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Words are my Weapon of choice and, Truth is my Shield

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Rick Warren... Good idea or not?

By Richard Owl Mirror - Dec 22nd, 2008 at 11:18 pm EST

Also listed in: 9 groups

"The decision to pick the controversial Reverend Rick Warren to deliver the invocation at his inauguration has angered many gay and lesbian groups."

I believe President-elect Obama could have served this nation better, had he invited Pastor Melissa Scott instead.

His Religious choice should not have had the taint of Politics attached. http://www.pastormelissascott.com/

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Abandon the Retirees and save todays workers ?

By Richard Owl Mirror - Dec 13th, 2008 at 1:28 am EST

Also listed in: 9 groups

The Rationale for allowing the US Auto Industry to fail ~ Can it be applied the US Federal Government?

Republicans Kill $14B Rescue Plan in effort to dismantle UAW Union

Within the above article is a discussion and a point of view I find interesting and wish to explore how people feel about it and it's implications.

Stu P., "The only way the Big 3 can compete with Toyota, etc. would be to get out from under the massive pension and related obligations to retired and soon-to-be-retired UAW workers."

Richard, Given the plight of the economy and the Debt incurred by the American Taxpayer, should the US Government rescind the benefits of US Service men and women? Revoke the health benefits and retirement of the millions of individuals in order to make the Federal Government a more financially viable entity ?

Let's start with those costly Survivor benefits
http://www.militarytimes.com/benefits/family_resources/online_hbml06_payandbenefits_otherbenefits1/

Then we can move on to money for housing and Education benefits.
http://www.militarytimes.com/benefits/

Imagine a leaner Federal Government without Military Veteran OBLIGATIONS to burden them.
http://www.militarytimes.com/benefits/health/

~@~

Given the tremendous debt out government is carrying and which the American citizen is libel to repay w/interest, I'm wondering if these Senate Republicans would be prepared to rescind the benefits to each and every Military veteran in an effort to trim the wasteful spending by our Government?

If it works for GM, Ford and Chrysler, wouldn't it also translate into a cost-savings effort by the Federal Government?

I really think these Senate Republicans are on to something, throw out any promises of care for services rendered and allow the former employees to fend for themselves.

After all those 300,000+ Auto Retirees are most likely service members from WWII, Korea, Veitnam who are drawing these Federal Benefits as well as Pensions from working their entire lives in the factories. If America is willing to toss them under the bus, why not go the whole way and assist the Federal Government in relieving itself of this burden?

Tad W. said, That's brilliant! When can we start?!

I'm afraid this measure would be met with resistance, calling it unjust because they earned the rewards of Health and Retirement benefits by their service.
I just wonder why those same people can't apply this measure to the Retirement costs burdening the Big 3?

I don't know the financial answers to these problems but, our entire social fabric was paved by people such as these 300,000+ retirees. People who fought in World War Two, returned and went to work creating the US Middle Class. Others remained behind and worked in those factories building the needed equipment for the war Effort, then continued working their whole life, retiring with dignity and financial security.
They were the pioneers of citizen involvement of the Stock Market. Their pension funds built the vast wealth which makes up the majority of investments.

Why are some so willing to throw them under the bus ?

I find it shameful and appalling. Republicans Kill $14B Rescue Plan in effort to dismantle UAW Union

Failed Bailout Batters Asian Stock Markets
Auto Bailout Bust Fuels Wall St. Anxiety
New Unemployment Claims Reach 26-Year High
White House May Ride To Detroit's Rescue

"The current weakened state of the economy is such that it could not withstand a body blow like a disorderly bankruptcy in the auto industry," White House press secretary Dana Perino said.

The Senate's rejection of the $14 billion rescue plan and further evidence of a deepening global recession made world stock markets plunge. U.S. stock index futures pointed to a big sell-off later on Wall Street. The Dow Jones industrial average was projected to drop 278 points, or 3.2 percent, to 8,292, while the broader Standard & Poor's 500 index was forecast to fall 33.80 points, or 3.9 percent, to 840.70.

"This is a colossal failure in leadership," Lansing Mayor Virg Bernero said on The Early Show. "It puts the economy closer to the cliff and I think we see that already in the reaction."

