Media Matters has already pointed to the yeoman service Fox News Correspondent Juan Williams is performing for right-wingers everywhere by going on NPR and spouting GOP talking points.

Having heard the segment in question, what struck me was his comment on the possibilities of Democrats 'going it alone' on health care reform:

Dem Day itself, that is Wed., Aug 19, consists of two key events: the County Chair breakfast and then the rally later in the day on the Director's Lawn in the State Fair grounds proper.

The first photo is of Gov. Quinn addressing the attendees at the County Chair breakfast. The second photo is Sec. of State Jesse White speaking later on at the rally -- under a tent for fear of rain. Happily the rain seemed more than ready to accommodate Illinois Democrats -- waiting till the event was well over before breaking loose in torrents.

A couple of pictures of the festivities surrounding Dem Day at the State Fair. In this post, I have two photos from the night before, or in other words, Tuesday, Aug. 18.

The first shot is of Boone's Saloon (RIP). Alas! Despite the change in traditional venues -- and the fact that we're in an off-year, the Sangamon County Dems still drew a pretty good crowd for their annual meet-and-greet fundraiser (sorry, no photos).

Co-ops are the new HMO's. HMO's were going to save us the last time round. They were new -- nobody knew much about them -- but we were all assured they'd be cheaper and would manage health care better.

In reality they were nothing but a bogus distraction whose chief accomplishment was to run real health care reform off the rails.

Sound familiar? We've been here before.

This quote by Senator Richard Shelby (R-AL) was played over and over again by WBBM radio yesterday:

SHELBY: Well, I think rationing is underlying all of this. There's a lot of denial out there, but you look at the other plans -- you look at the Canadian plan, the British plan and so forth, and you have long lines.

A commenter at Steve Benen's abode predicted the following as the next lie that right-wing nuts will come up with:

Obama's "Cash for Grandma" program where the government will give you up to $4500 towards the cost of childbirth if you euthanize your grandmother."

To which I replied:

"Cash for Grandma"? Is it true? It must be true!

So if the Medicare plan pays for vasectomies, does that mean everyone has to get one -- that some 'government bureaucrat' is going to be empowered to tell you and your husband, your daughters and your sons, 'go out and get a vasectomy or else'?

It's 2009 and the Chicago Tribune has only now figured out what it takes to design a website. Still, you have to hand it to them, it's a vast improvement over the previous iteration. They even went back to the old letterhead.

We haven't heard much about a 'Health Care Czar' since Senator Dashle got into trouble because of his tax returns. But listening to Howard Dean debate the issue on This Week with George Stephanopoulos, I think I'd like to nominate him for the job. I loved the comment about health care reform helping small businesses.

[h/t ThinkProgress]

Abridged email from Barack Obama (Organizing for America):

This is the moment our movement was built for.

For one month, the fight for health insurance reform leaves the backrooms of Washington, D.C., and returns to communities across America. Throughout August, members of Congress are back home, where the hands they shake and the voices they hear will not belong to lobbyists, but to people like you.

That's why Organizing for America is putting together thousands of events this month where you can reach out to neighbors, show your support, and make certain your members of Congress know that you're counting on them to act.

But these canvasses, town halls, and gatherings only make a difference if you turn up to knock on doors, share your views, and show your support. So here's what I need from you:

Can you commit to join at least one event in your community this month?

http://my.barackobama.com/CommitAugust

This is one of those times. And moments like this are what this movement was built for. So, are you ready?

Thank you,

President Barack Obama