Wednesday, December 29, 2004

Need MORE ways to help?

As the death toll rises, along with the realization of how many people are still missing, here are a few MORE ways to donate (thank you Doug and Dan and Fred):

http://www.ifrc.org/helpnow/donate/donate_response.asp


American Red Cross
Contributions should be sent to

International Response Fund
P.O. Box 37243
Washington, D.C. 20013

For more information about donating, call 800-435-7669.
For information about friends or relatives who may have been affected, call 866-438-4636
Asia Relief
The Maryland-based nonprofit organization is accepting donations of cash, nonperishable food, clothing and toys for victims in Sri Lanka.
Donations should be dropped off or mailed to

Asia Relief
19409 Olive Tree Way
Gaithersburg, MD 20879

Contact Rizwan Mowlana at 301-672-9355 for more information.
Association for India's Development Inc.
The Maryland-based nonprofit organization is accepting cash donations to help relief work in India.
Contributions can be made on the Web at AidIndia.org or mailed to

AID Zone 3
P.O. Box 4801
Mountain View, Calif., 94040-0801,

with checks made payable to AID.
Contact Priya Ranjan at 301-422-4441 for more information.
Tsunami Relief Inc.
The Virginia-based nonprofit group has been set up to help victims in Sri Lanka.
Donors can call 703-934-6922 or mail checks payable to Tsunami Relief Inc. to

9302 Lee Hwy.
Fifth Floor
Fairfax, Va. 22031

B'nai B'rith International
Donations can be made online at BnaiBrith.org or mailed to

B'nai B'rith Disaster Relief Fund
2020 K St. NW, Seventh Floor
Washington, D.C. 20006

More information about donations to humanitarian organizations can be found on the U.S. Agency for International Development's Web site, USAid.gov.
Donors can also call the Center for International Disaster Information at 703-276-1914.

And for you New Yorkers, Staten Island apparently has what could be the largest Sri Lankan population in the country. There is a Buddhist Vihara there taking donations of clothes and food and money and they have also put together this website:

http://www.aidlanka.org/

IN OTHER NEWS...

One of the saddest things about this whole tragedy is how, many lives could have been saved if they had simply been warned ahead of time...and they could have been...see Bloggerman:

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/6210240/

And we all know that Abu Graib was the tip of the iceberg, but, thanks to a Wonkette headline "But we kept it secret for so long..." you can go this below link and see this story on just how bad it really all was/is over there:

http://www.reason.com/links/links122704.shtml

And did ANYONE notice that there was this blip in the news about how Bush actually signed an "executive order" for torture, but then it all went away...like they'd like it to...along with the election, but that's another link...luckily this guy is mentioning that Bush actually indeed signed the paperwork here (*"what's so wrong with it? what do you mean we don't do this all the time?...and they really are just a bunch of heathens that tried to kill my Daddy...")

Wonkette also includes today an article on the Ohio recount which shows that Kerry gained votes...but still lost...I'm still up for that roadtrip to DC Inauguration Day, if you ask me:

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=519&e=17&u=/ap/ohio_vote

and to continue the tragedy of the day, Jerry Orbach, who for many years was there for me on Wednesday nights on Law & Order (chung chung!) past away last night from prostate cancer. He was 69.

AND The Yankees are getting Randy Johnson (at least Randy says so, but then again A-Rod was all ready to go to Boston this year and look what happened there...)

In the "couldn't we use a chuckle right now?" category, Wonkette wins again as they have provided a link to The Conservative Book Service which has a new documentary out about Ann Coulter...all I could think of was how anyone with an AVID editing machine could REALLY have a lot of fun...and must let me know if they do...

http://www.conservativebookservice.com/BookPage.asp?prod_cd=c6290&sour_cd=CEE034701

just the idea that you can (this is from the site, people):
• Learn about her childhood in -- and flight from -- the suburbs
• Hear Ann talk about how her mother still sends her Easter baskets every year
• Find out about Ann’s passion for such rock bands as the Grateful Dead and the Ramones

KILLS me! And the Ramones (save for the one still alive) must be rolling in their graves...

In the meantime, pass it on, pass it on, pass it on and send some money, clothes and love to East Asia.

Peace --Alex

Tuesday, December 28, 2004

forgot to mention...

you must all go to www.wonkette.com if only to read about the latest Craig's List ad of note AND this blip from Ann Coulter:

To The People Of Islam:
Just think: If we'd invaded your countries, killed your leaders and converted you to Christianity YOU'D ALL BE OPENING CHRISTMAS PRESENTS RIGHT ABOUT NOW!
Merry Christmas

Will someone PLEASE get that woman a cookie and a labotomy?

Peace my children :)

--Alex

OY!

Cause yes, there are other things going on in the world besides watching the Bush horror show here:

If you have been living in a cave and have not heard about the desperate situation in Thailand/Sri Lanka/Sumatra/India, etc, check all the papers and the TV as it is all over the place, and rightfully so. If you want to help, here are a few links that should be useful:

www.faithfulamerica.org

www.disasternews.net

www.truemajority.org

www.churchworldservices.org

IN OTHER NEWS:

In the "sound familiar" file we put in this story from the New York Times. Youshenko in the Ukraine, after the re-vote, ended up with 52% of the vote...and, of course, his Russian-backed opponent is challenging...

http://www.nytimes.com/2004/12/28/international/europe/28ukraine.html?th

And just cause he wants to make sure we all know that he's still around, Osama Bin Laden has released yet ANOTHER audio tape, where, according to one pundit, he sounds like he's a little jealous of the attention Chief Insurgent Al-Zarqawi's been getting in Iraq. He's saying the Al-Zarqawi is his man in Iraq and that the Sunni boycott of the election is all his doing. *"yeah, see, they all listen to me, man...yeah, that's it...cause I'm still here, baby! Yeah. Sure the Ignorant American Infidel got Saddam, but I'm still here! And Zarqawi, he's my bitch! I mean "emir", and you should also listen to him cause he is my voice in Iraq, yeah, that's the way it all works...Who's your Daddy?"*

http://www.nytimes.com/2004/12/28/international/europe/28ukraine.html?th

And cause Rumsfeld just can't help saying stupid things right now...he apparently gave the 9/11 conspiracy theorists a wicked big Christmas present when, while addressing soldiers on Christmas Eve, made a reference to Flight 93...and how it was "shot down" by the terrorists. Of course, a spokesperson said that Rummy just "misspoke"...oh Rummy, you gotta stop doin' that! (no matter how much it amuses us and can get you fired)

http://www.cnn.com/2004/US/12/27/rumsfeld.flt93/index.html

that's right, keep diggin' that hole...

