Happy Halloween first of all. Seems here locally we have a bunch of tricking going on as it relates to RON yard signs and theft. It is a good sign that we are on the right track with these reforms to cause the opposition to go to such extremes as trying to limit free political speech, but I’d just as well see it stop. I’ve posted on this before, but wanted to use this space to ask for suggestions on how to prevent this and/or devious ideas everyone has that might, shall we say…uh…act as a deterrent.
Well, this article in today’s Toledo Blade gives you many.
YES on Issue 3? Here you go:
The success of Mr. Voinovich’s $8.7 million campaign, along with Republican Bob Taft’s $2.7 million bid for secretary of state, ignited a political machine that would dominate Ohio for the next 15 years – and nurture a network of donors who helped Mr. Bush win the state’s wallet and votes in 2004.
YES on Issue 4? OK:
With elections looming in 1990, Mr. Bennett focused his resources: By winning at least two of the three races for governor, auditor, and secretary of state, he knew Republicans would be able to redraw the legislative and congressional map to favor their candidates and notch a foothold of power.
Not only that, there are some good lessons for Ohio Dems in here as well:
The party’s two strongest candidates wanted the governorship. Mr. Bennett did not want a costly primary. He brokered a deal.
I would expect the current corrupt of the ruling party in the state would lead to the success of the RON initiatives, 2006 success, and a blue Ohio in 2008, but I also expect the nastiness and the money to continue to try to trump the will of the people who – given the polls – are welcoming change.
With the Republican establishment buckling from the rot of corruption, and the risk-averse Democratic leadership offering precious little leadership, Paul Hackett represents a rare alternative: a straight-shooting, independent-minded populist who is unafraid to call it as he sees it. He has already made clear how threatening he can be to Republicans. The question for Democrats is: Where Major Paul Hackett leads, do they have the guts to follow?
…but I think I may have. Bush makes his next SCOTUS pick in Samuel “Scalito” Alito (a favorite of conservatives CNN notes). Of course he did. I had a feeling about this. So we get a plant who gets ripped as being a crony and the real nominee steps up. All this just in time to be talked about during the expected Fitzgerald decision.
Charles Schumer hits the nail squarely on the head:
“It is sad that the president felt he had to pick a nominee likely to divide America instead of choosing a nominee in the mold of Sandra Day O’Connor, who would unify us,” the New York Democrat said.
Of course this pick had to be a right-wing nut job…Bushie was warned. Now we’ll hear all about how the Dems must not obstruct the process in this new and improved version of a SCOTUS pick. My ass. They better fight this one tooth and nail.
Stumbled upon my local Repub website tonight. I found this quite comical actually:
Don’t undo the Bush Victory last year…
Vote NO on State Issues 2, 3, 4, and 5.
Do they REALLY want to be pushing Bush right about now? Maybe they should have checked this first. Sounds to me as if some DO want to undo the Bush victory [laughs].
They link to a wonderful piece by Richard H. Finan in which he states (among other things):
Does anyone believe that voters are better served by faceless people on boards and commissions?
Dude. I’m voting against RON now…faceless people – yuck!
Or this gem:
The argument, then, is not that the state political systems do not need improvement. The argument is that Issues 2 through 5 are not improvements in either substance or place. They are, at worst, special-interest schemes or, at best, well-intentioned attempts to build a bridge too far.
This dude is a lawyer? Remind me of that name again – Finan – right. Note to self: “Finan, Richard H. Not to represent me in a court of law”. There. Whew! Richard….buddy. You said the system needs improvement, but then claimed RON could be well intentioned bridges too far? How far would you like to go my man? All the way up to just about nowhere? Right…
…I will spare you from the rest. But I will debate Richard anytime anywhere. Bring it.
Ed Schultz, one of the most important progressive voices in talk radio, is being prevented from being heard on Armed Forces Radio. Due to start on October 17th, the deal that had been struck (broadcasting the first of 3 hours of the show) was summarily nixed. Please join me in sending letters to your Senators and Representatives urging them to pressure the Pentagon to hold up their end of the deal.
Go to Gen. Wesley Clark’s site WesPAC and use their form letter tool. I recommend also saving them to print out and mail along with your emails. The GetActive tool is really nice and the letters come out formatted great!
Me? I’m not sure, but it certainly wouldn’t be on a crappy 1975 Ford Escort GL! Can we make a new rule? All the people who are silly rich have to be ingrained with the responsibility to use that wealth in a way that will change the world. That too much to ask? Sheeh. I’m sure the Pope would dig this rule.
One of the many things I took with me from my time at West Point was the Cadet Honor Code:
A cadet will not lie, cheat, steal, or tolerate those who do
Though some may think the first three hard and demanding a great deal of discipline and self control (they do), the last is the most important in my view. It requires not only holding yourself to a high standard, but having the courage (intestinal fortitude we called it) to stand up to others and hold them accountable should they try to get away with any of the first 3.
