Deans, DFA nd DFA Radio are FIRST!!!

Argh ... "nd" s/b "and" ... what a way to begi a thread after a long absence!

I guess that I should quit while I'm still ahead ... if I am. LOL

It was really all a big joke about the candidates not coming to Florida.   They are.  

http://journals.democraticunderground.com/madfloridian/1476

BUT...the Florida Dem leaders are being so ugly that they are not only saying not to donate to the DNC....they are now including not to donate to the candidates.

Here's an email today.  I posted before they were saying not to donate to the DNC...but the candidate stuff is new.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=132&topic_id=3499909&mesg_id=3499909

LOL Hey Judy! Perfect timing indeed. So good to see you. Are you al a Suisse or over here?

Howz your extended vacation going?

... it's catchy s/b a la....not al a I guess I have Al on the mind. LOL

Hope Linda & Annilow do join me over here ... and any lurkers as well!

It's been a LONG time. But a lot of things have happened: I'm now in the new place and it's been signed, sealed, delivered, moved into and I'm officially on-line. But since the move on 22 August, life has been one mad whirl of activities. Suffice it to say that I am now on this side of The Pond. After landing in MD, my long-suffering spouse and I made a mad drive to Mississippi to help celebrate their 50th anniversary with some long-time friends and about 170 other friends and family members. It was a memorable occasion and a great general reunion.

From there, we headed over to N'awlins, Loozeeanna to see the city for ourselves. We stayed in the French Quarter in the French Market Inn, took the Katrina Tour, which took us to the 9th Ward and St. Bernard's Parish, saw the IMAX presentation about Katrina and heard firsthand from those who lived through it and who are still working to rebuild their city. What an inspiring group of people and what a shame we have such criminals and incompetents running the show in DC (and elsewhere). Seeing the FEMA trailers perched on the front lawns was actually a sign that those people are working to rebuild their homes. Hearing from those who were actually living in them and working to rebuild was devastating. Looking at what those literal tin cans represent in the greatest country in the world was an embarrassment. I do not understand why we are not ALL of us marching on the WH with hot tar and feathers!

It is startling to realize how much of the city literally will have to be razed to the ground and rebuilt and/or relocated. The French Quarter, having been built in the area that was habitable in the first place, is on the verge of recovery. But it will take a lot of time and effort and some things will never be the same.

Today we drove from NOLA to Natchez, MS, having stopped off to see to strikingly different examples of antebellum plantations in Lousiana. We saw Oak Alley, one of the most photographed plantations, known for its majestic and strikingly beautiful live oaks, and Laura, a Creole plantation, that is still in the process of being renovated. Laura was the childhood home of one Laura Locoul Gore (no relation to our Al), who was allegedly inspired to write her memoirs after reading *Gone with the Wind* in an effort to set the record straight about plantation life in the South.

Got off for a few minutes as I was afraid that I was getting too long and would be cut off ... we took tours at both plantations. But the one that is NOT to be missed is the *Laura* tour. The architectural details of the house were truly amazing, especially in light of what we now know about how structures survive (or do not survive) hurricanes and other devastation in the area.

Because it's US Open time, we watched Venus Williams defeat Jelena Jankovic in a truly stirring tennis match. Both women played some ecellent tennis. Now we are watching Roger Federer and Andy Roddick go into their second tie-break. As those who are watching know, Roger won the first set. Roddick is playing very well.

So, it's great to be back for a time. We'll be moving on up into Tennessee and Kentucky, making the most of our Southern tour, and visiting friends along the way. I'll only be able to be on sporadically until we are back in MD sometime around mid-month.

judy, there's a town over the way where you are where the bar where robert johnson was killed is reported to be still be standing. i don't remember the name of the place. small. mr. johnson, if i may, is pretty much the father of rock, blues, r& b. and the whole shabang. eric clapton, the stones, and others recorded versions of his songs. robert was a young black man in the 1920's who went from town to town selling his music. 26 songs were recorded in the late 20's on an acetate machine. te myth about blues players going to the cross roads to meet the devil is generally associated with robert johnson. mr johnson died at the ripe age of 26.

maybe it was 28 tracks recorded? in a hotel room in i think east texas.

Hey Judy -- it's really great to have you back -- I knew you had trips planned but didn't know where you were -- we really have missed your additions to the overnight and getting the European point of view. Sounds like a wonderful trip you are taking right now and enjoying your first times away from the 'salt mine.'

