Democrats want the measure to include independent oversight, homeowner protections and limits on executive compensation, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., said in a statement early Sunday evening.
"We will not simply hand over a $700 billion blank check to Wall Street and hope for a better outcome," she said.
Pelosi said that Congress will take action on the bailout this week but will act "to insulate Main Street from Wall Street."
Sunday, September 21, 2008
Pelosi: "Insulate Main St. from Wall St."
CNN Money reports this:
Social Security: Trauner vs. Lummis
In an Associated Press article that appeared in the Casper Star-Tribune, Wyoming Tribune-Eagle, the Billings Gazette and a host of others, Cynthia Lummis is quoted as saying she wants to extend the income tax to the poorest Americans and, if elected, will advocate the privatization of the Social Security System. Cheyenne's Lummis is the Republican candidate for Wyoming's lone U.S. House seat. To her credit, she seems to have done a good job as the Wyoming State Treasurer. She demonstrated her money management skills by increasing the state's investment portfolio. I always admire anyone who can increase any investment portfolio, as I'm so lousy at it.
But privatizing the national safety net for retirees? Puts her on the same page with George W. Bush, Dick Cheney and John McCain.
Lummis's Democratic opponent, businessman Gary Trauner, had this response in the AP story:
But privatizing the national safety net for retirees? Puts her on the same page with George W. Bush, Dick Cheney and John McCain.
Lummis's Democratic opponent, businessman Gary Trauner, had this response in the AP story:
Gary Trauner, Lummis's Democratic proponent, criticized Lummis's proposal to extend income taxes to people who aren't currently paying them.
"One in every five kids in this country is born and raised in poverty," Trauner said. "A large number of those people are living below the poverty line, and she wants to raise taxes on the people who can least afford it in this country?"
Trauner also opposes privatizing Social Security. He pointed to the tumult on Wall Street over the past week as one reason why.
"I would just ask how all of our millions of Americans that look forward to having Social Security as a safety net would feel today if we had privatized Social Security, and they had been in the marketplace, investing in the market for the last 10 or 15 years," Trauner said.
"They would have lost billions and billions worth of money just in the last week alone."
Friday, September 19, 2008
Writer James Crumley dead at 68
Many of you already heard about the death of writer James Crumley in Missoula. He was the writer of great hard-boiled novels such as "The Mexican Tree Duck" and "The Last Good Kiss." Hard-boiled characters from a hard-boiled guy. Great books, though, with a hard shell surrounding the tough, age-old strugle between right and wrong. You couldn't always tell the good guys from the bad. But that's the heart of the matter, isn't it?
Here are the literary facts from Crumley's obit:
Here are the literary facts from Crumley's obit:
Crumley has published 11 novels, taught at universities across the country and worked in Hollywood for several years. Famous for his hard-boiled mysteries, his works include “One to Count Cadence,” (a novel about Vietnam) “The Last Good Kiss,” “The Wrong Case,” “The Mexican Tree Duck,” “Bordersnakes,” “The Final Country,” and most recently, “The Right Madness.”
Lummis would bankrupt Social Security
I've been reading lots of stories the past couple days about how the Social Security System would have gone into a nosedive if we had sided with George Bush in 2006 and decide to vote for John McCain and Cynthia Lummis in 2008. In the past week, you may have lost some (or a lot of) value in your investments, including your 401(K). And you want to trust these people to handle your retirement?
Here's an update from Bill Luckett at the Wyoming Democratic Party:
Here's an update from Bill Luckett at the Wyoming Democratic Party:
In April, Congressional candidate Cynthia Lummis said that on her first day in Congress, she would try to privatize Social Security. Lummis also said she would try to raise the age at which Wyoming’s seniors and people with disabilities are eligible for the guaranteed Social Security benefits on which they depend.
This week, the Dow Jones Industrial Average lost more than 800 points, or more than 7 percent of its value. Privatization replaces the guaranteed floor of economic security with the uncertainty of the stock market. Individuals are free, of course, to invest their personal savings in the stock market – but Social Security guarantees a floor beneath which their fortunes will not fall and in Wyoming, 84,022 count on their earned Social Security benefit every month.
Social Security privatization would cut guaranteed benefits for thousands of future retirees in Wyoming by thousands of dollars, according to a new report released in August by the research arm of the Campaign for America’s Future. The report shows that more than 18,000 older people living in Wyoming would have a greater risk of falling into poverty, each losing more than $130,000 over the course of their lifetimes, by the time a privatization plan is fully implemented.
In addition to the benefits that Social Security provides to Wyoming families, it also provides a stable level of individual income that fuels Wyoming’s economy. Thousands of businesses, and the state government, also depend on the Social Security guarantee. Fully $1 billion in individual income flows into Wyoming’s economy from Social Security each year – roughly $84 million every month.
Again today, Bill Luckett asked Cynthia Lummis a simple question: “Why do you support privatizing Social Security and raising the Social Security retirement age?”
Background:Planet Jackson Hole: “If you could put one law into effect on your first day of office, with zero opposition, what would it be? Why?
Cynthia Lummis: “I would restrict domestic non-defense discretionary federal spending to inflation minus 1 percent, make the Bush tax cuts permanent, raise the age of social security eligibility for post-draft era Americans, stop raids on the social security trust fund, limit federal Medicaid dollars to current amounts plus 4 percent per year allowing states discretion in crafting their programs, and authorize voluntary personal social security accounts.”
[“In the Hot Seat,” Planet Jackson Hole, 4/09/08]
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
The U.N.'s loss is Wyoming's gain
Contrary to previous reports in various Wyoming media, Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin won't visit the state next week. Instead, she'll attend the United Nations General Assembly in New York. No, she won't be speaking there. Instead, she'll be out on the streets with several American Jewish groups protesting a U.N. appearance by Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. Wonder if she'll be knocked to the ground by NYC cops and hauled off to jail as were the RNC protestors in St. Paul. Probably not.
A scheduled Republican fund-raiser in Jackson Hole will now feature Cindy McCain instead of Palin.
Maggie Scarlett, organizer for the fund-raiser, could hardly contain her excitement (CST quote): "Needless to say, we are disappointed Gov. Palin is not coming, in that she is indeed creating a lot of energy and excitement everywhere, not just in Wyoming. But to have the opportunity to have Cindy McCain come in is equally exciting to us."
Maybe Cindy will be wearing the same $300,000 outfit she wore at the RNC. Or some other $300,000 outfit.
The Repub fund-raiser will be held at Teton Pines, home to Dick Cheney and other nogoodniks. Cost of the breakfast fundraiser will be $250 and $1,000 to have a photo taken with Cindy McCain. For $2,500, participants can participate in a round-table discussion with Cindy McCain and former Wyoming U.S. Sen. Alan Simpson.
Only $2,500 for a roundtable discussion? How much is that per lie?
A scheduled Republican fund-raiser in Jackson Hole will now feature Cindy McCain instead of Palin.
Maggie Scarlett, organizer for the fund-raiser, could hardly contain her excitement (CST quote): "Needless to say, we are disappointed Gov. Palin is not coming, in that she is indeed creating a lot of energy and excitement everywhere, not just in Wyoming. But to have the opportunity to have Cindy McCain come in is equally exciting to us."
Maybe Cindy will be wearing the same $300,000 outfit she wore at the RNC. Or some other $300,000 outfit.
The Repub fund-raiser will be held at Teton Pines, home to Dick Cheney and other nogoodniks. Cost of the breakfast fundraiser will be $250 and $1,000 to have a photo taken with Cindy McCain. For $2,500, participants can participate in a round-table discussion with Cindy McCain and former Wyoming U.S. Sen. Alan Simpson.
Only $2,500 for a roundtable discussion? How much is that per lie?
Wyoming's senators oppose passenger rail revival
Westerners talk with pride about how railroads built the West. But it never would have happened without U.S. Government subsidies and a sweetheart deal to the railroads. You know, capitalism -- or is that socialism?
Now Congress wants to restore passenger rail service to Rocky Mountain states. Fact is, it can't and won't happen without subsidies such as those enjoyed by passenger airline service in Wyoming. Maybe there are only so many subsidies to be had, what with capitalist giants on Wall Street begging for money lest they go the way of, say, passenger rail service in the West.
Yesterday's Casper Star-Tribune featured an article about Congress's attempt to restart rail service in the Big Square States. Note that Wyoming's two senators, Mike Enzi and John Barrasso, oppose it. Thanks to Laramie's Nancy Sindelar for e-mailing the tip, and providing a great anecdote to go with it: "I had to ride the dirty grey dog up from Denver on my way home from MNLPS/StP because the train no longer comes to Laramie." The dirty grey dog, in case you've never ridden it, is passenger bus service, namely Greyhound. Wonder if that gets a subsidy? Nancy also wondered if Enzi and Barrasso had voted for "The Bridge to Nowhere" for Alaska.
Here's segments of the CST story:
Now Congress wants to restore passenger rail service to Rocky Mountain states. Fact is, it can't and won't happen without subsidies such as those enjoyed by passenger airline service in Wyoming. Maybe there are only so many subsidies to be had, what with capitalist giants on Wall Street begging for money lest they go the way of, say, passenger rail service in the West.
Yesterday's Casper Star-Tribune featured an article about Congress's attempt to restart rail service in the Big Square States. Note that Wyoming's two senators, Mike Enzi and John Barrasso, oppose it. Thanks to Laramie's Nancy Sindelar for e-mailing the tip, and providing a great anecdote to go with it: "I had to ride the dirty grey dog up from Denver on my way home from MNLPS/StP because the train no longer comes to Laramie." The dirty grey dog, in case you've never ridden it, is passenger bus service, namely Greyhound. Wonder if that gets a subsidy? Nancy also wondered if Enzi and Barrasso had voted for "The Bridge to Nowhere" for Alaska.
Here's segments of the CST story:
An Idaho senator says he is organizing a congressional delegation to push for the return of the Amtrak Pioneer passenger train to the western United States.
Republican Sen. Mike Crapo, along with Rep. Mike Simpson, support plans to bring Amtrak rail service back to Idaho, Oregon, Utah, Washington and Wyoming.
U.S. Sens. Mike Enzi and John Barrasso, R-Wyo., say they're reluctant to support the proposal, however....
In comments to the Star-Tribune Monday, Enzi pointed out that Amtrak has failed in the past to earn enough revenue to cover its costs in the most populated areas of the country, a problem that he said will require the work of Congress to correct.
Enzi said he would be willing to fully consider the impact of passenger rail service on Wyoming if Amtrak "can present a financially viable plan for the Pioneer train in the state." But he sounded doubtful.
"While rail service is good in theory, the reality is that the cost is rarely offset without digging into taxpayers’ wallets to provide heavy government subsidies," Enzi added.
Barrasso’s spokesman, Greg Keeley, struck a similar tone when he said that passenger rail service in Wyoming, while appealing, even nostalgic, has historically bumped up against some "stark financial realities."
“For the past 30 years, Amtrak has not demonstrated any real ability to provide reliable and cost efficient service in Wyoming,” Barrasso said.