"I find it highly ironic to have Congress people lecturing the UAW about cutting their wages," Bernero told the The Early Show. "Why don't we put Congress people and senators on merit pay and see what they would be making. What has their productivity been? Give me a break."
Am I to understand that the approximate "332,000 retirees whose health care is covered by generous benefits negotiated since the end of World War II. " should simply lose those benefits in order to afford the current workers retain their jobs? Eliminating those benefits, would GM be competitive? Is that the solution. Kick all 332,000 retirees to the curb and tell them the promises made are null and void ? Imagine the effect on our economy when these 81,000 active UAW workers and 332,000 retirees default on their mortgages and file bankruptcy ? Add to that all the small businesses that depend on the local economy that these 81,000 active UAW workers and 332,000 retirees and their extended families frequent?
Those who believe they will be untouched by the failure of these three companies are in for a rude awakening. When the supply chain fails, those companies also supply Toyota, Honda and the others. Will Toyota, Honda have a supply problem leading to worker lay-offs in Alabama too ? Given the plight of the economy and the Debt incurred by the American Taxpayer, should the US Government recind the benefits of US Service men and women? Revoke the health benefits and retirement of the millions of individuals in order to make the Federal Government a more financially viable entity ?

Let's start with those costly Survivor benefits

Then we can move on to More money for housing and Education benefits.
http://www.militarytimes.com/benefits/

Imagine a leaner Federal Government without Military Veteran OBLIGATIONS to burden them.
http://www.militarytimes.com/benefits/health/ I think we need to cut off all benefits for every veteran.
After all, they got paid while they were employed, why should the Federal Gov. continue paying them after they quit or retired ?The Federal Government is the largest employer in this Nation, it too operates in a huge and ever expanding deficit. If We, the people were to eliminate this OBLIGATION, wouldn't OUR Company function better? Do US autoworkers really make $70 or more per hour in wages and benefits ?

Contrary to an often-repeated myth, UAW members at GM, Ford and Chrysler are not paid $73 an hour. The truth is, wages for UAW members range from about $14 per hour for newly hired workers to $28 per hour for assemblers. The $73 an hour figure is outdated and inaccurate. It includes not only the costs of health care, pensions and other compensation for current workers, but also includes the costs of pensions and health care for all of the retired workers, spread out over the active workforce. Obviously, active workers do not receive any of this compensation, so it is simply not accurate to describe it as part of their "earnings." Here's a very Partial list of media e-mail addresses.
Use it to contact the media.
http://www.opednews.com/mediacontact.htm Read More »

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Please Help Me, Help You !

By Richard Owl Mirror - Nov 25th, 2008 at 1:13 pm EST

Also listed in: 10 groups

The People of the State of Michigan enact: the Michigan Medical Marihuana Act.

With the recent passage of Michigan's LEGISLATION, the relative state department must Promulgate Rules by which to function effectively. While there is now hope where there was none, these rules will either assist or be a hindrance to the patient.

While this Law allows the patient or a "primary caregiver" to grow and provide the Marijuana for the patient, this dictates the patient or caregiver have the necessary skills, equipment, space, finances and time to dedicate to this task full time.

Under Michigan Law, a designated caregiver can assist up to 5 patients. This would serve to pool the resources together more efficiently, providing one space, shared equipment cost and presumably a designated "primary caregiver" who is a professional grower.

Today in California, of which the Michigan legislation was designed has had a set back handed down by their State Supreme Court which may affect the Promulgation of our Rules moving forward.

California Supreme Court Ruling Limits Medical Marijuana Distribution

November 24th, 2008
In an important legal case decided today that cannabis reform advocates have been waiting on for nearly two years, the California Supreme Court ruled that criminal defendants are not entitled to a defense as Proposition 215 (Prop 215) caregivers if their primary role is only to supply marijuana to patients.

"The Mentch decision highlights the inadequacy of California's current medical marijuana supply system," California NORML coordinator Dale Gieringer told the Indy Bay News . "The law needs to allow for professional licensed growers, as with other medicinal herbs."

Full text of the People vs. Mentch is found here

~@~

The problem with this decision as well as the system set up to provide a "primary caregiver" status is that now the California Supreme Court is mandating these caregivers be relatives, personal friends and attendants, nurses. There are two problems with this finding, first those designated are not qualified to grow Marijuana and the second issue is that of the allowance for a "primary caregiver" to assist up to 5 patients. How many of your relatives and personal friends know 5 people who are legally allowed by state law to use marijuana for medical purposes ? Now expand that criteria throughout the entire state and apply it to the individual families of patients.

Wanted: Full Time professional licensed growers

While I am confident that I shall be approved under the Michigan Medical Marihuana Act, as it is currently being developed I am afraid it will be of no use to me.
My individual circumstance is such that I live alone, in a one bedroom apartment on a fixed income which is under the level of poverty. Therefore I am unable to afford the cost of the equipment needed to grow marijuana indoors. I am unable to afford the cost of the energy needed to run a lighting system 24/7 for 90 days straight.
I have one friend who has served as a primary caregiver for me when I needed assistance yet, he knows absolutely nothing about growing marijuana. Plus, he barely has time due to his working two jobs just to support himself.
As this law stands today, passed by the people of Michigan, while I qualify for coverage under the law I am unable to take advantage of this program due to the stringent requirements related to growing the plants.
The Michigan Medical Marihuana Act rules have not been written as yet.
I wish to ask everyone to assist me by writing The Bureau of Health Professions (BHP) within the Michigan Department of Community Health (MDCH) and lend your voice on this issue with my concerns in mind.

http://www.michigan.gov/mdch

I believe the best way forward, under the conditions spelled out in this legislation is for patients to organize under cooperatives and collectives with Full Time professional licensed growers.
My preference would be to grow my marijuana in the soil, under the sun. That option is not allowed under this law because it calls for the marijuana to be grown in a locked, enclosed room.

