Aww Hilary I love you.

as per the Perez post - skip to the 1:50 mark to hear Hilary dig at Bill for all of the, "experiences." Ehem. But it seemed like it was all in good fun, and it got the press core chuckling. I was truthfully more moved by Hill's swearin' in. Work it! I am also loving the brooch

MLK - I Have a Dream

CNN aired the I Have Dream Speech today. I watched it and tears streamed down my face. I am not like a lot of progressive Americans, I have serious reservations about Barrack, but that does not change the significance of this moment in history. Martin Luther King's words 40 plus years ago still resonate, and make tomorrow all the more poignant.



Democracy Now also celebrated Martin Luther King today with a clip from Beyond Vietnam, Dr. King's speech from 1967, which he delivered at New York's Riverside Church. Below is that speech in its entirety. I had never heard it before, and I think it speaks even more to the evils that plague the nation today.









Can we truly believe that Obama is the leader to fulfill Dr. King's great hopes for us as a people?

An Open Letter from Cindy Sheehan

Cindy Sheehan, the independant congressional challenger to Nancy Pelosi sent out an open letter to her supporters yesterday, which I thought was so powerful I wanted to reprint it here. Thanks Cindy for all the hard work.


"I have fought the good fight, I have run the good race, I have kept the faith."St. Paul in 2TimothyI kept on saying to my supporters, staff, interns, volunteers and myself, that no matter what happened on November 4th that we could hold our heads up high and be very proud of our campaign. Until yesterday, I wasn't sure that what I said would be true, but I feel an incredibly sense of peace and pride in our accomplishments. There were so many victories over the last year that the American paradigm of "winner-take all" just doesn't fit.
We moved into San Francisco a little over a year ago with less than nothing. We used savings and credit cards to open our office and sometimes to keep it open. We transformed a former "sex shop" to a fully functioning and vibrant campaign office. Our "natural base" never materialized, so we had to build a foundation in less than a few months.In August, we historically gained ballot access as only the 6th independent campaign in California history to do so. Our platform based on humane economics was in place long before the recent collapses and resultant bailouts. Our labor platform was hailed all over the world, while unions here in SF supported the corporate "rescuer" Nancy Pelosi.
Cindy for Congress never once sold out our solid principles and issues based campaign and would never sell out the voters of San Francisco like Nancy Pelosi has. Nancy Pelosi never ran a campaign here, but she did run from my campaign and our demands to debate. Yet we persevered and did so amazingly well after a near total media black out and several attempts at political intimidation.
We got to the end of this stage with a barrel full of integrity and a boatload of dedication and love. Dozens of activists came from all over the country to be here to help us spread our progressive, peace based message and thousands donated to help keep our campaign afloat.
We have moved right through November 4th because this is a movement for peace and against corporate control of our political system. Movements can't stop: we must keep moving.
The way we do elections in this country must be reformed because clearly the campaigns with the most money won all over the country. If we never level the playing field to allow the people's voice and message to be heard, the tyranny of incumbency and the obscene amount of money spent on these circuses will continue and true progressive change will never happen. Long voting lines and the fact that election day is not a holiday or on Sunday give a clear disadvantage to the working class that need campaigns like mine and elected officials like me to improve their lives.
We will still have to fight the establishment with everything we have and this campaign has proven that we do have a lot of clout if we are persistent and devoted. Yesterday, at about 10, we were traveling around the district and receiving huge amounts of support and were dismayed to see an article from the AP saying that Nancy Pelosi had already defeated me. Our exit polling (from every area in the district) showed me receiving between 35-60% of the vote. We were very optimistic that we would do much better than we ultimately ended up doing.
However, Cindy for Congress got almost twice as many votes as anyone who has ever run against Pelosi since she eked out a primary victory in 1987 over Harry Britt, who was also the most progressive candidate. We raised a decent amount of money and are honored by the support we have gotten from all over this nation.
This is not the time to give up and give in to the politics of blinding amounts of money shrouded in "hope."
On November 5th, we still have millions of people sleeping on our streets and without jobs and health care. We still have our troops mired in two unconscionable wars that Obama has not promised to end. Our economy is still on a very precarious footing and oil, the lifeblood of the elite, is running out. There are many people in this world, and yes, even this nation that are food insecure and the next resource wars may be over water.
Despite all this, I slept like a baby last night for the first time in months. I feel like a new person today and am holding my head up high. I dedicated my campaign to my son, Casey, and his comrades who have tragically fallen and the people of Iraq and Afghanistan that our government have devastated. We need to continue to make their deaths count for something noble. I dedicate the next steps to them, also.
There are still many "fights" and "races" ahead. Take a few days to celebrate or mourn and reflect and then jump back in with both feet into the struggle for peace and justice.

