Yes, Art in Wausau
Hugely eventful day, starting with this:

Green Bay won.

Life stops in Wisconsin when the Packers play. We canvass during church hours on Sundays but stop from noon till the end of the game. I am known to be a football jinx, so I didn't even go near a TV. I spent the dead time in the middle of the day at the Leigh Yawkey Woodson Art Museum in Wausau, a stunning estate converted to galleries and a wonderful exploratory center for children called an Art Park, where they can rearrange or put the birds and people back in paintings, easily put themselves in a picture with a video camera and costumes, explore texture, color, etc. etc. Really superb, wonderful docents, and fun for the grownups as well.

And they had their 29th annual exhibit of bird art still on display before it travels to the Bell in Minneapolis, then Tuscon, then on to Maine. Very thorough, though heavy on the watercolors and realist art. One of the "noted wildlife artists," Chris Bacon, had a display from his (or possibly her -- I don't know this artist) sketchbooks, deft, quick pencil and wash drawings of birds in action, including a few he (or she) had done of birds from age 3-4. I liked all of these far better than the finished works.

Others I liked were:

Mary Ulm Mayhew's tiny painting, "Departure" -- Oil on comp board, sun on the back of a chicken, quick, minimal perfectly placed no-nonsense strokes.

John Seerey-Lester had a wonderful, frightening painting in shades of black called "Harpy Eagle", which seemed to me to be quite timely, though perhaps he didn't intend it. Checking around the web I note that his other work seems technically fine but banal. This painting, though, is quite good, subdued evil, in which the dark bird looks out from a dark ground into darkness.

Franna Lusson, "Blackbird in Flight" -- oil pastel and graphite on paper. Casual black scrawls, the slight sheen of the oil pastel mimicking the sheen of a blackbird's wing, all a bit smudged as the bird takes flight. After all the watercolors, seemed fresh and direct.

Finally, William Shippley's "Domestic Chicken" -- red beaks in hard focus, exact bluish tailfeathers, the rest a blur of feathers, but not in a lame way.

There were others of interest, of course, but these caught my eye.

But the biggest treat was the Patrick Dougherty installation, called "Putting Two and Two Together." Here he took a stand of blue spruce and mimicked them with twisted willow, building a passage through the living trees similar to the formal paths in the gardens surrounding the museum. I took a lot of shots of this installation (which are in my camera down in the car) I will post later. Many of you art fans will recall the wonderful installation at the Evanston Art Center for nearly two years. We all loved that one, and I don't think they've had an exhibit on the lawn since that's come close. I like the installation in Wausau even better, since it mixes the living and the not living, and has a lot of other complex things going on. I think he really got into the spirit of the Wausau site quite well with this piece.

Oh, and of course I canvassed morning and late -- competing with the Halloween trick-or-treaters (a weird, weird experience -- canvass buddy Regina wore a cape!).

But more of that later. Needed to look at, write about art tonight. And will post some picures of the museum tomorrow.

- posted by Cynthia @ 9:47 PM | | | Link |

 
Wisconsin Stories
I am canvassing in a hilly area, up and down the streets. One guy I'd first marked as "not home" drives in, sees me, and leaps out of his car to tell me how good things were with Clinton. "That's what I've been telling everyone. Do you really think things are better now than they were then? The paper was full of jobs. You could pick anything you wanted. Remember those zones in Iraq? All Saddam had to do was stick his toe out and Clinton would send a bomber in to tune him up. Why couldn't Bush do that? Why doesn't anyone remember? God, I loved that man. When I saw the picture of him at the rally he looked sick, but it brought it all back. God, I want those days back! God, yes I'm voting for Kerry!"

An elderly lady comes to the door: "Why on earth would you come here? Can't you see the sign in the yard? [ed. I didn't, actually, but she was on the list] So I sorta apologize for bothering her, but she stops me. "You know, when they put the sign up I was sure I was voting for Bush but so much has happened, I'm not sure anymore." [ed. I do my thing about healthcare and jobs and that he's just a very good man] She sighs. "Gimme that literature again. I've got to think."

Wausau has a very large population of immigrants from Laos. I go to the door of a house where many names are listed as residing. Only a ten-year old boy knows enough English to answer my questions, but patiently we sort out the citizens from the non-citizens. And the rest? "Kerry!" he says. And the others in the room know the name and all nod and repeat, "Kerry!"

Good morning, friends, though because of the time change you may still be sleeping in. I'm not, and will soon report for duty.

Just heard about the 8 soldiers killed yesterday. And "Allawi" today says

Allawi said there was no deadline for talks with Fallujah leaders aimed at finding a peaceful resolution. But he said if no deal is reached, "I have no choice but to secure a military solution."

"I will do so with a heavy heart, for even with the most careful plan there will be some loss of innocent lives," he said. "But I owe, owe it to the Iraqi people to defend them from the violence and the terrorists and insurgents."

Ummmm.... what have we been doing over there for the past year? Isn't it a military solution? What the f**k is "he" talking about? Is that's Rove's surprise? Nuke 'em till they glow? I wouldn't put it past him.

But must dress, etc. Max Cleland is supposed to vist with us at 1:30 today, and do some phoning, too. And most likely be on TV doing all these things.

And there is a theory that the if the Washington Redskins lose the football game closest to the election, the democrats win. Or something like that.

GO GREEN BAY


- posted by Cynthia @ 8:14 AM | | | Link |

 
Kick 'Em Harder
Oh, look... Someone misspelled George's name on this street sign.



Still in Wausau, still canvassing like mad. Did 1 1/2 precincts each of us today, I think I'm going to die. Did you know Wausau is hilly? I will prove it to you the next time I go out. When I get back I'm going to have the firmest butt you ever did see.

And here's Marathon the Cow. Isn't she gorgeous?



Back later with more stories, then probably some phone work.
- posted by Cynthia @ 5:39 PM | | | Link |

 
Morning Report
This is what Wisconsin looks like from a parking lot when it's misty and drizzly:



And this is what travelling buddy Regina


looked like yesterday. She has a blog at Chicana on the Edge, is a singer and songwriter and good blogger. Check it out.

Will be off to canvass momentarily and be back later. All of you, you shouldn't even be reading this since you should be off canvassing and phoning too. So we'll have to catch up later.

- posted by Cynthia @ 8:49 AM | | | Link |

 
Speaking of Cows
Wausau - Cheney's Schofield visit draws crowd

Meanwhile, outside the Log Cabin, about 35 Kerry supporters stood in front of a giant, blow-up cow with a sign on it that said "Pres. Bush lied to me about MILC." The group accused President Bush of not supporting the federal milk support program after legislation to fund the program was stalled in Congress.

President Bush publicly endorsed the milk support program during a campaign stop in Wisconsin earlier this month.[ed. i.e., he lied, or flip-flopped or whatever the hell he calls it]

I have not yet seen the cow, but am working for those nefarious people who are sending the cow from appearance to appearance. It is at this moment being readied to follow the Bushies whereever they go in dairy country. Here's a story from La Crosse. I'll try to get a picture of her tomorrow. People absolutely love her. She's called Marathon the MILC Cow.

Oh, I suppose it had to come out sooner or later. Yes, I'm in Wausau, WI, where we were just informed tornado warnings are in effect. Thunder and lightning right now outside like crazy, like the middle of summer, warm and sultry. Like Karl Rove is throwing all his knives and evil thoughts down on us.

We've also been informed that we're "ground zero" on election night, with NBC News broadcasting from here, since we're a swing city in the middle of a swing state -- can't get yummier ratings than that. So I may be in the news yet again. Ho hum. All the glamour.

- posted by Cynthia @ 10:28 PM | | | Link |

 
Man, You Can't Leave Town For a Minute
Bin Laden, in Statement to U.S. People, Says He Ordered Sept. 11 Attacks

"It never occurred to us that the commander-in-chief of the American armed forces would leave 50,000 of his citizens in the two towers to face these horrors alone," he said, referring to the number of people who worked at the World Trade Center.

"It appeared to him (Bush) that a little girl's talk about her goat and its butting was more important than the planes and their butting of the skyscrapers. That gave us three times the required time to carry out the operations, thank God," he said.

Thanks Karl.

They're trying to downplay it, I hear. Shouldn't this send the terror warning up to a pulsing, screaming crimson? Shouldn't all good Republicans hide indoors and not go to the polls?

Greetings from my undisclosed campaign bunker, custom-fitted to defend against anything bin Laden (or the Rovians) might have up their sleeves, though a nice fast internet connection would be nice instead of dialup. Have a lot to catch up on, obviously, but first must eat, then go work for a fresh new day for everyone.

- posted by Cynthia @ 5:44 PM | | | Link |

 
Stunt Voting
Sharp Increase in Early Voting Alters Campaign

Thursday's rally in Madison, at which supporters were urged to walk across town and vote immediately, followed a similar event last month when Leonardo DiCaprio, the actor, appeared on the University of Wisconsin campus and exhorted the audience to follow him onto three buses that would take them to vote.

In Florida, such events have become a staple of the final month of campaigning.

"It's certainly altered our campaigning," said Matthew Miller, Florida spokesman for the Kerry campaign, citing special "early voting rallies" both Mr. Kerry and Mr. Edwards have held. The rallies often end with offers of a free bus ride to the polling site.

William R. Scherer, a Fort Lauderdale lawyer working for the Republicans, said his party had no need for such stunts. "We don't need to bus," he said. "Most of our people have cars."

And there you go. The difference in a nutshell.

Good morning, friends. Someone out there may still be brushing a wee-hours shower of confetti and streamers out of their hair, for I have served with pride my 10,000-th page of bloggery, with a fresh side of waffles and fruit, plus heated syrup and real butter. I promise to bring back a big cheese from Wisconsin, a sausage, and maybe some local beer, if I can find some.

