Well just got done doing my post at the voting place. sent my emails.put up more signs,
So lets hope for a big win have a great night everybody.
Early Voting for the entire state of Florida has just been extended.
Every Early Vote location in Florida will now be every day from 7am-7pm up through November 2.
Please pass along this great news to everyone you know who will be voting in Florida. Click here to find your nearest early vote location.
Here's the release:
GOVERNOR CRIST EXTENDS EARLY VOTING HOURS ~~ ~Ensures maximum number of Floridians can exercise right to vote~ ~~October 28, 2008Contact:GOVERNOR'S PRESS OFFICE(850) 488-5394TALLAHASSEE - Governor Charlie Crist today signed Executive Order 08-217, extending the hours for early voting during the current General Election. Effective immediately, early voting sites will be open from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., through Friday, October 31, 2008, and for a total of 12 hours between 7:00 a.m. on Saturday, November 1, and 7:00 p.m. on Sunday, November 2, 2008. "I have spoken with the Secretary of State and members of the Florida Legislature and have concluded that it is always the right thing to do to give voters every opportunity to cast a ballot," Governor Crist said. "I have a responsibility to the voters of our state to ensure that the maximum number of citizens can participate in the electoral process, and that every person can exercise the right to vote." Prior to the 2008 General Election, Florida has seen historic numbers of Floridians registering to vote for the first time. In addition, record numbers of voters have chosen to cast a ballot during early voting. Early voting began on October 20 and runs through November 2. Current Florida law allows for early voting to be conducted eight hours per day on each weekday, and for a total of eight hours during both weekends during the early voting period. Floridians can contact their county's Supervisor of Elections for dates, times and locations of early voting. Florida voters can also request absentee ballots to be mailed to them until October 29. Please see the attached Executive Order 08-217. STATE OF FLORIDA OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR EXECUTIVE ORDER NUMBER 08-217 WHEREAS, early voting is scheduled to end November 2, 2008; and WHEREAS, early voting turnout has already reached record levels and is forecast to continue with record turnout. There are only 267 early voting sites throughout the state and long lines have formed at many of the early voting sites; and WHEREAS, a historic number of Floridians have registered to vote for the first time in this election; and WHEREAS, new voting equipment is being used in 15 Florida counties; WHEREAS, as a result of this unique combination of circumstances resulting from the historic voter turnout in this election, there is a possibility that election officials will be unable to conduct an orderly election, and thus residents in our state could be deprived of a meaningful opportunity to vote; andWHEREAS, because of the existing and continuing possibility of an emergency occurring before or during the regularly scheduled election, and in order to ensure maximum citizen participation in the electoral process, and provide a safe and orderly procedure for persons seeking to exercise their right to vote;NOW, THEREFORE, I, CHARLIE CRIST, as Governor of Florida, by virtue of the authority vested in me by Article IV, Section 1(a) of the Florida Constitution, by the Florida Elections Emergency Act, and by all other applicable laws, issue the following Executive Order, to take immediate effect:I hereby declare that, based on the above-described conditions, a state of emergency exists. It is hereby found and declared to be necessary to extend the voting hours during early voting. Accordingly, I order the Supervisors of Elections to open early voting sites from 7 a.m. and close at 7 p.m. through October 31, 2008 and open early voting sites for a total of twelve (12) hours between 7 a.m. November 1, 2008 and 7 p.m. November 2, 2008.IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the Great Seal of the State of Florida to be affixed, at Tallahassee, the Capitol, this 28th day of October, 2008. GOVERNORATTEST:SECRETARY OF STATE
GOVERNOR CRIST EXTENDS EARLY VOTING HOURS
~~ ~Ensures maximum number of Floridians can exercise right to vote~ ~~
October 28, 2008
Contact:
GOVERNOR'S PRESS OFFICE(850) 488-5394
TALLAHASSEE - Governor Charlie Crist today signed Executive Order 08-217, extending the hours for early voting during the current General Election. Effective immediately, early voting sites will be open from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., through Friday, October 31, 2008, and for a total of 12 hours between 7:00 a.m. on Saturday, November 1, and 7:00 p.m. on Sunday, November 2, 2008.
