Disenfranchisement or Fraud?
Mood:  bright
Topic: Politics
In today's Washington Post:

"A U.S. District Court judge yesterday effectively ended efforts by Republicans in Ohio to challenge the eligibility of tens of thousands of voters in one of the most closely contested states in this year's presidential race.

Judge Susan J. Dlott in Cincinnati issued an order preventing local election boards from going forward with plans to notify challenged voters and hold hearings until she hears legal arguments tomorrow. But because her ruling means that those election board hearings cannot take place within the time frame state law requires before the election, Dlott's ruling killed the GOP effort that had targeted 35,000 voters, Democratic and Republican party officials said."

In this election, disenfranchisement trumps fraud. No one will care how many times someone has voted or even if they are registered or actually live in the district they are voting.

The Curse Is Finally Over
Mood:  bright
Now Playing: World Series Wrapup
Topic: Sports
The Red Sox sweep the Cardinals by winning tonight's game 3-0.

Not Much Blogging
Mood:  rushed
Now Playing: World Series
Topic: Blogging
Time constraints have limited my blogging the last couple of weeks. I'm taking a class, teaching a class and volunteering for the Republican party these last few days. I still found time to vote. They had about eight to ten booths set up and a small line of people waiting to vote. The ballot was short--it's a Republican county and many local offices had no Democratic opposition.

I noticed a stack of probably 200-300 applications for registration. Another pile of 40-50 had a sticky note attached that read "problem pile."

I will be manning phones on Monday and will be a poll checker on Tuesday morning. I want to blog my experiences but won't be able to do it live.

O'Reilly Accused of Harassment
Mood:  sharp
Topic: Politics
Those on the Left are probably giddy with anticipation over this.

Now Who's Trying to Scare the American Public?
Mood:  sharp
Topic: Politics

John Kerry said Friday there is a 'great potential' for a new military draft to replace overextended U.S. troops in Iraq if President Bush wins a second term, despite Bush's repeated pledges to maintain the all-volunteer service. Republicans rejected the suggestion as 'fear mongering.' "

As I pointed out here, it's actually John Kerry who wants to start up the draft. But, no matter who wants to, the American Public would not stand for it.

Afghanistan Heads for Vote Count
Mood:  cool
Now Playing: football and baseball
Topic: War on Terror
Good news here:

"Afghanistan (news - web sites) was preparing on Tuesday to count votes after rivals of President Hamid Karzai said they had withdrawn their rejection of the weekend presidential poll."

But liberals raise the bar, first with John Edwards:

"'If you look at what's actually happened in Afghanistan since the Taliban was toppled, their opium production is back up. They're producing 75 percent of the world's opium,' Edwards said. 'On top of that, there are big chunks of the country still in the control of warlords and drug lords, and there are still some serious security issues in the country.'"

then USAToday.

Sabotage Update
Mood:  cool
Now Playing: news
Topic: Wisconsin
A further update on the sabotage at the power towers south of Milwaukee.

Two More Recent Deaths
Mood:  cool
Now Playing: news
Topic: History
First, Christopher Reeve,

"'Superman' actor Christopher Reeve, who became a leading advocate for spinal cord research after a horseback riding accident left him paralyzed nine years ago, has died of heart failure, his publicist said on Monday. He was 52."

Christopher Reeve had guts. He had determination. Even though I disagreed with his politics, I could admire the man. he confounded doctors by regaining use of parts of his body they thought he never would regain the use of.

Then, former baseball star Ken Caminiti,

"Ken Caminiti was never short of fearless on a baseball field. He made incredible stops at third base, swatted home runs from both sides of the plate and played through pain that would wither most men. Friends and former teammates shocked by Caminiti's death Sunday in New York at age 41 remembered not only the great plays, but many off-field struggles.

"...He admittedly used steroids at the height of his career and had been arrested on cocaine charges in recent years. Early in his career, he admitted to abusing alcohol and painkillers."

Caminiti, though fearless, was a young man struck down, no doubt, by his abuse of his body.

Ballot Supply in Milwaukee
Mood:  cool
Now Playing: news
Topic: Wisconsin
Two articles here and here about a dispute over the ballot supply for the city of Milwaukee.

"Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett accused Milwaukee County Executive Scott Walker of inviting election-night chaos by not printing as many ballots as city officials requested.

"Walker said, in turn, that the blitz of accusations against him made him suspicious that somebody might invent shortages just to prove the argument that the city is being shorted ballots.

" 'They may try to create troubles,' Walker said."

The Journal Sentinel says the county should provide the ballots. We should err on the side of caution, they say. I imagine there will be letters in tomorrow's paper. Folkbum's Rambles and Rants has the view from the left. Owen at Boots & Sabers has the view from the right. Walker is a state co-chair of President Bush's campaign. Barrett is state co-chair of the John Kerry campaign.

