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» Monday, October 31, 2005

Reform Ohio Now

Support Ballot Initiatives!
fatcat politicsReform Ohio Now has been a much needed and positive force in the effort to help Ohio reform it's "Culture of Corruption".   The corruption here has been widely publicised in the national media.   From Governor Taft's convictions to the scandals of CoinGate and the disputed Election of 2004 of Gerorge W. Bush.   There is not much that can be added except to say we need to fix the things that are broken and the list is quite extensive.   If you are not from Ohio, please take the time to look at the initiatives we have on our ballot and contact your representatives and ask them why they are not making efforts to help reform election laws in your state. If you are in Ohio pleasee take the time to sign the pledge to support the reforms that are crucial to fair and honest elections.   - fc

Reform Ohio Now -- Support Ballot Initiatives 2-5Reform   Ohio   Now

Vote YES on Issues 2, 3, 4, & 5

Ohio has always been a great state, but times are tough. Ohio leads the country in job losses, and young people are leaving in droves. Our capitol is racked by numerous scandals, and elected officials still pander to big donors and ignore working people.

But now there's something we can do about it.

Vote YES on Issues 2, 3, 4, & 5 on November 8 - real, common-sense reforms to take our state back from the politicians who have failed us:

Issue 2: Makes it easier to vote by allowing all Ohioans to vote by mail
Issue 3: Helps stop the influence of big money in elections by greatly reducing campaign contributions.
Issue 4: Stops the politicians from drawing their own legislative districts and puts an Independent Commission in charge of this process.
Issue 5: Places a bi-partisan Board of Supervisors in charge of Ohio's elections, instead of a partisan official who backs candidates and takes sides in elections.
You Can Help Fix Ohio

Sign our pledge of support for Issues 2, 3, 4 & 5

I support Issues 2-5 on the 2005 Ohio ballot. It's time to hold politicians accountable and take back Ohio from the politicians who have failed by:

- Making it easier to vote by allowing all Ohioans to vote by mail.

- Helping stop the influence of big money in elections by greatly reducing campaign contributions.

- Stopping the politicians from drawing their own legislative districts and putting an Independent Commission in charge of this process.

- Placing a bi-partisan Board of Supervisors in charge of Ohio's elections, instead of a partisan official who backs candidates and takes sides in elections.



http://www.reformohionow.org/
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» Sunday, October 30, 2005

Voter Confidence :: Reform

Voter Confidence and Increased Accessibility Act
fatcat politicsVelvetRevolution.us supports legislation requiring accountability and transparency in elections. Although there are several bills presently pending in Congress proposing to address this, and none of them does everything we hope for, VR believes that a bill introduced by Rep. Rush Holt (D-NJ), The Voter Confidence and Increased Accessibility Act (H.R. 550), (complete text of the bill in PDF format here, more info available here) is currently the most comprehensive on this subject and has the best chance of passage. If it does pass, it will begin to fix multiple fundamental problems with our voting systems in time for the 2006 election cycle. Moreover, it currently has over 150 co-sponsors and several of them are even Republicans! This bill is a good starting point and if we pass it now, we will be on a much stronger footing to continue our fight for truly verifiable and transparent elections in the world's most important democracy.

We want Congress to hear what you have to say about this issue and this bill, and therefore, we have made it simple to fill in the form below to quickly send your personal message to both of your Senators and your House Representative. We'll even look them up based on your address, and send them to all the right ones! The Voter Confidence and Increased Accessibility Act (H.R. 550) should be taken up by the House and passed into law this year; signing this petition will submit the message beneath the form below plus your own personal comments. Even if you don't think your particular representatives would agree with your position, it is important for them to hear from you so they will know that people such as yourself are concerned about this issue. As we have seen from the recent tragedy along the Gulf coast, who is elected is really a matter of life and death. Citizens must be able to see proof of their votes, and be able to verify that they are accurately counted.   - fc

VELVET REVOLUTION -- Home of The New American Patriot!   Support Voter Reform

I am deeply concerned about the need for transparent, independently auditable, non-privatized, non-vendor-controlled elections and urge you to support legislation that:

(1) establishes a requirement for a voter verified paper ballot created for every vote cast;
(2) establishes a mandatory uniform national standard that states that the voter verified paper ballot -- the only record verified by the voter rather than the voting machine -- is the vote of record in the case of any inconsistency with electronic records;
(3) provides Federal funding to pay for implementation of voter verified paper balloting;
(4) requires a percentage of mandatory random audits in every state, and in each county, for every Federal election;
(5) prohibits use of undisclosed software, wireless communication devices, and internet connections in voting machines;
(6) is required to be fully implemented by 2006; and
(7) protects the accessibility mandates of the Help America Vote Act.