And here's something Rummy's not going to like to hear, let alone his boss (I have a feeling that George is not hearing about this story from his people...). Major Kathy Kaus, a Reservist from Ohio was recently released from a Navy brig and is seeking clemency because she and her fellow officers, in order to perform a mission, went "scrounging" for proper equipment. They needed to deliver fuel to another unit and felt that their equipment was insufficient, so they went and took a couple of abandoned tractor trailers and stripped parts from an abandoned truck...and they ended up in the brig for it. The people were doing just what Rumsfeld suggested-working with the army they have, not the one they want-and they end up court-martialed...welcome to our administration, people...


http://www.cnn.com/2004/US/12/27/soldiers.scrounging.ap/index.html

AND OF COURSE CAUSE I CAN'T LEAVE WITHOUT MENTIONING ELECTION STUFF...

The latest from Bloggerman can be read right here:

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/6210240/

Cause Kerry is the most cautious politician we know...GAH!

In the meantime...KEEP E-MALING!!!! and Pass It On, my friends!

Peace --Alex

Monday, December 27, 2004

if you can't make it to DC Jan 20th...

How about this silent protest my friend Cherry alerted me to:

Inauguration Day, Silent Protest
>>
>>
>>
>> Since our religious leaders will not speak out against the war in
>> Iraq, since our political leaders don't have the moral courage to
>> oppose it, Inauguration Day, Thursday, January 20th, 2005 is "Not
>> One Damn Dime Day" in America.
>>
>>
>>
>> On "Not One Damn Dime Day," those who oppose what is happening in
>> our name in Iraq can speak up with a 24-hour national boycott of all
>> forms of consumer spending.
>>
>> During "Not One Damn Dime Day" please don't spend money. Not one
>> damn dime for gasoline. Not one damn dime for necessities or for
>> impulse purchases. Not one damn dime for anything for 24 hours.
>>
>> On "Not One Damn Dime Day," please boycott Walmart, KMart and
>> Target. Please don't go to the mall or the local convenience store.
>> Please don't buy any fast food (or any groceries at all for that
>> matter).
>>
>> For 24 hours, please do what you can to shut the retail economy
>> down. The object is simple. Remind the people in power that the war
>> in Iraq is immoral and illegal; that they are responsible for
>> starting it and that it is their responsibility to stop it.
>>
>> "Not One Damn Dime Day" is to remind them, too, that they work for
>> the people of the United States of America, not for the
international
>> corporations and K Street lobbyists who represent the corporations
>> and funnel cash into American politics.
>>
>>
>> "Not One Damn Dime Day" is about supporting the troops. The
>> politicians put the troops in harm's way. Now 1,200 brave young
>> Americans and (some estimate) 100,000 Iraqis have died. The
>> politicians owe our troops a plan -- a way to come home.
>>
>> There's no rally to attend. No marching to do. No left or right
>> wing agenda to rant about. On "Not One Damn Dime Day" you take
action
>> by doing nothing. You open your mouth by keeping your wallet closed.
>> For 24 hours, nothing gets spent, not one damn dime, to remind our
>> religious leaders and our politicians of their moral responsibility
>> to end the war in Iraq and give America back to the people
>>
>>
>> PLEASE PASS ON

cause everything happens...

while I'm away...(at least things just happen; it's not like when Countdown producer Greg Kornick goes away, people die...you must see his response at Bloggerman (the link will be below))

I was having a lovely time in Massachusetts (yes, I am a screaming liberal from Massachusetts and I live in New York City...I have no validity with a die-hard Red Stater), visiting my family, catching up with friends and listening to Stephanie Miller as she updated us all on the election fraud issues among other things...AND I HAD NO INTERNET ACCESS!!! (which some of you may actually be glad about :p). So now it's catch-up time...

THE LATEST:

Rep. John Conyers, according to Stephanie Miller-apparently claimed on the Ed Shultz show this past week that he has MORE THAN ONE SENATOR ready to sign off on a formal challenge of the election. I'm thinkin', juuust in case, you might want to e-mail,call, fax, write your senators and make sure they're on the short list there. Details are still being worked out, but it looks like there may actually BE a formal challenge as Rep. Maxine Walters-according to Keith Olbermann-has said she would sign off on the challenge as the House signatory. Again, time to e-mail, call, fax, write your Congressfolk and make sure this all happens.
ALSO, just now, Olbermann, back from vacation, has just added a new entry (good thing I had to start late due to over 2600 pieces of SPAM in my work mailbox) about one of John Kerry's Ohio lawyers very strong statement from last Thursday about how all this really has to be looked into even MORE now due to the "severely compromised" recount in Ohio (i.e. the tech guy from Triad saying he needed to fix a machine and asked what precincts had voted on it-such a question, by the way, is a no-no) Check out details at:

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/6210240/

and then write back to Keith and say "I love you Keeeeeith, oh yes I dooooo..."


No matter what happens in Congress there WILL be a protest January 3rd in Ohio. You wanna be there? Be there with United For Peace and Justice:

www.unitedforpeace.org

They are also planning for January 6th protests in DC (and at your Congressfolk's offices in your home towns if you choose) as well as a HUGE rally on Inauguration Day (I personally hope to head down to DC for that one. Most likely, from what I have heard about security, we'll be placed in Arlington, VA or some place even further off, but I'm all for heading down-road trip anyone?)

IN THE MEANTIME....

There's HOPE ladies and gentleman. In Kiev, Youshenko has a strong lead over his Russian-backed opponent in the re-vote there. Despite the voter fraud HERE by the Republican party, you gotta give them this: they did not try to put Dioxin in Kerry's coffee...that we know about.

http://www.cnn.com/2004/WORLD/europe/12/27/ukraine.vote/index.html

AND, if you hadn't heard this last week, Democratic candidate Christine Gregoire, who had asked for a recount in the gubernatorial race in Washington state, ended up with a 130 vote LEAD after a recount which included a bunch of ballots from a heavily Democratic county that had been "disputed", but the state Supreme Court said "Count 'em" so they did and Gregoire got 311 more votes; her opponent only 191-the balance gave her 120 extra votes to add to the 10 vote lead she already had after a recount without the King county ballots. Of course, the Republicans are appealing. Notice how the Republicans always FIGHT the recount?