For the Victory Celebration, of course.



- posted by Cynthia @ 9:49 AM | | | Link |

 
The Passionate
Kerry and Bruce rock record crowd

The duo of Democratic presidential candidate Sen. John Kerry and rock legend Bruce Springsteen drew a record 80,000-plus people to downtown Madison for a massive campaign rally this afternoon.

Making his first-ever appearance on behalf of a presidential candidate, Springsteen opened with an acoustic version of "The Promised Land" shortly before 1 p.m.

Springsteen told the crowd, which filled West Washington Avenue from Bassett Street all the way to the Capitol Square and overflowed onto several side streets, that "the essential ideas of America and freedom are what's at stake on November second."

Borrowing a line from the late Sen. Paul Wellstone of Minnesota, Springsteen said, "The future belongs to the passionate. Well, the future is now. So let your passions loose."

He then began "No Surrender," which has become the unofficial anthem of the Kerry campaign.

Should have been 80,000 plus 1, but at the last minute I decided not to go, since I'm driving a long way to the last big push to chip Democrats out of the frozen tundra and drag them down to the polls tomorow.

All the forecasts I see have clear weather for election day in the midwest. Bad news for the Republicans, I'm afraid.

Still waiting for Rove's surprise. I don't think even finding bin Laden underneath Laura's dresser would do it. Oil prices have dropped the last few days, but gas is still on the rise. Did they make Arafat sick? Was that it? So he didn't get a flu shot, but a bunch of football players did?

Ah, well. Am rambling, and feeling guilty, since I could have gone and added one more voice, and heard Bruce (and I think a Foo Fighter was supposed to be there too). Maybe I'll have a glass of wine and put "Born in the USA" on the record player.


- posted by Cynthia @ 5:04 PM | | | Link |

 
Backbone Lengthens
Missouri Joins Illinois, Wisconsin in Drug-Import Program Tapping Suppliers in Canada, Europe

CHICAGO (AP) - Missouri joined Illinois and Wisconsin in a new drug-import program to make cheaper prescription drugs available from Canada and Europe despite a federal ban on the imports.

Missouri Gov. Bob Holden [ed. Democrat] appeared with Gov. Rod Blagojevich [ed. also Democrat] at a news conference Thursday in Chicago to announce Missouri's participation in the I-SaveRx drug program. Illinois and Wisconsin [ed. Gov Doyle is Democrat too] launched it this month to offer savings on about 100 medications of up to 50 percent off U.S. retail prices.

Ah, those do-nothing Democrats are at it again. Never looking out for the working stiff, never giving a shit about seniors and people who need expensive, ongoing drug treatment.

If Bush gets elected, maybe we can secede and form our own country -- Midwestia? Miswinois?

Good afternoon, all. Saw this and felt happy, and so didn't call this entry "The Other Cheek" (i.e., the nether one). Did the Burger King drive thru just now with all my bumper stickers, pins, and signs in the back window (for Obama and Lee Goodman) and as I was munching my first fry while driving off, the guy at the window whistled, and I saw he was giving me the finger in the rearview mirror.

I was tempted to call his manager and get him fired, or call the Burger King himself and complain, but then I realized, who's the loser here?

This poor idiot is making minimum wage, or maybe a couple of nickels above, most likely doesn't have health insurance, possibly has dependents, may be a drop-out (it's during the day, after all) or barely a diploma, and he thinks Bush loves him. Or Keyes. Or Mark Kirk. Let me tell you, sir, how mistaken you are.

Am completely convinced that the idiot gene and the Republican gene are linked, as a fellow I drove to Wisconsin once claimed.

I may have written about it before. I am getting forgetful in my agedness, and the sheer number of blathers I've written since February (nearly 650). And I'm closing in on my 10,000-th page view, something I never dreamed possible.

So, if you suddenly find yourself covered with confetti and streamers sometime today or tomorrow, you're The One.

- posted by Cynthia @ 3:09 PM | | | Link |

 
All Quiet On the Set
Shhhhh... and would you step over there? You're in my light.

They're filming next door to me, a movie called "The Passenger." Caught a scene in which 2 people come out of a store (local storefront tricked out as an antique store -- it's not) and get into a car and have a conversation. They of course do it over and over again, waiting as trains pass, busses backfire, cars honk, light at the corner turns red, etc.

They used to film a lot in the Chicago area but then they stopped. Used to be a lot of John Hughes, coming-of-age stuff done bringing much business to the neighborhood. If our dear Democratic governor is pulling them in again, good.

Must just go and make sure my makeup is on straight. Oh, dear... what did I do with those headshots....?

- posted by Cynthia @ 10:21 AM | | | Link |

 
Good News / Bad News
Judge Rebuffs GOP Effort To Contest Voters in Ohio

Judge Susan J. Dlott in Cincinnati issued an order preventing local election boards from going forward with plans to notify challenged voters and hold hearings until she hears legal arguments tomorrow. But because her ruling means that those election board hearings cannot take place within the time frame state law requires before the election, Dlott's ruling kills the GOP effort that had targeted 35,000 voters, Democratic and Republican party officials said.

David Sullivan, director of the Democratic Party's Voter Protection Program in Ohio, praised the ruling and said the GOP was never able to offer proof that the challenged voters were ineligible. "The Republican assault on tens of thousands of Ohio voters was an unprecedented effort to intimidate voters, especially minorities, but, it has backfired," he said.

But it means the thugs they're putting at the polls will slowly, very slowly challenge voters when they go to vote.

So, if at all possible, vote ahead of time, before the thugs get there. Bring every piece of ID you have with you to the polls. Be prepared to outlast them. Don't drop out of a long line. Let the Republican in front of you drop out first.

Maybe we should try challenging the Republicans and see how they like it. I'm sure we'll find plenty of felons, people from out of state, people who sometimes sign with a middle initial, sometimes not -- you know, criminals.

Good evening, folks. Oh, the good news was that Boston won the World Series. I find this a very good omen indeed.

- posted by Cynthia @ 11:54 PM | | | Link |

 
Vote For Art
Speaking of swing states, all you Wisconsin people taking the day off to vote and maybe do a little phonebanking, don't forget to keep your "I Voted" stickers -- other states may hand them out too -- they can be good for free stuff.

The Milwaukee Art Museum is putting them to good use by letting you in free (on November 2) to the current special exhibit, Masterpieces of American Art, 1770 - 1920: From the Detroit Institute of Arts (October 23, 2004 - January 30, 2005),

a Twelve Dollar Value!!



This is a terrific deal, since it includes both the special exhibit plus the usual $8 admission (less for seniors, students, children),

saving you $$$ TWENTY DOLLARS $$$

It's like riskless, FREE MONEY!!

It's a pity they didn't mount the next exhibit of Mark Lombardi's work before the election -- but there were probably "reasons." He traces the unbearably complex relationships between political entities in gorgeous drawings of interwoven lines and conclusions, heartbreakingly lovely and cruel. He died in 2000, so young. From the blurb:

Because of its focus on often illegal and clandestine financial transactions, Lombardi's work attains almost prophetic significance in today's current political and economic climate. Charting patterns of exchange in the new global networks that have until now evaded visual description, Lombardi's drawings feature dashed, dotted or continuous lines signifying different kinds of financial connections.

It will run January 14 - April 10, 2005.

I am plugging all this because although I'm not a Wisconsin-ite, I'm a member, since I decided to punish the Art Institute for nearly doubling its yearly membership fee because of appalling mis-management of funds.

I fell in love at first sight, from the Santiago Calatrava batwings to the glorious, clean, heated and airconditioned parking garage. And the guts, too. I find their contemporary collection particularly thoughtful. I went to the Milton Avery show 2 or 3 times, a few years back.

Remind me to call the MAM tomorrow to see whether voter receipts from other states will be honored. That way, those doing outreach could take a little break and remember where America has been and where it might be going too.

- posted by Cynthia @ 6:13 PM | | | Link |

 
More Favorite Sons
Secretary of State Powell Defends His Son

[Howard]Stern questioned Michael Powell's credentials in a telephone call Tuesday to KGO-AM radio in San Francisco during an interview with the FCC chairman.

Secretary Powell said Wednesday that his son got the job long before he became secretary of state.

Not exactly.

While Michael Powell did become a member of the commission in November 1997, when President Clinton appointed him to a Republican seat on the panel, he was elevated to FCC chairman by President Bush on Jan. 22, 2001. That was two days after Bush's inauguration, which was also the day his father became secretary of state.

Go get 'em Howard.

Good afternoon, friends. I have received my volunteer assignment for the election, but I'm not going to tell you where it is in case you're a Republican and blab to Rove about it. I will take the computer with and try to do some blogging anyway, since I know I won't be able to stop cold-turkey. I have also just lost a filling, so I may be whistling a little unless I can get in and see the dentist before I depart to my undisclosed location.

Just try and stop me. Go on.

This administration is the most incompetent bunch of idiots we've ever seen. I just hope they're incompetent about stealing the election too.

Though they're starting off with a bang:

Officials Blame U.S. Postal Service Over Missing Ballots

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. -- Broward County officials blamed the U.S. Postal Service Tuesday for misplacing nearly half of the absentee ballots requested in the county, as frustrated voters trying to find out what happened overwhelmed phone lines at the elections office.

The Postal Service denied responsibility for the missing ballots, but Broward officials said they sent about 58,000 ballots more than two weeks ago, on Oct. 7-8. As of Tuesday, 126,220 absentee ballots had been requested.

Wouldn't it be delicious if the missing ballots were for Republicans?

Doubt it, but we can always hope.