"I have spoken with the Secretary of State and members of the Florida Legislature and have concluded that it is always the right thing to do to give voters every opportunity to cast a ballot," Governor Crist said. "I have a responsibility to the voters of our state to ensure that the maximum number of citizens can participate in the electoral process, and that every person can exercise the right to vote."
Prior to the 2008 General Election, Florida has seen historic numbers of Floridians registering to vote for the first time. In addition, record numbers of voters have chosen to cast a ballot during early voting.
Early voting began on October 20 and runs through November 2. Current Florida law allows for early voting to be conducted eight hours per day on each weekday, and for a total of eight hours during both weekends during the early voting period. Floridians can contact their county's Supervisor of Elections for dates, times and locations of early voting.
Florida voters can also request absentee ballots to be mailed to them until October 29.
Please see the attached Executive Order 08-217.
STATE OF FLORIDA
OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR
EXECUTIVE ORDER NUMBER 08-217
WHEREAS, early voting is scheduled to end November 2, 2008; and
WHEREAS, early voting turnout has already reached record levels and is forecast to continue with record turnout. There are only 267 early voting sites throughout the state and long lines have formed at many of the early voting sites; and
WHEREAS, a historic number of Floridians have registered to vote for the first time in this election; and
WHEREAS, new voting equipment is being used in 15 Florida counties;
WHEREAS, as a result of this unique combination of circumstances resulting from the historic voter turnout in this election, there is a possibility that election officials will be unable to conduct an orderly election, and thus residents in our state could be deprived of a meaningful opportunity to vote; and
WHEREAS, because of the existing and continuing possibility of an emergency occurring before or during the regularly scheduled election, and in order to ensure maximum citizen participation in the electoral process, and provide a safe and orderly procedure for persons seeking to exercise their right to vote;
NOW, THEREFORE, I, CHARLIE CRIST, as Governor of Florida, by virtue of the authority vested in me by Article IV, Section 1(a) of the Florida Constitution, by the Florida Elections Emergency Act, and by all other applicable laws, issue the following Executive Order, to take immediate effect:
I hereby declare that, based on the above-described conditions, a state of emergency exists. It is hereby found and declared to be necessary to extend the voting hours during early voting. Accordingly, I order the Supervisors of Elections to open early voting sites from 7 a.m. and close at 7 p.m. through October 31, 2008 and open early voting sites for a total of twelve (12) hours between 7 a.m. November 1, 2008 and 7 p.m. November 2, 2008.
IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the Great Seal of the State of Florida to be affixed, at Tallahassee, the Capitol, this 28th day of October, 2008.
GOVERNOR
ATTEST:
SECRETARY OF STATE
I was pleased to read an article 'Need for SAT Questioned.' A Harvard committee concluded that the SAT and other standardized tests are imprecise at measuring academic ability.
So, what does that say about the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test? The FCAT is one test given on one day, no retakes. Is that fair? What if the child was sick, had a fight with a friend, has a great academic record but test anxiety. His school career is ruined for the next year.
I remember the stress over the SAT in high school. Can you imagine that pressure on a second-grader? Florida teachers spend most of their time teaching for a test, not teaching the kids reading, writing and math. The FCAT is tricky and meant to be that way so the teachers are stuck trying to teach the kids to understand how to interpret the questions.
John McCain consulted with Jeb Bush, who supposedly has a 'nationwide reputation' for his success in implementing the FCAT in Florida schools. McCain may be considering taking this idea nationwide.
Please stop the madness. Even Harvard has determined that this is not the way to go. Don't let John McCain make education another national disaster.
JEANETTE SCANLON
Plant City
PUBLISHED IN THE LETTER TO THE EDITOR SECTION OF THE LAKELAND LEDGER 10/25/08
It has been a while since i had the chance to write a post. My team started working on phone banking as soon as VR ended.
There seems to be a group of voters that we are really going to need to keep motiviated until Nov. 04. Our goal is get anyone that is weary of the politics (and is a Obamam supporter!) to vote early. Move em out! Drive them there. Get them to the polls. Once they have voted that is one in the bank: go out and find another one. Oh.. and do not forget to early vote yourself!!
