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A few photos of Ken Olsen's DEC years, and of the Sept. 2008 groundbreaking for the Ken Olsen Science Center at Gordon College
Click on the thumbnails below to view full images.
Ken Olsen, an unidentified manager and Andy Knowles in consultation. Knowles, an RCA veteran, led the creation of the PDP-11.The PDP-11 was a series of 16-bit minicomputers sold by DEC from 1970 into the 1990s.
Unidentified DEC workers power wiring and assembling computer cabinets in the computer systems area in the DEC Galway facility in Galway, Ireland. (Circa early 70s)
Workers for the new DEC Puerto Rico plant are interviewed beside a large mockup of a PDP-8 control panel. Puerto Rico was given a pioneering role in developing environmental controls to clean up manufacturing processes.
June 17, 2006, Gordon College broke ground for its Ken Olsen Science Center, the College's most ambitious building endeavor to date. Former Digital Equipment Corporation (DEC) employees, friends and the Gordon community gathered to pay tribute to Ken Olsen, a longtime supporter of the College who joined its Board of Trustees in 1961. He is pictured, right, shaking hands with Gordon President R. Judson Carlberg.
Ken Olsen greets Daniel Tymann, Executive Vice President of Gordon College, following a tribute service in the A.J. Gordon Memorial Chapel. The pews were filled with former DEC employees, technology and business leaders, and computer innovators. "Gordon College is deeply grateful Ken Olsen has allowed up to have this day of festivities in his honor, said President Carlberg. "Ken has deliberately avoided the spotlight and recognition for his contributions to others. I firmly believe [this] is the reason there has been no end to what he has accomplished and continues to accomplish through projects such as the Ken Olsen Science Center."
Olsen says of his own leadership style that his great delight was to "encourage others, lead others, help others, facilitate others in order that they would be the inventors, the builders, the engineers, and that they would know the fun and excitement, the thrill of building things and doing things that no one has done before. This is indeed more satisfying that doing it myself."
A ceremonial groundbreaking for the Science Center took place following the tribute. Among those participating were Ken Olsen, President Carlberg, Board of Trustees Chair Kurt Keilhacker and immediate past Board Chair and Trustee Peter Bennett; Payette Associates principal George Marsh; Bowdoin Construction Corporation vice president Chris Keele, and Rickard Stout, Chair of the Division of Natural Sciences, Mathematics and Computer Science.
Groundbreaking was followed by cutting of the commemorative Digital clock tower cake, a four-tier construction designed to represent the clock tower of the DEC company headquarters in Maynard. The 21-piece Compaq Big Band--originally the DEC Big Band--donated a performance for the reception, which took place on the quad.


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I often scratch my head when I see the pile of books on my daughter's bedside table, not because it's messy but because she will read 4 and 5 books at a time! That just doesn't make sense to me although I am finding more and more people who partake in the activity of multiple-book-at-a-time reading. As I pondered how she does it, I heard that little voice inside asking me one of those questions in that tone that I know is going to make me say "duh" to myself. The voice simply said "what about you writing more than one story at a time?" Well, of course I had to counter that my multiple story writing is somehow different. Not exactly able to pinpoint how it is different, I decided to drop the whole questioning of the multiple book reading issue. Instead I began to focus on why/how I often work on more than one story at a time.
We all know I am working on my novel A Marriage of Necessity, which is somewhat the focus of this blog...or the process and thoughts that go along with writing a book anyway. But, you may not know that I do additional writing at the same time. I write this blog for one thing. I do website content writing. I have to answer the never ending stream of emails that come in every day and that is writing as far as I'm concerned. I often answer a simple email with the return of an email the length of a small book. Although I have not taken the challenge in a few weeks, I almost always enter the weekly writing challenge on FaithWriters.com which requires a work of 750 words or less in response to a simple prompt. Their prompt for this week is "shhh" which I have not yet decided if I will do.
I'm also working on additional books of short stories. I have my Love With A Twist Of Lime that was to be a trilogy of stories (actually, it started out as all short stories and has continued to evolve). The "story" with the same name as the book title (handwritten :( at the moment, of course) ended up being too long for a short and then was to be the anchor of the trilogy. The other two that were to go with it then ended up being too long; one being A Marriage of Necessity! I let my stories tell themselves. I CAN force them into a certain word count but I prefer not to. So, I continued to write these twisty lovey limey stories (as co-writer Pat likes to call them) but they will mostly be hosted in a book titled Echoed Heartbeats: when you feel his heart beat next to yours. I've already designed the cover for that one even! I'm excited about those stories because they are love stories and we all know that's right up my alley. The difference is they all have a twist or something unexpected thrown in. They've been fun to write and I'm pretty sure that comes through. Sometime I'll have to post a couple here on the blog to give you a feel of what they will be like.
So now back to multistory writing....I REALLY want to get finished with A Marriage of Necessity. Thankfully, as a self-publisher, I have the luxury of changing my timelines though one must be careful about not following through with self-mandated goals....another blog entry idea, perhaps? I will say I have actually written the ending of Marriage and am now writing to that ending from where I left off when the ending demanded to be written. I'm anxious in a good way for everyone to read it. Considering the fact that this story was to be part of the Twisty Lovey Limey stories, the ending is unexpected but good. I love happy ever after. Is that too much to give away? I hope not! Scroll down and read my profile. It says, in part, "Her stories almost always have a happy-ever-after ending and leave you feeling satisfied that the characters have had or are walking into a life of complete fulfillment." A Marriage of Necessity will be no different. I don't like sad....or sad endings, I should say. There are certainly sad parts in many of my stories. And I am constantly reminded by my husband that I did, in fact, have the dog die in my first children's book. BUT Sadie has a wonderful life and the book concentrates on the good aspects of her life as well as educating on the benefits of rescue organizations. Her death is also depicted as a wonderful reunion with her friend Sami as she crosses the Rainbow Bridge to meet her. (How Sadie Learned to SMILE).
Tangents....that seems to be the way my day is going. BACK to multi-story writing! I was NOT going to multi-story write while working on Marriage. I told myself I would buckle down and work on nothing else (hence the reason I have ignored FaithWriters and other challenges as of late). Last week, however.....you guessed it....another story began knocking. I tried, I REALLY tried to ignore it. It won and over the weekend I began writing on it. Good news.....I was having a bit of a block on Marriage. That was part of the reason I decided to give in to this new story. Guess what? The block went away and what is pouring forth is, in my opinion, better than what it would have been. Sometimes creativity frees one up for greater creativity. Bottling myself in and mandating a one-story regimen simply wasn't working....for me. Writers come in all different shapes and sizes and genres and styles. You may not be able to work on more than one or, like me, you may find that limiting yourself clogs your brain instead of focusing it.
How many books do you read at a time? How many stories do you write at a time? How does this affect your work? I'd love to read your side.....
This blog will chronicle author Linda Boulanger's latest venture from idea to publishing to marketing as well as give insight into other insider aspects that may be of interest to authors and readers alike.
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
How many stories do you work on at a time?
Posted by Writers Shelf Life at 6:32 AM
Labels: book writing, FaithWriters, FaithWriters.com, novel writing, self-published, self-publishing, story writing
1 comment:
several stories! Well, ok, there was one that was simmering and while it was on the back burner (for over 3 years!) I wrote several others. LOL. And I often have a burner story while another is being scribed. It is just the nature of my writing. I go back to them off and on and sometimes I can furiously write..and sometimes it just goes back on the burner! (and the posts seem to be working!)ReplyDelete
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subset: commoncrawl


