AP is reporting that John Edwards will drop his bid for President this afternoon in New Orleans.
Rudy is also dropping out and throwing his support to McCain.
Wednesday, January 30, 2008
Sunday, January 27, 2008
1/31 Democratic Debate
Ulster County Legislators Susan Zimet, Jeanette Provenzano, Mary Sheeley Kingston Adlermen Ann Marie DiBella, Jen Ringwood, Shirley Whitlock Town Councilmembers Deborah Silvestro, Terrie Rosenblum, Lynn Archer and UC Dem Vice Chair Karen Markisenis Cordially invite you to join them and many other supporters of Senator Hillary Clinton for a Debate Party for Hillary When: Thursday, Jan 31, 7:30 to 10:00 pm Where: Portobello Restaurant (across the street from Democratic Headquarters) free admission/free food/cash bar The January 31 debate on CNN is the last debate before the Feb 5 Super Tuesday Primary.
Friday, January 25, 2008
Paper Trails
This was posted today:
Subject: Breaking News - NY rejects DREs!
Reply-To: contact@nyvv.org
"First they ignore you, then they laugh at you, then they fight you, then you win." -Mohandas Gandhi
I'm pleased to announce that after five years of hard work on the part of voting integrity advocates, New York State has rejected DREs and approved only the Automark and the Sequoia ImageCast scanner/marker for use in 2008 polling places. This momentous decision by the State Board of Elections virtually guarantees that New York State will vote on paper ballots and ballot scanners when it finally replaces lever machines in 2009.
Those of you who were with us at the beginning five years ago know what an enormous victory this is. When I first started traveling, presenting and advocating in New York, election officials, political parties, and machnne vendors assumed that New York State was going to be a DRE state. Precinct scanners were not under discussion, and only DREs were offered by vendors. Our experience over these five years reflects the truth of Gandhi's statement - indeed we were ignored, then laughed at, then fought bitterly by the voting machine vendors and their supporters in the election establishment. But finally, truth has prevailed, and what seemed like an impossible dream in 2003 has been made real by our hard work - New York State will be a paper ballot state.
Just yesterday, it seemed like high powered lobbyists had scuttled our hopes once again as they maneuvered to keep DREs in the mix even though they were in clear violation of New York's laws(see my post describing yesterday's events). But this morning, when the Board reconvened it was immediately obvious from the commissioners opening statements that those who were pushing for the DREs had conceded defeat. No small amount of thanks is due to Commissioner Doug Kellner (D), who firmly held the line yesterday and during a long night of backroom political maneuvering, vowing he would never approve the DRE submissions which did not fulfill the requirements of New York State election law regarding accessible voting machines.
While technically it is possible for a DRE vendor to submit and win approval for the 2009 lever machine replacement, this is highly unlikely as at least half of the HAVA funds will be spent on scanner compatible ballot markers. Since all the approved systems are components of a precinct based scanner system the least expensive> path, and the only sensible one, is for counties to complete their HAVA implementation with paper ballots and scanners. We've learned to never be complacent, but this time we have reason to be confident that the scanner compatible choices of today will inevitably lead to paper ballots for all New York voters tomorrow.
My deepest thanks to everyone who fought this long, difficult battle. This is only Round One, and I promise you we will have much, much more to do to guarantee that our elections belong to the public, and are transparent and observable. But for today, let's break out the champagne, relax, and celebrate this great victory. What was once only a slogan representing what we fought for has now become a reality - Paper Ballots for New York!
Congratulations friends. Together we have changed the course of New York State election history, and 12 million registered voters in the Empire State will vote on paper ballots, not DREs.
-Bo Lipari Executive Director New Yorkers for Verified Voting
Subject: Breaking News - NY rejects DREs!
Reply-To: contact@nyvv.org
"First they ignore you, then they laugh at you, then they fight you, then you win." -Mohandas Gandhi
I'm pleased to announce that after five years of hard work on the part of voting integrity advocates, New York State has rejected DREs and approved only the Automark and the Sequoia ImageCast scanner/marker for use in 2008 polling places. This momentous decision by the State Board of Elections virtually guarantees that New York State will vote on paper ballots and ballot scanners when it finally replaces lever machines in 2009.
