Requiescat In Pace, Ms. Ivins

Today syndicated columnist and best-selling author Molly Ivins passed away after a long battle with breast cancer at the age of 62.

A life-time resident of Texas, Ms. Ivins specialized in skewering politicians of her home state, but her sharply honed talents singled out George W. Bush in such books as Shrub: The Short but Happy Political Life of George W. Bush - published a month before the 2000 presidential election - and Bushwhacked: Life in George W. Bush's America - published in 2003 after the invasion of Iraq.

She - and her well-slung arrows - will be missed.

Rest in peace, Ms. Ivins.

Elect Progressive Democratic Delegates

SoCal Grassroots, Progressive Democrats of America and the Progressive Caucus of the California Democratic Party have joined together to run progressive slates in the upcoming elections for Assembly District Delegates to the California Democratic Party and we need your help!

Please come out on Saturday and Sunday, January 13th and 14th, to support fellow progressives in revitalizing the Democratic Party. Visit Progressive Slate to find out more about these elections, including the slates as they're set and election locations and times by assembly district. If you're unsure about your assembly district, please visit the CDP website.

Schwarzenegger Bewilders

On the same day that Governor Schwarzenegger unveiled a health care plan that shows promise of covering all Californians (though a careful reading of the proposal may show otherwise - admittedly your humble blogger has not yet been able to read through the entire proposal), he also revealed an overhaul of the welfare system that promises to throw children and families on the street.

Once again, Schwarzenegger can't seem to decide if he's with the residents of California or against them.

Thank You, New CA SoS Debra Bowen!

Sometimes it doesn't take much for an activist's heart to grow three sizes bigger:

BREAKING EXCLUSIVE: Major E-Voting Critic, Attorney Named to Key Voting Systems Oversight Role by New CA Secretary of State!

As incoming Sec. of State Debra Bowen was sworn in to her new office just moments ago, The BRAD BLOG can now reveal that one of the nation's top critics of unverifiable electronic voting systems --- and a key player across several states in the legal battles against voting machine companies such as Diebold, ES&S, Sequoia Voting Systems and Hart Intercivic --- is today being named by the new California Sec. of State Debra Bowen as Deputy SoS for Voting Systems Technology and Policy.

Lowell Finley, the lead attorney for the non-partisan voting machine legal watchdog organization VoterAction.org, will be named to the position today.

In his new capacity, Finley will oversee testing and certification for all voting machine technology in the State of California. In a phone call this morning, Finley confirmed that he would be working closely in his new role with key national associations like the National Institute for Science and Technology (NIST) and the U.S. Elections Assistance Commission (EAC).

E-voting critics and at least one California Registrar of Voters have hailed both the swearing in of Bowen as SoS and her appointment of Finley, expressing delight to The BRAD BLOG over the news, characterizing it as a "colossal surprise" and a "very, very good sign for the future of voters' rights in California."

So very nice...

If it walks like a duck

The President of the United States is about to show us the newest version of the White House Ponzi scheme. If you accept the cards he shows you then the outcome is predetermined.

We are being told that the expected request for a "troop surge" is a short term method to contain and establish law & order in Iraq! This surge is just a newer name for the same old policy of Escalation. This is a case of renaming a bankrupt policy with a new name and a new coat of paint. If it walks like a duck, squawks like a duck, and swims in the pond like a duck - It's A Duck!

Increasing troop strength and placing more of our men & women in harm's way is Escalation.
Surge is dishonest, disingenuous, and an outright lie! One more reason for renewed congressional oversight, investigation, and when it is obvious to more of us - a call for Impeachment for High Crimes & Misdemeanors. End this new Ponzi Scheme that is murdering Americans every day in Iraq. End the Occupation of Iraq!