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Third Sunday of Easter
Third Sunday of Easter (A)
May 6, 2011
Text: Luke 24:13-35
He is Risen! He is risen, indeed!! Alleluia!!!
Word and Sacrament, the Means of Grace… we throw those terms around a lot. You hear me use those terms in one form or another in almost every sermon. And there is always this danger that the terms become meaningless for us because we are so used to hearing them, or worse, that they have no meaning at all, because your pastor has simply taken for granted that you remember what they mean from Catechism class. As a result, some confessional Lutheran clergy maintain that we shouldn't use the terms at all. I am not of that persuasion. But I do recognize the danger. It would be tragic if, in using these terms to lead you to a deeper appreciation for our Lord's dynamic gifts so that you are zealous to receive them as often as possible, instead you were led to tune out the terms as nothing but a familiar relic from Confirmation days gone by. The terms "Word and Sacrament" and "Means of Grace" are invested with meaning and power by the holy things they signify, through which holy things God acts: That God actually speaks to you in Scripture and preaching; that God actually washes your sins away in real water combined with God's Word, as He did today for Owen, in Holy Baptism; that God really pronounces your sins forgiven, done away with, nailed to the cross of Christ and buried forever in His tomb, in Holy Absolution; that God really gives you the true body and blood of Jesus Christ, the very body and blood given and shed for the forgiveness of your sins on the cross, the very body and blood of the risen Christ put in your mouths to eat and drink; that is what we mean by these terms. When you hear the terms "Word and Sacrament" or "Means of Grace," we are speaking of a very real, tangible encounter with the living God.
And that is precisely what the doleful disciples need as they trudge the seven miles from Jerusalem to Emmaus. There are two of them, one of them named Cleopas, the other unnamed. They are not from the 12 Apostles, but from the wider group of Jesus' disciples, those who believed in Him, those who had hoped that He was the one to redeem Israel. But now their hopes are dashed, or so it seems. That is the content of their conversation on the road. They are talking about the things that have happened, and how these things have not happened according to their plans. Jesus has been delivered up by the chief priests and rulers, condemned to death, crucified. It is not supposed to be this way. How could this be the Messiah? And now there are these rumors floating around, gossip, crazy wives tales, that He is alive. But how could that be? Dead men don't live.
Suddenly a Stranger comes astride. They don't know who He is, but you do. It is Jesus Himself, in the flesh, with them in a very real way, even though their eyes are kept from recognizing Him (Luke 24:16). And He speaks. There is power in the Word. It is the very Word of God from the mouth of the Word made flesh. It is a dynamic Word, living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword (Heb. 4:12). This is the Word that is able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus (2 Tim. 3:15). Faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the Word of Christ (Rom. 10:17). The disciples on the road to Emmaus need such faith. For Jesus has not lived up to their expectations. They had expected a Messiah who would defeat Israel's enemies in a blaze of glory and usher in the golden age for the Jews. Jesus, by contrast, is executed by Israel's chief enemy, Rome, as a common criminal, on an accursed cross. How can anyone believe in that? Jesus comes and speaks. "O foolish ones, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken! Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter into his glory?" (Luke 24:25-26; ESV). Indeed, it was divinely necessary, the very will of God, that the Christ should suffer, that He should die to ransom them and you and me and the whole world from our real enemies: from sin, from death, from hell and the power of the devil, not with perishable things such as gold or silver, but with His precious blood (1 Peter 1:18-19). "And so beginning with Moses and all the Prophets," from Genesis all the way through Malachi, "he interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself" (Luke 24:27). Because the whole Old Testament is about nothing else save Jesus Christ. It's all about Him and His saving work, His death and resurrection. Jesus preaches a sermon to the disciples on the road to Emmaus. They still don't know who He is, but their hearts are burning within them as He opens the Scriptures to them (v. 32). The imperishable seed of the abiding Word of God gives them the new birth of faith (1 Peter 1:23). Yes, Jesus saved us from our enemies precisely by His suffering and death. And He is, in fact, risen from the dead. That is the Christian faith.
The disciples reach their destination, and they beg this Stranger to stay with them, to abide with them, for it is toward evening. The darkness is coming and the day is far spent. And they know that this Man who has opened the Scriptures to them can give them light, enlighten them with His gracious Words. So He stays, He abides. Such is His grace. He gives them the gift of His presence in the darkness. And as He joins them at the supper table, He does something remarkable: He takes bread, blesses it, breaks it, and gives it to them. Sound familiar? It should. Because in the breaking of the bread, the disciples recognize that it is the Lord. And He is really present, in the flesh. Suddenly, He disappears from their sight. But He is not gone. He is with them just as substantially as before. They, and you, are to recognize His bodily presence in the preaching of the Scriptures and the breaking of the bread! And through this same Proclamation and Meal, He bestows upon you the saving benefits of His cross and empty tomb. Word and Sacrament! Means of Grace!
The Spirit of Jesus, the Holy Spirit, works through the Word and the Sacrament, the Means of Grace, to call you to faith in Jesus Christ, and enlighten you with His gifts, to sanctify and keep you in the one true faith of Jesus Christ unto eternal life. And Jesus Himself is present, really, bodily, in the Word and the Sacrament, the Means of Grace, to forgive your sins and to strengthen you for your Christian life in this fallen world, to give you His life in the face of death, to reconcile you to your loving heavenly Father. It begins in Baptism, where you become God's own child, where all your sins are washed away and you are united to the death and resurrection of Jesus. And it continues for the rest of your life as the Lord Jesus speaks His Word to you and absolves you of your sins and feeds and nourishes you with His Supper. Jesus gives Himself in Word and Sacrament. You receive His gifts in the Means of Grace by faith.
We all love the hymn, "Abide with Me" (LSB 878), which is based on this very text, our Gospel lesson. Why is this hymn so endearing? Because we recognize that in our case, too, "fast falls the eventide. The darkness deepens…" The world is shrouded in darkness, the darkness of unbelief, the darkness of sin. Our own sinful flesh is nothing but darkness. And the day is far spent (Luke 24:29). Our life is far spent. Death is immanent. For each one of us, death could come at any moment. So it is critical that the risen Lord Jesus abides with us. We need His presence every passing hour, holding His cross before our closing eyes. And this must be a real presence. This cannot be a figurative presence or a spiritual presence, whatever that means (when I say "I'm with you in spirit," I mean by that that I'm really not with you at all). What good is it to you if Christ is, in fact, risen from the dead, but you never have any sort of face to face encounter with Him… If He's never actually present with you and for you in His risen body? God answers the prayer you pray when you sing this hymn by giving you the presence of the living God, the risen Jesus, in the flesh, in Word and Sacrament, the Means of Grace! "Abide with Me" is a request fulfilled in sermon and Supper! "Abide with Me" happens because the resurrection of Jesus Christ is a present reality for you, right here, right now, right where He's promised to be. So receive the gifts with all eagerness and zeal. And never let the terms "Word and Sacrament" or "Means of Grace" be meaningless to you again. They indicate that Jesus is with you always, in a very real way, until the very end of the age (Matt. 28:20), in a way that far exceeds your expectations. For He is risen! He is risen, indeed!! Alleluia!!! In the Name of the Father, and of the Son (+), and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.


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Tutorial: How To Download Native Beta Apps From OpenRepos Via Warehouse App
Over the past few weeks there have been a number of new native apps for Sailfish surfacing at the OpenRepos site including reboot (app to reboot); warehouse (openrepos manager); foursail (native foursquare); friends (native facebook); CuteSpotify (native spotify); Mitakuuluu (native whatsapp); SailSoma (native free radio streaming); LLs Video Player etc etc.
These apps are mainly native Sailfish beta apps which have not been approved for the main Jolla store yet but are still available for download should you be happy to try out the "Beta" versions to test and offer feedback to developers.
In this tutorial we are going to make it easy for you to manage these apps with the advent of a Sailfish native download manager for the OpenRepos site called 'Warehouse'. For those of you who own/owned an N9, you may already be familiar with the warehouse app.
So, without further ado, here is the instructional:
1/ Open native Sailfish browser from your Jolla and hit the following link: https://openrepos.net/content/basil/warehouse-sailfishos
2/ Click on the latest app version ie. harbour-warehouse-"version".armv7hl.rpm (where "version" relates to the latest release number)
3/ The browser should then initiate the file download.
4/ To install the file, you will need to have already downloaded the "File Browser" app available from the Jolla Store so make sure you download that (and have the latest version) before continuing.
5/ Open "File Browser" native app and select the "Downloads" folder.
6/ In the "Downloads" folder you will see all your app downloads including:
7/ Select "harbour-warehouse-"version".armv7hl.rpm" and select "install" in the top pulley menu. This will initiate installation of the Sailfish native "Warehouse" app.
8/ Once the warehouse app has installed, you should find it at the bottom of your apps list. Open the app and you can browse/download/uninstall native beta Sailfish apps from within the Warehouse app directly to your Jolla.
Here are some images to help show you are on the right tracks:
Of course you can still download apps directly from the OpenRepos website if you follow steps 1-7 substituting the link in step 1 for the openrepos app link you require, but Warehouse makes the process much easier. ;-)
Thanks to all of the developers who are proactively making new native Sailfish apps available all the time and please consider making donations to individual developers to show that their hard work is much appreciated!
Thanks to Rated at our community port for the heads up on the availability of the new Warehouse app! :-)
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Will there be shade while we listen to the performers? There are a number of trees that can provide shade from the sun however keep in mind that shade moves with the sun and a shady area in the early afternoon may not be shady later in the day. You are welcome to bring an umbrella, just be thoughtful about not blocking the view of others. Don't forget the sun screen and a hat!
What should I bring to the festival? As a typical festival, a seating area is provided, but not the seating itself. We recommend attendees bring lawn chairs, beach chairs and or ground covers (blankets) to sit on while enjoying the music.
Can I bring my own drinks and food? We will have food vendors at the event so we ask that you not to bring in more than snacks and soft drinks. We will also serve beer and wine at the event, and because we do, we are required to have a permit from the ABC to serve attendees. The permit prohibits us to allow attendees to bring in their own alcoholic beverages.
Can I bring my dog? Leashed, well-behaved dogs are welcome. If your dog becomes aggressive toward other dogs or people, you may be asked to remove your dog from the festival. Please remember to pick up after your dog.
What does parking cost? Parking is free for the day. Overnight parking is not allowed.
Is the winery open for business during the event? The winery will be open during the event but is not part of the enclosed event area.
Can I come earlier than the noon starting time? The parking area is open well before the event, however the gates for the event will not be open before the noon starting time. The winery will be open and in the past, there were several U-pick orchards nearby open for business.
Is this a kid-friendly event? Families are welcome and there are open areas for children to play, but please note we have not in the past had vendors that catered to children.


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It has come to the NRA's attention that during the course of tomorrow's quarterly meeting of the Nevada Sheriffs' and Chiefs' Association (NSCA), there will be a discussion among the seventeen county sheriffs on the merits of "allowing" early concealed carry weapons (CCW) permit renewals prior to the existing 120-day window policy as adopted by the NSCA.
As previously reported, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (BATFE) will now exempt Nevada CCW permit holders from the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) provided that the permit was issued after July 1, 2011.
An appeal has been made to the BATFE that the exemption be applied to all current permit holders. Nevada sheriffs have been complying with the mandates for exemption since a Memorandum of Understanding was signed by the sheriffs prior to the 2007 legislative session. Unfortunately, the statutory framework for this exemption was not changed until Assembly Bill 282 was recently enacted.
Whether BATFE determines that current CCW permit holders are exempt or not, the NRA challenges the authority of the NSCA to decide any sort of regulatory "policy" that sets a time frame for permit renewals. According to individuals within the Nevada Department of Public Safety (NDPS), the 120-day early renewal "policy" was instituted as a result of a computer programming system that was based on a set of date parameters. That system has been re-programmed to allow for early renewals, so the time constraint can no longer be used as a reason to deny a permittee's renewal application.
Several sheriffs have already made it clear that since the NDPS computers can now handle the paperwork, there is nothing standing in their way of taking renewals at any stage in the permit process. Please take the time to contact your sheriff below and politely remind him that he has no authority to set a time frame on permit renewals and to cease from using the 120-day "policy" as a means to not re-issue.
Carson City
Sheriff Kenneth Furlong
Phone: (775) 887-2020 ext. 1703
E-mail: email@example.com
Churchill County
Sheriff Ben Trotter
Phone: (775) 423-3116
E-mail: firstname.lastname@example.com
Clark County
Sheriff Douglas C. Gillespie
Non-emergency: (702) 828-3231
E-mail: firstname.lastname@example.com
Douglas County
Sheriff Ron Pierini
Phone: (775) 782-9900
E-mail: email@example.com
Elko County
Sheriff James Pitts
Phone: (775) 738-3421
E-mail: firstname.lastname@example.com
Esmeralda County
Sheriff Kenneth Elgan
Phone: (775) 485-6373
Eureka County
Sheriff Kenneth E. Jones
Phone: (775) 237-5330
E-mail: email@example.com
Humboldt County
Sheriff Ed Kilgore
Phone: (775) 623-6419
E-mail: firstname.lastname@example.com
Lander County
Sheriff Ron Unger
Phone: (775) 635-5161
E-mail: firstname.lastname@example.com
Lincoln County
Sheriff Kerry Lee
Phone: (775) 962-5151
E-mail: firstname.lastname@example.com
Lyon County
Sheriff Allen Veil
Phone: (775)463-6600
E-mail: email@example.com
Mineral County
Sheriff Michael Dillard
Phone: (775) 945-2434
E-mail: email@example.com
Nye County
Sheriff Anthony L. DeMeo
Phone: (775) 482-8101
E-mail: firstname.lastname@example.com
Pershing County
Sheriff Richard Machado
Phone: (775) 273-5111
E-mail: email@example.com
Storey County
Sheriff Gerald Antinoro
Phone: (775) 847-0959
E-mail: email@example.com
Washoe County
Sheriff Michael Haley
Phone: (775) 328-3001
E-mail: firstname.lastname@example.com
White Pine County
Sheriff Dan Watts
Phone: (775) 289-8808
E-mail: email@example.com


