The Pickens Plan: For those who would like to become an active participant in a solution for our nations energy needs I urge you to join with T.Boone Pickens in his quest for a cleaner planet through alternative energy.
Also see Green Wave Energy: Green Wave was founded by Mark Holmes and was formulated for viable alternative energy solutions. Green Wave Energy is promoting state-of-the-art energy-saving products and services throughout the country.
Green Wave Energy understands alternative energy technology will become “main stream” when
Call 949.645.1701 for information on how Green Wave Energy can help you save the planet.
Alternative EnergySource: David Apperson
url: http://veterans.barackobama.com/page/community/tag/alternative-energy
The Rationale for allowing the US Auto Industry to fail ~ Can it be applied the US Federal Government?
Republicans Kill $14B Rescue Plan in effort to dismantle UAW Union
Within the above article is a discussion and a point of view I find interesting and wish to explore how people feel about it and it's implications.
Stu P., "The only way the Big 3 can compete with Toyota, etc. would be to get out from under the massive pension and related obligations to retired and soon-to-be-retired UAW workers."
Richard, Given the plight of the economy and the Debt incurred by the American Taxpayer, should the US Government rescind the benefits of US Service men and women? Revoke the health benefits and retirement of the millions of individuals in order to make the Federal Government a more financially viable entity ?
Let's start with those costly Survivor benefitshttp://www.militarytimes.com/benefits/family_resources/online_hbml06_payandbenefits_otherbenefits1/
Then we can move on to money for housing and Education benefits.http://www.militarytimes.com/benefits/
Imagine a leaner Federal Government without Military Veteran OBLIGATIONS to burden them.http://www.militarytimes.com/benefits/health/
~@~
Given the tremendous debt out government is carrying and which the American citizen is libel to repay w/interest, I'm wondering if these Senate Republicans would be prepared to rescind the benefits to each and every Military veteran in an effort to trim the wasteful spending by our Government?
If it works for GM, Ford and Chrysler, wouldn't it also translate into a cost-savings effort by the Federal Government?
I really think these Senate Republicans are on to something, throw out any promises of care for services rendered and allow the former employees to fend for themselves.
After all those 300,000+ Auto Retirees are most likely service members from WWII, Korea, Veitnam who are drawing these Federal Benefits as well as Pensions from working their entire lives in the factories. If America is willing to toss them under the bus, why not go the whole way and assist the Federal Government in relieving itself of this burden?
The People of the State of Michigan enact: the Michigan Medical Marihuana Act.With the recent passage of Michigan's LEGISLATION, the relative state department must Promulgate Rules by which to function effectively. While there is now hope where there was none, these rules will either assist or be a hindrance to the patient.While this Law allows the patient or a "primary caregiver" to grow and provide the Marijuana for the patient, this dictates the patient or caregiver have the necessary skills, equipment, space, finances and time to dedicate to this task full time.Under Michigan Law, a designated caregiver can assist up to 5 patients. This would serve to pool the resources together more efficiently, providing one space, shared equipment cost and presumably a designated "primary caregiver" who is a professional grower.Today in California, of which the Michigan legislation was designed has had a set back handed down by their State Supreme Court which may affect the Promulgation of our Rules moving forward.California Supreme Court Ruling Limits Medical Marijuana DistributionNovember 24th, 2008 In an important legal case decided today that cannabis reform advocates have been waiting on for nearly two years, the California Supreme Court ruled that criminal defendants are not entitled to a defense as Proposition 215 (Prop 215) caregivers if their primary role is only to supply marijuana to patients.
"The Mentch decision highlights the inadequacy of California's current medical marijuana supply system," California NORML coordinator Dale Gieringer told the Indy Bay News . "The law needs to allow for professional licensed growers, as with other medicinal herbs."Full text of the People vs. Mentch is found here~@~The problem with this decision as well as the system set up to provide a "primary caregiver" status is that now the California Supreme Court is mandating these caregivers be relatives, personal friends and attendants, nurses. There are two problems with this finding, first those designated are not qualified to grow Marijuana and the second issue is that of the allowance for a "primary caregiver" to assist up to 5 patients. How many of your relatives and personal friends know 5 people who are legally allowed by state law to use marijuana for medical purposes ? Now expand that criteria throughout the entire state and apply it to the individual families of patients.Wanted: Full Time professional licensed growersWhile I am confident that I shall be approved under the Michigan Medical Marihuana Act, as it is currently being developed I am afraid it will be of no use to me.My individual circumstance is such that I live alone, in a one bedroom apartment on a fixed income which is under the level of poverty. Therefore I am unable to afford the cost of the equipment needed to grow marijuana indoors. I am unable to afford the cost of the energy needed to run a lighting system 24/7 for 90 days straight.I have one friend who has served as a primary caregiver for me when I needed assistance yet, he knows absolutely nothing about growing marijuana. Plus, he barely has time due to his working two jobs just to support himself.As this law stands today, passed by the people of Michigan, while I qualify for coverage under the law I am unable to take advantage of this program due to the stringent requirements related to growing the plants.The Michigan Medical Marihuana Act rules have not been written as yet.I wish to ask everyone to assist me by writing The Bureau of Health Professions (BHP) within the Michigan Department of Community Health (MDCH) and lend your voice on this issue with my concerns in mind.http://www.michigan.gov/mdchI believe the best way forward, under the conditions spelled out in this legislation is for patients to organize under cooperatives and collectives with Full Time professional licensed growers.My preference would be to grow my marijuana in the soil, under the sun. That option is not allowed under this law because it calls for the marijuana to be grown in a locked, enclosed room.Thank you for your time and consideration on this matter.
I would like to begin a conversation among all my fellow Citizens in looking forward to this new day in America. Many of us may have asked ourselves, What can I do to help my community, my Country, my President ?
I will attempt to provide ideas and websites to assist in answering this question but, I'm going to need your help too. Please comment on how you might help your community, your Country, your President in making America's future bright, prosperous and united.
Now, there are many areas that each citizen participates on an individual scale which, when combined with the population as a whole can make a difference.
The largest impact the individual can have is in their purchases, both long term as well as the pack of gum or services we purchase each day. I believe if each citizen would take a more active role in deciding to purchase American, even locally produced good, this would contribute to our economy in a dramatic fashion.
Remember the argument that was used regarding the purchasing of Fur coats?
That for each piece of fur, strung together in making a coat, an animal not only died but, another animal is moved forward on the death row in anticipation of replacing the fur coat that was purchased. The same can be said of the tomato for your salad, the wood furniture for your bedroom, that 12 oz steak, sizzling on your grill.
Every item purchased with that hard-earned dollar in your hand will be replaced with a new one in hopes of further, expanded sales. If that tomato comes from your local farmer, that neighbor will have a dollar in his hand with which to purchase the widget your company manufactures. Or it will be replaced with a Chinese farmers tomato, a Brazilian Lumber company or a New Zealand cattle rancher.
Take the time, expend the effort to purchase products which will lead to a fellow American having a job. That will do more in "all boats rise together" than any other action you as an individual could contribute to society.
An idea I have, which I had hoped the government might consider is designating purchases made between manufacturers tax-free if the product is 100% 'made in america' and being assembled with other 'made in america' produced components.
Say that I make a 3 ft square wooden box. If I use 100% american forest products or an alternative and purchase screws with which to hold the sides together. The purchase of the screws would be tax-free if those screws were 'made in america'.
This could be feasible if 'made in america' products carry a bar code designating it official. In this way we could have a paper trail with which to enforce misuse of the tax code.
You could even expand this concept to the cans of soup and heads of lettuce for the consumer at the grocery store. Therefore the consumer could make the choice of purchasing an imported product and pay tax on that purchase or buy 'made in america' products and save the revenue from the tax-free purchase to pay their employees more per hour, invest in expansion efforts, etc.