Ensuring full access to the electoral system does not require turning complete control of the vote count over to privately-owned, privately-controlled voting machine vendors.

A bill introduced by Rep. Rush Holt (D-NJ), The Voter Confidence and Increased Accessibility Act (H.R. 550) meets all of the above requirements and has strong bipartisan support. Please show your commitment to transparent, independently auditable, non-privatized, non-vendor-controlled elections today by co-sponsoring HR 550 and ensuring that it becomes law this year.


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» Saturday, October 29, 2005

Under the Radar 10.29.05

Things You Need To Know !
fatcat politicsWhen sensational news like corruption and lies in the Bush White House makes the M$M twirl on their heads and ignore what else is going on, it is up to us to stay vigilante in our effort to stay informed.   As welcome as the news is that justice may finally begin to catch up to the immoral activities of the Bush hatchet men, there is still a need to be aware that there is a lot more than just one story in the news.   The articles and issues below may deserve their own respectful posts but I will just provide them here as a composite of what you didn't hear this week in the news.   - fc

RadarCatch.com has a story concerning Robert Pape who has done an in depth study of Terrorism and the underlying reason for suicide bombings and written a book entitled "Dying to Win: The Strategic Logic of Suicide Terrorism".   As many of us in the reality based community have understood well before 9-11, and Pape's study underscores, there is one predominate cause that drives the terrorists :: Militay Occupation of their homeland.   This priciple was laid out in Bin Laden's fatwah very clearly.   Foreign Military in Saudi Arabia was his main reasoning, pure and simple.   Pape highlights the fact that the suicide bomber mechinism was not created in Arabia or Palestine.   The concept was first empowered by the Tamil Tigers in Sri Lanka who were a Marxist group, a completely secular group that draws from the Hindu families of the Tamil regions of the country..   As stated in one of the articles, Professor Pape is in high demand in Washington D.C. talk circuits.   This highly relevant information is the last thing we are going to hear from the Bush Administration because it does not fit in with their propoganda machine and validates why the "Insurgency" will continue to kill as long as we occupy Iraq.   These articles are very interesting for those of us based in reality and not endoctrinated into the NeoCon warmongering.

Wikipedia :: Robert A. Pape :: Dying To Win
AntiWar.com :: Poisonous Misinterpretations
Daniel Drexner.com :: The logic of suicide terrorism
American Conservative :: The Logic of Suicide Terrorism

RadarFrom a post at NewsHog ::

Why Does Congress Not Want The Poor To Vote?

This news is very disturbing.   It boggles my mind that such a prohibition could be adopted.   It's just another example of the Culture of Corruption that is the Bush Administration.   What really makes me wonder is why so many Democrats voted for this bill.   This development is outrageous and should be fought with all our efforts.   Please contact your lawmakers (See This Post and Say No To Bush) and ask your representatives why they voted for this...   - fc

From The New Standard ::

The Federal Housing Finance Reform Act of 2005, which passed the House of Representatives yesterday by a vote of 331-90, contains a provision that establishes a national fund for developing affordable housing, by skimming 5 percent off the profits of the government-sponsored home-finance companies Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae.

The funding would be a boon to the nonprofit housing sector - worth up to an estimated $1 billion within two years - but it comes with strings attached: nonprofit organizations would not be able to tap into the fund if they have recently engaged in activities that encourage people to vote.

RadarFrom one of my daily reads in the blogosphere, The Sideshow comes their "Under the Radar" type post called Political Landscape.   The Sidwshow is a blog in the UK that keeps close tabs on what is happening here in the states and I highly recommend it to all.   It links to a victory in Georgia that does away with a requirement for photo ID Cards in order to vote.   - fc
From the Washington Post ::

In a case that some have called a showdown over voting rights, a U.S. appeals court yesterday upheld an injunction barring the state of Georgia from enforcing a law requiring citizens to get government-issued photo identification in order to vote.

