Politics in Alachua, Florida

I'm the author of the novel Tortoise Stew that Charlie Grapski wrote about in a blog a few days ago.

I wrote this novel about politics in a fictional small north Florida town after covering politics in the area for several years. I began writing it three days after someone left a live bomb at the weekly newspaper where I was covering controversial growth issues (can you say Dollar General and Wal-Mart?). Fortunately no one was hurt so the FBI moved onto more important crimes.

I tried to make the novel as crazy as possible, exaggerating real life events and characters, but in Alachua they continue to write my sequel for me and how do I get crazier than what is happening there right now?

The City Manager/Police Commissioner tricked a citizen into city hall on a public records request and then had him arrested by two officers and the police chief on the charge of illegally tape recording a conversation between the city manager and the citizen the previous week.

The city manager has been quoted in the local press that he was making a statement that the city of Alachua will not be intimidated.

I remember countless phone conversations held with officials in that city over the years where I heard a steady and rhythmic tick in the background. No one told me I was being taped, but no one will convince me that I was not. Intimidating? It's all right as long as they are the ones doing it.


Patricia Camburn Behnke
Writer/Editor
P.O. Box 512
St. Augustine, FL 32085
pcbwrites at bellsouth.net
www.authorsden.com/patriciacbehnke


The following are screen captures from the slideshow at the High Springs Herald.







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MViMV Guest Blog

Tonight's MViMV guest blogger will be Marian Harris, Candidate, Ohio House of Representatives.

Please join Marian on the MViMV blog tonight from 8-9pm EDT.

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Hayden & 4th Amendment: Barely Acquainted

Gen. Michael Hayden, Bush's nominee to succeed Porter Goss as head of the CIA, doesn't know what the Fourth Amendment says. That comes as no surprise given that Hayden misled Congress about Bush's warrantless spying program.

Editor & Publisher:

Hayden, Likely Choice for CIA Chief, Displayed Shaky Grip on 4th Amendment at Press Club

Gen. Michael Hayden, expected to be named new director of the CIA, replacing Porter Goss as early as Monday, displayed a shaky awareness of the Fourth Amendment in an appearance at the National Press Club in Washingnon, D.C., on January 23, E&P reported at the time.

[...]

As the last journalist to get in a question at the Press Club, Jonathan Landay, a well-regarded investigative reporter for Knight Ridder, noted that Gen. Hayden repeatedly referred to the Fourth Amendment's search standard of "reasonableness" without mentioning that it also demands "probable cause." Hayden seemed to deny that the amendment included any such thing, or simply ignored it. He directly said "no" it did not include "probable cause."

This caused Landay to reply, "The legal standard is probable cause, General."

Entire story here.


The White House has indicated it is willing to go to the mat for Hayden's confirmation. I say, "Bring it on."

Update: Christy Hardin Smith, aka ReddHedd at Firedoglake.com, has this to say about Hayden's nomination.

And in other news, Think Progress is reporting this:

...in an informal poll to be aired on Dateline tonight, ABC reporters found that many members of Congress, including Sen. Lindsay Graham (R-SC), could not sing the entire national anthem. One spokesperson spotted the film crew and sent out a warning to others: "Heads up. We have been informed that there is a news organization with a camera crew outside (between the Capitol and Longworth) asking members to recite or sing the national anthem."

I guess the National Anthem Project has its work cut out for it. (I'd advise Howard to sing it in the key of G. It's actually doable.)

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National Nurse Legislation ~ HR4903 ~ Update!

Thank you to listener for sending us this National Nurse update.

Sponsors!
We now have 13 co-sponsors to HR 4903 and welcome our latest additions to the growing list- Representative Henry Waxman (CA) who is a member of the House Health Committee and Representative Steny Hoyer (MD), the House Minority Whip.

The Team Travels To Washington D.C.
Teri, Alisa, and Terri, along with five other nurses and State Representative Marcia Moody (NH), will be traveling to Washington D.C. next Wednesday to meet with the health policy aides of Senators Craig, Kennedy, and Harkin. The team also has meetings with several leaders in the House Health Committee where the bill now sits.

Help!
The team needs your help with this venture. As you are aware, the cost of travel has gone up along with gasoline prices. If you could contribute (even $5) to help offset the expenses, Teri and the National Nurse team would be immensely appreciative. The National Nursing Network Organization is a non-profit corporation, but is not tax-exempt and therefore contributions are not tax-deductible. Donations can be made online.

Press Release For Next Week
Special thanks to Mac Prichard and Karen Greco who are helping with the press release that will be distributed in advance of the Washington D.C. trip. If you would like to receive a copy of what is being sent to the media for your own publication, please email teri@nationalnurse.info

Celebrate National Nurses Week!!
The National Nurse Team has a website, www.cafepress.com/nationalnurse with lots of merchandise to celebrate Florence Nightingale's birthday and National Nurses Week - May 6th-12th...including designs by our own bloggers jc and Demetrius! Please consider purchasing a button or bumper sticker to raise the campaign's visibility.

Send Us Your Stories and Health Tips
Have you contacted or visited your U.S. Representative? Do you have a health tip to share with the nation? Do you have feedback about HR 4903 you would like to share with others? Are you interested in having a post published at www.nationalnurse.org? Please send your stories and health tips for the public to teri@nationalnurse.info for consideration and publication.

On to DC!
Teri, Alisa, and Terri
Your National Nurse Team
www.nationalnurse.org

Teri Mills and Alisa Schneider

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Go forth, and light more candles...

Reminder: Howard will appear on "This Week with George Stephanopoulos" on Sunday, May 7. (Check your local listings.)

I first became aware of Charlie's situation when mprov made a comment at 12:53 a.m. in the Tuesday Night Open Thread at Howard-Empowered People. Well, that's not quite accurate, because I was asleep at that time. I first *saw* mprov's comment shortly before 6:48 am, when I made a comment of my own. And then I asked if one of the other bloggers at HEP could get a main post up, because I was on my way to work and would be unable to post anything myself until evening.

Corinne answered the call, and posted this during the day on Wednesday. Normally I would try to crosspost something like this, to help the story reach a wider audience. But it was the middle of the work week, and I was feeling entitled to at least a teeny-tiny sulk over yet *another* candidate I have been passionate about got beaten badly. And then I was coming down with a bit of a bug (starting to feel better, thanks). And then it was the National Day of Prayer, and I couldn't let *that* pass without comment.

This morning I saw a comment from Charlie in the overnight thread, and decided that I really did need to buckle down and post something for a wider audience. So, in addition to the post below, which features Charlie's own words, I crossposted excerpts from the High Springs Herald article about the arrest to Daily Kos, My Left Wing, Booman Tribune, ePluribus Media, and Democratic Underground. I tried to point people back here for discussion, but you know--herding cats, and all. Thing is, there's no way that I can keep up with responding to questions, comments and suggestions at this point.

Not to mention the fact that I *started* doing a post about this issue when I got up this morning, and now it is almost dinnertime. MUST...PRY...FINGERS....FROM...KEYBOARD.