On Friday October 3rd, the McCain/Palin Campaign released the 2006 and 2007 Federal Income Tax filings for the Palin family.
Because of the revelation that Gov. Palin had charged the State of Alaska Per Diem for living in her own home and for questionable travel expenses for her children and the "First Dude", many wondered what these taxes returns would show.
What the returns showed is disturbing at least to me. There is no reporting what-so-ever of the near $60,000 dollars of claimed Per Diem ($17,000) and Travel Expenses for her husband and children ($43,000). When questioned about this discrepancy the McCain/Palin Campaign issued a statement saying an agreement had been made between the State of Alaska and the IRS and the per diem payments were not to be considered income. The travel monies were not addressed to my knowledge. But IRS Regulations are very specific in that a taxpayer may not exclude money received for "living expenses" paid to the taxpayer while living in the taxpayers home. This is clearly laid out in IRS Pub 463 on page 3-4 Example 2.
Over the weekend, it seems many tax experts reviewed the Palin's returns and have determined that Gov. Palin owes income taxes on approximately $25,000 for the travel expenses of the Palin children. Their assessments say that Todd Palin's travel costs may have been non-reportable income as he may have been required to attend the functions that Gov. Palin attended as official State business.
Furthermore, some have surmised that Gov. Palin was "above board" in not claiming the Per Diem payments she received while staying in her own home (and her Tax Residence) because she acted in "Good Faith" by declaring her compensation based on her W2 from the State of Alaska.
And this is why in my estimation, Governor Sarah Palin and her husband evaded paying due taxes and are Tax Cheats. Governor Palin submitted as the basis for her taxable income a W2 that solely represented her basic wages of $125,000. She was aware that she received the $17,000 in per diem costs in that she had to apply for those payments. Governments don't just dole these funds out, they must be applied for, in other words they aren't automatic. And even if they were they would still have to be claimed as income, taxable or non-taxable. But as previously cited IRS Pub. 463 clearly lays out what is and what is not taxable reimbursment for travel and Per Diem.
Every year I report non-taxable Veterans Administration Disability Compensation I receive. I know it will not be taxed, but it must be reported. Sarah Palin's Per Diem should have also taxable or not. And I reiterate, she knew she was receiving it. So again in my estimation, Sarah Palin has broken the Law and this needs to be put to the American People. We pay our taxes in good faith, knowing those taxes will provide needed services. To have a Candidate for national office that is a heartbeat away from the Presidency who willfully cheats on her family's Income Taxes is beyond the pale.
I hope America will be made aware of what a person of such poor character John McCain chose as his running mate when he selected Sarah Palin.
Last night I watched Palin bash Obama. I knew alot of the stuff she said was bullshit so here are the facts....
PALIN: “I have protected the taxpayers by vetoing wasteful spending ... and championed reform to end the abuses of earmark spending by Congress. I told the Congress ‘thanks but no thanks’ for that Bridge to Nowhere.”THE FACTS: As mayor of Wasilla, Palin hired a lobbyist and traveled to Washington annually to support earmarks for the town totaling $27 million. In her two years as governor, Alaska has requested nearly $750 million in special federal spending, by far the largest per-capita request in the nation. While Palin notes she rejected plans to build a $398 million bridge from Ketchikan to an island with 50 residents and an airport, that opposition came only after the plan was ridiculed nationally as a “bridge to nowhere.”PALIN: “There is much to like and admire about our opponent. But listening to him speak, it’s easy to forget that this is a man who has authored two memoirs but not a single major law or reform — not even in the state senate.”THE FACTS: Compared to McCain and his two decades in the Senate, Obama does have a more meager record. But he has worked with Republicans to pass legislation that expanded efforts to intercept illegal shipments of weapons of mass destruction and to help destroy conventional weapons stockpiles. The legislation became law last year. To demean that accomplishment would be to also demean the work of Republican Sen. Richard Lugar of Indiana, a respected foreign