Whether in our homes, our communities or our places of business, all of us can help influence the future of our region through simple choices.
I was planning on providing a plethora of links which you could use to answer the question: What can I do to help my community, my Country, my President ? but because the question is so wide ranging, search:"what can i do to help", I'll kindly ask each of you to conduct your own search and provide for the community a link we can follow.
Naturally, everyone knows how to use http://www.google.com/
I prefer a website called: http://www.webferret.com/
I love you Barack!Here’s what I want:1) Close Guantanamo torture camp and all other un-Constitutional U.S. torture and sadism camps. Repeal all torture legislation.Barack, you said “Torture is never right.” Start saying that again.2) Abolish the Patriot Act and all related, un-Constitutional laws that deny Americans their human rights. Restore the Constitution of the United States.3) You said you would listen to me and to the Americans who didn’t vote for you, too. -- Great. Also listen to the people of Iraq, Syria, Pakistan, Afghanistan whose civilians are having their lives ended everyday by the U.S. military. As the Iraqi government has said this month, Iraq must not be used as a “center for U.S. aggression in the Middle East.”4) Listen to the rising voices of the Iraqi government, the Iraqi people, world leaders and your landslide election by the American people: Bring the troops home.5) You said you would negotiate with Iran. You will be held to your promise. No matter what blows up in this world and is blamed by the Bush Group on the government of Iran, Syria, Lebanon, etc., you must NOT be pressured by John Bolton, the New York Times, Fox News and all other Bush Soldiers to retaliate with UNEQUAL FORCE. You must TALK and NEGOTIATE with Iran. You must do this WITH accountable, world government bodies.6) You and Joe Biden say on your website that you support Israel 100%. – Fine. If you’re going to insist that 400 million American people need to be so involved in directing the course of the Middle East, then ALSO support and LISTEN TO the Arab/Muslim/Palestinian PEOPLE of Gaza, West Bank, Palestine. Stop supplying Israel with weapons. (The Lebanon War of 2006 was fought by Israel with U.S.-supplied weapons.) -- Lead NEGOTIATION between Israel and Palestine through a world government body.7) Abolish all un-Constitutional “emergency powers/martial law” legislation, starting with Presidential Directives HSPD-20 and NSPD 51 that were “passed” WITHOUT a vote from Congress in 2007, see the White House website for a description of these laws: http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2007/05/20070509-12.html8) Keep ALL forms of abortion legal and accessible to ALL women. Abortion is a human rights issue. Bombings of medical clinics is domestic terrorism.9) Decrease military spending and regulate private weapons manufacturers and private mercenary soldier training camps in the U.S.10) PROVIDE 100% PHYSICAL AND MENTAL MEDICAL CARE FOR ALL U.S.VETERANS.11) Keep separation of church and state. Defend the U.S. Constitution.12) Move toward creating a Peace Economy in America, not a War Economy.13) Fight lobbyists and special interests in Washington, as you said you would.
15) Do not let Congress be intimidated and rush legislation for the American people that has not been read by the U.S. Congress, as is the case with the Bailout Bill. -- See Texas Republican Congressman Michael Burgess and California Democratic Congressman Brad Sherman on youtube addressing this issue and "martial law" in Congress the day before the Bailout Bill was passed:Texas Republican Congressman Michael Burgess saying: "I understand that we're under martial law as declared by The Speaker of the House last night":http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l7B4laX1E70California Democratic Congressman Brad Sherman saying that Congress was "threatened with martial law" if they didn't pass the Bailout Bill:Brad Sherman: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HaG9d_4zij8Thank you, Aaron Kiely, American Citizen*******
Hello Folks, this morning I was listening to a local radio show, the Frank Beckmann on WJR NEWS AM 760
Two individuals were on air discussing the Michigan Proposal 1 which is about legalizing Medical Marijuana in our state.
Dianne Byrum is an advocate for the passage of Proposal 1 and Bill Schuette is opposed to passage of Proposal 1
The Michigan Coalition for Compassionate Care (MCCC) is a grassroots organization devoted to passing Proposal 1, the medical marijuana initiative on the November 2008 ballot. Proposal 1 will protect seriously ill Michiganders suffering from illnesses like cancer, HIV/AIDS, and multiple sclerosis from the threat of arrest and jail for simply trying to alleviate their pain.
During the conversation, Bill Schuette made the age old claim that Marijuana use is a Gateway drug which leads to use of much harder drug use. Dianne Byrum, who has never smoked Marijuana asked Bill Schuette if he had ever smoked Marijuana. He responded YES, when he was in High School. He graduated in 1972 which places him in High School during 1968-1972, the height of the Youth movement in America.
She then commented that his previous use didn't appear to lead him to using hard drugs as he suggests with his argument that marijuana is a Gateway drug.
Bill Schuette became furious at the revealing of his obvious hypocrisy and said the conversation shouldn't be about him but, about what danger this Proposal 1 presents to the youth of Michigan.
We know that ridiculous claims have always been made by opponents of legalization of Marijuana. What bothers me is not that some people are opposed to this well-written Proposal but, that they can not conduct a discussion on the merits of their opposition. They feel they must spread falsehood and rumors in an effort to defeat this Proposal.
Before I continue, I would like to present the actual language which Michagan voters will be presented with. Please refer back to this as this conversation progresses.
STATE PROPOSAL - 08-1
A LEGISLATIVE INITIATIVE TO PERMIT THE USE AND CULTIVATION OF MARIJUANA FOR SPECIFIED MEDICAL CONDITIONS:
The proposed law would:
Permit physician approved use of marijuana by registered patients with debilitating medical conditions including cancer, glaucoma, HIV, AIDS, hepatitis C, MS and other conditions as may be approved by the Department of Community Health.
Permit registered individuals to grow limited amounts of marijuana for qualifying patients in an enclosed, locked facility.
Require Department of Community Health to establish an identification card system for patients qualified to use marijuana and individuals qualified to grow marijuana.
Permit registered and unregistered patients and primary caregivers to assert medical reasons for using marijuana as a defense to any prosecution involving marijuana.
Should this proposal be adopted? YES □ NO □
Medical Marijuana In The News
When Dr. George Wagoner, a retired obstetrician/gynecologist from Manistee, saw the suffering his wife of 51 years was enduring from her battle with ovarian cancer last year, he turned to marijuana to ease her pain. "During her chemotherapy she experienced intense nausea, and conventional anti-nausea drugs didn't help much. One drug cost $46.20 a pill and didn't help," said Dr. Wagoner. "Another made her hallucinate, so she refused to take it. Basically, pharmaceutical drugs were ineffective and the marijuana -- just a very small dose -- was most effective."Dr. Wagoner and his wife are among many who have taken the path of using marijuana for medical purposes. However, in Michigan, they are breaking the law. On November 4, Ballot Proposal 1 will give Michigan voters the opportunity to legalize the use of marijuana for medical purposes. Currently, 12 other states have laws allowing the use of medical marijuana.
The above article goes on to describe the issues being brought up by the opposition.
One of the criticisms launched by those that oppose the legalization of medical marijuana is that it is simply just a step in the process for the outright legalization of marijuana.Those in opposition also point to a pharmaceutical drug, Marinol, that accomplishes the same result. They point to the fact that Marinol is prescribed in doses, whereas smoking marijuana is not a controlled dose.
One of the criticisms launched by those that oppose the legalization of medical marijuana is that it is simply just a step in the process for the outright legalization of marijuana.
Those in opposition also point to a pharmaceutical drug, Marinol, that accomplishes the same result. They point to the fact that Marinol is prescribed in doses, whereas smoking marijuana is not a controlled dose.