Those of you who were with us at the beginning five years ago know what an enormous victory this is. When I first started traveling, presenting and advocating in New York, election officials, political parties, and machnne vendors assumed that New York State was going to be a DRE state. Precinct scanners were not under discussion, and only DREs were offered by vendors. Our experience over these five years reflects the truth of Gandhi's statement - indeed we were ignored, then laughed at, then fought bitterly by the voting machine vendors and their supporters in the election establishment. But finally, truth has prevailed, and what seemed like an impossible dream in 2003 has been made real by our hard work - New York State will be a paper ballot state.
Just yesterday, it seemed like high powered lobbyists had scuttled our hopes once again as they maneuvered to keep DREs in the mix even though they were in clear violation of New York's laws(see my post describing yesterday's events). But this morning, when the Board reconvened it was immediately obvious from the commissioners opening statements that those who were pushing for the DREs had conceded defeat. No small amount of thanks is due to Commissioner Doug Kellner (D), who firmly held the line yesterday and during a long night of backroom political maneuvering, vowing he would never approve the DRE submissions which did not fulfill the requirements of New York State election law regarding accessible voting machines.
While technically it is possible for a DRE vendor to submit and win approval for the 2009 lever machine replacement, this is highly unlikely as at least half of the HAVA funds will be spent on scanner compatible ballot markers. Since all the approved systems are components of a precinct based scanner system the least expensive> path, and the only sensible one, is for counties to complete their HAVA implementation with paper ballots and scanners. We've learned to never be complacent, but this time we have reason to be confident that the scanner compatible choices of today will inevitably lead to paper ballots for all New York voters tomorrow.
My deepest thanks to everyone who fought this long, difficult battle. This is only Round One, and I promise you we will have much, much more to do to guarantee that our elections belong to the public, and are transparent and observable. But for today, let's break out the champagne, relax, and celebrate this great victory. What was once only a slogan representing what we fought for has now become a reality - Paper Ballots for New York!
Congratulations friends. Together we have changed the course of New York State election history, and 12 million registered voters in the Empire State will vote on paper ballots, not DREs.
-Bo Lipari Executive Director New Yorkers for Verified Voting
Hillary received NYT's Endorsement
The New York Times endorsed Hillary Clinton for the Democratic Primaries.
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/01/25/opinion/25fri1.html?_r=1&oref=slogin
I, imho, think their reasoning is sound; whoever becomes our President next January has to hit the ground running.
The Times also, though very reluctantly, endorsed McCain for the republican pick.
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/01/25/opinion/25fri2.html?ref=opinion
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/01/25/opinion/25fri1.html?_r=1&oref=slogin
I, imho, think their reasoning is sound; whoever becomes our President next January has to hit the ground running.
The Times also, though very reluctantly, endorsed McCain for the republican pick.
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/01/25/opinion/25fri2.html?ref=opinion
Save the Mountain Silent Protest
From Save the Mountain:
Greetings Save the Mountain,
Governor Spitzer should not accept the "Spirit of the Catskills" award for pushing this huge, controversial Belleayre Resort development, while his DEC is responsible for reviewing it! Judith Enck facilitated the closed-door AIP "negotiations." Nevertheless, she is scheduled to accept the award for Spitzer at the public, DEC-run , Belleayre Mountain Ski Center this Saturday night, 1/26 .
(Flash--we have information that now Gov. Spitzer does plan to attend. We are trying to confirm.)
Answer: (and we must answer this)
We need YOU --well-dressed and friendly--to respond to the above with STM and hand painted signs, and copies of our literature--silently. Children are coming with their parents and are very welcome . They'll enforce civility on our increasingly desperate opponents. Desperate because we are right, and they know it.
The press has been notified.