Since they're so determined to win by underhanded means, we simply have to make sure that every vote possible is counted, and every voter in evey single state gets to the polls. I predict a landslide for Kerry. Maybe Bush should make the phone call to Kerry right now, rather than wait until Tuesday night.


- posted by Cynthia @ 3:55 PM | | | Link |

 
World Series of Debates, Game 3
You want to be watching the World Series instead of the Obama / Keyes "debate". Something in Keyes's tone of voice always gets me with those little flirty glances at the camera and rogueish rolling of eyes. If you recall, last week Keyes said that gay couples can't have children because they can't have "real" children, and so they'd never know who their real parents are, and so it "inevitably" leads to incest. Then he lectured us on logic. The audience was laughing so loud that Phil Ponce had to quiet them down.

But it's stopped being fun. Obama is so good, and so good at propping up the illusion that Keyes is a genuine contender. Of all the sessions I've seen so far, this is a good one for him, sitting down, talking face to face in a "natural" setting, no time limits, etc. And Phil Ponce is a decent moderator.

Have been interrupted on the phone far too much this evening to do a good job of live-blogging, so this will have to be about it. Illinois, it's almost over.

All you other states, be afraid. Be very afraid.... *


*not really...

- posted by Cynthia @ 7:46 PM | | | Link |

 
Last Chance
... to see Alan Keyes make a fool of himself, a mockery of the electoral process, and a reason to keep the Republicans far, far, away from government.

On the plus side, you get to see Barack Obama speak moderately and intelligently about a variety of things. In Chicago, PBS has it, starting 7:00 pm, CST. Check Obama's Blog for a few more links.

The blog also has a great writeup of one of the trips we've been taking to Wisconsin.

Good late-afternoon, all. Have been blogging only moderately in recent days since my outrage at all things Bush has experienced such overload that I've been reduced to lying on the couch and sputtering incoherently while watching sitcoms.

Speaking of Barack Obama, there's a wonderful picture of him in a New Yorker spread with Jimmy Carter (and dozens of other great pictures too) taken by the late Richard Avedon. Still, solemn, deep brown eyes, a beautiful mouth that has just twitched from recognizing the absurdity of being photographed by a famous fashion photographer.

- posted by Cynthia @ 4:43 PM | | | Link |

 
Now He's Blaming His Shirtmaker
Bush Blames Poorly Made Shirt for Bulge

"I guess the assumption was that if I were straying off course they would ... kind of like a hunting dog, they would punch a buzzer and I would jerk back into place," Bush said. "That's just absurd."

Hmmmm... so that's how they used it. I thought it was a secret microphone.

Which brings up an interesting question....

Who makes his shirts? Does he buy the cheapest, most ill-fitting shirts he can find on the "internets" from Chinese sweatshops?

Is he slamming American Union labor for manufacturing a poor product?

Why on earth would he wear a badly fitting shirt to the most important event of his life? It's not like he rolled out of bed, sniffed the pits, and decided it was good enough for TV.

Assuming he was just wearing the Man-ssiere (or the Bro) [ed. people, if you don't understand, just ask a Seinfeld fan], he should tell us. Or if it was a backbrace, he might get a few sympathy votes. A bullet-proof vest would play into the terror fearer vote.

But a shirt so bad you can see how bad it is through a jacket? Oh, pulleeze!

I think we should urge Congress to investigate. Clearly he's lying to the public. For all we know he could be hiding a blue dress back there.

- posted by Cynthia @ 11:47 AM | | | Link |

 
Here We Go Again
California Broadcaster Donates $325,000 in Air Time to GOP Committees

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) - One of the state's biggest broadcasters has given 13 Republican county committees $325,000 worth of free air time to promote candidates on its radio and television stations throughout California.
...
A spokesman for Pappas said the Federal Communications Commission has reviewed the donations and determined that they do not trigger provisions of federal law that require broadcasters to give all candidates equal broadcast time.

The FCC did not respond to calls placed after hours Monday.

Luckily no one is listening to this crap.

Granted, I don't watch much TV (and don't have cable) so I've only seen 2 commercials since the last of the Blair Hull spots long ago, back in March. One was for Melissa Bean (fighting against Phil Crane -- go work for her, if you aren't going to a swing state). The other was for Barack Obama, but mostly it was a feel-good unity commercial, just to remind people who he is, since he's mostly elsewhere at the moment. (Not a complaint). Which may mean that he'll only get 65 percent of the vote, rather than 80 or 90.

Naw.... it'll be 80 or 90. There's still one more debate, after all. And it's with Alan Keyes.

Night night.


- posted by Cynthia @ 1:28 AM | | | Link |

 
Will The Dog Turn On Him Next?
And I don't mean the Big Dog, who left his sickbed to speak at a Kerry rally in Philadelphia. I mean the family dog. (Is there one?)

Bush extended clan urges against his re-election

WASHINGTON (AFP) - A renegade wing of the extended George W. Bush political clan is lobbying actively for his defeat at the polls in November's presidential election, and formed a group, "Bush Relatives for Kerry," to ensure that happens.

"As the election approaches, we feel it is our responsibility to speak out about why we are voting for John Kerry (news - web sites), and to do our small part to help America heal from the sickness it has suffered since George Bush (news - web sites) was appointed president in 2000," the group says on its website www.BushRelativesforKerry.com.

The group is founded by sisters Tracy Cannon and Hilary House, cousins of the president.

"The very thing that our president, my cousin, criticizes (Kerry) for is exactly what makes him a natural leader, the ability to see when an error has been made and to be willing to do whatever it takes to fix it, wrote Cannon, one of several members of the family to endorse Kerry on the website.

"The overwhelming arrogance and knee jerk mentality that has consumed our government as of late will lead only to further mayhem and more rash decisions. It must stop."

House added: "George W. Bush is a man of limited vision and seemingly little compassion ... I have always known that John Kerry has the greater good of not only our country, but the world as a whole in mind."

"George W. Bush's grandfather and my grandmother were brother and sister," she continued.

"It makes me sad that I cannot with good conscience vote for a member of my family ... however today the lives of so many people hang in the balance, that my role as an American is far more important than that of a cousin."

Sad, really.

Good afternoon, friends. Wi-Fi was out this morning, but was worth waiting to post this.

And college kids are finally beginning to get it. Emailed my niece the link below. She made it her IM Home page and has already got into arguments about it with cute guys she thought were cool but realizes now are way not. That's my girl!

- posted by Cynthia @ 1:44 PM | | | Link |

 
Keyes Encounters Greatness, and Other Tales
Let's review:

Yesterday, busses carrying hundreds of volunteers scattered hither and yon for GOTV activities. An email this morning reports

Perhaps the most memorable moment occured when two buses covered in Kerry-Edwards paraphernalia and loaded with chanting volunteers drove right past a befuddled-looking Alan Keyes in downtown Chicago. (Yes, this actually happened. But he looked like he was used to hearing deafening "Obama! Obama!" cheers everywhere he went!)

I drove this time, setting out early, and so was much befuddled by fog, drizzle, and then lashing downpours that cleared almost the minute we arrived at our actual canvass site, and the weather turned douce, balmy, 70 degrees, astonishingly lovely.

Before that, we had to survive the parking lot at the SEIU Hall where I (apparently) managed to sideswipe some guy without noticing it, or he sideswiped me, who then had to chase me all over (I thought at first he was a Bush person, and deeply apologize for being a jerk). But it will be resolved, and I've stopped shaking.

The Undecideds are finally coming home to roost, and roosting precariously on Kerry's shoulder, though some are still skittish.

One young woman said, "I like the Democrats' ideas and plans, but I just don't like Kerry."

I asked, "Is there anyone you do like?"

"John Edwards," she replied.

I closed the sale right there, quickly and easily.

Another fellow was concerned that Kerry was too rich, and how can someone that rich care about him? I pointed out that you can be poor and be a real jerk, and that rich people can have feelings of compassion and a sense of responsibility. After all, Kerry didn't have to volunteer for Viet Nam, he could have come back, shut up, and become a rich corporate lawyer, etc. Finally, with a sob in his voice, he said, "I'd just like to not have to choose the lesser of 2 evils for a change!"

After comforting him, I said, "Yes, but we do have to have a president, you know, whether you vote or not. Better you vote."

- posted by Cynthia @ 11:09 AM | | | Link |

 
Take Your Pick
What's your flavor?



I'll choose Reuters for 100.

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. intelligence and law enforcement officials said on Saturday they have found no direct evidence of plans for a terror attack tied to the upcoming U.S. election.
There were abundant indications of desire by terror groups like al Qaeda to launch an attack on U.S. soil, but no plot had been discovered on a specific target or date, they said.

No, the Bushies are the ones continuing to intimidate and terrify us.

Mr. Bush returned to the theme of terrorism during a campaign stop here in Fort Myers on Saturday, roaring into a rally in a procession of machine-gun-toting helicopters escorting Marine One as it settled, in a swirl of wind, in the middle of a field. It was a display of the power of incumbency and a reminder of a dominant theme of Mr. Bush's campaign. On television stations here this week, it was all terrorism all the time: images of the smoldering World Trade Center and Republican claims that Mr. Kerry would be weak in the face of terrorist threats.

He should be ashamed.

Good evening, friends. Just now back from a full, event-filled day in Milwaukee. Drove 2 other volunteers. One, Joe, entertained the car with chilling readings from this morning's New York Times about efforts of the Bush/Cheney people to stuff every Ohio Dem stronghold with paid bullies bent on intimidating and questioning each voter.

So, Ohio, Wisconsin, Michigan, Florida, Iowa: do like everyone else: Vote Early, and Vote Carefully. Make sure those chads aren't dimpled, hanging, or swinging from the rafters. If you're supposed to use a pencil to draw your arrows, don't rebel and use a pen. Or vice-versa. If you vote in person, if you ruin a ballot, you can get another one, then double and triple check. Bring ID to the polls, a lot of it. Don't let them get away with it.

