continue to distract us from developing a comprehensive and global approach to the threats that face our nation.

He offers us a link to the resolution, then continues:

…I’m going to focus on section 22 of the findings, which is nothing short of an endorsement of the status quo in Iraq and that is simply unacceptable. It rejects exactly what is most needed in Iraq – an “immediate reduction in, or withdrawal of, the present level of forces.” If you vote for this resolution, you are voting against redeploying troops from Iraq. This resolution doesn’t fix the administration’s failed Iraq policy – it just takes us back to where we were before the escalation. It’s not enough to reject the “surge” if you aren’t willing to support a plan for redeploying our troops.

It’s all downhill from there in (b)2. The resolution goes on to support “continuing[ing] vigorous operations in Anbar province, specifically for the purpose of combating an insurgency.” Apparently, some people think that our troops should be involved in putting down the Sunni insurgency in western Iraq.

Everyone except the President and his yes-men in the Senate minority is against setting our troops into the middle of this civil war. Finally:

Democrats in Congress have seemingly forgotten that we were in power when Congress authorized the President to go to war in Iraq. Supporting a de facto reauthorization puts us in serious jeopardy of repeating that mistake. We also have to remember that in November, Americans sent over 30 new Democratic Representatives and eight new Democratic Senators plus a very progressive Independent to fix a failed Iraq policy. The public is craving change in Iraq and a resolution like this one will not cut it. Now is the time for strong action.

Now here’s your action item: call Senator Kerry and Senator Kennedy’s office and ask them to cosponsor Feingold’s binding redeployment resolution. And tell them not to vote for this Warner/Levin wolf wearing sheep’s clothing. Kennedy: Washington office, (202) 224-4543, Massachusetts office (617) 565-3170. Kerry: Washington office, (202) 224-2742, Boston office, (617) 565-8519.

Commenter Laura wrote this quick review of the Merrimack Rep’s current production, scheduled to end this weekend:

Until this Sunday, “Trying” is at the Merrimack Reperatory Theater. It is an outstanding play in every way: excellent, excellent acting, witty dialogue, a script that holds your attention the entire time. If you haven’t seen it, go while you still can. Did I say that the acting was excellent?

And tomorrow, Saturday, from noon to 5pm, is Western Ave Studios‘ First Saturday monthly open studios event. We’re located at 122 Western Ave, off School Street.

In LeftinLowell 2.0 (whatever software that ends up being), I’m planning on letting users submit their own posts as well as adding items in a community calendar, so hopefully with readers’ help, we can make sure all the great cultural events in Lowell and beyond don’t get missed here.