http://www.cnn.com/2004/ALLPOLITICS/12/23/wash.gov/index.html


And speaking of Republicans trying to fight for their jobs, despite the fact that Bush thinks that Rumsfeld is doing a "superb job", more than one Republican senator has declared that they have "no confidence" in the man, particularly after the whole "you go with the army you have, not the army you want" AND the "auto-pen" debacles. Gotta love how Rummy suddenly appeared in not only Iraq but at Landshul Hospital in Germany this past week shaking hands and thanking soldiers for all their hard work. Yeah, I'd like to have been a fly on the wall when that trip was planned. *"Um, Don?" - "Yeah, Karl?" -"I think it's time you made a trip-" - "Oh Karl, I'll sign the letters, I promise! Don't make me go back there!" - "Don...you'll sign the condolence letters by hand-in fact, here's some to take with ya- AND you're going back to Iraq...and Germany-" - "The HOSPITAL?!?! Oh come on! You heard the President, he said he knows my heart-" - "Yes, but the soldiers don't, and neither does the press, so it's time to take a trip, Don. Don't worry, we got one of those NEW Humvees for ya... now go pack up, the plane's leaving in an hour..."*

Speaking of doing things you don't like...as I have previously mentioned, it appears that the administration doesn't like to announce certain passed bills or laws or have press conferences during regular hours. While I was out, Bush had his press conference, making his statement about Rumsfeld's callous behaviour ("I have seen the anguish in his eyes...I know his heart") at NOON on a weekday and THEN the day before Christmas Eve, they released the new forestry rules: basically he's paring down environmental law AGAIN, but you can see the details here at:

http://www.nytimes.com/2004/12/23/politics/23forest.html?th

you'd think that if this were a good thing, they might announce it when people are PAYING ATTENTION...oh wait, I forgot, this is the W's administration...

AND speaking of wacky things Bush won't give on...the tax cuts. We've got a war, the highest deficit in history, but the tax cuts will HELP (really they WILL!) as well as Bush's changes to the tax code...save for the $37 BILLION that those changes will take from New York State alone, thus spake Senator Chuck Shumer today (according to WNYC). Have you checked out how YOUR state will fare under these new rules? Have your Congresspeople?!?!? You might want to mention that to them when you e-mail, call, fax, write them about the election fraud, the forest issue, Iraq, and whatever else you have on your mind.

http://www.nytimes.com/2004/12/27/nyregion/27taxes.html?th

Such as the fact that if you have kids going to college or plan on going back to school, don't think that that Pell Grant is going to help as much as it could.

http://www.nytimes.com/2004/12/23/education/23pell.html?th

Yeah, education's real important, unless you have no money and need financial help. Why raise taxes when we can take money from Pell Grants...oh and from FOOD AID.

http://www.kintera.org/site/pp.asp?c=irKQL0NSE&b=275581&sid=43982053

cause didn't you know, that particularly in RECENT YEARS, the US is the stingiest nation when it comes to foreign aid *them foreigners should take care of themselves...we got our own people to fatten up...*

http://www.nytimes.com/2004/12/23/opinion/23thurs1.html?th

and a reminder to people who think that these countries who need the help just need to pull up their bootstraps and help themselves. The funds they are to recieve are to help them become SELF-SUFFICIENT. And when such nations live in less poverty, with less disease, they tend to have less anger and hopelessness, which leads to them being less apt to fall into the traps of extremism, which leads to less genocide and less terrorism, etc etc etc. If each of the G-7 nations gave up less than one percent of their GNP, you could virtually wipe out hunger in Africa and other poor nations (according to Unicef and the Audrey Hepburn Foundation--feel free to check my details--and may I mention that Norway is already up to .92 percent over the last couple of years?). Yet somehow, the Bush administration can't seem to find the money...at least, not for poor people...in Africa or here.

ON A LIGHTER NOTE...cause after all that we could use a chuckle... CNN.com again provides me with the fav morning headline of the day: "Naughty Kids Christmas Gifts Sold On E-Bay"..see for yourself at:

http://www.cnn.com/2004/US/12/27/ebay.gifts.ap/index.html

and please send a thank you to the guy at www.smokinggun.com who came up with the "O'Reilly Approved Loofa" that you could buy that someone special for Christmas (belated Hanukkah, Solstice, Kwanzaa, etc)

And to this member of Red Sox Nation...sing along with me..."Happiness.. is signing Jason Varitek, making him Captain.." Yes, the Sox sealed the deal with Tek this past week AND, Tom Brady redeemed himself for the Miami Horror and helped his team beat the Jets yesterday 23-7 (the many injured on the team now have the opportunity to heal up over the bi-week)

This will conclude today's rant save for my request that you KEEP E-MAILING!!!!! E-mail, call, fax and write your friends, family, the press and your Congresspeople!!! Again, I say, why should Ukrainians have all the fun? Let them know that you are paying attention and want to be heard! Pass it on, pass it on, pass it on!

Peace --Alex


Thursday, December 16, 2004

RANT RANT RANT!

Okay...it's the Holiday season...it is time for peace and love and understanding...but checking the paper today and knowing that this is a time to help out your neighbor, well you'll see why I'm a little pissy this morning.

IN THE GOOD NEWS DEPARTMENT:

If ever there was a time to check all your details and then e-mail, fax, call, NAG your Congressfolk, it's NOW. According to Keith Olbermann, John Conyers was on Countdown last night and said that he and others are "prepared" to take the next step, which is a formal challenge of the electors, before things get all wrapped up on January 6th. He apparently has yet to talk to a Senator (remember 2000, folks; they only need ONE), but looks like they'll be looking. Think your Senator might be the one? CALL THEM! And if you didn't think the Republicans were in on this, even Rep. Bob Ney (R) of Ohio apparently claimed last week that he is looking into this as well (guess he's been getting a few calls and e-mail from his people, maybe...). Start making calls, people. And check the latest on Bloggerman:

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/6210240/


IN THE MEANTIME...

Okay, brace yourselves...here come the reasons to rant:

I believe I mentioned a passage or so ago how it appears that Bush's cabinet nominees can't seem to get by without some major issue in their backround. Bernard Kerik was the real kicker, but Alberto Gonzalez is now being challenged by ex-military lawyers due to Gonzalez's memos alleging approval of torture and abuse at Abu Ghraib prison, among other places. *no, that's okay..they're all just terrorists and they're used to that stuff...and if it's not okay, well we can always rewrite this little law here...* See the article for yourself at:

http://www.nytimes.com/2004/12/16/politics/16jag.html?th

And there's yet another report that proves that them kids at charter schools don't read so good:

http://www.nytimes.com/2004/12/16/education/16charter.html?th

I want to see how Miss Spellings takes to that!