The ruling allows thousands of Georgians who do not have government-issued identification, such as driver's licenses and passports, to vote in the Nov. 8 municipal elections without obtaining a special digital identification card, which costs $20 for five years. In prior elections, Georgians could use any one of 17 types of identification that show the person's name and address, including a driver's license, utility bill, bank statement or a paycheck, to gain access to a voting booth.

Last week, when issuing the injunction, U.S. District Judge Harold L. Murphy likened the law to a Jim Crow-era poll tax that required residents, most of them black, to pay back taxes before voting. He said the law appeared to violate the Constitution for that reason. In the 2004 election, about 150,000 Georgians voted without producing government-issued identification.
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» Friday, October 28, 2005

Fitzgerald Charges Libby

5 Felony Counts !
fatcat politicsCheney has accepted Scooter Libby's resignation.   Fitzgerald has returned five felony indictments against him for ::
*) 1 count of obstruction of justice
*) 2 counts of perjury
*) 2 counts of making false statemnets

More was heard at a news conference by Fitzgerald.   He is a very cool and calm realist.   I have updated this post to add the link at Think Progress that has the full text of the indictment.   Swing State Project has reactions from Harry Reid and Ted Kennedy.   When more commentary and analysis is posted on the net, I will continue to update this post rather than keep adding new post.   There are other things falling under the radar that need to be posted so I will carry on with some of those things.   - fc

Fitzgerald's Website :: US DOJ

Press Release 10-28-05 :: pdf file

Indictment 10-28-05 :: pdf file

Think Progress :: Indictment - Full Text

Swing State Project :: Response from Dems

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Air America Radio

Acepted into BlogRing !
fatcat politicsI have been accepted into the Air America WebRing (See Bottom of This Page).   It is an unofficial webring with only a few members that link to Air America Radio and the many stations that feature their shows.   In honor of this I have listed the Shows below with their hosts.   The Majority Report in conjunction with DailyKOS will feature the Fighting Dems (See this blogpost) every tuesday.   Interviews will include our Next Senator from Ohio, Paul Hackett.   These are times like never before seen in the annals of American History.   Bush has taken Cronyism and Corruption to new highs.   Staying informed is now a necessity and not a luxory.   - fc

Air America AIR   AMERICA   RADIO

Listen Live

Al Franken
Jerry Springer
Randi Rhodes
Majority Report   :: Featuring Janeane Garofalo and Sam Seder
Rachel Maddow
Laura Flanders
Ring of Fire   ·   :: website   :: Featuring Robert Kennady Jr. and Mike Papantonio
Mother Jones Radio   :: Featuring Angie Coiro
morning Sedition   :: Featuring Mike Riley and Marc Maron
Politically Direct   :: Featuring David Bender
On The Real   :: Featuring Chuck D and Gia'na Garel
The Revolution Starts Now   :: Featuring Steve Earle
EcoTalk
Kyle Jason
Mike Malloy
Thom Hartmann
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» Thursday, October 27, 2005

GOP Says No To Bush

Nuclear Option Back to the Top !
fatcat politicsMiers has withdrawn her nomination for the Supreme Court.   The Wingnuts have spoken.   Bush has been reprimanded by the puritanical right wing fanatics that are his base.   Republicans in the Congress that did not support Bush will play right into the hands of the wingnuts who want a ultra-rightwing judge to overturn Roe vs Wade.   This brings us full circle to the Nuclear Option we all have come to know and love.   The wingnuts will finally have their battle and more than likely a victory that will set back progressive precedents that have endured for many years.   Common Sense has lost the battle and the war if we do not take a stand against the irreligious right.   - fc

Contact Lawmakers
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  Do More Than Just Vote!

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» Wednesday, October 26, 2005

Honor the Fallen Campaign

Operation Truth !
fatcat politicsOperation Truth in conjuntion with the sites listed below have initiated a campaign to Honor our Troops that have given the ultimate sacrifice.   If you do not have a chance to go to one of the meetings, there are still many things you can do to raise the awareness of these needless deaths.   See the Operation Truth's Honor the Fallen Campaign page for things you can do.   Write or email your congressional representatives or your local newspapers.   Stay informed and help fight this unjust and illegal war.   - fc

Honor The FallenHonor The Fallen Campaign

At Operation Truth...

