Destruction of Ohio's 2004 Presidential Election Ballots Delayed by Blackwell

It's a start:

With paper ballots from the 2004 presidential election in Ohio scheduled to be destroyed next week, the secretary of state in Columbus, under pressure from critics, said yesterday that he would move to delay the destruction at least for several months.

Since the election, questions have been raised about how votes were tallied in Ohio, a battleground state that helped deliver the election to President Bush over Senator John Kerry.

I agree with, "[...] critics say the ballots should be saved pending an investigation. They also say the secretary of state’s proposal to delay the destruction does not go far enough, and they intend to sue to preserve the ballots."

This gives election activists desparately needed time to launch an investigation and lawsuit. I'm investigating action items to see if there is anything we can do to help out and will update when I get them. If any readers have ideas, please feel free to forward them to me in the comments or to socalgrassroots@gmail.com.

Ohio Preparing to Destroy 2004 Presidential Election Ballots

First heard on Stephanie Miller this morning, Ohio officials are preparing to destroy the ballots from the 2004 Presidential Election:

Ohio officials will soon begin destroying the paper ballots from the 2004 presidential election despite objections from voter rights groups.

"Soon after the 2004 presidential election, questions emerged about how votes were tallied in Ohio, a battleground state that delivered the presidency to George W. Bush," Ian Urbina writes in a story slated for the New York Times.

"Now, following a routine procedure, state officials are preparing to destroy the paper ballots from the election," writes Urbina.

"Critics say the ballots should be preserved for more study," the article continues.

If this is truly a routine procedure, put in place before the 2004 elections, I can't fault the officials for following procedure. I can, however, fault them for not making the ballots public before this year, I will definitely fault them for not making exception to procedure in this highly suspect and volatile instance - we need those ballots, as they are the only physical proof election protection activists have regarding Ohio's role in the outcome of the 2004 election, especially since none exist for the Diebold voting machines that were used.

Bush's On Notice Board

Stephen Colbert loves Bush almost as much as he loves Papa Bear Bill O'Reilly. So much so that Stephen put together an On Notice just for his beloved Commander-in-Thief:


You're On Notice!

Weird thing is, Stephen put this together in April 2001 - before he even had a show.

So eerie, yet explains so much...

New Stem Cell Technique May Not Be Good Enough for Bush

The main objection that critics have had regarding the pursuit of embyonic stem-cell research is that the 150 celled embryo - called a blastocyst - has been destoyed in the past, thereby destroying what is potential life, at least in the eyes of the Bush Administration and "right-to-life" (what a ridiculous phrase) critics.

So one would think that the new technique for harvesting stem-cells - in which a single cell is taken from a a two day old, eight celled blastomere - would be sufficient to silence the critics. This technique has been in use for a decade in testing in vitro embryos for potential birth defects, to no ill health for the embryos implanted in the womb, carried to term and since successfully born and raised.

Gues what? That ain't enough:

[...]Emily Lawrimore, a White House spokeswoman, suggested that the new procedure would not satisfy the objections of Mr. Bush, who vetoed legislation in July that would have expanded federally financed embryonic stem cell research. Though Ms. Lawrimore called it encouraging that scientists were moving away from destroying embryos, she said: "Any use of human embryos for research purposes raises serious ethical questions. This technique does not resolve those concerns."

How is embryonic stem-cell research supposed to happen, if human embryos are not used? By waving a magic wand?

Scientists acknowledge that more research needs to be done to make sure this is a viable method of creating new stem-cell lines. But this is the best - and least destructive - method of furthering this much needed research. Bush and his cabal really need to embrace this technique, less they be seen as obstructionist Neanderthals.

Oh, wait...

Thank You, Bush...

...for admitting the truth - and so forcefully:

[BUSH]: [...] And so my question -- my answer to your question is, is that, imagine a world in which Saddam Hussein was there, stirring up even more trouble in a part of the world that had so much resentment and so much hatred that people came and killed 3,000 of our citizens.

You know, I've heard this theory about everything was just fine until we arrived, and kind of "we're going to stir up the hornet's nest" theory. It just doesn't hold water, as far as I'm concerned. The terrorists attacked us and killed 3,000 of our citizens before we started the freedom agenda in the Middle East.