Back later with more chilling Tales from the Front.

- posted by Cynthia @ 7:22 PM | | | Link |

 
Enjoy The Draft
Enjoy The Draft



(thanks Matt)

Again, back later.

- posted by Cynthia @ 11:44 AM | | | Link |

 
If You Missed It
Rebroadcast times for Obama/Keyes "debate":

League of Women Voters of Illinois

These television and radio stations will rebroadcast the debate on the dates/times listed:

Radio:
WEIU-TV Charleston 24-Oct 5:00 P.M.
WFIW-AM/FM/WOKZ-FM Fairfield 22-Oct 10:00 AM
WMEC/WQEC/WSEC Springfield 26-Oct 7:00 PM
WMIX-AM Mt. Vernon TBA
WVLN/WSEI/WIKK Olney/Newton TBA


Television:
KHQA-TV Quincy 23-Oct 1-2:00 PM
WEEK-TV Peoria TBA
WGEM-TV Quincy TBA
WHBF-TV Rock Island 21-Oct 11:35 PM
WIFR-TV Rockford 23-Oct 10:30 PM
WNOI-TV Flora 24-Oct 7:00 PM
WREX-TV Rockford 23-Oct 12:30 PM
In addition, ABC 7 Chicago has a replay of the debate available on their website in Windows Media format.

Good morning, people. I'm so pleased the debate is going to be rebroadcast, since it'll be a great opportunity to see what a jerk Keyes is, and what "smelly toads" the Republicans are for thinking they could do no better than this to represent one percent of the country and fifty percent of Illinois.

Reports are coming in already about serious problems with voting machines and various attempts at suppressing the vote. One technique is someone calling you up and telling you the wrong place to vote. If you get a call like this, call your local Democratic Party Office immediately, and also call them at:

1-866-OUR VOTE

See the Election Protection website for more information.

Also, people of Wisconsin should call

1-866-WI POLLS (1-866-947-6557)

if they see problems. At the rally last week we were told that all the polling places will have a lawyer available to handle problems immediately, but it's better to handle them in advance, and to have them know that millions of eyes are watching them at all times.

Wisconsin is still looking for lawyers to help with the protection effort. You can email the following:

protect (at) wisdems (dot) org

if you can help. I've been told you need not be a member of the Wisconsin bar to do this.

I will put this info up on the side shortly. Back later.

- posted by Cynthia @ 10:25 AM | | | Link |

 
But Don't Kill Donna Off, Please!
West Wing Debut

Martin Sheen is magnificent in the debut as the conflicted, but bold, President Josiah Bartlet, who sees a chance for Middle East peace even as his chief of staff and best friend, Leo McGarry (John Spencer), is urging military reprisal. The next three-episode arc may also be seen as a shot from "The West Wing" writers to get in their pre-election statement. In contrast to the Bush Administration's invasion of Iraq, it argues President Bartlet's refraining from military action could actually lead to a peace process.

Next week will be President Bartlet's last chance to influence the election in our "reality-based" realm. More important than baseball.

Well...

Off to do phone-banking. How did I ever manage my busy days when I still had a job?

- posted by Cynthia @ 5:24 PM | | | Link |

 
Is Nothing Sacred?
Bush ad cut from WTMJ-AM traffic

No, WTMJ-AM (620) news folks are not reading ads pushing the re-election of President George W. Bush.

But it's no surprise that listeners might have thought that was the case because of the role that an outfit called Metro Networks plays in traffic reports. A Bush ad was read Tuesday during a traffic report at the end of the 6 p.m. newscast.

That traffic reporter works for Metro Networks.

Most of the traffic reports that you hear up and down the Milwaukee radio dial come from Metro Networks. Sometimes you'll hear traffic reports from the same person using different names on different stations.

Mixing politics and driving is a dangerous combination, especially when combined with cellphones and irate listeners trying to email the station with one hand.

(Wasn't me).

Good evening, folks. Popping head up between commercial breaks as I unwind by not phone canvassing tonight. Had to see an actual liberal president at work on The West Wing season opener. I'm glad that President Bartlet is trying to come up with a plan for peace and that he requires better information and more proof of "linkage" before invading a certain Middle Eastern country. Our ghost administration in the parallel universe struggles on valiantly. I hope Donna gets well soon.

- posted by Cynthia @ 9:44 PM | | | Link |

 
Art Submission
DONE! Submitted.

And with only 4 glaring and embarrassing errors discovered only after I dropped the package off. And only 3 really, really, stupid painting titles.

And I knew I'd run out of black ink as I started to print up the slide list, and I did, so had to run to the store and pay way more than I would have if I'd ordered online, so we're not going to do that again.

But of course we will, since the warning level on the yellow cartridge has just started blinking. I'll deal with it later.

So will try to catch up, yet again, and possibly be back later. I'm not ignoring you, really.

Sample (one you haven't seen before):

Blue Grandma



- posted by Cynthia @ 4:04 PM | | | Link |

 
Endorsements Keep Rolling In
NOT The Onion, NOT The Daily Show, NOT Al Franken:

Bush Gets Endorsement From Iran, as Tehran Overlooks Bad Blood

TEHRAN, Iran (AP) - The head of Iran's security council said on Tuesday the re-election of President Bush was in Tehran's best interests, despite the administration's axis of evil label, accusations that Iran harbors al-Qaida terrorists and threats of sanctions over the country's nuclear ambitions.
...
"We haven't seen anything good from Democrats," Rowhani told state-run television in remarks that, for the first time in recent decades, saw Iran openly supporting one U.S. presidential candidate over another.

"We should not forget that most sanctions and economic pressures were imposed on Iran during the time of Clinton," Rowhani said of the former Democratic president. "And we should not forget that during Bush's era - despite his hard-line and baseless rhetoric against Iran - he didn't take, in practical terms, any dangerous action against Iran."

The Kerry campaign should hire this man immediately to write his material.

Good late-afternoon, folks. Have been messing with my art submission again (I think there's something pathologically wrong with my brain, that it can't decide what to do), and will likely be (gulp) doing more phoning tonight, so this may be it until late. But it's choice, so I was forced to present it to you.

- posted by Cynthia @ 4:51 PM | | | Link |

 
Rauschenberger-o-thon
You probably threw it away with all the other junk stuffed in the middle of the Sunday NYT. I have no idea if it was distributed with the Sunday Chicago Tribune, because we're not speaking these days.

But a "Special Advertising Supplement to the New York Times" called "Chicago Life 11.2.04" has a few interesting articles sprinkled amongst ads for nursing homes, items for the metrosexuals on your shopping list, and, of course, flooring.

In particular, "What Ever Happened to the Republican Party in Illinois," a fairly lengthy article by Aricka Flowers, gives the duo of Steve Rauschenberger (R-Elgin) and John Hoffman, interim executive director of the Illinois Republican Party a big, empty platform on which to make themselves look particularly good, Judy, bad, and do a tiny bit of rewriting of history at the same time.

For example, on the Jack Ryan issue, Rausch says, "I think Judy Baar Topinka emotionally reacted [ed. code for silly, hysterical female]. She's a great lady, but she hasn't been party chairman that long, and I think she made a mistake."

His thoughts on the future of the party are particularly fun:

"One of the real problems is that we don't have a farm system... None of them [former Republican governors] developed proteges for the party. All they really did was self-promote. It's been a long-time frustration for younger Republicans like myself that the leadership is all about personal gain and not about building the Republican Party in Illinois."

So selfless, but he was too poor, and so was passed over.

Hoffman, however, has a fascinating idea for a farm team:

"For example, the party has been trying to help promote Erica Herald, the former Miss America from 2003. She was a delegate for Illinois at the convention and actually spoke to the full convention. She is the type of person we'd like to see get more involved in the party."

I'm so sure. After a discussion of Keyes and conservatism, ("Most people self-identify as being politically conservative" [ed. !!!!]), Hoffman gets the last word:

"The Republican Party is a big tent party that has a lot of views.... [ed. more like a circus tent, but anyway] This year we had the most diverse delegation at the convention that we have ever had. As I said before, Erica Herald was there, and did you know she's African-American?"

Yes, and a virgin too, I hear.

I don't see that they're promoting her all that hard, since the first thing they should do is spell her name right. If I Google Erica Herald, the first thing that comes up is press secretary to Jerry Brown of California. Wouldn't that be wild?

It's Erika with a K. And Harold with an A. And then an O.

- posted by Cynthia @ 2:15 PM | | | Link |

 
A Little Art
... to go to sleep by.



This is the painting I did last week that fell face down, now fixed up, and most of the dirt scraped off.

What a difference a week makes! Leaves have fallen, wind and rain have arrived, and we have a taste of what Tuesday, Election Day, November 2, 2 weeks from now can bring.

So get out and vote early, or in-person absentee, or whatever it's called in your state.

And then call your local campaign office and tell them you can volunteer the whole day.

- posted by Cynthia @ 11:57 PM | | | Link |

 
Scariest Story Ever Told
Without a Doubt

It is 11 pages long, but adds insights into Bush's "character" I hadn't seen before and is written by the journalist who wrote the Paul O'Neill book, Ron Suskind. Many scary anecdotes about Bush's version of God, but it's his entire view of the world that is really frightening:

In the summer of 2002, after I had written an article in Esquire that the White House didn't like about Bush's former communications director, Karen Hughes, I had a meeting with a senior adviser to Bush. He expressed the White House's displeasure, and then he told me something that at the time I didn't fully comprehend -- but which I now believe gets to the very heart of the Bush presidency.