=======

Floridagal -- if what you say is true ole Barack has lost me -- two faced doesn't cut it and neither does undercutting Howard. Guess he's shown his true colors. Guess it doesn't matter if I have a candidate since I can't vote anyway in the primary.

=======

OK really going to bed -- had to say hi to Judy.

Nite all.

Nite Annilow

___________

Judy, WOW some excellent adventures for you. It sounds great. Not just the places you're going, but the people you're with. Thank you for sharing.

And so nice for you to pop on.

So, where you going in Tennessee? :)

did u know virginia has off year elections? that is what is up u guys.

get dems elected in va.

or do u care dfa?

so don't tell me about precinct organization. cause I do it.

How bout some help here, if u care.

I didn't see that bar, mprov, but we heard a lot of great music in NOLA. That part hasn't changed and there is still a LOT of soul in the city.

As it turned out, last week was the Southern Decadence celebration, which has apparently become a national celebration for gays and lesbians that is almost like a mini-Mardi Gras, so there were a lot of very interesting people in town. We had no idea when we came that would be the case, but had a great time nonetheless. Other tourists who were there for the Labor Day weekend, particularly those from Texas, were somewhat disgruntled.

Walking along Bourbon Street, already an interesting experience in *normal* times, was very lively, with barechested men (of all ages), some sporting thongs and sparkles, and all having a great time! The people of the city were very glad to be hosting them!

Well, it looks as if Roger has also taken the second set, but I don't believe that either has lost a game so far. It's got to be terribly discouraging for Roddick, who has been playing some exceptional tennis!

It's good to *see* some friends here on my first day back, but my husband now wants to use this laptop, so my stolen blogging moments are now over.

May the DFA Force continue to be with you all!

Linda ... we're heading for Nashville!

Now off!

I don't remember if Monica posted this.


Robert Greenwald has a new video short about Katrina, 2 years later. In conjunction with signing Senator Dodds Gulf Coast Recovery Bill of 2007 (S1668) to assist the Gulf Coast region in rebuilding the infrastructure lost after the Katrina and Rita disasters.

It's hard to watch, but a necessity.

Then sign.


President Bush should not be able to walk with his head held high. He is the ultimate failure. To be honest, I'm surprised he hasn't said, "ok, all my guys are gone, this isn't fun, I want to be back on the ranch, so I'm gonna quit".

Hey W, we still can provide you with that one way bus ticket back to Crawford!

http://whenthesaints.org/?utm_source=fou...

linda b, i think we're on our own and have been from the start. because there's one or two trainings here occasionally doesn't add up to much. there's 36,000,000 people in this state. that's bigger than most countries. i find it remarkable that you actually organized all your precincts. i've been trying to motivate people here for 2 years to do that. we've got something like 1,100 precincts in my assembly district. a dfa woman down in santa cruz did some 300 or more though all by her self.

i guess the women should be in charge...they get it done.

Judy, safe travels and tell the man we're waiting.



Superman wears Al Gore pajamas.


I'm off too.

All Be well.

I may be on my own, but I will do what I can do.

Turn VA super blue with me.

linda b, thank goodness it's you that's there to get things done.

Al Gore Readying New Environmental Book
UPDATED - Wednesday September 05, 2007 8:58pm



NEW YORK (AP) - For those frightened by the tale of global warming in Al Gore's "An Inconvenient Truth," and wondering what can be done, the former vice president has an answer: a sequel. Gore is working on a new environmental book, "The Path to Survival," that will be released as a paperback original on April 22, 2008, Earth Day. According to publisher Rodale Books, Gore will continue where he left off in "An Inconvenient Truth" and offer "a visionary blueprint for the changes we should make as a world community."


"He (Gore) explains how making bold choices now to protect our environment will also create new jobs, propel sustainable economic improvements, and inspire a new generation to tackle our most challenging issues with moral leadership," according to a statement issued Wednesday by Rodale.

"Part scientific manual, part expose, part visionary call for a new planet-wide political movement, the book will appeal to those who were motivated by the call to action of 'An Inconvenient Truth' and who are now ready to fight for the solutions that were considered politically impossible only a short time ago."

http://www.abc27.com/news/stories/0907/4...

OK, I'm really off, now.

actually, i find it remarkable that i address and support and offer suggestions to linda b, yet she always treats me as an aside. never addresses me directly. sorry, gal, i am from california. hmmm....

90.

seashell :-)
Wed, 09/05/07
5:59 pm

91.