I think this is great

Ok this is hilarious. But why is this guy such a NARC. When you smell weed in public, it is not polite to draw attention to it kids, unless you are hoping they might share.

I think it's apt

I can feel the sense of relief too. And while I have serious reservations, it has been a long time commin'. This change

Today is election day USA

As Americans go to the polls today to vote for the next American President I am reminded of the Michael Connell deposition in the Ohio-Racet case. Conneell is an IT guy, often called the Republican's high IQ Forest Gump, because he has been on the scene of every dubious election, going back to Florida 2000. Yesterday he underwent two hours of questioning at the order of an Ohio Federal Court Judge. Connell's lawyers had tried desperately to put of the deposition until after the election. Although the transcript of the deposition has not been released, it was a major coup to get Connell in before the election. The links below are a few articles I have found about this case, and the video from Brad's Blog will give you a sense of what is going on. Democracy Now also covered the story yesterday and had NYU professor Mark Crispin Miller, author of Loser Take All: Election Fraud and the Subversion of Democracy, on to discuss this important case. American Federal elections in my opinion should have Federal regulations, not State regulations and all elections should be cast via paper ballots. But I bet you Barrrrrakk wont do anything about election reform if he is able to get elected tonight. And if for some reason the GOP pulls off a win tonight I guarantee there will have been some vote stealing, foul -play afoot. I also bet is will cause rioting in major US cities.

Kansas City Star
here's the Brad Blog link

Palin got punk'd

Probably everyone has heard it by now but the Montreal-based radio duo, the masked avengers schooled Palin in a prank call. They pretend to be Nicolas Sarkozy and hilarity ensues. I tried posting the video clip last night, and again this morning and it is not working so instead here is the link to d-listed, the audio can be found there.

Despite all the hints given that something about this call was not right Palin plowed right on. Just like I am sure she does in her new movie "Nalin' Palin." My personal favorite line though is right at the beginning when she says something to the effect of, "Nicolas, John McCain and I... we love you."

OMG your nails are fierce

I would never vote for Barrack Obama but I would definitely put him on my nails. Eve you are so fierce; who did her nails? They need a raise. At first I was sad she didn't have crazy long black diva nails, but actually I like that she is rocking the Barrack on her own natural nails. Crazy Fierce! I wish my nail guys were this adventurous, I can barely get them to do the Gatsby.

GOPathetic

You know what upsets me most about Sarah Palin's nomination as the vice-President? She has completely overshadowed the beautiful and glamorous Candy Cain.


We used to see her terrifying smile all the time, and now all I see is Sexy Sarah everywhere I turn. Even the witty team at SNL have completely neglected Candy. Palin is just too dominating. If it wasn't for that Caribou Barbie I am sure Amy Poehler would have been playing Candy all the time. And who could blame them? Come on it's Tina Fey. But Candy was just so good at the First Lady-ing that I am sorry to see her tight up do replaced by that winking hussie from Alaska.

Sarah Palin will never be Candy Cain no matter how much money they spend on her at Saks. And all those Gawker rumors aside John McCain better keep his little POW out of Palin's igloo because when you're used to a cold dead fish, a feisty moose from Alaska will definitely kill you. And trust me John without you, and your gorgeous wife there is no ticket.


Update - Paul let me know about this recent article in the New York Times. Glad to see the Princess of Phoenix hasn't been completely retired by the media.