Meet at 6:15 PM Saturday, Belleayre Mountain Ski Center, Longhouse Lodge--Upper Level, (we have permission, and access to the Lodge) We hope to deliver our PETITION to the Governor or Judith Enck. (SIGN it NOW!) http://www.petitiononline.com/stm07/petition.html Spread the word to your lists.
WE will answer any questions, taunts or challenges with smiles and factual literature. We're not protesting the Snowball or our neighbors who attend it. We'll keep hand painted signs smart and civil. They are an opportunity to underscore our best arguments.
As a coalition of groups, we are not against all development, not against all hotel proposals. We welcome smart development in the hamlets and villages of the region. We oppose THIS proposal, the Governor's closed-door "deal" that circumvents SEQRA, and this questionable DEC review process. If this becomes the model for future developments public participation will be rendered meaningless.
We need volunteers to video the entire event, including any counter demonstration or confrontation by our opponents. Scott Gould mtnman@catskill.net 914-466-5860 and Matt Frisch frischome@aol.com are organizing us. After the silent protest, many of us will go to a nearby restaurant together, to TALK!
Please RSVP and volunteer to help to Scott and Matt, so we can plan accordingly.
Spread the word, Save the Mountain!
Greetings Save the Mountain,
Governor Spitzer should not accept the "Spirit of the Catskills" award for pushing this huge, controversial Belleayre Resort development, while his DEC is responsible for reviewing it! Judith Enck facilitated the closed-door AIP "negotiations." Nevertheless, she is scheduled to accept the award for Spitzer at the public, DEC-run , Belleayre Mountain Ski Center this Saturday night, 1/26 .
(Flash--we have information that now Gov. Spitzer does plan to attend. We are trying to confirm.)
Answer: (and we must answer this)
We need YOU --well-dressed and friendly--to respond to the above with STM and hand painted signs, and copies of our literature--silently. Children are coming with their parents and are very welcome . They'll enforce civility on our increasingly desperate opponents. Desperate because we are right, and they know it.
The press has been notified.
Meet at 6:15 PM Saturday, Belleayre Mountain Ski Center, Longhouse Lodge--Upper Level, (we have permission, and access to the Lodge) We hope to deliver our PETITION to the Governor or Judith Enck. (SIGN it NOW!) http://www.petitiononline.com/stm07/petition.html Spread the word to your lists.
WE will answer any questions, taunts or challenges with smiles and factual literature. We're not protesting the Snowball or our neighbors who attend it. We'll keep hand painted signs smart and civil. They are an opportunity to underscore our best arguments.
As a coalition of groups, we are not against all development, not against all hotel proposals. We welcome smart development in the hamlets and villages of the region. We oppose THIS proposal, the Governor's closed-door "deal" that circumvents SEQRA, and this questionable DEC review process. If this becomes the model for future developments public participation will be rendered meaningless.
We need volunteers to video the entire event, including any counter demonstration or confrontation by our opponents. Scott Gould mtnman@catskill.net 914-466-5860 and Matt Frisch frischome@aol.com are organizing us. After the silent protest, many of us will go to a nearby restaurant together, to TALK!
Please RSVP and volunteer to help to Scott and Matt, so we can plan accordingly.
Spread the word, Save the Mountain!
Wednesday, January 23, 2008
Say NO to Violence Against Women
Unifem recently launched an on-line campaign to fight violence against women worldwide. Today, The UN Foundation has announced that it will donate 1 dollar for the first 100,000 signatures that are signed on the online petition against violence.
http://www.saynotoviolence.org/
Sign & watch the film!
There's a toolkit with facts, cards, and more http://www.unifem.org/campaigns/vaw/toolkit.php
http://www.saynotoviolence.org/
Sign & watch the film!
There's a toolkit with facts, cards, and more http://www.unifem.org/campaigns/vaw/toolkit.php
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
35th Anniversary
Roe V Wade is 35 today. Its existence is very tenuous with this Court and this administration. They see women as walking wombs and seem to care for the children only while in embryo. If only there was adequate healthcare, child care, education and living wages.
