Howard is first and deserves to be VP.

And it just may be that more dancing and painting and less judgment and dirty politics could be very beneficial to the soul of the country.

There are many ways to serve. 

Potential Election Fraud in Pennsylvania

When you build any system that conducts "mission critical business," like electing a president, you need to create enough safeguards to make sure that the process is secure. How secure is the voting process in Pennsylvania?

Almost 90 percent of Pennsylvanians will vote using touch screen voting machines that have no paper record of votes cast. Once you touch the screen, the machine can count your vote any way it's programmed. It can even give you a receipt indicating you voted for Smith and count your vote for Jones. These touch screens total their own votes, invisibly and without any outside checks. We can't watch and even if we could, we wouldn't know what to look for. Our election boards routinely sign contracts agreeing that the computer programs that count our votes are the trade secrets of the e-voting machine companies, no peeking. The companies even "refuse to promise that their products will work."

http://www.opednews.com/articles/opedne_michael__080420_election_fraud_in_pe.htm 

Clinton's top fundraisers ripping into Howard Dean again today. Whiny attitudes.

http://journals.democraticunderground.com/madfloridian/2011

They are getting annoying and tiresome.

Interesting how things sometimes work

******************************* 

"Iran Legislation
Along the way, Rubin has been collecting signatures to a petition that reads "Don’t let this administration lead America into another conflict in the Middle East. I urge you to support S. Res. 356 which would require that any military action against Iran be explicitly approved by Congress." S. Res 356, introduced by Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) presently has 13 cosponsors, but has seen no movement for the better part of the last six months.

......Interestingly, Senator Clinton was an early cosponsor of Durbin’s S. Res. 356, the one piece of Iran legislation that is being promoted by True Majority. Senator Obama, on the other hand, is not a cosponsor. The irony here is that while True Majority does not endorse candidates, founder Ben Cohen (of Ben and Jerry’s ice cream fame), has personally endorsed Senator Barack Obama.

http://www.opednews.com/articles/opedne_cheryl_b_080420_truemajority_drops_a.htm 

This is a bombshell

Wayne Madsen: Third NSA Source Confirms: Flight 93 Shot Down By Air Force Jet (45 comments) Third NSA source confirms that Flight 93 didn't suddenly crash into the countryside of Shanksville, PA...it was shot down on the orders of Vice President Cheney.

"The 9/11 Commission, which is now known to have been influenced by Bush adviser Karl Rove and its Executive Director Phil Zelikow, never interviewed the on-duty signals intelligence personnel who were aware that United 93 was brought down by Air Force jets. The cover-story is that passengers on board the plane struggled with hijackers and flew the plane directly into the ground near Shanksville, Pennsylvania. Investigators have stressed that the 8-mile debris field left by the doomed aircraft proves the government's story is a hoax."

Don't impeach Bush or Cheney...arrest them for war crimes and send them to the Hague."

Contact Editor

JC Garrett: Justices Cutting the Legs From Under 'Standing' (3 comments) The Government Accountability Office and the F.D.A.'s own science board have released reports saying the agency is "incapable" of protecting America from unsafe medical devices, drugs, and even food. But that doesn't matter to the nation's highest court.

American College of Physicians Endorses Medical Marijuana In a position paper issued February 14th, the American College of Physicians (ACP) makes the case that the red tape surrounding the medical use of cannabis has obscured good science for too long.

As an atheist I don't think God hears my prayers but I suspect the function of public prayer is to tell others what one is feeling.

God Damn America! (exclamation mark not question) will be how I think many in the world will feel, and should feel, if George W Bush that torturing, treaty breaking example of American hypocrisy and indecency is not impeached and his example is allowed to stand.

If Bush is not impeached American parents will not be able to tell their children honestly that crime doesn't pay, or that on planet earth that the Good guys win, because reality will contradict them. Whether the good guys  win and whether crime pays depends on the citizen and more specificially on whether there are enough good, decent citizens to breath life into the law.

If Bush is not impeached then I will have seen in my lifetime the clearest possible evidence that at the highest possible levels human beings, especially those in the United States of America are profoundly corrupt.

And how does one live in a corrupt world? One must logically, if one is going to bother to live at all, start to treat corruption as not evil but necessary. One must ask oneself why not do what moralists say is wrong whenever the heck one can get away with it. Why be fuel in ones life? Why be a perpetual victum of others? Why be fuel for indecent opportunistic freeloaders?"

http://www.opednews.com/maxwrite/diarypage.php?did=7092 

Breaking the Silence is an organization of veteran Israeli soldiers that since 2004 has collected testimonies of hundreds of soldiers who served in the Occupied Territories during the Second Intifadah.