Speaking of leaving our children behind, how's diverting funds from child vaccinations to adult flu shots?

http://www.nytimes.com/2004/12/16/health/16flu.html?th

Look, I understand not wanting to raise taxes, but when you're swapping funds around like this...LOOK, I'll PAY dammit! And as the British factory that had the flu shot contamination this year could potentially be shut down, could you PLEASE get over this French thing and take the vaccine from them, cause they actually have PLENTY (I mean, if that's what your so worried about..particularly now that Jenna will be around all those unvaccinated children...)

To put in the "Good Lord, he's still HERE?!?!" file, yes, the man that ACTUALLY ATTACKED US has put out a new video for our viewing pleasure...cause, well, he's not Bush's priority...

http://www.cnn.com/2004/WORLD/meast/12/16/bin.laden.tape/index.html

As I rode in the subway yesterday morning I overheard this piece of conversation between two ministers, one of whom was trying to recruit the other into military chaplain service (he had just gotten back from a recent trip to Iraq).

"Yeah, they need your help over there..."
"So what's the endgame?"
"The what?"
"The endgame...the exit-"
"The exit plan?"
"Yeah"
"Tell you the truth, I don't think he got one. I think, you know, that this was something he did for his Daddy, you know?..."
You THINK?!?!

And speaking of Iraq and the soldiers left without an exit plan...

http://www.nytimes.com/2004/12/16/national/16stress.html?th

Ah yes, we know about the dead, there have been blips on the news about the wounded and then we hear NOTHING about the psychological casualties *now recalling the Gulf soldier I used to write to who said he "drank that part of his life away"*

ON A LIGHTER NOTE...

It is the holiday season and Laura Bush apparently has been showing off the decorations, though, according to a blip at wonkette, one noticed the mysterious absence of the one of the Presidential portraits: "A friend of mine just got the chance to get a White House tour, and she really wanted to see President Clinton's portrait close up. She couldn't find it, and an usher quietly told her that it had been taken down to make room for Christmas decorations. But there was Bush 41 and Reagan still on the wall."
things that make you go "hmmmmmmmm...."

AND speaking of things that make you go "I beg your pardon?" (and cause CNN.com always has something for me in the morning) Despite my addiction to certain Vegas-based guilty pleasure TV shows, I am not a casino person, and it's a good thing as here's the proof that you never quite know what those surveillance guys are really lookin' at:

http://www.cnn.com/2004/US/12/15/sneaky.surveillance.ap/index.html

So as you finish up your shopping and cards, don't forget to KEEP E-MAILING!! Particularly as Conyers could use our support right now in the fight. E-mail, call, write, fax your friends and family, the press and your Congresspeople. Get the word out! There are SOME people paying attention and there need to be more! And as always, pass it on, pass it on, pass it on :)

Peace --Alex


Wednesday, December 15, 2004

Conyers and the New York Times

There is a small article in the New York Times today titled "Lawmaker seeks inquiry into Ohio vote". Yes, John Conyers has made an official request to the FBI to look into voting irregularities, particularly during the recount (mainly in relation to an affidavit from a county deputy director of elections mentioning a questionable machine adjustment moment). It looks like, while all the forums Conyers has been holding may have been informal, they've had enough name-power behind them (himself, Jesse Jackson and the GAO) that they are finally getting heard about. You can see the Olbermann response and the links to that article as well as to an article in the Washington Post at:

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/6210240/

IN THE MEANTIME...

I think I mentioned yesterday that three Medals of Freedom were given out...to Tommy Franks, Paul Bremer and George Tenet. I'm still wondering what they did to deserve medals of freedom..oh wait, they said "Iraq? YEAH, that's a GREAT idea!"

Here's the top headline for the "DUH!" file today. Front page of the New York Times: "Missteps Cited in Kerik Vetting By White House" You think? Please welcome those folks to the Center of the Obvious.

http://www.nytimes.com/2004/12/15/politics/15home.html?th

In the "articles that catch your eye category" we have this headline at cnn.com: "Jenna Bush to teach at DC Public School"

http://www.cnn.com/2004/US/12/15/jenna.bush.ap/index.html

www.wonkette.com

(I include the wonkette link as there are more details about where she will be teaching so you can decide whether or not you really want to send your child to that school)
That's right, she's thrown away the fake ID's and is out to mold minds and profess to our impressionable youth. (...wait...sorry, okay, I've stopped laughing now...can i help it if my first thought is her teaching kids how to make really pretty jello shots in arts and crafts?)

And what will Jenna be doing when not teaching? E-MAILING!!!! That's right, remember to e-mail your friends, family, the press and your Congressfolk so they know that you are paying attention and what this all looked into! It's in the Times and the Washinton Post and needs to be elsewhere, so pass it on, pass it on, and pass it on.

Peace --Alex

Tuesday, December 14, 2004

Did I just hear correctly?

Okay...the other day I mentioned how on the Daily Show, Jon Stewart and Steven Colbert were discussing how-at least when it came to Rumsfeld- the way to keep your job at the White House was to "fail miserably". Well it appears that that is how you also get yourself a Medal of Freedom. Bush gave out three medals today...one of them to..of all people...George Tenet.

GEORGE TENET?!?!?!?!

We just are all going to hell, aren't we? George Tenet got the medal of freedom for one of the worse intelligence records (pun initally not intended) ever...but he supported Bush at the right time and all the time therefore this gets you more than a gold star...it gets you the frickin' Medal of Freedom. Thank God NPR happened to mention that "the three awardees were all strong supporters of the President when he decided to go to war in Iraq..." DUH!

And people complained about Clinton letting a few people sleep in the Lincoln Bedroom!

okay, that's my rant for the afternoon :)

Peace --Alex

Monday, December 13, 2004

The Big Day

So the Electoral College is meeting today and tossing in their votes. Protests are planned in Ohio at the state capital, and you'd THINK, someone may want to talk about this. Surprisingly, not even Olbermann has an entry today, but that may come later after his crack staff gets all the details. In the meantime, there is at least a blip on:

www.wonkette.com

and at:

http://www.cnn.com/2004/ALLPOLITICS/12/13/ohio.electoralcollege.ap/index.html

IN THE MEANTIME...

cause, like with the throat-impalement story, there are some stories you just know you are drawn to. Last week I mentioned the celebrity Nativity at Madame Tussaud's in London, which has caused quite the bit of fire and brimstone from "the Catholics, Anglicans and Presbyterians", and of course, a story like that can't die. A protester apparently came in over the the weekend and knocked over Joseph (David Beckham) and Mary (Posh Spice)...now I ask you, offended as you may be, is that really in the spirit of Christmas?

http://www.cnn.com/2004/WORLD/europe/12/13/beckhams.nativity.reut/index.html

I just want to know why they pushed "Becks and Posh" over and not Blair and Bush...