Q What did Iraq have to do with that?

[BUSH]: What did Iraq have to do with what?

Q The attack on the World Trade Center?

[BUSH]: Nothing--

Santorum's Got It All Wrong...

...it's not man-on-dog we have to worry about. It's dog-on-turtle:



Maybe Ricky had better begin investigations into this unnatural union of mammal and reptile.

Marine Reservists - Not Returning Willingly

From Reuters today: Marine Corps to start involuntary troop recalls.

The most telling line from the article: "But the number of Marines volunteering outside their active-duty service requirement has been steadily declining for two years, according to Stratton, who said could not offer an explanation."

I certainly couldn't give a definite answer, as I'm not a Marine reservist, but maybe those who haven't volunteered to return aren't enamoured with the Occupation of Iraq. There is the possibility that they find it as illegal and immoral as many of us anti-war activists.

The scariest part of the article: "The Marine Corps' authority to involuntarily recall Marines for jobs in the 'Global War on Terror' -- a war whose parameters remain largely undefined -- has no expiration date.

'The authority is until GWOT is over with,' Stratton said. 'Until we're told to do otherwise, we'll use it.'"

Can the draft be far behind?

Bush Signed the Who and the What?

This morning I read something that made my head do a triple-whiplash: Bush signed into law the Federal Pension Protection Act. What made me snort Wheaties out of my nose? The provisions that allow retirement benefits to be transferred to domestic partners after one dies.

Either Bush's Fundamentalist heart softened a tiny bit towards same-sex unions or he hadn't yet had his coffee when this bill crossed his desk.

I'm betting on the latter...

NSA Eavesdropping is Bad, MMM'K?

Bless U.S. District Judge Anna Diggs Taylor from Michigan. She has ruled that the NSA eavesdropping program is unconstitutional:

[Taylor] further declared that the program "violates the separation of powers doctrine, the Administrative Procedures Act, the First and Fourth amendments to the United States Constitution, the FISA and Title III."

She went on to say that "the president of the United States ... has undisputedly violated the Fourth in failing to procure judicial orders."

I think we need to send her a big candy heart and a bunch of flowers.

(The complete ruling can be found here.)

Start Singing, Grandpa Joe

As y'all know by now, Ned Lamont won the Democratic nomination for Senate in Connecticut's primary yesterday. He won it fair and square, beating DINO Joe Lieberman with 52% of the vote.

But, because Grandpa Joe makes like a Carly Simon song, thinking this election is all about him, he's decided to stay in the fight and run as an independent.

Joe, Joe, Joe. You'll sit back and allow Bush and Fox News to run all over you, then lead you around by their very short leash. But when the Democratic voters - you know, the political party you claimed as yours so many years ago, the people you've sworn to serve many times over - legally and fairly decide that you no longer represent their views or best interests, you decide that a little overtime is order, even if no one else is playing the same game as you.

Stop whining, Joe. Stop stomping your feet about how it would be "irresponsible and inconsistent with my principles" to quit 'cause you don't like the outcome. Grow up, Grandpa Joe. Retire and spend the rest of your days as the Fox News buttmonkey, a position you clearly prefer to that of actually representing your state.

Oh well. At least he won't call himself a Democrat any more...

Now is the summer of our discontent

Now is the summer of our discontent
Made ne'er glorious by this son of privilege;
And all the clouds that lour'd upon our house
In the deep wounds of a nation buried.

Freedumb

As we celebrate Independence Day 2006, as we tuck into our burgers and dogs and guzzle our tall cold ones, as we ooh and aah over fireworks displays, let us honor our forefathers who sacrificed life and limb to give us the freedoms we now enjoy. Let's remember to take a moment and give thanks for those freedoms:

The freedom to vote as many times as we want for the American Idol of our choice;

The freedom to pay upwards of $1000 a month for health insurance for us and our families;