The Citizens Protecting Michigan's Kids point to their concerns if the proposal passes:
Allow use of marijuana without a doctor's prescription.Allow a person arrested on any marijuana offense to use a "medical marijuana" defense in court.Allow a flood of lawsuits over things such as whether doctors and hospitals must allow patients to smoke marijuana in a doctor's office or hospital room, despite every other law banning smoking.Allow the opening of pot shops and smoking clubs in neighborhood strip malls, like has happened in California under a similar proposal.
Allow use of marijuana without a doctor's prescription.
Allow a person arrested on any marijuana offense to use a "medical marijuana" defense in court.
Allow a flood of lawsuits over things such as whether doctors and hospitals must allow patients to smoke marijuana in a doctor's office or hospital room, despite every other law banning smoking.
Allow the opening of pot shops and smoking clubs in neighborhood strip malls, like has happened in California under a similar proposal.
Again, I ask you to refer to the Legislation above and compare it's language to the outragious claims being promoted by the opposition.
"I am not sure they have read the legislation, but everything they are suggesting has been addressed and they are taking half truths to scare the public,"
The use of medical marijuana under the proposed legislation would be only allowed for certain medical conditions and patients would have to receive authorization from their doctor to grow and smoke marijuana for their condition. The conditions covered, as well as some of the concerns from the opposition, are detailed in the legislation including the stiff penalties for violating marijuana laws.
Will pot be OK in workplace? ~ Foes say Prop 1 may allow use
LANSING - Newly organized opponents to Michigan's medical marijuana ballot proposal are raising red flags about the proposal, citing negative workplace implications if the measure passes.A memo issued last week says the proposed law permits marijuana use in the workplace and warns of potential consequences such as increased employer liability and the inability to discipline employees who use marijuana in accordance with the act's medical treatment purposes.But backers of Proposal 1 say the law clearly states that it does not require an employer to accommodate the ingestion of marijuana in the workplace or to accommodate any employee who is working under the influence of the drug."We don't believe it has any workplace impact," said Dianne Byrum, spokeswoman for the Michigan Coalition for Compassionate Care and partner at Byrum & Fisk Advocacy Communications in East Lansing.
PAID FOR WITH REGULATED FUNDS BY CITIZENS PROTECTING MICHIGAN'S KIDS
Police chief critical of marijuana measure
Howell Police Chief George Basar, president of the Michigan Association of Chiefs of Police, said Proposal 1 would make it easy for people to grow and use marijuana, and the lack of regulations would lead to more people, including children, using the drug.He said the message is, "If you feel bad, let's sit around and smoke marijuana and get high."Basar said there are associations of doctors, law enforcement and prosecuting attorneys opposed to this ballot issue.He also said this measure is really aimed at a more sweeping change."This is the nose under the tent to the general legalization of marijuana," Basar said.Supporters of the measure said that's not true.Former state lawmaker Dianne Byrum, spokeswoman for the Michigan Coalition for Compassionate Care, said a community-based effort pushed for the statewide referendum to provide an option for patients who are experiencing pain due to disease or illness.She said legalization is not the goal. She said other states have approved similar measures allowing for medical use of marijuana, and those states have not legalized marijuana.Byrum said she met with numerous law enforcement officials this year to explain the ballot question, and she said many called the proposal "well-written." She said these officials knew about the issue for seven months and questioned why they would suddenly organize a "campaign of misinformation and rhetoric" to oppose the proposal.
Howell Police Chief George Basar, president of the Michigan Association of Chiefs of Police, said Proposal 1 would make it easy for people to grow and use marijuana, and the lack of regulations would lead to more people, including children, using the drug.
He said the message is, "If you feel bad, let's sit around and smoke marijuana and get high."
Basar said there are associations of doctors, law enforcement and prosecuting attorneys opposed to this ballot issue.
He also said this measure is really aimed at a more sweeping change.
"This is the nose under the tent to the general legalization of marijuana," Basar said.
Supporters of the measure said that's not true.
Former state lawmaker Dianne Byrum, spokeswoman for the Michigan Coalition for Compassionate Care, said a community-based effort pushed for the statewide referendum to provide an option for patients who are experiencing pain due to disease or illness.
She said legalization is not the goal. She said other states have approved similar measures allowing for medical use of marijuana, and those states have not legalized marijuana.
Byrum said she met with numerous law enforcement officials this year to explain the ballot question, and she said many called the proposal "well-written." She said these officials knew about the issue for seven months and questioned why they would suddenly organize a "campaign of misinformation and rhetoric" to oppose the proposal.
Pot bill would bring chaos to MichiganCalifornia shows why medical marijuana is dangerousBy Bill Schuette and Daniel Michael • October 10, 2008
A decade ago, voters in California approved a proposal to legalize marijuana smoking for so-called "medical" purposes. Today, even the proposal's most vocal supporters admit the California law has resulted in "chaos," "pot dealers in storefronts" and millions of dollars being dumped "into the criminal black market."Proposal 1 on the Nov. 4 ballot in Michigan is just like the California law. While its stated intent, to help people in serious pain, is well meaning, Proposal 1's vague language, careless loopholes and dangerous consequences place Michigan communities and kids at risk. Michigan voters should reject it.For doctors and hospitals, those on the front lines of medical care, Proposal 1 is "bad medicine." For one thing, Proposal 1 doesn't require a prescription.Judge Bill Schuette is a member of the Michigan Court of Appeals. Dr. Daniel Michael is a Detroit neurosurgeon and speaker of the Michigan State Medical Society's House of Delegates.
A decade ago, voters in California approved a proposal to legalize marijuana smoking for so-called "medical" purposes. Today, even the proposal's most vocal supporters admit the California law has resulted in "chaos," "pot dealers in storefronts" and millions of dollars being dumped "into the criminal black market."
Proposal 1 on the Nov. 4 ballot in Michigan is just like the California law. While its stated intent, to help people in serious pain, is well meaning, Proposal 1's vague language, careless loopholes and dangerous consequences place Michigan communities and kids at risk. Michigan voters should reject it.
For doctors and hospitals, those on the front lines of medical care, Proposal 1 is "bad medicine." For one thing, Proposal 1 doesn't require a prescription.
Judge Bill Schuette is a member of the Michigan Court of Appeals. Dr. Daniel Michael is a Detroit neurosurgeon and speaker of the Michigan State Medical Society's House of Delegates.
OK, I realize it's a lot of reading but, I hope you have taken the time to review all the misinformation and rhetoric, deception and hypocrisy being perpetrated by those opposed to passage of Proposal 1.
Now, my simply presenting this information might be useful to a few readers of this article but, my hope is that you will take the information presented here and spread it around to others who care about this issue. We must combat this effort, each one of us so that their lies do not take root and serve to defeat this noble and compassionate legislation. Please send this article to anyone and everyone you know who can have an impact upon getting the word out on these tactics.
If you need truthful and honest information regarding this Proposal, please visit http://www.stoparrestingpatients.org/
Detroit Free Press, Detroit News, Lansing State Journal, Battle Creek Enquirer, Jackson City Patriot, and Detroit Metro Times Endorse Proposal 1
This is an issue of simple compassion and common sense, and is overwhelmingly supported by residents across the state - 67%, according to a September 2008 poll. And in each of five citywide medical marijuana votes - in Flint in 2007, Traverse City and Ferndale in 2005, and Ann Arbor and Detroit in 2004 - medical marijuana won in a landslide. To get involved today, please visit our Take Action page
Most importantly, please vote Yes on Proposal 1 on November 4, and encourage everyone you know to do the same!
In the spirit of full disclosure, I am a patient who will benefit from passage of Proposal 1. Yesterday I had to go to the Social Security office and take a number. I spent over 5 hours at the office and I had to make the decision not to take the synthetic morphine because I had to drive myself. That meant I spent over 8 hours in pain because I have no alternative. See I can't handle doing much of anything when I'm drugged up on the pain medication I'm given. When I do take the pain medication I'm given, the most I can do is sit in a chair and nod out off and on throughout the day. If I want to go grocery shopping, I have to skip taking my medication because I wouldn't be able to walk around the store.