2000 American Troops have now been killed in Iraq, but for over two years, our newspapers have failed to adequately honor the sacrifice of America 's servicemembers. Putting the names of the fallen on page A14 is an insult to America 's Troops and to the families of the fallen, and is yet another example of poor media coverage of the war.

For several months, Operation Truth has listed the names of our fallen servicemembers on its first page and we ask that our nation's newpapers do the same. Help us accomplish this critical first step in honoring our fallen servicemembers.

There are 1333 events planned nationwide as is reflected on the MoveOn Civic Action page.   If you cannot attend a meeting, there are other things you can do.   More information and things you can do to help are located at
Operation Truth :: Honor The Fallen
Endorsed by

Vietnam Veterans of America Foundation"Vietnam Veterans of America Foundation is dedicated to addressing the consequences of war. As an international humanitarian organization founded by veterans, we strive to honor the memory of any war's fallen soldiers as much as its innocent civilians through our programs of advocacy and service to victims of conflict. We proudly stand with all who are participating in 'Honor the Fallen' so those who have lost their lives in Iraq will not be forgotten."

- Bill Belding, President/CEO, Vietnam Veterans of America Foundation

Veterans for Common Sense"With American soldiers and Iraqi civilians still dying on a daily basis in Iraq, it's long past time our country has a serious debate on how to succeed in Iraq. That won't happen until the human cost becomes front page news."

- Charles Sheehan-Miles, Executive Director, Veterans for Common Sense

Democracy for America"Many of our brave servicemen and women have made the ultimate sacrifice for this war. The least we can do is make sure they are honored in the way they deserve to be, on the front page of all newspapers, both for them and their families."

- Jim Dean, Chair, Democracy for America

True Majority Action"We can't turn our faces away, just because acknowledging these deaths and asking why is painful. American military men and women live the reality of the Iraq war every day; American media should not hide it in the back pages."

- Matt Holland, Coordinator, True Majority Action

Free Press"Mainstream media has obediently regurgitated White House and Pentagon spin for too long on the Iraq War. Big media are treating government officials with kid gloves in exchange for access and lucrative policy favors, all the while slashing newsroom budgets to boost their bottom line. It's time for the media to show the real costs of this war and hold government accountable."

- Josh Silver, Executive Director, Free Press

MoveOn.org CivicAction This week, the number of American soldiers lost while serving in Iraq reached over 2000. While thousands of families have made the ultimate sacrifice, thousands more send their children and loved ones off to a war that seems to have no end in sight.

Today, Wednesday, October 26, 2005 at 6:30 p.m. we will gather at vigils to remember and honor our fallen soldiers and ask, "How many more?"

Thousands of us will solemnly gather together and acknowledge the sacrifices made by over 2000 American men and women in Iraq and their families and speak out against the war.

MoveOn.org CivicAction
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» Tuesday, October 25, 2005

Not One More

American Friends Service Committee !
fatcat politicsI briefly touched on this event in my "Under the Radar" post last week.   Little did any of us expect the milestone of 2000 Service Personnel killed in Iraq would be so soon.   This event is being held all across America in small towns and large.   The site below will allow you to find an event near you.   My wife and I will be attending the event in New Boston, Ohio which is just 25 miles down the road.   Please support the event near you by attending and lending your voice to express that 2000 is one too many.   - fc

Wage Peace CampaignWage Peace Campaign

At American Friends Service Committee...

There are currently 441 events planned in 49 states and counting...

On Wednesday, October 26, people will gather in communities across the U.S. to mark the death of the 2,000th reported U.S. military death in Iraq and to say that the country's pro-peace majority wants Congress to stop the deaths by stopping the dollars that are funding the war.

More about the event >

Sign the Letter to Congress
Not One More Death... Not One More Dollar Letter

To the members of the U.S. Congress:

U.S. military personnel continue to die in Iraq. More than 100,000 Iraqis have died since the U.S. invasion. More than $200 billion has been spent to fund this war.

Please end the war now by using the power given to you under the Constitution: stop the funding, close all military bases in Iraq, and bring the troops home. It is time to end the destruction, and rebuild war-torn Iraq and hurricane-ravaged communities in the U.S.