The freedom to consume as many Cheetos, Keebler cookies, Krispy Kreme donuts, double-stuffed oreos, stuffed double-crusted pizzas, buckets of hot wings, gallons of Sprite, Whoppers with cheese, steak quesadillas, extra-large orders of fries, bags of M&Ms, vente mocha Frappuccinos, egg McMuffins, and Philly cheese steaks we want;

The freedom to contract Type 2 diabetes and heart disease, driving up the cost of health care even higher;

The freedom to sit and watch "Top Model" while our basic rights as Americans are taken away from us;

The freedom to receive a second-rate public-school education;

The freedom to ignore global warming, despite incontrovertible proof, and keep driving everywhere in bigger and bigger SUVs;

The freedom to work 50-60 hours a week in multiple dead-end jobs in order to barely support our families;

The freedom to have our phone calls listened to and our Internet activity monitored;

The freedom to have our elections sold to the highest bidder;

The freedom to be hoodwinked into a war for no reason but to line the pockets of the President's henchmen;

The freedom to be cynically manipulated by those who seek to profit from our fear;

The freedom to be lied to, over and over and over again;

And the freedom to eat burgers and dogs, guzzle tall cold ones, ooh and aah over fireworks displays, and do absolutely nothing.


Happy Birthday, America. Happy Independence Day, you poor sorry bastards. You've got the country you deserve.

Impeachment Resolutions - It's Not Just For Legislative Bodies Anymore

There has been much discussion about the ability of state legislative bodies to bring impeachment resolutions to the House of Representatives for consideration, thanks to a clause in the Jefferson manual, section 603 of the House Rules of the United States Constitution. Such resolutions are currently being looked at by California, Illinois and Vermont. Many cities across the country have also passed impeachment resolutions, using Clause 3, Rule XII, Section 819, of the Rules of the House of Representatives.

Well, cities aren't the only bodies that are using Clause 3 to pass resolutions. The librarians of Seattle are taking matters into their own hands:

These are not the stereotypical librarians of the olden days, the ones who were a bit reserved but ready with a glare for anyone talking too loudly.

Instead, the employees of the Seattle Public Library have passed a resolution through their local union calling for President Bush to resign or be impeached because of the USA Patriot Act, the Iraq war and a host of other issues.

It's a resolution that doesn't mince words, and it will be introduced at the annual conference of the American Library Association that begins today in New Orleans.

"We're always concerned about patron privacy and protecting that," said Lynn Lorenz, 38, a librarian at the Madrona-Sally Goldmark Branch who helped draft the resolution.

This is an excellent move. While it's true, as ImpeachBush.tv writes, that resolutions coming from individuals and groups tend to carry less weight with the House, if enough impeachment resolutions are brought to the floor, it could become an issue they can no longer ignore or dance around.

For more information regarding the "How To" of impeachments, go to ImpeachBush.tv. And for more information regarding impeachment actions and events in California, see ImpeachCA.com.

You'll be glad you did.

AJR 39: Still Alive and Well, But Kicking and Screaming All The Way

By Paul Koretz, Assemblyman, 42nd District, California

Hello out there in Blog-Land,

I’m delighted to report that Assembly Joint Resolution 39 (AJR 39 -- my Resolution in the state legislature calling for the investigation and impeachment of Bush and Cheney) is alive.

One of the great things that is keeping this bill alive is the phenomenal input and proactive emails, faxes, phone calls and letters of support my colleagues and I have received from so many of you. They have been eloquent, personal and brave. The constant theme has been a deeply held belief that we need to reclaim our nation’s government from the hands of the lawless – if it’s not already too late.

None of this reaction is due to “corporate media” coverage, which has indeed been minimal. Instead, this is a great testimonial to the blogosphere and the power of your grass-roots activism, which reverberates every time you tell a friend, repost an announcement, or contact an elected official asking for their support.

We now have a Joint Author on the bill, Mark Leno (D-San Francisco), and six terrific co-authors: Jackie Goldberg (D-Los Angeles), Mark Ridley-Thomas (D-Los Angeles), Jerome Horton (D-Los Angeles), Rudy Bermudez (D-Los Angeles), Ron Calderon (D-Los Angeles), and Loni Hancock (D-Alameda County).