Except that I can't, because I need this keyboard to work on some things for my class next week. So how 'bout I just close this browser window instead. But before I do that, I have a request. Check out the crossposts I linked above. If you are a member at one of those blogs and can answer a question someone has asked, please do. If you see a comment or link that you think others would be interested in, please post it in the comments below. If you see a suggested "someone we should tell about this", go ahead and do it if you feel so inclined.

Tag--you're it!

Or, to be a little bit more poetic, I lit a few candles today. If people use those to light more candles, together we can shine a whole lot more light on this thing.

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Shining a light on north Florida "plantation" politics

Charlie Grapski founded the online Democracy University, and was a presenter at DemocracyFest I and II. He is currently running for the State House of Representatives in Florida.

For background on this story, see the Wednesday, May 3 post at Howard-Empowered People, Charlie Grapski Arrested for Recording Meeting and the editorial 'Alachua Gotcha' in the May 3 edition of the Gainesville Sun. Also, thank you to Connie in the comments for passing along another article about the arrest and the issues surrounding it, State House candidate arrested in Alachua City Hall, published in the High Springs Herald.

When Grapski was finished reviewing the records, police arrested him.

Grapski was released Monday night on his own recognizance.

What we have down in the City of Alachua is literally a plantation mentality - and one should not forget that this state (and this county and this city of Alachua were at the heart of the good ole boy system of Florida for most of its history) was among the last to "give in" to the civil rights movement and desegregation. And this was only done by force.

The Supreme Court had to step in in the seventies to demand the "all deliberate speed" issue be taken seriously. It was not until the 1980s that Florida's politics really began to change as a result of the 1950s and 1960s and the civil rights movement (and really all that happened was the loss of the Southern Democrats total control over the state - led to a two party system in Florida - with the viability of the Republicans - who have effectively taken over the role of the former Southern Democrats).

Folks, I am not exaggerating when I say that this was a stolen election in Florida. And this has national significance - and particularly for the Democrats and their presidential aspirations.

We all know how Florida's election was, well, manipulated in 2000. But it has not stopped - and Florida, above all, needs to be reformed.

Florida is one of the key electoral college states - being one of the largest. And Alachua County is one of the two remaining Democratic strong-holds in the state. However - the Republicans (and locally the developers - who are often Democrats nationally but vote Republican locally) are engaged in a very strategic effort to try and find a way to take over Alachua County for themselves.

And the City of Alachua has a key strategic element in this. They are in control of that city. Literally in control - there is no semblance of legitimacy or democracy - it is run by a cabal of individuals and they use it effectively as their private plantation (indeed one of their new housing developments - and they have a large number that have now been "approved" is called "Plantation Oaks" - aptly named).

There was a major scandal with the bringing of the Dollar General distribution center, then the Wal-Mart distribution center, and likely a Wal-Mart supercenter (they want it in Gainesville - but they have not been able to break into a controlling power on the Gainesville City Commission - although they are desperately trying).

This was a major problem - and numerous illegalities. A series of lawsuits was filed - a local attorney took this on at his own expense - and they attacked him - and due to health problems he filed something late - the judge (who has been problematic in a number of other cases involving abuses by public officials) dismissed the case outright - without ruling on the merits - which is not appropriate - based on the lawyer's error (which was caused by his health problems - which were exacerbated by the attacks on him as a result of his efforts). That is inappropriate.

We are dealing with a very real problem here - if Alachua local elections can be stolen - then they can steal the presidential election through similar means as well. This must be addressed - and again - the national spotlight is necessary to bring enough sunshine onto this situation - which is really about deep seated corruption going to the highest levels of Florida politics and involving all sorts of criminal activities (think of the worst types of such activities - and you are likely thinking of what is involved here).

Take a look at the following - it is a novel entitled Tortoise Stew by Patricia Behnke - who was an Alachua resident and had owned a local paper (she's moved out of Alachua - as a number of people are being forced to do). Its a Carl Hiassen type novel (and Carl should get into this - he went to the University of Florida where he began his writing career) - meaning that it may be fiction, but its based upon the truth - the characters in this book - are the real characters I am dealing with.

From the review at The Author's Den...

"The bomb sat in a bag on Kelly Sands' desk for an hour before she noticed it."

And so begins a tale of developers and politicians so intent upon their plans to destroy some of the last rural lands in north Florida, they will go to any means.

Through it all, reporter Kelly Sands remains dedicated to uncovering their underhanded methods.

From a bomb to dead gopher tortoises to a dead commissioner, Tortoise Stew takes the reader on a mysterious and murky ride through politics - north Florida style.

Clicking the graphic above will take you to the Tortoise Stew page on Powells.com. The book is also available at Amazon.com

Also - to see the Wal-Mart issue - and related issues - see:

Moon Magazine (I'll try and see if I can digitize there articles - I don't know if their archives are still up on the internet - I'll see one of the founders of that magazine tommorrow and see if he has them digitized still).

The Alachua Post - this was created by those who became the ALA (Alachua Leadership Alliance) - and took on this battle a few years back. Unfortunately - they have been targetted for vicious attacks. (There is even now a "paper" - more like Fox News - in town which is "funded" very heavily (we don't know by whom - but we do know with what intent) - and originally hired someone from the National Inquirer to set it up - they are an attack dog for the cabal running that town (plantation)).

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Why I had a voice mail call from MS Dick Durbin

By Holly J

Some of you may remember that I had blogged a couple of months ago that I had applied for a scholarship program to be trained as an "Illinois Women in Leadership" program. It is highly competitive program and after reading the resume of previous accepted applicants I was compelled to throw the form in the trash last 2 years.

Now some of you really think the Democratic Party is hopeless and I have to say I have been more than a little discouraged a few times. But I have really taken to heart Howard Dean's challenge to "take back America" and like him feel the best way to get America going is to work through and with the Democratic Party. I honestly believe the true Democratic values include the belief that "we all in this together" unlike the Republicans actions that "you are on your own." I truly believe that if anyone is left behind all of America is worse of for it.

Some of you have seen from my posts telling how I am DFA organizer, am active in my local party and even ran for park district commission. But I was not sure if I was ready to take it a step further. I decided to take the leap and filled out the application for the IWIL program.

After my name and address the form asked for high school accomplishments!!! High School Accomplishments, that was 35 years ago. Was I really supposed to write I went to anti-Viet Nam war rallies? Then it asked for professional organizations and degrees. Degrees - plural??? My degree in physical therapy was a far cry from a master's in political science or a law degree. OK maybe that I lived in a town of 2000 would impress them.

Fill it out and send it. My resume needed updating anyway because I have worked at Easter Seals for the last 25 years.

2 weeks ago I got a call telling me I was a finalist. The selection committee which included state legislators. leaders in the IL dem. Party and CEOs would interview me. 25 people would be interviewed and they would select 12. odds 50/50.

I decided that I better beef up on IL politics. Who was Governor, Lt Gov. Sec of state etc? I also researched the interviewees. I prefer to know who I am talking to.

It also just so happened that the IL Dem Women's convention was taking place. I couldn't pass up a weekend with my cool democratic women friends and get to eat in the Governor's mansion. OK, I am a little star struck with politicians. I blame Howard Dean for this.