The aide said that guys like me were ''in what we call the reality-based community,'' which he defined as people who ''believe that solutions emerge from your judicious study of discernible reality.'' I nodded and murmured something about enlightenment principles and empiricism. He cut me off. ''That's not the way the world really works anymore,'' he continued. ''We're an empire now, and when we act, we create our own reality. And while you're studying that reality -- judiciously, as you will -- we'll act again, creating other new realities, which you can study too, and that's how things will sort out. We're history's actors . . . and you, all of you, will be left to just study what we do.''

Read the whole thing. It will lace up your Kerry volunteer boots faster than anything I've seen.

Speaking of which, I spent yesterday afternoon at the phone bank in Buffalo Grove, a huge place designed for just this kind of activity, with 400 phone lines available. This is my least favorite activity in the world. I loathe doing it. I would rather knock on 500 doors and have people spit on my face than do this. I get tongue-tied, I sound like an idiot, I get distracted.

But in Wisconsin they keep repeating that last time it took only one more voter per precinct to win the state for Al Gore, so dragging an undecided voter out of the lists of "unlikely voters" and tossing him into the Kerry bin is extremely satisfying. I found three, maybe four. Oddly enough, in the 2 and a half hours I phoned yesterday, I didn't get a single person who simply hung up on me (as I probably would have done).

Two of my successes were swayed by the debates, especially the last one. One woman said she'd taped all three debates, and had just finished watching the first one, and was still reserving her final judgment until she watched the rest, but was leaning toward Kerry for the first time. Another was anxious about how everything would get paid for, didn't trust what was happening right now, and had a niece who had been called back to Iraq once already after her first tour, and had heard that they were sending her back again. The more she talked, the more she talked herself into supporting Kerry. I was just an ear who made nodding sounds.

My favorite was the 85 year-old woman who, when I asked whether she planned to vote for John Kerry said, "Who?" I explained that he was running for president and I thought he was a very good man. I then read a few of the talking points from our issues list, starting with health care, since she had mentioned she was now too sick to work in the beauty salon she'd been in until recently. "If he's good enough for you, he's good enough for me. Put me down for him," she said.

Oh, if they could all be that simple! And please, someone read the note I left about this woman with the canvass sheet, and take tender care of her!

- posted by Cynthia @ 9:53 AM | | | Link |

 
Delinking The Trib
I suppose I should have expected it, but after reading the astonishingly enthusiastic endorsement of John Kerry by the New York Times today, I expected a respected paper such as the Chicago Tribune to follow suit. I literally couldn't believe my eyes when I picked up the paper and saw that they had endorsed George Bush.

So, with regret I've written them a letter explaining my distress, and that the links I had to their paper will be removed from my site. If you want to visit Eric Zorn's column you'll have to do it elsewhere. I'm sorry, because I like Eric and his column a lot. But I don't want the Trib's advertisers to get any traffic from me. That's just the way it is.

- posted by Cynthia @ 7:44 PM | | | Link |

 
Wisconsin Report Number I've Lost Track
I had never heard Gwen Moore speak before today's trip to Milwaukee, but I'll be delighted to hear her again.

Many of us who plan to help out non-stop the last days of the campaign went to the giant, and I mean giant, GOTV Convention at the Hyatt in downtown Milwaukee. There were at least 900 people in the grand ballroom, closer to 1000, with standees and people who were lurking in the back doorways. I don't know when I've heard more enthusiasm for the hard work of making a victory.

Moore, running in WI-4th CD, is yet another Democratic Party rising star, I am convinced. She had the crowd eating out of her hand. Her closing words were, "Working together, the ants eat the elephant," and the crowd screamed approval.

Mayor Tom Barrett showed up, as did Roger Quindel, a County Supervisor and Vet for Kerry, who gave a strong speech as well. As I've reported before, the only news crew that I saw was from FOX. Are they spying for their Republican dark lords? Or are they really using all this footage they're collecting?

Other speakers explained all the various pieces of getting out the vote, which, like sausage, shouldn't be examined too closely. We then broke into teams and were sent to eat.

I must say, whoever organized lunches for this crowd should be promoted immediately to Secretary of the Army and given an honorary generalship. We were directed by a dozen or more enthusiastic, sign waving young people across busy intersections, where to turn right, where left, through a box-lunch collection, and back again with more effectiveness than the entire march to Baghdad. It was astonishing.

Then off to canvass, and I found my first Bush to Nader defection, and a glorious thing it was to hear. I want to hear about more.

And we ran into our first Bush canvasser, a very friendly young but wrong-headed woman, who was working exactly the same street we were. I think we chased her away, though, because she didn't seem to be getting anyone coming to the door.

Bush has got to be getting nervous, is all I can say. Wisconsin will go for Kerry, I am absolutely certain. Especially now that they're actually now going to print enough ballots -- oh, you hadn't heard they had planned to print a third less than the city asked for, even though they realize that a lot of people haven't registered to vote yet, and that they don't even have to until they show up to vote? Can you just imagine what would have happened if they'd run out? Incredible. But all resolved now.

And no little yappy dogs today.

- posted by Cynthia @ 9:21 PM | | | Link |

 
Rove Slithers In, Slithers Away
Bush Political Adviser Rove Testifies Before Grand Jury in CIA Leak Probe

Now I understand:

John Kerry was the source of the Valerie Plame leak. Of course. Why didn't I realize it before?

Why else would Rove waste his time for 2 hours when he could be pulling the wings off flies or popping that October Surprise into the oven?

Good evening, folks. Exciting day fighting for each and every vote, but spent most of it in art activities, slides etc. for a show. I can spend hours looking at the same shot of the same painting before deciding I hate it and hate myself too. That times 20 explains much of my silence over the past few days, since the deadline is next week.

And spent some time yesterday in that most joyous of volunteer activities: putting stickers on hundreds, thousands of GOTV cards to be delivered by hand to every voter in every ward and every precinct in the city. This is why thousands of volunteers are needed.

At some point you begin to get resentful. Why can't these damn idiots get to the polls themselves? How can they not realize it's Election Day? But then you stick another sticker on a card and think about something else.

Barack Obama's troops are joining with Jan Schakowsky's this weekend for a massive campaign to get Melissa Bean elected in the 8th Congressional District, currently kept warm by Phil Crane, who has done nothing for the northern suburbs since he took over his seat from Don Rumsfeld (yes, dear Rummy himself).

It's supposed to be chilly this weekend, so the Bean people will need lots of friends to keep them warm. Check out the links on the side and go do something. Obama's blog has details, as does Bean's site.

- posted by Cynthia @ 7:48 PM | | | Link |

 
And Another Update
Just got a call from yet another official person about my little Ward / Precinct mess. Apparently it was complicated by there being someone else with my name on the rolls in the same ward. So that's where my mail has been disappearing...

But the power of it all! I'm beginning to feel like Eric Zorn.

- posted by Cynthia @ 6:18 PM | | | Link |

 
One Vote Down -- And Many More, Too
Just got off the phone for the second time today with Karen Chavers, Director of Community Outreach for Cook County (Illinois) Commissioner Larry Suffredin to clarify what happened when I voted my absentee ballot on Wednesday and the sinking feeling I had that things didn't go right.

I was correct, something I'm not sure I wanted to be, but my ballot (and another that had been mislabelled) are now in the correct envelope. Pure human error, no misprinted lists, no conspiracies, no tin-foil hats required.

Our votes would have been counted eventually in any case. No fear of that.

And Karen had just that day been at a training session where a new tool called the "Regional Street Locator" has just been unveiled and will be distributed to each of the polling places to avoid the run-around that usually happens on the day of the election when people show up at the wrong place in person.

The good news is that the Evanston City Clerk (and the Cook County Clerk's Office under David Orr, which has been working literally 24/7 to process new registrations) has been getting a steady, deep stream of in-person absentee voting. So much so that she has been unable to do anything else a City Clerk is supposed to do, and has pulled 2 staffers from other tasks just to deal with it. No additional help will be forthcoming from the County, since they too are underfunded and understaffed. This is going on all over.

So. It all works. And when it doesn't, calling your elected officials will make it all right again. That's what they're for.

- posted by Cynthia @ 1:08 PM | | | Link |

 
Tom Lea, Artist
This one is called "The Price"


This is not the one hanging in the White House (which is far less romantic than George had described it at the debate last night).

Tom Lea died January, 2001. He was friends with the "compassionate conservative" George Bush that a lot of other people liked and voted for, because they thought he'd have a friendly "let's not make waves" kind of administration. Kind of easy-going, Texas-barbecue-style. I wonder what he'd think of the monster who invaded Iraq.

PBS Special "They Drew Fire".

Link to Tom Lea Estate.

Coincidentally, an exhibit of Tom Lea's paintings is on display in the Chicago Area, at Cantigny in Wheaton. Here's a link to an article about the travelling show, up through October 20. Apparently Lea's widow is still living. I wonder who she's voting for?

- posted by Cynthia @ 4:25 PM | | | Link |

 
While We Weren't Looking
Thieves hit Democratic Party offices; computers containing sensitive data removed

Thieves shattered a side window overnight at Lucas County Democratic headquarters in Toledo, stealing computers with sensitive campaign information and triggering concern of the local party's ability to deliver crucial votes on Nov. 2.

Among the data on the stolen computer of the party's office manager were: e-mails discussing campaign strategy, candidates' schedules, financial information, and phone numbers of party members, candidates, donors, and volunteers.
...
The political importance of Lucas County cannot be overstated, Mr. Trevas said.

"It's a major Democratic county in a swing area, surrounded by Republican and moderates," Mr. Trevas said. "A lot of votes come out of northwest Ohio."
...
At Democratic headquarters, officials stopped short of publicly blaming partisan politics, but at the same time, they all but ruled out run-of-the-mill criminals.

