Open Thread

Of course, we continue to keep Edwin and Subway and anyone else who needs it, in our thoughts and prayers. But I wanted to post something upbeat. On the Sims--one version of the game, anyway, if you put balloons around your house, people just will automatically come by to visit. The balloons must emit some sort of "welcome visitors" call that affects people on a subconscious level. I'm just guessing, but, heck, it's worth a try. ;-)

If I had a plate of cookies, I'd put those out too. How about kittens instead? Not for eating, of course, but for "awww". Here are a couple of "homegrown cute overload" pictures from listener.



Speaking of people who need the vibes/prayers/good wishes, there is a comment from ChrisNYC a couple threads down. Actually, she posted with good news, but I'm sure it can't hurt to keep the vibes comeing for that family as well.

Update... Just popped over to Firedoglake and noticed something that might be of interest...

You asked for it, you got it: On November 5, two days before the election, Keith Olbermann will be joining us on the FDL Book Salon to discuss his book The Worst Person in the World: And 202 Strong Contenders . You'll remember that after his Edward R. Murrow moment taking the wood to Donald Rumsfeld, we posted a link to his book on Amazon and asked people to buy it as a way of saying thanks. It subsequently moved from #19,000 on the sales ranking list to #4 and is currently sold out (and now requires 1 to 3 weeks for delivery).

Click the graphic above to order Keith's book from Powells.com. It is also available at Barnes
and Noble and, once back in stock, at Amazon.com.

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Edwin update from Linda

Edwin UPDATE:

Please keep those prayers and wishes heading over to Edwin.

Thankful didn't have much time to talk and will update as soon as possible.

Edwin did not have a good night last night. That is all I know.

They will update us from the hospital as they can.


Please continue warm light and wishes for {{{EDWIN}}}


Big hugs Puddleriver and Thankful.
--------
Light a virtual candle for Edwin here.

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New letter from Howard: 50 State Turnout

Just logged into my e-mail account and found a new message from Howard Dean. I think I *didn't* post other recent ones, so I'm making a point of posting this one. Click here for the most recent update on Edwin, here for Edwin's candle page, and here for Subway's page.

Dear Renee,

The 50 State Turnout

Did you know that, on our web site alone, a quarter million people sent letters to the ABC network about the right-wing 9/11 propaganda film they aired? This mobilization was part of a new attitude for the Democratic Party -- we stood up, held our ground, and refused to let ABC off the hook.

But we're not just mobilizing online. We're mobilizing on the ground in every single state across the country. As we near the November elections, our 50-state strategy operation is being transformed into a 50-state get-out-the-vote effort.

Our push down the home stretch is the "50-State Turnout" -- an unprecedented, nationwide operation to turn voters out to the polls.

It kicks off on October 7th -- exactly one month before the midterm elections. Many state parties have planned hundreds of events using our brand new PartyBuilder grassroots action tools.

There are hundreds of get-out-the-vote events -- phone-banks, neighborhood canvasses or volunteer events at campaign headquarters across the country. Find one here:

http://www.democrats.org/50stateturnout

The 50-State Turnout is a perfect example of how a 50-state strategy to build our party everywhere can deliver results now while building the kind of infrastructure we need for the future.

We've got nearly 200 staff and thousands more trained volunteers on the ground across the country right now.

They've been building towards this election for over a year in all 50 states.

The 50-state strategy has meant that they got to work earlier than ever before -- and it means that all the work we do between now and November will be the foundation for next year and the year after.

The final 30-day sprint will kick off with events across the country on October 7th. Check for an event near you:

http://www.democrats.org/50stateturnout

If you really want change, your vote isn't going to be enough. You've got to get out there and organize.

The 50-State Turnout will be the broadest off-year election mobilization in our party's history -- and rightly so, because the stakes couldn't be higher.

I hope you'll join us on October 7th.

Thank you.

Governor Howard Dean, M.D.

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Planets Strike Over Pluto Demotion

Solar System News Service
Staff writer

The eight remaining members of the Planet Union have walked off the job to protest the demotion of Pluto from the status of "planet" to that of "minor planet/icy dwarf."

"We'll stay here [on the picket line] till management reinstates him," the union's spokesbeing, Venus, told SSNS. "I mean, it's a question of solidarity and of self-protection. If they can do that to Pluto, then Mercury's going to be next, and then…Well. It doesn't bear thinking of!"

Official word of the demotion came in last night, though rumors and suspicions had been circulating for some time.

"They didn't even have the decency to notify him personally," an irate Venus explained. "He had to read it in the press. Now, I ask you, is that insensitivity, or is that insensitivity? The poor fellow's a wreck, and understandably so. He's in seclusion now with his family."

The Amalgamated Satellites, Asteroids and Comets Union, which also represents Kuyper Belt and Oort Cloud objects, supports the planets' strike 100 percent.

"We're with them all the way, of course," confirmed the Amalgamated Asteroids' Spokesbeing, Ketzalkoatl. "We have our admission rules, and they have theirs. And, Pluto very clearly falls within their eligibility guidelines."

Ketzalkoatl continued. "Management has no business decreeing this sort of stuff. I mean, we'e talking identity, here, culture and heritage. We're all related, sure. But, planets are a separate group. They're sort of, well, special."

He concluded, "You can't legislate who somebody is."

Management has not issued a response to the strike. But, unconfirmed rumors of internal descent over the ruling have reached this reporter. If these rumors are true, then it will be difficult for management to present a unified front in the face of the strikers' unanimity, determination and their single, categorical demand.

Picketing has already begun, with some of the picketers carrying homemade signs. The slogans this reporter has seen include Bring Pluto Home, We Want Pluto Back, and Pluto: Once and Future Planet.

Meanwhile, Pluto himself has been unavailable for comment. In a brief statement Charon, largest of Pluto's satellites, said only that the honorary chair of the Kuyper Belt Benevolent Society was taking some private time to rest and reassess. He added that Orca, Secretary-Treasurer of the KBBS would shortly issue a statement on behalf of the Society addressing the matter.

--

All SSNS material is protected by galactic copyright law, in accordance with the Alpha Centauri Convention.

This material may be distributed and transmitted only in full and with proper attribution to SSNS.

Light Speed delays apply. For this reason, correspondence with the main office on individual items is discouraged. For editorial matters, address your regional bureau.

Received, transcribed and transmitted by Kerry Elizabeth Thompson, Inner System Bureau.

Alt Comment Link

Remembering Ann Richards

Bummer--I didn't even know she was sick.

Former Texas Gov. Ann Richards dies

Former Texas Gov. Ann Richards -- the witty and flamboyant Democrat who went from homemaker to national political celebrity died at her Austin home.

She was 73.

Richards died Wednesday night surrounded by her family after a battle with esophageal cancer, family spokeswoman Cathy Bonner said.

Richards served as Texas governor for one term.

Click here for more.



The image above is from the Texas State Library.

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Subway Serenade Update

Thankful posted this message from puddle, and I thought I should front page it since a number of people have asked.

Subway update: just talked to his friend: he's still in ICU, but they're planning on moving him to a regular room in a couple of days. That he sounds better and looks better. Guessin' light, prayers and good vibes wouldn't hurt. . . .

So much love from me and mine to you and yours. Some day I'll write an encyclopedia about how much I love and appreciate you amazing people.

I didn't know about the virtual candle site when we first started sending light and prayers and vibes to David, aka Subway Serenade, but now that we do know about the site, I think he should have his own page, just like Edwin does.

Here's the link. I went with "David" for the candle group name, since you're limited to 5 letters, and that looks better than "Subwa".