Medical marijuana is not a miracle drug that is going to solve all our problems and, of course there are other drugs which patients will need to take but, mandating patients to taking only those drugs that are profitable to the Pharmacuticle Industry and the stock portfolio the doctors profit from isn't the answer.
This legislation is well-written and would allow me or, if needed, a caregiver I legally designate to grow my own Marijuana for my personal use. That means I won't be giving criminal enterprises money.
Please read the Legislation and do all you can to get the word out to vote YES on Proposal 1.
http://www.stoparrestingpatients.org/files/sap/L300-MILit-FINAL.pdf
http://www.stoparrestingpatients.org/videos
DEMOCRAT BY NECESSITY
I'm in total support for electing Barack Obama and Joe Biden. I've already voted for them at my home in Illinois. There is an open seat in my Congressional district (17th Illinois) and I've donated to and am working for Colleen Callahan, the Democratic contender for this office. I donated money to Elwin Tinklenberg in Minnesota after I heard the divisive bile spewed by his Republican opponent, Michelle Bachman.
My god! I've become a Democrat!
I've thought of myself as a non-partisan patriot in the past, but I now realize that with the archaic Electoral College system in place, we have a two-party system in the U.S. Third party candidates can virtually never be viable until we elect the President by popular vote. I doubt that I'll live to see that, even if it eventually happens.
SPREAD THE PROSPERITY NOT WEALTH
I heard Barack respond to "Joe the Partisan Shill" the other day and he used the term "spread the wealth around". This remark was twisted into 're-distribute the wealth' (which is what the Bailout did, what Social Security does, what taxes of any sort do), but the context of the conversation was really that Barack is in favor of 'spreading the prosperity' and seeing that everyone gets some piece of the pie. As it is, we are a social democracy and we don't agree that people should starve because they have been hurt by tough economic times.
"A return to prosperity" for all Americans. Does anyone really oppose that?
More about this later.
The democrats are more sounding like smart patriots and republicans are sounding like dumb patriots. What the country need is smart patriots. The dumb patriots always dance to the tune "drill baby drill". The smart patriots always dance to the tune "jobs baby jobs". Dumb patriots have their children pregent before they vote. The smart ones goes to college and then have children.
Please know who are the real patriots.
On October 4, The New York Times published a 2,140-word front-page article about Sen. Barack Obama's association with former Weather Underground member William Ayers -- at least the 18th Times article this year mentioning that association. But the Times has yet to mention, let alone devote an entire article to, Sen. John McCain's relationship with radio host and convicted Watergate burglar G. Gordon Liddy.
As Media Matters for America has noted, Liddy served four and a half years in prison in connection with his conviction for his role in the Watergate break-in and the break-in at the office of the psychiatrist of Daniel Ellsberg, the military analyst who leaked the Pentagon Papers. Liddy has acknowledged preparing to kill someone during the Ellsberg break-in "if necessary"; plotting to murder journalist Jack Anderson; plotting with a "gangland figure" to murder Howard Hunt to stop him from cooperating with investigators; plotting to firebomb the Brookings Institution; and plotting to kidnap "leftist guerillas" at the 1972 Republican National Convention -- a plan he outlined to the Nixon administration using terminology borrowed from the Nazis. (The murder, firebombing, and kidnapping plots were never carried out; the break-ins were.) During the 1990s, Liddy reportedly instructed his radio audience on multiple occasions on how to shoot Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms agents and also reportedly said he had named his shooting targets after Bill and Hillary Clinton.
Liddy has donated $5,000 to McCain's campaigns since 1998, including $1,000 in February 2008. In addition, McCain has appeared on Liddy's radio show during the presidential campaign, including as recently as May. An online video labeled "John McCain On The G. Gordon Liddy Show 11/8/07" includes a discussion between Liddy and McCain, whom Liddy described as an "old friend." During the segment, McCain praised Liddy's "adherence to the principles and philosophies that keep our nation great," said he was "proud" of Liddy, and said that "it's always a pleasure for me to come on your program."
Additionally, in 1998, Liddy reportedly held a fundraiser at his home for McCain. Liddy was reportedly scheduled to speak at another fundraiser for McCain in 2000. The Charlotte Observer reported on January 23, 2000, that McCain's campaign vouched for Liddy's "character":
His [McCain's] campaign officials said Liddy's character will appeal to many voters because he was following orders from President Nixon and kept silent afterward."His (Liddy's) judgment might be in question, but I don't think his character is," said Ed Walker, the York County chairman of McCain's campaign. "He was following orders just like any good soldier, and he didn't tell on anybody. He felt like he was on a mission and kept his silence."
His [McCain's] campaign officials said Liddy's character will appeal to many voters because he was following orders from President Nixon and kept silent afterward.
"His (Liddy's) judgment might be in question, but I don't think his character is," said Ed Walker, the York County chairman of McCain's campaign. "He was following orders just like any good soldier, and he didn't tell on anybody. He felt like he was on a mission and kept his silence."
Liddy's 2000 speech was reportedly canceled due to bad weather.
Media Matters has documented that as of September 19, the Times had published 15 news articles and four opinion pieces referencing Obama's ties to Ayers. Since then, in addition to the October 4 article, the Times has published two more articles mentioning the association.
But despite having apparently judged Chapman's opinions on the candidates' controversial associations as being newsworthy, the Times has ignored entirely McCain's relationship with Liddy, according to a search of the Nexis database from January 1 through October 4*.
In his May 4 Tribune column, Chapman wrote:
What McCain didn't mention is that he has his own Bill Ayers -- in the form of G. Gordon Liddy. Now a conservative radio talk-show host, Liddy spent more than 4 years in prison for his role in the 1972 Watergate burglary. That was just one element of what Liddy did, and proposed to do, in a secret White House effort to subvert the Constitution. Far from repudiating him, McCain has embraced him.How close are McCain and Liddy? At least as close as Obama and Ayers appear to be. In 1998, Liddy's home was the site of a McCain fundraiser. Over the years, he has made at least four contributions totaling $5,000 to the senator's campaigns -- including $1,000 this year.Last November, McCain went on his radio show. Liddy greeted him as "an old friend," and McCain sounded like one. "I'm proud of you, I'm proud of your family," he gushed. "It's always a pleasure for me to come on your program, Gordon, and congratulations on your continued success and adherence to the principles and philosophies that keep our nation great."Which principles would those be? The ones that told Liddy it was fine to break into the office of the Democratic National Committee to plant bugs and photograph documents? The ones that made him propose to kidnap anti-war activists so they couldn't disrupt the 1972 Republican National Convention? The ones that inspired him to plan the murder (never carried out) of an unfriendly newspaper columnist?Liddy was in the thick of the biggest political scandal in American history -- and one of the greatest threats to the rule of law. He has said he has no regrets about what he did, insisting that he went to jail as "a prisoner of war."All this may sound like ancient history. But it's from the same era as the bombings Ayers helped carry out as a member of the Weather Underground. And Liddy's penchant for extreme solutions has not abated.[...]Given Liddy's record, it's hard to see why McCain would touch him with a 10-foot pole. On the contrary, he should be returning his donations and shunning his show. Yet the senator shows no qualms about associating with Liddy -- or celebrating his service to their common cause.How does McCain explain his howling hypocrisy on the subject? He doesn't. I made repeated inquiries to his campaign aides, which they refused to acknowledge, much less answer. On this topic, the pilot of the Straight Talk Express would rather stay parked in the garage.That's an odd policy for someone who is so forthright about his rival's responsibility. McCain thinks Obama should apologize for associating with a criminal extremist. To which Obama might reply: After you.