ANYWAY...if you hadn't heard it all over the news over the weekend, Bernard Kerik, the Homeland Security guy Bush chose dropped out due to not witholding taxes for his [most likely illegal immigrant] nanny. Today, they are also talking about how he most likely has ALSO had two extra-marital affairs. What I love is that no one's been talking recently about his connection to Taser International, a stun-gun company in which he has heavily invested and which has been wanting to expand their business into facets of Homeland Security. hmmmmm...yeah no conflict of interest there:

http://www.nytimes.com/2004/12/10/politics/10kerik.html?th

The Village Voice also did a report on him and some of his skeevier business deals which includes this quote from a Newsday reporter that has been covering him: "He couldn't run the Rikers commissary without getting greedy and making a mess, in a jam," Ellis Henican reported one corrections insider as saying. "Now he's gonna be in charge of the Department of Homeland Security? Let's just hope the terrorists don't decide to come back."

Added Henican, "He's a personal and professional time bomb the Bushies will learn to regret." perhaps, the Bushies got the idea already and asked him to politely withdraw...

http://www.villagevoice.com/issues/0449/mondo1.php

Is there NO ONE in that man's cabinet who doesn't appear to not only be a "yes" man but has some sketchy business deals in their history?

Well, if you're sick of it all and just want to hit somebody try this:

http://www.bushbop.com/

Looks like it would make a great last minute Hanukkah/Christmas/Kwanzaa/Yule gift as well :)

On a more peaceful note, you oughta check out this article from the Times about an artist embedded with the troops:

http://www.nytimes.com/2004/12/13/arts/design/13kino.html?oref=login&pagewanted=2&th

And what keeps the peace? E-MAILING! to friends, family, the press and your Congressfolk! Keep getting the word out, ladies and gentleman and perhaps we'll finally have some sort of regulated, national voting system at long damn last...and the "irregularities" will show this President and his people for what they are. Pass it on, pass it on, pass it on :)

Peace --Alex

Thursday, December 09, 2004

Congressionalese

I am a receptionist, therefore, like a politician, I know how to say something very politely ("I'm sorry, so and so is in a meeting right now, but I could put you through to their voicemail..") rather than say something like "there is no way in hell you are ever gonna talk to so and so because you are an annoying a**". Apparently, a forum was held by Conyers yesterday about the voting issues and he and Jesse Jackson, Jr. had an exchange that, when roughly translated from Congressionalese turns out like this:

Jackson: So, if the votes aren't tallied properly in time before the electoral college meets, we're going to exercise our Congressional right to a formal objection, am I right?

Conyers:...yep, I think that's an option...

Though you really should read all the details on Bloggerman (We love you Keith, oh yes we doooo, we love you Keith and we'll be truuuue)

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/6210240/

He reminds us, that no matter how scant or overwhelming the evidence, or what comes of all this, that to make the statement is what it is to be patriotic and a conscious member of this nation.


IN THE MEANTIME...

Besides the voter issue, Keith brings up Rummy's rough time yesterday when asked by a soldier why they don't have proper equipment. Rumsfeld himself says that he is glad to hear from the soldiers: “I think it’s good” that ordinary soldiers are given a chance to express their concerns to the secretary of defense and senior military commanders, Rumsfeld told reporters during a visit to the India.

“It’s necessary for the Army to hear that, do something about it and see that everyone is treated properly,” Rumsfeld said, referring not only to the complaint about insufficient armor but also another soldier’s statement about not getting reimbursed for certain expenses in a timely way. (from MSNBC.com)

yeah, it is necessary for you to hear that, Mr. Rumsfeld and maybe even DO something about it (insert rant here) as Spec. WIlson's former wife said (as quoted from Bloggerman)"Rumsfeld's answer seemed like he was sidestepping around the question. If there is something lacking, perhaps that is why our death toll is climbing."
You THINK?!

There are a lot of good quotes from this "town hall" with the soldiers such as "I would feel safer in a Volvo than I would in one of these Humvees." [from Wonkette.com] yeah that oughta be good for the Hummer business...

What I love is that, despite it being front page news on nearly ever other paper, The New York Sun deosn't see it as that pressing an issue, apparently *uppity soldiers complaining that they got ANYthing from the army. Heck when I was in the army we were lucky to have socks..what's with this body armor crap?*

Speaking of remembering our soldiers...yesterday was the anniversary of Pearl Harbor and I can't believe I forgot to mention that particularly as one Congresswoman who signed the new Intelligence Reform Bill mentioned how reform was made after the intelligence failure of Pearl Harbor and how this had to be arranged to prevent another 9/11 AND I am reading a book about the Bataan Death March right now. It has been one of those experiences where I look up from the pages and think to myself that 1) I have NOTHING to complain about in life and 2) how we can dare put our men and women in the armed forces unnecessarily into harm's way (insert new rant here)...

ON A HAPPY NOTE...A Canada court took after Massachusetts and said "You know, you're right, a ban on gay marriage IS unconstitutional" You can see the rest of the story at:

http://www.cnn.com/2004/WORLD/americas/12/09/canada.gay.ap/index.html


All right...once again they are making me do my job here, hence the delay, but remember, whether they are making you do your job or not KEEP E-MAILING!! Congress is talking about the voter fraud issue and they need to know that WE are paying attention. E-mail, call, write, fax your Congresspeople, friends and family and the press and, as always, pass it on, pass it on, pass it on :)

Peace --Alex

Wednesday, December 08, 2004

Rummy agreed to stay, why?

Nothing on Bloggerman as yet, and no news from the world of Stephanie Miller (will someone PLEASE call the Jones Network for whom she and Ed Shultz work and make them open up a frequency for these people in NYC?). No news from Common Cause either about their lawsuit though apparently they did present a report on voter fraud and such in DC yesterday. You can see more of that at:

www.commoncause.org

I like to figure there's nothing today just cause everybody's too busy counting...

IN THE MEANTIME...