I believe it is my duty as a representative of the people, and the duty of all elected officials to help promote a public dialogue about things going on in the country that are just wrong, such as the dubious activities and errant judgment of the President and Vice President, because we can’t afford to turn a blind eye toward their ineptitude. For one reason or another, Congress has not sought to investigate these allegations. This is a matter that transcends partisan politics, and these are allegations that must not be ignored or swept under the rug any longer.

President Bush and Vice President Cheney must be held accountable before they undertake even deadlier misdeeds, such as the use of nuclear weapons. We have all seen that there are no bounds to their willingness to ignore the Constitution and world opinion, that the unthinkable is routine in this Administration.

People have been contacting me with great enthusiasm about the fact that we are finally standing up to this President and Vice President who consistently trample on the Constitution and believe they are above the law. Rather than fearing a backlash in the November elections, I feel that this will energize Democrats and others who have been frustrated by the lack of pushback to a President who has violated the Constitution and the checks and balances of our system with such impunity.

In the State Assembly, however, there is still much to be done. A bit of progress has been made since I first submitted the amendments to AJR 39. Although I can’t say that Assembly leadership is overly enthusiastic about moving the bill, it has been put into print. They have been particularly concerned about bi-partisan issues on the table in California, like the recently-passed infrastructure bond and the pending budget negotiations, and feel that impeachment is perceived as too partisan an issue to raise at this time. However, once our budget is passed, no impossible barrier remains in our way. The Resolution is now in the Rules Committee waiting for referral, hopefully to the Assembly Judiciary Committee.

Pressure from constituents like you on Democratic Assemblymembers to not only support the bill, but also to become co-authors of the bill will be key to its success. We also need to push the Democratic leadership in the Assembly to refer the bill to committee and give it a hearing before the end of this legislative session in August.

It’s also important to let your representatives know that resolutions have also been introduced in Illinois and Vermont. Karen Yarbrough’s resolution in Illinois is done for the year as they are out of session. In Vermont, Dave Zuckerman’s Resolution has been referred to their Legislature’s Judiciary Committee, but its unclear whether the committee has heard the bill. Movement of my Resolution here in California could provide the impetus to not only moving Illinois’ and Vermont’s resolutions, but to also convince other states that introducing their own Resolutions would greatly enhance the cause.

It will not be easy, but we can do it. Impeachment charges have never before been brought by a State legislature against a President and Vice-President, and our work will require the best efforts of a progressive grassroots movement to be successful.

WE NEED YOUR HELP. For more information on how you can get involved, go to WWW.IMPEACHCA.COM.

Thank you!


Paul Koretz
Assemblyman, 42nd District

Berman Blows It

From LA Daily News - Berman with GOP on Iraq:

Capping two days of rancorous partisan debate, Rep. Howard Berman, D-Van Nuys, broke with most of his party Friday and voted to approve a Republican-backed resolution to reject a timetable for U.S. troop withdrawal from Iraq.

So many Democrats wag their fingers at progressive activists, saying that we're more concerned with the shade of blue our Democratic representatives are, instead of worrying about gaining a Democratic majority in Congress. But do we really want the sort of "Democrat" in Congress who will vote along GOP lines? One who says:

"I voted for today's resolution on Iraq because I agree with what it calls for: success in the 'mission to create a sovereign, free and united Iraq.' I still have hope that we can accomplish that mission," Berman said in a statement.

Some have said that the Iraq War is not the only issue that liberals have to worry about, so we shouldn't "use it as a litmus test" in the support of political candidates. But when the Iraq War is siphoning off so many resources that it horrifically impacts the majority of issues liberals care about and causes the deaths of our soldiers and Iraqis, it becomes the main issue we should act upon. And it becomes the main issue for which we should hold our electeds - as well as prospective electeds - accountable.

Personally, I want my Democratic representatives to be as blue as blue can be, not bright magenta. I know I'm not the only progressive Democrat who thinks so.

A Profile in Courage

John Kennedy while recuperating from his back injury wrote; his greatest was of course "Profiles In Courage". In this he detailed acts of moral and political courage by members of congress. While I claim no literate connection; I will do what I can to detail a modern profile in courage.