Monday, January 21, 2008
Today,Tomorrow
Today is Martin Luther King Jr. Day : Take a moment to think about everyone's civil rights, and make sure that you exercise all your rights--if you do not exercise your rights, they tend to disappear (sort of like muscles). Ask that all the presidential candidates help rescue our rights that have become disappeared beause of those who played/play on our fear of terrorism.
Tomorrow is the 35th anniversary of Roe V Wade: While women got the right to vote in the 1920s, this decision gave us control over our bodies, ourselves (at least for the first trimester, we need a doctor to help us the next 2 trimesters according to this decision, written by men, even though women have been birthing for forever). If we do not protect this right to choose--to hoose when to be come pregnant and when not to--we lose everything. Beware of those who only see us as potential birthing machines. Support Pro-choice candidates!
Tomorrow is the 35th anniversary of Roe V Wade: While women got the right to vote in the 1920s, this decision gave us control over our bodies, ourselves (at least for the first trimester, we need a doctor to help us the next 2 trimesters according to this decision, written by men, even though women have been birthing for forever). If we do not protect this right to choose--to hoose when to be come pregnant and when not to--we lose everything. Beware of those who only see us as potential birthing machines. Support Pro-choice candidates!
Wednesday, January 16, 2008
Erica Jong
Erica Jong from HuffingtonPost
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/erica-jong/it-was-eight-years-ago-to_b_81824.html
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/erica-jong/it-was-eight-years-ago-to_b_81824.html
Hinchey says No to Belleayre Plan!
Hinchey now opposes Belleayre plan! Read all about it:
http://www.dailyfreeman.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=19201316&brd=1769&pag=461&dept_id=74958
http://www.dailyfreeman.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=19201316&brd=1769&pag=461&dept_id=74958
Tuesday, January 15, 2008
Misogyny
Sexism is a reality for every woman and girl, not just Hillary Clinton. So as Bob Herbert says in column "Politics and Misogyny" http://www.nytimes.com/2008/01/15/opinion/15herbert.html?_r=1&hp&oref=slogin
"With Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton’s win in New Hampshire, gender issues are suddenly in the news. Where has everybody been?"
He then goes on to point out the more explicit sexism in the media and in Nevada, where the candidates have been campaigning which he calls "the misogyny capital of America."
Herbert says that sexism is an issue that have to address, especially as potential future Commander in Chief, since sexism and the derivative violence is rampant in the military --one third of military women surveyed in a 2003 health study said they were either raped or victims of attempted rapes while serving our country.
Herbert ends his column with " If we’ve opened the door to the issue of sexism in the presidential campaign, then let’s have at it. It’s a big and important issue that deserves much more than lip service. "
And, let's do more than just talk about it!
"With Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton’s win in New Hampshire, gender issues are suddenly in the news. Where has everybody been?"
He then goes on to point out the more explicit sexism in the media and in Nevada, where the candidates have been campaigning which he calls "the misogyny capital of America."
Herbert says that sexism is an issue that have to address, especially as potential future Commander in Chief, since sexism and the derivative violence is rampant in the military --one third of military women surveyed in a 2003 health study said they were either raped or victims of attempted rapes while serving our country.
Herbert ends his column with " If we’ve opened the door to the issue of sexism in the presidential campaign, then let’s have at it. It’s a big and important issue that deserves much more than lip service. "
And, let's do more than just talk about it!
Saturday, January 12, 2008
Gloria Steinem on Racism and Sexism
For those who missed Gloria Steinems 1/11 article
here is the link http://www.alternet.org/story/73545/
here is the link http://www.alternet.org/story/73545/
Friday, January 4, 2008
Jessica Valenti
Jessica Valenti from Feministing.com is a guest blogger on The Nation's Blog...
http://www.thenation.com/blogs/passingthrough?bid=769&pid=265130
Note the nisogynistic comments!
http://www.thenation.com/blogs/passingthrough?bid=769&pid=265130
Note the nisogynistic comments!
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