At least one broadcast network and one Web site said Monday that they could foresee signaling to viewers early Tuesday evening which candidate appeared to have won the presidency, despite the unreliability of some early exit polls in the last presidential election.A senior vice president of CBS News, Paul Friedman, said the prospects for Barack Obama or John McCain meeting the minimum threshold of electoral votes could be clear as soon as 8 p.m. — before polls in even New York and Rhode Island close, let alone those in Texas and California. At such a moment, determined from a combination of polling data and samples of actual votes, the network could share its preliminary projection with viewers, Mr. Friedman said.
I'm a middle-class white guy living in Jacksonville, Florida. I've got a wife and two kids. Because the kids had no school today, I took a vacation day from work, and took the kids downtown to vote early. Fifty-nine minutes later, two smiling children and I proudly sported "I Voted" stickers.
But I didn't vote for Obama.
I voted for my ancestors, who believed in the promise of this country and came with with nothing as immigrants.
I voted for my parents, who taught in the public schools for decades.
I voted for Steve, an acquaintance of mine from Kentucky. (Killed by an IED two years ago in Iraq).
I voted for Shawn, another who's been to Iraq twice, and Afghanistan once, and who'll be going back to Afghanistan again soon -- and whose family earned eleven bucks a month too much to qualify for food stamps when the war started.
I voted for April, the only African-American girl in my high school -- it was years before it occurred to me how different her experience of our school must have been.
I voted for my college friends who are Christian, Jewish, Mormon, and yes -- Muslim.
I voted for my grandfathers, who worked hard in factories and died too young.
I voted for the plumber who worked on my house, because I want him to get a REAL tax break.
I voted for four little angels from Birmingham.
I voted for a bunch of dead white men who, although personally flawed, were willing to pledge their lives, fortunes, and sacred honor, and used a time of great crisis to expand freedom rather than suspend it.
I voted for all those people and more, and I voted for all of you, too. But mostly, I voted selfishly. I vote for two little kids, one who has ballet in an hour, and once who has baseball practice at the same time. I voted for a world where they can be confident that their government will represent the best that is in this country, and that will in turn demand the best of them. I voted for a government that will be respected in the world. I voted for an economy that will reward work above guile. I voted for everything I believe in.
Sure, I filled in the circle next to the name Obama, but it wasn't him I was voting for -- it was every single one of us, and those I love most of all.
Who else is there to vote for?
Remember in late July when Barack Obama predicted John McCain's attack strategy? Remember McCain's howls of protest in response? Well, it turns out that Obama was right about McCain's attacks. As it turns out, he knew McCain better than McCain knew McCain.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jH2iufUU1f4
The left-wing has to stop being upset about the right-wing using Barack Obama's full name. Last Monday, there was a Lee County sheriff in Florida introducing Sarah Palin at rally. The event itself was a like pep rally for a losing lineup, chanting about team spirit as the gym crumbles to the ground.
Anyway, the sheriff's name is Michael Scott. On the video he is a big, effeminate, bald man in uniform, presumably carrying a gun as he says, "On November fourth, let's leave Barack Hussein Obama wondering what happened." I watched it wondering when the rest of the Village People were going to chime in.
So cue outrage: Keith Olbermann and Campbell Brown among others have noted that this is not okay to do. Not okay to use that middle name. Brown called it 'race baiting'. People at these now infamously raucous and shockingly ignorant rallies are being ignited by the mentioning of Obama's full name. His middle name is similar to a dictator that the US toppled recently. You may have heard about it a couple years ago. We've collectively stopped following the story in recent years. Too much of a bummer. Anyway, it makes news when a viable - ahead in most polls candidate gets called by his full name? That's political discourse?! News? Notable?
I mean, seriously? His middle name is on his Wikipedia page. How is it an insult? It's not race baiting. Saying he's palling around with terrorists is race baiting. And that sound bite gets repeated ad nauseum. The William Ayers - errors more like it - 'story' is picked up as an actual item instead of the absurdly desperate claim that it is. What doesn't get noted is that it's coming from the same people that say Obama is not fit to lead because he lives in the same neighborhood as Louis Farrakhan. Which is like casually mentioning that Obama has been in an airplane just like the one that flew into the Twin Towers on 9/11. Brutal stupidity.