Typical with my history of studying, I decided to wait to review the information for the interview the night before but first I had a banquet to go to. Little did I know that the interviewers would seek me out and ask me questions at the dinner. Not until I was halfway through the conversation did I realize that I was talking to an IL congresswoman and an interviewer. Once I realize it, I went numb, chocked and then got my composure back. A POP Quiz. I WAS NOT ready for the interview here. I didn't have my mind set and I hadn't finished studying yet. When she asked my about a local State rep I confidently answered her question not knowing if the answers were right.

The next day I had a 4 hour drive to Chicago in pouring rain and had to decide if I should get stuck in a oil spill on 355 or in construction on the Dan Ryan. Knowing Chicago I gave myself an extra hour. With mapquest in hand, I threaded my way through downtown Chicago, parked and walked 2 blocks to the UAW building. After trying 3 doors with the doorman watching me, the doorman stated, "Holly Johnson, take the elevator to the 6th floor."

Waiting to interview before me sat a woman in her early 20's. OK-at least they will remember me for being the oldest applicant. A very friendly professional woman led me into the room with 6 women sitting around a long executive table. "Holly, we have been looking forward to meeting you" Did that mean the woman from last night had warned them about me or that they were so glad because I was the last interview for the day?

I looked around the room, there sat the circuit clerk, over there was Asst. director of Dept of Registration and next to me was an IL Senator. -- Hookay.-- But I have to say I do love talking about myself and that is what they wanted to do for 20 minutes. The more I talked the more animated I got. What I lack in experience I make up for enthusiasm. The last question was. "Tell me 3 words to describe yourself." I have never thought about that before but I quickly came up with, energetic, motivator and compassionate. I quickly added. "Oh dear that Republicans have ruined that word." They laughed and the director of registry stated, "We are taking that word back".

Today on my way home from work, my cell phone kept giving this little annoying beep. I kept driving, At a stop light I pulled it out to try to figure out how to shut it up. I opened up the phone and it said I had a voice mail but I had no idear how to retrieve it! I could see the number and it was a Chicago area code and I DON'T have friends who call me from Chicago so I knew it must be the IWIL people. I shook the phone, I click around and I still had no luck in opening up the voice mall. The mystery of whether I was accepted into the program would have to wait until I called my daughter to find out how to get into my voice mail.

After carefully following my daughter's instructions and racking my brain for the password, I opened the mail. "Holly this is Loretta Durbin and I want to let you know that you have been accepted as a delegate into the IWIL program, congratulations.."

I was going to save this voice mail for prosperity put I punched 7 instead of 3 and the voice mail disappeared into cyberland!

For those of you that can't learn enough about the program that I am now a delegate for, here is the link
http://www.iwilinfo.org/

Thanks all for sharing in my joy!

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Tim Tagaris' Goodbye Post (DNC blog)

Under the title GBCW--and since not *everyone* around the internets knows this, I'll add that those initials stand for "Goodbye Cruel World"--Tim Tagaris has posted his farewell.

About two years and a half years ago you would probably only find me working at Pinch Penny Pub or playing basketball everyday at "the rec" in Carbondale, Illinois on the campus of Southern Illinois University. Then one fateful night I watched as an otherwise anonymous candidate for U.S. Congress, Jeff Seemann (OH-16), posted an entry on the sorta-popular blog, Daily Kos. I don't know what persuaded me to abandon the pursuit of my Masters Degree (was done with all my classes, but hadn't finished my thesis -- sorry mom and dad!), but I packed my car and moved to Canton, Ohio.
...
As for me, I'm off to Connecticut next week to get that adrenaline flowing on a daily basis in a campaign setting -- I'm sure you'll be hearing from me again. But before I leave, I want all of you to know that I am grateful for the conversation we've had over these past six months. Oh, and one more thing ... shame on you, Jean Schmidt.

Read the rest here.

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Open Thread

Update: Howard will appear on "This Week with George Stephanopoulos" on Sunday, May 7. (Check your local listings.)

Holman (the puppy Mom is raising for Canine Companions for Independence) at 12 weeks.


'Night, everybody.

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Reflections from Howard Dean

I just visited the Democratic Party blog and found that they have posted a statement from Howard Dean on the National Day of Prayer. Before I go on, I just wanted to say that I am mindful of keeping a balance here, and figured that if I managed to get a new post up tonight, it would *not* be something else on the NDOP.

But, it's from Howard! Can you blame me? And for a post at Howard-Empowered People, it would just be wrong to merely tack a link on to my earlier post.

In a post called "Reflections"...

Governor Dean on a National Day of Prayer: For people of all faiths, prayer is a powerful act of devotion. Today, people of faith gather all across the country to reflect on our many blessings as a nation and to seek thoughtful discernment on the many challenges before us.

We know that the suffering of our neighbors, both domestic and around the world, is a burden we must work to alleviate. For the nearly 1 in 5 American children living in poverty, for the nearly 46 million Americans who are uninsured, for the millions of refugees around the world, and for the hundreds of thousands of innocent lives lost to genocide in Darfur, we must come together around these and other common concerns to offer hope. Today and every day, we must strive to find the moral high ground to impact real change.Today we reaffirm our commitment to work to heal our nation and to come together around our shared values to rebuild our American community with honesty, security and opportunity and to demonstrate moral leadership around the globe.

I've been off looking for some pictures of Howard that would go well with this post. This photo is from his trip to Israel in September of 2005.



There are a lot of great pictures in John Pettit's Cloudview gallery here, but since there are pretty explicit directions that those photos are not to be published without written permission, I'll have to settle for posting a link to the gallery.

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Today is the National Day of Prayer

Today, May 4, is the National Day of Prayer. By presidential proclamation, no less.

I ask the citizens of our Nation to give thanks, each according to his or her own faith, for the freedoms and blessings we have received and for God's continued guidance and protection. I urge all Americans to join in observing this day with appropriate programs, ceremonies, and activities.

It is unfortunate that Bush only pays lip service to religious pluralism (as well as assuming that all Americans *have* a faith), because all of the official National Day of Prayer events are overtly Christian in nature. And not just *any* kind of Christian.

From an article about an inclusive, interfaith event taking place in Troy, Michigan, some details about the "National Day of Prayer Task Force":

The task force, run by Shirley Dobson, the wife of evangelical radio commentator James Dobson, requires each volunteer to sign a personal pledge as "an evangelical Christian who has a personal relationship with Christ."

Task force-sponsored events often focus on declaring the United States a Christian nation and praying in opposition to such hot-button political issues as abortion and gay rights.

"Those usually are things we pray about," Jim Weidmann, national vice chairman of the task force, said Tuesday. "We're looking at almost 2 million people who we expect at up to 8,000 events."

I do pray for our nation, and our president. Every day. Just not for the same reasons as the Dobsons and their cohorts.

Do read the article about the Troy, Michigan interfaith event. I like that some people are trying to turn the day into a more positive statement about diversity and inclusion. In Columbus there will be Interfaith Prayers for Peace. I think that is just a happy coincidence--or is it? But those events are always on the first Thursday of the month, as I recall.

