"Vote for Change" helps you register

This comes from Barack Obama's "Vote for Change" web site:

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.

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.

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.

BOREAL by D.L. Butterfield in front of Hunter Museum. This is a bronze sculpture with a patina that makes it appear to be wood. Chattanooga is populated with an amazing array of public artworks.

Artsy cloud at sunset over Tenn. River looks like a big-headed dog. Maybe it's just my imagination -- but that's the point, isn't it?

Entrance to the Hunter Art Museum. Public art is everywhere. And the museum collection is pretty good, too.

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!

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.

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

Morons 'R' Us: O'Reilly & Rove

From The Daily Show:

"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:

"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

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/

A competitor "throws the weight" during the Highland Games at the Scottish-Irish Festival. The goal of this event seems to be two-fold: 1. Throw the 56-pound weight over the bar; 2. Try not to get conked on the head when the weight falls earthward.

Cheyenne Scot Ron McIntosh tosses the caber at Scottish-Irish festival. As for me, I could barely lift the caber much less toss it so it lands at 12 o'clock.

Haven't seen so many flag-waving white people in one place since the Republican Convention .

Pipers in the lead, Scottish-American regiments advance on ragged hordes of Celtic festival-goers.

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.

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.

McCain=Bush=More of the Same