Sign The Letter Now
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WHIG Inquiry :: Kucinich

Let's Find Out The Truth !
fatcat politicsAlthough I am no real big fan of Kucinich, I stand behind him in his effort to get to the truth of the White House Iraq Group.   It seems it has taken a complete awakening by the whole country to see what the Bush Administration is all about (See my signature for this blog) to inspire action on the part of our elected representatives.   Many of us have known since before he was even elected (Selected) in 2000 that he was a con man and a liar.   It is sad that it has taken the near 2000 deaths of our soldiers and countless wounded, not to speak of the countless Iraqi people dead and mamed, all for a con man's lies.   This inquiry by Kucinich will be most welcomed by those of us here and those who could see thru Bush's lies around the world.   Better late than never... In light of todays revelations that Cheney was the source of Libby's information about Wilson and Plame, this inquiry is of even more importance.   Between this and the soon to be released information by the Fitzgeral Grand Jury, we may finally be getting the truth we deserve.   - fc

WHIG InquiryWHIG Inquiry

At AfterDowningStreet.org...

Congressman Dennis J. Kucinich Press Release

Congressman Dennis J. Kucinich (D-OH) today introduced a Resolution of Inquiry to demand the White House turn over all white papers, minutes, notes, emails or other communications kept by the White House Iraq Group (WHIG).

"This group, comprised of the President and Vice President's top aides, was critical in selling the Administration's case for war," stated Kucinich. "We now know that the Administration hyped intelligence and misled the American public and Congress in their effort to 'sell' the war. After over 1,900 American troops have been killed in Iraq, it is long past time for this Congress to ask serious questions about WHIG and its role in the lead up to the war."

A Resolution of Inquiry is a rare House procedure used to obtain documents from the Executive Branch. Under House rules, Kucinich's resolution is referred to committee, and action must be taken in committee within 14 legislative days.

"For two-and-a-half years Congress has sat on the sidelines neglecting its oversight responsibility when it has come to Iraq," continued Kucinich. "We owe it to the American people to hold this Administration accountable and to find out the truth."

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
OCTOBER 20, 2005
11:40 AM
CONTACT: Congressman Dennis J. Kucinich
Doug Gordon (202) 225-5871(o); (202) 494-5141(c)
Other Related Information
Email Your Representatives
House Resolution 505 :: Mainpage
House Resolution 505 :: text
House Resolution 505 :: pdf
Kucinich :: Website .gov
Kucinich :: Website .us
WHIG :: Wikipedia
WHIG roster :: Think Progress
The So-called "Lies" of Joe Wilson :: Booman Tribune
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» Sunday, October 23, 2005

Stop the Pentagon's Illegal Database

Leave My Child Alone !
fatcat politicsYou may or may not be familar with a little know provision [Section 9528) pdf file] of the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 ("NCLB") Initiative that Bush so famiously underfunded.   It allows Military Recruiters to collect information from your high school about your children.   The Leave My Child Alone website was created by the Working For Change Action Committee to educate parents in the procedure to "Opt Out" their children from this abusive intrusion into our privacy.   The Bush Administration was not happy with this effort so they have created a database (JAMRS) in the Pentagon which does the same thing.   Senator Jon Corzine sent Sec. Rumsfeld a letter requesting that this database be stopped.   I could find no response to this letter.   Peace Action is now making an effort to allow us to send our representatives a letter asking that they stand up for our rights to privacy and stop this abuse and restore our childrens right to privacy.   If you have children or grandkids, it is up to you to take this action.   This Orwellian abuse will not go away on it's own.   Do More Than Just Vote!  - fc

Peace ActionStop the Pentagon's Illegal Database

Just when you thought you had opted-out...

The Big Brothers at the Pentagon want our youth's information in order to more effectively target them for use in Bush's wars!

In a desperate attempt to more aggressively target prospective recruits, the Pentagon is contracting with private companies to create a massive military recruiting database full of extensive personal information on more than 30 million young Americans, between the ages of 16 and 25. This invasive initiative is not only an alarming violation of all citizens' privacy, but it conflicts with the federal Privacy Act and it's also an ILLEGAL use of tax-payers' money!