Here's a blog you may not be aware of, that you might like to check out today: The Wall of Separation is the blog of Americans United for the Separation of Church and State. Also, here's that link again for the transcript of the PBS NOW program about the Patriot Pastors. And here's a link to an article about the Bible-reading marathon at the U.S. Capitol. (Events like that are taking place at state capitols too. )

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Blackwell's "Patriot Pastors": Must-see video

I had every intention of watching--or at least recording--NOW on PBS this past Sunday. It was to feature the report entitled "God's Country?", which profiled the "Patriot Pastors" group that is working to elect Ken "Diebold" Blackwell governor of Ohio. It also included an interview with Rev. Eric Williams, one of the Ohio ministers who signed onto the IRS complaint against Blackwell-boosting Reverends Russell Johnson and Rod Parsley. Fortunately, George at Buckeye State Blog pointed out this video, available online at Brad Blog. (George found the link via a comment at Bob Fitrakis's new blog, FraudbusterBob.com.) You can also read the transcript here. (Be very afraid.)

Some excerpts from the transcript, with accompanying screen captures from the video.

For Johnson, this coming Tuesday is d-day. That's when Ohio holds it's primary for governor. The real battle is on the republican side, between two candidates: Ohio attorney general Jim Petro, widely recognized as the establishment's choice, and Ohio Secretary of State Ken Blackwell, a conservative Christian.

Blackwell is the only candidate pictured on Johnson's website. And on the day we visited, a newspaper published by Johnson's group was hot of the presses, to be mailed to half a million homes across Ohio. These newspapers provide a guide to the candidates' stand on issues important to conservative Christians.

BRANCACCIO:
And there is more. Look at this videotape, obtained by "NOW." It's of a rally Johnson held in February outside of Canton, featuring Ken Blackwell.

BLACKWELL:
"Our times demand your engagement. Our times demand your prayers.

BRANCACCIO:
Hundreds of local religious leaders listened as Johnson praised Blackwell in no uncertain terms.

JOHNSON RALLY:
"When it came time to look for a leader, we found one, Ken Blackwell, who said yes, it's the right thing to do, marriage is defined by the bible as one man and a woman, and I will stand with you."

BRANCACCIO:
Johnson finished by giving candidate Blackwell what the Ohio restoration project calls its "courageous leadership" award.

On a related note, tomorrow is the National Day of Prayer, being celebrated all over the country in spectacles that embody the opposite of what Jesus advises in Matthew 6:4-6

And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.

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DemocracyFest Update

Here's a belated DemocracyFest Update:

Paul Hackett will speak at DemocracyFest on Saturday, July 15th in San Diego, CA.

I apologize that this update is not only a day late, but is also very short. I'm really overwhelmed and don't even have time to type up something nice about Paul Hackett. Ack! I'll just have to go ahead and assume you all know who he is ;-)

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Charlie Grapski Arrested for Recording Meeting

BFA's own Charlie Grapski, a University of Florida instructor and doctoral student who is also a candidate for Florida's State House, was arrested and briefly detained after Alachua City Manager Clovis Watson Jr. alleged Grapski recorded him without his knowledge on Friday, April 28.

Grapski had met with Watson "to discuss Grapski's request for public records relating to last month's Alachua city election." Watson alleged that he "left his office briefly during the discussion, and only realized when he came back in and saw a blinking red light on what appeared to be a phone that he was being recorded." Watson asked if the meeting was being taped and Grapski said it was and "since Watson is a public official, the recording was legal."

Watson disagreed. Grapski, in an e-mail to Watson, said "Watson could "clearly see" his recorder, because Watson "openly stated" he knew he was being recorded and because "as a public official . . . anything you say is deemed to be a public statement." " The two agreed to meet again on Monday where Watson told Grapski that the public records they discussed on Friday would be available.

Grapski arrived on Monday with co-chairman of the Alachua County Green Party Michael Canney. When Grapski was finished reviewing the records, police arrested him. Grapski was charged with "interception and disclosure of wire, oral or electronic communications."



While Canney believes the punishment was too harsh for the crime, Watson said the police department acted appropriately and that the arrest "was necessary to impress upon Grapski the seriousness of the matter." Watson charges that a felony was committed resulting in Grapski's arrest.

Canney points out that the arrest deflected attention from Grapski's reasons for requesting the records in the first place:

"Grapski was looking through materials relating to absentee ballots for the recent city election, which is being challenged by a lawsuit Grapski is participating in.

[...]

The lawsuit says city officials are "guilty of misconduct in conducting the absentee ballot portion of the election."

Grapski was released Monday night on his own recognizance.




UPDATE, from Charlie on BFA:


Charlie Grapski wrote on May 3, 2006 09:55 AM:

Thanks all,

Very interesting stuff Monica. I did not realize they arrested you in Alachua when running. There is a very serious problem in the City of Alachua - and when we say "plantation" - I mean that literally.

By the way - the statement that he "heard" his voice played back is false. The recorder was on at all times and plainly in his view - and we even discussed it - and he continued to talk while being recorded.

My view is that in Florida (especially because we have the Sunshine Law) - and everywhere - a PUBLIC official is exactly that. Anything he/she does AS that PUBLIC official - must be ASSUMED TO BE public. Thus anything they say or do - in their official capacity - should be considered to be done AS IF it were being recorded (and thus if someone recorded it - even without their knowledge or consent - that would be acceptable).

In this case, however, this was done without any attempt at "secret" recording. I can provide more details at a later time.

But this statute that is being cited - with the felony charge - is really intended for COVERT spying on individuals (kind of like the President has authorized - just the other way around - in this case the issue is the public "spying" on public officials in their public capacity). And no one has EVERY been prosecuted for what I have been alleged to do (or what I have actually done).

The only thing that could come out of something like this - although in this case since it was a public official and was done openly it should not - is that the tape evidence cannot be used as evidence in court.

But I made the recording - as I am doing with all interactions with officials of the city of Alachua - to DOCUMENT what happens and what they do. Particularly in this case of stealing an election.

You may recall that a few years back - two Floridians "intercepted", taped, and distributed a cell-phone conversation of Rep. John Boehner (R-Ohio) on a conference call with Gingrich and a number of other key Republicans.

They turned the tape over to the House Ethics Committee (Jim McDermott) - when they were investigating Gingrich's ethics violations. It woud up in the hands of the newspapers - and a transcript was printed in the NY TImes.

Gingrich tried to have them brought up on the felony charges and arrested (like what happened to me) - but they were not able to do that.

I believe they actually eventually pled guilty - and were fined $500.

But what they did - and what I did - are two completely different things. My actions don't even come close to that.

I am not worried - they made a major mistake - and have attempted to use their positions of power (and abuse them) for their advantage. I will indeed prevail on this - but more importantly - I will now have a much greater chance of prevailing on the exposure of the stealing of the election - and then the deeper corruption in the City of Alachua.

I'll share more of this later.

What is important is that last Monday, along with Prof. Joe Little of the Law School (who I have worked with for many years on such cases) - we filed a lawsuit challenging the election based upon improprieties of the election officials (including Clovis Watson - the City Manager and Police Commissioner - who is also on the Canvassing Board).