Thank you for your time and consideration on this matter.

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What can I do to help my community, my Country, my President ?

By Richard Owl Mirror - Nov 10th, 2008 at 1:27 pm EST

Also listed in: 9 groups

I would like to begin a conversation among all my fellow Citizens in looking forward to this new day in America. Many of us may have asked ourselves, What can I do to help my community, my Country, my President ?

I will attempt to provide ideas and websites to assist in answering this question but, I'm going to need your help too. Please comment on how you might help your community, your Country, your President in making America's future bright, prosperous and united.

Now, there are many areas that each citizen participates on an individual scale which, when combined with the population as a whole can make a difference.

The largest impact the individual can have is in their purchases, both long term as well as the pack of gum or services we purchase each day. I believe if each citizen would take a more active role in deciding to purchase American, even locally produced good, this would contribute to our economy in a dramatic fashion.

Remember the argument that was used regarding the purchasing of Fur coats?

That for each piece of fur, strung together in making a coat, an animal not only died but, another animal is moved forward on the death row in anticipation of replacing the fur coat that was purchased. The same can be said of the tomato for your salad, the wood furniture for your bedroom, that 12 oz steak, sizzling on your grill.

Every item purchased with that hard-earned dollar in your hand will be replaced with a new one in hopes of further, expanded sales. If that tomato comes from your local farmer, that neighbor will have a dollar in his hand with which to purchase the widget your company manufactures. Or it will be replaced with a Chinese farmers tomato, a Brazilian Lumber company or a New Zealand cattle rancher.

Take the time, expend the effort to purchase products which will lead to a fellow American having a job. That will do more in "all boats rise together" than any other action you as an individual could contribute to society.

An idea I have, which I had hoped the government might consider is designating purchases made between manufacturers tax-free if the product is 100% 'made in america' and being assembled with other 'made in america' produced components.

Say that I make a 3 ft square wooden box. If I use 100% american forest products or an alternative and purchase screws with which to hold the sides together. The purchase of the screws would be tax-free if those screws were 'made in america'.

This could be feasible if 'made in america' products carry a bar code designating it official. In this way we could have a paper trail with which to enforce misuse of the tax code.

You could even expand this concept to the cans of soup and heads of lettuce for the consumer at the grocery store. Therefore the consumer could make the choice of purchasing an imported product and pay tax on that purchase or buy 'made in america' products and save the revenue from the tax-free purchase to pay their employees more per hour, invest in expansion efforts, etc.

~@~

Whether in our homes, our communities or our places of business, all of us can help influence the future of our region through simple choices.

~@~

I was planning on providing a plethora of links which you could use to answer the question: What can I do to help my community, my Country, my President ? but because the question is so wide ranging, search:"what can i do to help", I'll kindly ask each of you to conduct your own search and provide for the community a link we can follow.

Naturally, everyone knows how to use http://www.google.com/

I prefer a website called: http://www.webferret.com/

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Obfuscation of the facts for Political Gain is not what the Free Press is suppose to represent

By Richard Owl Mirror - Oct 30th, 2008 at 11:59 am EDT

Also listed in: 9 groups

Obfuscation of the facts for Political Gain is not what the Free Press is suppose to represent yet, for the most part during this election cycle that is precisely what is occurring. We all know the outrageous lies being perpetrated by the Republicans, they throw out so many falsehoods with abandon with the hope that the news media will not do their job in researching the facts. They rely upon the news media to simply print quotes, believing that as long as it gets printed, some of it may stick in the minds of the voters when they go to cast their ballot.

Here in Michigan we have a Ballot Proposal (1) which has been well crafted and has many safeguards put into effect to regulate the medicinal use of marijuana by verified patients in conjunction with their doctors assessment.

The opposition has been holding Press conferences alongside many prominent Law Enforcement personnel and local prosecutors. The problem is, they are not telling the voters the truth about the Proposal but, rather they are spreading false and unsubstantiated claims.

Here is one recent example.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KVWFlYXb6v4

~@~

The proposed Michigan law does not allow dispensaries.

This is a link to the full text of the initiative.