Breaking the Silence" was first exhibited in Israel in 2004. The American tour has included Philadelphia and Boston, where it was on display at Harvard's Hillel Center in March. Not sure if it is still there.

from the web site:

Until today, Breaking the Silence interviewed hundreds of soldiers who served in the territories, and continues interviewing soldiers daily. These interviews are published on this website, in testimonial booklets, through different media outlets, and also through lectures and tours to Hebron. The testimonies are published with minimal editing and with complete confidentiality, in order to protect the soldiers and to encourage them to speak.

We demand accountability regarding Israel's military actions in the Occupied territories perpetrated by us and in our name.

 http://www.opednews.com/maxwrite/diarypage.php?did=7090

Good morning, everybody

Well, I've got a couple of tasks.  Need to write up a press reliease for Betty Hall who wants to bring up H.R 24 before the New Hampshire House again.  It only takes a simple majority to take it off the table.  However, she's making some amendments.  So, perhaps that changes the procedure.

Then I want to write a post about the "perjury in the court of public opinion" perpetrated by 22 dirty pensioners.  Do you think "dirty" is too strong a word for the high ranking military men who allowed themselves to be suborned by the Pentagon and present themselves to the world as the President's analysts of the war?  You know, the president has been touting how he relies on the generals to give him good advice.  Some people had noticed that a goodly number had been dismissed.  They didn't realize that the generals he was relying on are the ones that were bought and paid for by the media corporations and their friends in the military provisioning and construction business.

Just in case you've forgotten who left their honor on the studio floor:

Robert S. Bevelacqua
Kenneth Allard
Jeffrey D. McCausland
Thomas G. McInerney
John C. Garrett
Donald W. Shepperd
Montgomery Meigs
William L. Nash
James Marks
Joseph W. Ralston
William Cohen
Barry R. McCaffrey
Wayne A. Downing
Paul E. Vallely
William V. Cowan
Carlton A. Sherwood
Charles T. Nash
Timur J. Eads
Robert L. Maginnis
Robert H. Scales Jr
David L. Grange
James T. Conway***
Rick Francona

good morning, Monica!  'dirty' is a good word for the bunch - 'cowardly' would also work, but might be a bit too agresssive...

this is unbelieveable!  how can Hillary possibly continue to believe that she can win, that she can best lead the nation, when she has failed so miserably in her campaign (even tho she had EVERYTHING going for her when this all started)?!  I guess we know who's really ready to take on John McCain!

By JIM KUHNHENN

Associated Press Writer

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Barack Obama began the month of April with a 5-1 cash advantage over a debt-saddled Hillary Rodham Clinton, setting the stage for his lopsided spending in the crucial primary state of Pennsylvania.

Financial reports filed Sunday by the Democratic presidential candidates with the Federal Election Commission show Clinton had $10.3 million in debts at the start of the month and only about $9 million cash on hand for the primaries. Obama reported having $42 million for the primary. 

http://wvgazette.com/News/200804210023

5:28 AM EDT

place your bets:

http://www.thewest.com.au/default.aspx?MenuID=145&ContentID=69081

21st April 2008, 17:00 WST

Australian punters are backing US Democratic front-runner Barack Obama as hot favourite to win his party’s nomination as presidential candidate and to go on and win the November election, Sportingbet Australia says.

...

We seem to have a new numbering system.

http://blogforamerica.com/view/25027 

I have sent it to my group, now I have to forward it to some peaceniks. LoL 

Hi, Jo

For those who don't know, Charleston, WV is significant in the Pittsburgh part of PA.  Perhaps a bit grittier.  

today I have the opportunity - excitement - challenge of interviewing for a job that would be a work of love for me.  please send positive thoughts my way today - whatever the outcome, today is a big turning point in my life.  I feel like I'm holding my breath.....  ;)

Good thoughts, Jo.

Unfortunately, our society has gotten so used to hype that

qualifications are often discounted.  So, tell them your friends 

proclaim you a super person.  Popularity counts for much. 

Jo

today is a little turning point for me as I am officially putting winter behind me and starting my grazing while continuing to feed

good luck to you

By running the contest this far into the calendar Obama has been given time to sort through all kinds of staffers and the 500 best that will work in the West Wing will be thoughly vetted.

Plus he now has positions and has thought through most issues; so can focus his attention on delivering for the American people through leadership.

I see no problem with this contest going all the way just to finish with the organizing of fifty states.

6:49 AM EDT

today I have the opportunity - excitement - challenge of interviewing for a job that would be a work of love for me.  ...  I feel like I'm holding my breath.....  ;)

+++

Waiting To Exhale ?

Good Luck Jo !

Well a busy weekend here as our caucuses are done here in newport news.

Next up. Our May 10 congressional convention and our june 14 state convention.

off for a while. not going to comment on negatives anymore. If someone does drive bys, ignore them.

later.

rain forecast and no seeds in the ground

a small national corn crop would be a larger concern than a Bear Stearns failure, but the Fed can't do a thing about the weather

OK linda b

my convention is Sat. and Deanfest hangs in the balance

as puddle said win/win; I can't lose

Good Luck Jo.