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- Floral print
- Short sleeves
- Tie front fabric
- Scooped neckline
- Nursing function to either side of chest
- Made from a comfortable jersey fabric
- 95% Viscose, 5% Elastane
- Length from (approx): 110cm/43"
- Machine Washable
- Model is 5"9/175cm and size UK 18/EU 46
Plus Sizes: 16, 18, 20, 22-24, 26-28, 30-32
Fit & Fashion Notes:
Made from a comfortable jersey fabric, this chic maternity dress combines both practicality and style. Not only does the stretchy fabric make this dress perfect for growth during pregnancy, the nursing capabilities also make it a great dress to wear in early motherhood. Featuring slits to either side of the chest panel for easy access when feeding your baby, this function is subtly covered up with the tie fabric to the front.
Why We Love It:
This dress makes it easy for you to feed your baby when on-the-go, whilst ensuring that you look fabulous when doing so.
Express Tracked Delivery
USD $25 delivery (1-2 working days)
Returns Policy


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Three Unknown Items are found in Metroid: Zero Mission. All unknown items were found in Chozo Statues different from the other ones Samus finds in the game, as their structures seem to have greatly aged with time. The statues also have large shoulders like the ones granted by the fully powered Varia Suit. Unlike the other upgrades in the game, unknown items have a dull grey colour and do not glow; like the statues, they appear to be very old. Initially, they are unusable by Samus Aran as upgrades, but allow her to destroy Chozo Blocks bearing images of the associated Unknown Item. Until the player defeats the Chozo Hieroglyphic late in the game, the Unknown Items appear as garbled, mixed up text of an unknown language on the inventory screen. After defeating the Chozo Hieroglyphic, the Unknown Items' true identities are revealed to be the Gravity Suit, Plasma Beam, and Space Jump. A Japanese interview stated that they work because the Power Suit that Samus gains here is a "legendary one"[1], and therefore compatible with older technologies.
Zero Mission Samus Screen dataEdit
"Analysis inconclusive. Item incompatible with current suit."
- The Unknown Items are all items not available in the original Metroid game, and coincidentally resemble the Sacred Treasures from Kid Icarus, which used the Metroid engine: the Mirror Shield (Gravity Suit), Light Arrows (Plasma Beam), and Wings of Pegasus (Space Jump). All three were required to go to the last level of the game, and were not usable before that point.
- In Metroid: Other M, scanning the Diffusion Beam or Seeker Missile brings up the message "Details Unknown", similar to the Unknown Items. Details Unknown is also used as the description for Madeline and Melissa Bergman when they are recorded as "Identity Unknown".
- Metroid Prime 2: Echoes also contains an unknown item, but once collected is revealed by U-Mos a short time later to be the Energy Transfer Module.
- Note that the Unknown Items are related in some way to the Maridia area present in Super Metroid: the first and second items (revealed to be the Plasma Beam and Space Jump respectively) are obtained in Maridia, while the third one (revealed to be the Gravity Suit), although obtained while exploring the Wrecked Ship, is a crucial part to exploring Maridia and completing that area.
- ^ Metroid FAQ. Metroid Database (2004-09-29). Retrieved on 2013-10-03.


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September 23, 2014
Whether we like it or not, the holidays are approaching – and fast! With just over a month until Halloween, it's time to start getting your home ready for the fall and winter holidays. Use these holiday decorating tips to ensure that you get the most out of this holiday season in your Heritage Custom Home.
Each holiday has their respective colors, so take advantage of the various colors and shades throughout your home. There are so many ways to introduce holiday colors throughout your home:
Be sure to vary the colors and shades in your home. Too much of one particular color can seem tacky, so mix it up a bit!
During the holidays, our family, friends, coworkers and other company will come over to have a good time and enjoy the celebration. However, if your home is cluttered it will detract from the purpose of the event.
Before having guests over, get rid of all the clutter in your home. In addition, be sure not to arrange your holiday decorations in a manner that will cause even more clutter and frustration!
Have company coming over to celebrate the holiday season? Be sure to rearrange your furniture to allow for free flowing conversation. Not only will this encourage your family and friends to converse and have a great time, but it will also provide a comforting, warm holiday feel to your home.
Whether you have a holiday decoration passed down from previous family generations, or there is a particular holiday dinner plate you greatly enjoy, be sure to use it when preparing your home for the holidays. The more personal touch you can add to your decorations, the better!
Looking for a home you can cherish for generations? Contact Heritage Custom Homes in Murfreesboro, TN today. We'll build the home of your dreams!


text: Museum of Valence, France - Kasten Storage of Large Objects For the new repository, the museum of Valence required a museum storage solutions that guarantees the protection of the collection against dust, facilitate consulting the objects and allow maintenance as well as a regular follow-up. Museum of Valence presents a collection of artistic pieces created by local artists and several archaeological findings from the surroundings. The solution Depending on the shape and weight, Constructor storage solutions are chosen that guarantee the most safest and most appropriate form of large museum object storage. Pallet racks are used for the heavy objects of the collection. Cantilever racks provide a safe and efficient solution for the storage of long objects. Print Pdf Add


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The Youth Law Academy
The Youth Law Academy is a three year program for Oakland high school students to help them build their confidence and understanding of the path to college. Recognizing the need for more diversity in the legal profession we ultimately hope to inspire our students to seek a career in the law for the betterment of our community.
During this program they learn about the legal system, participate in a mock trial, participate in ethnic studies in the law seminars, are introduced to critical issues and injustices in the legal system, and receive a free SAT preparation course and college and financial aid advising. After their three years in the program we also provide support to them as they embark into their college years.
The Youth Law Academy is accepting applicants! Please see below for additional requirements and how to apply.
YLA Admission Requirements:
1) Candidates must be a Freshman at the time of their application. The program begins in the fall of their 10th grade year (Fall 2017-2018 academic school year);
2) Currently attending an Oakland High School (Charter, District, Private, etc.) and currently an Oakland Resident;
3) Candidate must know that he/she will be going to college upon high school graduation;
4) Candidate must be self-initiated and committed to completing program requirements.
Diversity Legal Pipeline
Diversity of the legal profession is an ongoing issue. Together, Blacks and Latinos make up nearly 45% of California population, yet only comprise about 7% of the state bar. The Diversity Legal Pipeline (DLP) seeks to increase diversity in the law by providing law-school bound undergraduates of color with the information, experience and advising necessary to be successful in the application process. The DLP is an intensive, week long pre-law bootcamp that introduces students to the law school application process and puts them face to face with law students, lawyers, and judges who help inspire them to know that a legal education is within their reach. During one week the students will participate in a mock constitutional law class, take an actual LSAT, read real court cases and have plenty of time to meet and network with other students and legal professionals. Once the bootcamp is over the program is followed up with targeted support for law school applicants to help them on their path to law school.
"The Diversity Legal Pipeline showed me that there are amazing people who are fighting, advocating, and doing the hard work that needs to be done in order for their communities to be able to live. It was inspiring to be able to connect with empowering people who are working with communities of color in the legal field in creative and impactful ways." Cheyenne Reynoso, DLP student 2016
"My dream is to become a criminal defense attorney, therefore, after I graduate from San Francisco State University, I plan on going to law school. A year ago though, I wouldn't know where to have started, and now I feel more prepared because I know all the steps I need to take. I really think that other students that want to go to law school should join this program as well because it's very helpful and very useful. The DLP is one of the best programs I've been in." Leonia Major, DLP student 2016
This year the DLP will take place from July 9-13 2018 in Downtown Oakland near Lake Merritt BART station. The program will take place from 9 am-4:30 pm each day, except Wednesday which will start slightly earlier and run slightly later to accommodate a trip to San Francisco. Participants must be able to attend each day of the program.


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School of Pharmacy
10A Victoria St. S.
Kitchener, Ontario, Canada N2G 1C5
Phone: 519-888-4499
Here is a checklist of items that will allow you to self-assess whether you are eligible, or likely to be eligible, for the awarding of CAP status:
- ≥ 90.0% high school admission average, as calculated for the Faculty of Science at Waterloo. This average is based on the student's top six grades, including required courses for admission to the Faculty of Science, using the best available grade information at the time the interview offers are released.
- Have completed, or are registered to take this academic year, the courses required for admission to the Faculty of Science: Grade 12 U English (ENG4U), Grade 12 U Advanced Functions, Grade 12 U Calculus and Vectors, and any 2 of the following Grade 12 U courses: Biology, Chemistry, Earth and Space Science, Mathematics of Data Management, Physics; and any other Grade 12 U or M course.
- Demonstrated leadership.
- Community involvement through volunteering and other efforts.
- Work experience (preferred qualification, not absolutely required).
- Interest in the profession of Pharmacy – you will need to write about this interest in a short personal statement that is part of the CAP application process (a section within the CAP Admission Information Form, or AIF).
- Willing to provide two letters of reference: one academic (teacher, principal, guidance counselor); one from employer or volunteer agency.