What McCain didn't mention is that he has his own Bill Ayers -- in the form of G. Gordon Liddy. Now a conservative radio talk-show host, Liddy spent more than 4 years in prison for his role in the 1972 Watergate burglary. That was just one element of what Liddy did, and proposed to do, in a secret White House effort to subvert the Constitution. Far from repudiating him, McCain has embraced him.
How close are McCain and Liddy? At least as close as Obama and Ayers appear to be. In 1998, Liddy's home was the site of a McCain fundraiser. Over the years, he has made at least four contributions totaling $5,000 to the senator's campaigns -- including $1,000 this year.
Last November, McCain went on his radio show. Liddy greeted him as "an old friend," and McCain sounded like one. "I'm proud of you, I'm proud of your family," he gushed. "It's always a pleasure for me to come on your program, Gordon, and congratulations on your continued success and adherence to the principles and philosophies that keep our nation great."
Which principles would those be? The ones that told Liddy it was fine to break into the office of the Democratic National Committee to plant bugs and photograph documents? The ones that made him propose to kidnap anti-war activists so they couldn't disrupt the 1972 Republican National Convention? The ones that inspired him to plan the murder (never carried out) of an unfriendly newspaper columnist?
Liddy was in the thick of the biggest political scandal in American history -- and one of the greatest threats to the rule of law. He has said he has no regrets about what he did, insisting that he went to jail as "a prisoner of war."
All this may sound like ancient history. But it's from the same era as the bombings Ayers helped carry out as a member of the Weather Underground. And Liddy's penchant for extreme solutions has not abated.
[...]
Given Liddy's record, it's hard to see why McCain would touch him with a 10-foot pole. On the contrary, he should be returning his donations and shunning his show. Yet the senator shows no qualms about associating with Liddy -- or celebrating his service to their common cause.
How does McCain explain his howling hypocrisy on the subject? He doesn't. I made repeated inquiries to his campaign aides, which they refused to acknowledge, much less answer. On this topic, the pilot of the Straight Talk Express would rather stay parked in the garage.
That's an odd policy for someone who is so forthright about his rival's responsibility. McCain thinks Obama should apologize for associating with a criminal extremist. To which Obama might reply: After you.
And in an August 22 blog post about an anti-Obama ad highlighting Obama's association to Ayers, Chapman wrote:
But conservatives may not want to draw attention to the issue of ties to violent radicals -- since John McCain is longtime pals with convicted Watergate burglar Gordon Liddy, who once plotted a journalist's murder (which was never carried out) and has advocated the shooting of federal law enforcement agents.If Obama needs to answer questions about Ayers, McCain has the same obligation regarding Liddy. How about they both get started?
But conservatives may not want to draw attention to the issue of ties to violent radicals -- since John McCain is longtime pals with convicted Watergate burglar Gordon Liddy, who once plotted a journalist's murder (which was never carried out) and has advocated the shooting of federal law enforcement agents.
If Obama needs to answer questions about Ayers, McCain has the same obligation regarding Liddy. How about they both get started?
From The New York Times' October 4 article "Obama and '60s Bomber: A Look Into Crossed Paths":
Their relationship has become a touchstone for opponents of Mr. Obama, the Democratic senator, in his bid for the presidency. Video clips on YouTube, including a new advertisement that was broadcast on Friday, juxtapose Mr. Obama's face with the young Mr. Ayers or grainy shots of the bombings.In a televised interview last spring, Senator John McCain, Mr. Obama's Republican rival, asked, "How can you countenance someone who was engaged in bombings that could have or did kill innocent people?"[...]Since earning a doctorate in education at Columbia in 1987, Mr. Ayers has been a professor of education at the University of Illinois at Chicago, the author or editor of 15 books, and an advocate of school reform."He's done a lot of good in this city and nationally," Mayor Richard M. Daley said in an interview this week, explaining that he has long consulted Mr. Ayers on school issues. Mr. Daley, whose father was Chicago's mayor during the street violence accompanying the 1968 Democratic National Convention and the so-called Days of Rage the following year, said he saw the bombings of that time in the context of a polarized and turbulent era."This is 2008," Mr. Daley said. "People make mistakes. You judge a person by his whole life."That attitude is widely shared in Chicago, but it is not universal. Steve Chapman, a columnist for The Chicago Tribune, defended Mr. Obama's relationship with the Rev. Jeremiah A. Wright Jr., his longtime pastor, whose black liberation theology and "God damn America" sermon became notorious last spring. But he denounced Mr. Obama for associating with Mr. Ayers, whom he said the University of Illinois should never have hired."I don't think there's a statute of limitations on terrorist bombings," Mr. Chapman said in an interview, speaking not of the law but of political and moral implications."If you're in public life, you ought to say, 'I don't want to be associated with this guy,' " Mr. Chapman said. "If John McCain had a long association with a guy who'd bombed abortion clinics, I don't think people would say, 'That's ancient history.' "
Their relationship has become a touchstone for opponents of Mr. Obama, the Democratic senator, in his bid for the presidency. Video clips on YouTube, including a new advertisement that was broadcast on Friday, juxtapose Mr. Obama's face with the young Mr. Ayers or grainy shots of the bombings.
In a televised interview last spring, Senator John McCain, Mr. Obama's Republican rival, asked, "How can you countenance someone who was engaged in bombings that could have or did kill innocent people?"
Since earning a doctorate in education at Columbia in 1987, Mr. Ayers has been a professor of education at the University of Illinois at Chicago, the author or editor of 15 books, and an advocate of school reform.
"He's done a lot of good in this city and nationally," Mayor Richard M. Daley said in an interview this week, explaining that he has long consulted Mr. Ayers on school issues. Mr. Daley, whose father was Chicago's mayor during the street violence accompanying the 1968 Democratic National Convention and the so-called Days of Rage the following year, said he saw the bombings of that time in the context of a polarized and turbulent era.
"This is 2008," Mr. Daley said. "People make mistakes. You judge a person by his whole life."
That attitude is widely shared in Chicago, but it is not universal. Steve Chapman, a columnist for The Chicago Tribune, defended Mr. Obama's relationship with the Rev. Jeremiah A. Wright Jr., his longtime pastor, whose black liberation theology and "God damn America" sermon became notorious last spring. But he denounced Mr. Obama for associating with Mr. Ayers, whom he said the University of Illinois should never have hired.
"I don't think there's a statute of limitations on terrorist bombings," Mr. Chapman said in an interview, speaking not of the law but of political and moral implications.
"If you're in public life, you ought to say, 'I don't want to be associated with this guy,' " Mr. Chapman said. "If John McCain had a long association with a guy who'd bombed abortion clinics, I don't think people would say, 'That's ancient history.' "
All of the above information was delivered to me in an e-mail today.
http://mediamatters.org/items/200810040004
Do you believe the comparison is accurate and deserving ?
Should Senator John McCain come clean on this issue ?
My friends, I wish to ask the question, why Senator McCain seems to have embarked upon a spiteful campaign whereby he intends to achieve victory through a campaign of gratuitous cruelty?
A great leader should be able to present their ideas and policy proposals as if they do not have any competition. Relying upon the merit of their ideas and policies to garner the votes necessary to win. Senator John McCain seems to be relying upon a tactic of merely tearing apart his opponents life and character as a means of attaining victory despite his lack of ideas and policies which might be beneficial to the American People.
Senator Barack Obama has lead his campaign with thoughtfully revealing his plan of action, his policies and vision in hopefully bringing social justice to the American people. Wanting each of us to prosper and grow as citizens. He has challenged us to participate in this movement towards achieving social justice, allowing for the result of all boats rise with the tide.
Senator Obama has been able to develop innovative approaches to challenge the status quo and get results. Americans are tired of divisive ideological politics, which is why Senator Obama has reached out to Republicans to find areas of common ground. He has tried to break partisan logjams and take on seemingly intractable problems. During his tenure in Washington and in the Illinois State Senate, Barack Obama has accumulated a record of bipartisan success.
http://www.johnmccain.com/Informing/Multimedia/
I invite you to click the above link to John McCain & Sarah Palin website.