I just wonder why Milwaukee needs two ballots for everyone over the age of eighteen.

Ballots requested by city: 938,000
Ballots county wants to supply: 679,000
Ballots supplied 11/2000: 669,000
Population of Milwaukee: 593,920
Initial county proposal: 574,000
Number of people voting age: 423,811
Registered voters: 382,000
Ballots cast 11/2000: 245,670

UPDATE: Gov. Doyle has stepped in (Link from folkbum). All sides say politics are not involved. ;^)

Power Tower Sabotage Update
Mood:  chillin'
Now Playing: News
Topic: Wisconsin
The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel has an update on the weekend collapse of two electric transmission towers. They stopped short of calling it terrorism but do say it was caused by someone purposely removing bolts that held the towers in place.

Crossroads Highlights 10/10/2004
Mood:  lazy
Now Playing: Monday Night Football
Topic: Politics
Liberals can appoint judges at will, it seems but God forbid that conservatives should appoint any!

I could hardly contain my laughter at this editorial on how "entertainers counteract media bias." Two paragraphs will give you the feel:

"Moreover, as the corporate-controlled news media continues to give Bush a free pass on critical matters of war and peace, members of the entertainment industry have found movies and documentaries to be an excellent method to convey to the American people and the world information that has been either outright censored or obfuscated by the heads of such giant media conglomerates as the News Corporation, Disney, General Electric and Time Warner.

...Hollywood has provided the American people with truthful accounts of the machinations of the Bush political machine through big-screen offerings such as Michael Moore's "Fahrenheit 9/11"; Robert Greenwald's "Outfoxed: Rupert Murdoch's War on Journalism"; Jeremy Earp's and Sut Jhally's "Hijacking Catastrophe"; John Sayles' parody of Bush, "Silver City"; and Greg Palast's "Bush Family Fortunes" -- to name a few. These producers and directors have succeeded where the big news media have utterly failed."

Uh-huh. Sure.

And a liberal's look at taxes is what Gregory Sanford gives us. Again a couple of quotes will suffice. First,

"Suppose, for instance, the state wanted to solve the health care crisis. The soaring cost of insurance partly helps to explain why jobs are slow in coming these days. Even a costly state solution could spur prosperity in which Wisconsinites would exceed in increased income what they would lose in increased taxes. But spending limits might preclude such a solution."

Right. And this,

"In a research report titled 'Limiting Government Spending in Wisconsin,' Richard Chandler cites similar numbers, except they are more dire. Close scrutiny shows that he's comparing so-called tax burdens, not raw taxes.

"The burden is the share of personal income that taxes consume. Personal income per resident (or per capita) is lower in Wisconsin than in the nation as a whole.

"...Consider, for instance, that Wisconsin's median household income actually exceeds that of the nation as a whole. So Wisconsin's typical household can better shoulder, say, $1,000 worth of tax than can the nation's typical household.

"The point is that coming up with a true tax burden will require a more sophisticated tool. In fact, a useful project (scholars, take note) would ascertain the state-by-state tax burden on specific income groups. The wealthy, of course, can more easily shoulder, say, a 10% tax rate than can the poor."

Convoluted reasoning, for sure.

Chip Duncan, "an award-winning documentary filmaker from Milwaukee," talks about the Patriot Act. This had promise but he didn't really say anything new, probably because he has a documentary appearing on Milwaukee Public Television this week. I assume all will be revealed then. Any one want to take the bet that it's against the Patriot Act?

And finally, Tom Raum ruminates about an October surprise. "It's part of American political lore: The party out of power worries about a last-minute surprise engineered by the party in power." He seems to think that Bush is the one who will need the boost. Hmmm.

Obama Must Be Confident
Mood:  lazy
Now Playing: Monday Night Football
Topic: Politics
He spent time in Wisconsin campaigning.

Stem Cell Research
Mood:  cheeky
Now Playing: News
Topic: Social Issues
Several times during a rally with Michael J. Fox, John Kerry referred to President Bush ignoring "science in favor of ideology." I wonder if Josef Mengele would have made the same kind of argument.

I've heard many arguments pro and con but I'm not well-versed in all the minute details. I've heard adult stem cells have just as much, if not more, promise. I've also heard that many of the embryonic stem cells waiting to be used are ones that have been discarded after in vitro fertilisation and are frozen.

Michael Kinsley wrote in an May 31, 2004 TIME Magazine Op/Ed (paid archive, I'm a subscriber :^) ),

"Fertility clinics destroy far more human embryos than stem-cell research ever would, yet they are not controversial. Death or deep freeze is the fate of any embryo spared by the Bush policy from the indignity of contributing to medical progress.