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
CANCELLED: Legislative Candidate Forum
Nancy Sindelar, veteran activist and activist veteran, keeps track of progressive news and events around the state. If you have news for Nancy's calendar, e-mail it to all.laramie-owner@lists.riseup.net.
Here's an event from the calendar:
On Thursday, September 18, 6:30-8:30 p.m., in Cheyenne, there's a Legislative Candidate Forum sponsored by Wyoming Conservation Voters and the Wyoming Wildlife Federation. It will feature Wyoming House and Senate candidates for contested races in Laramie County. It's at the Historic Plains Hotel, corner of Lincolnway & Central Ave.
Info: 307-335-8796; darci@wyovoters.org, wyovoters@wyovoters.org
On Thursday, September 18, 6:30-8:30 p.m., in Cheyenne, there's a Legislative Candidate Forum sponsored by Wyoming Conservation Voters and the Wyoming Wildlife Federation. It will feature Wyoming House and Senate candidates for contested races in Laramie County. It's at the Historic Plains Hotel, corner of Lincolnway & Central Ave.
Info: 307-335-8796; darci@wyovoters.org, wyovoters@wyovoters.org
Fund-raiser in Denver Sept. 29 for Trauner
Christopher Findlater, publisher of wyofile.com, sends this invite:
EDITOR'S NOTE: The Wyoming Democrats held a reception for Walter Mondale at 8 Rivers Restaurant during the recent Democratic National Convention. The Carribean-style cuisine was good, and the place has an expansive bar. If there's a Rockies game that night, and you're a glutton for punishment, you could attend the reception and then stroll own to the ball game.
UPDATE: Just checked the Rockies schedule. Their season is over on Sunday, Sept. 28. And I mean over. Meanwhile, Gary's just getting started.
I would like invite you to join me to support Gary Trauner in his run for U.S. Congress for the great state of Wyoming!
Gary Trauner is a solid Progressive Democrat who came within a 1,000 votes of winning in 2006. It is an open seat this time and in this climate of change thousands of new voters registered in Wyoming for Obama’s primary.
Five of the hosts for this event have donated $1,000 each. So we encourage you donate what you can even if you are unable to attend and I would ask that you send this invite out to your email list. Please note this event as “8 Rivers” in the memo field of any checks. The donation for those people that do attend or wish to donate would be a “suggested” $200. Any amount helps the cause!
The fundraiser will be held at 8 Rivers Restaurant, 1550 Blake Street, 5-7 p.m., in Denver's LoDo neighborhood on Monday, Sept. 29.
This is our year for change including in Wyoming!
EDITOR'S NOTE: The Wyoming Democrats held a reception for Walter Mondale at 8 Rivers Restaurant during the recent Democratic National Convention. The Carribean-style cuisine was good, and the place has an expansive bar. If there's a Rockies game that night, and you're a glutton for punishment, you could attend the reception and then stroll own to the ball game.
UPDATE: Just checked the Rockies schedule. Their season is over on Sunday, Sept. 28. And I mean over. Meanwhile, Gary's just getting started.
Don't miss Wyoming's Equality State Bookfest 9/18-9/20 in Casper
Wyoming boasts two successful statewide book festivals. Not bad for the least populated state in the nation. During odd years, the Wyoming Book Festival lights up Cheyenne. During even years, the Equality State Book Festival brings thousands of readers to events throughout Casper.
The 2008 Equality State Bookfest kicks off this Thursday with writing workshops, readings, history presentations and school visits by writers. The Wyoming Arts Council's creative writing fellowship winners will read with Colorado fiction writer Laura Pritchett at 1:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 18, at the Casper College Library. Jack Gantos, author of the "Rotten Ralph" series of children's books, will offer some tips (and a taste of his wild humor) on becoming a children's book author at 4 p.m. in Casper College's Wold Physical Science Center. The University of Wyoming's top-notch creative writing faculty offers workshops on Thursday and Friday. That includes fiction writer Alyson Hagy, nonfiction writer Beth Loffreda, and poets David Romtvedt and H.L. Hix. Bookfest co-director Laurie Lye tells me that there's still room in some of these workshops. Register now at http://www.equalitystatebookfest.org!
Friday's highlight will be Alexandra Fuller's 7:30 p.m. talk about her new book, "The Legend of Colton H. Bryant," a 2008 Book Sense selection. This nonfiction account of one young man from Wyoming and his tragic death in the oil patch has generated a flurry of controversy. It also takes the reader inside a dangerous occupation, one that's claimed a record number of workers' lives in the state this year.
Friday offers a continuation of the writing workshops and tips on oral history projects from Nebraska's Twyla Hansen at the National Historic Trails Center on the ridge above Casper. The evening features a banquet with keynote speaker Gary Ferguson of Montana. A poetry slam follows at the Metro Coffee Company.
Saturday is the big day, with a book fair at the Nicolaysen Art Museum downtown, a trout-fishing panel with national expert authors, and an array of panels on poetry, publishing, and "stories of the West." Laramie's Mark Jenkins will be there. A real treat, since he spends most of his time climbing mountains in Chile and kayaking Africans rivers -- and then writing about it.
One bit of friendly advice: don't miss the bookfest in Casper Sept. 18-20. If you have any questions, ask me, as I'm on the planning committee -- and have been from the beginning.
The 2008 Equality State Bookfest kicks off this Thursday with writing workshops, readings, history presentations and school visits by writers. The Wyoming Arts Council's creative writing fellowship winners will read with Colorado fiction writer Laura Pritchett at 1:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 18, at the Casper College Library. Jack Gantos, author of the "Rotten Ralph" series of children's books, will offer some tips (and a taste of his wild humor) on becoming a children's book author at 4 p.m. in Casper College's Wold Physical Science Center. The University of Wyoming's top-notch creative writing faculty offers workshops on Thursday and Friday. That includes fiction writer Alyson Hagy, nonfiction writer Beth Loffreda, and poets David Romtvedt and H.L. Hix. Bookfest co-director Laurie Lye tells me that there's still room in some of these workshops. Register now at http://www.equalitystatebookfest.org!
Friday's highlight will be Alexandra Fuller's 7:30 p.m. talk about her new book, "The Legend of Colton H. Bryant," a 2008 Book Sense selection. This nonfiction account of one young man from Wyoming and his tragic death in the oil patch has generated a flurry of controversy. It also takes the reader inside a dangerous occupation, one that's claimed a record number of workers' lives in the state this year.
Friday offers a continuation of the writing workshops and tips on oral history projects from Nebraska's Twyla Hansen at the National Historic Trails Center on the ridge above Casper. The evening features a banquet with keynote speaker Gary Ferguson of Montana. A poetry slam follows at the Metro Coffee Company.
Saturday is the big day, with a book fair at the Nicolaysen Art Museum downtown, a trout-fishing panel with national expert authors, and an array of panels on poetry, publishing, and "stories of the West." Laramie's Mark Jenkins will be there. A real treat, since he spends most of his time climbing mountains in Chile and kayaking Africans rivers -- and then writing about it.
One bit of friendly advice: don't miss the bookfest in Casper Sept. 18-20. If you have any questions, ask me, as I'm on the planning committee -- and have been from the beginning.
Monday, September 15, 2008
Supercomputer still set for Cheyenne
Jared Miller reports today in the Casper Star-Tribune that plans for a "major climate-modeling supercomputer in Cheyenne" are back on track.
This is good news for Cheyenne. It will diversify the economy and bring a shot of high-tech to a city known more for government offices, the Air Force base and its refinery and chemical plant that for supercomputing. Many of the jobs brought to the county since I moved here 17 years ago have been in the retail sector, where low-wage part-time work is the rule. The Wal-Mart Distribution Center, close to where the big computer will be built, has brought some decent-paying jobs with it. Unfortunately, many of its workers and managers have elected to live 45 miles south in Fort Collins, Colo., location of major high-tech facilities (H-P, Intel, etc.), a lively downtown, not to mention the best micro-brewery in the Rockies -- New Belgium. Techies love their craft beers.
The brainiacs who will run the new computer may or may not live in the area. It would be great if they did. While support staff can be hired from Cheyenne, our repository of supercomputer engineers is not large -- if it exists at all. Imports from bigger metro areas will expect a lively arts and culture scene. NCAR in Boulder, Colo., has attracted a cluster of high-tech businesses. But Boulder is also the home of the biggest university in the state (but not the best -- CSU gets that honor), another university (if you count hippy-dippy Naropa), and a very lively cultural scene. The Pearl Street Mall draws retro-hippies and Republican businessmen alike. It boasts a high percentage of college grads in a state known for the high education level of its citizenry.
To Cheyenne's credit, we have a very good symphony, an active local theatre company, the "2008 Public Library of the Year" library, Depot Square downtown, an expanding Botanic Gardens and all the activities surrounding July's Cheyenne Frontier Days. Our Greenway is one of the best I've seen anywhere. We have a new wind farm east of town slated to provide some of the city's power, and an up-and-coming reputation for water recycling and reclamation. Let's not forget the mountains, notably the Vedauwoo Rec Area with its great rock climbing and boulder jumping.
It's a great family town. From what I hear, it's not great if you're young and single. I haven't been in that demographic cohort for three decades. But that's what I hear.
I welcome the climate-modeling supercomputer. In the short-term, it won't change much. But we're all in it for the long haul.
After months of delay, and speculation that the project might be stuck in federal bureaucratic gridlock, the National Science Foundation acknowledged on Sept. 5 that it had approved the next stage of the work, which will focus on computer design.
"There have been milestones along the way, but this more recent one has everyone smiling a bit more, just because it is a critical step to the rest of the process," said Randy Bruns, chief executive officer for Cheyenne LEADS, the city’s economic development arm.
Wyoming officials have since early 2007 been singing the praises of the supercomputer, which is expected to be one of the largest in the world once complete.
Local and state officials predict it will raise the profile of the University of Wyoming, whose scientists will have access to a portion of the computing capacity. Some also expect the supercomputer to help establish Cheyenne as a hub for technology somewhat like the National Center for Atmospheric Research supercomputer did for Boulder, Colo., and could help diversify the economy in southeastern Wyoming.
The computer is expected to cost $60 million to build, and $530 million over its 20-year lifetime, according to the most recent estimates.The state Legislature contributed $20 million to the project in 2007.
The supercomputer is slated for construction on a 25-acre portion of land owned by Cheyenne LEADS just west of town.Cheyenne Mayor Jack Spiker said the National Science Foundation announcement is a "huge confidence builder for the community and the entire state." Spiker said he envisions the supercomputer as an economic driver that will attract businesses to Cheyenne, and as a destination for tourists intrigued by one of the largest computers in the world. He noted that the visitor's center attached to a similar supercomputer in Boulder, Colo., reported 50,000 visitors last year.