But when it gets discussed by the media - it gets legitimized then it gets further warped in the collective minds of those that don't get paid to sit around all day and read blogs and newspapers like I do. There's a YouTube clip of a woman saying Obama has the blood line to be a terrorist. That's the next step in the blinding rhetoric from the right-wing: Darkies want to kill whiteys. That's what Jesus said in the bible.
That's race baiting!
Making fun of Barack Hussein Obama for having a funny name is like making fun of John Sydney McCain for not being able to touch the top of his head. It's cheap and near sighted. But when air time is given - attention and outrage handed to those that go there it validates it. It makes it look like there is something to the name calling.
Who cares if Obama's middle name is like a former dictator that we preemptively invaded because our leader wanted to show up his daddy? If anyone should want to forget about Saddam Hussain - it's the right-wing. They should be the ones embarrassed by what Obama's middle name conjures up - not the other way around.
This is what the party of Lincoln has been reduced to - name calling? This is what the media has been reduced to - re-acting to name calling? The answer to both is - YES.
Sarah Palin said that she wants to talk directly to the American people without the media filter. Good, let her. Let her talk directly to the American people and let the media actually filter her.
So, what are we to do about it? There’s a bill before the Congress right now – the Deceptive Practices and Voter Intimidation Prevention Act, and it’s bipartisan because Tom Coburn’s a co-sponsor, even if my election law professor is the lead, which would makes it a crime for anyone to, within 60 days before a federal election:
The bill, as reported out of Judiciary, doesn’t even have a private right of action – it’s all up to DOJ to enforce.
The People for the American Way Foundation and the NAACP have much more on the problem of voter intimidation and suppression in its 2004 report, The Long Shadow of Jim Crow (PDF), which I encourage you to read. This is a problem we can stem.
"While we were working to eliminate these pork barrel earmarks, he voted for nearly a billion dollars in pork barrel earmark projects," Sen. John McCain said tonight, "including, by the way, $3 million for an overhead projector at a planetarium in Chicago, Ill."
McCain's right.
Check it out on Obama's Senate page, where he posts his earmark requests:
"Adler Planetarium, to support replacement of its projector and related equipment, $3,000,000.
"One of its most popular attractions and teaching tools at the Adler Planetarium is the Sky Theater. The projection equipment in this theater is 40 years old, and is no longer supported with parts or service by the manufacturer. It has begun to fail, leaving the theater dark and groups of school students and other interested museum-goers without this very valuable and exciting learning experience."
STARMASTER Models ZMP and ZMP-TD
More information STARMASTER combines the benefits of the dumbbell design with the state-of-the-art starball concept. The projectors responsible for the fixed stars are located on a central projector sphere - the starball. The planet projectors installed in front of it can be controlled individually and independently of each other. The extremely bright and brilliant artificial starlit sky is made possible by fiber-optical projectors, a special development of Carl Zeiss. Stars, Sun and Moon are as bright to install the Starball in domes even larger than 18 m in diameter. The traditional division into 32 star fields has been abandoned in favor of a smaller number of projectors. With 12 powerful wide-angle lenses, the starball now offers more space for other projectors, for example for constellation outlines. Another novelty is the integration of the Sun and Moon projectors in the starball. This permits the midnight sun to be demonstrated for the first time without obstructions in the north or south. However STARMASTER offers a lot more. Further options include spaceflights through the solar system, following the Star of Bethlehem, solar eclipses in the next millennium and many others.
THE MYTH: "She took the luxury jet that was acquired by her predecessor and sold it on eBay. And made a profit!" — John McCain, at a campaign stop in Wisconsin
THE FACTS: No one bought the jet online. It was eventually sold through an aircraft broker — at a loss to taxpayers of nearly $600,000.