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Freelance Standard Interactive Developer
0 people like this description
One of our fortune 500 pharmaceutical clients is looking for a Freelance Standard Interactive Developer! If you are interested in this opportunity, please read the FULL job description below and then click APPLY!
Position Description and Responsibilities
• Ability to translate a creative brief into a design that solves the client's marketing/communication needs
• Works with Interactive Studio Manager to ascertain clients needs and provide innovative functionality solutions for assigned projects
• Accepts feedback from the Interactive Studio Manager and incorporates the feedback into the application
• Coordinates all aspects of functionality production/programming
• Works with designers to troubleshoot and solve production issues
• Performs work on multiple projects simultaneously
• Experience working in a pharmaceutical marketing environment a plus
• 5-7 years of online media development experience in an interactive agency/studio environment
• Strong knowledge of HTML, CSS, Javascript, XML
• Strong knowledge of Javascript libraries such as jQuery, Yahoo! UI Library, Script.aculo.us, etc.
• Thorough understanding of server side/client side interaction, AJAX
• Strong knowledge of content development for mobile devices and application of HTML5
• Strong debugging skills and knowledge of tools such as FireBug
• In-depth understanding of cross-browser, and front-end development issues
• Must be proficient in all major web development applications. Specifically Adobe Dreamweaver CS5, Flash CS5, Fireworks CS5, Illustrator CS5, Photoshop CS5, and Acrobat Pro
• Operates effectively in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment
• Ability to work effectively within a collaborative environment
• Attention to detail and quality assurance procedures
• Portfolio/online samples required
Communication Skills
• Participates in team meetings effectively and efficiently
• Keeps team lead well informed of project changes and challenges as they arise
• Effectively communicates relevant project information to team lead
• Resolves and/or escalates issues in a timely fashion
• Understands how to communicate difficult/sensitive information tactfully
• Effectively conveys our message and approach in both written and verbal communications
Technical Understanding
• Possesses general understanding in the areas of web development, application programming, database and system design
• Understands Internet, Intranet, Extranet and client/server architectures
• Gains a thorough understanding of our overall team capabilities
• Maintains awareness of new and emerging technologies and the potential application on client engagements
• Understands at a high level the abilities and limitations of industry standard technologies and software packages


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Living free may only be an illusion as there is always something hidden waiting to confine the beauty of unfettered space. Maybe an unsuspecting visitor or fence covered with lush camouflage that pretends to be part of the landscape. It fools and traps the wandering dreamer.
Step by step the visionary may walk, hopeful of its future. And in the moment all seems at peace. The surrounding landscape is hushed and still. It lulls those that pass into a false sense of calm. But what may come at the next bend? Is all as it seems?
Best to tread lightly these earthly footsteps. Cautiously move and trust home is within. Freedom may only be skin deep. Found in the echoes of the ancestors. Search for it not in tomorrows, but inside the endless mind.


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Jay-Z has earned a place as one of the really beloved artists in the music business and he has truly been active lately with the 2017 Tour. The crowds have been remarkable until now and there is no arguing that the vibe at a Jay-Z concert is a high as ever.
If you are a Jay-Z concert goer you surely will not be dissatisfied with the performance at the Rogers Place in Edmonton, Alberta this Saturday, December 09, 2017 at 08:00 PM, which is a show made to blow you away, not simply as a result of the top quality of the performance, but surely the audio and energy are ingredients you will surely delight in when you share the space with a genuinely devoted fan base.
The songs for this concert will include lots of familiar tunes, including a lot of the classics, and if you appreciate the work of Jay-Z like me, you will truly take pleasure in every second of this artist's presentation at the Rogers Place in Edmonton, Alberta this Saturday, December 09, 2017 at 08:00 PM.
Almost all opinions of this concert are consistently and the location is undoubtedly the best you will ever go to for a performance of this nature.
Jay-Z has truly delivered many remarkable presentations over the years everywhere in the United States and around the globe, but this year's concerts is likely to be something you will not easily forget as evidenced by the sold-out events.
This year's performance at the Rogers Place in Edmonton, Alberta this Saturday, December 09, 2017 at 08:00 PM is in line with a program that has actually been in the works for months and Jay-Z is certainly making sure that no fan is let down by the presentation. With excellent songs and a great location, you are assured to create some great memories of this concert.
If you intend to be part this concert you still have time to get your tickets, nevertheless, see to it that you do not put it off till the day before the event, because then it will likely be sold-out and you will really regret not attending to this incredible show.


text: We don't know where we go, or even where we've been. We don't even really know how to now, forgetting how to breathe. Being uneasy comes too easily. We got so much nerve for the unnerving, I look around and I see only me. Sanity is a cast iron cage. Break before you bend. Don't you understand how simple it is to be complex?


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Bill Lawrence is White Rock's newest city councillor.
City officials announced unofficial results of Saturday's vote at 8:42 p.m., just 42 minutes after the polls closed.
Lawrence will take the seat formerly held by longtime-councillor Mary-Wade Anderson, who died at age 84 on June 26, while serving her fifth term representing the city.
Nine candidates had vied for the seat (in finishing order): Lawrence (620 votes), Dave Chesney (490), Megan Knight (482), Pat Petrala (233), Grant O'Kane (165), Graham Wood (99), Bruce McWilliam (90), Scott Kristjanson (45) and Tom Willman (28).
Voter turnout – at 15 per cent – was slightly lower than that seen in the city's last byelection, held in 2009 to fill the seat left vacant following James Coleridge's removal from office by the B.C. Supreme Court. That year, voter turnout was 16 per cent.
In advance byelection polls, held Oct. 24 and 30, 374 votes were cast. Thirty-seven ballots were filled out during a special mobile vote on Oct. 29.
In total, 2,252 votes were cast.
Lawrence owns two city businesses, the Sandpiper Pub on Marine Drive and Sandpiper Liquor Store on Johnston Road.
In an all-candidates questionnaire for Peace Arch News during the campaign, Lawrence listed his top three issues as: replace/upgrade infrastructure; property taxes and future development.
He also advised he would be focusing on revenue-generating alternatives to current pay-parking policies, property-tax credits for seniors on fixed incomes, and festivals.
"Council needs representation from small business in White Rock," he wrote. "Advantages include getting the point of view from one of the important sectors within our community… the business owners. Second, I bring experience from a large multinational company and that from a grass roots small business employing people within the community."
Official byelection results will be declared on Nov. 7.
Candidates have until Nov. 12 to take down their election signs.
The 2012 byelection was projected to cost the city $40,000. The final tab has not yet been calculated.
More to come…


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A website with information for those interested in having their wedding in Lambertsbay
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If you are in the mood to try out some new dishes, going on a Dishcrawl may be just the thing you need! Just like a barcrawl, Dishcrawls take people on an edible adventure where they try out four different restaurants in one night. A group of people go out together and are often strangers at first, but become acquainted with each other throughout the night. Going on a Dishcrawl is not only a great way to discover new foods, but it is also great for meeting new people and making friends.
Experiencing a Dishcrawl is certainly more exciting and adventurous than a regular sit-down meal. The featured NBC video shows you what it is like to go out on a Dishcrawl.
Foodie Bar Crawls
More Stats +/-
Human Cheese Tastings
Flavorful Edible Utensils
Massive Canine-Friendly Cakes
71,488-Calorie Pasta
Road-Kill Cafes
Going on a Dishcrawl is an Exciting New Way to Experience Food
- By: Chalaine ManthaMay 1, 2011
References: dishcrawl & springwise
References: dishcrawl & springwise


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I thought today I would give you a quick sneak peek of how we have handled our summer learning this summer--affectionately known around these parts as The. Worst. Summer. Ever.
Except not anymore. Because we've officially given up complaining in this house under threat of having to pay money to "The Jar". Which only I have had to do so far. And that was before the power went out for two hours when it was 100 degrees outside.
But, I digress.
It has been a crazy summer here, to say the least, and if I were a better person (read, less Type A Control Freak Momma), I would have abandoned all summer learning plans in an effort to enjoy the time we had. Since I'm not that better person, I've tried to cram in learning where we could get it, although really in a less "formal" way. And hopefully, in a way that has benefited my kiddos.
1. Reviews...we have not accepted a ton of review products lately due to the craziness of our schedule, but we have done some, and they've been so very wonderful that sometimes we've forgotten that they were "extra summer learning". Most notably, we've kept up with math drills with Learning Wrap-Ups, and with literature and science unit studies with Moving Beyond the Page. Since these have fallen outside of our "normal" school-type look, my kiddos have been having a bit more fun with them and a bit less complaining about doing school.
2. Life Skills...Ah, yes. It has been the summer of learning life lessons. We have taken care of elderly family members, tried to pick up the slack at home when Momma is out of town, learned to survive a week at our first sleep-away camp, found out what happens when we go out of our way to be "not helpful" during summer craziness, learned about washing machine floods and homeowner's insurance policy facts, started lemonade stands, served family members who were recovering from surgery, written numerous Thank You notes, and learned how to run our own laundry. Many of these things I'd already learned, lol, but now most of my kiddos have some level of proficiency with these as well.
3. Brain Exercises...I've been doing a good bit of reading on brain flexibility and brain balance, in part from good friends passing along information, but also from the Learning Breakthrough book that I reviewed earlier this year. As a result, Firefly has now done seven weeks of an intensive Brain Training program here at home. Five days a week, we run through a series of exercises. I call that "Learning Skills".
4. Swimming...Both Bug and Firefly spent the summer swimming on a neighborhood swim team. I loved the cross-training aspect of it, loved watching them get stronger and competing against themselves, and watching their pride as they dropped their times. I think they just really loved to swim every day. We're calling this "P. E."
5. Math. Kind of...See, my original plan was to continue math throughout the summer, both to keep the material fresh and to "catch up"--mainly for Firefly. I admit to being a bit of a failure on this point, though. There are just way too many things to do with our scarce free time that seem to be a bit more fun than math.
But, Turtle is finishing up her Algebra 1, and Firefly has completed two lessons (almost), and Bug will sporadically work on his addition facts.
Four out of five ain't bad...
What do you do for summer learning in your homeschool?