Two other computers, holding less sensitive information, were untouched, as were a petty cash box that usually holds $80 to $100, televisions, portable radios, and other electronics. Moreover, other offices inside the building, 1817 Madison Ave., were not entered. Files, papers, and pamphlets remained in neat piles, and campaign signs leaned, apparently undisturbed, against a wall.

"They knew what they wanted," Mr. Chabler said, calling the incident a 'third-rate burglary,' " a not-so-subtle reference to the break-in at National Democratic Committee offices in 1972 that began the Watergate scandal that eventually led to the President Nixon's resignation.

And now let's go take those polls, write those letters, and get this damn Republican party out of office. And then send them to jail.

- posted by Cynthia @ 9:49 PM | | | Link |

 
Or Perhaps Not...
I voted at the Civic Center today. The City Clerk herself looked up my ward and precinct and wrote it down, then gave me the ballot. I was pretty sure it wasn't the same precinct I'd always had, but I figured, she's the City Clerk. She should know. Maybe they've remapped me. So my vote is now cast, but it was bugging me, nonetheless, so I looked up my address at voterinfonet.com online just now, and sure enough, it's telling me the ward and precinct I had remembered.

So my question is this: will my vote be declared invalid? Will they shuttle my ballot over to the wrong precinct where my address won't be found on the rolls? Will it then go into a Provisional Voting bucket?

I am going to call the clerk's office tomorrow and find out what is likely to happen.

If anyone else has an experience like this I'd like to hear from them. This is the first time I've voted absentee in-person, and I figured it would be foolproof.

So, everyone, be armed with every piece of information possible before voting. One other question on the application asked how long I'd lived at my address. I was sweating there, since I had no idea, and I think I answered it wrong.

Needless to say, it would be supremely ironic if after making sure everyone else and their brother got registered to vote, my own vote ended up not counting. Rovian, almost.

UPDATE: See this link for how it all got resolved.

- posted by Cynthia @ 6:03 PM | | | Link |

 
One....

- posted by Cynthia @ 1:14 PM | | | Link |

 
Voter Suppression
GOP firm shreds Dem voter registrations

The out-of-state firm has been in Las Vegas for the past few months, registering voters. It employed up to 300 part-time workers and collected hundreds of registrations per day, but former employees of the company say that Voters Outreach of America only wanted Republican registrations.

Two former workers say they personally witnessed company supervisors rip up and trash registration forms signed by Democrats.

"We caught her taking Democrats out of my pile, handed them to her assistant and he ripped them up right in front of us. I grabbed some of them out of the garbage and she tells her assisatnt to get those from me," said Eric Russell, former Voters Outreach employee.

I feel sick. All those unpaid hours I spent in the hot sun when I could have been sitting in a nice air-conditioned mall destroying democracy instead! How did I go wrong? What monsters did I have for parents who led me to register voters regardless of whether I thought they were Red or Blue or Green or Black or White or Pink?

My advice is this: if you have ever voted before, you are probably still registered from your last address. Check your status online (if your state allows you to -- Illinois does) and then relax. If you registered recently, it may not have been recorded yet.

In Cook County, if you registered with a Deputy Registrar you got a receipt. Other counties and states most likely have similar policies. Hang on to it and take it with.

Regardless, if, when you go to vote, they won't let you, you can fill out a Provisional Ballot, which will be verified, counted and possibly challenged after the fact.

Many states have early voting, or "in-person absentee voting." Do it. It will mean you can help out on election day, if nothing else. I would trust voting this way even above voting at the polls, since people at your local courthouse or civic center have a lot to lose if they screw it up and "lose ballots".

I was going to go yesterday after painting, but it was closed by the time I got cleaned up. Will go today and report back.

As to the painting: when I brought it back from the car this morning, it slipped and fell butter-side down. It could have been worse. I mostly have to fix up the sky, which is currently full of black specs of dirt and grass. Not attractive.

- posted by Cynthia @ 9:07 AM | | | Link |

 
Endorsements, Again
Total Pro-Kerry Daily Circ: 2,637,297
Total Pro-Bush Daily Circ: 724,728

Source: Editor & Publisher
- posted by Cynthia @ 8:28 PM | | | Link |

 
Obama / Keyes "Debate"
Rules are that there are no time limits! And the first question went to Keyes! He may never stop! I have no idea what he's saying!

Obama is answering now, briefly and to the point, all about the Iraq war.

O. Afghanistan now. Elections, Bush thinks this is wonderful. Hopeful sign for Iraq, Mr. Obama? I think it's a good sign for Afghanistan. With respect to Iraq, I think it'll be tougher. This is no longer George Bush's war, it's all our war. Analogy of Bush driving car into the ditch.

K. Isn't there a distinction between Afghanistan and Iraq, Mr. Keyes? He's trying to answer this question, trying to blend the two, and now he's going on and on again, sucking up to the Bush admin. Still going on and on again. "We've created for ourselves a clear base in the middle east." Including Iran??

O. Mr. Keyes may have better intelligence than I do -- true we have a network of terrorists, but do we mount full scale operations? Saudi Arabia? Syria? We have to do it wisely.

K. One of the brilliant things about the Iraq decision? [Oh come on...] Now he's going again. Talking about N. Korea I think now. Maybe Iran. Kinda hard to figure out.

O. How handle potential threat from N. Korea and Iran. Iranians at this stage are confident that we are limited in mounting in any potential threat because of our handling of Iraq.

K. You can't negotiate facts out of existence. Bomb nuclear reactors? Work with indigenous elements in Iran?

O. Terrorists, not a soverign nation, hunt down and kill. Nations use diplomacy. I'm hawkish on terrorism. This admin. as not been good with "the exercise of soft power". A lot of our power comes from our ideals. I think that unfortunately this administration has tended to be dismissive... a disdain for globalism.

K. You can't give a soft response to a hard threat. [and now he's going on and on]... Iraqi... terror... act...

[lets move on]

Infrastructure problems in Illinois.

K. [ed. now he's getting nuts again] Excuse me.... excuse me... let me finish... locks and dams first priority... O'hare... stand back in fear... control... break the political logjam... Rockford airport?? We need to stop talking... south suburban airport... comprehensive, modular plan... [ed. does he know where Rockford is?]... problem of freight... way we connect the airports... furthermore... Amtrak.... knits together... [q. so you disagree with the president?] (garbled response)

O. Freight rail is important. Already a program in place. South suburban airport is important. Should get moving on it.... Downstate Future Gen progect... revitalize the coal industry. Clean burning coal. Energy independence.

Health care

O. Central premise of prescription drug plan that we couldn't negotiate with the drug companies. Bill bad for seniors.

K. [ed.Huh?] You need to shop around for generic drugs? You can get 90 percent off if you shop around [ed. where, where?]. [now he's going on and on]... medical savings account... encourage people to take better care of themselves...

O. Talks about renewing patents by changing shape of pill, so as to block generics. Talks about someone in Galesburg. Crises happen. Not everything is solved just by taking better care of themselves.

K. Badly negotiated trade agreements are the cause of this.
[O has little difference of opinion here]

Tariffs?

[Keyes is making no sense again... just thowing rhetoric around]

Talking about tax breaks.

Future of farming.

K. [he's pandering right now and blathering] CULTURAL HERITAGE!... [Blagojovich can't find his way to Springfield??]

O. Farm economy vital... I've consistently supported programs. Ethanol, for example. Biodiesel. Investing more in research labs would make a difference. Difference between family farms and large agribusiness. Agribusiness recipient of most federal programs. Need to change.

Deficit

O. Senate passed yesterday what McCain called a Corporate Christmas Tree. Return to pay as you go. Constrains spending programs but also constrains tax cuts.

K. Real source of the problem is morally irresponsible government. Blames liberals [huh??? wasn't it the republican majority that passed it] Repeal income taxes. [?] [Going on and on now]

Infanticide

K. [ed. I'm sorry, I can't even listen to the garbage coming from this man's mouth. he's incredibly ignorant about this]

O. This is apparently the entire basis of the reason you are carpetbagging here. If he had called me up he could have saved himself the trip. Talks about specific Illinois law that contradicts what Keyes spews on and on about.

Closing statements.

Why they should vote for you?

Supposedly have a minute each... Keyes is going first, so we know that Obama isn't going to have time to say anything.

The man is looney. He's going on and on as usual.

Obama is merely sane.

Mentions track record. Mentions actual concerns he hears about. I can point to specific accomplishments.

-------------------

IT'S OVER! Keyes is insane!

- posted by Cynthia @ 7:08 PM | | | Link |

 
Endorsements
The serious endorsement season has begun. I will try to keep on top of it for you all, but I know it will be a losing battle. As they roll in, the candidates will no doubt post to their own websites or blogs.

One of the best places to start is with the Independent Voters of Illinois / Independent Precinct Organization (IVI/IPO), who have been doing this for (I was unaware) 60 years. I'm sure many of you have taken their pullout section from the paper with you into the voting booth to help decipher the judicial races. It is legal. You don't have to hide the ballot in your pocket and look over your shoulder.

The link is going up on the side too. With luck they'll add more info and bios as time toward November 2 narrows.

Is a golden day out there, so will try to catch some of it. Plus I have to go vote, if the lines aren't too long.

UPDATE: Check out the first look at national endorsements here.

- posted by Cynthia @ 11:27 AM | | | Link |

 
Obama in Milwaukee
Four downloadable mp3 clips of Barack Obama's speech are here, and a few photos too. I wasn't there, but people who were said it was really good. I know people were talking about it in Beloit, everyone wishing he was running up there, and they wanted our Obama buttons. Hey, I like Russ Feingold a lot too, and I love his t-shirt (the one with the spine I've mentioned before). A link to the recent Feingold / Michels debate can be found here. In mid-September, Feingold was ahead 53/38.