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More from the Strickland-Blackwell debate in Youngstown

I actually wasn't going to take the time to do this, but The Other Paper's stunningly craptastic front page article about the recent Ohio gubernatorial debate changed my mind. I missed the very beginning of the debate, but will pick up where I started recording, which was maybe 15-20 minutes into it...

Ted Strickland: We need to streamline government.We need to spend our money wisely. We need to get rid of the corruption tax. What do I mean by the "corruption tax"? I mean the pay to play system that has been presided over by Bob Taft and Ken Blackwell and others, that has wasted multiple millions of Ohio dollars. And my TurnAround Ohio plan is paid for. And so, this scheme, which he says will raise 4-6 billion dollars, without supporting any collaborating evidence, is a scheme, and Ohioans have rejected this. You talk to the mayors along the turnpike, they're all against it. I think most Ohioans recognize that this is an election year scheme. Other states that have done what Mr. Blackwell is suggesting have seen the tolls on their highways go up dramatically.

Blackwell is given 60 seconds to respond.

Ken Blackwell: As we speak, fellow Ohioans, Indiana has leased its turnpike, has cashed its $3.8 billion check, and is receiving a half a million dollars a day in interest. This is no gimmick. The only way that we're going to be able to finance these big economic stimulus projects that will grow our economy and produce jobs, like restructuring or relocating U.S. Route 62, or restructuring and widening I-80 is by actually finding out a creative way of financing. The reality is, and Wall Street has validated this, Indiana's not by itself. Illinois is out in the marketplace now...we could get 6 billion dollars to actually grow our economy and produce jobs. Mr. Strickland doesn't have an alternative. His alternative is to raise your taxes, which is consistent with his behavior in Washington D.C.

Strickland is given 30 seconds to respond.

Ted Strickland: Well, Mr. Blackwell just told you something that is not true. I am not going to raise taxes. But what I am going to do is live within our means, and invest in those things that are truly important to Ohioans. We're going to get rid of the corruption, we're going to streamline government, we're going to hold people accountable, and that's what Ted Strickland and Lee Fisher will do if we are given the opportunity to lead this state. My opponent can talk about me raising taxes all he wants to, but he's blowing hot air--that's absolutely not true.

Moderator: Now we come to the second round of questions, and Dennis Mangel (sp?) will ask his question of Mr. Strickland.

Mr. Strickland, you mentioned in your opening statement, getting money back to the local communities from Columbus. I would note that Columbus is not one of those cities that's in danger of being classified as one of the nation's poorest. Cleveland has the Lottery Commission, but aside from that, basically everything is in Columbus. And so, that raises the issue of decentralization. What, specifically, could you pledge to do to decentralize government in Columbus and to get some of that money scattered around the state?

Ted Strickland: Well, many parts of Ohio that are not part of the "three Cs" feel like they are part of "the other Ohio". But I am concerned that we have had a tendency to divide, to segment this state into winners and losers. I think we need a governor who's willing to pull this state together, and recognize that every part of this state is important, and every part of this state is unique.

Now when I talk about getting money back to the local economies, I want to share with you that I have worked with all of the big city mayors, who by the way are supporting me, including Mayor Jay Williams here in Youngstown, but the mayor of Cincinnati, the mayor of Dayton, the mayor of Columbus, ...the mayor of Toledo...all of these mayors are supporting me, because we have sat down together, and we have worked out a plan to revitalize our cities and towns. And as a result, these mayors know, Dennis, that when Ted Strickland and Lee Fisher take office, that we're going to consider ourselves their partners. We're going to work with the mayors and with the local economies. Not every part of Ohio's economy is like every other part--we need to recognize the unique strengths in the regional economies and make sure that the economic development dollars that are in Columbus, Ohio flow to these local communities for the projects that the local leaders decide are important.

Blackwell is given 60 seconds to respond.

Ken Blackwell: The governor is responsible for helping to guide our state economy back to a state of renewal where it's producing jobs. We do it simply by doing a couple of things. We need to reform our confiscatory tax code, which is right now a steeply graduated income tax structure, make it fair, make it competetive with the states in the neighborhood in which we reside. I think that rate is a 3.25 percent rate that we get to over the next two budgets. That's what we need to do is to cut taxes.

Let me tell you, the Republican General Assembly actually reformed our taxes and created a tax cut that jump started our economy and started to produce jobs. Only one Democrat voted for that, to cut those taxes. He's not going to come in here and deviate from his party. He is a tax increaser, and I would suggest that what he's going to do will not help the cities, but hurt the cities.

Strickland is given 30 seconds to respond.

Ted Strickland: Well, I would just point out that there's a reason why all of the big city mayors--all of them--Mayor Mallory in Cincinnati, Mayor McLin in Dayton, Mayor Coleman in Colulmbus, Mayor Jackson in Cleveland, Mayor Williams right here in Youngstown. There's a reason why these big city mayors are supporting me. Because they know that I have a plan, and I will be their partner, and we will work together. We will not continue to neglect our cities, as has happened under Bob Taft and Ken Blackwell. They've been in charge for over 16 years. Ohio needs change.

Question: Mr Blackwell, with so many communities here in the Mahoning Valley struggling to make ends meet, let alone across the rest of the state, what are you planning to do, as far as pushing reforms, if you are, through the General Assembly, to encourage communities, like those here in the Mahoning Valley, to consolidate, or merge some of their services to create effieciency?

Ken Blackwell: Well, many, many of the cities are doing just that. We have mutual aid pacts, we have joint purchasing pacts, and we will continue to encourage that. But let me just tell you why all of these big city mayors are supporting Ted Strickland, probably because they're all Democrats. You know, presiding over cities that are going the wrong way. What we want to do is give them leadership, give them cooperation that will actually cut taxes, reform our regulatory environment, streamline government, make our state more conducive to capital investment.

There's a simple principle in market economies like ours: capital seeks the path of least resistance and greatest opportunity. Right now capital is fleeing, jobs are fleeing, and the governor has to bring about change. That's why I've been on the cutting edge of restraining state spending, reforming our tax code, cutting taxes. Our burden right now is the third highest in the nation. We must continue to cut it away in order to jumpstart our economies at the state and the local level. I'm going to provide leadership, not goal-setting. You know, this "I'm okay, you're okay" is nice in psychology, but I tell you right now, what Ohioans are looking for are people who will provide leadership to put them back to work and actually strengthen the education that their children are receiving.

Ted Strickland has 60 seconds to respond.

Ted Strickland: Well, I would just say to my worthy opponent, my ideas are okay, your ideas are not okay for Ohio. The fact is that we have a plan to discourage one community from trying to steal from another community. I'm against poaching--that hasn't helped anyone. And so we're going to use our economic development dollars, and make those dollars contingent upon these communities being willing to cooperate, rather than to compete. It doesn't help either community, eventually, if all we do is trade jobs from one community to another. We need to be building and creating new jobs, and in order to do that, we're going to invest in our regional economies, and we're going to make sure that the local leaders have significant input into how these dollars are spent. We're sick and tired of Columbus, Ohio exercising the heavy hand, trying to tell local communities what is best for them. And so we're going to work cooperatively, we're going to invest in the local economies, and in that way we're going to create jobs.

Blackwell is given 30 seconds to respond.

Ken Blackwell: Look at his record, don't read his lips. Listen to what he's said on his own accord. He said, "You know, after twelve years, I didn't leave a deep footprint in Washington D.C." He said, "My voting record is the mirror image of Dennis Kucinich and other liberals like Nancy Pelosi." The fact is, this is going to be a race between my time-tested approaches of cutting taxes, restraining government spending, and growing our economy to create jobs, and his tired, liberal approach of tax and spend, tax and spend. He's a taxer, and his record indicates that.