policy voice in the Senate. In Illinois, he was the leader on two big, contentious measures in Illinois: studying racial profiling by police and requiring recordings of interrogations in potential death penalty cases. He also successfully co-sponsored major ethics reform legislation.PALIN: “The Democratic nominee for president supports plans to raise income taxes, raise payroll taxes, raise investment income taxes, raise the death tax, raise business taxes, and increase the tax burden on the American people by hundreds of billions of dollars.”THE FACTS: The Tax Policy Center, a think tank run jointly by the Brookings Institution and the Urban Institute, concluded that Obama’s plan would increase after-tax income for middle-income taxpayers by about 5 percent by 2012, or nearly $2,200 annually. McCain’s plan, which cuts taxes across all income levels, would raise after tax-income for middle-income taxpayers by 3 percent, the center concluded.Obama would provide $80 billion in tax breaks, mainly for poor workers and the elderly, including tripling the Earned Income Tax Credit for minimum-wage workers and higher credits for larger families.He also would raise income taxes, capital gains and dividend taxes on the wealthiest. He would raise payroll taxes on taxpayers with incomes above $250,000, and he would raise corporate taxes. Small businesses that make more than $250,000 a year would see taxes rise.MCCAIN: “She’s been governor of our largest state, in charge of 20 percent of America’s energy supply ... She’s responsible for 20 percent of the nation’s energy supply. I’m entertained by the comparison and I hope we can keep making that comparison that running a political campaign is somehow comparable to being the executive of the largest state in America,” he said in an interview with ABC News’ Charles Gibson.THE FACTS: McCain’s phrasing exaggerates both claims. Palin is governor of a state that ranks second nationally in crude oil production, but she’s no more “responsible” for that resource than President Bush was when he was governor of Texas, another oil-producing state. In fact, her primary power is the ability to tax oil, which she did in concert with the Alaska Legislature. And where Alaska is the largest state in America, McCain could as easily have called it the 47th largest state — by population.MCCAIN: “She’s the commander of the Alaska National Guard. ... She has been in charge, and she has had national security as one of her primary responsibilities,” he said on ABC.THE FACTS: While governors are in charge of their state guard units, that authority ends whenever those units are called to actual military service. When guard units are deployed to Iraq or Afghanistan, for example, they assume those duties under “federal status,” which means they report to the Defense Department, not their governors. Alaska’s national guard units have a total of about 4,200 personnel, among the smallest of state guard organizations.FORMER ARKANSAS GOV. MIKE HUCKABEE: Palin “got more votes running for mayor of Wasilla, Alaska than Joe Biden got running for president of the United States.”THE FACTS: A whopper. Palin got 616 votes in the 1996 mayor’s election, and got 909 in her 1999 re-election race, for a total of 1,525. Biden dropped out of the race after the Iowa caucuses, but he still got 76,165 votes in 23 states and the District of Columbia where he was on the ballot during the 2008 presidential primaries.FORMER MASSACHUSETTS GOV. MITT ROMNEY: “We need change, all right — change from a liberal Washington to a conservative Washington! We have a prescription for every American who wants change in Washington — throw out the big-government liberals, and elect John McCain and Sarah Palin.”THE FACTS: A Back-to-the-Future moment. George W. Bush, a conservative Republican, has been president for nearly eight years. And until last year, Republicans controlled Congress. Only since January 2007 have Democrats have been in charge of the House and Senate.
The below was written by one of mybarackobama group members: dmbfan1999@gmail.com. He expresses my sentiments exactly! We must get to work. Right Now!
__________________________________________________________________________________
Fellow O/B supporters, when we look at Sarah Palin we see an inexperienced politician who has no business being in this national race. We see someone who will be easily manipulated by the neo-cons to further their "war on terror" and funnel billions more tax dollars into the pockets of the military industrial complex and big oil companies.
When right-wing, conservative Evangelicals look at Ms. Palin, they see a gift from God.