This is good news for Cheyenne. It will diversify the economy and bring a shot of high-tech to a city known more for government offices, the Air Force base and its refinery and chemical plant that for supercomputing. Many of the jobs brought to the county since I moved here 17 years ago have been in the retail sector, where low-wage part-time work is the rule. The Wal-Mart Distribution Center, close to where the big computer will be built, has brought some decent-paying jobs with it. Unfortunately, many of its workers and managers have elected to live 45 miles south in Fort Collins, Colo., location of major high-tech facilities (H-P, Intel, etc.), a lively downtown, not to mention the best micro-brewery in the Rockies -- New Belgium. Techies love their craft beers.
The brainiacs who will run the new computer may or may not live in the area. It would be great if they did. While support staff can be hired from Cheyenne, our repository of supercomputer engineers is not large -- if it exists at all. Imports from bigger metro areas will expect a lively arts and culture scene. NCAR in Boulder, Colo., has attracted a cluster of high-tech businesses. But Boulder is also the home of the biggest university in the state (but not the best -- CSU gets that honor), another university (if you count hippy-dippy Naropa), and a very lively cultural scene. The Pearl Street Mall draws retro-hippies and Republican businessmen alike. It boasts a high percentage of college grads in a state known for the high education level of its citizenry.
To Cheyenne's credit, we have a very good symphony, an active local theatre company, the "2008 Public Library of the Year" library, Depot Square downtown, an expanding Botanic Gardens and all the activities surrounding July's Cheyenne Frontier Days. Our Greenway is one of the best I've seen anywhere. We have a new wind farm east of town slated to provide some of the city's power, and an up-and-coming reputation for water recycling and reclamation. Let's not forget the mountains, notably the Vedauwoo Rec Area with its great rock climbing and boulder jumping.
It's a great family town. From what I hear, it's not great if you're young and single. I haven't been in that demographic cohort for three decades. But that's what I hear.
I welcome the climate-modeling supercomputer. In the short-term, it won't change much. But we're all in it for the long haul.
I want a dinosaur just like the one great-great-great-great-great-grandpa had
Now that we know that Sarah Palin, McCain's running mate, believes that dinosaurs and humans coexisted and that global warming is a myth, it's time to take a look at the presidential candidates' views on science.
ScienceDebate2008 has been advocating a long time for a presidential debate on scientific topics. That's not going to happen. However, the organization has tracked the scientific views of the two candidates and now lists them side-by-side at http://www.sciencedebate2008.com/www/index.php?id=42.
I admit openly that I haven't read the entire list. So far, I don't see anywhere that McCain admits that his forebears in what is now Arizona had a pet Stegosaurus named Benny. But a look at his answers can reveal how far McCain has gone to kowtow to the Religious Right's view of life, the universe, and everything.
ScienceDebate2008 has been advocating a long time for a presidential debate on scientific topics. That's not going to happen. However, the organization has tracked the scientific views of the two candidates and now lists them side-by-side at http://www.sciencedebate2008.com/www/index.php?id=42.
I admit openly that I haven't read the entire list. So far, I don't see anywhere that McCain admits that his forebears in what is now Arizona had a pet Stegosaurus named Benny. But a look at his answers can reveal how far McCain has gone to kowtow to the Religious Right's view of life, the universe, and everything.
McCain's lies: 51 and still counting
So many lies. So difficult to track them all.
Until now.
As a public service, the Democratic National Committee has launched a "Count the Lies" page on its McCainPedia site. It spells out the whoppers emanating from the campaign of Mr. Maverick and Mr. Straight Talker. These have been tracked by independent nonpartisan fact-checkers.
Sunday, September 14, 2008
The real story behind Palin's earmarks
From Congressional Quarterly:
CQ Politics blogger David Nather claims Sarah Palin's image as a fighter for earmark reform is central to the McCain campaign's narrative. Nather notes that while Palin doesn't claim she hasn't asked for earmarks, she leaves an impression that she's every bit as passionate a fighter as McCain against pork barrel projects.
However, thanks to the Web site of Sen. Ted Stevens, (R-Alaska), it's clear that the campaign narrative distorts her record. Palin submitted 31 earmark requests this year alone, totaling approximately $197 million.
In a memo e-mailed to reporters yesterday afternoon, the McCain campaign said Palin’s requests were a significant reduction from the record of the previous Alaska governor, Republican Frank Murkowski, whom Palin unseated in 2006. According to the campaign, Murkowski’s final request asked for $350 million in earmarks, according to the campaign.
Read the full story at: http://www.cqpolitics.com/wmspage.cfm?docid=news-000002947712.
Saturday, September 13, 2008
Chattanooga goes green on electric buses
McCain touts Bush healthcare plan
This comes from the DNC:
The Tulsa World reports that President Bush will conduct a business roundtable in Oklahoma City today to promote his failed plan for health savings accounts before heading off to a private closed door fundraiser for John McCain's campaign. [Tulsa World, 9/12/08: http://www.tulsaworld.com/news/article.aspx?articleID=20080910_16_A4_hHepla243517]
As part of his record of voting with President Bush more than 90 percent of the time, John McCain endorsed the Bush plan for health savings accounts even though the Wall Street Journal said was "dead-on-arrival in Congress in early 2007." This plan is a radical new scheme to tax health insurance benefits for the first time in history, provide more power to insurance companies, and give families a tax credit that covers only a fraction of average health insurance costs.
"It should surprise no one that President Bush is raising money for the candidate who is promising more of the same failed Bush policies on everything from health care to the economy," said Democratic National Committee spokesman Damien LaVera. "While millions of Americans have lost their health insurance in the Bush-McCain era, John McCain says we're better off than we were eight years ago and that the fundamentals of our economy are strong. No wonder he's promising a warmed over version of the failed Bush plan that won't do anything to help Americans find health care."
In search of elusive McCain bumper stickers
I've been in Chattanooga almost four days and I haven't seen a single bumper sticker or sign or T-shirt for Obama or McCain. Weird. Come to think of it, I haven't seen many bumper stickers for McCain in Wyoming the past months. Perhaps that will change now that McCain has drafted Superstar Supermom SuperGov Sarah Palin for the ticket.
My own unofficial survey of downtown Cheyenne has turned up more Obama bumper stickers that those for McCain. Last week in the state parking garage, I saw three Obama stickers and none for McCain. One of those Obama stickers was on my flex-fuel van. But there were two more!
I've seen a lot of worried faces on Democrats since McCain and Palin hooked up, and Palin began receiving tons of publicity. But take heart, fellow Dems, as Palin has received as many negatives as positives. On the airport shuttle, I met an ex-military man (21 years) named Todd who'd been in Alaska for eight years, most of the time in Wasillan outside Anchorage. He worked military security and knew the highway patrolman whom Palin fired (apparently with prejudice). His wife knew Palin and, he said, liked her policies but didn't like her personally. Todd and his hairstylist wife recently moved to Colorado. When Palin's name was announced, a woman told Todd's wife: "Look, she's got your hairstyle." Todd's wife said: "No, she's got mine."
In Chattanooga, I ran into an arts administrator from Oregon who lived in Alaska for a number of years. Palin tried to fire her husband, but her husband wasn't having any of it. Seems as if Palin's specialty if firing people. A good Republican. Instead of finding ways to keep good people and pay them good wages to look after affairs of state, she's more intent on saving money. Her aim is to keep expenses low in order to provide tax cuts, mainly for the wealthy, a strategy which takes up a huge section of the Republixcan Playbook. Bush did that on a grander scale. McCain wants to make those tax cuts permanent.
This is what happens when you elect government-hating people to run government. This is how you get dumbbells such as Brownie ("You're doing a heck of a job, Brownie") running major government agencies. Wonder who's minding the store during Hurricane Ike?
My own unofficial survey of downtown Cheyenne has turned up more Obama bumper stickers that those for McCain. Last week in the state parking garage, I saw three Obama stickers and none for McCain. One of those Obama stickers was on my flex-fuel van. But there were two more!
I've seen a lot of worried faces on Democrats since McCain and Palin hooked up, and Palin began receiving tons of publicity. But take heart, fellow Dems, as Palin has received as many negatives as positives. On the airport shuttle, I met an ex-military man (21 years) named Todd who'd been in Alaska for eight years, most of the time in Wasillan outside Anchorage. He worked military security and knew the highway patrolman whom Palin fired (apparently with prejudice). His wife knew Palin and, he said, liked her policies but didn't like her personally. Todd and his hairstylist wife recently moved to Colorado. When Palin's name was announced, a woman told Todd's wife: "Look, she's got your hairstyle." Todd's wife said: "No, she's got mine."
In Chattanooga, I ran into an arts administrator from Oregon who lived in Alaska for a number of years. Palin tried to fire her husband, but her husband wasn't having any of it. Seems as if Palin's specialty if firing people. A good Republican. Instead of finding ways to keep good people and pay them good wages to look after affairs of state, she's more intent on saving money. Her aim is to keep expenses low in order to provide tax cuts, mainly for the wealthy, a strategy which takes up a huge section of the Republixcan Playbook. Bush did that on a grander scale. McCain wants to make those tax cuts permanent.
This is what happens when you elect government-hating people to run government. This is how you get dumbbells such as Brownie ("You're doing a heck of a job, Brownie") running major government agencies. Wonder who's minding the store during Hurricane Ike?
"Vote for Change" helps you register
This comes from Barack Obama's "Vote for Change" web site:
My question is, once all these people are registered, how can we assure that they'll be able to get to the polls, vote once they're there, and that their vote will be tabulated accurately? We need a national voting system that will assure these things. Now we have this hodge-podge of country clerks and electronic/manual voting systems, and all kinds of different rules and regs.
Obviously Wyoming doesn't have the answer for all this. But it does offer same-day registration at the polls, which allows people to walk in, register, vote, and even change their registration after the fact if they wish.
I hope that Pres. Obama can insure a more fair polling system for all.
First, you have to get out and vote him in.
You'd be surprised how many people you know aren't registered to vote.
Registration deadlines are coming up soon, and we need every single vote we can get to win this election. Tell your friends, family, and neighbors to check out our new one-stop voter registration website. Just forward this message. VoteforChange.com makes it easier than ever to register. Instead of tracking down the right forms, all you need to do is answer a few basic questions and you'll be ready to vote.
You can also:
Confirm your existing registration
Apply to vote
absentee
Find your polling place
If you don't know your own registration status or you'd like to learn more, take a minute to visit the site right now. This race is too close and too important to stay home on Election Day. If you take the time to register and vote -- and make sure everyone you know is registered as well -- we'll be able to turn the tide of the past eight years. It's people just like you who will transform this nation.
My question is, once all these people are registered, how can we assure that they'll be able to get to the polls, vote once they're there, and that their vote will be tabulated accurately? We need a national voting system that will assure these things. Now we have this hodge-podge of country clerks and electronic/manual voting systems, and all kinds of different rules and regs.
Obviously Wyoming doesn't have the answer for all this. But it does offer same-day registration at the polls, which allows people to walk in, register, vote, and even change their registration after the fact if they wish.
I hope that Pres. Obama can insure a more fair polling system for all.
First, you have to get out and vote him in.