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Open Thread

Well, 9/11 is over, so we can officially turn our attention to "Talk Like a Pirate Day, right? I've got a copy of Photoshop and eyepatch and pirate hat images. So I am prepared to milk this thing for all it's worth--isn't that right, Brady? ;-)

(Want to translate a web page into "pirate speak"? Click here.)

jc has also been working on some new designs, as has Catreona.

Here's that link again to light a virtual candle for Edwin. And here's a link to the most recent update from Thankful that I'm aware of.

Congratulations to listener, who has her first front page post up at Scudder Parker's blog.

Finally, thank you to Susan for pointing us to the new baby panda in Atlanta, complete with PandaCam. I know a lot of us will enjoy watching another little one grow up.

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The View Is Always Better From The High Road

A Michigan newspaper revealed that an RNC-funded organizer in Michigan is coordinating "Catch an Illegal Immigrant" and "Fun With Guns" events at the University of Michigan, similar to Republican events in other states like Pennsylvania and Texas. In the first event participants would win prizes for catching others posing as illegal immigrants and in the latter, "young Republicans would shoot cardboard cut-outs of Democratic leaders such as Sen. Hillary Clinton (D-N.Y.) and Sen. John Kerry (D-Mass.)."

The report of these RNC-funded activities also comes just two days after the Washington Post reported that "in a pivotal year, [the] GOP plans to get personal."

In response, Howard sent a letter to Republican National Committee Chairman Ken Mehlman today calling on him to stop RNC-funded campaign activities that promote discrimination and endorse violence against political opponents.

Ken Mehlman, Chairman
Republican National Committee
310 First Street, SE
Washington, D.C. 20003


September 12, 2006


Dear Ken,

A troubling article today reported that a Republican National Committee-hired intern is planning events that can only be described as divisive, potentially dangerous, and discriminatory to promote the Republican Party's agenda at the University of Michigan.


Promoting "Catch an Illegal Immigrant Day," which has been used by the Republican Party in other states including Pennsylvania and Texas, is not only offensive, it promotes discrimination for political gain. And an event titled "Fun with Guns" that encourages young Republicans to shoot cardboard cut-outs of Democratic leaders further promotes intolerance and violence. These un-American activities cannot go unchallenged.


We'd read that the RNC would use its funds to engage in negative campaigning in a desperate attempt to hold on to power and mobilize Republican voters in November, but these un-American attacks and violent, inflammatory campaign tactics are beyond the pale. As Chairmen of America's two major political parties, we have a responsibility to elevate the political discourse in America. Whether this is directly an RNC funded activity or not, I ask that you not only order such events ceased but also denounce these types of campaign tactics that breed only hatred, division and fear.


You said yourself to a gathering of Hispanic elected officials that America is a "nation of immigrants.a nation united by ideas, not race, creed or place of origin." That same day you also acknowledged that "we are all held to account by a common rule of law," and that "respect for this basic concept is critical to an America where we are all treated the same." To demonstrate your commitment to these words and ideals you must immediately act to have these desperate, inappropriate attacks stopped. America's democracy can only continue to work if we respect each other, and uphold the values that have made our country great. I hope to hear back from you on this important matter promptly.


Best regards,

Howard Dean, Chairman
Democratic National Committee

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Vermont Primaries

Retrieved from the comments at the other blog (where it had been troll-rated)

It's Primary Day today here in VT! DFV is supprting Matt Dunne for Lt. Governor. We endorsed him after 4 of our local Link-Ups endorsed him, in a pretty good bottom-up process we came up with...OK, bottom up to our level anyway. DFA hasn't endorsed him. *sigh*

We have a little problem here, in that many people are planning to pull an R ballot to vote against some Rs they don't like. I personally know about 1/2 dozen that voted early and did this, and I've talked about another 1/2 dozen out of doing it just here in Rutland. DFV sent an email out about it yesterday. It's very disturbing...

I have to work for another candidate today, so I can't do anything for Matt (except maybe go to his Victory Party ;-), so wish him well.

Vermonters:

Unless you're a Republican, pulling an R ballot is NOT a good idea!!!!! Skewing the poll results will REALLY hurt the candidates you support (for offices like US Senate, US House, and Governor) strategize as they move towards the November election. Let the Republicans choose their candidates. We will not stoop to their level.

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Keith Olbermann's September 11 Commentary

The video is available via MSNBC and Crooks and Liars. The text of the commentary can be found here.

Half a lifetime ago, I worked in this now-empty space. And for 40 days after the attacks, I worked here again, trying to make sense of what happened, and was yet to happen, as a reporter.

All the time, I knew that the very air I breathed contained the remains of thousands of people, including four of my friends, two in the planes and -- as I discovered from those "missing posters" seared still into my soul -- two more in the Towers.

And I knew too, that this was the pyre for hundreds of New York policemen and firemen, of whom my family can claim half a dozen or more, as our ancestors.

I belabor this to emphasize that, for me this was, and is, and always shall be, personal.

And anyone who claims that I and others like me are "soft,"or have "forgotten" the lessons of what happened here is at best a grasping, opportunistic, dilettante and at worst, an idiot whether he is a commentator, or a Vice President, or a President.

Click here for the rest.

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From puddle

Crossposted at Wordpress, because Blogger is vexing me again. But not enough to actually switch this blog completely over to Wordpress, because that would be a huge pain in the a--.

Hi. About half an hour til next visiting.

Am at a loss to thank you guys. And usually don't have enough energy left to even try (bless Thankful!!) She reads me parts of threads and relays messages, and I need to keep telling you how wonderful you all are, and how much I'm depending on you. I also relay your messages to Edwin, and I'm sure he hears them and is as glad for you all as I am.

And thank you Howard!!!
puddle | 09.11.06 - 5:34 pm

And here's what Thankful wrote a little earlier...

Edwin Update

No dramatic news from this visit - but they restarted the nutrition so he's getting a great liquid steak dinner. Fingers were a little colder than last night but of no concern. Some time this afternoon he'll be switched to a different bed that helps prevent bed sores! Call me crazy but that says they're expecting him to stick around long enough to possibly get bed sores )))))))))))))))))))))))))

~ ~ ~

What we wanna know is - is there any news on Subway?

and puddle sez thank you thank you thank you
Thankful | 09.11.06 - 5:12 pm

From Renee--here's the link to Edwin's candle page. Also, Barbara in Seattle has pictures of puddle and Edwin on her DFA link page. Hopefully she doesn't mind that I snagged one of the pictures so that people who don't have a DFA login would be able to see it.

The instructions Agatha posted about sending a check or donating via PayPal to help puddle with expenses can be found here.

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The Challenge of Terror

For anyone who would like to donate to help puddle with the expenses of her unplanned/unexpected trip to Texas to be with Edwin in the hospital, Agatha has posted details here.

I thought this might be a good time to excerpt and link The Challenge of Terror, written by John Paul Lederach in the days that immediately followed September 11, 2001. Lederach is a Professor of International Peacebuilding at the University of Notre Dame. Clearly, the U.S. government didn't heed his advice when responding to the events of 9/11/01, but I still think the essay is worth reading. And, since the media is busily revisiting everything else about that tragic day, I can't think of any reason *not* to revisit these thoughtful words.

Military action to destroy terror, particularly as it affects already vulnerable civilian populations will be like hitting a fully mature dandelion with a golf club: This will further perpetuate the myth of "evil United States military might" and will assure yet another generation of recruits.

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Compline

Here's the latest from puddle:

Hi ever body ~~ surviving. And hanging in. So's Edwin. He's an awful pretty peach color. Still hasn't said anything, or opened his eyes. If I were where he is, I don't think I would either. . . .