Yes, we see through the cheap, transparent, manipulative Rove-esque tactics, and post our rants online as blogs and nytimes.comcomments. But this running mate was not chosen for us. It was chosen to solidify the conservative base, who is not reading blogs and sending emails. They are sitting in church and chatting with their fellow church-goer about how McCain has made such a wonderful choice in picking his veep. Not only does she talk the talk about being pro-life, she walks the walk by giving birth to a baby with Down Syndrome. Not only is she a charmer and a looker, but if we vote for her she will be the first woman Vice-President. We can be apart of history.
Therefore, do not read the blogs and internet postings and think it is a good gauge of the national consciousness on this choice. The people whom this was aimed at and are rejoicing over this pick are NOT online blogging and emailing.
So, in the end it comes down to what do we as Obama/ Biden supporters do to take this country in a new and better direction.
Well, we can sit and bang out email after email about how Palin wants to shoot wolves from helicopters. We can blog about how she is in favor of teaching the creation story along side the theory of evolution in our public schools. We can even try to start rumors about how her four month old baby might not even be hers, but is actually her seventeen year old daughter's.
Obama/ Biden supporters you are wasting your time! Not only are you "preaching to the choir" (sorry, i could not think of another metaphor), but your message is not being read by the other side. Besides even if they did read it, they would look you in the face and say, "Well, God put us in charge of the animals, and their numbers need to be thinned out for the new oil pipeline going through Alaska. And why not teach creationism in schools, both sides need to be represented. And abortion is murder."
Therefore, we need to mobilize and TAKE ACTION like never before. Here is a list of things we can do in order to help elect Barack Obama.
1. Donate money. Remember, Obama is not taking public financing so we are responsible for fueling his campaign with the resources he needs to take our message into those battleground states.
2. Phonebanking. During the primaries i did some phonebanking and i cannot express to you how rewarding of an experience this is. At first it seems daunting, but in the end chatting with potential voters about our message of hope, peace and change is very gratifying.
3. Canvassing. Going door to door to chat with potential voters and show your enthusiasm for the Obama/ Biden ticket is satisfying, and also demonstrates that this is a national movement, not empty rhetoric.
4. Write letters to local newspapers. Not the .com newspaper, but the ones that used to be (maybe still do) sitting at your front door in the morning. This is the medium through which social conservatives receive their news and information. Do NOT express outrage, but our message of hope, peace and change.
5. Stay away from moral issues. When discussing Obama/ Biden, stay away from these moral issues and focus on how McCain does not get it. That he is out of touch. That he has been wrong time and time again. That Obama/ Biden get it. Have excellent judgement and intellect and can lead this country in a new and better direction.
6. Ignore Palin. The best thing we can do is to ignore her. The only reason she was brought on to the ticket was to energize the conservative base. Those individuals vote with their gut, (with emotion) over moral issues. There is no amount of convincing we can do in order to change their minds on these issues. If we are lucky, the harsh continuous light of the national media on Ms. Palin will cause a gaffe or misstep on her part.
My Fellow Obama/ Biden supporters i implore you, do not underestimate these social conservatives. Rove has said before, that he wanted to (and has for the last eight years) establish a permanent Republican majority. This is how he has done it. Ladies and gentlemen, they will succeed again. If you do not believe me, go back and analyze the results of the last two general elections. More women than men vote.
That is unless, we get out from in front of our laptops (only after donating $5 to the campaign) and get our message of hope, peace and change out to the American people.
I encourage replies (and forwarding of this email), to my comments above, but also include action items, and ideas on what we can DO to elect Barack Obama as President and Joe Biden as Vice-President of the United States of America.
kC
The above was written by one of mybarackobama group members: dmbfan1999@gmail.com. He expresses my sentiments exactly! We must get to work. Right Now!
Florida is a battle ground state. Found this on one of my groups. I love the sentiment of this well written email. Every small bit helps.
____________________________________________
How to Help Elect Obama
Educate, educate, educate. There are less than 100 days until the election.
There are many small things we can do in our everyday lives that will make a
difference. Every time you wear an Obama pin or drive a car with his bumper
sticker, you must act as an ambassador and an advocate. Smile when you
don't feel like it, don't respond to hecklers with anger, offer literature,
carry voter reg materials with you so you can register people on the spot.