They offer nothing except gratuitous cruelty as their platform in tempting you to vote for them. Nothing about their plans for America, just mean-spirited campaign ad's which are designed to tear down the opponent. What type of campaign is that ?
Each one ends with "I'm John McCain and I approve this message"
White House Looks For New Strategy In Afghanistan
Morning Edition, October 2, 2008 · The Bush administration is drawing up a new strategy for Afghanistan, an effort that comes as the top U.S. commander there, Gen. David McKiernan, issues another call for more troops to help stem the insurgency.
When the U.S. military first entered the country in late 2001, it made some quick and impressive gains, toppling the Taliban and driving them from their strongholds.
Since then, with the White House focused mainly on Iraq, the situation in Afghanistan has steadily deteriorated. McKiernan, the overall commander of NATO forces in Afghanistan, says this past year has been particularly bad.
"I think we are in a very tough fight - a tough counterinsurgency fight," McKiernan says. "We're [at] a higher level of violence this year than we were this time last year. We are seeing a greater amount of insecurity in certain areas. The idea that it might get worse before it gets better is certainly a possibility."
continued . . .
Barack Obama's plan for AFGHANISTAN & PAKISTAN
Joe Biden interviews Gen. Petraeus on Iraq, Iran, Afghanistan (Part 1)
Joe Biden interviews Gen. Petraeus on Iraq, Iran, Afghanistan (Part 2)
Biden: Afghanistan Needs Two More Battalions
Biden and Graham On Afghanistan and Iraq
White House Looks For New Strategy In Afghanistan ~ October 2, 2008
John McCain: Speech 11/05/03
JOHN MCCAIN: "[...] There has been a rise in al Qaeda activity along the border. There has been some increase in U.S. casualties. I am concerned about it, but I'm not as concerned as I am about Iraq today, obviously, or I'd be talking about Afghanistan. But I believe that if Karzai can make the progress that he is making, that -- in the long term, we may muddle through in Afghanistan."
Yes John, the United States of America has indeed muddled through, so far.
Barack Obama Responds to John McCain ~ February 27, 2008
Folks, join me in the renewal of The American Promise
Sincerely, Richard Owl Mirror
(Washingtonpost.com) This story was written by Karl Vick.
Gov. Sarah Palin maintained a private e-mail account that she used to communicate with a small circle of staff members outside the state government's secure official e-mail system, according to the Wasilla company that established the site.The account was separate from the Yahoo e-mail address that was abruptly abandoned by the John McCain campaign on Sept. 17, the day hackers penetrated the account and posted pages from it on the Internet. Palin had routinely used her Yahoo address for state business.
~
The existence of additional private e-mail accounts may affect two state probes into whether Palin, her husband and her staff attempted to influence the job status of a state trooper who divorced Palin's sister.It also raises more questions about Palin's record of commingling the official and personal. The Yahoo inbox posted on the Internet contained family photos, notes from well-wishers and official state correspondence on pending legislation.
Awareness of the state and federal statutes and regulations pertaining to records management ensures compliance with applicable laws.
http://www.kshs.org/government/records/stategovt/recordslaw.htm
This section of the manual includes the state statutes and administrative regulations that agencies encounter most often during the course of business. Four major laws govern the creation, use, and disposition of state government records:
ALASKA GOVERNMENT RECORDS PRESERVATION ACT
AS 40.21: MANAGEMENT & PRESERVATION OF PUBLIC RECORDS.
AS 40.21 requires the orderly management of current local public records and preservation of noncurrent public records that have permanent historical value. AS 40.21.070 says "the governing body of each political subdivision of the state shall promote the principles of efficient records management for local public records..." Moreover, perAS 29.20.380(4) the municipal clerks shall "manage municipal records and develop retention schedules and procedures for inventory, storage and destruction of records." Local Government General Records RetentionSchedule #300 is a tool municipal clerks and other officials (AS 40.21.080) may utilize to assist in determining how long to retain records created or received in the conduct of their respective responsiblities.
AS 40.21 requires the orderly management of current local public records and preservation of noncurrent public records that have permanent historical value. AS 40.21.070 says "the governing body of each political subdivision of the state shall promote the principles of efficient records management for local public records..." Moreover, per
AS 29.20.380(4) the municipal clerks shall "manage municipal records and develop retention schedules and procedures for inventory, storage and destruction of records." Local Government General Records Retention
Schedule #300 is a tool municipal clerks and other officials (AS 40.21.080) may utilize to assist in determining how long to retain records created or received in the conduct of their respective responsiblities.
S. 3477: Presidential Historical Records Preservation Act of 2008
Historians: Stop Bush/Cheney From Destroying Presidential Records
- The White House is "missing as many as 225 days of e-mail dating back to 2003 and there is little if any likelihood a recovery effort will be completed by the time the Bush administration leaves office."
The Use of RNC E-Mail Accounts by White House Officials
The Oversight Committee has been investigating whether White House officials violated the Presidential Records Act by using e-mail accounts maintained by the Republican National Committee and the Bush Cheney ‘04 campaign for official White House communications.
Can America afford FOUR more Years of the same ?
In all our history, 14 vice presidents have become president. Thomas Jefferson was our vice president for one term and president for two. Five men got elected president after they were vice president - four inherited the office when the president died and another four got the job when the president was assassinated. I had forgotten that many presidents were killed. Gerald Ford got the job after Nixon resigned under fire of course.
List of Vice Presidents of the United States
This List of Vice Presidents of the United States includes those who have served since the first administration in 1789 and as recently as the current administration in 2008. It includes the home state of the officeholder as well as when he took office, left office and the political party that he belonged to.
There are 18 instances where the office of the Vice-president went vacant for a period of time.
25th Amendment to the United States Constitution
Section 1.In case of the removal of the President from office or of his death or resignation, the Vice President shall become President.Section 2.Whenever there is a vacancy in the office of the Vice President, the President shall nominate a Vice President who shall take office upon confirmation by a majority vote of both Houses of Congress.Section 3.Whenever the President transmits to the President pro tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives his written declaration that he is unable to discharge the powers and duties of his office, and until he transmits to them a written declaration to the contrary, such powers and duties shall be discharged by the Vice President as Acting President.Section 4.Whenever the Vice President and a majority of either the principal officers of the executive departments or of such other body as Congress may by law provide, transmit to the President pro tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives their written declaration that the President is unable to discharge the powers and duties of his office, the Vice President shall immediately assume the powers and duties of the office as Acting President.Thereafter, when the President transmits to the President pro tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives his written declaration that no inability exists, he shall resume the powers and duties of his office unless the Vice President and a majority of either the principal officers of the executive department or of such other body as Congress may by law provide, transmit within four days to the President pro tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives their written declaration that the President is unable to discharge the powers and duties of his office. Thereupon Congress shall decide the issue, assembling within twenty-one days after receipt of the latter written declaration, or, if Congress is not in session within twenty-one days after Congress is required to assemble, determines by two-thirds vote of both Houses that the President is unable to discharge the powers and duties of his office, the Vice President shall continue to discharge the same as Acting President; otherwise, the President shall resume the powers and duties of his office.
Each of the past ten Presidents of the United States has either had influence on, invoked, or been at least affected or influenced by, the 25th Amendment and its provisions?
DWIGHT EISENHOWER saw a need to have a plan for his Vice President (Richard Nixon) to act in his stead if he became disabled.
JOHN KENNEDY's tragic assassination on November 22, 1963 shook a nation, and paved the way for the amendment's passage.
LYNDON JOHNSON helped the effort to get the 25th Amendment ratified, making it Sen. Birch Bayh's bill among his legislative priorities.