Colin Powell for Obama

Barring a terrorist attack I think this endorsment should help put the nail in the Republican coffin.

Open letter to Secretary Paulson

I would urge all Americans to write similar letters.

This image sums it up for me

In thinking about the upcoming US election I urge all of those on the fence to consider the role the heartbeat job. Especially given Dick Cheney's hijacking of the White House to push his own agenda. I firmly believe that history will condemn Dick Cheney as the most evil Republican of all times, more evil than G.W. Bush, Reagan, Nixon or Kissinger. We'll probably have to wait the full twenty-five years, which is the hold time on confidential documents by the Library of Congress, before the truth about this administration comes out. The really juicy stuff rarely gets released before the hold date. But it will be worth it just to know all of the corrupt and conspiratorial shenanigans that Dickers has been up to.

Now to this election. Palin may be sexy, and Tina Fey might makes her seem almost endearing, but this is a woman who believes that the bible should be interpreted as fact, while the Constitution should be open to all kinds of interpretations. Particularly the idea the the Vice-Presidency should also be considered part of the legislative branch and be able to actively influence Congress? What the F. This is despite the fact that the Constitution clearly says the Vice-President's only legislative authority is in the act of breaking a stalemate. And Joe Bidden, here's a guy who was outspoken in his support of John McCain as a possible running mate for John Kerry in 2004. Great he looks like he is really going to challenge the status-quo on Capital Hill. He's got no spine and is a total career Congressmen, doing any and only what it takes to stay in office.

Some progressives might argue that the least worst is the best, but that is just not my opinion. I know there are many out there who think like I do, but wont say or do anything about it. To them I say, boy it sucks to be you, voting not as a citizen but as a politician. I feel blessed to vote in the great State of California, a State that barring some sort of electoral calamity will go to the best of the worst in November, and I can vote my conscience without guilt. If I had to be a politician voter in some swing state like Pennsylvania or Ohio I don't what I'd do.

I suppose we can all sleep a little easier at night knowing that who ever gets elected wont be bringing Dick back with them. But somehow I think he will continue to haunt this world with his considerable evil authority.

Nader on the bailout

Presidential candidate Ralph Nader speaking about the passage of the Bailout Bill, to a crowd of supporters in Waterbury Ct on October 4th. I like that he mentions Clinton's role, during his Presidency, in getting us in the mess we're in now. That part starts around 8:30.

The Invisible Man

I know it's not as flashy as the other convention footage, but it matters to me. And what can you say, that is 98 degrees people.

Mccain and Candy

I don't agree with his politics, but Mccain ended strong in my opinion. The "ask not..." mantra resonates with my ideas about civic action. Anyway skip to 3:15 and watch the next 40 seconds or so. At first I thought Johnny Boy and Candy were fighting, but now I think it's foreplay. If someone would script their banter I would be such a happy puppy.

If you get drunk you'll find it funny

They don't mention her drug addiction, wonder why not?


Cindy may be a pretty face, but boy is she a bad public speaker. It was paiful to watch her last night. Max and I tried, and if we had not been accompanied by our good friend Vino Magnum we would not have made it. Her thank you at the beginning is priceless though.

Tina Fey is Sarah Palin

Don't worry I will get the Cindy Mccain speech up here as soon as it is on YouTube. My god she was painful. Still love her though. But this is about Palin, I hate to say it but I like her, she is definitely a Karen Walker. Great hair, and she looks totally freaky, in the sexual way. Tina Fey, would definitely do her SNL justice. I am mostly just glad that the RNC is over. God they are so boring, and Dana Bash needs a hamburger - if I have to watch her emaciated frame wax on about how "the base is motivated" anymore I might gone nuts. As an aside, did anybody else catch the tete a tete between Johnny boy and his Candy Cain at the end of his speech? If that didn't look like a domestic spat I don't know what would. Maybe she thought he was boring.
*thanks Cameron for the heads up on this one.

Bellow is the Palin's acceptance speech after Mccain announced her as his running mate. The musical intro is unreal.