I call on all Progressives to adopt the Progressive Honor Code. In our effort to put forth our ideas, win elections, and gain political power, we should strive to not lie, cheat, or steal nor tolerate those who do. Now more than ever.
Tim at GrowOhio has two good posts (onetwo) about the math as it relates to Reform Ohio Now.
First is relative to State Issue 3 and money. The contrast is stark:
Ohio First has raised $2.2 million and has a grand total of 170 reported donors towards their effort. That’s an average contribution of $12,941 dollars to Ohio First. Reform Ohio Now’s average contribution? $545 dollars.
Second up relates to State Issue 4. A Dkos poster notes:
Number of votes for Republican congressional candidates in Ohio, 2004: 2,650,045
Number of votes for Democratic congressional candidates in Ohio, 2004: 2,514,479
Percentage of the vote won by the GOP Congressional candidates: 51.1%
Percentage of the vote won by the Democratic Party candidates: 48.5%
It has been a busy week keeping up with audio clips. While over at The Sherrod Brown Blog the crickets are chirping, there has been a flurry of activity as it relates to Paul Hackett this week. Let’s do a quick tally:
Of course, Brown06 tells us “the general public doesn’t care about this race yet, the candidates would be foolish to waste there time campaigning right now when nobody is listening”. Yeah, probably right. My bet is they are all busy reviewing Brown’s liberal voting record. Blogads vs. reaching out…there’s a difference.
Apparantly, the shit has been scared out of the Corruptlicans as they are now in full on frontal assault mode as it relates to RON. I’m talking activist insurgencies. 3 prime locations here in Delaware have seen RON signs disappear repeatedly. One location where I replaced a sign today was suspicioiusly close to where a new anti-RON sign had been placed. How odd. Another location driving down Sawmill Parkway saw two RON signs that had been spray painted black. Funny thing was today I noticed two NEW RON signs there [chuckles]. – Dennis I hope that was you
Now look, I have no problem if the republican party is scared shitless, goes out and buys signs at the last minute, and has people put them out…but steal my signs and we got problems. Don’t let me catch your ass or I will blog you into oblivion – and call the cops. Absolutely pathetic.
My LTE on Reform Ohio Now was published in the Delaware Gazette on Friday, October 28. Thanks to all over at Dkos who chimed in on the best wording, etc.
Big Ed will be broadcasting live from Columbus, Ohio at the Plumbers & Pipe Fitters Union # 189. Guests are General Wesley Clark, Major Paul Hackett, and from a PR I got Mayor Mike Coleman. I don’t see Mike on the Schultz site, but maybe he will in fact be there...they added him!
I will try to get down and give some updates…if you can make it love to see you give Ed some support. He’s a fresh voice and deserves our support. If you can’t, you can tune in on 1230AM or try the streaming audio.
…I might even try some mobloggin’
Update: Not gonna make it, but will try to get some sound clips up soon after the show!
Update 2: Got the audio…some good stuff. Ed is really great to listen to.
Best sound bytes:
“…spread democracy at the business end of an M16″
“I’m not drinking that Kool-Aid, I was there”
“Terrorism is an idea – and you can’t kill an idea just by killing bad guys”
“I don’t have to go to a Powerpoint presentation at the Pentagon to know that”
“Support the troops…brother I AM one of the troops”
“24/7…24 hours a week, 7 months a year” (referring to a Bush speech goof)
(hat tip to Tim at Democracy Guy) Tim Ryan’s endorsement of Hackett holds, despite being a close friend of Sherrod Brown. Ryan was one who encouraged Paul to run. Russo has the jist of it:
Ryan, who represents most of Mahoning and Trumbull counties, is keeping his word and supporting Hackett – who he calls “a hell of a candidate” – despite his close friendship with Brown. Ryan said his conversation with Brown about supporting Hackett wasn’t terribly pleasant, and he’s in a “sticky” situation…”We needed a good candidate, and we found a really good candidate,” Ryan said of Hackett. “If Sherrod got in before, I would have been the first one behind him. Just because it got complicated and tough, you still keep your word.”
Need More Reasons to Vote YES on 2, 3, 4, & 5?
by Eric on October 31, 2005 · Comments
Well, this article in today’s Toledo Blade gives you many.
YES on Issue 3? Here you go:
YES on Issue 4? OK:
Not only that, there are some good lessons for Ohio Dems in here as well:
I would expect the current corrupt of the ruling party in the state would lead to the success of the RON initiatives, 2006 success, and a blue Ohio in 2008, but I also expect the nastiness and the money to continue to try to trump the will of the people who – given the polls – are welcoming change.
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