Rumsfeld, who agreed to stay on another four years as Secretary of Defense, did something yesterday his boss-and his boss' people-do everything in their power to avoid; held a question and answer session after speaking to around 2,300 soldiers in an attempt to boost morale. Well, he'll probably never do that again, particularly after he got this question from one soldier: "Why do we soldiers have to dig through local landfills for pieces of scrap metal and compromised ballistic glass to uparmor our vehicles?" The soldier got uproarious applause from the rest of the crowd and Rumsfeld was left to ask "I'm sorry could you repeat the question?"

http://www.cnn.com/2004/WORLD/meast/12/08/rumsfeld.troops.ap/index.html

When this was discussed on the Daily Show last night, I believe the lines between Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert were: "So, it appears that the only way to keep your job at the White House is to fail at it" - "Not just fail, Jon, but fail miserably." I have a feeling that Rumsfeld will now also avoid question and answer sessions if at all possible. *personally I can just see him snapping at some crowd of soldiers next time that happens "Now, do you know who I am? I am your boss! I work for THE PRESIDENT! And if he wants your ass in battle, your ass is in BATTLE, who cares WHAT it's FOR! All you sissies talking about wanting to go home and you don't have enough armor; bunch of babies... Now you are gonna stay in Iraq til that mess is cleaned up, do I make myself CLEAR? I said do I make myself CLEAR?!?!"*

And speaking of the military not always taking care of it's own, or at least taking it's time...IT ONLY TOOK TEN YEARS, but the Air Force has released a report on the sex scandal where more than 150 women complained about harrassment and assault at the Air Force Academy *don't you realize that you chicks shouldn't be in the military anyway?!*

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/6672893/

Also, they seem to be trying to one up each other at Craig's list. First there was the guy who wanted to meet a Republican to "beat the shit out of", then we had to lonely Kerry guy who wanted to "spoon" with somebody compassionate, and now...well this one takes the cake. I agree with the site owner that it may just be the listing of the year. You can see it at:

www.wonkette.com

At Wonkette you also have to go if only for the lead photo of George talking with "world leaders"...

Speaking of world leaders, who woulda thought that Madame Tussaud's in London would have arranged such a tableau for them. They have arranged a celebrity nativity that includes David Beckham as Joseph, his wife "Posh" Spice as Mary, and Tony Blair, the Duke of Edinburough, and George W. Bush are "The Three Wisemen" (with the popularity of these guys in England being close to nil, I am sure that this HAD to be a joke). You can see the whole story, shocking the Catholics at:

http://www.cnn.com/2004/WORLD/europe/12/08/beckhams.nativity.reut/index.html

*anyone notice that W. looks clueless even in wax? or was that the point...*

LAST BUT NOT LEAST...I was talking to my friend Siobhan last night and she told me a story that I feel has to be shared.
Her mom, despite being a born and raised city girl, is very crafty, and went to a basket convention (yes, they warrant a convention) in Ohio recently. Apparently, while at a ho-down held during the convention (yes, an actual ho-down, I tell no lie), other women started talking about George W., to which my friend's liberal mom replied "Not in my house!" Apparently, this was not the proper response as the woman was then "nearly jumped at the ho-down"...at a basket convention. Watch out for those Republican basketweavers, man *"I'll macrame your ass, you latte drinkin', New York liberal elitist!"* and yet this is further proof that I need to find out what the hell Karl Rove put in the water in the red states.

So ladies and gentleman what can we learn from the stories today? KEEP E-MAILING! It took YEARS for the 9/11 Intelligence reform bill to get written and passed. It has taken ten years to get the Air Force thing taken care of...and with the report DNC wants to put out about election irregularities, it'll take at least a year, but people need to know and you need to spread the word, so keep e-mailing! call, write, fax, e-mail your friends family, the press and your Congressfolk! And, as always, pass it on, pass it on, pass it on!

Peace --Alex


Tuesday, December 07, 2004

We've been certified...

and now it all begins. According to Bloggerman this morning, Sec. Blackwell certified the results of the Ohio vote yesterday afternoon-where Bush won not by 136,000, but by 119,000-and right after the Glibs said "RECOUNT!" Meanwhile, Cliff Arnebeck of Common Cause said "um, can you wait til Wednesday? We should have our suit to overturn the first count due to voting irregularities and most likely illegal behaviour from Ken Blackwell himself ready to file then." In the meantime, DNC head Terry McCauliffe has said that the Democratic will "spend whatever it takes" to find out what the hell happened to the last election in a study that will most likely take all of next year. AND a bunch of the 15 dems on the Judiciary Committee have decided to hold a "forum" about voting irrgularities (almost sounds like their having tea), but are asking exit poll guru Warren Mitofsky to "testify in a hearing we will be holding"...well, hold my cucumber sandwich, if that don't sound a little serious. We shall see what entails...

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/6210240/

IN THE MEANTIME...

Let's find out which guys from the CIA end up being let go after this report saying that the situation in Iraq is "deteriorating" and can't continue the way it's going.

http://www.nytimes.com/2004/12/07/international/middleeast/07intell.html?th

don't they know that "Freedom is on the March?"

And speaking of Bush continuing to get rid of people who don't agree with him, the latest getting the ax includes the now former chairwoman of the Civil Rights Panel. (why do I keep hearing the phrase "badges? we don't need no stinkin' badges!")

http://www.nytimes.com/2004/12/07/politics/07civil.html?th

Dick Cheney and Donald Rumsfeld decided to hold up that facade in Afghanistan today as Hamid Karzai was sworn in as President of Afghanistan today. Mind you, the Taliban is no longer over there, and the people got to vote (and they got out there)...there are good things happening over there...save for the poppy business running at it's highest levels ever and the fact that OSAMA BIN LADEN is still trekking the hills there. (I do not envy this man's job...to try to do something for your country and be under the thumb of the twin brothers of darkness...yikes).

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/6662082/

I just love how that MSNBC has to mention that the swearing in was held "under tight security"...this is what happens when everybody hates you...and this might not have happened had you not isolated our allies and actually gone after Bin laden rather than going into Iraq-but I digress...

To put into the "Good Lord, this man is leader of the free world" file...P. Diddy got a tour of the White House from the First Couple and all George could say over and over was "SO..you're Sean Combs." (part of me's goin' okay either he's amazed that he had an actual rapper in the house, or he's goin', "so you're the guy who set up that Vote or Die thing? Don, anyone from the Pentagon able to take care of this? quietly?")

http://www.nypost.com/seven/12072004/gossip/32547.htm

AND LAST BUT NOT LEAST...this story has no political import whatsoever, but is proof of what we may look at first in the news. The 9/11 reform bill may actually get passed, Hamid Karzai got sworn in, the voter fraud situation paddles on, but none of that compared to the CNN headline "Woman surives throat impalement..." Yes, I HAD to look. And you can read the article for yourself...and while you do, you can thank your lucky stars, knock on wood, hug your children and be thankful that this didn't happen to you...and if you drive...STOP AT THE DAMN STOP SIGNS!

http://www.cnn.com/2004/US/12/07/woman.impaled.ap/index.html

And after you've finished goin' "OW!", remember KEEP E-MAILING!!! Call, e-mail, write, fax your friends and family, the press and your Congressfolk. Pass it on, pass it on, pass it on...