Love you all so much!

xox puddle

At my religious ed class tonight, we did a closing prayer which comes from an order of compline. The first time I remember saying a compline was at a retreat I attended last year at an Episcopal convent. (If you were unaware that there was such a thing as Episcopalian nuns, so was I until fairly recently.) But there was something very peaceful about gathering together at the end of the day and praying for people everywhere, especially, as I recall, those who work throughout the night, and those who have no one praying for them.

The words of tonight's closing prayer reminded me a little bit of that. It's from the Book of Common Prayer. I feel moved to share it, but also want to be sensitive to the diversity here. I've replaced the specific deity names with elipses, so that the reader can fill in a name or not.

Keep watch, ..., with those who work, or watch, or weep this night, and give your angels charge over those who sleep. Tend the sick, ...; give rest to the weary, bless the dying, soothe the suffering, pity the afflicted, shield the joyous; and all for your love's sake. Amen.

The "keep watch" part really made me think of what we've been doing here in recent days--that there is Something connecting us, even if we don't use the same words to describe that Something. In fact, the truth is that we are all connected, but we're not always aware of it. In the past few days, members of this community have been acutely aware of that connection.

But, whoever you are, wherever you are, whatever you believe or don't believe, there is always someone praying you through the night, sending you beams of love and comfort. I know for a fact that there's a group of Episcopalian nuns near Cincinnati doing that, but for all I know there are many, many more. And that sort of thing gives me hope. I'm just describing one example from the faith tradition I know best, but I'm sure people in all different traditions, all around the world do something like this. Intentionally taking time to recognize their connectedness to everyone, everywhere, and calling out to the Infinite to watch over people they have never met.




Here's that candle link again, for anyone who'd like to light or re-light a virtual candle for Edwin.

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Action diary by cdmarine

AKA hyperbolic pants explosion at Daily Kos, but those of us who were at Blog for America during the primary campaign remember her as cdmarine.

She's got a diary that some of you may be interested in. And I do feel like I've been dropping the ball as far as posting about this. So, here you go--and feel free to post other relevant links if you've got them.

IMMEDIATE research help needed for PT911 Rebuttal Site [UPDATED]

Edwin and puddle and Thankful are still in our thoughts and prayers--the latest update I've seen is here. And at last check, there were 62 candles for Edwin burning from 3 countries--check out the page here.

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The Great Turning

So, it's September 10 already, huh? Hopefully someone will post updates about the ABC/Disney propaganda piece about September 11, because I haven't had time to keep up with that story. Obviously, I'm not planning to watch it. I know that there are some interfaith peace vigils going on in my area, and I would be attending one of those, except that tonight is the first night of my EFM classes for this year. But I encourage you all to find out if positive, uplifting events like our local interfaith vigils are available in your area.

I was trying to come up with something to post on the eve of September 11, and thought back to The Great Turning. I think there is something worthwhile in this metaphor, whether or not you buy the "whole ball of wax" of what Joanna Macy is saying...

A revolution is underway because people are realizing that our needs can be met without destroying our world. We have the technical knowledge, the communication tools, and material resources to grow enough food, ensure clean air and water, and meet rational energy needs. Future generations, if there is a livable world for them, will look back at the epochal transition we are making to a life-sustaining society. And they may well call this the time of the Great Turning. It is happening now.

Whether or not it is recognized by corporate-controlled media, the Great Turning is a reality. Although we cannot know yet if it will take hold in time for humans and other complex life forms to survive, we can know that it is under way. And it is gaining momentum, through the actions of countless individuals and groups around the world. To see this as the larger context of our lives clears our vision and summons our courage.

As Captain Picard would say, "Make it so."

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From Grace to Glory

Then the mother of Zebedee's sons came to Jesus with her sons and, kneeling down, asked a favor of him.

"What is it you want?" he asked.

She said, "Grant that one of these two sons of mine may sit at your right and the other at your left in your kingdom."

"You don't know what you are asking," Jesus said to them. "Can you drink the cup I am going to drink?"

"We can," they answered.

Jesus said to them, "You will indeed drink from my cup, but to sit at my right or left is not for me to grant. These places belong to those for whom they have been prepared by my Father."

When the ten heard about this, they were indignant with the two brothers. Jesus called them together and said, "You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave - just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many."

Matthew 20:20-28

A mother's love for her sons knows no bounds, logical or otherwise. It is often said that a mother will throw her husband under a bus for the sake of her sons - even throw herself under the bus for the sake of her sons - but the bond between a mother and her sons is something unusual, something irrational, something special.

Unconditional love.

When we're trifling Mom still loves us. When we're acting a fool Mom still loves us. When we've been caught red-handed doing dirt Mom still loves us, believes in us, and is often willing go on CNN to declare our innocence before a condescending world. There is nothing that we have done to earn our mothers' love. There is nothing that we have done to justify our mothers' love. The truth of the matter is that our mothers often love us in spite of a mountain of evidence that ought to tell them that they should have cut us off a long time ago, yet they still love us anyhow. They still look out for us anyhow. They still try to get us the hook-up when we in no ways deserve it, simply because we are their sons.

Unmerited favor.

The wife of Zebedee, mother of James and John, came before Jesus with her two sons to try to get them the hook-up, to try to get them prime-time positions in Glory. She did not make a merit-based case, giving evidence of how her sons deserved the positions of honor. She did not make a pragmatic case, arguing the utilitarian value of elevating her two sons to positions of honor. She simply asked for Jesus to command that her two sons be positioned by His side in His Kingdom. Jesus' inner circle consisted of three disciples - Simon Peter and the two sons of Zebedee - and it would seem that the mother of James and John wanted this circle to tighten to two.

A mother's love can drive her to do some unusual things, as anyone who has been involved in cheerleader wars can attest, but Jesus didn't even address her - He addressed the sons of Zebedee, James and John, telling them that they knew not that for which they asked. Too often we ask for things without understanding the implications of a granted request. As children many of us asked for a puppy to love as our own, but we didn't understand that the puppy needs cleaning and walking and feeding and a pooper-scooper. As teens many of us had our eye on that certain someone, not understanding that they had more issues than the New York Times. As young adults many of us wanted a certain job with a certain company or organization, just to find out that all that glitters isn't gold. Too often our $10 mouths ask for things that our 50¢ behinds can't handle - just like the mother of James and John.

Jesus asked the sons of Zebedee, "Can you drink the cup I am going to drink?" They flippantly answered, "Yes" and Jesus responded with something that probably rocked their worlds - they would indeed drink from His cup but He could not command for them to be seated at His right and left - that perrogative belonged to the Father, not the Son. Jesus essentially told them that kissing up to the boss won't advance your career; sending your mom to make a request that you yourself were to cowardly to make will not advance your position; maneuvering politically will not change your relationship with God. We are not saved by works or politics or plenary indulgances - we are saved by grace alone through faith alone in Jesus Christ alone.

It is a state of grace.

Each of us who has been graciously saved through faith in Jesus Christ is indeed a grace case, and when you walk in this state of grace you treat people differently than those who are walking according to the flesh. Those who are operating according to the flesh look to position themselves over others in order to lord authority over them, while those who walk in this state of grace look to lower themselves into a servant's position. Those who are the lord of their own lives - the captains of their own souls - look to glorify themselves, to make themselves look good, to magnify themselves in the eyes of men, while those of us who submit to the Lordship of Jesus Christ look to lower ourselves such that we may glorify God in our service to men. When you're walking in this state of grace you smile in the face of those who hate and despitefully use you. When you're walking in this state of grace you can love the father that abandoned you, the uncle that abused you, the cousin that called you everything but a child of God. When you're walking in this state of grace you model the mind of Christ, the Imago Dei, the very image of God. When you're walking in this state of grace you let your light so shine that men might see your good works and glorify our Father in Heaven. O taste and see that the Lord is good in the life of a grace case.