I filed a public records request on Thursday to review the absentee ballots and all of the related documents.

On Friday I tried to inspect those documents. Alan Henderson, the Deputy Clerk (Clovis is also the City Clerk by the way) who also is the Supervisor of Elections tried to stonewall me. I recorded that.

Then I was seated - with a witness - in Clovis' office when I would not be bullied by Henderson (and that is not an understatement - this is how the city officials treat the residents). I continued to record - and Clovis walked in - and saw and knew I was recording and spoke to me about the records request. He tried to find ways to delay or deny - but I was not taking no for an answer. Eventually we discussed the issue of recording - on the tape (which by the way he and the Chief of Police (who works under him) confiscated). (Also the Mayor is a defendant in the case). They thus took the evidence AGAINST them into their custody - by arresting me.

Now - the arrest happened after I appeared for an appointment on Monday to inspect the ballots. I made that appointment with Clovis.

No arrest was made on Friday - when he alleges the "secret" recording was made. He never went to the State Attorney to have me prosecuted. No warrant was issued for my arrest.

But instead - on Monday - he had the Chief of Police and two officers in his office waiting to arrest me (and then effectively sent out a press release about this!) - when I was reviewing the ballots.

The editor of the High Springs Herald was there - be


Charlie Grapski wrote on May 3, 2006 09:56 AM:

The editor of the High Springs Herald was there - because I was speaking with him - and he wanted a picture of me inspecting the ballots (he got a lot more than he - or I - expected).

While I was reviewing the ballots - in mid-process - they arrested me (as in the photo - those are ballots on the table).

There is something rotten here in Alachua, Florida. And it needs to be exposed to the light of day and remedied.

Charlie

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Tuesday Night Open Thread

Once again, here are the links for checking Ohio and Indiana returns. (For anyone who missed this story a while back and wondering about the other "Democrat" running against Sherrod Brown, click.) You can check Ohio Leftyblogs to see what the various Ohio blogs are posting about today's primary election and the incoming results.

Corinne has a new post up at We've Got Howard Dean's Back: Voter ID: Howard was right (again!)

And, for your late-night viewing pleasure, here is a picture from the Cats in Sinks web site. You'll what what that site is all about... ;-)

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Election Day Thread

Update: You can check on Ohio election returns here, and Indiana returns here.





Today is the primary election in Ohio, and if you're been around this blog at all for the past couple months, you know that I'm rooting for Subodh Chandra for Attorney General. He is in a contested primary, but the Ohio Democratic Party endorsed his opponent, so that means his name won't appear on sample ballots the party puts out.

I'd like to keep this thread up all day, so I have time stamped it for 7:30 p.m., which is when the polls close in Ohio--and if you are in line at 7:30, you are still entitled to vote.

In addition to using this as an open thread, I'd appreciate it if people could post election day updates. You might be able to find some of them through the Ohio leftyblogs feed.

I don't know if anyone plans to post another thread today, but if someone does so before 7:30, it will appear *below* this thread. So just give a shout-out to alert people to the new thread below this one, if that happens.

Thanks, and go Subodh!





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Beltane

Some links for the overnight. What with the National Day of Prayer coming up later this week, I didn't want to pass up an opportunity to honor the religious diversity of this nation. In addition to being May Day and "Loyalty Day", May 1 is also Beltane.

From the Religion and Ethics Newsweekly Multifaith Calendar:

Beltane (also called Beltain, May Eve [April 30] and May Day) celebrates the conjoining of the infinite potential of the Goddess with the life-sparking energy of the God in a sacred marriage, the basis of all creation. It is a time for balancing the feminine and masculine tides within the psyche as each celebrant prepares to participate in bringing the creative potential of the year to fruition.

Some diaries at Street Prophets:

Beltane?
Sex, love, and Beltane
The Meaning and Mystery of Beltane

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Quintus Jett liveblogging at MViMV

Now at My Vote is My Voice blog:

Quintus Jett is scheduled to join us tonight talking about voting in New Orleans. If his post shows up we'll join the discussion - in the meantime I'd like to talk about today's immigrant marches and meetings throughout this country. Particularly disturbing to me is that the current administration continues to turn it's back on the citizens it's represents - making us more and more, as individual's responsible for lack of government presence. Locally, apple growers would be made responsible - with possible fines and jail time, for hiring mirgrant workers without proper documentation - sent to them by the Dept. of Labor. I think we're definitely going in the wrong direction here - what can we really do about this collapse of responsibility by the government?

Click here to join the conversation.

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Reid: A Sad Anniversary of a Sorry Public Relations Stunt

Text of the floor remarks of Senate Democratic Leader Harry Reid, as published in U.S. Newswire.

...To their families, to the families of all 2,404 U.S. troops who have fallen in Iraq, and to the thousands of families who have loved ones serving there now, our thoughts and prayers are with you. I know you are proud of your sons and daughters, and I am confident our nation's people are also proud of them. Their exemplary patriotism, dedication and competence speaks volumes.

Mr. President, I mention our troops and these fallen Nevadans for a reason.

Today, our country marks an unfortunate anniversary-the three year anniversary of President Bush donning a flight suit to declare "Mission Accomplished" in Iraq.

President Bush's dramatic landing on the aircraft carrier the Abraham Lincoln will be marked historically as a public relations stunt gone horribly wrong.

More pictures of Chimpy McFlightsuit at The Peace Pretzel. The pResident, on that day of the photo-op, proclaimed May 1 to be "Loyalty Day", and he is still calling it that.

Loyalty Day is also a time for us to reflect on our responsibilities to our country as we work to show the world the meaning and promise of liberty. The right to vote is one of our most cherished rights and voting is one of our most fundamental duties. By making a commitment to be good citizens, flying the American flag, or taking the time to learn about our Nation's history, we show our gratitude for the blessings of freedom.

Regarding that cherished right to vote, Upper Arlington Progressive Action has some suggestions for Ohioans going to the polls tomorrow.

Voting hours on Tuesday, May 2nd are from 6:30 AM to 7:30 PM. If you are in line at 7:30, you are still entitled to your vote.

When you enter, ask for a Democratic ballot.

Ohio has new electronic voting machines in many places.
If you are unsure how to use the machine, ask a poll worker for help.

Review your ballot, and make sure you have voted for every candidate you intended to vote for.

Voting is your right, and nobody should be able to take it away from you.

Speaking of people who might want to take our right to vote from us, gubernatorial candidate/Secretary of State Ken Blackwell has been running radio ads encouraging registered Democrats to ask for Republican ballots in tomorrow's primary. Hamilton County Democrats have cried foul, and ask that Blackwell pull the radio ads or resign as Secratary of State.

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Open Thread

Another picture from Cute Overload. Yes, I'm feeling about that sleepy right now.

Before I turn in, though, I thought I'd share the news that the Columbus chapter of the League of Pissed Off Voters just endorsed Subodh Chandra.

Anyway, talk amongst yourselves. Good night, blog.