Friday, September 12, 2008
Speakers for WyoDem Dinner in Casper
Here's the list of guest speakers for Saturday's Jefferson-Jackson Dinner in Casper:
Governor Dave Freudenthal: Our two-term democratic governor set and met priorities to continue promoting a culture of bipartisan and state-wide cooperation – and to make permanent smart investments toward a stable future for Wyoming. He continues to focus on Energy and Transmission, Education, Health and Wellness, Infrastructure (Roads, Water and Sewer Lines), Quality and Excellence, Water and Drought, Wildlife and Open Spaces as well as Workforce Training. Last month, a Mason-Dixon poll published in the Denver Post found that Governor Freudenthal enjoys an 81% approval rating in our great state.
Gary Trauner: Gary Trauner, 49, is a husband, father, businessman, entrepreneur, community volunteer, and former elected official residing in Wilson, Wyoming. Eighteen years ago, he and his wife Terry chose Wyoming as the place they wanted to live and raise a family; they are now the proud parents of two Wyoming born-and-raised young boys - ages 14 and 8. Gary runs an old-fashioned, retail campaign for Wyoming's lone seat in the US House of Representatives and continues to take the high ground by focusing on the issues that really matter to the citizens of Wyoming. Gary's campaign centered on his wish to restore leadership, integrity, a commitment to service and a willingness to do the right thing, regardless of party or political consequences, for all the people of Wyoming. Gary has seen firsthand the issues that matter to most working people – how to pay for health care, how to achieve a quality education, how to juggle work and family, how to provide a decent living wage, and freedom from unreasonable government and corporate intrusion. We are proud and honored to have him as our Candidate for the US House again this year.
Nick Carter: One look at Nick's website and you understand that that he is a hard driving pragmatic goal oriented solution finder who is also just a 'regular guy." He is a Wyoming Democrat, which means that he is an independent thinker and as such will be an effective advocate for all Wyoming Citizens. He believes that our government is broken and that you are either part of the problem or part of the solution. He contends that our current representation in Washington has proven to be part of the problem and he lays out solutions which he believes will fix Washington and help Wyoming. He is 'Wyoming Tough" and we are excited with his candidacy and are working hard to send him to Washington D.C. so he can show those folks a thing or two.
Chris Rothfuss: Chris is a man with the rare combination of brilliant intellect, levelheaded common sense, global vision and local practicality and we are privileged to have him as our US Senate Candidate. We are working hard to send him to Washington D.C. to finally build a comprehensive Energy Policy for the United States. A recent WyoFile story: "The Perfect Candidate You Never Heard Of" said it best: "Polite and professional, Rothfuss actually has a lot more experience and a few more years under his belt than appearances suggest. Whether you've heard it or not, Rothfuss is the Wyoming Democratic Party's nominee for the seat currently occupied by two-term Republican Senator Mike Enzi….The unfortunate thing is that this guy really deserves a look, but if history and the realities of modern campaign finances are any indication, he probably won't get it." "…Rothfuss said his service in the Senate would take advantage of his own set of unique skills: energy and diplomacy. 'My specialty is in the energy field,' said Rothfuss. 'That's a background and strength I would like to take to Washington. I think it would serve us all well to have some expertise in Congress.' The U.S., he said, has to come to terms with what dependence on foreign sources of energy is doing to the country's security and long-term financial health. 'We have to develop domestic sources of energy,' he said. 'That includes an emphasis on efficiency, alternatives – including nuclear – and an enhancement of the power grid and storage capacity. It also means that we have to develop ways to use domestic oil and coal reserves in a way that doesn't ignore our duty as stewards of the environment.' Toward that end, Rothfuss wants to develop a 50-year national energy policy to replace the 'haphazard' approach the country has used, with a goal of eliminating dependence on foreign oil within 10 years. 'With planning, we can do that," he said. "The economic and security implications are staggering…and disastrous if we simply continue to ignore the problem.'" Well said, Chris!
Chairman John Millin John served as the state party's treasurer and secretary and has worked extensively at the grassroots level in Wyoming chairing the largest county party organization in the state. He was elected as the Chairman of the Wyoming Democratic Party in April 2007, promising to increase the capacity of the Wyoming Democratic Party by recruiting grassroots candidates, mobilize Democrats across the state, and match the Democratic National Committee's strategy of competing in all 50 states by competing for each of Wyoming's 23 counties. He accepted the challenge with limitless enthusiasm and has honored those commitments. We look forward to vigorous political races in every county addressing and winning on the issues that matter most to the citizens of Wyoming
Contact: Lauri Kay Elbing
Communications Director
307-634-3367 (office)
307-277-1187 (cell)
lauri@wyomingdemocrats.com
WYOMING FOR OBAMA HQ opens in Casper
I won't be in Wyoming today, but the rest of you will. Here's some news from the Wyoming for Obama campaign:
The Obama for America campaign is establishing its Wyoming headquarters in Casper this week and invites the community to an Open House tomorrow, Friday September 12, from 5 p.m.-8 p.m. at the new headquarters on 114 W. 2nd Street.
“Senator Obama’s message of change in Washington is resonating with the people of Wyoming and we are enthusiastic about being a part of this historic campaign,” said Michelle Sullivan, Wyoming State Director for the Obama campaign.
Supporters of the Obama-Biden campaign will have access to lawn signs and other materials at the Casper office. They can also volunteer for the effort to create change in Washington by electing Barack Obama as President of the United States.
CONTACT: Michelle Sullivan, State Director, (307) 752-7223.
P.S.: Casperites Dick (Veep) and Lynne Cheney (Veepette) and Rep. Barbara Cubin (lame duck) not expected to attend.
The Obama for America campaign is establishing its Wyoming headquarters in Casper this week and invites the community to an Open House tomorrow, Friday September 12, from 5 p.m.-8 p.m. at the new headquarters on 114 W. 2nd Street.
“Senator Obama’s message of change in Washington is resonating with the people of Wyoming and we are enthusiastic about being a part of this historic campaign,” said Michelle Sullivan, Wyoming State Director for the Obama campaign.
Supporters of the Obama-Biden campaign will have access to lawn signs and other materials at the Casper office. They can also volunteer for the effort to create change in Washington by electing Barack Obama as President of the United States.
CONTACT: Michelle Sullivan, State Director, (307) 752-7223.
P.S.: Casperites Dick (Veep) and Lynne Cheney (Veepette) and Rep. Barbara Cubin (lame duck) not expected to attend.
Thursday, September 11, 2008
National Arts Conference in Chattanooga
View of river from Hunter Museum balcony. I'm in Chattanooga for the annual National Assembly of State Arts Agencies conference.
Canvass for Lori Millin Sept. 21
Rep. Lori Millin is organizing a district-wide canvass on Sunday, September 21, in Cheyenne. She needs your help to distribute new campaign literature to every house in her district (No. 8).
Meet at Lori's house, 308 Stetson Drive, at 12:30 p.m. and walk the neighborhoods from 1-4 p. We will provide all the supplies and feed everyone after we are done. All you need to do is show up in comfortable clothes and good walking shoes. If you, or someone you know, are able to help please let me know. Thanks!
Meet at Lori's house, 308 Stetson Drive, at 12:30 p.m. and walk the neighborhoods from 1-4 p. We will provide all the supplies and feed everyone after we are done. All you need to do is show up in comfortable clothes and good walking shoes. If you, or someone you know, are able to help please let me know. Thanks!
Poll: Nick Carter closing in on Barrasso
This good news comes from the Nick Carter for Senate campaign:
The Public Policy Group, an independent polling company out of North Carolina, conducted a poll of over 1,600 Wyomingites over the course of two days asking likely voters about where they stood on the issues and who they would be voting for in November.
I am encouraged by the results: John Barrasso: 42%; Nick Carter: 39%; Undecided: 19%
This tells me two things:
1. Nick Carter is just three points away from kicking out John Barrasso and bringing real solutions to the people of Wyoming;
2. With 19% of Wyoming voters undecided, we all have work to do to convince as many of those 19% to vote for Nick.
This means knocking on doors, talking to your neighbors, and making phone calls for the campaign on our easy and convenient virtual phonebanking system. The poll also confirmed what Nick Carter have discovered through knocking on doors, visiting senior centers, and spending time with veterans at VFW halls: the people of Wyoming are sick of the culture of corruption in Washington and they see Senator John Barrasso as an emblem of that corruption. Wyoming voters are a very intelligent and independent group of people who do not want those who represent them to vote straight party line.
Unlike my opponent, I will work with Republicans, Democrats, and Independents to solve tough issues like energy, the economy, and immigration. We have a real shot at this, but we need your help to close the three point gap.
John Barrasso has raised over $2 Million from lobbyists and Washington D.C. special interests and is ready to use it. I need your help to show those 19% of undecided voters that we need serious change in Wyoming.
The Public Policy Group, an independent polling company out of North Carolina, conducted a poll of over 1,600 Wyomingites over the course of two days asking likely voters about where they stood on the issues and who they would be voting for in November.
I am encouraged by the results: John Barrasso: 42%; Nick Carter: 39%; Undecided: 19%
This tells me two things:
1. Nick Carter is just three points away from kicking out John Barrasso and bringing real solutions to the people of Wyoming;
2. With 19% of Wyoming voters undecided, we all have work to do to convince as many of those 19% to vote for Nick.
This means knocking on doors, talking to your neighbors, and making phone calls for the campaign on our easy and convenient virtual phonebanking system. The poll also confirmed what Nick Carter have discovered through knocking on doors, visiting senior centers, and spending time with veterans at VFW halls: the people of Wyoming are sick of the culture of corruption in Washington and they see Senator John Barrasso as an emblem of that corruption. Wyoming voters are a very intelligent and independent group of people who do not want those who represent them to vote straight party line.
Unlike my opponent, I will work with Republicans, Democrats, and Independents to solve tough issues like energy, the economy, and immigration. We have a real shot at this, but we need your help to close the three point gap.
John Barrasso has raised over $2 Million from lobbyists and Washington D.C. special interests and is ready to use it. I need your help to show those 19% of undecided voters that we need serious change in Wyoming.