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The Daily Sandwich
"We have to learn the lesson that intellectual honesty is fundamental for everything we cherish." -Sir Karl Popper
About Me
- Name: Matt Sandwich
- Location: Boston, Massachusetts, United States
Tuesday, November 30, 2004
Christians Against Hot Gay Baseball Action
From ABC News
Among some conservative Christians, there is a belief that President Bush received a "moral mandate" to win the recent presidential election-- and they are calling on him to act on their agenda now...
Cass wants a U.S. Supreme Court that will outlaw abortion and gay marriage. "Do you want to take your children to a National League baseball game for instance and have homosexuals showing affection to one another? I don't want my kids to see that," he said.
Monday, November 29, 2004
National security is the name of the game.
From the story:
"Protest organizers are pulling out all the stops as they try to gather crowds in time for a visit to Canada by U.S. President George W. Bush.
Mr. Bush comes Tuesday to a nation where many people are deeply unhappy about his policies. He can expect major protests in Ottawa and reportedly cancelled plans to address Parliament because of the likelihood of being heckled. . .
The U.S. President will travel Wednesday to Halifax, planning to thank residents of the East Coast for taking in air passengers stranded by the events of Sept. 11, 2001. [Awwww, that's sweet. I wonder if those clips will show up on the evening news here? I'm kidding. They will.]
At every stop, Mr. Bush can expect protesters. Although they concede the difficulty of raising a crowd in the middle of the week, with temperatures expected to remain locked in the single digits, protest organizers are predicting thousands of demonstrators. [Why, that's positively un-American! Anyone want to lay bets on those shots showing up? I'm kidding. They won't.]
I mentioned Chile because there were, unsurprisingly, thousands of protestors present for Bush's arrival. They did swell things like burn American flags and burn Bush in effigy. You wouldn't have known it from watching the pinko PBS NewsHour, though. They limited their coverage of Bush's arrival to a tight closeup of the smiling first couple waving from the plane's door. It might not have been accurate, but it sure was presidential. And the members of the press are uniters, not reporters.
America on Values: Eh.
"It's beginning to look a lot like "Groundhog Day." Ever since 22 percent of the country's voters said on Nov. 2 that they cared most about "moral values," opportunistic ayatollahs on the right have been working overtime to inflate this nonmandate into a landslide by ginning up cultural controversies that might induce censorship by a compliant F.C.C. and, failing that, self-censorship by TV networks. Seizing on a single overhyped poll result, they exaggerate their clout, hoping to grab power over the culture.
The mainstream press, itself in love with the "moral values" story line and traumatized by the visual exaggerations of the red-blue map, is too cowed to challenge the likes of the American Family Association. So are politicians of both parties. It took a British publication, The Economist, to point out that the percentage of American voters citing moral and ethical values as their prime concern is actually down from 2000 (35 percent) and 1996 (40 percent)."
All righty then, mainstream press. I suspect that in lihgt of this info, you'll drop the topic like a hot potato. Right?
Saturday, November 27, 2004
Q: What's red, white & blue and has CCCP written all over it?
This comes from a favorite weekly newsletter of mine by physicist Robert Park:
To reach a deficit of $7.5 TRILLION in this session, Congress had to get down to business and make a lot of really bad spending decisions. Take Moon-Mars, for example. I like the moon; it was beautiful this morning as I drove to the office. Scientifically however, it has to be the least interesting destination in the heavens. As a launch platform to get to Mars it's just nuts.
Mars is more interesting, but we have two robust geologists there already. If there's some reason to send frail humans, they sure haven't found it yet. NASA Administrator Sean O'Keefe said the election was a clear mandate for the President's Moon-Mars thing, but WN could find no mention of it by Bush since January, and Congress has held virtually no hearings on it. The APS Panel on Public Affairs just issued a Discussion Paper on Moon-Mars. The URL would take up the entire page, so go to http://www.aps.org/ and click on Moon-Mars Program in the column on the left. It warns that Moon-Mars would far exceed budget projections and jeopardize real NASA science. The Discussion Paper also urges the government to pay attention to recommendations on priorities in space from the National Academy of Sciences. You wouldn't think you'd have to tell them that, but that's the way it is.
Mission Accomplished! Again!
An understatement, to say the least. Here's a quote from the above AP story:
"A third or more of the government property Halliburton Co. was paid to manage for the U.S.-led Coalition Provisional Authority in Iraq could not be located by auditors, investigative reports to Congress show.
Halliburton's KBR subsidiary ''did not effectively manage government property'' and auditors could not locate hundreds of CPA items worth millions of dollars in Iraq and Kuwait this summer and fall, Inspector General Stuart W. Bowen reported to Congress in two reports."
Now we can't even get the profiteering right?
Friday, November 26, 2004
The Big Time?
Thursday, November 25, 2004
Kiss those GOP-funding companies goodbye...
Phillips Int'l. - 100%
Cooper Industries - 100%
Flowers Industries - 100%
Harris Corp. - 98%
Illinois Toolworks - 97%
Outback Steakhouse - 96%
ExxonMobil - 96%
National City Corp. - 95%
Wendy's Int' l. - 93%
Anadarko Petroleum - 92%
Timken Corp. - 91%
Halliburton - 91%
Meadwestvaco Corp - 90%
Darden Restaurants Inc. - 90%
Branch Banking & Trust Co - 90%
Int'l Paper - 90%
Caterpillar - 89%
J.C.Penney Corp. Inc. - 89%
Goodyear Tire - 89%
Conoco-Phillips Spirit 89% (Does this mean gas and cigarettes?)
Smithfield Foods Inc. - 88%
Chevron-Texaco - 87%
Ford Motor Company - 84%
Cigna Corporation - 83%
Owens Corning 83%
Conagra Foods 83%
Home Depot Inc. - 81%
Baxter Healthcare Corporation - 81%
3M Company - 80%
Wednesday, November 24, 2004
How to Avoid a Draft
Vietnam Vet, 53, Called for Duty in Iraq
It goes something like this:
"Dunlap, who has not been in combat since serving as a 19-year-old Marine in Vietnam, could not be reached for comment. He will leave behind his wife Mary, four children and three grandchildren."
34 years since he served? No problemo. It's like riding a bike. A few minutes under fire, and it'll all come back to him.
Tuesday, November 23, 2004
Quibbles (wobble, but they don't fall down)
Here's how it went:
Well, I don't think most folks come to my site for in-depth news reporting. I hope not.
I suppose I might write a slightly different kind of commentary after the fact -- perhaps with more "gravity," even -- but this was very much an "of-the-moment" rumor and it seemed to me what recipients of the email most urgently needed to know right then was:
1) Is the implication that Democratic voters in Travis County are being targeted as victims of voter fraud justified?
2) Is there really a problem with the voting machines in Travis County? If so, what is it?
3) What steps can voters there take to avoid their vote being compromised?
Underneath my commentary I linked to four news articles plus a memo from the Travis County Dem Party headquarters that gave all the additional information you or anyone else may have been interested in. It seems to me my pages are more readable and useful when my own commentary is short and whatever in-depth coverage exists is made readilty available through external links.
Lastly, to be honest, I took a cue in my handling of the rumor from the official Democratic Party response, which was to the effect that the reported problem was not a machine malfunction, but rather voter error. "We thank everyone who has written or called in with their concerns," said the statement in closing. "We understand these concerns considering what happened in Florida in 2000. But here in Travis County, Texas in 2004 there is nothing to worry about."
Thanks very much for writing.
David Emery
Eh. I suppose that hearing him say that in retrospect he might have done it differently was something. I'm just going to take hold of the fact that he's having second thoughts and tell myself that it's making a bit of a difference. I'm not printing the text of the message that I sent, but it was very tempered and sensible-- and like my NewsHour encounter, I got a rationalization instead of an actual response to my letter. But again we see that these people are listening. So start writing letters. Things aren't going to change if we don't speak up. And it can be a very cathartic experience-- especially if you're as pissed off as I am.
Divine Right
By which I mean that the crackpot right has decided to do what they do best-- take a 51-49 electoral win and turn it into a license for..... errr, crackpotism.
Here's a quote from the story:
"A right-wing Republican group launched a television campaign calling for the United Nations to be kicked out of the United States, alleging the world body is a "safe harbor" for terrorism.
California-based Move America Forward wants the world body's New York headquarters shut down and its officials expelled from the country because it failed to support the US-led war on Iraq."
Does that name sound familiar? It would if you were following the right-wing attempts to prevent Fahrenheit 9/11 from being screened. They were the prime movers. Now they're moving on (pun intended) to bigger and more biblical things. Like condemning the international community for not going along with our cooked-up intelligence and suggesting alternatives to a pre-emptive war. Which is going really well.
Is the administration starting to scare the hell out of you yet? If not, they have more than one way of forcing the hell out you.
UPDATE: Oops. Looks like Move America Forward is actually proposing another war. From the UN's website:
"The United Nations Headquarters is in New York City but the land and buildings are international territory."
We're an occupied country! Let's rise up and take back our nation! I guess that holds true for embassies, too. After all, when you're an occupied nation, it's your duty to expel the oppressors, right? Especially when your case is built on the justice of the war in Iraq, where insurgents are fighting against a just government that is definitely NOT occupying your nation. That's totally not cool.
Monday, November 22, 2004
The Daily Sandwich is on the money! Plus, Travis county officials admit to voting irregularities.
Another update on the same site gives a disturbing take on the problems of electronic voting.
Here's a link:
Here's a quote:
"According to the Travis County Clerk's office, the glitch is the result of voters not scrolling down to catch the final referendum at the bottom of the ballot before hitting "Enter," which causes a switch — a "flip-flop," if you will — from their original presidential selection to its opposite, an error which is easy to correct so long as voters make sure to examine their ballot summary page carefully before making their final submission."
It acknowledges that the system had an inherent flaw without looking into the actual issue-- did it happen to people who voted either way? Just Dem voters? Apparently, whether the voters' initial votes were cast as they wished or not, they stood the chance of being misrepresented. That is inherently unfair. A voter isn't to blame for a "glitch," especially when it's been openly acknowledged by the county clerk's office... The site's host isn't a journalist (which doesn't count for much anyway), but this is an utterly irresponsible justification of an admitted flaw in the system. I'll write the guy and see if he has anything to say...