RICHARD NIXON became the first to invoke Section 2's provisions following Spiro Agnew's resignation, and ultimately, those of Section 1 as well by submitting his own.
GERALD FORD is unquestionably the 25th Amendment's greatest beneficiary, rising from relative obscurity to the White House.
JIMMY CARTER wasn't directly affected by the 25th Amendment, but its been reported that in seeking his 1980 Vice Presidential running mate, some candidates were passed over in part due to health issues.
RONALD REAGAN became the first to invoke Section 3's provisions on July 13, 1985. Unfortunately, in the eyes of most scholars of the amendment, he did it four years too late.
GEORGE H.W. BUSH is our nation's first-ever Acting President, serving on July 13, 1985. A staunch opponent of the amendment, Bush would be elected President himself in 1988, and encounter a situation where he almost invoked it himself.
WILLIAM J. CLINTON was perhaps least affected by the 25th Amendment, but still had at least one situation where its invocation was discussed during his administration.
GEORGE W. BUSH became the most recent President to invoke the provisions of Section 3, doing so twice during his administration, transferring executive authority to Vice President Cheney.
Let us examine the two candidates who currently may be placed in this position as Vice-president of the United States.
Sarah Louise Heath Palin
Joseph Robinette "Joe" Biden, Jr.
There are two obvious conditions with the Presidential candidates our nation has put forth, Senator Barack Obama is plagued by the question (animosity/bigotry) of Race. It is within the realm of possibility that some nut job could attempt to assassinate him. Senator John McCain has the unfortunate prospects brought about by being elderly as well as poor health, surviving cancer 4 times.
These two facts make the possibility of the invoking of the 25th Amendment more likely during this next Presidential term.
Who is more qualified to serve as President in case of vacancy in the office of the Presidency ? Sarah Louise Heath Palin Joseph Robinette "Joe" Biden, Jr.
Who is more qualified to serve as President in case of vacancy in the office of the Presidency ?
Republicans Cry Foul Over Media Coverage of Palin
Majority say coverage of Palin, and of McCain, has been unfairly negative
The pundit-fueled firestorm around media coverage of John McCain's running mate Sarah Palin is evident in Americans' highly mixed views on the subject. About the same proportion of Americans say media coverage of Palin has been unfairly negative (33%) as say it has been about right (36%). An additional 21% say coverage of her has been unfairly positive.
Conservative bloggers are up in arms over the MSM's coverage of the Republican Convention:
Wolf Blitzer and the rest of the CNN team seized every possible opportunity to put down and criticize the Republican message and tonight's speakers - and to belittle Sarah Palin as much as possible, even though she didn't even speak tonight. Every single point and every element of the Republican message tonight was criticized, not just explained or reported, but criticized or totally framed to be negative.
Should the Media boycott coverage of McCain/Palin ?
Since the McCain/Palin campaign doesn't like the media, ridicules them for doing a fair and balanced job in reporting facts to the American people. And then the announcement today by the McCain/Palin campaign that Sarah Palin will be made available for public scrutiny when they are damn good and ready, not a moment before.
I believe with an attitude like that, the media should boycott all news and visuals of the McCain/Palin campaign until they allow a proper vetting of the candidate by the people of this country, whom they are asking for support.
Biden Challenges McCain Camp To Stop Sequestering Palin "She's a smart, tough politician," Biden told Tom Brokaw in a "Meet the Press" interview live from Wilmington, Del. "So I think she's going to be formidable. Eventually, she's going to have to sit in front of you like I'm doing and have done. Eventually, she's going to have to answer questions and not be sequestered. Eventually, she's going to have to answer on the record."
http://www.jedreport.com/2008/09/biden-challenges-mccain-to-sto.html
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FdDqSvJ6aHc
Palin denies, then allows reporters at UN meetings
Gov. Sarah Palin initially denied reporters from being present during her visit to the United Nations, however, after much protest she reversed her position and allowed reporters in on the meetings.
NEW YORK (AP) - Republican vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin, who has not held a press conference in nearly four weeks of campaigning, initially barred reporters from her first meetings with world leaders Tuesday, but reversed course after they protested.At first, campaign aides told the TV producer, print and news agency reporters in the press pool that followed the Alaska governor that they would not be admitted along with still photographers and a video camera crew taken in to photograph her meetings with Afghan President Hamid Karzai and Colombian President Alvaro Uribe, who are here for the United Nations General Assembly this week. She also was to meet later with former Secretary of State Henry Kissinger.These sessions and meetings scheduled for Wednesday are part of the Republican campaign's effort to give Palin experience in foreign affairs. She has never met a foreign head of state and first traveled outside North America just last year.At least two news organizations, including The Associated Press, objected to the exclusion of reporters and were told that the decision was not subject to discussion. Presidents and members of Congress routinely allow reporters to attend photo opportunities along with photographers and the reporters sometimes are able to ask questions during the brief photo sessions, usually held at the beginning of private meetings.CNN, which was providing the television coverage for news organizations, decided to pull its TV crew from the first meeting, with Karzai, effectively denying Palin the high visibility she had sought. But after the campaign agreed to let CNN's producer in as well, the CNN camera crew joined the session.According to the CNN producer who was let into Karzai's hotel suite with the photographers just before noon, Karzai was talking about his son. Palin was nodding, and asked what his name is. Karzai replied his name was Mirwais and explained that it means light of the house.The media were escorted out after about 40 seconds.Campaign aides subsequently announced that reporters would be allowed to accompany photographers into the later sessions with Uribe and Kissinger.At that point, campaign spokeswoman Tracey Schmitt said it was all just a "miscommunication." Earlier, she had said, "The decision was made for this to be a photo spray with still cameras and video cameras only."Palin has been criticized for avoiding taking questions from reporters or submitting to one-on-one interviews. She has had just two major interviews since Republican presidential candidate John McCain chose her as his running mate on Aug. 29. Report from the Associated Press
NEW YORK (AP) - Republican vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin, who has not held a press conference in nearly four weeks of campaigning, initially barred reporters from her first meetings with world leaders Tuesday, but reversed course after they protested.
At first, campaign aides told the TV producer, print and news agency reporters in the press pool that followed the Alaska governor that they would not be admitted along with still photographers and a video camera crew taken in to photograph her meetings with Afghan President Hamid Karzai and Colombian President Alvaro Uribe, who are here for the United Nations General Assembly this week. She also was to meet later with former Secretary of State Henry Kissinger.
These sessions and meetings scheduled for Wednesday are part of the Republican campaign's effort to give Palin experience in foreign affairs. She has never met a foreign head of state and first traveled outside North America just last year.
At least two news organizations, including The Associated Press, objected to the exclusion of reporters and were told that the decision was not subject to discussion. Presidents and members of Congress routinely allow reporters to attend photo opportunities along with photographers and the reporters sometimes are able to ask questions during the brief photo sessions, usually held at the beginning of private meetings.
CNN, which was providing the television coverage for news organizations, decided to pull its TV crew from the first meeting, with Karzai, effectively denying Palin the high visibility she had sought. But after the campaign agreed to let CNN's producer in as well, the CNN camera crew joined the session.
According to the CNN producer who was let into Karzai's hotel suite with the photographers just before noon, Karzai was talking about his son. Palin was nodding, and asked what his name is. Karzai replied his name was Mirwais and explained that it means light of the house.
The media were escorted out after about 40 seconds.
Campaign aides subsequently announced that reporters would be allowed to accompany photographers into the later sessions with Uribe and Kissinger.
At that point, campaign spokeswoman Tracey Schmitt said it was all just a "miscommunication." Earlier, she had said, "The decision was made for this to be a photo spray with still cameras and video cameras only."