Thank You

And thank you Hilary, your orange pantsuit was inspired

she would have made such a great President



Oscar de la Renta would have been a frequent White House guest, oh the humanity.

Opps

TORONTO - A young woman with a fistful of cash stood at the back of Ralph Nader's speech in Toronto on Monday, handing bills to people as they left.

The money had been donated to Mr. Nader's presidential bid by well-meaning Canadians, but only American citizens and permanent residents can contribute to U. S. political campaigns. As a champion of electoral reform and long-standing paragon of virtue, Mr. Nader would have had a hard time accepting.

The 74-year-old visited Toronto this week as part of his fourth presidential campaign. He told 150 supporters at an event held at the city's former stock exchange that many of the ideas he espoused -- such as single-payer health care, a multi-party political system and carbon taxes -- were already in place in Canada. But the independent candidate was also in Canada to raise funds from the expatriate community. After his speech, Mr. Nader called upon Matthew Zawisky, a 28-year-old supporter, to solicit funds. In a bit of barnstorming, Mr. Zawisky asked if an American in the audience would donate $4,600 -- the maximum amount a U. S. citizen can contribute to presidential campaigns under their country's law.

In exchange for the tiptop gift, Mr. Zawisky said the donor would receive a copy of Mr. Nader's book Unsafe at Any Speed.

When nobody stepped forward, Mr. Zawisky dropped his request to $2,300, then $1,000 and finally $500. As the dollar amounts fell lower and lower -- and an uncomfortable silence settled in--Canadians in the crowd began to ask if they could contribute. Mr. Zawisky said donations could only come from Americans. Someone then suggested the crowd give their money to a U. S. citizen, who could then donate it.

An American in the audience who identified herself only as "Liza" volunteered to serve as an intermediary. Eager Canadians were soon approaching the young woman with 10-and 20-dollar bills.

Toby Heaps, a Canadian who volunteers for the Nader campaign, quickly approached reporters to clarify the situation. The Nader campaign could never accept the tainted Canadian funds, Mr. Heaps assured.

The money was briefly handed over to the campaign, but later returned to Liza. As she spoke with organizers, there appeared to be some confusion over whether she could keep the money and use it to make a donation online or whether she needed to give it back to the original donors.

There was further uncertainty when the young woman left the event before its conclusion, prompting Mr. Heaps to chase her down the stairs outside the hall to make sure the money was given back to its sources. She agreed to stand at the back of the room with the cash and return it to people as they left.

Alongside vice-presidential hopeful Matt Gonzalez, a former municipal politician in San Francisco, Mr. Nader is mounting his fourth bid for the presidency. He ran as a Green party candidate in 1996 and 2000. In 2004, he appeared on the ballot as an independent.

jcowan@nationalpost.com

Nader in Toronto

I just received this email from the Nader campaign. I can't F-ing wait.

Ralph Nader to speak on Monday August 11, on the trading floor of old Toronto Stock Exchange building.

Event also features partial screening of the biographical documentary, An Unreasonable Man.

Hovering over 5 per cent in national polls, Nader is on his third run for President of United States.

Find out why he runs and what's at stake for Canada this election.

Ralph Nader is the only major candidate for President of the United States standing up to implement Canadian-style universal healthcare, a Dion-style Carbon Tax, and ending the war in Iraq with a full 6-month withdrawal. Over ten million Americans say they will vote for him, and another 20 million say they would if they thought he had a chance of winning. He's on track to be on the ballot in 45 states, and has a shot at getting in the Google Presidential Debates to be held in New Orleans this September. Come see him this Monday August 11 at the Design Exchange in Downtown Toronto.

Event Program:

* Screening of a portion of An Unreasonable Man, the acclaimed documentary on Ralph Nader

* Ralph Nader Remarks on the US Presidential Election: What's at stake for Canada?

* Q and A with Ralph Nader

Where: Design Exchange, 234 Bay Street, Toronto, Ontario M5K 1B2.

Time: 7:00 to 9:30 pm