Fantasy Politics USA

Calling Chris Dodd a Senator, Solider, and a Patriot, the International Alliance of Fire Fighters (IAFF) have announced that they endorse Chris Dodd for the next President of the United State. According to the IAFF website Fire Fighters back those that support them. That clearly leaves Rudy Giuliani out of the mix. On the IAFF web site it says, “We have a core political philosophy on which all of our political work hinges. We will support those who support us.” Then it ads that Dodd, “really stood head and shoulders above the rest when it came to support for fire fighters, for protecting our country and on issues that are important to our economy, our families and their quality of life.” In an interview IAFF union President, Harold Schaitberger said, “He’s done more than vote right and be supportive — he’s really carried our water and been proactive on our behalf. And the other reason is that I really think he has the experience. Our board gave a lot of thought to this. He has the experience and the strength to lead this country in what we know is going to be tough times.” IAFF mentioned two bills that Dodd wrote as influential in their decision to pick him. The FIRE (Fire Investment and Response Enhancement) and SAFER (Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response) acts, both of which have been responsible for supplying important federal funds to fire fighters across the country. The IAFF is the largest fire fighters union in the country and supports candidates from both parties. In an interview Dodd said he was “deeply grateful” for the endorsement. “They know how to win elections, and they’ll put lots of boots on the ground. This is an important election, and they know it,” Dodd said. “They’ve made it clear it would be about the future… who could win the election, fight for middle class, and bring people together to get the job done.”
Alan Cosgrove

In an editorial titled “Reflections of President Fidel Castro, Submission to Imperial Politics” in Cuba’s communist party newspaper, Granma, Fidel Castro ruminated on American Presidents during his time. Castro said that Jimmy Carter was his favorite saying he, “was not an accomplice to the brutal terrorism against Cuba.” He also liked Gerald Ford because he, “forbade that United States officials should be used to assassinate Cuban leaders,” but he called him a “symbolic President.” Castro said that Bill Clinton was, “friendly, as well as intelligent, in demanding adherence to the law in the case of the kidnapped boy, when he was rescued by special federal agents sent from Washington.” Then Castro writes about the current election and calls a Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama team a, “seemingly invincible ticket.” Then he writes, “Both of them feel the sacred duty of demanding “a democratic government in Cuba”. They are not making politics: they are playing a game of cards on a Sunday afternoon.” Playing a game of cards on Sunday?? Did we lose something in the translation? He also feels Al Gore would make a good President because, “better than anyone, he knows about the kind of catastrophe that awaits humanity if it continues along its current course. When he was a candidate, he of course committed the error of yearning for “a democratic Cuba.”” But, Castro doesn’t think Gore will jump in. Obama and Clinton actually have different ideas on what to do with Cuba. Clinton wants to not change anything until at least Castro passes on. Obama on the other hand has endorsed greater contact with the island nation. And I thought this guy died last week?
Alan Cosgrove

Today the United Transportation Union (UTU) announced that they endorse Hillary Clinton as the next President. The UTU is the largest railroad operating union in North America, and represents members in the railroad, bus and public transit industries. They are also one of the largest donors in organized labor with most of their money going to Democratic candidates. According to the UTU website, “It is a high honor and a distinct privilege to be the first labor union in making this endorsement. The UTU has a long history of picking winners early. Hillary will be a president that America’s working families can count on. Time and again, as a United States senator, she has stood with us.” UTU National Legislative Director James Brunkenhoefer says, “We need a president with the strength and experience to stand up for America’s workers and their retirement security. Hillary Clinton is that leader.” Democrats have been courting the union vote for some time, and this early endorsement is good sign for Clinton. “I am honored to receive the support of the United Transportation Union,” Clinton said in a press release. “America’s workers have been invisible to this administration, and it’s time they had an advocate in the White House.”
Alan Cosgrove