Peace --Alex

Monday, December 06, 2004

rallies, letters, and Henry Reid...

You may have seen the story on CNN yesterday about how, yes, there was indeed a rally in Columbus at the State House, protesting Ken Blackwell's stalling the recount and protesting voting irregularities period, but you still got the feeling that they think that we are still just a bunch of crazies and that we should just go "okay, Bush won, we'll shut up now." But you know what, I'd rather needle the press and folks out there and get them to question the past couple of elections-if only to prove that our system has some serious flaws that the GOP took advantage of-and end up looking like a crazy person (those who know me, are goin' "um, Alex, you were looking like a crazy person a long time ago..."), than just sitting back and saying nothing.
Keith Olbermann has written a great entry today (okay last night), about how the letter that was delivered to Sec. Blackwell's office, signed by 15 Democratic Congressman is "so calm" that it may not have the proper fight in it to get proper reaction, yet it does ask 37 questions that Blackwell and his people need to answer, such as did Blackwell look into the barring of the press from the count at Warren County, did he investigate the FBI terror threat tale the Warren County people told him that was the reason for the barring of the press, and “If County officials were not advised of terrorist activity by an FBI agent, have you inquired as to why they misrepresented this fact? If the lockdown was not as a response to a terrorist threat, why did it take place? Did any manipulation of vote tallies occur?” That letter may be calm, but it does have some fierce questions and hopefully hopefully hopefully, they will not go unanswered. (if the letter is indeed too calm, can we get a couple of Mob guys to go in and ask Blackwell these questions, as I have moments when I fear that this is what'll take.)

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/6210240/

IN THE MEANTIME...

Due to counting every vote like we're supposed to, both parties gained a Congressperson in Louisiana.

http://www.cnn.com/2004/ALLPOLITICS/12/05/congress.louisiana/index.html

AND I am already liking the guy who took over for Tom Daschle as the head Dem in Congress. When asked about Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas on "Meet the Press", Harry Reid said what he had to say:

http://www.cnn.com/2004/ALLPOLITICS/12/05/judges.reid.frist/index.html

And speaking of meeting the press, here's a great story my friend Fred sent me about how Ted Turner of all people believes we need to bust up "big media". The way things are going with the FCC and Clearchannel, there has never been a truer statement.

http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/features/2004/0407.turner.html


All right before I rant further about Spain and Iraq, I just have one thing to say: KEEP E-MAILING!!! Big Media needs to know that we are here and paying attention! Write, call, fax, e-mail the press, your friends and family and your Congressfolk! And as always, pass it on pass it on pass it on!

Peace --Alex


Friday, December 03, 2004

Did I say 7,000? make that 7,700

At least that's the number Olbermann got when he and his staff got the news about the Franklin County recount results. 7,700 And who knows what the numbers could be in Delaware County as a jugde there put a restraining order on the count (which expires today) hence the Glibs (Green and Libertarian party that got the recount started) have filed a new lawsuit against Scretary Blackwell accusing him of stalling the recount and abusing his powers. AND (trumpet greeting please), THE KERRY CAMPAIGN have joined in the suit! They apparently have had, according to reports and staffers my mom spoke to when she called their offices, an obscene humber of lawyers looking at all of this in stealth fashion, but nice to know that they are publicly joining this law suit. See Bloggerman here:
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/6210240/

AND there's even a story in the Boston Globe (we are diggin' the Globe for putting SOMETHING in the paper about this...perhaps you oughta send them a little thank you note and/or donate to Globe Santa - I love that program):
http://www.boston.com/news/politics/president/kerry/articles/2004/12/03/kerry_campaign_joins_suit_seeking_recount_of_ohio_vote/

IN THE MEANTIME...

Yesterday I provided the link to a Boston Globe article about how the networks don't want to air an ad for the UCC that essentially says, "hey, we don't care if you're gay, come on in!" So of course now I have to link to an article about how a Methodist church is defrocking a lesbian minister cause she violated the rule that you can't be "actively gay" as a minister. Now..I want to know if they make the differentiation between "openly" and "actively"...

http://www.boston.com/news/nation/articles/2004/12/03/methodist_minister_is_defrocked_for_lesbian_relationship/

And speaking of sex, despite what the administration and his followers want, it's still happening and apparently, according to Rep. Henry Waxman (time to send him another thank you note), he's got proof that abstinence courses are seriously flawed...um DUH!

http://www.cnn.com/2004/EDUCATION/12/02/abstinence.education.ap/index.html

And here's the guy most likely to be soon fired by the Bush administration for essentially saying "Social Security is F****D! Have you looked at these numbers?!" in public.
http://www.nytimes.com/2004/12/03/politics/03social.html?oref=login

Last but certainly not least please go to wonkette.com if only to look at the photo of Bush "in the Stalin seat"

http://www.wonkette.com/

I'd love to know who set up that photo op (sure it looked great initially...Bush sittin' next to Roosevelt and Churchill...but somebody, once again, didn't think through all the details...)

Okay, time for me to get back to reading the Sports Illstrated cover story on the Red Sox, but before I do I say, KEEP E-MAILING!! Write, call (my mother called NBC and got hung up on by an annoyed staffer so we figure SOMEBODY's calling. Go annoy this chick some more!), fax and e-mail the networks, you local media, friends and family and your Congresspeople. Why should the folks in Kiev have all the fun?

and as always pass it on, pass it on, pass it on!

Peace --Alex

Thursday, December 02, 2004

7,000 votes...

According to an Ohio caller to the Stephanie Miller show this morning, the recount in Franklin county has been completed and there was a net gain of 7,000 for Kerry. 7,000. That's not just a handful, that's a LOT...and in just one county. AND IS ANYBODY OTHER THAN STEPHANIE MILLER TALKING ABOUT THIS?!?! If ever there was a time to call, write, e-mail, and fax your local media outlets, NOW is it.