Of course, it's also shocking that an e-mail forward turned out to be true. That could be a first.
Sunday, November 21, 2004
Dial W for Funny...
Seriously. An astonishing amount of work must have gone into this. You owe it to the maker(s) to watch it.
Friday, November 19, 2004
Every Child Protected Act
From the letter:
"Normally, a member of the Senate will first approach other senators and ask them to co-sponsor a bill before it is introduced -- instead, I am turning to you. Imagine the power of a bill co-sponsored by hundreds of thousands of Americans being presented on the floor of the United States Senate. You can make it happen. Sign our "Every Child Protected" pledge today and forward it to your family, friends, and neighbors. . ."
Very cool. Even if it goes down to defeat, it will show how motivated the electorate is to fight for defenseless Americans, instead of the robber barons. Sign up, please.
On the downside, it looks like Kerry is planning another run. I wouldn't mind that too much, although the press (even a fair amount of the liberal press) is pretty down on the guy for that whole 'likability' thing. But hey, he got 49% of the vote against a wartime incumbent. Not too shabby.
Dollar Drop Accelerates
From the Financial Times:
"The US currency came under renewed selling pressure the moment it became clear George W. Bush had been re-elected president. In the two and a half weeks since then, the alue of the dollar has fallen 2.5 percent against the euro and 1.9 percent against the yen. The falls represent an acceleration of the dollar's steady decline since 2002. Since the start of that year, the greenback has fallen 32 percent against the euro and 21 percent against the yen. . . .
Darek Halpenny, currency analyst at Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi, points to a "very grim" outlook for the dollar in the near term. "With the foreign exchange market now focused entirely on the problem of the US budget deficit and current account deficits, there is a real risk that dollar selling becomes a crisis of confidence," he says. . . .
There is a fear in the currency markets that the dollar's decline, which has been gradual and orderly so far, will turn into a rout."
Wednesday, November 17, 2004
The Boston Green Tea Party
I wrote to CNN, and I also wrote to the Palm Beach Post, where the article appeared. The author of the story, R. Hayes, wrote back and had this to say:
"Thanks for writing--and I agree. I wasn't given enough room to report Ms. Crowley's speech in more detail, but her underlying assumption seemed to be that positions mean nothing, perception is all. She mentioned, for example, Kerry's notorious windsurfing photo as another element in his failure to connect with the American people and win the presidency. This struck me at the time as a bit simplistic, but apparently TV news has no idea how to handle the concept of purple states."
Hear, hear! Folks, when you see something silly in the media take the time to write. The media playing field has to be leveled before we can take back the government.
Tuesday, November 16, 2004
GOP Unveils New Pro-Crime Agenda
First, a trip back in time...
House Republicans in 1993 -- trying to underscore the ethics problems of Dan Rostenkowski (D-Ill.), then-chairman of the Ways and Means Committee -- adopted the rule that requires a party leader to surrender his or her post if indicted by any grand jury, federal or state.
Now back to the present....
John McCain Shoots for Credibility
So I was ready for some good news. I guess this'll have to do. Now that the election is over, and McCain apparently chose wisely in supporting an administration he clearly loathes, he seems to be taking the first steps toward acting responsibly. Namely by trying to act against global warming. It'll be an uphill battle, to say the least. The House is already making a play to get ANWR drilling on the table again, and the White House is vehemently opposed to any measure that reduces energy consumption (remember that tax credit for buying SUVs?).
From the NYT story:
"Wasting no time distancing himself from President Bush on an issue that has long divided them, Senator John McCain yesterday called the White House stance on climate change "terribly disappointing" and said inaction in the face of mounting scientific data was unjustified."
America, Athens Style
Here are the opening paragraphs:
In 431 BC, the Greek world went to war against Athens. Thucydides claims that the reason for war was the "growth of Athenian power and the fear which this caused." The Athenians were a proud people who had ultimate faith in their institutions. They saw themselves as a model upon which the whole Greek world should mold itself. "I would prefer ...that you fix your eyes every day on the greatness of Athens as she really is," stated Pericles, "and you shall fall in love with her."
The problem for Athens was that the majority of city-states in the Greek world did not share the Athenian vision. To most of the city states, especially those within the Delian League, Athens was an arrogant, power-hungry entity that would do anything to keep and maintain power. Athens bullied members of the Delian League into providing cash for security. Not trusting other member city-states, Athens moved the treasury to the mainland from the island of Delos. During the Peloponnesian War, the brutal actions of Athens toward the people of Lesbos and Melos sparked uprisings all over the empire. Although much of these were suppressed by Athens, this weakened the great democracy, eventually bringing a tragic defeat to the once mighty empire. Athens had to give up all colonies and the people were forced to stand by as the tattered remains of their glorious navy was put to the torch.
A Tiger By the Tail
No, I've been holding our for signs that the party will begin to implode by going too far in too open a way. I just hope that we keep seeing more statements like this one from Jan LaRue, general counsel for the fundamentalist group Concerned Women for America (which is run by a man, as it happens):
"If [moderate Republicans] can't agree and support the president and the platform, then they ought to go over to the Democrats."
Yes, please. We'd be more than happy to have the left, the center AND the moderate right.
Monday, November 15, 2004
EPA Pesticide Study: 'Observing' Kids Who've Been Exposed
I've heard this from multiple sources who agree on the main themes. This particulare link is also a petition. I love petitions like this-- unlike e-mail forward petitions, which are worthless.
Why is it that every damn thing this administration does hints at some hideous 20th century totalitarian disaster? Like Nazi medical experiments. Except they didn't offer their victims swell cash and prizes for participating. I freely admit that. We didn't offer prizes after the Tuskegee experiments, either.
Joe Lieberman, You're a Gutless Turd.
"During the Clinton years, as far as I can tell, more than 60...judicial nominations were blocked not by a filibuster but because the Republican-controlled Judiciary Committee never even gave those nominees a hearing."
So far so good, right? Hang on to your hats...
"The point of fact here is that both of these, the filibuster [by the Dems] and the blocking of even a hearing under President Clinton, are signs of a government here in Washington that has grown too partisan."
Sooooo.... because the GOP mercilessly blocked moderate nominees, we should allow them to ram through reactionary nominees without a fight? It's pure genius!
Looks like all that post-election Democrat outrage might not mean a thing to the lily-livered on the Hill.
Welcome Back, Stalin!
This story is about Powell's resignation. No surprise there. The one man with integrity in this administration went ahead and sold out-- thereby tarnishing his reputation (for being dishonest) and sinking his chances with W's cronies (for being honest). They're probably promoting Condie "historical document" Rice. She's obviously loyal and trustworthy. http://www.cnn.com/2004/ALLPOLITICS/11/15/powell/index.html
Next is the scary tale of the purge at the CIA. No, not the folks who botched intelligence for the last four years-- the ones who tried to get the truth out. Yes, they're going to get the axe for being "disloyal" to the prez.
Every reporter who expressed optimism that W would finally go centrist (in the words of Bullwinkle, "This time for sure!") should be given a serious noogie. And start doing their job, if it wouldn't be too much trouble. You've had a five-year vacation.
Sunday, November 14, 2004
Red State GOP Creationism Advocate Indicted. Sandwich Amused.
So let's take a roll call. Gingrich. Bennett. DeLay. Thurmond. Thomas. Cheney. Their enforcers, Limbaugh and O'Reilly. I won't even get into the evangelists...
Ashcroft/Romney 2008! Bring real moral values to the White House! (shudder)
Saturday, November 13, 2004
The New Bulge Review
Either it was a bulletproof vest, or "nothing"
Yeah, we know. Some of you are probably thinking, "Christ, not the bulge thing again. That is so election 2004." But just as there is a powerful and necessary call to further investigate whether widespread election fraud occured this year, we're still hearing from readers who want to get to the bottom of the mysterious little lump that appeared under President Bush's suit jacket during the debates.
So we thought we'd point out one intriguing discrepancy that's recently come to our attention (hat tip to War Room reader G.M. of Modesto).
On Nov. 4 we told you about a report in The Hill claiming to have the final word on the source of the Bush bulge:
"Sources in the Secret Service told The Hill that Bush was wearing a bulletproof vest, as he does most of the time when appearing in public. The president's handlers did not want to admit as much during the campaign, for fear of disclosing information related to his personal security while he was on the campaign trail."
But on Nov. 7, a report from the Associated Press had top Bush adviser Karl Rove floating a slightly different explanation:
"On one sideline row during the campaign, Rove said the president's tailor was devastated about a controversy over a box-shaped bulge in Bush's back that television cameras captured during the first debate. ... 'Nothing was under his jacket,' Rove said. 'The poor tailor ... he's an awfully nice fellow, he's a rather flamboyant dude,' Rove said. 'I'm not going to use his name, but he's just -- he's horrified. And, you know, it's -- there was nothing there.'"
So which is it, fellas? (And did Rove really call the White House tailor "a rather flamboyant dude"? Did the bulge somehow get folded into his anti-gay-marriage strategy?)
-- Mark Follman
NYT tries to improve its reputation.
Write letters. Cancel subscriptions. The Democrats aren't going to get anywhere if the press keeps dumping on our candidates in the name of 'objectivity,' which has become synonymous with pandering to the GOP.
Friday, November 12, 2004
Under the Radar...
(USA Today)"The shiny green beetle, called the emerald ash borer, came to the USA up to 10 years ago, probably inside a wood packing crate from China.
Since it arrived near Detroit, the beetle has destroyed more than 6 million ash trees in 3,000 square miles of southeast Michigan, an area larger than Delaware. The U.S. Agriculture Department quarantined the area in October 2003, making it illegal to remove ash trees and firewood.
But the emerald ash borer flies up to a half-mile in the summer. It has been found in Ohio, Indiana and Ontario, plus in commercial nurseries in Maryland and Virginia.
Federal and state agriculture officials have launched a major effort to hunt down the beetle and destroy every ash tree within a half-mile of infested trees.
"If we don't stop this in northwest Ohio, it's a death sentence for the nation's ash trees," says Fred Daily, director of the Ohio Department of Agriculture. "
