A letter from Andi Novick

Dear Friends,

I have written to explain why I am proceeding to sue the NYS legislature for their abdication. My letter can be found at http://www.opednews.com/articles/opedne_andi_nov_080315_open_letter_to_ny_ci.htm

In the briefest terms I am bringing this lawsuit because when our government fails us as miserably as it has, our system provides that is the judiciary to whom we should turn to stop the legislature from behaving in derogation of its responsibility to protect our constitutional right to vote. Our electoral system has always required a transparent, observable highly safeguarded process to ensure the integrity of our vote. The safeguards, intended to prevent the opportunities for fraud and manipulation, that we have enjoyed for well over a century, will be rendered non existent if we permit our vote counting to be concealed within the unobservable processes of a computer. It doesn't matter what kind of computer, be it a DRE or Optical Scanner, software driven devices have been shown to be highly vulnerable to manipulation without detection.

We know all software driven systems can be manipulated regardless of the level of security provided, but it should be known that the voting systems on the market provide no security as compared to the standards that computers used in financial transactions are subject to. And even with the standards and oversight an institution such as Hannaford grocery stores provides, just this past week millions of us had our credit cards stopped because Hannaford's computers has been hacked. Software was installed on the servers at every one of its grocery stores in 6 states, notwithstanding the firewalls, virus checks and close scrutiny that Hannaford's computers, unlike our voting computers, were subjected to. Hannaford said any single person, a technician for the vendor or a hacker, could have done this. For more on the story see http://www.boston.com/news/local/articles/2008/03/28/advanced_tactic_targeted_grocer?mode=PF . By the way, Hannaford's computer security did not detect the breach. It was only discovered because fraudulent transactions were being conducted. In the election industry no such mechanisms are in place that would trigger an investigation. We'd never know. What a way to run a democratic electoral system.

The stakes are a lot higher when we're talking about controlling the US treasury, a far more desirable target than our four million or so credit cards that were gotten. And we're talking about nothing less that our sovereignty when voting computers are hacked. We in New York are the only state that has not yet computerized its electoral system. Please ask yourself again what you are willing to do to fight for your freedom before the theft-enabling machines are installed in New York? If you do nothing else write to your newspapers and local media outlets. Demand coverage and investigation. Write to your legislators and send them a copy of my letter linked above. Let them know they should be ashamed of themselves. Write to our new governor, see what he's willing to do. Email me and volunteer to resist and assist.

thanks

andi novick Northeast Citizens for Responsible Media (Re-Media)

"The right of voting for representatives is the primary right by which other rights are protected. To take away this right is to reduce a man to slavery, for slavery consists in being subject to the will of another, and he that has not a vote in the election of representatives is in this case." Thomas Paine
Create a Home Theater Like the Pros. Watch the video on AOL Home .

Intelluctualism vs anti-intellectualism

I am in the middle of Susan Jacoby's book The Age of Unreason which is her update of Hofstadter's Anti-intellectualism in American Life. Bill Moyers interviewed her:http://www.pbs.org/moyers/journal/02152008/watch2.html
Here is the NYT review of the book: http://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/11/books/11kaku.html?_r=2&pagewanted=print&oref=slogin&oref=slogin
John Dean's comments on Obama's speech on race is a must read. Dean doesn't comment on the content per se, but on the intelligence and eloquence of the speech. Dean goes on to point out that we have been dumbing down America over the past 50 years: http://www.commondreams.org/archive/2008/03/21/7814/

Here is Obama's speech, if you happened to have somehow missed it:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/03/18/obama-race-speech-read-t_n_92077.html

BTW, Here is one of Rev. Wright's so-called incendiary sermon. As I tell my students go to the primary source and make up your own mind: http://www.rolandsmartin.com/blog/?p=147

For some analyses, including Roland Martin's:
http://www.alternet.org/blogs/peek/#80452 andhttp://ac360.blogs.cnn.com/2008/03/21/the-full-story-behind-rev-jeremiah-wrights-911-sermon/

Affordable Housing in Ulster County

Ulster County released a report on Housing Needs for the county Thursday. Note that the numbers are 3 years old and not not reflect the current down turn in the real estate market.