But it gets better.

In the hereafter we will be with Jesus in Glory. Each of us who are saved by grace through faith in Jesus Christ will move from grace to Glory. There will be no more weeping and wailing over there. There will be no more sobbing and crying over there. There will be no more pain and suffering over there. In that day - in that great gettin'-up morning - we will go from grace to glory, taking residence in our own dwelling place that Jesus has prepared specifically for each of us; what God has for me is for me, but what God wants from me He will get from me as well. When God decrees blessings I receive them in full, and when God decrees work I receive it in full. God blesses us to be a blessing to others, not merely to enjoy our blessings all by ourselves. James and John were looking for positions of authority, but they didn't understand that with great authority comes great sacrifice. James and John truly drank from Jesus' cup - James was the first of the disciples to be killed for his faith in Jesus.

"Grant that one of these two sons of mine may sit at your right and the other at your left in your kingdom."

Be careful what you ask for, it may come sooner than you think. Walk in this state of grace, seeking to serve others out of our love for Jesus Christ such that our Father in Heaven might be glorified, our brothers in the Spirit might be edified, and someone through our example might seek to be justified in the eyes of God.

May the LORD bless you and keep you;
May the LORD make His face shine upon you and be gracious to you;
And may the LORD,
Who wants you to walk in that state of grace,
May He turn His face toward you and give you peace.

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Saturday Comics

Crikey
Newspeak
Osama Bin Forgotten
Queer Eye...
...For The Anchorguy
Possibly Prophetic
God Save The Queen
Half-Empty Promises
Works Of Fiction
Purple Haze
Intel Failure
Master Bait And Switch Artist
Dead-Enders
Ad Infinitum
McJobs
Babel Fish
Objective Truth
Appeasers
Fascism Redux

And my favorite for today: Never Forget



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Open thread

From the overnight thread. (I noticed we were up to 62 comments and thought a new thread would be easier for refreshing.)
---
Edwin - hour by hour

No new news here - blood pressure still low, heart rate still high. We're thinking of going for a serious nap at the hotel after ther next shift change. I just copped a few zzzz's in the icu lounge, puddle said she dozed a little with her head on Edwin's arm. A long night indeed. May it continue as is and bring us a bright new sunny, hopeful day.

Continued thnaks for all the help and well wishes.

(btw - the coffee shop has wireless - do ya think the main reception desk coulda answered that on correctly earlier! oh well.)

&heart;s to all.

by Thankful2Thankful4Dean on Saturday, 09/09/06 @ 03:40 AM
---
Here's the link to the virtual candle page for Edwin--looks like the one I lit has almost burned down. Will probably be time to light a new one when I get home.

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Extra prayers and light for Edwin

Troubling news this Friday night...

UPDATE......Calling ALL ANGELS, PLEASE

Thankful just called.

Things have turned bad. Not looking good. His blood pressure has fallen dangerously low.

ALL PRAYERS, LOVE and LIGHT to Edwin and Puddleriver.


Thankful will try to update later.
Linda | Homepage | 09.08.06 - 9:33 pm

Reposting this from yesterday's thread...

In this picture, Edwin is the one on the left


Here's a link to a virtual candle lighting site. (Requires Flash--I think). Edwin has his own page here, if you'd like to light a candle to join mine.

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Star Trek turns 40

I had no idear that was today until I saw a comment at the BBB. Wonder what Daughter in Ohio will say upon learning that she shares her birthday with something so "geeky". (I don't know that she actually dislikes it, but her brother likes science fictiony stuff, so I think she feels compelled not to.)

From the BBC:
Conference marks Star Trek's 40th
Trek memories of 'android' actor
From the CBC:
40 years later, Star Trek lives long and prospers
From tvsquad:
The Five: Most common Star Trek plot gimmicks
From Huffington Post:
Star Trek Haters, Take Your Snotty Attitudes And Stuff It

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Update on Edwin

UPDATE FROM THANKFUL AND PUDDLERIVER ON EDWIN

As of now Edwin is stable. He is on dialysis and is still asleep, but he is responding to treatment.

Doctor said he was quite sick after surgery and will get worse before getting better, but Thankful and I are optimistic that it seems to us that he is on his upswing, because yesterday he wasn't showing improvement.

I guess the Doctors are just trying to say he has a bit to go before being out of danger and as he awakes and heals, things can still happen, but it sounds better than yesterday and THAT'S GOOD.

They are going to try to rest now.
Linda

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Gravatars

Last night there was a question about Gravatars. At one point, jc wrote us the whole process of getting a Gravatar, getting it rated, and so forth, and we had a link to that comment in the sidebar. But at some point the link was no longer valid, so now there's just a link to the main page of the Gravatar web site.

What is a gravatar?

A gravatar, or globally recognized avatar, is quite simply an 80 x 80 pixel avatar image that follows you from weblog to weblog appearing beside your name when you comment on gravatar enabled sites. Avatars help identify your posts on web forums, so why not on weblogs?

How do I get a gravatar?

Signing up for a gravatar.com account is FREE, and all that's required is your email address. Once you've signed up you can upload your avatar image and soon after you'll start seeing it on gravatar enabled weblogs!

You can register with more than one e-mail address, and change Gravatars simply by plugging a different address into the e-mail field when you are commenting. Some people only register one e-mail address with Gravatar, and then change Gravatars by logging in to the official web site, where they see a screen with something like this:

If I wanted to change my Gravatar to something other than that sweet puppy face, I could use that interface to upload a new image from my computer. The puppy would continue to display with that e-mail address until the person at the Gravatar got around to giving the new image a rating, and then the new image would appear. How long that will take is hard to say.

However, the the Haloscan control panel (that place I'm always logging into to undo the work of the gremlins that duplicate some of our posts), I can set an image as a default Gravatar, and it will display immediately.

Last November, I took advantage of that feature and made "Birthday Flat Howard" the default Gravatar, so anyone who didn't already have a registered Gravatar got that image as the default. Then I did a Thanksgiving Howard, a Winter Holiday Howard, and so on until I picked the Dean 2008 Gravatar around Presidents' Day. And that one just sort of stuck, I guess because I forgot about doing seasonal Gravatars. Which is probably a good thing, because, did we really want to see Howard Dean with Easter bunny ears? ;-)

Anyway, LeslieK's question reminded me that I'd been meaning to change the default Gravatar, so now we have this:

"Arrrrgh, George Bush, ye scruvy dog! Ye'd best be givin' us the people their civil liberties back!"

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Candle Lighting

I've been thinking a lot today about candles. If you've been around this blog lately, you've seen the candle graphic quite a bit--for Subway Serenade and then for Edwin. Candles can mean a different things, but in general I think a lot of people "get" the idea that a candle can represent hope, a "light in the darkness", etc. And it seems like a fairly "safe" image to use with a group as diverse as our blog family, since it is not tied to one faith tradition.

Let me tell you a little about my faith. Kimmy sometimes calls me the "church lady", and, as I may have noted before, that amuses me at least a little. It is true, my faith life is important to me--it's an important part of my "life narrative", I guess you could say. But the truth is, I have way more questions than I have answers. The notion of being on a "spiritual path" somehow resonates with me, but much of the time it feels like I'm wandering in the desert. Yet, every now and then there will be a moment, and experience--a "knowing"--that tells me that I am indeed still on the path.