I remember a spate of bug-menace horror movies in the 70's. Tarantula. Ants. Earwig (I made that one up). Frogs (I didn't make that one up). Empire of the Ants. Kingdom of the Spiders. Food of the Gods (which doesn't really count). And don't forget: Them! More than one was about the nasties coming in packing crates from overseas.
Obviously 'homeland security' could use a tad more work. And it probably wouldn't even cost $250,000,000,000.
When Being Right Feels so Wrong....
And even I could tell that an assault on Falluja would be FUBAR. We've been at the gates for months-- threatening, withdrawing, and listening to Rush Limbaugh (who's broadcast to the troops every day!) pontificate on how we should turn it into a parking lot (yes, he actually said that). But if anyone in Iraq had access to the US press, they would have known that there were rumors of an assault months ago-- and hints that it wouldn't happen 'till after the election. It doesn't take a genius to realize that what you do with your guerilla units is fall back in Falluja and start raising hell in other cities once the American forces are committed.
Bingo. I guess the valuable lesson the administration will again ignore is that we aren't dealing with morons. It was no way to spend Veteran's Day.
With Friends Like These...
"has systematically undercut the freedom and independence of the press, destroyed the checks and balances in the Russian federal system, arbitrarily imprisoned both real and imagined political rivals, removed legitimate candidates from electoral ballots, harassed and arrested NGO leaders, and weakened Russia's political parties. In the wake of the horrific crime in Beslan, President Putin has announced plans to further centralize power and to push through measures that will take Russia a step closer to authoritarian regime." Excellent link: http://www.cdi.org/russia/johnson/8385-24.cfm
Who likes W? Responsible Christian Bob Jones, who writes to Bush:
"In your re-election, God has graciously granted America—though she doesn't deserve it—a reprieve from the agenda of paganism. You have been given a mandate.
....Don't equivocate. Put your agenda on the front burner and let it boil. You owe the liberals nothing. They despise you because they despise your Christ. Honor the Lord, and He will honor you.
....Undoubtedly, you will have opportunity to appoint many conservative judges and exercise forceful leadership with the Congress in passing legislation that is defined by biblical norm regarding the family, sexuality, sanctity of life, religious freedom, freedom of speech, and limited government. You have four years—a brief time only—to leave an imprint for righteousness upon this nation that brings with it the blessings of Almighty God." Read the letter here: http://www.bju.edu/letter
Thursday, November 11, 2004
MoveOn.org: Investigate the Vote
You can also stop by www.blackboxvoting.org to keep tabs on new developments.
Wednesday, November 10, 2004
Meet the Devil You Don't Know
"(AP) WASHINGTON - President Bush nominated White House counsel Alberto Gonzales, who helped shape the administration's controversial legal strategy in the war on terror, to be attorney general Wednesday. He would be the first Hispanic ever to serve as the nation's top law enforcement officer. "
I'm sorry to say that I predicted this one, just like I called Ashcroft. The controversial legal strategy? Making sure that the White House wouldn't face any problems over Abu Ghraib. Other experience includes detaining suspects for years without charging them and serving as general counsel for Enron. Ahhhh, moral values.
Did I mention that he's Hispanic? What a vote-getter that'll be!
UPDATE (11/12): I concur with the view of my favorite bloggers-- the Dems should let this one slide. If they get "obstructionist" with this appointment, they will have lost a lot of press time* when the Supreme Court nominations roll around. What they need to do is not wuss out during the confirmations-- ask tough questions about his role in the infamous 'torture memos,' his actions in presenting then-governor Bush with misleading accounts of death-row prisoners (I don't have a handy link, but you need to check it out), and his role with Enron. It's all we have, but at least it'll be on the record. All appointments are going to be evil, and Ashcroft only hurt people of one skin tone (if that doesn't sound too cruelly pragmatic). Sadly, the non-fundamentalist in the mix has now been nominated. That means Ashcroft clones are going to be up for Supreme Court appointments. That's what the Dems have to fight. And they have to fight hard. Get ready to write nasty letters to media outlets that try to be "fair and balanced" about the fundies that we're certain to face. I can already see the articles: Acknowledged as a judge who is strict in a region where strictness is the norm, xxxxx State Supreme Court judge xxxxx has proven himself to be a staunch defender of state's rights when it comes to displaying the Confederate flag, but shows that he is more than willing to accept the rule of federal government in issues like the detention of suspects under the Patriot Act. As such, his bipartisanship can be expected to draw much controversy from both sides of the aisle." Expect lots of that nonsense.
*Sheesh. I don't even have the energy to collect links on the number of judicial appointments that were blocked by the GOP house during the Clinton years. Yet, when the Dems under Bush opposed just a handful, it became a tale of bloody murder (one parroted by the press, natch). Oy. Don't get me started. The facts are out there. Do your own research. It'll only take a few seconds.
UPDATE 2: Slate has an article that reminds me of another bit of Gonzales sleaze. http://slate.msn.com/id/2109623/ This involves protecting W's DWI conviction from becoming public when he was running for governor.
The Persuaders
This show is about modern marketing, and how marketing is used in politics. Particularly, how a political/corporate goal can be framed so that it appeals to people-- even when it isn't something they want.
Visit the site, watch the show, check out the interviews. The portrayal of Frank Luntz made my flesh crawl-- he's responsible for making regressive taxation and environmental damage sound great to ordinary folks, and for selling Gingrich's 'Contract With America.' Naturally, he has no regrets, although he never claims to support any of these positions.
Ironically, I saw this on the same day I received Lakoff's 'Don't Think of an Elephant.' But there's one thing that concerns me. Will the media buy it this time? Or will they start decrying it as hackery, in spite of the fact that they've been letting the GOP get off scot-free for years?
Here's one idea that I came up with:
The Gun Owners' Protection Act. The rights of gun owners, as expressed in the Second Amendment, are in danger of disappearing at the hands of a few activists. Why? Because a small percentage of the population has abused their Constitutional rights. Gun owners are responsible citizens. Sadly, they are put in danger by a few disreputable dealers and manufacturers who want to undermine the Constitution in the name of making a fast buck.
The longer this small group continues to knowingly arm dangerous criminals, the greater the risk that we'll ALL lose our rights. See to it that a few dishonest people aren't cheating the rest of us out of our rights as American citizens.
So that's my pitch. What is the bill? Requiring extended background checks and waiting periods. Would it fly? Doubtful, since the GOP has already managed to defuse this debate to a degree where showing a Democrat with a gun is like showing, say, a Frenchman with a Velveeta sandwich. And a fair number of Democrats would flip out as well, since we don't seem to have the party unity and discipline. I'm just trying to experiment with the idea a bit.
Tuesday, November 09, 2004
Ashcroft, Evans Resign!
(Associated Press)
WASHINGTON — Attorney General John Ashcroft and Commerce Secretary Don Evans resigned today, the first members of President Bush's Cabinet to leave as he headed from re-election into his second term. . .
"The objective of securing the safety of Americans from crime and terror has been achieved," Ashcroft wrote in a five-page, handwritten letter to Bush."Yet I believe that the Department of Justice would be well served by new leadership and fresh inspiration," said Ashcroft, whose health problems earlier this year resulted in removal of his gall bladder.
Gall is the word, all right. Unbelievable. Enjoy the feeling of euphoria while you can-- and brace yourself for whatever kooks are on the way.
Framing the Debates
Some suggestions from a listener on beating the GOP at their own game.
Don't talk about gay marriage/civil unions-- it should be 'family rights.'
Talking about health care for the poor isn't going to ignite many voters: call it 'children's health' or the 'war on disease.'
Don't talk about creationism in the classroom-- say you support 'fact-based education.'
That's a good start.
And check out Lakoff's book "Don't Think of an Elephant," which is getting a whoooooole lot of attention after the election.
Much More Map Madness
Naturally, there are two sides to every story. Things look red on the face of it, but the vote was pretty evenly split. So a couple of folks decided to present electoral maps that reflect population. Check out the site. It's a nice primer on the presentation of facts that you like, but ignoring the ones you don't.
Why Privatizing Social Security Stinks
". . .during his post-election press conference last week, Bush finally seemed to acknowledge what economists have known all along: With or without private accounts, preserving Social Security over the long term will involve raising taxes, cutting benefits, reducing spending on other government programs, or some combination thereof. The question is not whether to cause financial pain but how."
To sum up, it's all about ideology-- real world be damned!
Spooks Run Wild
Being a skeptical sort myself, I'm inclined to think it's a diseased dog or coyote. But it certainly is gross.
Not Just for Barbarella Anymore, plus Operation: Bulge-B-Gone
So the above link is to an oddity that has nothing to do with politics. Just a typical sort of story that might provide a chuckle or two. You can always count on the media to report this sort of item, although you apparently still won't catch them saying anything negative about the Prez: http://www.commondreams.org/news2004/1105-12.htm
I'd make some tacky joke about how that bunch of p******* doesn't deserve Orgasmatons, but that wouldn't be very classy.
Monday, November 08, 2004
The Troops are Revolting
"David M. Miyasato enlisted in the U.S. Army Reserve in 1987, served three years of active duty during the first Gulf War and received an honorable discharge in 1991. He remained on inactive status for five more years, until 1996. Since then, the Kaua'i resident has married, started an auto window tinting business and this year, he and his wife had their first child.
But in September, Miyasato received a letter from the Army recalling him to active duty and directing him to report to a military facility in South Carolina on Tuesday."
Miyasato has decided to sue the Secretary of the Army.
Mandate, my foot.
This is a great article from TNR that addresses the issue, and makes me glad that I've voiced my disappointment with at least one major news source (check out my exchange with Time below).
Sunday, November 07, 2004
I think this is my first link to Kevin Drum's blog at the Washington Monthly, which is a good one.
Major League A-holes
Car 54 Where Are You?
From the NY Times:
"A new government estimate says a total of 6,000 of the weapons may be outside the control of any government, up from a previous estimate of 2,000, American officials said."
Well, hey. Compared to the number of weapons that WERE destroyed, as the White House likes to say, what's 6,000 missiles in insurgency hands? Peanuts, folks. No big deal.