Sending positive vibes.

seashell,

I agree we need more dancing and painting.  Good for the soul.

thank you all for your good wishes - waiting to exhale, indeed!  between this interview and the PA pirmary,  it's gonna be a loooong day!;)

Article on Obama's, McCain's, Clinton's finances.

http://www.adn.com/24hour/topstories/story/381675.html

Seems as if Clinton is in a little pickle.

Phil, good luck on Saturday, are you going for the national?

I will check back saturday.

Luck to you and to Jo with the new job.

Jo uber alles.

7:31 AM EDT

Article on Obama's, McCain's, Clinton's finances.

http://www.adn.com/24hour/topstories/story/381675.html

Seems as if Clinton is in a little pickle.

+++

http://www.animationlibrary.com/animation/26449/Picketing_cucumber/

7:34 AM EDT

Boston Marathon is today:

http://www.bostonmarathon.org/

+++

Earth Day is tomorrow:

http://www.earthday.net/earthday2008.aspx

WTF???

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/politics/

Democrat Barack Obama conceded Sunday that all three leading presidential contenders would be better than President Bush -- including Republican opponent John McCain.

"Either Democrat would be better than John McCain," he said. "And all three of us would be better than George Bush."

In the past, Obama has equated a McCain presidency to a "third Bush term."

TALK ABOUT DROPPING THE BALL--HE SHOULD HAVE STAYED WITH THE "THIRD TERM" LINE.

7:39AM

It's what's known as "damning with faint praise."

Good luck Phil.  Sending good vibes your way too.

Lol rd.

Going back to bed for a couple of hours. 3:41 AM here.  bbl

Go Obama

it wuld be fitting if Obama kicked butt in PA and closed this thing out on Earth Day.  the world is waiting......

Huron John
Mon, 04/21/08
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

What do you expect from the leading "Dumbocratic" party nominees?  Hell, 4 years ago i finally figured it out...................

Side note:  Its 8.04 am.  A reference ot two equating me with Robert Oler over the weekend.  People may forget, but Robert was one of the more intelligent and thought provoking bloggers in the early Dean campaign. He, x-military and right wing knew something was terribly wrong under Bush and I applaud his efforts in trying to stop the madness and bleeding at the source.

He, we and Dean failed and Robert had his moments of taunting(who doesnt) but I will always commend him on his foresight in 2003...........I am beginning to learn here that elements of the left can be just as bad as the right...............

"Either Democrat would be better than John McCain," he said. "And all three of us would be better than George Bush."

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Hell, the way things are going..........BO will probabaly choose Mccain as his running mate.....you know, bring people together type of.............baloney.

It's what's known as "damning with faint praise."  

or 'killing them with kindness'.  he's preparing for the GE.  he didn't really say much and Hillary certainly can't touch it since her 'ready to serve' comments about McCain.

Mike, re: Hell, the way things are going..........BO will probabaly choose Mccain as his running mate

I'm glad I got my tall boots on today Mike - you make me chuckle with statements like that!

Mike wrote "People may forget, but Robert was one of the more intelligent and thought provoking bloggers in the early Dean campaign."

And then there's you.

8:23 AM EDT

Tom and Karen, your bets proved correct, the Redwings advance:

http://sports.yahoo.com/nhl/recap;_ylt=AlvaDXhunt..27AMuq01UV57vLYF?gid=2008042027

By TERESA M. WALKER, AP Sports Writer

12 hours, 38 minutes ago 

...

Detroit Red Wings right wing J…
AP - Apr 20, 6:30 pm EDT

...

Redwings made the change Karen suggested and voila they win.

Gore's pick of Lieberman probably stopped the practice of chosing a running mate to attract Republicans, there are enough independents to forget about those few who don't already see the light.

pick a random tombstone and exhume and you would get a better President than Bush (oh wait, that's how Republicans made their pick)

Here's a bit of history for you from Florida, to show you how it's done.

http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=10000103&sid=ajHcVIgKGoWI&refer=us 

U.S. Overvalued Everglades Land Rights by $80 Mln, Report Says

By Ryan J. Donmoyer

June 8 (Bloomberg) -- The Bush administration's offer in 2002 to overpay a prominent Florida family for oil and gas rights on Everglades land by as much as $80 million was ``at best, foolish and, at worst, complicit,'' the Interior Department's inspector general said today.

In a report to the Senate Finance Committee, Inspector General Earl Devaney said the department nearly tripled earlier estimates of the value of the mineral rights. The agreement wasn't completed and lawmakers said today that Devaney's report would scuttle it.

[...]

Devaney's report also says the government may have already owned the mineral rights because the Colliers sold the government surface rights for the same land in 1988. In addition, it finds little evidence the rights had significant value and said Collier Resources never certified what percentage of the rights they owned.