Gentlemen, open doors for ladies and the elderly and when thanked, "Thank
you. I'm supporting Obama for president and it has changed my outlook. I am
happy to help you." Everyone, be scrupulously honest. If you get too much
change at the grocery store, return it with a smile and a comment that the
clerk must be having a long day. Give up your parking place, wave to anyone
who does you a good turn, let someone in the lane. Change the way you
conduct business for the better. Make youselves a living example of what
Barack Obama is teaching us.
In the early days of the primary here, we had not courted the Hispanic vote.
Hispanics did not believe Obama would support their causes. I spoke to a few
friends, they spread the word, and now Si Se Puede is a major influence here
in Vegas.
My point is that ALL of us can do little things that effect a change. If
you can debate his policies, all good and well, but non-decideds often don't
have time to listen. They do, however, remember a good turn they received.
We CAN do this. Rise above the lies and hold your heads high because we DO
have the better candidate for the USA and the world.
Suzie McKay
Las Vegas City Organizer
Nation 4 Change
"When I do good, I feel good; when I do bad, I feel bad, and that is my
religion." (Abraham Lincoln)
Barack Obama for President!
John McCain is out of touch with the people of Florida. Together with President Bush he opposes the vital national catastrophe fund. Visit http://www.HurricaneMcCain.com
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=orjwA3l1y4o
Taxpayers in Florida will pay $6.2 billion for tax cuts for the richest 10% in FY 2009. For the same amount of money, the following could have been provided:
2,171,851 People with Health Care for One Year OR
4,328,967 Homes with Renewable Electricity for One Year OR
141,789 Public Safety Officers for One year OR
98,329 Music and Arts Teachers for One Year OR
1,919,968 Scholarships for University Students for One Year OR
45,396 Affordable Housing Units OR
3,402,062 Children with Health Care for One Year OR
839,871 Head Start Places for Children for One Year OR
104,952 Elementary School Teachers for One Year OR
74,804 Port Container Inspectors for One year
===
Check out your trade-offs by state or district here
Sometimes I wonder. Sometimes I feel the need to scream louder. But the question remains. Is anyone listening?
Certainly the media isn't. They'd rather chew on another preacher scandal.
Certainly the DNC doesn't. They'd rather play politics as usual' in this ongoing drama, rather than educate their constituencies about the realities and dangers our children and grandchildren if WE DON'T ACT NOW.
Certainly the RNC doesn't. They don't want to lose that fat support from the oil and coal lobby.
HELLO AMERICA...THERE IS LANDMARK LEGISLATION COMING UP FOR A SENATE VOTE ON MONDAY,THAT DOESN'T EVEN GO FAR ENOUGH.
I've laid out my case in my blog...and it scares the crap out of me. But it seems no one is listening to my cries...except Obama.
He gets it. But is too busy fighting the political games, fuzzy math, and politics as usual in DC.
No one ever said it would be easy to change politics in DC. By the way...why hasn't Al Gore endorsed the candidate that has the most aggressive/progressive plan?
If YOU are listening...please read my blog for the truth about climate change.
IMO - There is a greater national security threat to the US than ANYONE has dared tell us.
Our voices together get much louder. HELP!!!
From Think Progress
In his new book, former White House press secretary Scott McClellan charges that the Bush administration manipulated information in a “propaganda” campaign before the Iraq war, making the faulty claim that Saddam Hussein had weapons of mass destruction (WMD).
Asked about the book today, Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) defended the administration’s actions in the run-up to the war, suggesting there was no manipulation involved. McCain claimed “every intelligence agency in the world” thought Hussein had WMD:
I have not seen the book or the comments. But I know why I supported it [the war] because I believed Saddam Hussein had weapons of mass destruction as did every intelligence agency in the world and every assessment.