Multi-faith 9/11 event in Laramie
This comes from the always energetic Nancy Sindelar in Laramie:
Thursday, September 11, Laramie: Multi-faith Peace Prayer Procession and Potluck. People of the Christian, Jewish, Muslim and those of any or no faith are invted to walk in prayer to mark the seven years since September 11th, 2001. Bring food and a prayer. 6:30 PM, Peace Pole at Washington Park on the Sheridan St. side for procession, 7 PM, Mayor's proclamation, Islamic Center, 7th & Garfield Sts., 7:25 PM, Sunset and breaking bread. Info: Sally, 742-0471, RevSal@compuserve.com, Sadrul, ulas@uwyo.edu, 721-3065, Wendy, 745-0840. Free
Thursday, September 11, Laramie: Multi-faith Peace Prayer Procession and Potluck. People of the Christian, Jewish, Muslim and those of any or no faith are invted to walk in prayer to mark the seven years since September 11th, 2001. Bring food and a prayer. 6:30 PM, Peace Pole at Washington Park on the Sheridan St. side for procession, 7 PM, Mayor's proclamation, Islamic Center, 7th & Garfield Sts., 7:25 PM, Sunset and breaking bread. Info: Sally, 742-0471, RevSal@compuserve.com, Sadrul, ulas@uwyo.edu, 721-3065, Wendy, 745-0840. Free
Monday, September 08, 2008
"Jesus was a community organizer"
This great quote comes from the blogs RK and Anonymous is A Woman in Virginia, and is a reference to Republican slams against community organizers, a term Repubs utter with a sneer:
Sojourners' Jim Wallis also weighs in on this issue with "Palin owes some good people an apology." To read his Sept. 5 column, go to http://blog.beliefnet.com/godspolitics/2008/09/palin-owes-some-good-people-an.html
"As a committed Christian, I was deeply offended by Sarah Palin and the Republican delegates mocking and belittling community organizers the other night. Jesus was a community organizer. Pontius Pilate was a Governor." -- Diane Rehm Show, 9/5/08
Sojourners' Jim Wallis also weighs in on this issue with "Palin owes some good people an apology." To read his Sept. 5 column, go to http://blog.beliefnet.com/godspolitics/2008/09/palin-owes-some-good-people-an.html
Sunday, September 07, 2008
Long's Peak Scottish-Irish Festival in Estes Park Sept. 7
Prickly Pair & The Cactus Chorale from Dubois traded western duds for Scottish tartans at the Scottish-Irish Festival in Estes Park. Les Hamilton (left) is a fourth-generation fiddler with Scottish roots from Wyoming's Big Horn Basin. His wife, Locke, plays guitar, sings and writes some of the songs, while Norman Winter plays bass. Sitting in with the group is Denis Sullivan from the Denver Celtic group Gobs o' Phun. Prickly Pair plays vintage Western, old-time fiddle and cowboy folk tunes. They also play -- and talk about -- the Celtic origins of early cowboy and fiddle tunes of the Northern Plains.
Prickly Pair plays a hybrid of country-western and traditional Scots-Irish folk songs. They performed a song about Irish and Scottish soldiers who fought (and died) with Custer's Seventh Cavalry, one about a Wyoming cowgirl and a Scottish bagpiper who meet and fall in love (based loosely on Les and Locke's own lives), a song by Lori Lewis from the point of view of a fiddle dreaming of his previous life as a tree, and a ballad about Scotsmen driving the last working team of Clydesdale horses across their land. According to Locke, some ranchers in the West still use these "gentle giants" on their spreads.
For more on Prickly Pair, go to http://www.thepricklypair.com/
Calling all insects: make war, not love
Author and entomologist Jeff Lockwood will read from his latest book, "Six-Legged Soldiers: Using Insects as Weapons of War" on Saturday, October 18, 5 p.m., at Second Story Books, First and Ivinson in Laramie. A reception will follow, with the author signing copies of his books, including intriguing earlier books on locusts and grasshoppers. The event's co-sponsors include the UW Ecology and Philosophy departments, and the MFA program in Creative Writing. Jeff is a Professor of Natural Sciences and Humanities at University of Wyoming, and teaches in both the philosophy and creative writing programs. His spring 2008 course, "Interstellar Message Composition" (writing for terrestrials, in Trekkie language), was underwritten by the Wyoming NASA Space Grant Consortium and featured in the Christian Science Monitor and on ABC's web site at <http://www.abcnews.go.com/story?id=4873966>.
"Six-Legged Soldiers" is published by Oxford University Press. Here's a description of the book taken from amazon.com:
Beginning in prehistoric times and building toward a near and disturbing future, the reader is taken on a journey of innovation and depravity. Award-winning science writer Jeffrey A. Lockwood begins with the development of "bee bombs" in the ancient world and explores the role of insect-borne disease in changing the course of major battles, ranging from Napoleon's military campaigns to the trenches of World War I. He explores the horrific programs of insect warfare during World War II: airplanes dropping plague-infested fleas, facilities rearing tens of millions of hungry beetles to destroy crops, and prison camps staffed by doctors testing disease-carrying lice on inmates. The Cold War saw secret government operations involving the mass release of specially developed strains of mosquitoes on an unsuspecting American public--along with the alleged use of disease-carrying and crop-eating pests against North Korea and Cuba. Lockwood reveals how easy it would be to use of insects in warfare and terrorism today: In 1989, domestic eco-terrorists extorted government officials and wreaked economic and political havoc by threatening to release the notorious Medfly into California's crops. A remarkable story of human ingenuity--and brutality--"Six-Legged Soldiers" is the first comprehensive look at the use of insects as weapons of war, from ancient times to the present day.
Saturday, September 06, 2008
Can you oppose New G.I. Bill but still support veterans?
Wyoming Republican Sen. John Barrasso did not support Sen. James Webb's New G.I. Bill for post-9/11 military veterans. But I found this curious item in Sen. Barrasso's Aug. 27 e-mail newsletter. Kind of odd that you can vote against veterans' benefits yet still claim to support Wyoming's veterans. Anyone know what this means?
GI Bill Education Benefits Can Transfer to Family Members
I recently joined Senate colleagues to force changes to the “GI Bill” to allow Wyoming military members to transfer their education benefits to their families. We won the day for the things Wyoming veterans told me were most important to them. Wyoming veterans wanted to be in a position to help their families. The transferability of education benefits will be a tremendous help to our service members and a great comfort to our military families.
As a matter of principal, it does not make sense to penalize service members who decide to make the military their career. The transferability provision provides the right incentive to our men and women in uniform. Service members can transfer their education benefits to their spouse and children. This recognizes the sacrifices made by both the military family and the service member. Studies show it will bolster recruitment and encourage service members to continue their military careers. According to the Congressional Budget Office, the original legislation would have hurt reenlistment by 16 percent.
Palin story slams into Banned Books Week
I received the following timely ALA press released promoting "Banned Books Week" at about the same time I heard that Republican Veep hopeful Sarah Palin tried, as the new mayor of Wasilla in 1996, to get the librarian to remove controversial books from the shelves. The Palin story is a bit more complicated than it first appeared, but it is clear that her fundamentalist Christian bent got in the way of free speech. This happens often. You can read a comprehensive report on Palin and book-banning at the Anchorage Daily News web site at http://www.adn.com/. Time magazine also did a piece on it.
One of our county librarians told me the other day that she met a librarian from Converse County checking out a book by C.J. Box. This mystery writer's books face removal from the Converse County Library due to what's called a challenge. Objectionable language and content, stuff not fit for reading -- at least according to the challenger. So the librarian had to go somewhere other than her own library to get a book.
C.J. "Chuck" Box of Cheyenne writes the Joe Pickett mystery series set in Wyoming. Chuck has won tons of awards (nominated for an L.A. Times award for his first novel!) and his books are read by all kinds of people because they're set in Wyoming and the protagonist is a game warden. I was at a book signing at City News three years ago. Ahead of me in line were teen boys (very rare at readings and book signings), elderly couples, entire families, guys that looked like actual cowboys, a few pinko Liberals such as myself, and one biker wearing colors. Chuck told me later than the biker gushed about being a big fan. Chuck asked who to sign the book to. "Mouse," said the biker.
Wonder how Mouse would react to people telling him what NOT to read.
I have to mention here that Chuck is a Republican, owns (with his wife) his own international travel business, is a member of the high-falutin' Cheyenne Frontier Days committee (no pinkos allowed), and is a dedicated supporter of free expression, books and writers. His book jacket photo shows him in a black cowboy hat. He has his own horses and the entire family rides.
That's the great thing about Wyoming. Just as you've worked up a stereotype about someone, he or she blows it all to hell with something unexpected.
Here's the ALA press release:
One of our county librarians told me the other day that she met a librarian from Converse County checking out a book by C.J. Box. This mystery writer's books face removal from the Converse County Library due to what's called a challenge. Objectionable language and content, stuff not fit for reading -- at least according to the challenger. So the librarian had to go somewhere other than her own library to get a book.
C.J. "Chuck" Box of Cheyenne writes the Joe Pickett mystery series set in Wyoming. Chuck has won tons of awards (nominated for an L.A. Times award for his first novel!) and his books are read by all kinds of people because they're set in Wyoming and the protagonist is a game warden. I was at a book signing at City News three years ago. Ahead of me in line were teen boys (very rare at readings and book signings), elderly couples, entire families, guys that looked like actual cowboys, a few pinko Liberals such as myself, and one biker wearing colors. Chuck told me later than the biker gushed about being a big fan. Chuck asked who to sign the book to. "Mouse," said the biker.
Wonder how Mouse would react to people telling him what NOT to read.
I have to mention here that Chuck is a Republican, owns (with his wife) his own international travel business, is a member of the high-falutin' Cheyenne Frontier Days committee (no pinkos allowed), and is a dedicated supporter of free expression, books and writers. His book jacket photo shows him in a black cowboy hat. He has his own horses and the entire family rides.
That's the great thing about Wyoming. Just as you've worked up a stereotype about someone, he or she blows it all to hell with something unexpected.
Here's the ALA press release:
The American Library Association (ALA) opposes book banning and censorship in any form, and supports librarians whenever they resist censorship in their libraries. Since our society is so diverse, libraries have a responsibility to provide materials that reflect the interests of all of their patrons.
Each year, the ALA Office for Intellectual Freedom receives hundreds of reports on books and other materials that were "challenged" (their removal from school or library shelves was requested). The ALA estimates the number reported represents only about a quarter of the actual challenges.
In support of our efforts to fight censorship, the ALA annually celebrates Banned Books Week – a national celebration of the freedom to read. Observed during the last week of September each year, Banned Books Week reminds Americans not to take the precious democratic freedom to read for granted. This year, Banned Books Week will take place September 27–October 4, 2008.
The American Library Association is a nonprofit, 501(c) (3) educational association that supports quality library and information services and public access to information. As such, it is not allowed to take a position on political candidates and strives to be nonpartisan in its
activities.
To learn more about book challenges and Banned Books Week, please visit http://www.ala.org/bbooks.
Friday, September 05, 2008
Nick Carter challenges Barrasso on energy
This comes from the Nick Carter for U.S. Senate campaign:
United States Senate Democratic Nominee Nick Carter pointed out John Barrasso's contradictions and politics as usual approach to our country's energy crisis today. "With the price of gas hovering at four dollars per gallon and working families worried about the next price spike, John Barrasso offers contradictory views on drilling and no long term solution for our dependence on foreign oil."
"Out of one side of his mouth, Barrasso says he supports drilling in ANWR and offshore while out of the other side of his mouth he doesn't think Wyoming oil producers can safely produce oil and gas in the Wyoming Range," Carter said. "This type of political double talk by Senator Barrasso is exactly the kind of pointless pandering that our country can no longer afford."
Carter laughed out loud when he found out that Barrasso said that the "real" energy supplies were not to be found in Wyoming. "I've been watching working folks come home from the rigs in Wyoming since I was 6 years old and it sure looked like they were drilling for something 'real' to me."