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Subodh Chandra--he's downright "Howardly"

Bear with me for a couple more days, folks. The Ohio primary will be held on Tuesday, May 2. But really--read some of what Subodh Chandra has to say, and I think you'll agree that this man is downright "Howardly" and deserves our support. Like Howard Dean, he is not getting the support of party "insiders", which makes support from the grassroots that much more critical.

The letter that he had published in yesterday's Columbus Dispatch certainly reminds me of the "What I want to know..." speech Howard Dean gave.

Although I regret The Dispatch did not join the overwhelming majority of Ohio newspapers that have endorsed my attorney-general candidacy in the Democratic primary, I respect the newspaper's right to endorse my opponent.

I take issue, however, with one word in The Dispatch's April 22 editorial. By calling me intemperate, The Dispatch has misinterpreted my motivations and misled Ohio voters.

Intemperance is the lack of self control. I'm not intemperate. I am outraged. There is a big difference between the two.

I'm outraged because instead of using the law to protect Ohio familied from harm and loss, our last two attorneys general have helped auction off our state government -- and our future -- to the highest bidder.

I am outraged that last year alone, 1 out of every 71 families lost their homes to foreclosure. When Cleveland and Dayton passed ordinances to protect homeowners, Ohio Attorney General Jim Petro fought for the predatory lenders instead of the families upon whom they preyed.

I am outraged that he failed to protect Ohioans against the gouging and market manipulation of natural gas prices that cost consumers millions every month.

I am outraged that instead of fighting for Ohio's children, our attorney general failed to join other states to force the federal government to pay for its unfunded mandate called the No Child Left Behind Act.

I am outraged that while Ohio has continued to destroy its public-education system, our governor and legislature have failed to comply with four Ohio State Supreme Court rulings determining that Ohio's education-funding system is unconstitutional.

Click here for the rest.

Also, this story of a Cornfield Conversion reminds me of the way Howard was able to reach out to Republicans. Here's the link to the "Flat Subodh" Demetrius has made available.

I might add more links to this post later, but I need to take my daughter to choir practice now. I'm hurrying to get this post up before leaving, because, well, this campaign is *that* important to me. So any help spreading the word would be much appreciated.

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Further thoughts on the National Day of Prayer

I crossposted What fresh hell is this? to a number of other blogs, including the Buckeye State Blog. As part of the discussion that came from that post, I just added the following comment, which I may as well reproduce here...

...I do object strenuously to everything about the way the National Day of Prayer has been handled in recent years.

I frankly don't like the "under God" being in the Pledge. And this is coming from someone who, if money were no object, would start the discernment process (for studying for the priesthood) tomorrow. But I wouldn't fight to have those words taken out, because there are more important fish to fry.

Now, some people have come up with another way to mark the day, calling it the "National Day of Reason", but, I guess in my mind that seems more like a "sez you!" to the National Day of Prayer. When people feel overtly opposed, I think the tendency is to "dig in their heels" and resist. Anyway, that's why my response last year was to say that we should repurpose the day as a National Day of Inclusion.

If you look at that link, which points to a Kos diary, you'll see that there are groups in some cities that very intentionally plan events that are inclusive and diverse. I have yet to see such a thing in Ohio, though. The only "official" action item I found last year was this one in the Columbus Free Press.

Anyway, I'm all about that idea of having a positive response to the day--one that celebrates diversity in a spirit of inclusion. (I know, I sound like such a liberal.)

Checking back at the Free Press, although this is not stated as an alternate event, I have discovered that the local Faith Communities Uniting for Peace group--which gathers for Interfaith Prayers for Peace on the first Thursday of every month--is holding a Quaker worship service at noon on Thursday, May 4. So, that would work as an alternative, inclusive event for people in my area.

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Shoeleather Democracy Saturday

From Yellow Dog Sammy at Ohio 2006:

Today I attended one of many local canvassing events across the country initiated by the Democratic National Committee, this one at the home of blogger Cindy Zawadzki of HeightsMom. Meena Morey Chandra arrived (with the Chandra triplets) and spoke briefly on behalf of her husband, Attorney General candidate Subodh Chandra (D-Cleveland).

You can read more here.

puddleriver has a post up about the the peace march in NYC and tabling for Tasini (who is running against Hillary Clinton in the primary).

Day was beautiful and cool. Our table was two down from Billionaires for Bush, and two up from the NY Green Party. Fantastically easy getting people to sign the "troops out, NOW" petition. Everyone was in a great mood, but a little sad: as one woman, a little younger than I said: "Why are we here, *again*?

I asked a policeman if he didn't want to sign my petition, and said he'd love to, but his hand was worn completely out from signing petitions [grin]. . . .

After, we went to a little restaurant for a celebration for Tasini volunteers, who included: Raging Grannies, Code pink, and assorted other young and old, black and white, volunteers. And Jonathan Tasini, who actually Marched in the protest.

I noticed in the comments at puddle's blog that one of the 101st Fighting Keyboardists has paid a visit. Such patriotism. I am humbled, truly. Bordering on verklempt, or something like that.

There's also a post about the NYC peace march up at Booman Tribune, and it's got a lot of pictures.
Democrats.org has a post called "One Million Doors" which includes photos of Howard Dean with his canvassing group in Charlotte, NC.



So, what else is going on?

What fresh hell is this?

I've had this expression rattling around in my head ever since I saw it recently in a diary on My Left Wing. I know I'd heard it before that--probably from my brother--but didn't know where it originated. Here's what I found on Everything2.Com

A line attributed many times to Shakespeare but actually it's from American author/critic/poet and wit Dorothy Parker. She is reported to have exclaimed "What fresh hell is this?" when her train of thought was interrupted by a telephone. She then started using it in place of "hello" when answering the phone or a knock at her door. In many ways she can be considered the patron saint of all tech support workers.

Well, now that I've gotten that little aside out of the way, here's what got that expression *back* in my head recently. The National Day of Prayer Task Force car, that is to be driven in an upcoming Nascar race.



Amazing how one picture can sum up so succinctly what troubles me about my country these day.

It's hard to believe it's time again for the National Day of Prayer, which will fall on May 4 this year. But, while I was checking out the Faith and Values section of the Columbus Dispatch yesterday, there it was.

Many people in central Ohio and the rest of the country will pause to observe the National Day of Prayer on Thursday.

Ohio's event will take place 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. at the Statehouse. A Bible-reading marathon will again be held at the Franklin County Courthouse, 373 S. High St., beginning at 3 p.m. Sunday and ending at 10 a.m. Thursday.

There is something disturbingly in-your-face about a Bible-reading marathon at a municipal building.

Of course, I am well aware that expressing any such concern about that blurring of the line between church and state is likely to get one attacked for being anti-religion, as we saw in some attack ads during the 2004 election:

In Franklin County, the battleground county in the battleground state, incumbent Democratic Commissioner Mary Jo Kilroy was attacked for failing to support a resolution to create a national day of prayer.

"Public prayer would be outlawed if liberal Mary Jo Kilroy was in charge," said a campaign mailing from Sen. David Goodman, her unsuccessful opponent. Goodman, a Columbus Republican, is Jewish.