THE MYTH: "I told the Congress 'Thanks, but no thanks' on that Bridge to Nowhere." — Sarah Palin, convention speech
THE FACTS: Supported the infamous pork project in her 2006 run for governor, even after Congress had killed the bridge; derided its opponents as "spinmeisters." Reversed her stance a year later — but kept the money, doling out the $223 million in federal funds to other pork projects throughout the state.
THE MYTH: "We ... championed reform to end the abuses of earmark spending by Congress." — Sarah Palin, convention speech
THE FACTS: As mayor, employed a lobbyist who also worked for Jack Abramoff to secure $27 million in pork spending for Wasilla — more than $4,000 per resident. In her two years as governor, requested $453 million in earmarks. Alaska ranks first in the nation for pork, raking in seven times the national average.
THE MYTH: "I found ... someone who stopped government from wasting taxpayers' money." — John McCain, introducing Palin
THE FACTS: Signature accomplishment as mayor: building a $15 million hockey arena that plunged the city into debt. Broke ground on the project without finalizing the city's purchase of the land; the resulting fiasco cost Wasilla $1.3 million — roughly $200 per resident.
THE MYTH: "Our opponents say, again and again, that drilling will not solve all of America's energy problems — as if we didn't know that already." — Sarah Palin, convention speech
THE FACTS: "I beg to disagree with any candidate who would say we can't drill our way out of our problem." — Sarah Palin, July 2008
THE MYTH: "We began a nearly $40 billion natural-gas pipeline to help lead America to energy independence." — Sarah Palin, convention speech
THE FACTS: With federal approval years away, not a single section of the pipeline has been laid. State could end up paying the pipeline's contractor $500 million — even if it never breaks ground on the project.
THE MYTH: "She's from a small town with small-town values." — Fred Thompson, convention speech
THE FACTS: Wasilla and the surrounding valley recently named the meth capital of Alaska, with 42 meth labs busted in a single year.
THE MYTH: Palin has "taken on the political establishment in the largest state of the union." — Fred Thompson, convention speech
THE FACTS: Served until 2005 as director of fundraising group associated with indicted senator Ted Stevens.
THE MYTH: "She's fought oil companies." — John McCain, introducing Palin
THE FACTS: Collected $13,000 in campaign contributions from oil and gas lobbyists, including Exxon, BP, Shell and Chevron. BP was a sponsor of her inaugural ball.
THE MYTH: "She's been to Kuwait. She's been over there. She has been with her troops. The National Guard that she commands, who have been over there and had the experience." — John McCain, highlighting Palin's national-security credentials
THE FACTS: Never had a passport before 2007, when she made a brief photo-op trip to visit troops in Germany and Kuwait. Has never been to Iraq, and has not met a single foreign head of state.
THE MYTH: "I have protected the taxpayers by vetoing wasteful spending." — Sarah Palin, convention speech
THE FACTS: As governor, sought travel reimbursement for 312 nights she spent in her own home.
http://www.rollingstone.com/politics/story/23140513/the_truth_about_sarah_pa
Don't live in Chicago...check here
http://www.elections.il.gov/ElectionAuthorities/ElecAuthorityList.aspx?Selected=Election%20Authorities
In Chicago, Early Voting Starts Columbus Day - Oct. 13, 2008
ON COLUMBUS DAY, 'DISCOVER' THE CONVENIENCE OF EARLY VOTING
If you are a registered voter, you don't need a reason or excuseto use the convenience of Early Voting.
Chicagoans will be able to use Early Voting at 51 sites, starting on Columbus Day, Monday, October 13, 2008.
Early Voting allows Chicago voters to vote at any city Early Voting locationfrom 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Saturday, Oct. 13 - 30.Early Voting on Sundays is only at the Election Board from 9 a.m. to noon.All of Chicago's Early Voting sites are 100% accessible.
During Early Voting, you must present a government photo ID.
Once you cast a ballot during Early Voting, you cannot return during Early Votingor on Election Day to change your ballot for any reason.