Send a letter to your Representative today urging him or her to stop the Illegal Pentagon database and protect student prvacy today!
Dear Honorable,

I am writing in opposition to the Pentagon's creation of the Joint Advertising and Market Research Studies (JAMRS) Recruiting Database. It creates a single central facility within the DOD to compile, process and distribute files on individuals that would contain the personal information of 30 million U.S. residents who are 16-25 years of age. This project is one of many invasive Pentagon ploys to intensify military recruiting efforts of youth, as the quagmire in Iraq drags on and recruiting quotas have been missed month after month.

This database further violates the Privacy Act, which was passed by Congress to reduce the government's collection of personal information on Americans. The goal of the JAMRS Database is to increase military recruitment and retention, by not only tracking extensive personal data on millions of youth, but by further proposing market research studies such as tracking polls of young adults' and their mothers' attitudes towards military service. The DOD has reported that it plans to include in this database Social Security Numbers, race, and educational information; and entrust this information to BeNow, a commercial direct marketing company. Benow, recently acquired by the credit reporting company Equifax, does not even have a privacy policy and there exists no protocol by which youth and their families can "opt-out" of this enormous database.

For these reasons, and because of the potential for abuse and the threat to the personal privacy rights of a generation of American youth, I urge you to sponsor legislation that will immediately end this alarming and illegal project.

I look forward to hearing your response to this matter.

Sign Now
Other Related Articles
Mothers Against The Draft
Democracy Now
Braintique
Indy Media :: Vermont Guardian
Pentagon Creating Student Database :: WaPo
Veterans For Common Sense
Google Search :: NCLB + Pentagon Database
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» Saturday, October 22, 2005

GAO Confirms Security Flaws in Voting Machines

Conyers on the job again !
fatcat politicsJohn Conyers Jr is ever on the job for America.   When other news dwells on the sensational and sometimes critical info such as the TraitorGate affair, John is plugging away at other things that are just as critical.   Nothing may be more critical that election reform if the American People are to ever see truely representative government again.   Information in this new GAO report is front page news even if it did get buried on page 12 on friday.   Thank you Mr Conyers for your hard work.     - fc

John Conyers BlogGAO Confirms Security Flaws in Voting Machines

The Government Accountability Office (GAO) issued a report today I requested with other Members Of Congress. In sum, the GAO found that "some of [the] concerns about electronic voting machines have been realized and have caused problems with recent elections, resulting in the loss and miscount of votes." GAO found that these concerns "merit the focused attention of federal state and local authorities responsible for election administration."

What does this mean? Much has been made about this issue during the 2004 Ohio election debacle here and elsewhere, however, this is the first time Congress' investigatory arm has weighed in on the problems with our voting machines. The GAO studied the work of others and ultimately put their stamp of approval on it. That lends important credibility to the cause of election reform generally, and more specifically to requiring that every machine have a voter verified paper ballot that is used in election days audits and, if discrepancies are found in those audits, becomes the official record for the election.

There have been discussions and debates about whether this or that election was "hacked." I would like to suggest putting that discussion aside for the moment (or longer -- I understand some such discussions can result in a ban from this blog community). In this context, we should focus on what we all agree on, and what the GAO found: these machines have substantial problems. To me, in addition to being an issue that goes to the heart of our democracy, this is a consumer protection issue. There are certainly voting machine manufacturers who produce a good product. But by and large, when it comes to a voting machine, the average voter is getting a lemon -- the Ford Pinto of voting technology. We must demand better.

More specifics about what GAO found: Serious problems were identified regarding the security control system, access controls, hardware controls, and the voter-verified paper audit trail system. Among the security shortcomings identified by GAO:
1. Some electronic voting systems did not encrypt cast ballots or system audit logs, thus making it possible to alter them without detection.

2. It is easy to alter a file defining how a ballot appears, making it possible for someone to vote for one candidate and actually be recorded as voting for an entirely different candidate.

3. Falsifying election results without leaving any evidence of such an action by using altered memory cards.

4. Access to the voting network was easily compromised because not all digital recording electronic voting systems (DREs) had supervisory functions password-protected, so access to one machine provided access to the whole network.

5. Supervisory across to the voting network was also compromised by repeated use of the same user IDs combined with easily guessed passwords.