Now, about prayer. Honestly, I'm not sure I ever quite got the knack. I've tried different kinds of prayer, and from time to time find myself drawn to things like rosaries, labyrinths...prayer involving "props" if you will. Something tangible. Because, what I've discovered about myself is that I'm not good at visualizing. At my Catholic high school, one of the religion classes I took involved prayer using guided imagery. Lovely class, as I recall, but I just couldn't do the imagery part. I've led psychology classes in relaxation/guided imagery classes, and had people describe really being there, on the beach, or in the woods. I'm rather bemused by the idear that, with my voice, I can help lead students to places I haven't experienced myself.

For my whole life, I have always been certain that there is a "something more", and that death isn't the end. But I'm really hazy about the details. So there's this paradox that something is very real to me, and yet I can't see or touch or hear it. Most days, I'm at peace with that, but when I'm going through a rough time, I really want comfort I can see and touch. This blog community is also very real, even though many of us have never met in person. We've developed a real network of caring. Yet when one of us is going through a difficult experience, I'm all the more aware of the inability to physically gather together for support.

Which brings us back to candles. I had seen the virtual candle lighting site before, but was not aware until today that it was possible to light candles in a group. I like that--because it helps me see us gathered together in support.

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Keep the pressure on ABC

Here are some links to current blog posts/stories about the fake 9/11 documentary that ABC plans to air on September 10 and 11.

From Crooks and Liars...
ABC's ridiculous Statement on their 9/11 fakeumentary
Greg Mitchell: ABC film heavily weighted against Clinton: Screenwriter admitted to making scene up

From Media Matters:
ABC and Scholastic release skewed Path to 9/11 "Discussion Guide" for high school teachers to assign to students

Media highlighted conservative complaints about less-than-flattering portrayal of Reagan in 2003 biopic, offer little coverage of ABC's 9-11 miniseries, reportedly riddled with falsehoods

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Haloscan problems

There have been some real problems with Haloscan today, such that I need to make a good half dozen attempts to get one comment to post, so I imagine the same is happening for others people as well. So I am crossposting this entry at the "emergency backup blog" over at Wordpress. If there's something you'd like to share with the HEP family and can't get commenting to work here, you can try leaving a comment at the Wordpress blog, or you can e-mail me at howardempowered@gmail.com.


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Dial up the prayers (light, vibes) please

Halsocan is having problems right now, FYI. I've crossposted this blog entry here.

From puddle:

Okay, here's the deal. He's deteriorating, is not responding, and I'm on my way there. This will prolly be last update for a while.

Please keep them prayers, light, and vibes coming.

I love you all. This is a wonderful loving community whose price is far above rubies. . . .

xox
puddle*in*NYC | Homepage | 09.07.06 - 10:39 am |

Just talked to his doctor. Extremely bad: kidneys, lungs, sepsis.

Begging for prayer here.

Agatha's here to cat sit, and I'm leaving for Baltimore in a bit. Thankful's coming with me to Fort Worth. (I need a keeper!)

xox puddle
puddle*in*NYC | Homepage | 09.07.06 - 12:52 pm |

Update: Karen has posted hospital details, via Linda in Cincinnati, here.

Here's a picture of Edwin that Kimmy posted:

In this picture, Edwin is the one on the left


Here's a link to a virtual candle lighting site. (Requires Flash--I think). Edwin has his own page here, if you'd like to light a candle to join mine.

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Open Thread

Thanks for tipping me off that Countdown was on, JayDean. I'd forgotten. Keith Olbermann mentioned that his book is coming out, and I've just added it to the affiliate site page. So if you were thinking of getting the book anyway, if you buy it through the link below or through the link on this page, you can support Howard-Empowered People with your purchase.

Puddle checked in about Edwin's surgery in the comments here, and he is out of surgery but,

Still touch-and-go for a while (days at least).

Still much in need of that light, etc.

xox
puddle*in*NYC | Homepage | 09.06.06 - 6:22 pm

So, keep that good stuff coming.

**There's an update from puddle at 10:57 p.m.

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For all those we "hold in the light"

This candle is for Edwin, who was taken to the emergency room last night, and is about to undergo surgery. You can find the details in the overnight thread, starting with puddle's post at 12:43 a.m. She has asked that I add Edwin to the page with our intentions. That page has not been updated in a long time, however, and it's not a task I can undertake today, so I thought it would be more timely just to post the candle here. Think of it as representing prayers, love, light, hope, vibes, peace, or whatever it is we are sending to Edwin in the hospital, to puddle, for Subway, and to all of us who need a little more of those things right now.

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Keith Olbermann to Bush: "Have you no sense of decency, sir?

Keith Olbermann delivered another excellent response to the current administration's stifling of dissent--this time in response to Bush's speech.

Today, in the same subtle terms in which Mr. Bush and his colleagues muddied the clear line separating Iraq and 9/11 -- without ever actually saying so - the President quoted a purported Osama Bin Laden letter that spoke of launching, "a media campaign to create a wedge between the American people and their government."

Make no mistake here - the intent of that is to get us to confuse the psychotic scheming of an international terrorist, with that familiar bogeyman of the right, the "media."

The President and the Vice President and others have often attacked freedom of speech, and freedom of dissent, and freedom of the press.

Now, Mr. Bush has signaled that his unparalleled and unprincipled attack on reporting has a new and venomous side angle:

The attempt to link, by the simple expediency of one word - "media" - the honest, patriotic, and indeed vital questions and questioning from American reporters, with the evil of Al-Qaeda propaganda.

That linkage is more than just indefensible. It is un-American.

Click here for the rest.

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Action item: Contact ABC about biased 9/11 film

I've seen a boatload of diaries and posts about this issue today, but don't have time to put together an entry of my own about it, so I'm going to directly lift what the Think Progress web site has to say, and link to them. If you fill out the form on this page, it will send your comments directly to ABC...

On September 10 and 11, ABC Television is planning to run an inaccurate film depicting the events leading up to the 9/11 attacks. The film was written by an avowed conservative and it largely places the blame for failing to prevent the attacks on the Clinton administration while whitewashing the failures of the Bush administration.

Our review of the film shows it to be full of such inaccuracies. Its distorted version of history is inconsistent with the 9/11 Commission Report, upon which it claims to be based. The events leading up to September 11, 2001 are too important and too tragic to play politics with the facts.

More relevant links:
Richard Clarke Blasts Key Scene In ABC’s 9/11 Docudrama
ABC Planning Massive Free Distribution of 9/11 Docudrama
Scholastic Books - Catapulting 'Path to 9/11' Propaganda
Movie "Pathway to 9/11" Connected to Exxon

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Strickland-Blackwell debate: Closing Remarks

The first of four scheduled debates between Ohio gubernatorial candidates Ted Strickland and Ken Blackwell took place at noon today, airing on the Ohio News Network and streaming live on WFMJ. It will air again on ONN tonight at 11 p.m.. Here are the candidates closing remarks...

Moderator: We now come to the last part of the debate, the closing remarks. Mr. Blackwell, you have two minutes.

Ken Blackwell: Thank you very much for this opportunity to speak to my fellow Ohioans. I've had the opportunity to live the American dream. That public housing community that I talked about at the beginning of these debates was a half mile away from City Hall. I sold peanuts inside and outside of Crosley Field. I went on to become the mayor of my hometown, and I now am a minority shareholder of the Cincinnati Reds. I've lived the American Dream, I've answered the question. My wife and I have worked very very hard over our lifetime, we've actually taken risks, risks with our own homes to start a business to produce jobs. I want more Ohioans to be able to live that American Dream.