Watch it:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=esy8O1_C5UU
McCain’s blanket statement is wildly off the mark. The Bush administration did set up its own intelligence shops to disseminate faulty intelligence about Iraq’s alleged WMD. But “every” agency in the “world” did not buy the spin — several U.S. agencies were highly skeptical:
State Department’s Bureau of Intelligence and Research (INR): Concluded that the “activities we have detected do not add up to a compelling case that Iraq is currently pursuing what [the INR] would consider to be an integrated and comprehensive approach to acquire nuclear weapons.” Department of Energy: Concluded aluminum tubes said to be used for nuclear centrifuges were “likely intended for small artillery rockets.” International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA): On March 7, 2003, IAEA chief Mohamed El-Baradei reported there was “no evidence that Saddam Hussein had any nuclear weapons or was in the process of acquiring them.” Hans Blix, chief U.N. weapon’s inspector: In June 2003, Blix told the U.N. Security Council that his inspection teams had not found any “smoking guns” after visiting some 125 Iraqi sites.
State Department’s Bureau of Intelligence and Research (INR): Concluded that the “activities we have detected do not add up to a compelling case that Iraq is currently pursuing what [the INR] would consider to be an integrated and comprehensive approach to acquire nuclear weapons.”
Department of Energy: Concluded aluminum tubes said to be used for nuclear centrifuges were “likely intended for small artillery rockets.”
International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA): On March 7, 2003, IAEA chief Mohamed El-Baradei reported there was “no evidence that Saddam Hussein had any nuclear weapons or was in the process of acquiring them.”
Hans Blix, chief U.N. weapon’s inspector: In June 2003, Blix told the U.N. Security Council that his inspection teams had not found any “smoking guns” after visiting some 125 Iraqi sites.
When under pressure, McCain has a habit of making sweeping blanket statements. Criticized for his stance on the 21st Century GI Bill last week, McCain falsely claimed he “received the highest award from literally every veteran’s organization in America.” In December, McCain made the blatantly false assertion that the he is “the only one the special interests don’t give any money to.”
Is Bush’s attempting to set the future Iraq policy framework to tie the hands of the next president?
Iraqi troops now patrol Basra after reaching a truce with Mehdi Army fighters loyal to Shi'ite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr.
Tens of thousands of troops moved unopposed this week into Sadr City, Sadr's Baghdad bastion, under a separate truce that ended nearly seven weeks of fighting with U.S. and The fragile truces in Basra and Baghdad were tested on Friday when Iraqi security forces fired into the air to disperse worshippers loyal to Sadr who had gathered for the Friday Muslim prayers in an open square.
At least six people were wounded. At about the same time, police raided Baghdad's Amil district, arresting about 400 people, many of whom had gathered at Sadr's office, which doubles as a mosque, for Friday prayers. "This aggression on our Friday prayers is a new escalation which could have grave consequences for the future," Salah al- Ubaidi, spokesman for Sadr, said on Saturday.
Will Bush muck this relative peace in Iraq up? And why isn’t Congress all over this?
The Iraqi and U.S. governments have been negotiating for months the formulation of two agreements, as the U.N. mandate under which U.S. troops currently operate in Iraq will terminate in December.
One is known as a Status of Forces Agreement, which sets up the legal basis for the presence of U.S. troops in Iraq. The other one is called a Strategic Framework Agreement, and would devise a blueprint for the wider bilateral relationship between the two countries in political, economic and cultural areas.
As a first step, President Bush and Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki signed an agreement known as the Declaration of Principles last November. The agreement commits the United States to defend Iraq in the event of any “foreign aggression” and “external and internal threats”. “
Of course, there are a lot of fears inside and outside parliament regarding the content of such agreements since they deal with strategic, critical and long-term issues for Iraq,” added Zangana, who demanded a vital role for the parliament in the negotiating process.
The concerns by Iraqi lawmakers come as their counterparts in Washington are pressing the administration hard not to sign any deals with the Iraqi government on defence and security matters without congressional approval.
Despite that, the U.S. Senate failed last Wednesday to include a provision in a bill to fund military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan that would constrain Bush’s power to unilaterally sign any security agreements with Iraq.
McCain's Campaign Message - No, You Can't
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EUKINg8DCUo
There have been 4,391 coalition deaths -- 4,079 Americans, two Australians, 176 Britons, 13 Bulgarians, one Czech, seven Danes, two Dutch, two Estonians, one Fijian, four Georgians, one Hungarian, 33 Italians, one Kazakh, one Korean, three Latvian, 22 Poles, three Romanians, five Salvadoran, four Slovaks, 11 Spaniards, two Thai and 18 Ukrainians -- in the war in Iraq as of May 23, 2008.