The Washington Post covered the rally and speech on page A2, and there was a brief mention (online, at least) in the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel.

The Indymedia clips are very lo-fidelity (maybe recorded off someone's phone?) but you get the idea of what a great speaker Obama is, if you've never heard him live before.

He and Alan Keyes will be "debating" in Springfield tomorrow night at 7 pm. Catch it on the radio. You can find the station here. More info also over at Obama's blog. You can listen to the debate online at WJBC Bloomington: http://www.wjbc.com.

- posted by Cynthia @ 9:24 PM | | | Link |

 
Ha Ha Ha
Citing Voting Machine Woes, Diebold Cuts Earnings Forecast

In September, California Attorney General Bill Lockyer joined a lawsuit alleging that Diebold sold the state shoddy hardware and software, exposing elections to hackers and software bugs. The case was originally filed late last year by a computer programmer and a voting rights advocate, who claimed that California elections officials spent at least $19 million on equipment that had critical hardware and software problems.

California's Alameda County also joined the false claims case, which could require Diebold to pay triple damages. Faulty equipment in the March primary forced at least 6,000 of 316,000 voters in the county east of San Francisco to use backup paper ballots instead of the paperless voting terminals.
...
Earlier this year, California's secretary of state, Kevin Shelley, banned one Diebold voting system after he found uncertified software that "jeopardized" the outcome of elections in several counties, and state voting officials began considering filing a criminal lawsuit against the company.

Etc. Guess Bush is bad for business all around.

Good afternoon, friends. Back from my vacation over at That Colored Fellas Weblog, as the talking stick has been handed over to the next guest, Shawn from Progressive Illinois, who is talking about the scheme to make Arnold Schwarzenegger the next King of America -- sorry, President.

Despite all the "ha ha ha"s for Diebold, am also feeling sad, because Superman has died. I know we all hoped he'd survive to fly like a bird (or a plane) again, but his good deeds will continue, I have no doubt, through family, friends, and his foundation.



He left a message for John Kerry on Saturday, only hours before his death. Kerry had spoken about him at the Friday night debate. Kerry spoke about the actor with warmth and sadness at an event today. Ignore the Nedra Picklerisms.

- posted by Cynthia @ 4:43 PM | | | Link |

 
Important Knitting News
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 11, 2004
ThreeWalls hosts:

KnitKnit Magazine: book launch, exhibition and events
October 15 -17, 2004



In conjunction with Set Up A Democracy in Your House: Week 3, a month long series of politically-themed events, ThreeWalls is pleased to host a three-day reception and exhibition in celebration of the release of KnitKnit issue #4. Commencing with a book launch and reception on Friday, October 15, the weekend will feature Political Textiles, a group art show and public craft collaboration organized by artist Sabrina Gschwandtner, founder and producer of the KnitKnit publication.

The event, Political Textiles, creates a space for social commentary, not only through the display of craftwork that interprets politically charged subject matter, but also by generating open-invitation, collaborative crafting activities that will take place in the gallery on October 16th and 17th from 12:00 noon to 5:00 pm.

MicroRevolt, a group of knitters whose projects investigate sweatshops and capitalism, have contributed their "Nike Blanket Petition" to the exhibition. On Saturday, October 16, Cat Mazza of Microvolt will collaborate with knitters during the Knitting Workshop to make 4x4 inch squares for use on the Nike Blanket's border.

Knitting patterns by Emily Drury and Mandy McIntosh will be available for knitters to follow during Saturday's Knitting Workshop. In addition, patterns for pro-Kerry and anti-Bush clothing made by Lisa Anne Auerbach of "KnittersforKerry.com" will be distributed at the gallery.

"Repent," Sherri Wood's prayer memorial banner, includes images of hundreds of tiny coffins representing the number of U.S. soldiers killed in Iraq. On Sunday, October 17th, artist Sherri Wood will lead an Open Sewing Circle to sew names of US soldiers and make stitches for the Iraqi dead.

Playing continuously throughout the weekend will be Michelle Smith's film "The Orientalist, chapter 1 - Odalisque." The film weaves together all manner of pop cultural fragments including news footage shot from a television screen, a CBN clip about suicide bombers, and a Dean Martin Spy film.

Also on exhibit will be works by Chicago-based artists Noe Kidder and Jim Finn, Rhode Island native Jodi Buonanno, and NYC-based artists and designers GRIZ, LoVid, and Chris Habib.

KNITKNIT EVENTS WEEKEND SCHEDULE:

Friday, October 15
12 noon - 6:00 p.m. Political Textiles, exhibition open to the public
7:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m. KnitKnit issue #4: Book Launch and Reception


Saturday, October 16
12 noon - 6:00 p.m. Political Textiles, exhibition open to the public
12 noon - 5:00 p.m. Knitting Workshops
Open to the public. Please bring your own yarn and knitting needles. Knitting patterns will be distributed and demonstrated.


Sunday, October 17
12 noon - 6:00 p.m. Political Textiles, exhibition open to the public
12 noon - 4:00 p.m. Open Sewing Circle
An open sewing circle lead by artist Sherri Wood, held to sew names of US soldiers and make stitches for the Iraqi dead. Live banjo by Woody Sullender with cellist Kevin Davis.


KnitKnit is a limited edition artist's publication dedicated to the intersection of traditional craft and contemporary art. Published twice per year, KnitKnit books include interviews, profiles, articles, reviews and drawings. KnitKnit mobilizes local arts and craft scenes by producing receptions, film and video screenings, salon style art shows, and other kinds of events. Upcoming KnitKnit projects include the CD "Music to Knit To."

The first 300 issues of KnitKnit #4 come with a special cover made by knitwear designer Liz Collins. KnitKnit issues #3 and #4 are both available for $20 at ThreeWalls. For additional information please contact Shannon Stratton, tel/fax 312.432.3972, shannon@three-walls.org. KnitKnit's website is www.knitknit.net.

For a complete schedule of events and how to participate in Set Up A Democracy in Your House: Week 3, please visit: www.three-walls.org--

ThreeWalls is located at: 119 N. Peoria #2A, Chicago, IL 60607
312.432.3972 | sup@three-walls.org | http://www.three-walls.org

ThreeWalls is a nonprofit 501(c)3 organization dedicated to contemporary art and art education. Our mission is to provide workspace for emerging artists who are at pivotal points in their careers, and to offer the public new approaches to contemporary art-practices through unconventional exhibitions and educational programming.

ThreeWalls is supported by numerous individuals, and by grants from the Mayer and Morris Kaplan Family Foundation, the City of Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and the Illinois Arts Council, a state agency.

West Loop
CTA Blue Line: Grand or UIC/Halsted
Bus: Halsted #8 or Madison #20
..........................................

THANK YOU Dan at Iconoduel for letting me know!

- posted by Cynthia @ 10:02 AM | | | Link |

 
Wisconsin Cats and Dogs
... and other observations from the notebook.

Strangest remark: "I'm not going to answer who I'm planning to vote for because it's unconstitutional and illegal."

Strangest other remark: "Well, I'm not going to vote for Kerry now that you've come to the door. My rule is that I don't vote for anyone who comes and asks me who I'm voting for." [ed. Bush supporters, please email me for this man's address].

Most lengthy guessing game:
"I'm not voting for Bush, I can tell you that right now."
Q. So you're voting for Kerry?
"He's not Bush, is he?"
Q. But are you voting for him?
"What did I just say?"
Q. So you're not voting for anyone?
"Of course I am."
Q. Are you voting for Nader?
"Who?"
Q. What about Feingold and Baldwin?
"Oh, sure, them."
Q. So you are voting for the Democrats.
"That's what the Union tells me... I've been retired from the Union since..." and the story goes on and on, until finally, laughing and laughing, "Of course I'm voting for Kerry. You think I'm nuts?"

WMDs found: It was a big football weekend in Beloit, the tradition being that houses of the seniors get TP'ed. All the neighborhood Kerry, Feingold, and Baldwin signs, plus a few Chuck Benedict signs, were stolen during the night and put at the corner house of a fiercely satanic (though outwardly suburban-looking) Bush supporter, lashed down with plastic wrap, and all their own Bush signs removed. "You should have been here at 7:30 this morning," she said. Yes, I wish I had been. "It took me forever to get rid of them. I had to take them all over to a dumpster." All you folks who complained to us that your signs went missing, now you know.

Cleanliness: Looking through the closed front doors of people not home, in number of cases, suspiciously large, I saw an upright vacuum cleaner or rug shampooer standing in the hallway, or just at the edge of the living room. A Saturday routine? Were the residents not home because they had been sucked into their appliances? Stay tuned for further developments.

Cats are for Kerry: I will describe a cat for you in detail, since I reluctantly decided it was rude to ask the canvassee whether I could take a picture of her cat. He was a pure white longhair, quite large (or else lots of hair) with the tail of a calico cat and calico markings on the head that looked like a little wig or perhaps a toupee set at a slightly jaunty angle. He came into the room as we were filling out an absentee ballot request, watched gravely, then nodded his approval and left.

Dogs are mostly undecided: They seem generally enthusiastic about everything, with the following exception: small, mean, brainless yappy dogs are for Bush, overwhelmingly.

And that's about it for this week. Heard about a few dirty tricks being played too. May have more to say about it later.

Have a pleasant fall afternoon. Around here it's beautiful outdoors, so of course I'm typing these words indoors.

- posted by Cynthia @ 2:30 PM | | | Link |

 
Hard Work
... defeating Bush, what some guy yelled from the back of the bus on our way back from Beloit last night. Yes, I know it's hard. I see the pictures.