"...It's not complicated. An embryo used in stem-cell research (and fertility treatments) is three to five days past conception. It consists of a few dozen cells that together are too small to be seen without a microscope. It has no consciousness, no self-awareness, no ability to feel love or pain. The smallest insect is far more human in every respect except potential."

To some, however, fertility clinics and even birth control are controversial because they view conception as the time when sperm and egg join together. As Kinsley says, "...If the microscopic dot is a human being with full human rights, the answer is easy: no stem-cell research."

He continues on, however, and labels them fanatics:

"But you don't have to be an abortion-rights advocate to reach the opposite conclusion. In fact, for abortion opponents whose views fall anywhere short of fanatical absolutism, the answer ought to be easy as well: full speed ahead (italics mine)."

The question for pro-life people to determine for themselves is "When does conception take place?" Then we have to determine how we turn that ideology into practical politics.

Sabotage at Milwaukee's Mitchell Airport?
Mood:  chillin'
Now Playing: Baseball Playoffs
Topic: Wisconsin
There is nothing on the web, yet, but television stations WTMJ and WITI in Milwaukee are reporting a power outage at Mitchell International Airport. Reports are that two transmission towers have crashed to the ground as a result of sabotage. More when it is available.

UPDATE: WVTV now reports:

"Two utility towers fell, near the 64-hundred block of South 13th Street, in South Milwaukee Saturday evening. American Transmission Company owns the towers. They say one fell over, and hit the second tower, causing it to fall as well. Thousands of people in South Milwaukee, Cudahy, Franklin and Oak Creek were without power, including Mitchell International Airport. Officials say they have contacted the FBI. They say the situation is suspicous, but cannot confirm that it is the result of sabotage, investigators are looking into it. WE Energies officials are working to restore power. The lights were back on at the airport around 8 p.m. Stay tuned to WB 18 News at Nine for the very latest."

This is echoed by a Journal Sentinel report, as well as WDJT.

Howard Wins Re-Election in Australia
Mood:  chillin'
Now Playing: Baseball Playoffs
Topic: Politics
In the first of three elections facing the major members of the Iraqi coalition, Australia's Prime Minister John Howard's coalition appears to have increased their majority.

"With more than 70 percent of votes tallied, Howard appeared likely to increase his government's majority in parliament -- exceeding most analysts' predictions that the result would be very tight.

"The [opposition] Labor Party had vowed to bring the roughly 900 Australian troops deployed in and around Iraq home by Christmas, while Howard insisted they will stay until Iraqis ask them to leave. Australian troops have not suffered any casualties and none have combat roles."

I wonder if this might bode well for Bush?

New Wisconsin Poll
Mood:  chillin'
Now Playing: Baseball playoffs
Topic: Politics
Thursday's Milwaukee Journal Sentinel had the results of "a poll by Harris Interactive, a well-known national polling organization. The poll was commissioned by the Wisconsin Policy Research Institute, a local think tank associated with conservative policies."

There were some interesting responses:

"Asked what is the most important problem facing Wisconsin, 17% of people responded by citing health issues, a much higher percentage than at any time the question was posed over the past 16 years.

"Taxes were cited by another 17% of people, which was down 5 percentage points from a year ago and among the lowest responses in all the years the poll has been done. Sixteen percent were concerned about unemployment and jobs, the same figure as a year ago and well above the long-term levels of concern about jobs."

Health care issues are uppermost in people's minds, as another question shows:

"Another indicator of the urgency attached to health care issues currently was the answers given when people were asked what issues should be given the most attention by state government.

"People were given six possible answers, and by far the largest number, 35%, selected the answer, 'controlling health care and prescription drug costs.'

"Attracting less support on that question were 'improving the state's economy' (17%), 'improving public education' (15%), 'reforming the tax system' (12%), 'placing spending limits on Wisconsin government agencies' (11%) and 'security from terrorist attacks' (7%). The remaining 3% gave a different answer or were not sure."

On another health care issue,

"an overwhelming 80% said it should be legal for Wisconsin residents to buy prescription drugs from Canada, with 17% opposed, another signal of the strong feelings attached to health issues."

Then the article moved into taxes and spending:

"People in the poll were asked, 'Would you favor or oppose a Wisconsin state constitutional amendment that would limit increases in spending by both state and local governments to the rate of inflation?'

"Overall, 67% said they favor an amendment, and 24% said they don't.

"There was majority support for the idea in every section of the state, ranging from a high of 75% in Waukesha County to 55% in the city of Milwaukee. Among people who identified themselves as Democrats, the idea was supported by 56%; among Republicans, support was 76%."