"The sad thing is that without a comprehensive energy policy that is dedicated to freeing us from oil dependence, it is only a matter of time before Senator Barrasso is clamoring to drill in the Wyoming Range because gas is six or seven dollars per gallon. Remember, John McCain and George Bush Sr. were opposed to offshore drilling until recently. The only way to preserve our environment and our economy is to make tough decisions on a nationwide energy policy. Anything else is just political doublespeak."
"Remember, Senator Barrasso voted against Wind Energy in Wyoming while taking a half a million dollars from big oil. He neither wants energy independence nor protection of the environment. Now he also wants any drilling jobs to go out of state. You can't trust him with the environment. You can't trust him with your job. You can believe I'll work toward a solution to our energy problem -- not just political talk."
Carter will be sweeping through the state over the next week, speaking with energy companies, veteran's groups, and senior centers. Unlike Barrasso, Carter claims, he is making a genuine connection with the people of Wyoming so he can truly represent their interests in Washington.
New public art in my neighborhood
This is not a great photo, but I took it with my cell phone camera out of the driver's side window of my minivan. It's a four-engine C-130 aircraft used by the Wyoming National Guard at its base just south of my neighborhood. It looks a bit smaller than a C-130. Maybe it's something else?
A Korean War-era Starfighter stood on this site until a few months ago. It disappeared mysteriously overnight (Chicoms spirited it away?) and now we have this public sculpture, which is a better representation of the Guard's mission.
By the way, I'm not complaining about this new addition. I'm a fan of airplanes. Once, during the Guard base's open house, I was exploiring a C-130's cargo bay and a young woman in uniform asked if I had any questions. "You fly one of these things?"
She gave me a nervious grin. "Yeah, I'm the one making all the racket for the neighbors."
I shrugged. "I like the sound of airplanes."
She seemed a bit surprised by this, and said the base gets a lot of complaint calls, especially at night. I said that I wasn't one of them.
I wonder if the Guard gets any complaints about their choice of public art.
I have to get a better photo of it. Keep posted.
THERE IS "CHANGE" WITH A CAPITAL "C"...
...and then there is change that is almost invisible to the naked eye.
"Change is coming," quoth John McCain to the Repub multitudes. He and his loyal minions are going to drive the moneychangers out of Washington, D.C., temples of government.
Why would the moneychangers want to banish themselves from power? Great questions. But that's what the McCain campaign says it will do if elected. Do you believe that?
Maybe what McCain meant is that "your change is coming," referring to all those 72 cent rebates (in celebration of his 72nd birthday) he promised to his contributors. "Where's my change?" ask the pink-faced Republican multitudes. "See my running mate," says McCain with that eerie smile of his. "She's the change agent."
As Jon Stewart mentioned on "The Daily Show" last night, what you see at the RNC is not always clear. The other night, the convention stressed "service." Conventioneers were handed signs that read "service" and then speakers spoke about service. But Stewart pointed out that Palin and Huckabee and others then went on to dis those people who actually provide service -- community organizers.
So Stewart assumed that the "service" signs were meant to get some food and beverage service for all those hungry and thirsty delegates in the Xcel Center stands. "Get your red hots here!" "I'll take three -- heavy on the mustard!"
The McCain-Palin idea of change is to get elected so that they can replace (or change location of) the current holders of the presidency and vice presidency with themselves. They will look differently, but sound and act and legislate the same. McCain, as senator, voted with Bush 95 percent of the time.
He seeks change with a very tiny "c" that will be almost invisible to most of us.
"Change is coming," quoth John McCain to the Repub multitudes. He and his loyal minions are going to drive the moneychangers out of Washington, D.C., temples of government.
Why would the moneychangers want to banish themselves from power? Great questions. But that's what the McCain campaign says it will do if elected. Do you believe that?
Maybe what McCain meant is that "your change is coming," referring to all those 72 cent rebates (in celebration of his 72nd birthday) he promised to his contributors. "Where's my change?" ask the pink-faced Republican multitudes. "See my running mate," says McCain with that eerie smile of his. "She's the change agent."
As Jon Stewart mentioned on "The Daily Show" last night, what you see at the RNC is not always clear. The other night, the convention stressed "service." Conventioneers were handed signs that read "service" and then speakers spoke about service. But Stewart pointed out that Palin and Huckabee and others then went on to dis those people who actually provide service -- community organizers.
So Stewart assumed that the "service" signs were meant to get some food and beverage service for all those hungry and thirsty delegates in the Xcel Center stands. "Get your red hots here!" "I'll take three -- heavy on the mustard!"
The McCain-Palin idea of change is to get elected so that they can replace (or change location of) the current holders of the presidency and vice presidency with themselves. They will look differently, but sound and act and legislate the same. McCain, as senator, voted with Bush 95 percent of the time.
He seeks change with a very tiny "c" that will be almost invisible to most of us.
This is the era of "The Walker"
Chris and I are walkers. We walk evenings during the week and mornings on weekends. Coco's on the end of the leash held firmly in my hand in case she sees a rabbit. Coco bolts after rabbits and squirrels, her two mortal enemies. We're still trying to leash-train her, but she's still technically a puppy and it's a task.
We walk through our neighborhood and down to the Cheyenne Greenway. Recent mayors and the city council pushed to expand this urban amenity. Greenway expansion was on the May ballot and it passed with flying colors, even though a $55 million rec center was defeated. Judging by that support, and the number of walkers, cyclists and runners who use it, the Greenway is a hit. It's concrete, a step up from the asphalt paths you usually find on greenways.
So we walk. Chris walks to keep in shape and moderate her diabetes. I walk to keep in a semblance of shape and I love being outside. Walking spurs my imagination although that's mostly when I walk alone. Chris and I talk during our walks but not all the time. When I walk alone, the activity stimulates the creative center of the brain. Sometimes I'm inspired to write another story. Other times I'm able to work out the kinks in something I'm in the process of writing.
Chris and I walk the mountains. Sometimes that's called hiking but more and more it seems like strolling. We're not as intent as we used to be about logging miles. My sensibilities tell me to slow down and enjoy the view. My knees also send signals to slow down.
I also walk downtown, where I work. It's a good place to walk. Long blocks, wide sidewalks, and very little traffic most of the time. But Cheyenne is primarily a driving town, so walkers have to be wary of street crossings. Motorists can be courteous, but often they (we?) are clueless. A decade ago, I wrote an online story on "New Urbanism" design and its philosophy of livable, walkable neighborhoods. As I drove around town, I noticed how few walkers there were, especially in the Dell Range corridor with all its big box stores. On ten trips down Dell Range, I saw only one pedestrian, and he looked hopelessly lost.
The article received a few responses. One was negative, taking me to task for trying to shove East Coast ideas down the throats of Wyomingites. New Urbanism, the writer declared, was just a plot to take away a citizen's trucks and tell him/her what kind of house to build -- and where.
Wyomingites don't like to be told what to do by experts, especially if they're from "The East Coast" or California. But many times these outside experts can see things more clearly than those who've lived in a place for a long time.
Dan Burden of Walkable Communities visited Cheyenne this week "to see which neighborhoods are the most pedestrian-friendly," according to the 9/4 Cheyenne Tribune-Eagle.
He found out that Cheyenne was not particularly pedestrian-friendly. No surprise there. He was startled that the roads and streets were so wide (39- to 52-feet) and the sidewalks were so narrow. We could have told him that. Western streets are really wide compared to their cousins elsewhere. Is this due to the Mormon pioneer precept that dictated streets should be wide enough to turn around an ox cart? Very few ox carts left, even in Provo and Salt Lake City. But take a look at streets in Cheyenne and Fort Collins. Those are some wide streets. At least Fort Collins has bike lanes on most streets. We're still working on that. Yellowstone Ave. that flanks my neighborhood has bike lanes. Dell Range on the other flank does not.
Burden's a city planner that contends that his peers have the wrong priorities. "Design standards should accommodate people first and vehicles second, not the other way around."
Sidewalks, he said, should be six feet across to let two people walk side by side. The most narrow sidewalks were three-and-one-half feet in Pointe Frontier. The sidewalks around the public library downtown were only four feet wide. They are too narrow to accommodate the gaggles of St. Mary's School students which soon will be trooping from their new school to the library.
Face it: we're living in a new century in which fuel prices will climb steadily and we'll all have to turn to alternative transportation. That could be smaller cars on narrower roads, hybrid cars, bikes and walking. Let's add width to sidewalks by taking it from roadways. We've already done that in Cheyenne on Vandehei. Yes, I know that most Cheyennites complained about the winding narrow street with bike lanes on the other side of concrete and brick dividers. But it may be tactics like this that gets us out of our Saudi-powered vehicles and onto our legs where bipeds belong.
At the end of the article, the reporter talked to Carol Matteson Pascal, who was participating in the walkability audit. She named her favorite walking cities in the U.S.: Santa Fe, Seattle and San Francisco. I haven't walked around Seattle since I was a kid lost at the Seattle World's Fair. But Santa Fe and San Francisco I've walked during the past ten years and they are high on the walkability scale. So are Portland and Denver. Salt Lake City's not bad. It's great to walk in Sheridan and Buffalo, Wyoming. Jackson's great for walkers, as long as you don't stop to shop -- could spend all your allowance in five minutes. Missoula's a walking town. That's true of many university towns. Laramie, for one, as long as you don't need to get to the Super Wal-Mart way out on Grand Avenue.
Although Wyomingites rarely venture to the dreaded East Coast, it boasts some ultra-walkable places such as Washington, D.C. (yes, inside The Beltway!), Boston, St. Augustine (although you have to drive to get to the beach), and the Baltimore Harborfront.
Which are the worst? So many choices. Houston, L.A., Atlanta, Orlando. Most modern sprawling U.S. cities, especially in the West and South. Phoenix? Some cool places downtown, such as Roosevelt Row and the adjacent historic district. There will be a light rail system soon. But Phoenix remains a car city. Tucson, too. Great bus system, though.
What are your favorite walkable towns and cities? Least favorite?
We walk through our neighborhood and down to the Cheyenne Greenway. Recent mayors and the city council pushed to expand this urban amenity. Greenway expansion was on the May ballot and it passed with flying colors, even though a $55 million rec center was defeated. Judging by that support, and the number of walkers, cyclists and runners who use it, the Greenway is a hit. It's concrete, a step up from the asphalt paths you usually find on greenways.
So we walk. Chris walks to keep in shape and moderate her diabetes. I walk to keep in a semblance of shape and I love being outside. Walking spurs my imagination although that's mostly when I walk alone. Chris and I talk during our walks but not all the time. When I walk alone, the activity stimulates the creative center of the brain. Sometimes I'm inspired to write another story. Other times I'm able to work out the kinks in something I'm in the process of writing.
Chris and I walk the mountains. Sometimes that's called hiking but more and more it seems like strolling. We're not as intent as we used to be about logging miles. My sensibilities tell me to slow down and enjoy the view. My knees also send signals to slow down.