6. The locks protecting access to the system were easily picked and keys were simple to copy.

7. One DRE model was shown to have been networked in such a rudimentary fashion that a power failure on one machine would cause the entire network to fail.

8. GAO identified further problems with the security protocols and background screening practices for vendor personnel.
The suggestions made by GAO to ensure the security of machines barely scratch the surface of the problems what is needed to improve the national voting systems standards. Their report divulges that, despite the many official assurances that the problems of the past elections were isolated and few, the election system is indeed riddled with problems and flaws.

The bottom line is until we make a serious commitment to address the significant security and controls concerns we have regarding our voting machines, American citizens have no reason to have complete confidence in our democracy.
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» Friday, October 21, 2005

Niger Uranium Forgery Mystery Solved?

Anti-War's Justin Raimondo
fatcat politicsI have harvested all the links in this comprehensive article by Justin Raimondo.   He is very thorough with documenting the timeline and relevant links to provide an amazing detailed account of how the story of the Niger Documents and TraitorGate has all unfolded.   My efforts here are to just add descriptive titles to the links so they stand alone.   This article is a must read.   - fc

Anti-War.comNiger Uranium Forgery Mystery Solved?
by Justin Raimondo

These are the links in Justin Raimondo's Article.   These links are presented as reference only.   - fc

Google Search :: Rove & Libby
I. Lewis "Scooter" Libby :: rightweb
Karl Rove :: Anti-War.com
leak :: Anti-War.com
infamous 16 words
White House News Release :: 16 words
enormous fraud
War Party's propaganda campaign
Niger :: photo of country
Niger :: Economy - Uranium
French consortium :: Uranium
Wilson sent to Niger by CIA
Wilson went public
IAEA brutally and publicly debunk Niger claim
Italian journalist Burba story about docs
Panorama :: Magazine Burba writes for
Niger documents :: Cryptome
yellowcake acquisition :: Slate
yellowcake talking points for Iraq War
IAEA put off for proof of docs validity
docs were forgeries :: Wikipedia
forgeries particularly crude :: MSNBC
Official admits :: We fell for it.
Investigation launched :: Washington Times
Novak's column :: TownHall.com
following the trail of the forgers
Fitzgerald finally gets copy of Italian Report
Alan Wolf :: CIA's European Div
Clarridge :: CIA Rome Div
Wolf - Clarridge - Ledeen & Chalabi
Ledeen :: Iran-Contra scandal
Ledeen set up meetings with Iranians
Manucher Ghorbanifar :: Wikipedia
Ledeen :: National Review
Ledeen :: NeoCon Fascism
Machiavelli's amoralism
Ledeen :: radical neoconservative ideologue
Ledeen :: Carthage must be destroyed
Ledeen :: Creative Destruction
Ledeen :: Faster, please! :: Google Search
Ledeen met in Rome with Ghorbanifar - 2001
Pentagon's Larry Franklin :: Rome meeting 2001
Office of Net Assessment's Harold Rhode - 2001 meeting
Office of Net Assessment :: Pentagon think tank :: Wikipedia
Another Ghorbanifar Meeting in Rome ::
SISMI :: Italian Military Intel and Sec Service :: Wikipedia
SISMI Chief :: Nicolo Pollari
Antonio Martino :: Italian Official :: NeoCon favorite
Franklin spying for Israel :: WaPo
Franklin Indictment
Franklin leaked classified info to AIPAC::
AIPAC Official :: Steve Rosen
AIPAC Official :: Keith Weissman
Franklin just trying to get AIPAC's assistance in moving a more pro-Israel agenda
Rhode :: NeoCon ideologue
Franklin & Rhode helped set up DOD's OSP
Office of Special Plans :: Google Search
OSP stove-piped info :: New Yorker
false intelligence :: Judy Miller
Ahmed Chalabi :: American Prospect
Iraqi National Congress :: Chalabi & Iran
Rhode & Franklin & Chalabi :: Richard Sale
Fitzgerald & Paul McNulty (AIPAC) are the same investigation
Fitzgerald & Cheney's other leaks
Others implicate Ledeen
Former CIA Official Vince Cannistraro
Former CIA Official Larry Johnson
Johnson points to SISME's involvement
Clarridge :: first head of the Counterterrorism Center :: Google Search
Bill Casey's Counterterrorism Center :: Wikipedia
Casey, Clarridge - Ledeen :: Sourcewatch
Clarridge pardoned in Iran-Contra by G H W Bush
Clarridge book :: A Spy for All Seasons
Clarridge purportedly the author of "Psychological Operations in Guerilla Warfare
Clarridge purported wrote how-to for the Contras
Contras directed violence at noncombatants
Clarridge's idea of mining Nicaragua's harbors
World Court condemns Mining of harvors
Clarridge nixed for NSC
Clarridge free lancing in Iraq
Clarridge investigates sale of Weapons to Saddam
Clarridge went to work for Dax Resources
Dax Resources special ops, technical countermeasures
Bush officials push case against Saddam
President Bush Outlines Iraqi Threat
Cheney's bogus nuclear weapon
Aluminum Tube Story Debunked
Seymour Hersh points out Tenet's Lies
CIA didn't see actual docs president's 2003 speech
Fitzgerald Never Rests :: WaPo
How Ahmed Chalabi conned the neocons :: Salon
Chalabi :: Heroes in error
Chalabi gives Iran U.S. secrets?
Valerie Plame :: Wikipedia
Iraqi National Congress :: Google Search
The spies who pushed for war
Inquiry into Tehran's role in starting conflict
Selective Intelligence :: Seymour Hersh
Neoconservatives Conquered Washington
The Pentagon Muzzles the CIA
Pentagon Office Home to Neo-Con Network