Right now, too many of our young people believe that, in order to go up, they have to go out. I want to restore an option. I want to put an Ohio option back in their hands, where they know with confidence that if they exercise their options, they can find better education here in Ohio, they can, in fact, have health coverage. They can find a job, and elevated incomes. I think that that requires leadership, and leadership that has a record of accomplishment. I will compare, over the next 64 days, my record with that with Ted Strickland's, and I think that people will see that he is a get along to go along guy, or go along to get along guy. He is an extension of the status quo, I represent change. I look forward to ushering in a new era of prosperity. Ohioans deserve a better future, Tom Raga and I want to lead them there.

Moderator: Thank you, sir. Mr. Strickland, you've got two minutes.

Ted Strickland: Well, I think the choice is clear. If people like what's happening in Ohio, if they like the leadership they've gotten, if they like the condition of our state, then they should vote for Mr. Ken Blackwell. Because he represents a continuation of the Taft-Blackwell way of governing. I represent change. I come from modest backgrounds, as I said earlier, wasn't born with a silver spoon in my mouth, but Ohio has been good to me. Ohio has enabled me to serve as a minister and as a psychologist, and as a university professor, and to have the great privilege of serving in the House of Representatives, representing the people of southern and southeastern Ohio. I've been able to do things because of education.

And I want to make a promise to Ohioans. If they elect me to be their governor, every morning when I get out of bed, I'm going to look in the mirror and I'm going to say, "Governor Strickland, what are you going to do today to create jobs for Ohioans to provide economic security for Ohio's families? What are you going to do today to make education of high quality and college affordable for the young people of Ohio. And what are you going to do today, Ted Strickland, to make sure that the people of Ohio who need healthcare can get healthcare without bankrupting their families. Those are the kitchen table issues, the bread-and-butter, dinner bucket issues facing Ohioans, education, healthcare, and economic security for their families.

Those are the issues. No more polarization--I will work to pull Ohioans together, Republicans, Independents and Democrats alike, to move our great state forward. That's the challenge. That's what's facing Ohio, and I ask for your support, because, together, we can move our state forward, and make Ohio great once again.
...
Moderator: Before we leave, I have a quick question. Jerry Springer's

going to be on the show Dancing with the Stars. Would either of you be interested in competing? (Laughter)

Ken Blackwell: Like his brother Ted, the only thing Jerry's good at running is his mouth. (More laughter).

Ted Strickland: Well, that was sort of a nasty thing to say. I just would like to end by thanking my worthy opponent for participating in this debate.
...
Some "crosstalk" can be heard between the moderator and Blackwell, stepping on the end of Strickland's remarks. I could hear more laughter, "Thank you sir" and "Appreciate it", and then Blackwell's voice saying "I was talking about Jerry."

Nice save, Ken--not! Ken Blackwell simply can't stop himself from being a petty namecaller, which was evident throughout the debate. That he chose to answer this light, joking question from the moderator in, as Ted Strickland said, such a nasty way, only serves to highlight this truth about Blackwell.

So, which of these two men has the necessary character "to work to pull Ohioans together, Republicans, Independents and Democrats alike, to move our great state forward". I think Ken Blackwell just answered that question for us.

Tags: Ted Strickland, Ken Blackwell, governor, Ohio, election, 2006, debate, Youngstown

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Howard Dean on Face the Nation, September 3, 2006

I've transcribed Howard Dean's appearance on Face the Nation, and I've added both that transcript and the other one I did recently to the left sidebar (which admittedly hadn't been updated for quite a while). Thank you Linda in Cincinnati for the annotated Google video. You can recommend her Kos diary here. And while you're over there, you can help out Oscar with his survey.

Howard Dean on Face the Nation, Sunday, September 3, 2006

Howard Dean's Speech to the DNC in Chicago, August 19, 2006

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Thankful's Report!

Oh, the one and only Subway Serenade. Despite not feeling well, being in pain, tired, and full of tubes, he emanated a vibrance and love that touched our very souls. Be well Subway, mend quickly.
A beautiful, gorgeous, and perfect day in NYC.

Subway -- Love to you for your spirit, songs, Full Snuggle Theory, and just for being YOU.

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Bloggers report on their visit with Subway Serenade

From Agatha...

Hello bloggers,

I'm writing to report on Subway Serenade, whom puddle, Thankful, and I got to spend some time with today.

Subway is Subway (meaning he's amazing), but he is a sick Subway who definitely could use all the vibes, prayers, hugs, snuggles, voodoo incantations, or whatever is in your arsenal. The tumor was benign, but he is still in ICU. Hopefully, he will be moved out of there today, and then his wife can stay with him. If all goes well, he will be out of the hospital in a week. He is in a lot of pain, what with X-rays and fever and the like, so keep him in your hearts.

Even though Subway has enough tubes sticking out of him to power the internets, do NOT think of Subway as a victim. He is a PROUD DEANIAC. Before even mentioning the pain, Subway first bitched about a judge ruling against Francine Busby. That's right. And, he's not at all happy that Karl Rove has been helping Vito Fosella (disgusting representative of Staten Island... a used car salesman at best). So, Subway can't wait to get out of the hospital to KICK SOME BUTT. He is itching to write songs again and take his country back. And...

Howard's Angels (that would be puddle, Thankful, and I) let Subway know that the blog would much rather know about Subway's bill of health than Robert's. We told Subway that evidently, when a proctologist looks up Robert's anus, he smiles (note my medical terminology so as not to offend the blog). So, Subway is gearing up to kick Robert's ass, too (puddle pointed out that since Robert's butt is so clean, Subway won't have to get his toes dirty). Watch out, right wingers!

It's always good to see Subway, but I didn't like the setting and condition he was in. I want to see him singing in Gramercy Park again soon, and he definitely agrees. But, under all the pain and sedation he is in, there is still a twinkle in his eye and determination in his quiet voice. Leave it to Subway to reminisce the glow of yesterday's sunset while he is in the hospital. Subway is indomitable.

It was also great to spend time with Thankful, whom I hadn't seen since Deanfest 1.0. (On our very long commute, Thankful had a real treat talking with a Bushian troglodyte.. maybe she will share with the blog.) As for puddle, I get to see her any old time because she now lives in my neighborhood (ha ha to many of you)!!!

Hugs to all of you, and send your hugs to Subway.

Agatha

As I was taking off the contact lenses, I remembered this:

Subway knows of all the warm intentions posted on the blog for him and really appreciates it, and he would love a dance with seashell.

I'd like to add that to the post, please.

Thanks,



Agatha

PS (another), I was about to type, "Subway knows of all the love posted on the blog" and immediately recalled Bush's call for gynos' love for women, and I felt very nauseous. Though it's really love on the blog, warm intentions is the best I can type.

From puddle

Subway Update

Long day's journey, that's fur shur. . . . After calling the hospital to confirm room number, discovered he was still in ICU, and visiting hours were 4:30 to five instead of noon to eight. We left a little before two, and made our way via bus, subway, Staten Island Ferry, and Island car service to the hospital. On the way, we saluted the Rector Street station, the one Subway would have played at the afternoon of 9/11. We arrived at the hospital at five to five. It took us 4 and a half minutes to make it up. So we had 30 seconds of visiting time. . . .

We, of course, stayed for half an hour.

Subway did look tired. And was hooked up to more tubes and monitors and drains than I would have thought possible. He was sitting in a chair, however, not in bed. Confirmed for us that the removed tumor was benign. And his soul is cheerful even if his body is being cranky. We gave him an opening round of hugs, and later Thankful gave him a GRrreaAATT! back rub (I was watching his face...). We joked about the BBB and talked politics. Still, I have to agree with Agatha: I want him out of there, splashing sunshine! Clearly prayers, light, good thoughts and vibes are still needed. Let's go guys! He got another round of hugs at parting, and asked us to be sure to tell you that he's felt the love surrounding him and is very grateful.