As an Irish Catholic, I remember the tale of the boxer and the Blessed Virgin; and an Irish- American, I am proud of the tale of the Boxer as his strives for peace. As a native Californian I am equally proud of our own Boxer; Senator Barbara Boxer.

She was one of five Democratic Senators who joined in supporting John Kerry's call for a Senate Resolution to withdraw from Iraq by the end of the year! She joined Senators Harkin, Byrd, Kennedy, Feingold, and of course Kerry in voting yes. The silence of the other Senators was anything but courageous. When she stood in the well of the Senate with members of the House Congressional Black Caucus to force a congressional response she stood alone with no other senate colleagues - that was an act of courage. Time, time and again; this diminutive power house of senatorial courage has stood by her principles and made us in California very proud. She is criticized as being too liberal; that is impossible. In the 2004 election the third highest vote getter after Bush and Kerry was Boxer. The highest vote for any Senator in the history of our republic.

I hope to spend some blog time over the next months in revisiting Barbara Boxer and her courage, committment to California, our nation and our world! This will be between more strident words on the fallacies of our national administration. For now be warmed and proud of our Senator and call, write or e-mail a thank you for her continued courage.

From Brad Friedman: No Confidence in the Busby/Bilbray Election

In today's Huffington Post - No Confidence in the Busby/Bilbray Election:

I don't know how else to put it, but every voting machine used in last week's special election run-off for the U.S. House seat vacated by the disgraced Randy "Duke" Cunningham in California's 50th congressional district was illegal. By federal standards, rules and provisions and by California state rules, laws and provisions.

And now, by the San Diego County Registrar of Voters own admission.

TO REVIEW: The election was run on highly hackable Diebold voting machines that were sent home overnight and unsecurely with poll workers for days prior to the election which rendered the machines both illegal and uncertified for use in the election under both federal and state laws, requirements and statutes. The GOP has since rushed to swear-in Bilbray before the votes were counted, or the election even certified by the state of California.

See any of the links above for corroborated, sourced and detailed information.

Regarding recently discovered massive security flaws, David Jefferson - a member of MacPherson's own team of independent analysts - was quoted as saying:

"[This] is the most serious vulnerability that we've ever seen in a voting system. This particular vulnerability is serious enough that you can affect multiple machines from a single attack. That's what makes it so dangerous.

PDA has also voted No Confidence in the 50th CD results and is calling for a handcount. Please sign the Velvet Revolution petition to help it to happen.

ACTION ALERT: Net Neutrality in Danger - Contact Your Representative!

I know this is old news by now, but it's still all too important - we've got to keep Net Neutrality alive!

Telecommunications companies may already be blocking content when they so desire, according to SaveTheInternet.com:

There’s a pervasive myth that there has been no Internet content discrimination by the large phone and cable companies. “That is simply untrue, ” writes Matt Stoller of BlogPAC.

Stoller points to Cox Cable, which for three months has blocked their customers from accessing the online classifieds super-site, Craigslist. (Disclosure: the company’s founder, Craig Newmark, is a charter member of this coalition).

Go to SaveTheInternet.com and sign the petition - send your representatives the message that you know the COPE Act is meaningless and offers no real protection for Net Neutrality.

The silver lining in the 50th

So Busby went bust.

Maybe Democrats will finally learn two things:

1. Local races are local. Voters are angry about Washington, but they're voting on Main Street. Running against "Washington" just doesn't win neighborhoods.

2. Don't turn non-referendums into referendums. It was Busby who spun her candidacy as the foamline on a forthcoming tidal wave. Smart for her, but the national party shouldn't have allowed it. Immediately after the primary, it became clear she was the underdog -- and that was the initial reporting. But now it looks like Democrats lost on their own referendum. Babe Ruth never called a home run only to whiff.

The Silver Lining:

1. Going into November, Dems won't be complacent.

2. There's still time to run local.

Boy, I'll bet he and his log cabin feel stupid now

As Mark Evanier points out, Andrew Sullivan was just recently writing about the new, kinder gentler Bush, a good man who loves the gays in his heart. That is, when he's not attacking them in a desperate ploy to motivate his base prior to a disastrous mid-term election.