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fc

» Thursday, October 20, 2005

Under the Radar

News You Didn't Hear !
fatcat politicsWith the blogosphere abuzz with news of the leaks in info about TraitorGate, the Delay indictment and arrest warrsnt, the Frist inside trading scandal and the falling poll numbers for Bush, some things slip in Under the Radar.   CREW (Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington) has filed suit against the Indian tribes in the Abramoff investigation for release of documents that were requested under the FOIA.   Common Cause has done an excellant job of documenting election reform in many states.   I am proud to say that my state of Ohio has four initiatives on the next ballot to help reform our polluted state political machine.   The Economic Policy Institute's news release brings more disturbing news about minimum wage and the effect it will have on workers.   This is above and beyond the efforts of the Bush Administration to cut wages for the Katrina Rebuilding.   It is such a sad situation that Bush and his cronies are so willing to harm the hard working middle and lower class of this country, the very ones who have built this country.   In other grassroots efforts to curb Bush Administration's corruption and illegal wars, The AFSC (American Friends Service Committee) are planning a war protest upon the milstone of 2000 American Soldiers killed in Iraq, which may be much sooner than any of us would like.   I plan to attend one in New Boston, Ohio which is just 26 miles down the road from here.   Please check the link below for a protest near you and add you voice to the effort.     - fc

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» Wednesday, October 19, 2005

Fighting Dems

Iraqi Vets For Congress !
fatcat politicsFrom Air America Radio comes this website in support of Iraqi Veterans that are running for Congress.   Lawyer and Marine Corps reservist Paul Hackett, 43, is running for the Senate in Ohio.   Bryan Lentz, 41, an attorney, Army reserves major, and former prosecutor from Swarthmore, Pa. is running for Congress in the 7th Congressional District in Pennsylvania.   David Ashe, 36, spent seven years in the Marines, working as a lawyer is running in Virginia's 2nd District.   Patrick Murphy, 31, is an Iraq War veteran, former West Point professor, and criminal prosecutor is running in Pennsylvania's 8th District.   - fc

Fighting DemsFIGHTING DEMS: BACK FROM THE FRONT LINES AND HEADED TO CONGRESS

Every Tuesday night on The Majority Report.

The Majority Report and Dailykos.com have teamed up to profile Democratic military vets who've decided to take another step in public service and run for Congress.

Each Tuesday night on The Majority Report over the coming months, The Majority Report's Sam Seder and Markos Moulitsas of DailyKos.com will be introducing and checking in with soldiers who've had enough of Republican Washington and have decided to fight back.

To hear the Majority Report :

• Find an Air America Radio Affiliate: click here
Stream Online
• Tune in on XM 167

Support Our Troops For Congress!Fighting Dems

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