`Outrage'

``This transaction is an outrage,'' said Montana Senator Max Baucus, the top Democrat on the Finance Committee. ``Apparently, the department allowed the taxpayers to be fleeced for $70 million to $80 million, and then authorized a tax deduction for the fleecing.''

Senator Charles Grassley, the Iowa Republican who heads the committee, said he would write to Norton to ask how the ``bad actors'' responsible for the transaction would be held accountable.

[...]

The report says the Colliers' dealings with the government date back at least two decades. Under the Reagan administration, the Colliers traded swampland in Florida for property in Phoenix. In the mid-1990s, the family attempted to exchange mineral rights for closed military bases in California and Texas. A deal to swap mineral rights for a closed base in Homestead, Florida, failed in 2000 because career officials in President Bill Clinton's Interior Department concluded the surplus base was worth more than the mineral rights.

[...] 

Printable version

Jimmy Carter describes his talks with Hamas

Former US President Jimmy Carter has said that Hamas is prepared to accept the right of Israel to "live as a neighbour next door in peace".

After meeting Hamas leaders last week in Syria, he said it was a problem the US and Israel would not meet the group.

His comments came as the Israeli army launched a formal investigation into the death of a Reuters cameraman killed in the Gaza Strip last week.

See, this whole base closure business has two purposes, neither of which are good for the people.  The first is to get rid of responsibility for the contamination federal agencies perpetrated in the name of the national interest.  The national interest means never having to clean up your messes.  The second is to transfer public assets into private coffers for pennies on the dollar.  Or maybe pesos on the dollar, since what they pay is inevitably less than what they get.

These two strategies alone account for a significant transfer of wealth from the many to the few.  And, it's all legal. 

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/7358188.stm

link to Carter/Hamas story

Ok, so I'm Googling Sikorsky because it turns out that the traditional helicopter builders have been aced out of replacing Marine I by a Hillary Clinton Earmark and that leads me to one John Devaney who had to sell his Sikorsky recently because his hedge fund went bust and that brought me to some gossip about the real Hollywood where they make deals all the time and here's a little vignette. FROM

http://dealbreaker.com/2008/02/post_4.php 

Me: Simons, what the Christ? Can you explain to me why I'm losing MILLIONS of fucking dollars?
James Simons: I could tell you it was the models but really, I made a bad bet on "Dough Boys," a slice of life comedy that serves up the story of Lou and Frank, two Bronx brothers running the family bakery. Faced with Lou's gambling problem-- of which Frank knows nothing-- the shop is about to be taken from them by the neighborhood gangster. The fate of this local landmark hangs like a "pie in the sky." Will it be a sweet dream, or a nightmare? Turned out to be the latter.

Everything's all good now but I'm sure there were similar convos between HF guys and their pissed off clientele over the following picks:

John Devaney: "Poseidon" (oh, the sweet irony).

I have to admit I am not unbiased.  My high school class-mate's dad worked for Sikorsky as an engineer back in 1954, when they were making helicopters one at a time in a hanger by hand and I got to see one.  So, the news that Hillary Clinton wants the White House to buy a Brit/Italian replacement for Marine I at a cost of $400 million per plane is not welcome.  Some reporter has tried to connect a $5000 donation to her campaign in 2005, but that strikes me as unlikely.  Sikorsky has a much greater local presence, including in the Keystone State.  Boy, if she does garner a good plurality in PA, it will serve her right.

Jimmy Carter Was Right to Meet with Hamas

http://www.alternet.org/audits/82936/

Former President Jimmy Carter, who won a Nobel Peace Prize for what the prize committee described as his "untiring effort to find peaceful solutions to international conflicts," is touring the Middle East, as a private citizen, in a bid to revive interest in a moribund peace process between Israel and the Palestinians. He's doing so at a time when their decades-long conflict is growing in intensity and distrust on both sides is running high.

As a result, Carter is once again under fire from conservatives. Last week, Republican Rep. Sue Myrick (NC) went so far as to call for the former president's passport to be revoked on Fox News.

Carter's crime was to sit-down with leaders of Hamas last week to explore the possibility of waging peace in the Middle East. For many Israel-hawks, it wasn't a first offense; Carter is guilty of viewing the Palestinians as human beings and for condemning human rights abuses on both sides of the conflict between Israelis and Palestinians. "Any side that kills innocent people is guilty of terrorism," he told an audience at Cairo's American University after his sit-down with members of Hamas.

9:10pm

poblano (THE BEST WITH POLLS) has the latest on PA. The SUSA numbers I posted last eve. were incorrect. I apologize for that.

http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2008/4...

Good morning to all. I am so happy - I think the race will be a tad closer than I predicted yesterday!! :-)

9:29 AM EDT

fyi - new Front thread