I know people feel that governments in general spend too much money. The question in my mind is if they feel all spending should be cut, or just the spending that doesn't relate to them. This poll didn't tell.

Then,

"On a second question related to taxes, people were asked, 'If the state continues to have a budget deficit, do you think the state should close it by cutting spending or raising taxes?' Seventy-eight percent of people favored cutting spending, and 14% supported raising taxes.

"And on a third question, 59% of people said that overall, they think Wisconsin's state government spends too much money, with 28% saying the state spends 'the right amount' and 6% saying it spends too little."

Very interesting responses.

Three Are Left
Mood:  chillin'
Now Playing: Debate Replay
Topic: History
With Gordon Cooper's death on Monday, only three of the original Mercury astronauts are still alive.

I grew up intensely interested in the space program. The space flights were covered exhaustively by the media. For a time, I even had a record of the highlights of John Glenn's three orbit flight. I wonder how much that would be worth now?

John Glenn, Scott Carpenter and Wally Schirra are the three remaining original astronauts.

Crowd at CNN Event Leans Democratic
Mood:  chillin'
Now Playing: Red Sox- Angels
Topic: Media Bias
I saw part of the program that is described here and would have to say that I agree:

"With the help of local civic organizations, CNN producers spent a week in Racine selecting 325 people they said were equal numbers of Bush supporters, Kerry fans and undecided voters. But judging by the applause that erupted during the meeting, the crowd tilted Democratic.

"Adviser Tucker Eskew, representing Bush, drew some crowd support but not nearly as much as Devine, especially when they were asked about Iraq and the economy.

"'I think this crowd is leaning Democratic,' said Marge Henze, a retired teacher and undecided voter.

"'In terms of applause, the Democrats are making more noise,' said Republican Jim Eastman, a former Racine alderman.

"The tilt appeared evident when a Racine businessman asked what the candidates would do about the outsourcing of jobs.
'We have lost thousands of jobs in Wisconsin,' he said. 'Outsourcing has handcuffed us.' "

"Torture of Terri Is Cruel and Inhuman"
Mood:  chillin'
Now Playing: Baseball Playoffs
Topic: Social Issues
Al Neuharth shows what I can only describe as ignorance in an editorial in USAToday about the Terri Schiavo case in Florida. He began with a series of questions:

"If your mind is dead and your body is being kept alive artificially, who should decide when or whether you're allowed to die in peace? Your wife or husband? Your children? Your parents? Your doctor? A politician?"

He then states the facts well enough:

"1990 - Terri Schiavo, then 26, collapsed and her heart stopped, temporarily cutting off blood flow to the brain. She has been in a persistent vegetative state ever since.

"* 1998 - After doctors repeatedly said there was no hope for Terri's recovery, her husband, Michael, filed a petition to remove her feeding tube. Her parents objected.

"* Since then, in a running court battle between husband, parents and politicians, her feeding tube has been removed twice and reinserted twice, once after two days, once after six days."

So far, so good. But then he decides to blame Gov. Jeb Bush of Florida.

"Bush and his political cronies are guilty of cruel and inhuman treatment of a helpless human."

No doubt Terri is being tortured. The question is who is doing the torturing. Gov. Bush got involved at the request of the parents when it appeared that Terri's feeding tube would be removed and she would be allowed to starve to death. He is acting on behalf of the parents--one of the people mentioned by Neuharth at the beginning of his piece.

Some issues remain to be investigated concerning the circumstances of Terri Shiavo's collapse in 1990.

There are some (notably those who are siding with Terri's parents) who contend she does respond to stimuli, something someone who was in a PVS would not do. The court has disagreed.

This site attempts to take a balanced look at the situation.

Mr. Neuharth's final words, however, are good advice:

"Here's how you can avoid something similar happening to you:

"Make a living will giving a relative or friend the right to decide when the time has come to let you die in peace if you are hopelessly terminally ill. A lawyer can draw that up for $100 or so. Most states even recognize a simple piece of paper you yourself can write and sign, if you have a witness."

There seem to be no easy answers in this case and many questions. The best course is to make sure you have a living will.

GOP Gets House to Nix Draft Bill 402-2
Mood:  cheeky
Now Playing: Baseball Playoffs
Topic: Politics
I'm not too sure about the headline, but this should put an end to all the draft talk:

"The House voted 402-2 to defeat the draft bill offered last year by Rep. Charles Rangel (news, bio, voting record), D-N.Y.

"Even he urged Democrats to vote against the bill, and charged Republicans were cynically trying to use the measure to escape election-season questions about the war in Iraq (news - web sites)."

Since Rangel voted against the bill he introduced, I wonder who's really being cynical?