Keith Olbermann today talked about Bev Harris...and how she may not be the best face to alert the world about voter fraud after all. Olbermann has tried to have her on the show repeatedly, and with her videotape of trashed votes, but she refuses as apparently she does not want to show the Countdown staff the tape before she goes on the air. Sorry to say, but that sounds fishy to me. You'd think with something that important, you want to make sure every network in the world saw this and that you would jump at the chance to air such volatile material on a supportive show on a major network. But according to Keith, she refuses. I may have to agree with Olbermann on this entry. You can see the whole shabang and make your own decision at:

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/6210240/

IN THE MEANTIME...

You can't throw a stick and not hit a story on the vote chaos in Ukraine. Anyone else find this really WRONG, or is it just me?

And speaking of stories you should be able to throw a stick at and hit..Iraq...12,000 more soldiers are going to be sent to Iraq. And of the guys already there, their tours are being extended an extra two months (they found out yesterday I believe). See this is where I get thoroughly annoyed with the people who ask how you can support the troops and not the war? The troops are mostly YOUNG men and women who VOLUNTEER to defend our country in a time of dire need. Iraq was not dire need. Afghanistan, where Osama Bin Laden is still floating around sitting in front of video cameras cursing out America and urging people to rise up against the infidels, and where the Taliban is regrouping, yeah, that's dire need. Iran and North Korea where they actually have nuclear programs; if they were acting up, I'd put up a strong maybe. Saudi Arabia, where the majority of the terrorists came from, where they gather, where they are funded, and where human rights-as it is increasingly noted-are essentially a non-issue, yeah, they got some problems there we ought to worry about. But Iraq...Iraq had no WMD, no ability to create WMD, had not threatened us, was not a terrorist hotbed (UNTIL WE GOT THERE), no they were not a dire need situation. There was no reason to go there and the idea that this administration can just delude our young-and old-men and women into thinking that they are there for the war on terror, then not properly arm them, train them or have an exit plan...I ask you is that any way to treat people willing to die for you? I think not.
*stepping off soap box...oh wait...isn't that what this blog is?*

SPEAKING OF NETWORKS IGNORING THINGS...there was this article in the Boston Globe about how CBS and NBC are banning an ad by the United Church of Christ as too controversial. The ad essentially shows at one point two men holding hands attempting to get into a church that won't let them in (but the UCC will let them in). A lot of churches are succumbing to advertising in order to get parishioners, and I've never been fond of such advertising on the air, but like with anything you see on TV, you can change the channel if you don't like it. There is also the factor that with the evangelicals just about taking over the election and trying to push their views on the rest of us, perhaps the UCC decided to create an ad saying, by the way, there are some of us that are okay and aren't out to say that you are evil heathens just because you're gay or anything else distasteful to the fundamentalists. God forbid we try to show some TOLERANCE on the air. You can see the whole article at:

http://www.boston.com/news/nation/articles/2004/12/02/two_networks_bar_church_ad_welcoming_gays/

and send ABC a thank you note for agreeing to air the ad on ABC Family network and to, of all people, FOX.

All right, I know there's more to write but, man they are making me do my JOB today! Potentially more later. But until then KEEP E-MAILING!!! Call, write, fax, e-mail your networks, friends and family, and your Congresspeople! GET THE WORD OUT!

and as always, pass it on, pass it on, pass it on :)

Peace --Alex

Wednesday, December 01, 2004

doin' the wave...

Nothing new to report from Bloggerman as yet BUT mom did hear on Stephanie Miller about an article on the FRONT PAGE OF THE BOSTON GLOBE about "Voting errors tallied nationwide". Besides the Globe mentioning the missing 4,000 votes in one county in North Carolina, and how one county in Texas had to call a company in Canada to try to unlock the memory of en electronic voting machine in order to get votes, as well as the tale of how with some machines Kerry votes went for the Libertarians or Bush, it talks about how widespread this whole situation truly is. At least twelve states are mentioned in this article. You can see the whole thing at:

http://www.boston.com/news/politics/president/articles/2004/12/01/voting_errors_tallied_nationwide/

and this ought to go along with the latest lawsuit issued in Florida by Bev Harris and the Black Box Voting people...

http://www.blackboxvoting.org/

IN THE MEANTIME...Yesterday, I mentioned how Bush is in Canada amid much protest, and that, particularly after a speech during which he just about overthanked the PM for having him, that he perhaps had a clue about how few people are willing to endure his presence. Well,this quote confirmed this knowledge. Basically he thanked all Canadians who came to see him for waving "with all five fingers". You can see the whole story at:

http://www.cnn.com/2004/WORLD/americas/12/01/bush.canada/index.html

there's a nice touch at the end of the article talking about how Bush scratched a visit in 2003 as not only did former PM Chretien refuse to contribute troops to Iraq, his spokesperson was quoted as calling Bush "a moron". Also, this year, one parliament member was let go from the Liberal party Caucus after she was shown "stomping on a Bush doll" on a political spoof show (this is a bad thing? Think of all the people who bought the sock 'em Bush dolls at Urban Outfitters [among other fine retailers])

Speaking of world news...in the Ukraine, Parliament has given the "new" government a vote of no confidence, declared the vote invalid, and the Supreme Court is now supposed to vote on whether or not to redo the whole election. Opponents say that the Supreme Court is in the goverment's pocket (hmmm..sound familiar?) And people are still protesting in the streets. I like them Ukrainians. You can see the whole story at:

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/6374820/

And you gotta love www.wonkette.com for featuring an article from the NY Daily News entitled: "Rep. King denies fixing vote with Rove". You have to scroll down through a whole the political correctness of "teasing tubbies" (it is Rush and Malloy of the Daily News) to get to the blip on this.

And as I keep telling y'all to e-mail, call, write, fax NAG the press about all the voter fraud information, it's good to do it now as, according to an article from The Hill-the Congress newsletter-there may not be too many of these folks to get to anymore:

http://www.hillnews.com/under_dome/120104.aspx

SO KEEP E-MAILING!!!! e-mail, call, fax, write the press, your friends and family, and your Congressfolk. Get this info OUT THERE and, as always, pass it on, pass it on, pass it on...

Peace --Alex

OH AND HEY! Today is World AIDS Day. There are events happening all over the country today in observance, particularly at The Cathedral of St. John The Divine here in NYC. Also, I'm not sure when it's going to be released, but there is a wonderful documentary called iThemba! out there about AIDS in South Africa. You might be able to see details if you look up the film at www.fracturedatlas.org. In the meantime, I recommend giving to or volunteering for these organizations (or whichever organizations are near you) if you can:

Gay Men's Health Crisis

Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS

God's Love We Deliver