I also walk downtown, where I work. It's a good place to walk. Long blocks, wide sidewalks, and very little traffic most of the time. But Cheyenne is primarily a driving town, so walkers have to be wary of street crossings. Motorists can be courteous, but often they (we?) are clueless. A decade ago, I wrote an online story on "New Urbanism" design and its philosophy of livable, walkable neighborhoods. As I drove around town, I noticed how few walkers there were, especially in the Dell Range corridor with all its big box stores. On ten trips down Dell Range, I saw only one pedestrian, and he looked hopelessly lost.
The article received a few responses. One was negative, taking me to task for trying to shove East Coast ideas down the throats of Wyomingites. New Urbanism, the writer declared, was just a plot to take away a citizen's trucks and tell him/her what kind of house to build -- and where.
Wyomingites don't like to be told what to do by experts, especially if they're from "The East Coast" or California. But many times these outside experts can see things more clearly than those who've lived in a place for a long time.
Dan Burden of Walkable Communities visited Cheyenne this week "to see which neighborhoods are the most pedestrian-friendly," according to the 9/4 Cheyenne Tribune-Eagle.
He found out that Cheyenne was not particularly pedestrian-friendly. No surprise there. He was startled that the roads and streets were so wide (39- to 52-feet) and the sidewalks were so narrow. We could have told him that. Western streets are really wide compared to their cousins elsewhere. Is this due to the Mormon pioneer precept that dictated streets should be wide enough to turn around an ox cart? Very few ox carts left, even in Provo and Salt Lake City. But take a look at streets in Cheyenne and Fort Collins. Those are some wide streets. At least Fort Collins has bike lanes on most streets. We're still working on that. Yellowstone Ave. that flanks my neighborhood has bike lanes. Dell Range on the other flank does not.
Burden's a city planner that contends that his peers have the wrong priorities. "Design standards should accommodate people first and vehicles second, not the other way around."
Sidewalks, he said, should be six feet across to let two people walk side by side. The most narrow sidewalks were three-and-one-half feet in Pointe Frontier. The sidewalks around the public library downtown were only four feet wide. They are too narrow to accommodate the gaggles of St. Mary's School students which soon will be trooping from their new school to the library.
Face it: we're living in a new century in which fuel prices will climb steadily and we'll all have to turn to alternative transportation. That could be smaller cars on narrower roads, hybrid cars, bikes and walking. Let's add width to sidewalks by taking it from roadways. We've already done that in Cheyenne on Vandehei. Yes, I know that most Cheyennites complained about the winding narrow street with bike lanes on the other side of concrete and brick dividers. But it may be tactics like this that gets us out of our Saudi-powered vehicles and onto our legs where bipeds belong.
At the end of the article, the reporter talked to Carol Matteson Pascal, who was participating in the walkability audit. She named her favorite walking cities in the U.S.: Santa Fe, Seattle and San Francisco. I haven't walked around Seattle since I was a kid lost at the Seattle World's Fair. But Santa Fe and San Francisco I've walked during the past ten years and they are high on the walkability scale. So are Portland and Denver. Salt Lake City's not bad. It's great to walk in Sheridan and Buffalo, Wyoming. Jackson's great for walkers, as long as you don't stop to shop -- could spend all your allowance in five minutes. Missoula's a walking town. That's true of many university towns. Laramie, for one, as long as you don't need to get to the Super Wal-Mart way out on Grand Avenue.
Although Wyomingites rarely venture to the dreaded East Coast, it boasts some ultra-walkable places such as Washington, D.C. (yes, inside The Beltway!), Boston, St. Augustine (although you have to drive to get to the beach), and the Baltimore Harborfront.
Which are the worst? So many choices. Houston, L.A., Atlanta, Orlando. Most modern sprawling U.S. cities, especially in the West and South. Phoenix? Some cool places downtown, such as Roosevelt Row and the adjacent historic district. There will be a light rail system soon. But Phoenix remains a car city. Tucson, too. Great bus system, though.
What are your favorite walkable towns and cities? Least favorite?
And Sarah Palin called Obama an "elitist"
In today's Huffington Post, Ari Rabin-Havt quotes a Vanity Fair article about the price of the glittery ensemble Cindy McCain wore to the RNC Tuesday night. Here are the figures:
It's nice to see that George Bush's tax cut for the rich has done some good. You wouldn't want to wear just any-old earrings to the Xcel Energy Center in front of 15,000 howling pink faces. Without the tax cuts, where would she be? Maybe wearing a cast-off pantsuit from Hillary Clinton, ringleader of the Sisterhood of the Traveling Pantsuits. Or some old frock from Cindy's 10,000-square-foot clothes humidor in Scottsdale.
Oscar de la Renta dress: $3,000
Chanel J12 White Ceramic Watch: $4,500
Three-carat diamond earrings: $280,000
Four-strand pearl necklace: $11,000-$25,000
Shoes, designer unknown: $600
Total: Between $299,100 and $313,100
I hope she thanked Laura Bush while they were on stage together. According to an analysis by the Center for American Progress Action Fund, the McCains have received $313,413 thanks to George Bush's tax cut. If John McCain were President, she might have been able to add a bracelet to the ensemble. According to the same study under McCain proposed tax cuts they would have received tax breaks of $367,788.
It's nice to see that George Bush's tax cut for the rich has done some good. You wouldn't want to wear just any-old earrings to the Xcel Energy Center in front of 15,000 howling pink faces. Without the tax cuts, where would she be? Maybe wearing a cast-off pantsuit from Hillary Clinton, ringleader of the Sisterhood of the Traveling Pantsuits. Or some old frock from Cindy's 10,000-square-foot clothes humidor in Scottsdale.
Thursday, September 04, 2008
Lots of gas, rising costs -- what gives?
In her most recent e-mail newsletter, veteran activist (and activist veteran) Nancy Sindelar posts news on a series of Heating Conference Town Meetings being held across the state. These meetings are part of Wyoming Energy Assistance Program. Many are concerned that the program will be overwhelmed with requests (and short on funds) this winter, when home heating costs are rising 30 to 70 percent. The Gov was on Channel 5 this morning talking about the program. I particularly like Nancy's pointed, embedded comments within the event listing. Take a look:
There are more of these town meetings set for Wyoming, including ones on Sept. 15 in Evanston and Kemmerer.
Thursday, September 11th, Casper, Douglas, & Wheatland: Heating Conference Town Meetings sponsored by the Public Service Commission. Find out why Wyoming is a major gas producer, yet our prices are almost doubled from last year. 1 1/2 Hour meeting with a member of the PSC and utility reps. 10 AM, UW Outreach Bldg., 951 North Poplar, Rm. 150, Casper; 1:30 PM, City Hall, Council Chambers, 101 North 4th St. Douglas; 4:30 PM, Town Hall Council Chambers, 600 9th St., Wheatland. Free, but it will cost. Info: 307-777-7427; Wyoming_PSC@state.wy.us
There are more of these town meetings set for Wyoming, including ones on Sept. 15 in Evanston and Kemmerer.
Tix still available for Jefferson-Jackson dinner in Casper Sept. 13
I can't attend this year's Jefferson-Jackson dinner because I'll be in Tennessee for an arts conference. But you can go! Here's the info from the Wyoming Democratic Party web site:
The 2008 Jefferson-Jackson dinner and banquet will take place at the new Casper Hilton Garden Inn on Saturday, Sept. 13, at 7 p.m. To learn more, and to buy tickets online, go to:
http://www.wyomingdemocrats.com/ht/d/RegisterForConvention/i/1198342/pid/273337
Tickets are $75 per person for the dinner banquet, or $600 for a table of eight. Featured speakers include Gov. Dave Freudenthal and our candidates for congressional offices. You can also join those candidates -- including future congressman Gary Trauner and future U.S. Senators Chris Rothfuss and Nick Carter -- at a VIP cocktail event prior to dinner. Tickets to the VIP cocktail are $100 each.
This is going to be a fantastic rally continuing this historic election year that you won’t want to miss. Seating is limited at the dinner, so please sign up today.
FMI: 1-800-729-3367
The 2008 Jefferson-Jackson dinner and banquet will take place at the new Casper Hilton Garden Inn on Saturday, Sept. 13, at 7 p.m. To learn more, and to buy tickets online, go to:
http://www.wyomingdemocrats.com/ht/d/RegisterForConvention/i/1198342/pid/273337
Tickets are $75 per person for the dinner banquet, or $600 for a table of eight. Featured speakers include Gov. Dave Freudenthal and our candidates for congressional offices. You can also join those candidates -- including future congressman Gary Trauner and future U.S. Senators Chris Rothfuss and Nick Carter -- at a VIP cocktail event prior to dinner. Tickets to the VIP cocktail are $100 each.
This is going to be a fantastic rally continuing this historic election year that you won’t want to miss. Seating is limited at the dinner, so please sign up today.
FMI: 1-800-729-3367
Wednesday, September 03, 2008
Fresh Alaska news: Go to Celtic Diva's blog
Celtic Diva's Blue Oasis is the place to go for freshly-caught news about Gov. (and recent Repub Veep nominee) Sarah Palin and other Alaskan politicos (and political shenanigans. The Diva was a fellow blogger at the DNC in Denver and her photos are much better than mine. Check out the blog at http://divasblueoasis.blogspot.com/
For more prog-blog views on Palin, Palin's baby, Palin's teen daughter's baby, Palin's husband's sled dogs, and all sorts of other Palin ephemera, go to Lefty Blogs and click on the Alaska posts. Daily Kos has been abuzz with news (and non-news) about the Repubs.
For more prog-blog views on Palin, Palin's baby, Palin's teen daughter's baby, Palin's husband's sled dogs, and all sorts of other Palin ephemera, go to Lefty Blogs and click on the Alaska posts. Daily Kos has been abuzz with news (and non-news) about the Repubs.
After primary defeat, Goodenough works to elect Natrona County candidates
Casper's Keith Goodenough, defeated by Nick Carter in the primary race for John Barrasso's U.S. Senate seat, sent this message the other day:
Just a quick note to say "thank you" to all of the fine Wyomingites and otheres that helped with my effort to become the Democratic nominee for the U.S.Senate.
The final numbers were 11,984 for myself, and 12,316 for Nick Carter. A difference of 332.
I raised and spent around $5,000.
Now I am going to focus my political efforts on helping some other candidates here in Natrona County. And you will be hearing from me on that front in the coming weeks.
Tuesday, September 02, 2008
Nobody wrote politics like Hunter S. Thompson
Matt Davis at Ghost Road Press in Denver alerted me to goodreads.com, where readers meet to recommend books, slam others, and just talk about their favorite subjects -- books and authors.
Yesterday Matt sent comments on five of his favorite Hunter S. Thompson books. He gave five-star ratings to "Fear and Loathing: On the Campaign Trail '72;" "Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas: A Savage Journey to the Heart of the American Dream;" "Hell's Angels;" "The Great Shark Hunt: Strange Tales from a Strange Time;" and "Generation of Swine: Tales of Shame and Degradation in the '80s."