Of course, what I find ironic is that fact that I oppose any state "blessing" of one faith tradition over another *because* of my Christian values, not in spite of them. It's all about that "do unto others the way you would have them do unto you" thing. Why should that be hard to understand? And I'm hardly alone...

Many people already know this, but for anyone who doesn't--or just for people who might appreciate the reminder in case they are thinking of writing a letter to the editor on this topic, Francis Bellamy, the Baptist Minister who first wrote the Pledge, chose his words very carefully, and chose *not* to include any reference to religion.

In 1954, Congress after a campaign by the Knights of Columbus, added the words, 'under God,' to the Pledge. The Pledge was now both a patriotic oath and a public prayer.

Bellamy's granddaughter said he also would have resented this second change. He had been pressured into leaving his church in 1891 because of his socialist sermons. In his retirement in Florida, he stopped attending church because he disliked the racial bigotry he found there.

Another Reverend weighs in...

Barry Lynn objects to National Day of Prayer

The executive director of Americans United for Separation of Church and State says Congress never should have established the event, which is observed each year on the first Thursday in May.

Lynn says the National Day of Prayer has become a vehicle for Christian conservatives to promote their social agenda, including opposition to abortion and gay marriage. He notes that it's chaired by Shirley Dobson, wife of Focus on the Family's Doctor James Dobson.

Mrs. Dobson says she would like people "to be praying about the institution of marriage, how God designed it." She also says she hopes Americans will repent and honor God.

Kinda proving his point, isn't she? You can read more of what Rev. Barry Lynn has to say about the National Day of Prayer here.

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Flat Subodh

Just wanted to remind you all that Demetrius created a Flat Subodh in time for the last weekend before the Ohio primary election. I hope anyone who is interested in the Subodh Chandra campaign for Ohio Attorney General will help spread the word.



Chandra's most recent endorsement is from Columbus Mayor Mike Coleman:

"Subodh's experience leading the Cleveland Law Department and his grasp of the issues that confront Ohio's next attorney general make him the best choice for Democratic voters in Tuesday's Primary Election," Mayor Coleman said. "Executive experience matters, and will be important to effectively run the People's Law Firm for all Ohioans."

Chandra said that "it is particularly gratifying to have Mayor Coleman's endorsement because he is a chief executive in the nation's 15th largest city who knows how to get things done including effective crime fighting. He was also one of the best regarded assistant attorneys general and knows what it takes to properly serve the attorney general's true clients - the people of Ohio."

Follow up to yesterday's post about "When Democrats campaign like Republicans", I've got a diary posted at My Left Wing, Daily Kos and Booman Tribune. The diary is titled, "OH bloggers teach gay-bashing Dem a valuable lesson." Kindly recommend, if you feel so inclined.

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''Stop him before he kills (the Democrats' chances) again."

The reaction to John Kerry's announcement that he may run again in 2008 has been underwhelming (at least here). In today's Boston Globe, columnist Ellen Goodman puts into words what I think many of us are feeling about Kerry's recent announcement.

Don't run, John Kerry

By Ellen Goodman | April 28, 2006

I HAVE LONG believed that any columnist who writes about a presidential election more than two years before Election Day should have her fingers peeled from her keyboard and be taken off to a rehab clinic for political junkies. The only reason I risk that fate now is to soothe an escalating series of anxiety attacks that range from "Uh-oh" to "Oh, no" to a shrieking "YIPES!"

The signs that John Kerry is going to run for president in 2008 are rising faster than the pollen count. There was the requisite New York Times op-ed -- How many days late? How many dollars short? -- on getting out of Iraq. There was the Globe op-ed that preceded the speech supporting war dissenters at Faneuil Hall to an audience of groupies yelling "Run" and "2008." There was Ted Kennedy's remark, "If he runs, I'm supporting him."

And then there was his op-ed in The Manchester Union-Leader defending New Hampshire's place as first-in-the-nation primary. A true profile in courage.

All of this leads me to blurt out: "Stop him before he kills (the Democrats' chances) again."

Yup, that about sums it up for me. We didn't end up with the candidate we wanted --Howard Dean -- we nominated a candidate based on the abstract concept of "electability." Says Goodman: "It wasn't a presidential primary, it was a presidential casting call."

There were a lot of things that annoyed me about the Kerry campaign. On March 25, 2004 Howard officially threw his support behind Kerry and the live webchat with Howard that day took place at the Kerry website. Bad move. It should have been John Kerry at DFA chatting with us. It was not an auspicious start to a campaign that fumbled so badly on the road to Election Day 2004.

Kerry's major flaw, in my opinion, is he's too cautious. Ask a question and the response you'll get leaves you wondering just exactly where he stands. Kerry couldn't even articulate a clear critique of the war in Iraq, which Bush used successfully to attack not only Kerry's credibility but also his character, tagging him a "flip-flopper." Kerry, who didn't want the campaign to descend into personal attacks, wouldn't hit back.

According to Goodman, "He ran a cautious campaign against a reckless commander in chief. And while caution is not a moral failing, Kerry's gut seems to have a surgical bypass through his cranium."

How bad was it? As Goodman observes, "In the end, a majority of likely voters thought we were on the wrong track and voted for the conductor anyway. In the end, the president who lied to us about war and weapons of mass destruction looked like the straight talker. That's how bad it was."

Once was enough. Sit 2008 out John.

NB: Julia Thorne, an author and the former wife of U.S. Sen. John Kerry, died of cancer yesterday at a friend's home in Concord. She was 61. (Boston Globe)


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Howard Dean on the Al Franken Show

Howard Dean will be a guest on the Al Franken Show today. Also on Hardball. Anyone who has additional details, please post them in the comments, as I am leaving for work shortly and do not have time to do a longer post.

This is the last weekend before the Ohio primary. Demetrius has made a "Flat Subodh" which can be printed out and assembled a la "Flat Howard".

Finally, on a sad note, I have just heard from Oscar (aka Oscar in Louisville) that his brother-in-law has passed away. Please keep the whole family in your thoughts/prayers.

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OMG! Ponies!!

In honor of Slashdot's April Fool's day theme and our tradition of cuteness for late night open threads.

Also, though I haven't quite figured it out yet, there is some sort of internet-ism about somebody getting a pony when Bush's poll number go down. Or maybe we all get ponies--like I said, I'm a little fuzzy on the details. But Booman suggests that tomorrow could be Fitzmas, so that should be good for a pair of ponies, don't you think?

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All About Petroleum - by Veep Daddy

From BFA:
rdorgan wrote on April 27, 2006 08:12 AM:

It's all about oil and gas (including the Iraq war).

(sorry... I only came up with the first stanza so far)

All About Petroleum - by Veep Daddy
(sing to the tune of All About The Benjamins)

It's all about petroleum.
It's all about petroleum! Yeah!