FRED from OR
Wed, 09/05/07
6:00 pm

From FRED from OR and seashell :-)

Made in the USA

(video) FOX News Report - Water As Fuel: http://www.metacafe.com/watch/128967/wat...

HHO Gas, or Aquygen™ is a gas produced from water that can be used cutting, welding, brazing, etc, as well as a fuel and/or additive for internal combustion engines greatly increasing fuel economy and reducing emissions. That's right folks, IT WILL ALLOW YOU TO RUN YOUR CAR ON WATER!

Aquygen™ video - http://myspacetv.com/index.cfm?fuseactio...

Check out their web site - http://www.hytechapps.com/company/contac...

Water Fuel Injector - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D7BAODqqc...
Water Fuel Cell - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YIgOn1kRw...
Stan Meyer - hydrogen oxygen(HHO) - Zero Point Energy - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=et004X1ir...

Good morning, everybody

Thanks, Linds, for the reminder about Greenwald's film.  I'll have to put it on Hannah, if it's not there already.  Old mind is getting addled.

Our DFALink group looked over the rules for getting to be delegates to the National Convention.  It seems complicated but occurred to us that we should have pledges to all the candidates, so some of us will be sure to get picked to actually go.  For some reason, candidates are supposed to have three times as many of each (men and women) as there are slots.  So, that means in this district, we'll have to have twelve men and nine women for each candidate.  Perhaps if you register as uncommitted, there's a better chance to getting to go.  I'll have to check that out. 

I put S1668 into a diary on KOS

A recommend would be nice.   

Sounds like Al will not be declaring a candidacy this fall.

Instead, he'll be endorsing someone. I would bet money it won't be Hillary (as things stand today, Hillary needs endorsements like a fish needs a bicycle).

I'm wondering if it may be Dodd:

http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5jh241...

An endorsement by Gore might be what Dodd needs to become the safe alternative candidate Dems can feel good about.

-- volney

Judy/2008 !  If the election was today , I would write you in (I was worried you were in a bunker with Cheney somewhere undisclosed)! Impeach. Call your reps today. Fund bringing the troops home.   March on D.C. Sept 15th.

I should say, I've met Chris Dodd informally and if the rap on Kerry was an attitude of "Do you know who I AM??" I feel the opposite could be said of Dodd.

Back in the '80s, I was staying at a bed and breakfast in East Haddam, CT, and during breakfast there was a knock on the screen door and it's Chris Dodd, who turns out to be a friend of the innkeeper (Dodd's CT home is in East Haddam). He is introduced to me as just a friend stopping by (no title mentioned), shakes hands casually, does not act like a pol, chats with his friend and leaves.

It was impressive then and remains impressive now.

The only downside for those of you worried about creeping zealotry would be that he is a Latin Rite Catholic (like Mel Gibson) and his wife is a Mormon. This is an odd combination to say the least but as long as they keep church and state separate I really don't care.

-- volney

retooling in order to breakout:

http://thephoenix.com/article_ektid46807.aspx

The power of speech

Obama can talk his way to the presidency

By STEVEN STARK
September 5, 2007 3:55:32 PM

The press — or some of it — at least some of it have put Barack Obama on the road to oblivion.

...

Yet Obama’s not nearly in as bad shape as the press suggests. Yes, Hillary Clinton has a substantial lead in the national polls, but Obama isn’t far off her heels in several of the opening states that count — Iowa, New Hampshire, and South Carolina. Further, he’s sitting on a ton of cash and has a large institutional base of support in the black community. Write him off at your peril.

Nevertheless, it wouldn’t hurt for Obama to make some mid-course corrections as we head into the fall campaign. Here are three suggestions:

Rule out the Vice-Presidency

...

Spell out the differences between your candidacy and Hillary’s

...

Hire a good speechwriter

Obama is good with words — as anyone who’s read his book or heard his 2004 keynote address knows. But in the middle of a campaign, you can’t write your own stuff. What’s missing from his repertoire is a clear articulation of his intentions — something on par with JFK’s “It’s time to get this country moving again.” Without this, Obama has tried to establish credentials through detailed policy prescriptions, which bore voters and leave him open to attacks.

Obama needs to soar above his opponents. So far, he’s been selling himself, “the candidate.” But elections are about the country more than candidates. In times of change and stress, voters need leaders who can help them confront the future — mobilizing support by making voters feel as if they’re part of a great historic movement. Successful candidates convey the sense that, win or lose, their cause stands for something larger than the individual and will ultimately prevail.

...