Here is the story from the Daily Freeman:

http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=19411586&BRD=1769&PAG=461&dept_id=74969&rfi=6


Here is the report http://www.co.ulster.ny.us/planning/housing.shtml#pres

Re-scheduled Vigil TONIGHT! 3/20

REMINDER: THURSDAY, MARCH 20 - RAIN OR SHINE!
CANDLELIGHT VIGIL TO BE HELD MARCH 20 AT KINGSTON HIGHIN MEMORY OF GAY STUDENT SLAIN AT CALIFORNIA SCHOOL LGBTQ COMMUNITY AND ALLIES UNITE TO DENOUNCE HATE CRIME
KINGSTON, NEW YORK (March 10) – A memorial candlelight vigil for slain gay California middle school student Lawrence King will be held Thursday, March 20, in front of Kingston High School, from 6:30 to 7:45 p.m.
On February 12 of this year, King, 15, was shot in the head by a classmate in an Oxnard, California classroom, simply because he was gay. King died two days later, on Valentine's Day. The hate crime has attracted national attention and condemnation from such media figures as Anderson Cooper and Ellen DeGeneres.
The event is expected to draw scores of people from the area, as well as members of prominent human rights and educational organizations. The vigil is co-sponsored by the Hudson Valley LGBTQ Community Center and the Hudson Valley chapter of GLSEN (The Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network).
"The murder of Lawrence King is an American tragedy that cannot be allowed to go unnoticed," said Ginny Apuzzo, president of the Center. "Every student has the right to be safe at school. This vigil is intended to honor the memory of a courageous young man who was killed simply for being himself, and to call attention to the deadly results of looking the other way when homophobia makes itself known in our schools."
The evening program will include addresses by representatives of the Center, GLSEN and the Kingston High School Gay-Straight Alliance, as well as the Rev. Ralph Merante, pastor of the First Presbyterian Church of Kingston. Among the still-growing list of organizations that have joined to support the vigil are PFLAG (Parents, Friends, and Family of Lesbians and Gays) of Kingston, YWCA of Ulster County, the Ulster County Mental Health Association, and Planned Parenthood of the Mid-Hudson Valley.
Calendar Listing: Candlelight Vigil for Lawrence King, in front of Kingston High School, March 20, 6:30-7:45 p.m. Sponsored by the Hudson Valley LGBTQ Community Center and GLSEN Hudson Valley. For more information visit www.lgbtqcenter.org

Pinching Pennies

Gas prices are soaring, some say to $4/gal by summer--yet public transportation in the Hudson Valley is almost negligible. In Ulster County 49% of the population live outside the "urban" areas. I do not even want to speculate on home heating costs for next year, when crude oil has topped $110 a barrel this week.
Food costs have increased 30% and are climbing. Its a combination of the cost of transporting food, the wheat shortages, and now the push to use corn for ethanol.
The dollar has fallen drastically--foreign vacations are much more costly. Domestically airlines are raising the cost of plane tickets by $50 to offset fuel costs...

So what are we to do to make ends meet? Trust me the resident of the White House is totally out of touch if he thinks that $600 per person or the $1200 per household tax rebate is going to make much of a difference.

I am suggesting that we use this thread to share ideas, resources, etc. Please respond to this post by clicking on comment. I will demonstrate with a website that tracks the cheapest gas prices in NYS.

The Spitzer Takedown?

or partisan politics at its worst?
This article says it all:
http://www.commondreams.org/archive/2008/03/12/7639/

UCDW Core Values & Priority Issues

At tonight's meeting we discussed using the blog to help us identify UCDW's core values and key issues so that we may poll future candidates' on their stances on these values and issues. But first WE need to identify said core values and issues ourselves.

Are there any issues that are "drop dead" issues, as in if a candidate disagrees with one that we do not endorse that candidate? For instance, Eleanor's Legacy only endorses female Democrats who are pro-Choice--male candidates are not funded nor are non-democrats or those who do not take a pro-choice stance.

Please respond in a connected comment to this posting (you will have to sign in to do so).

Here are a few issues/values to start us off with:

Democrats

Women's rights

Pro-choice

Equal pay

Voting Access

Transparency

(Against) Domestic Violence

Equal Rights

Gay Rights

Accountability

Social Justice
. . .