Now... What y'all wanna do?
Wanna be drillers? Big spillers?
Shillers - Who be lobbyin' the heck out of Hill-ers
On a loan from my gig at Halliburton
Goin' to land big contracts I'm certain
They're payin' the greens fees and for all the meals
Spaghetti, fettucini, and veal
Dividing up the Iraqi oil fields
No inheritance tax for when I'm writing my will
Of my energy task force Democrats are wary
But they'll never get to see the files that I bury
Regulations to zero. Climate scientists not heard
Environmentalists look at me flip you the bird
Down wit' the oil lobby on their side we will hunker
V8 de-fib' in my underground bunker
It's all about petroleum! What?
Gotta get some mo' no bid contracts
Gonna drill Iran when we're done with Iraq
Tankers flyin' Skulls and Bones just like a pirate
Go f*** yourself and your gas sippin' hybrid!
It's all about petroleum.
It's all about petroleum! Yeah!


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When Democrats campaign like Republicans

As I was checking the blogs during the day yesterday on my breaks at work (reminder--I could still use some new contributers for this blog), I came upon an entry about an Ohio candidate who sent out a campaign mailer including this wording...

"Mike Foley was asked [in an endorsement interview for the Sun Newspapers] if he was 'For Gay Marriage?' Mike said 'Yes' he supports gay marriage. UNLIKE MIKE this concerns me since I DO NOT want this to become a state law. I feel a Marriage is between a MAN and a WOMAN. That is the WAY I WILL VOTE in Columbus! In FACT Mike Foley has been ENDORSED by the STONEWALL DEMOCRATS, who are a GAY/LESBIAN political action committee. His endorsement is largely because of His Support of Gay Marriage."

There was a call to action on Buckeye State Blog.

The Cleveland Plain Dealer blog, Openers, sums of what happened from there. Bill Ritter, the candidate who put out the mailer, lost the endorsement of the UAW. Read the rest here.

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Grossly incompetent Secretary of State seeks promotion

Crossposted at My Left Wing, Booman Tribune and Daily Kos

Ken Blackwell, ideologically, is about the last person I would want to see in a high level government position. Ethically, in his oversight of the 2004 election and in his response (or lack thereof) to complaints about voter disenfranchisement, he gets low marks as well. But now in addition to these known shortcomings, we have a growing body of evidence pointing to Blackwell's gross incompetence. He has *for the second time* "accidentally" released many Ohioans' Social Security numbers. Wow. I'd never have the chutzpah to ask for a promotion with that kind of track record, but Ken Blackwell, the Ohio Secretary of State who is running for governor, is doing just that.

Millions of Social Security numbers are now in the hands of people who aren't supposed to have them.

It's a big mistake leading straight back to one of the men running for Ohio Governor. The private records were mistakenly released by the Secretary of State's office.

Voter lists are crucial to political parties. They give campaign workers an efficient way to target potential supporters. The lists usually consist of the names of registered voters, their addresses, their party affiliation, and whether that person voted in the last election.

Social security numbers aren't supposed to be revealed.

But they have been because of a mistake by Secretary of State Ken Blackwell's campaign.

Read the whole story here.

More Blackwell fun...

Ken Blackwell Incites Christian Voters on Campaign Trail, Secular Americans Called 'Nazis'
Slots opponent Blackwell owns stock in manufacturer
Pastor defends sending pro-Blackwell e-mail
PBS-NOW Sunday TV: Ohio Churches & IRS: Special Replay

In other Ohio news, Ted Strickland, the Democrat who will most likely be facing off against Blackwell in November just nabbed an NRA endorsement. And Ken Blackwell didn't.

Here's a writeup of Subodh Chandra's recent appearance at a local candidate forum.



Finally, a Democratic candidate running in a congressional primary sends out a mailer asking voters to support him over his opponent who "has been ENDORSED by the STONEWALL DEMOCRATS, who are a GAY/LESBIAN political action committee".

The blogs responded. People called his endorsers. The UAW pulled their endorsement of the guy.

Sometimes I just love the "internets".

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"Break bread somewhere else"...the politics of eminent domain.

Crossposted at DailyKos.

Last week I posted a diary about some eminent domain proceedings going on here.
City begins eminent domain proceedings, so they can build condos downtown.

Summary:

Lakeland's Downtown Community Redevelopment Agency has moved closer to taking private property for a plan that eventually could put 400 townhouses and condominiums on blighted land.

On behalf of the CRA, Lakeland lawyer Mark Miller on Thursday filed to begin the eminent domain process in circuit court in Bartow. The move marks the beginning of legal steps against five property owners who haven't negotiated a deal with the CRA to sell their properties.

This process is affecting nearly all of the downtown area in one way or the other. Once you start getting rid of all signs of the poor and needy, it sort of snowballs. The developers and the city planners find things work better that way. This editorial from the local paper does a good job of showing this exploitation of the homeless.

Break Bread Somewhere Else

Break Bread Somewhere Else

Give them this day their daily bread -- just somewhere other than behind the Greyhound Bus Station just north of Main Street in Lakeland. Until just recently, All Saints' Episcopal Church members had been been providing food for both body and soul on Tuesday behind the Greyhound station on Massachusetts Avenue.

..."Someone complained to City Hall. A code-enforcement officer paid a visit to the Greyhound station about a month ago. Because food was being offered at the gatherings, the meeting was moved to the courtyard of the Talbot House, which provides food and shelter for the homeless.

"For the Greyhound site to comply with city code, the bus station would need zoning for a "transient lodge or social service facility," said Tim McCausland, city attorney.

Also feeling the sting of Code Enforcement Office was a Sunday morning "sidewalk ministry," sponsored by the church. About four dozen people had been showing up for the Sunday ministry, held on the Lemon Street Promenade next to the church. That, too, was another food issue: Coffee and doughnuts were available.

Some parishioners think this enforcement about the serving of food outdoors downtown is because of the planned redevelopment of a nearby neighborhood, adjacent to the bus station.

"They just want to develop that area, and they don't want any street people there," Charlie Ware, 82, told The Ledger. "They're trying to attract a developer to build condominiums, and they don't want a potential developer to see the wrong image."

The editorial points out the hypocrisy of this because several downtown businesses are serving food outside now with the indoor smoking ban in effect. Many groups have events where food is served outside. A couple of the commissioners quoted at least had the decency to be concerned about it....that is more compassion than I have seen out of this bunch in several years.

The original article on this was in the paper on Saturday, and it amazed me that many neighbors and people I talked to this week were upset over it. People are noticing that our city and county leaders are devoted to the needs of developers and not so much to the needs of the needy.

Church Giveth, but City Taketh Away

LAKELAND -- Praise the Lord, but hold the doughnuts.

The city that prides itself on compassion toward the less fortunate has forbidden members of All Saints' Episcopal Church from giving sandwiches to homeless people.
The church's Tuesday morning feeding behind the Greyhound Bus Station on Massachusetts Avenue has been forced to move to the Talbot House, a downtown homeless shelter.

The city also asked church leaders to move the church's Sidewalk Sunday School, held at 9 a.m. every Sunday on the Lemon Street Promenade across from All Saints. The church has been told to move the service to the Talbot House.

The reason: The Sunday morning sidewalk service comes with coffee and doughnuts.

One of the city planners is quoted saying that the gathering is ok, but not the doughnuts and coffee. Maybe in the back of this planner's mind is the fact that coffee and doughnuts draws hungry people.



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