Two days from now on Sept 8, the residents of Sierra Leone will vote in a presidential run-off election:

http://www.irinnews.org/Report.aspx?ReportId=74151

Photo: UNDDR UN peacekeepers disarming combatants

FREETOWN, 6 September 2007 (IRIN) -

...Now we are powerless but we are angry...

With an estimated 72,490 fighters disarmed in less than two years, observers agree Sierra Leone now has surprisingly few weapons for a country that was awash with them just six years ago. For this, credit goes to the UN and government disarmament and demobilisation programmes, but many say the root causes of the armed conflict remain.

Efforts to re-integrate ex-combatants into society have been largely ineffective, the observers say.

“Sierra Leone should not be wiped off the list of post-war countries that could return to conflict,” Ibrahim Bangura the director of PRIDE, a non-governmental organisation working with ex-combatants, told IRIN. “Under the right conditions all the peace-building efforts we have seen so far may yet collapse.”

A portent, he said, can be seen with the campaign for the 8 September presidential election in which each of the main parties has brought in ex-combatants as bodyguards and for security.

Bangura said security for the opposition All People’s Congress is headed by former rebel soldier Idrissa Kamara nicknamed ‘Leather Boots’, who was only recently released from prison for having committed treason. The Sierra Leone People’s Party’s security is headed by Tom Nyuma, a well-known former army officer accused of multiple rights violations.

Youth groups supporting the two parties have also battled each other in various cities and towns around the country using stones, sticks and, at times, machetes, with several people wounded and at least one killed.

“Just imagine if there were still guns around,” Bangura said. “Far more people would have been killed, and the situation could easily escalate.”

Despite the many clashes ahead of the election, no one has so far reportedly used fire-arms other than police shooting in the air.

...

The other good news for Sierra Leone is that not only did the former rebel Revolutionary Armed Front (RUF) disarm but observers agree that without weapons the organisation’s command structure largely dissolved. After the death of its leader, Foday Sankoh, in 2003 the armed group even failed to turn itself into a political party.

Yet the ex-combatants are all still around, and most are unemployed, idle and frustrated.

...

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/6981394.stm

A joint peace rally between the two candidates in Sierra Leone's presidential run-off on Saturday has been called off.

The event was planned to ease tensions after clashes between rival supporters in recent weeks.

But opposition candidate Ernest Koroma said he had concerns about the safety of the event, while Vice-President Solomon Berewa also refused to attend.

Sierra Leone is slowly recovering from a brutal, decade-long civil war.

The two rivals agreed a peace deal last weekend, which was supposed to culminate in the joint rally, at which they would sit in the same vehicle, travelling around the streets of the capital, Freetown.

...

29.  It's my sense that Obama does not know who he is.  The country does not need someone who tells them "I am a leader who can help you confront the future."

First, 'confront the future' is a stupid meaningless phrase.  It's not possible to turn one's back on the future and, the "future" being an immaterial entity, doesn't respond to confrontation anyway.  A confrontation with the future is a lost cause.  Help in a lost cause is not worth much.

The other day, Obama announced himself to be an agent of change which brought to my mind an image of an ATM or change machine with "Obama" as its logo.  I was meaning to write up a diary on "Choice, change and character"  and then, lo and behold, the Globe announces that both Clinton and Obama are coming out with new TV ads, entitled CHANGE 

Sometimes I think they are using the same consultants or ad agency, selling "soapy bubbles" to one and "bubble soap" to the other.

I actually think that "change" and "choice" are to be avoided like the plague.  Rank and file Republicans, who've been taken to the cleaners by Bush Two, don't want to make choices to begin with and everybody's had about as much change foisted on them as they can take.

I mean, what are they thinking?  They run an ad with a narrator saying "If we're ready for change, she's ready to lead."  Didn't anybody ever tell them that the conditional clause is WEAK ?

There are so many problems with that statement, I don't know where to begin.  How about how come a United States Senator is still in the 'getting ready' stage?  How about how come it's our responsibility that she's not ready?  How about I don't want someone who's waiting on me to be ready for change?  What does being ready for change mean?

Ready or not, change happens and, frankly, we don't much like it when we're not in charge and can't stop it. The American people made a change last November, but it doesn't seem to have registered.  Maybe Senator Clinton didn't notice because she was so busy raising money for her next adventure.

Welcome Monica.

______________________


volney wrote: "Sounds like Al will not be declaring a candidacy this fall.

Instead, he'll be endorsing someone. I would bet money it won't be Hillary"


...naaahhhhh....don't worry bout that question that everyone has jumped on and tried to make their own.