Trip home. Waited for a half hour for a bus that never came, so Agatha snagged us another car, ferry ride with a couple of the world's largest assholes (that does seem to be a sub-theme to this whole post, doesn't it?). But miraculously, just as we were directly across from the Lady, the entire section of window cleared itself of onlookers, and she stood alone in the harbor as beautiful and welcoming as the trogladite fellow travelers were ugly and mean. A blessing I think on the whole venture, after all. Then we caught a cab from the ferry to China Town, had dinner, caught another, dropped Agatha off and came home, arriving at 9:48. Tired and happy.


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Turning the party upside down in a literal way...Dean's goal.

Turning the party upside down in a literal way..Dean's goal.

Inverting the pyramid.

Sometimes an article or statement just clicks, and things fall into focus. I was reading this link at DFA and followed it through to the article. I thought yes! this is what we have to do, it is what we have been doing throughout the 50 states.

Turning the party on its head

J. Scott Christianson of the Columbia Daily Tribune has an analysis of how local DFA groups fit into the inverted pyramid of the Democratic Party structure.
..According to Scott, our success depends, literally, in turning the Democratic Party on its head

Here is an amazing critique of the structural integrity of the two parties and the change that Howard Dean at the DNC and the progressive groups like DFA want to bring.

Democratic Allies Helping to Rebuild the Party
By J. SCOTT CHRISTIANSON
Published Tuesday, August 22, 2006

In a 2005 New York Times editorial, Bill Bradley compared the structure of the Republican and Democratic parties to pyramids. The Republican Party's pyramid starts with a broad, solid base built of organizations and think tanks that generate funding, ideas, policies and talking points. Conservative commentators and networks that spread the message of the party form the next level.

"At the very top of the pyramid, you'll find the president," Bradley wrote. "Because the pyramid is stable, all you have to do is put a different top on it, and it works fine."

And Bradley points out the same thing Howard Dean mentioned in his interview with Matt Bai in a Sunday with the Times interview. First, Bradley's statement from the link above:

Bradley continued: "To understand how the Democratic Party works, invert the pyramid. Imagine a pyramid balancing precariously on its point, which is the presidential candidate. Democrats who run for president have to build their own pyramids all by themselves. There is no coherent, larger structure that they can rely on."

And Howard Dean referred to this same problem in his interview with Matt Bai. No link, it was audio and no transcript.

He says the Demcratic party has essentially been "non-functional as party" for about 30 years.

The functions of the party have been taken over by the campaigns. He says he thinks Kerry's GOTV effort was terrific, but that was "John Kerry's GOTV effort" and the DNC played a secondary role.

He says the Democratic "party" has not really been driving things, but that it is true on the Republican side.

The author of the Columbia Tribune article listed above then points to the role of groups like DFA in helping to build the party's structure from the ground up.

Taking a cue from the Republicans, the Democrats are reaching beyond the party itself and the "usual suspects" of Democratic activists to build the pyramid. Several new organizations have sprung up in Mid-Missouri that are aligned with the party but are not part of the party.

Democracy for Missouri - www.democracyformo.com - is one good example. A local chapter of the national Democracy for America, DFM recently held its statewide convention in Columbia. While some Democrats view organizations such as DFM as competing with the party proper, they are really more complementary than competitive.

Groups such as DFA can do things the local party organization can't or won't do, such as endorsing a primary challenger instead of the incumbent. Such things need to be done from time to time so that the candidate with the best chance of winning in the general election emerges.

....Into the Blue - www.intotheblue.org - is a Columbia-based organization whose sole purpose is to build progressive and democratic infrastructure in Missouri. Rather than focusing on candidates or particular issues, the emphasis is on creating a solid foundation.

A big advantage of this stronger party on the ground is the local connectivity. It will give a year-round ground game every year. It should allow us to stop being so dependent on consultants and TV ads, connect with the voters...one of the goals of the Dean brothers as stated below. In a way it is a form of campaign finance reform. Howard Dean once said if the congress won't fix campaign finance reform, we can do it for them.

From a recent training in New Jersey by DFA leaders:

Calculating Victory, a DFA training

"What separates Joe and Ned is the ground game," Democracy for America chair Jim Dean told the crowd, emphasizing that victory can only come from organizing. "Being consultant-heavy and trying to televise our way to victory is the reason we lost for fifteen years."

And from a recent meeting with Delaware Dems, Howard Dean had this to say.

Person to person beats big media

Person-to-person politics beats big media campaigns when it comes to winning over voters.

"You can't win a campaign with just expensive TV ads," Dean said. "You've got to go out and make yourself known ... You have to go to people who didn't vote the way you voted and convince them of your position. "

And that's why Dean has pressed through criticism to follow through on a "50-state" strategy for building stronger Democratic voting in all states, whether they are currently Red or Blue on the political map.

If you are interested, I transcribed more of the Matt Bai interview with Dean not long ago. He is pretty candid about his goals for the party and clear they will not be done overnight.

Sunday with the Times interview, Matt Bai and Howard Dean

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Last Sunday's sermon: the Word I heard

Click here to read about the image above, which is by Richard Adams, and is entitled "Kiss".

Last Sunday, Oscar' Word for the Week was entitled "What, in Hell, Do You Want?" There was a note at the beginning of the post, indicating that it was the message he would be preaching at Temple of Faith Baptist Church that day. That same day, sitting in Saint Stephen's Episcopal Church, I heard a very different sermon. What fascinated me, upon coming home from church and seeing Oscar's post, was that *both* sermons featured Carlton Pearson--a man whose name I had never heard before that day--as a major character. Today at church, I picked up a copy of Rev. George Glazier's sermon from August 27, and I would like to share it with you here.

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Gated Communities

"Do not let your heart be troubled; believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father's house are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you. If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself, that where I am, there you may be also. And you know the way where I am going."

Thomas said to Him, "Lord, we do not know where You are going, how do we know the way?"

Jesus said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me."

John 14:1-6

Heaven is real, too. One thing with which we who place our faith in Jesus Christ can take comfort is the fact that we need not fear judgment after we die - once we are absent from this material world we will be present with the Lord. Jesus has returned to the right hand of the Father to prepare a place for us, such that when we have breathed our last breath we, like the thief on the cross, will be with Jesus in Paradise on that very day.

For we know the way where He is going.

Jesus Christ is the way to heaven - the truth is that there is no eternal life outside of Him. Jesus said, "No one comes to the Father but through Me." Some would like to compare that statement to Jesus standing in the way of those trying to get to God, being an obstruction to those who would come to God, but the truth of the matter is that man's sinfulness has erected an impenetratible wall between man and God - our iniquities have separated us from our God; our sins have hidden His face from us, so that He will not hear. Jesus has created a gate in the midst of that impenetratible wall so that people can get to God, but nobody can get to the Father in eternity unless they go through the gate - the way, the truth and the life, Jesus Christ.

But people want to chart their own path.

God has given each of us free will, and each of us can choose what path we will take in this life, but every path does not lead to the same destination. In fact, according to Jesus, there are really only two paths. Jesus said, "Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it." There may be many lanes on the broad path, but ultimately every lane on the broad path leads to the same destination - a cliff that flows into the Lake of Fire. It comes as no surprise that the overwhelming majority of humanity chooses their own lane on the broad road that leads to destruction, but it is the responsibility of the Christian to point people to the narrow road beyond the small gate that leads to life everlasting, eternity in the presence of God, such that some might choose life in Jesus Christ.

Like Tom Bodett says, we'll keep the light on.

May the LORD bless you and keep you;
May the LORD make His face shine upon you and be gracious to you;
And may the LORD,
Who wants you to rest in Him for all eternity,
May He turn His face toward you and give you peace.

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