The first three I've read, the second two I've read excerpts from, whether in Rolling Stone or by just grazing the collections.
In the 1970s, all of us budding writers and journalists wanted to write like Hunter Thompson but knew we never could. The first presidential campaign I really followed was in 1972 when I was 21 and a college drop-out and an escapee from the military draft. It was the first time I realized that these every-four-year contests actually meant something -- a great deal, it turns out. If Muskie or McGovern or any Democrat had won in 1972, history would have been wildly different. Nixon gave us his version of peace with honor at a great price in lives and national honor.
Hunter Thompson took his politics seriously. He was outraged by the spectacle and the hypocrisy he found at every turn. He diatribes against political operatives and Spiro Agnew and media stars were hilarious. The venom burst from the page. It was propelled by righteous anger and, as we all know from Woody Creek legend, drugs and alcohol. He cared about democracy and self-righteous bozos on the campaign trail ticked him off.
"Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas" was outrageously funny. In "Hells Angels," he recorded the excesses of the Angels in vivid detail. He got his ass kicked for his trouble.
I wish we had the likes of Hunter Thompson on the 2008 campaign trail. I wonder what he would have made of the Democratic Party's stage-managed spectacle in Denver last week? Or the Repub gathering in St. Paul right now?
One other area where Hunter really showed his stuff was sports. Some of you may have read his coverage of the Kentucky Derby and various professional boxing matches. But he was a sports nut and during his last years wrote a weekly column for ESPN online. Very funny and occasionally outrageous, but not as sharp as his early stuff.
We miss him during this oddest of election seasons.
Yesterday Matt sent comments on five of his favorite Hunter S. Thompson books. He gave five-star ratings to "Fear and Loathing: On the Campaign Trail '72;" "Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas: A Savage Journey to the Heart of the American Dream;" "Hell's Angels;" "The Great Shark Hunt: Strange Tales from a Strange Time;" and "Generation of Swine: Tales of Shame and Degradation in the '80s."
The first three I've read, the second two I've read excerpts from, whether in Rolling Stone or by just grazing the collections.
In the 1970s, all of us budding writers and journalists wanted to write like Hunter Thompson but knew we never could. The first presidential campaign I really followed was in 1972 when I was 21 and a college drop-out and an escapee from the military draft. It was the first time I realized that these every-four-year contests actually meant something -- a great deal, it turns out. If Muskie or McGovern or any Democrat had won in 1972, history would have been wildly different. Nixon gave us his version of peace with honor at a great price in lives and national honor.
Hunter Thompson took his politics seriously. He was outraged by the spectacle and the hypocrisy he found at every turn. He diatribes against political operatives and Spiro Agnew and media stars were hilarious. The venom burst from the page. It was propelled by righteous anger and, as we all know from Woody Creek legend, drugs and alcohol. He cared about democracy and self-righteous bozos on the campaign trail ticked him off.
"Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas" was outrageously funny. In "Hells Angels," he recorded the excesses of the Angels in vivid detail. He got his ass kicked for his trouble.
I wish we had the likes of Hunter Thompson on the 2008 campaign trail. I wonder what he would have made of the Democratic Party's stage-managed spectacle in Denver last week? Or the Repub gathering in St. Paul right now?
One other area where Hunter really showed his stuff was sports. Some of you may have read his coverage of the Kentucky Derby and various professional boxing matches. But he was a sports nut and during his last years wrote a weekly column for ESPN online. Very funny and occasionally outrageous, but not as sharp as his early stuff.
We miss him during this oddest of election seasons.
Monday, September 01, 2008
Donate to Lori Millin's campaign
Lori Millin, my respresentative in Wyoming House District 8, has a donation page at https://secure.dlccweb.com/o/5945/p/10021/donate. Go there and donate $10 to help Lori's re-election, and return her to the State House so she can continue her great work on health care, education and other important issues. While there, throw in a "tip" to ActBlue to support other Dem candidates.
I contributed earlier today, and shall sleep the sleep of the righteous tonight.
I contributed earlier today, and shall sleep the sleep of the righteous tonight.
Gustav knocks Cheney off RNC podium
We were anticipating with much relish the Dick Cheney speech at the Republican National Convention in St. Paul, Minn.
Alas, the Veep was upstaged by Hurricane Gustav as it continues to threaten the Republicans with strong winds, torrential rain and terrible P.R.
One remembers Dick Cheney, Casper's not-so-favorite son being greeted with cheering crowds when he visited coastal Mississippi after Hurricane Katrina three years ago. Oh, now I remember. He was greeted by a guy who said "Fudge You, Cheney," although he didn't say "fudge." After that, Cheney retreated into the mist.
Although it wasn't mentioned in the AP story, Cheney's non-appearance probably means that Republican candidate for U.S. House Cynthia Lummis won't introduce him.
The good news: Pres. Bush won't speak either.
The bad news: Laura Bush and Cindy McCain will talk to the RNC crowd about the importance of being prepared for natural disasters, such as another Republican being elected president.
Alas, the Veep was upstaged by Hurricane Gustav as it continues to threaten the Republicans with strong winds, torrential rain and terrible P.R.
One remembers Dick Cheney, Casper's not-so-favorite son being greeted with cheering crowds when he visited coastal Mississippi after Hurricane Katrina three years ago. Oh, now I remember. He was greeted by a guy who said "Fudge You, Cheney," although he didn't say "fudge." After that, Cheney retreated into the mist.
Although it wasn't mentioned in the AP story, Cheney's non-appearance probably means that Republican candidate for U.S. House Cynthia Lummis won't introduce him.
The good news: Pres. Bush won't speak either.
The bad news: Laura Bush and Cindy McCain will talk to the RNC crowd about the importance of being prepared for natural disasters, such as another Republican being elected president.
Welcome to Beijing...or Baghdad...or maybe St. Paul
This just posted on DemocracyNow site and I'm reprinting in full:
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE http://www.democracynow.org/
September 1, 2008
Contact: Dennis Moynihan, Mike Burke
ST. PAUL, MN—Democracy Now! host Amy Goodman was unlawfully arrested in downtown St. Paul, Minnesota at approximately 5 p.m. local time. Police violently manhandled Goodman, yanking her arm, as they arrested her. Video of her arrest can be seen here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oYjyvkR0bGQ
Goodman was arrested while attempting to free two Democracy Now! producers who were being unlawfuly detained. They are Sharif Abdel Kouddous and Nicole Salazar. Kouddous and Salazar were arrested while they carried out their journalistic duties in covering street demonstrations at the Republican National Convention. Goodman’s crime appears to have been defending her colleagues and the freedom of the press.
Ramsey County Sherrif Bob Fletcher told Democracy Now! that Kouddous and Salazar were being arrested on suspicion of rioting. They are currently being held at the Ramsey County jail in St. Paul.
Democracy Now! is calling on all journalists and concerned citizens to call the office of Mayor Chris Coleman and the Ramsey County Jail and demand the immediate release of Goodman, Kouddous and Salazar. These calls can be directed to: Chris Rider from Mayor Coleman’s office at 651-266-8535 and the Ramsey County Jail at 651-266-9350 (press extension 0).
Democracy Now! stands by Goodman, Kouddous and Salazar and condemns this action by Twin Cities law enforcement as a clear violation of the freedom of the press and the First Amenmdent rights of these journalists.
During the demonstration in which they were arrested law enforcement officers used pepper spray, rubber bullets, concussion grenades and excessive force. Several dozen others were also arrested during this action.
Amy Goodman is one of the most well-known and well-respected journalists in the United States. She has received journalism’s top honors for her reporting and has a distinguished reputation of bravery and courage. The arrest of Goodman, Kouddous and Salazar is a transparent attempt to intimidate journalists from the nation’s leading independent news outlet.
Democracy Now! is a nationally-syndicated public TV and radio program that airs on over 700 radio and TV stations across the US and the globe.
Video of Amy Goodman’s Arrest: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oYjyvkR0bGQ
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE http://www.democracynow.org/
September 1, 2008
Contact: Dennis Moynihan, Mike Burke
ST. PAUL, MN—Democracy Now! host Amy Goodman was unlawfully arrested in downtown St. Paul, Minnesota at approximately 5 p.m. local time. Police violently manhandled Goodman, yanking her arm, as they arrested her. Video of her arrest can be seen here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oYjyvkR0bGQ
Goodman was arrested while attempting to free two Democracy Now! producers who were being unlawfuly detained. They are Sharif Abdel Kouddous and Nicole Salazar. Kouddous and Salazar were arrested while they carried out their journalistic duties in covering street demonstrations at the Republican National Convention. Goodman’s crime appears to have been defending her colleagues and the freedom of the press.
Ramsey County Sherrif Bob Fletcher told Democracy Now! that Kouddous and Salazar were being arrested on suspicion of rioting. They are currently being held at the Ramsey County jail in St. Paul.
Democracy Now! is calling on all journalists and concerned citizens to call the office of Mayor Chris Coleman and the Ramsey County Jail and demand the immediate release of Goodman, Kouddous and Salazar. These calls can be directed to: Chris Rider from Mayor Coleman’s office at 651-266-8535 and the Ramsey County Jail at 651-266-9350 (press extension 0).
Democracy Now! stands by Goodman, Kouddous and Salazar and condemns this action by Twin Cities law enforcement as a clear violation of the freedom of the press and the First Amenmdent rights of these journalists.
During the demonstration in which they were arrested law enforcement officers used pepper spray, rubber bullets, concussion grenades and excessive force. Several dozen others were also arrested during this action.
Amy Goodman is one of the most well-known and well-respected journalists in the United States. She has received journalism’s top honors for her reporting and has a distinguished reputation of bravery and courage. The arrest of Goodman, Kouddous and Salazar is a transparent attempt to intimidate journalists from the nation’s leading independent news outlet.
Democracy Now! is a nationally-syndicated public TV and radio program that airs on over 700 radio and TV stations across the US and the globe.
Video of Amy Goodman’s Arrest: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oYjyvkR0bGQ
Labor Day: Hope vs. More of the McSame
Who would Jesus vote for?
Saturday, August 30, 2008
Homes raided in Minneapolis prior to RNC
Hey, I thought I was finished with convention blogging. I almost forgot about the upcoming RNC in St. Paul, Minn. The Republican's fun began today in Minneapolis.
Read "Massive police raids on suspected protestors in Minneapolis" at Glenn Greenwald’s site at http://www.salon.com/opinion/greenwald/2008/08/30/police_raids/index.html.
Get more updates from the mnblue blog at www.mnblue.com
The Minneapolis Star-Tribune has more at www.startribune.com
Read "Massive police raids on suspected protestors in Minneapolis" at Glenn Greenwald’s site at http://www.salon.com/opinion/greenwald/2008/08/30/police_raids/index.html.
Get more updates from the mnblue blog at www.mnblue.com
The Minneapolis Star-Tribune has more at www.startribune.com
The Daily Show finds real Obama bio video
This should have been the Barack Obama bio shown Thursday night at the convention, as it is both funnier and shorter than the DNC version:
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