Right here, our muse, or perhaps guardian angel...


And organizer with favorite sign...


I'm losing count of the number of busses that are going places these days. We covered Beloit, New Berlin, Waukesha, Milwaukee, and some drove to Madison. Obama's people sent 2 busses somewhere. Apparently some folks from Decatur came up earlier in the day to work as well. It's magical. Wisconsin loves us. More later.

- posted by Cynthia @ 9:52 AM | | | Link |

 
The Next President
Wasn't he wonderful? Warm, responsive, smart -- presidential, in a word. And he looked like he was having fun, and could have kept at it all night long. Here's one of my favorite pictures: (no, not of the debates, silly...)



Good night everyone, and dream sweet dreams about how nice it will be on November 3rd.

PS: I was invited to be a guest columnist on ThatColoredFellasWeblog. So head right over there for more chat about the debate.


- posted by Cynthia @ 1:10 AM | | | Link |

 
Art Censorship Friday
Cartoon Painting of President Bush in the Nude Taken Down at Washington City Museum

But magically, here it is:

The picture [ed. by Kayti Didriksen], called "Man of Leisure, King George," adopts the pose of a famous Impressionist painting, Edouard Manet's "Olympia," that scandalized Paris in 1863, and now hangs in the Gare d'Orsay Museum in Paris.
....
Myra Peabody Gossens, a public relations consultant for the museum, said the exhibit was not what had been expected.

"The museum is not an art museum," she explained. "It gets mostly groups of children, with teachers trying to tell them something about history."

Congratulations. Don't you realize that this is history? As was this painting by David Nelson of the late Mayor Harold Washington in funky underwear:



The uproar it caused back in the late 80s!

I know a lot of artists who've either censored themselves, not submitting a naked figure to a show, or having their work censored for them. One woman I know had to put a little cutout over the genital region of a male figure she submitted to a show at the Wilmette Public Library or not show the work.

Please! Let's at least agree to be Victorians!

- posted by Cynthia @ 6:35 PM | | | Link |

 
Mysterious Rumors
Said to?



I understand why they might want to be a little coy because it doesn't sound like something they should brag about.

"You've seen examples of the strategy in action," the official said. "You saw it in Najaf, you've seen it in Samarra and you see it in offensive military actions that are taking place now in parts of the so-called Sunni triangle," the official said, referring to U.S. military offensives.

Good afternoon, friends. I finally have the wonderful rainy day I'd been hoping for. My ears and sinuses have cleared, and I'm about to do some art-related activities.

So will be back later.

- posted by Cynthia @ 1:58 PM | | | Link |

 
Things I Did Not Know
Did you know there are countries where, if you don't vote, you have to write a letter saying why you didn't or face a fine?

Howard has no regrets on Iraq as poll battle goes down to wire

Australia is one of the few countries where voting is compulsory; turnout is an average of 95 per cent. The system was introduced after the First World War and voters are fined if they fail to cast their vote.

All true. Just wondering what effect Bush's recent behavior (and all the new reports) will have on Australian elections (held this Sunday, the 9th). Wondering what would happen here if voting were compulsory, like taxes. Interesting things to think about at bedtime. No, I haven't been over-caffeinating myself again.

- posted by Cynthia @ 11:02 PM | | | Link |

 
Is Anyone Actually Working Any More?
AT&T Cuts 7,400 Jobs, Asset Value by $11B

The company announced Thursday that it now plans to shrink its work force by a fifth, or about 12,300 jobs, during 2004 -- up from a previous target of about 4,900 jobs.

And from earlier today

CHARLOTTE, N.C. - Bank of America Corp. said Thursday it will cut another 4,500 jobs beginning this month as a result of its merger with FleetBoston Financial Corp. and declining business in mortgages.

And let's not forget this one

U.S. I.T. services firm Unisys (NYSE: UIS - news) said it will cut 1,400 jobs, mainly in general and administrative areas, and consolidate its office space worldwide. The job losses represent 3.8 percent of Unisys's total staff of 37,000.

The headline writers for the Associated Press are always upbeat, however:

Employment Report Might Show Improvement

The subhead, however, adds the caveat, "...Despite 16,000 Layoffs This Week".

Read the full story and full list of layoffs. I'm sure Bush will manage to find the silver lining somewhere. They've already managed to say that day is night with the report that says absolutely, positively no WMDs were found.

Did I mention that oil prices topped $53 a barrel, retail sales were weak, and no one trusts the drug companies any more?

Good late afternoon-early evening, my friends. I was supposed to go out and paint today, but what with redecorating, blogging, and savoring the disintegration of the Bush administration at every turn, I never got going. Never mind, I probably would have found it too beautiful again. Tomorrow is supposed to be rainy. I can hardly wait.

- posted by Cynthia @ 5:20 PM | | | Link |

 
Runner Up, Best Headline Ever
Apparently it's not coverage you can count on....

WBAY-Coverage You Can Count On: Correction: President Bush Did Not Win Election on October 7

Best headline would be, of course,

President Bush Did Not Win Election on NOVEMBER 2

The indispensible BoingBoing does it again.

So what's with all these so-called "errors" in the press lately? And how come none of them seem to favor Kerry?

- posted by Cynthia @ 4:33 PM | | | Link |

 
Ex-cellent


(via BoingBoing)
- posted by Cynthia @ 1:43 PM | | | Link |

 
Poll Watching 101
1. Watch them every second

That manly honorary Illinoisian, Jesus' General (or one of His acolytes) has found the first of what I'm sure will be many attempts to slip a few votes past the goal post -- misaligned ballots strike again. If it worked in Florida, it'll work in Michigan too. And in your state, especially if you're a swing state.

2 years ago it nearly worked in my very own precinct: the voting machine that counts and transmits to the Board of Elections arrived with 11 votes already showing on the counter. It may have been a genuine error, or it may have been an evil error. Luckily, the election judges were going methodically page-by-page through the 3-inch-thick procedure binder and figured out how to clear it to zero (though after a lot of dithering and oh-dear-ing).

And in the case of a recount, it would have been caught, because there would have been 11 more electronic votes than physical ballots (because we're Illinois and still have them). I'm certain many judges, rushed by workers showing up late, angry voters banging at the door, etc., might have said, "Oh, what the hell, let's open the polls?"

It only took 1 vote per precinct for Gore to win Wisconsin.

Several weeks ago, Bob Herbert in the New York Times wrote about efforts to suppress minority voters (has scrolled off into pay-for heaven).

Here's an update from Indy TV. Herbert wrote about a group that's watching this stuff called Election Protection. They even have a toll-free number to call if you see shenanigans, and are training volunteers to spot trouble before it starts. Plus hordes of lawyers and law students are standing by.

So tuck this number away somewhere: 1-866-OUR VOTE

UPDATE: In the interests of fairness, this "error" goes Kerry's way.

VAN BUREN, Mo. - Officials in one Missouri county are reprinting absentee ballots for the Nov. 2 general election after discovering that President Bush (news - web sites) and Vice President Dick Cheney (news - web sites) were left off.

The ballots were mailed beginning Sept. 21, and Carter County Clerk Becky Gibbs said several voters noticed the oversight.

"We are rectifying it," she said. "There was no intent to leave them off."

I don't know. Sounds fishy to me... but some fish I like.

- posted by Cynthia @ 1:26 PM | | | Link |

 
Remodelling News
Updated the font a little, and made a few other changes. If you hate it, let me know. Will be tweaking here and there a bit more, so be patient. I only have IE 6.0, so if something looks lame in Mozilla or Safari or whatever, I need to know, since you guys are 2nd and 3rd place usage winners.

- posted by Cynthia @ 11:42 AM | | | Link |

 
View From the River
She's been blogging only lightly for the last few months so I often forget to check in, but Riverbend has a new posting.

Samarra Burning

It's like a nightmare within a nightmare, seeing the corpses pile up and watching people drag their loved ones from under the bricks and steel of what was once a home.

To top it off, we have to watch American military spokespersons and our new Iraqi politicians justify the attacks and talk about 'insurgents' and 'terrorists' like they actually believe what they are saying... like hundreds of civilians aren't being massacred on a daily basis by the worlds most advanced military technology.

It sounds like no one over there believes anything that they are told. They are are seeing plots everywhere and are not sure they believe in the existance of Zarqawi.

A week ago, four men were caught by Iraqi security in the area of A'adhamiya in Baghdad. No one covered this on television or on the internet, as far as I know- we heard it from a friend involved in the whole thing. The four men were caught trying to set up some explosives in a residential area by some of the residents themselves. One of the four men got away, one of them was killed on the spot and two were detained and interrogated. They turned out to be a part of Badir's Brigade (Faylaq Badir), the militia belonging to the Supreme Council of the Islamic Revolution in Iraq. Should the culprits never have been caught, and should the explosives have gone off, would Zarqawi have been blamed? Of course.

I'm sure she's going to be utterly delighted to know that Lynn Cheney's awful "Independent" Women's Forum is coming to help.

10/5/2004 - Secretary of State Colin Powell announced that the Independent Women’s Forum (IWF), was one of the recipients awarded part of a $10 million grant to train Iraqi women in the skills of democratic public life. IWF's website states that their mission is to counter "the dangerous influence of radical feminism in the courts” and to combat "corrosive feminist ideology on campus." It was "established to combat the women-as-victims, pro-big-government ideology of radical feminism."

(via Feminist Majority)

Cheez! Just what Iraqi women need -- the Ladies' Auxiliary of the Republican Party. Will they teach them how to hold fundraising teas? Or mother-daughter luncheons?

Nighty night everyone.


- posted by Cynthia @ 11:21 PM | | | Link |