Kingston Vigil for Slain Gay (Ca) Student

PLEASE PASS THIS ON FAR AND WIDE... FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 10, 2008 Contact: Craig Burdett (845) 901-6687 Contact: Mary Jane Karger (914) 523-6986

CANDLELIGHT VIGIL TO BE HELD MARCH 14 AT KINGSTON HIGH IN MEMORY OF GAY STUDENT SLAIN AT CALIFORNIA SCHOOL LGBTQ COMMUNITY AND ALLIES UNITE TO DENOUNCE HATE CRIME KINGSTON, NEW YORK (March 10)
– A memorial candlelight vigil for slain gay California high school student Lawrence King will be held Friday, March 14, in front of Kingston High School, from 6:30 to 7:45 p.m. On February 12 of this year, King, 15, was shot in the head by a classmate in an Oxnard, California classroom, simply because he was gay. King died two days later, on Valentine's Day. The hate crime has attracted national attention and condemnation from such media figures as Anderson Cooper and Ellen DeGeneres. Friday's vigil, on the one-month anniversary of King's death, will mark the first public response to the tragedy in the Hudson Valley region.
The event is expected to draw scores of people from the area, as well as members of prominent human rights and educational organizations. The vigil is co-sponsored by the Hudson Valley LGBTQ Community Center and the Hudson Valley chapter of GLSEN (The Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network).
"The murder of Lawrence King is an American tragedy that cannot be allowed to go unnoticed," said Ginny Apuzzo, president of the Center. "Every student has the right to be safe at school. This vigil is intended to honor the memory of a courageous young man who was killed simply for being himself, and to call attention to the deadly results of looking the other way when homophobia makes itself known in our schools."
The evening program will include addresses by representatives of the Center, GLSEN and the Kingston High School Gay-Straight Alliance, as well as the Rev. Ralph Merante, pastor of the First Presbyterian Church of Kingston.
Among the still-growing list of organizations that have joined to support the vigil are PFLAG (Parents, Friends, and Family of Lesbians and Gays) of Kingston, the Ulster County Mental Health Association, and Planned Parenthood of the Mid-Hudson Valley.
ATTENTION MEDIA: For advance interviews, contact Craig Burdett at (845) 901-6687 or Mary Jane Karger (914) 523-6986. Calendar Listing: Candlelight Vigil for Lawrence King, in front of Kingston High School, March 14, 6:30-7:45 p.m. Sponsored by the Hudson Valley LGBTQ Community Center and GLSEN Hudson Valley.

Bad Meat

Congressman Hinchey is quoted in this article about the USDA & the bad meat (beef) that has made it to market. Hinchey goes to bat for us, asking for a list of those markets, so we the consumers can be well informed. But said list is not forthcoming, it seems its profits over health.
http://www.commondreams.org/archive/2008/03/08/7554/

Modern Day Know Nothings

Hugh Reynolds and the Hiberations are modern day Know Nothings when it comes to NYS law and women's right to choose. In 1970 NYS was the first state to legalize elective abortions up to week 24 (Penal Code 125.00). Other states followed our lead--Alaska, Hawaii & Washington.
Roe V Wade made abortions legal in the rest of the country as of January 1973.
If Roe V Wade is unfortunately overturned, NYS would still have legal abortions available.

Hugh Reynolds' column:

DAILY FREEMAN
Kingston , NY
Sat., Mar. 8, 2008

OPINION

“City Beat”

GETTING IN STEP – Assemblyman Kevin Cahill, will probably march as usual in Sunday’s 22 nd annual Kingston St. Patrick’s Day [parade], but not with the bright green sash of grand marshal stretched across his belly. The Hibernians’ honor has gone to insurance broker and former Ulster County Legislator John Dwyer, a fellow Kingston Democrat.
Initially nominated grand marshal by Hibernians, Cahill withdrew after some questioned his positions on abortion, divorce and other “Catholic issues.”
A letter to the editor from a Dutchess County Hibernian got the ball rolling. Cahill and his supporters – and there were many within the local organization – questioned why similar standards were not applied to any of the previous 21 grand marshals. The distinction, apparently, was that as a state legislator, Cahill is in a position to cast votes on some of those issues. Should, for instance, the U.S. Supreme Court overturn Roe v. Wade , the Constitutional amendment that legalizes abortion, it would revert to all of the state legislatures.
Cahill, nominated for long service to the local Hibernian unit, graciously stepped aside.
Dwyer, his successor, chose not to revisit a controversy played out in the dead of winter mostly behind closed doors…”
_________
Hugh Reynolds is the Freeman’s political editor. His column appears Monday, Wednesday and Saturday. Readers may write him by e-mail at hreynolds@freemanon line.com.

Sexism in Human Rights

Here is an article from the Toronto Star on the ineffectiveness of the International Criminal Court set up by the Rome Statute in 1992 to prosecute war criminals. Women who are the victims of most war crimes are still the least protected. Partly because of the social and cultural practices, but also because of politics.

http://www.commondreams.org/archive/2008/03/03/7437/