Havard asked if he will endorse a candidate (being he isn't running-wink wink) and he said probably. That's it.

I don't think Mr. Gore was ready to say, "myself" or "no, because I'll be entering". But too, he also said that the last time he was asked on his book tour.

So far I received an alert that so many candidate campaign workers are all posting that this means something good for their guy. Each one trying to claim that Mr. Gore will be endorsing THEIR GUY. LOL

The difference is, as Mr. Gore said last month in Singapore, he may re-enter politics, none of the candidates are addressing the issue Climate Crisis as they should be, in his opinion.

All signs, including his interview that came out this week in VF clearing the air on the media's role in the 2000 election, are pointing to a late fall run. It became even clearer to me with this heavy push by the Clinton folks.

I think after the Emmy's on the 16th, up to Canada, Austin the beginning of 01Oct and then the Nobel Peace Prize, it will be hard for Mr. Gore to deny the demand and his deep down desire.

And as Tipper said in the interview, "if he turned to her one night and said he had to run, she’d get on board, and they’d discuss how to approach it this time around, given what they’ve learned."


...just waiting....


Time for a COOL change,
Gore
2008

The Holt Bill - HR 811

The Election Assistance Commission (EAC) was set to phase out. The Holt Bill continues it. The EAC is a federal political commission that controls the states' voting. It is controlled by the President (think Bush), and has Department of Justice Alberto Gonzales-type board members.

Although the EAC was supposed to certify voting machines it never did that through 2006. But it has threatened to close out the option of hand counted paper ballots, even though many states use them. All the software voting machines are JUNK. All break down, all have software glitches and all are easily corruptible (to the tune of millions of votes), without being caught. Eventually all the people of this country will realize all the software voting machines are junk, but the EAC is threatening our option to return to a secure hand counted paper ballots voting system.

We have spent billions for the voting machines and because of Holt are in danger of having to spend billions more, this time by just the states, without federal funding.

The bill has changed, contrary to Holt's plan, to appease MicroSoft and the software voting machine vendors.

Please Call the House leadership and the Rules Committee to oppose the Holt bill and to ban DREs instead, TODAY.

House Leadership:
NANCY PELOSI (D-CA)
Phone: (202) 225-4965
Fax: (202) 225-4188
STENY HOYER (D-MD)
Phone: (202) 225-4131
Fax: (202) 225-4300
U.S. House Committee on Rules:
Main Number: 202-225-9091
Democrats:
LOUISE McINTOSH SLAUGHTER (NY) - CHAIRWOMAN
http://www.louise.house.gov/index.php?op...
Phone: (202) 225-3615
Fax: (202) 225-7822
JAMES P. McGOVERN (MA)
http://mcgovern.house.gov/?sectionid=2&s...
Phone: (202) 225-6101
Fax: (202) 225-5759
ALCEE L. HASTINGS (FL)
http://www.alceehastings.house.gov/index...
Tel: (202) 225-1313
Fax: (202) 225-1171
DORIS O. MATSUI (CA)
Phone: (202) 225-7163
Fax: (202) 225-0566
DENNIS CARDOZA, (CA)
http://www.house.gov/cardoza/biography.s...
Phone: (202) 225-6131
Fax: 202-225-0819
800-356-6424
PETER WELCH, (VT)
http://www.welch.house.gov/index.php?opt...
Phone:(202) 225-4115
KATHY CASTOR (FL)
Phone: (202)225-3376
Fax: (202)225-5652
MICHAEL ARCURI (NY)
Phone: 202-225-3665
Fax: 202-225-1891
BETTY SUTTON (OH)
Phone: (202) 225-3401
Fax: (202) 225-2266
Republicans:
DAVID DREIER (CA) - Ranking Minority Member
Office (202) 225-2305
Fax (202) 225-7018
LINCOLN DIAZ-BALART (FL)
Phone: (202) 225-4211
DOC HASTINGS (WA)
Phone: (202) 225-5816
Fax: (202) 225-3251
PETE SESSIONS (TX)
(202) 225-2231
(202) 225-5878 fax

NEW THREAD is up!

32.

Monica Smith
Thu, 09/06/07
8:50 am



...The country does not need someone who tells them "I am a leader who can help you confront the future."
----------

...ROFLMAO, Monica you are ridiculing the most valuable aspect of one of the most advanced "democracy" in modern history.

Even more, you are INDUCING (I love that word, you've found yesterday I've unsuccessfully tried to find) others to agree with you...lol.

Good news?