The list in this link is the names of the soldiers, Marines, airmen, sailors and Coast Guardsmen whose deaths have been reported by their country's governments. The list also includes seven employees of the U.S. Defense Department. At least 30,112 U.S. troops have been wounded in action, according to the Pentagon.
Here is another source that breaks down casualties by month
If you are not donating to the Obama campaign, maybe you will consider donating to The Fisher House Memorial Day Campaign for Troops and Their Families. Or T.A.P.S, The Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS), a caring community of families that have suffered similar losses, is waiting to walk alongside the newly bereaved.
Or...If you can't donate anything, you can light a candle for all the families of the fallen, and for Hope for those waiting to come home.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nOG87SvvSW4
Washington Times
Article published May 23, 2008 Voters rally to be heard May 23, 2008 By Christina Bellantoni - The 30 members of the Democratic Party panel deciding the fate of Florida and Michigan's delegates to the nominating convention are being inundated with letters — and messages written on oranges — from party faithful eager for a resolution favorable to their presidential candidate or state. Florida Demands Representation (FDR) is organizing the orange effort, and estimates more than 1,000 of the citrus fruits have been sent as part of "Project Orange Crush, Put the Squeeze on." The citizen effort — which has its own petition of more than 200,000 signatures, is not affiliated with a campaign. "When you vote in the United States, your vote should count," said FDR's Jim Hannagan of Palm Harbor, Fla., who declined to say who he voted for Jan. 29. He said many Floridians think this is another example of their votes being "stolen." "It was quite good, I have a cold and that was nice, but I don't think an orange or even a grapefruit is going to determine how I vote on these things," said Alice Germond, secretary of the Democratic National Committee and a member of the Rules and Bylaws Committee tasked with deciding how to resolve the delegate mess during a May 31 hearing. Mrs. Germond is neutral in the fight between Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton and Sen. Barack Obama for the nomination, but activists and bloggers are casting their judgments on the panel members who have picked sides — 13 for Mrs. Clinton and eight for Mr. Obama. The panel members are hearing from Democrats imploring them to either count the votes or honor the rules and punish the rogue states for jumping the calendar. Some are telling panel members it is unfair to count the votes because many did not go to the polls in January, choosing to stay home because they were told their votes would not matter. Mrs. Clinton told New Hampshire radio in October when she was the front-runner that the Michigan contest was "not going to count for anything." Committee members said yesterday they are determined to show independence while crafting a situation that honors the millions who voted and is fair to both candidates. If that remains true during the hearing in Washington, it's a stance that is unlikely to swing the nomination in Mrs. Clinton's favor because Mr. Obama significantly leads her in the overall delegate count. "It may be that both candidates end up unhappy with our decision, and if that happens it would mean we did the right thing," said Mame Reiley, a DNC member from Virginia who has endorsed the former first lady.
Article published May 23, 2008 Voters rally to be heard
May 23, 2008
Blame the Republicans - Edited to add...The primary was moved up BY THE REPUBLICANS AFTER the DNC rules were established to harshly punish states for early primaries.
After the GOP-controlled Florida legislature and Republican governor enacted a law earlier this year moving the Sunshine State’s primary to Jan. 29, in violation of the DNC’s rules, the party’s rules committee voted to punish the state with its harshest penalties available, stripping the state of all its delegates and barring presidential candidates from campaigning there.
The wounds are still very real here in FL from 2000, when the Republicans violated voters rights. It's a trickey issue.
Hillary is taking advantage of those wounds. I do hope cooler heads will prevail and this will get resolved in a fair way, and one that doesn't backfire in Nov by stripping the state of all its delegates.
Now we just need to vote out the GOP controlled legislature and Gov. otherwise we'll be right back here in 2012, because they aren't going to move the primary to be in compliance with the DNC rules.
Live stream from Tampa Rally
http://media.myfoxtampabay.com/live/primarystream.html