For those who didn't grow up watching right-wing action flicks, the Stinger is a single use, shoulder-mounted surface-to-air rocket. IOW, a personal anti-aircraft missile.
The Shape of Things to Come
From the Washington Post:
Darlene Salerno considers herself a loyal customer of the Express clothing chain, shelling out roughly $2,000 for its trendy outfits each year for the past decade. On a recent shopping trip, she bought a tank top, a button-down shirt and some khaki pants, but realized when she got home that she had similar items in her closet. So a few days later she took them back to the store. She presented the items, the receipt and waited for her money.
Instead, the saleswoman handed her a slip of paper that said "RETURN DECLINED" and told her to call the toll-free number at the bottom for more information. She phoned and was informed her account showed "excessive" returns.
Wha?!? Apparently the expanded ability of companies to maintain databaseson credit card purchases is what it boils down to. Could be time to start using more cash... And this is something that Dems could latch on to.
And the Blogosphere Says....
Friday, November 05, 2004
The Power of Positive Thinking
TIME Responds
Here it is:
Hmmm. I see where the problem arises. If you read closely, I say Bush took the reins of power with the confidence of one elected by a landslide. In other words, what I'm trying bring across, is that despite the weakness of his mandate in 2000, he governed AS IF he'd been elected by a landslide. My point is that he ignored the question of mandate last time in his approach to governing, this time he has an incontrovertible mandate and the question is how will he govern. I guess I should have made more clear what I was trying to say apropos the "landslide" comment.
Thanks for writing
I expected the 'as if' defense, but that really wasn't my point. I'd hardly expect a journalist to say, "Gee, I'm sorry, that was a mistake." But at least they're listening.
Thursday, November 04, 2004
A Letter to Time Magazine
Mr. Karon
In your piece for Time magazine dated Nov. 3, 2004, you stated that:
"George W. Bush took the reins of power with the confidence and certainty of one who had carried a landslide mandate to implement his own agenda. This time, of course, his claim of a popular mandate is incontrovertible."
This seems fundamentally at odds with a statement which appeared later in the same article:
"President George W. Bush beat Kerry by a margin of more than 3.5 million American voters, leaving only a mathematical possibility of Senator Kerry prevailing in the Electoral College on the basis of Ohio's uncounted provisional ballots."
Landslide, or contestible election? Both, perhaps?
And which of Bush's agendas are to be implemented? His proposal for a Constitutional amendment banning gay marriage, or his statement that states should be permitted to allow gay civil unions?
This article represents the height of journalistic irresponsibility. Not only do you contradict yourself, but you ignore pertinent facts regarding Bush's agenda as he himself has stated it. The right wing has decried you for well over a decade. At this point, what reason would moderates or progressives have to rely on you for an objective view of the facts?
I found this story thanks to www.mediamatters.org. My second post-election recommendation is that you keep up with this site, and take the time to write letters like this one. The media trashed Gore in 2000, and didn't treat Kerry much better this year. And it doesn't take much to read an article and send an e-mail. As we saw with Sinclair Broadcasting, it makes a difference.
P.S.- Some of you are familiar with my encounter with The NewsHour. I sent a critical message, and received a response from a senior producer of the show within 24 hours. They really do read these messages. And the more of us who indicate our frustration, the more likely we are to turn the press away from their mindless parroting of GOP talking points. It could be the first step on a long road.
Lower Taxes! And keep sending our bailout checks!
New Jersey gets 57 cents in federal spending for every dollar of taxes.
Alaska get $1.89 for every tax dollar.
The biggest benefactors?
1. New Mexico
2. Alaska
3. Mississippi
4. West Virginia
5. North Dakota
6. Alabama
7. Montana
8. Virginia
In a word, red.
The biggest losers?
1. New Jersey
2. New Hampshire
3. Connecticut
4. Minnesota
5. Nevada
6. Illinois
7. Massachusetts
8. California
Blue, no? Sheesh.
That should eliminate any questions on why southern crackers (no, I'm not black either) are voting on morals rather than the economy.
Election Woes
"The [international] observers [of the US election] said they had less access to polls than in Kazakhstan, that the electronic voting had fewer fail-safes than in Venezuela, that the ballots were not so simple as in the Republic of Georgia and that no other country had such a complex national election system.
"To be honest, monitoring elections in Serbia a few months ago was much simpler," said Konrad Olszewski, an election observer stationed in Miami by the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe.
A New Hope
And now that someone has done the work of charting a map based on the vote, rather than the rubbish that is the red/blue dichotomy of the nation, things are looking even better:
What I'd really like to see is an analysis of population centers overlaid by an electoral vote count. The 'sea of red' represents a pretty small segment of the population-- no matter what hacks like Hannity are crowing about. There's certainly a big fight ahead, but things are looking good for our future. Old-timers broke for Bush, but the young--even in red states-- went for the Democrat. They won by playing to crackpot Christians, but those folks could be a dying breed. 'So let it be.'
I'm thinking that if Howard Dean made a play to replace Terry McAuliffe, we should back him up. Visit his site and sign up for his mailing list at www.democracyforamerica.com. He proved to be a potent force for the Dems even after he lost the nomination, and he isn't giving up the fight. Neither should we. This is my first post-election recommendation.
UPDATE: I finally found a map of the red-blue breakdown that takes population density into account: http://www-personal.umich.edu/~mejn/election/statecartlarge.png.
Wednesday, November 03, 2004
We Are Not Alone
"I am pretty good with words, usually, but no words can express how miserable, angry, and depressed I am feeling this morning over the results of yesterday's election. The exit polling makes it clear: this was a victory for bigotry and fear, a mandate bought with lies. . . [Winter] is already here in America."
He mentions something that frightens me a bit more than I'd care to admit. Some of my favorite blogs are suggesting the same. This, sadly, was a victory for religious fundamentalism. One telling fact is that the issue that won out as the biggest voter concern was 'moral values.' Not the economy, the war, or national security. Judging from BC's comments this morning, we're in for a hard time. They're talking about a broad national victory and a mandate, in spite of a vote that went 51-49.
My concern at this point is that what we're looking at a new fight not between two parties who have different ideas of how best to serve the American public. Instead, the next elections could come down to two sides: the Republicans, representing religious fundamentalism, and the rest of us, of all colors and orientations, who believe that the American experiment envisioned in the Constitution is worth fighting for. Archie Bunker versus the rest of us.
The good news is that, in spite of the lack of a youth turnout, black and Hispanic voter turnout was higher. The goal will be to stay united. Keep watching Howard Dean, who is set to keep active and doing a great job. Here is a quote from the message he sent out this morning:
". . . A record number of us voted to change course -- more Americans voted against George Bush than any sitting president in history.
Today is not an ending.
Regardless of the outcome yesterday, we have begun to revive our democracy. While we did not get the result we wanted in the presidential race, we laid the groundwork for a new generation of Democratic leaders."
Strange Times
Columnist Joe Conason had some of the most comforting words today. He mentioned the Goldwater defeat to Johnson, which was, as we all know, a crushing defeat. However, the Republican party didn't give up that day. Instead, they went on to build the infrastructure of the party that has controlled several or all branches of government for nearly twenty-five years. The bad news is that the current incarnation of Goldwater's party is more reactionary than it was under his stewardship.
Kerry was the better man, and he didn't lose in a landslide. And that is in spite of the fact that this is the ugliest campaign that many of us can remember. Even up against the merciless tactics of Karl Rove, an utter lack of responsibility on the part of the media, and an endless torrent of lies and smear tactics, we almost had the White House back.
On the other hand, a Kerry administration would undoubtedly have met with ferocious resistance from Congress, especially in light of last night's GOP gains. In fact, a Kerry administration would have been hamstrung, and probably portrayed as weak and ineffectual in the media. I should add that we did extremely well in states such as Oklahoma and Kentucky, where it normally wouldn't even be a contest. We didn't win, but we put up a surprisingly good fight.
As I mentioned earlier, people on the ground were seeing an American left more united than ever before. Nader was a non-issue, and tens of thousands of volunteers got involved to restore the Democrats to power. Our goal now should be to stay involved, stay informed, and continue to do what we can to restore responsibility to the media, accountability to the government, and solidarity among Democrats.
The fight will continue here. With the election over, I'll be posting less frequently. But when I come across news that I feel is important, it will be here. And I'll try to do my part to continue the activism that came tantalizingly close to achieving success.
There have definitely been some small victories, and the continued presence of the Internet community, Air America radio, and a united base should set us on the course to greater victories in the future.
Monday, November 01, 2004
Barneycam. No, really. BARNEYCAM!
You have to hand it to them for coming up with that hip Matrix reference. Yes, there are a group of people dedicated to putting a sunny face on the soulless trolls in the administration by making movies "directed by Barney." THRILL as Karl Rove, Scott McClellan, and Andy Card talk to a dog! SWOON as the prez and the missus.... talk to a dog! DELIGHT in endless scenes of Barney pushing a ball around! There's even a special cameo by veteran actor Ari Fleischer!
Thanks to the fine people at www.somethingawful.com for cluing me in to this one.
Thugs Go Home!
But the mostly black voters there weren't fooled. And when some people showed up with video cameras to capture the phony Democrats on tape, they quickly broke ranks and gave up. Ha!
However, this only earned a 5 on the Funny-Yet-Sad-O-Meter. High on funny, very low on sad.
UPDATE: Gee, what a surprise. They're using the same tactics in Michigan.
(AP) In a recording of a phone call played for The Associated Press, a young woman says: "When you vote this Tuesday remember to legalize gay marriage by supporting John Kerry. We need John Kerry in order to make gay marriage legal for our city. Gay marriage is a right we all want. It's a basic Democrat principle. It's time to move forward and be progressive. Without John Kerry, George Bush will stop gay marriage. That's why we need Kerry. So Tuesday, stand up for gay marriage by supporting John Kerry."
The calls began Sunday afternoon, according to Rodell Mollineau, spokesman for Kerry's Michigan campaign. The campaign said voters in Detroit, Grand Rapids, Flint and Pontiac received calls.