Locations and Hours:
For the 2008 General Election, Early Voting will be offeredfrom Oct. 13-30, 2008, seven days a week.
* Monday through Saturday, Chicago voters will be able to use any of 51 sites:one in each ward, plus the Chicago Election Board office at 69 W. Washington St.
* On Sundays, Early Voting will be offered only at the Election Board Office at69 W. Washington St., Lower Level, and only from 9 a.m. to noon.
Ward / Location / Address
1. Goldblatts Building 1615 W Chicago Ave
2. Mabel Manning Library 6 S. Hoyne Ave.
3. Chicago Bee Library 3647 S. State St.
4. M L King Community Ctr 4314 S. Cottage Grove Ave.
5. Jackson Park 6401 S. Stony Island Ave.
6. Whitney Young Library 7901 S ML. King Jr. Dr.
7. Jeffery Manor Library 2401 E. 100th St.
8. Olive Harvey College 10001 S. Woodlawn Ave.
9. Palmer Park 201 E 111th St.
10. Vodak/East Side Library 3710 E. 106th St.
11. McKinley Park 2210 W. Pershing Rd.
12. Back of the Yards Library 4650 S. Damen Ave.
13. West Lawn Park 4233 W. 65 St.
14. Archer Heights Library 5055 S. Archer Ave.
15. Lindbloom Park 6054 S. Damen Ave.
16. Sherman Park Library 5440 S. Racine Ave.
17. Thurgood Marshall Library 7506 S. Racine Ave.
18. Wrightwood-Ashburn Library 8530 S. Kedzie Ave.
19. 22nd Police District 1900 W. Monterey Ave.
20. Coleman Library 731 E. 63rd St.
21. Woodson Regional Library 9525 S. Halsted St.
22. Piotrowski Park 4247 W. 31st St.
23. Clearing Library 6423 W. 63rd Pl.
24. Douglass Library 3353 W. 13th St.
25. Chinatown Library 2353 S. Wentworth Ave.
26. Humboldt Park Library 1605 N. Troy St.
27. Union Park 1501 W. Randolph St.
28. West Side Learning Ctr 4624 W. Madison St.
29. Amundsen Park 6200 W. Bloomingdale Ave.
30. Portage Cragin Library 5108 W. Belmont Ave.
31. Blackhawk Park 2318 N. Lavergne Ave.
32. Pulaski Park 1419 W. Blackhawk St.
33. Independence Library 3548 W. Irving Park Rd.
34. West Pullman Library 830 W. 119th St.
35. Logan Square Library 3030 W. Fullerton Ave.
36. Hiawatha Park 8029 W. Forest Preserve Dr.
37. West Chicago Library 4856 W. Chicago Ave.
38. Wright College - Science Bldg 4300 N. Narragansett Ave.
39. N. Park Village Admn Bldg 5801 N. Pulaski Rd.
40. Budlong Woods Library 5630 N. Lincoln Ave.
41. Roden Library 6083 N. Northwest Hwy.
42. Access Living 115 W. Chicago Ave.
43. Lincoln Park Library 1150 W. Fullerton Ave.
44. Merlo Library 644 W. Belmont Ave.
45. Edgebrook Library 5331 W. Devon Ave.
46. Truman College 1145 W. Wilson Ave.
47. Welles Park 2333 W. Sunnyside Ave.
48. Edgewater Library 1210 W. Elmdale Ave.
49. Pottawattomie Park 7340 N. Rogers Ave.
50. Warren Park 6601 N. Western Ave.
Board of Election Commissioners 69 W. Washington St.
DATES:Columbus Day, Monday, October 13 thru October 30, 2008
HOURS: Monday-Saturday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Sunday - 9 a.m. to Noon ONLY at the Election Board Offices, 69 W. Washington, Lower Level Conference Room(All other Early Voting locations are closed on Sunday)
Questions? Call 312-269-7900 / TTY 312-269-0027
Oh, he** No!!!
Oh Yeah!!!
Priceless!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=neiYzaiXHpY
http://truthandhope.org/
