These are the words of the great rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel.

And it is these words, and this man, that have inspired rabbi Dennis Shulman (D) to challenge conservative extremist Scott Garrett (R) in NJ-5 this 2008.

Like his spiritual forefather, Shulman has concluded that he can no longer speak about God and remain silent on Iraq, as well as many of the other pressing and important issues of our times.

To learn more about Dr. Shulman, who is also a practicing psychologist, check out this recent New York Sun profile: Shulman Aims To Be First Blind Rabbi in Congress

The Progressive Democrat Newsletter grew out of the frustration of the 2004 election. Having organized protests against the Republican Convention, I found I had a core of activists who were looking to me for support after Bush "won" re-"election". My carefully thought out suggestions as to where we could go from that defeat led to this more-or-less weekly newsletter.

This week I highlight a couple of primaries progressive Democrats need to focus on for 2008, I revisit the Katrina 11 (the 11 Republicans who voted against helping Katrina victims), I highlight MoveOn.org's efforts for our children's healthcare, I discuss how serious global warming is becoming and how we REALLY need to all act now, and I highlight some local stuff going on in Virginia, New York State, New York City and Colorado.

"Yes, we can," is the right answer to the wrong question "Will he" or "Won't he."

Recently, DraftGore.Com submitted their petition with 100 thousand signatures to Al Gore. Al Gore could have the told them not to continue their efforts if he wanted to rule out a run or rule out being drafted. There are no signs that he did. Recently, DraftGore.Com started airing radio ads in Iowa and apparently will air national radio ads as well.

Cross-posted at Daily Kos

This week I discuss the debates (briefly), Bush's veto, Ann Coulter, and the terrible malaise Bush has placed over the Republican Party. If you visit my blog, don't forget to click on an advertiser or two since that helps me keep the blog going. As usual I also highlight local events and organizations for several states. And, if you want more political and social discussions, please check out our offerings on Culture Kitchen.

Cross posted on Daily Kos and Booman Tribune

If we survive the next two plus years, I've started to think about what I consider to be non-negotiable demands I will make of the next president.

Here are some things that I've come up with, what about you?

A clearly defined strategy for dealing with Iraq. This does not mean a bunch of double talk, triple speak and hemming and hawing. It means a precise description of what will happen, how it will happen, and when it will happen. This must be articulated in clear and crisp sentences which contain a beginning, a middle and an end.