Palin has been criticized for avoiding taking questions from reporters or submitting to one-on-one interviews. She has had just two major interviews since Republican presidential candidate John McCain chose her as his running mate on Aug. 29. Report from the Associated Press
Apparently the McCain-Palin campaign's initial attempts to block the media from covering Palin's meeting at the UN meetings and then subsequent brief allowance, which was under a minute and only for photographers, has caused many in the media to ban any use of photography or camera for the events.
Today, the McCain campaign had said it would allow only one editorial person inside. Now, the campaign is saying it wants only the camera inside with no editorial presence. All of the networks are objecting. Stay tuned.11:30 AM Update: The networks have voted to BAN any use of the photographs/video in protest.12 Noon: Word has come in that a CNN producer WILL be allowed to accompany the camera at these meetings. This issue appears to be resolved.
Today, the McCain campaign had said it would allow only one editorial person inside. Now, the campaign is saying it wants only the camera inside with no editorial presence. All of the networks are objecting. Stay tuned.
11:30 AM Update: The networks have voted to BAN any use of the photographs/video in protest.12 Noon: Word has come in that a CNN producer WILL be allowed to accompany the camera at these meetings. This issue appears to be resolved.
Palin Still Behind Closed Doors
Since her VP nomination, Sarah Palin has avoided any non-scripted appearances with the media, save the September issue of People Magazine. While Biden, Obama, and McCain all appeared on Sunday policy-driven interviews, Sarah Palin remained behind closed doors.
"There's no doubt in my mind that the McCain campaign would like to run out on the clock on this," said David Chalian, ABC News.
According to Katharine Zaleski of the Huffington Post, September 2, 2008:
The Intrade prediction market has opened trading on whether "Sarah Palin [is] to be withdrawn as Republican VP nominee before 2008 presidential election." At 8:55 am, Tuesday morning, the market is selling the prediction at 18 a share and rising. That means 18 percent of traders think there is a chance that Palin will be removed from the ticket.Intrade predicted Joe Biden would be Barack Obama's running mate in August and its traders were also correct about every Senate race in 2006. It fell flat in predicting a Democratic majority.
The Intrade prediction market has opened trading on whether "Sarah Palin [is] to be withdrawn as Republican VP nominee before 2008 presidential election." At 8:55 am, Tuesday morning, the market is selling the prediction at 18 a share and rising. That means 18 percent of traders think there is a chance that Palin will be removed from the ticket.
Intrade predicted Joe Biden would be Barack Obama's running mate in August and its traders were also correct about every Senate race in 2006. It fell flat in predicting a Democratic majority.
Has the McCain/Palin campaign made a drastic mistake in Sequestering Palin ?
White men in DC saving white men on Wall Street
As details of the highly unpopular bailout plan are tweaked and leaked, it's time the we taxpayer ask ourselves, who are these Congressional saviors, and why do they look exactly like CEOs they're saving?
List of United States political families
List of political families in the United Kingdom
One of the great mysteries of human evolution: the oddness of Europeans.
As the news broke of the Lehman Brothers meltdown and the rest of the latest financial crisis, John McCain, speaking at a campaign rally in Florida on Monday, angrily declared,We will never put America in this position again. We will clean up Wall Street. This is a failure.And in a statement released by his campaign, McCain called for greater "transparency and accountability" on Wall Street.If McCain wants to hold someone accountable for the failure in transparency and accountability that led to the current calamity, he should turn to his good friend and adviser, Phil Gramm.
As the news broke of the Lehman Brothers meltdown and the rest of the latest financial crisis, John McCain, speaking at a campaign rally in Florida on Monday, angrily declared,
We will never put America in this position again. We will clean up Wall Street. This is a failure.
And in a statement released by his campaign, McCain called for greater "transparency and accountability" on Wall Street.
If McCain wants to hold someone accountable for the failure in transparency and accountability that led to the current calamity, he should turn to his good friend and adviser, Phil Gramm.
Swiss bank paid McCain co-chair to push agenda on U.S. mortgage crisis
For more reasons than one, We need Change we can Believe in
Barack Obama cares for more than insuring the financial viability of the political families of America, he cares about YOU, the Middle Class working people.
He cares for the poor among us and is willing to lend a hand of support to those in need.
When is the last time the political families of America reached down to lend you a hand ?
http://www.youtube.com/user/BarackObamadotcom
http://www.barackobama.com/index.php
YES WE CAN !
~@~ National Security Debate ~@~
There are many facets which make up National Security and Immigration, I would like to focus on the E-Verify program @ the U.S. Dept of Homeland Security and it's effects on immigrants and refugees.
E-Verify (formerly the Basic Pilot/Employment Eligibility Verification Program) is an online system operated jointly by the Department of Homeland Security and the Social Security Administration (SSA). Participating employers can check the work status of new hires online by comparing information from an employee's I-9 form against SSA and Department of Homeland Security databases. More than 69,000 employers are enrolled in the program, with over 4 million queries run so far in fiscal year 2008.
E-Verify is free and voluntary, and is the best means available for determining employment eligibility of new hires and the validity of their Social Security numbers.
Employment Eligibility Verification and Antidiscrimination Protections
NILC Advocacy and ServicesSince 1979, the National Immigration Law Center (NILC) has been dedicated to protecting and promoting the rights of low income immigrants and their family members. In the past 20 years, NILC has earned a national reputation as a leading expert on immigration, public benefits, and employment laws affecting immigrants and refugees. Our extensive knowledge of the complex interplay between immigrants' legal status and their rights under U.S. laws is an essential resource for legal aid programs, community groups, and social service agencies across the country.
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NILC's Website.Our website contains NILC memos and analyses, articles from our newsletters indexed by topic, community education materials, and links to key organizational and government web sites.
http://www.nilc.org/immsemplymnt/ircaempverif/
http://www.cato.org/videohighlights/index.php?highlight_id=84
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=10X7BO6uvPoFact-checking Glenn Beck
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=10X7BO6uvPo
Fact-checking Glenn Beck
Immigration of individual human-beings across imaginary borders has occurred throughout mankind's existence. Hunters and Gatherers crosses into competitors fields and farms. Industrious human-beings create commerce opportunities, which in turn demands the employ of a workforce. I believe my description is an example of a basic human right.
This function within any society should not be impeded yet, it must be managed due to National Security concerns. It is obvious that the one requirement necessary to manage such a function is the ability to identify all individuals who are within our National borders. With the advent of technology, this task has become easier. The core problem with implementing such a program so it functions efficiently is cooperation by all parties.
I do not believe the millions of people who cross over our border, under extremely dangerous conditions are all criminals. It's simply the method of least resistance due to the rules for application of entry to our country is impossible for most to comply.
I have advocated that using technology such as an Identification card which can be produced as easily as we obtain our drivers licenses, preferably one-day service which would be valid for a 6-month employment stay could relieve this problem.
This identification card could also be used as the holders Employment ID card at their place of employment. As easily as an ATM card, the user slides it when they are clocking in and again when clocking out at the end of the day. This way, the government can verify constant employment and be alerted if the individual is not complying with the agreement for obtaining the entry card.
Most immigrants come to America to work as seasonal workers, therefore I believe a 6 month time-frame would be an agreement those seeking entry would voluntarily comply with. Cooperation is the key to success.
I believe granting honest, hard-working people the opportunity to purchase this entry card for $183 plus a background check, would relieve much of the problem of illegal immigration. Employers would be more able to be in 100% compliance with the Immigration laws because they need only opt-in to using the Immigration Time Clock system. Naturally there would be penalties for non-compliance yet, I believe companies would welcome such a solution as a safeguard against improperly being accused for hiring illegal workers. Perhaps we could also collect $1.00 for every hour worked by a migrant worker rather than them paying into Social Security. This money could be designated towards a specified program or budgetary need.
What have the candidates said about resolving the National Security implications of Immigration ?
http://www.barackobama.com/ vs. http://www.johnmccain.com