~@~

This morning I awoke to find an article in my local newspaper with the headline:

Officers fight legalized pot

By Gordon Wilczynski, Macomb Daily Staff Writer

The use of marijuana for medical purposes is a bad idea in Macomb County, according to top law enforcement officials who joined Wednesday to denounce Proposition 1.

continued, . . .

~@~

In the article, Eastpointe Police Chief Michael Lauretti, Macomb County Sheriff Mark Hackel, Macomb County Prosecutor Eric Smith and Kathy Rager, executive director of the Macomb Community Assessment Referral & Education Center, joined with Court of Appeals Judge Bill Schuette to urge people to vote against it, saying Proposition 1 is unregulated and dangerous.

This is a link to the full text of the initiative.

"Schuette said he is barnstorming across Michigan urging people to vote "no" on Proposition 1 because too many "yes" votes would lead to the opening of pot shops and smoking clubs."

The proposed Michigan law does not allow dispensaries.

Why is this falsehood being allowed to go unchallenged? Because I have found that the reporters who have covered this subject haven't read the Proposal for themselves but, rely on these individuals of authority to tell them the truth.

I went to the Macomb Daily Headquarters this morning and sat down with Gordon Wilczynski, Macomb Daily Staff Writer. He related to me that he was just doing his job in reporting what these individuals said at the Press Conference. He did tell me that he had not read the Proposal and would do so today. I am hopeful that after he reads the entire proposal, he will see that these highly regarded government officials are not arguing their opposition from truthful reflection of the actual proposed language but, are fostering a scare tactic by evoking concerns of rampant, wide spread abuse being allowed on our streets if this proposal is passed by the voters.

"There are more pot shops in California than Starbucks coffee shops," Schuette said. "Do we want that here in Michigan?"
Sheriff Hackel said there is nothing in the proposal to monitor the use of marijuana. He added the proposal could make marijuana use out of control if approved. "It has no place in Michigan,"
Hackel said. "I can't believe any parent would vote for it."
"I'm amazed at how poorly the proposal is written," Lauretti said.
"There is not one good element in this law."

This is a link to the full text of the initiative. The proposed Michigan law does not allow dispensaries.

Please assist me in exposing these lies being spread by those opposed to this Proposal. I do not mind if someone has a legitimate reason for being opposed to this legislation, as long as it has to do with the actual Proposal and not simply hyperbole and Obfuscation of the facts for Political Gain.

The Macomb Daily

100 Macomb Daily Drive
Mount Clemens, MI 48043

Main Office:
(586) 469-4510

Editorial page, Bill Ewald (e-mail)
Online Editor, Bill Fleming (e-mail)

Publisher, Jeffrey Parra (e-mail)
Executive Editor, Richard Kelley (e-mail)

Managing Editor, Ken Kish (e-mail)

~@~

Let the Macomb Daily know how you feel about this style of reporting which gives credence to authoritative figures who are not telling the voters the truth about Proposal 1 in their opposition to it's passage.

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Would you like to understand the Pakistan/Afghanistan culture better ?

By Richard Owl Mirror - Oct 28th, 2008 at 10:06 pm EDT

Also listed in: 9 groups

Hello everyone, I just wanted to pass along a link to a discussion that has become quite interesting. I wrote an article named: Seems Obama's broadcasting of intentions has gotten the Pakistan Government to Act

"Troops Take Town In Tribal Border Region Described As "Mega-Sanctuary" For Fighters"

Two Muslim's have joined the conversation, one individual having a detailed understanding of Pakistan, being a Pakistani and also Pashtun by blood.

If you are the type of person who strives to understand world affairs and why we are fighting and dying around the world, click this LINK and read the conversation. If you join Gather.com you can join in if you like.

.gather.com/MyGather#comments

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WARNING ~ "The Stop Obama Tour"

By Richard Owl Mirror - Oct 26th, 2008 at 12:26 am EDT

Also listed in: 9 groups

It appears there is a new phase of the campaign taking the lead.

Rumors of Palin Camp Forcefully Denies Report Of Internal Discord

This is occurring in tandem with the rise of a new external effort.

Conservative activists escalate 'doom and gloom' rhetoric as Nov. 4 nears By Eric Gorski and Rachel Zoll AP Religion Writers

Terrorist strikes on four American cities. Russia rolling into Eastern Europe. Israel hit by a nuclear bomb. Gay marriage in every state.
The end of the Boy Scouts.
All are plausible scenarios if Democrat Barack Obama is elected president, according to a new addition to the campaign conversation called "Letter from 2012 in Obama's America," produced by the conservative Christian group Focus on the Family Action.

A second effort I've noticed coming on with a vengeance is http://www.ourcountrydeservesbetter.com/
Come Support "The Stop Obama Tour" Oct. 15th - 29th

Welcome to the Our Country Deserves Better website. We are a national effort focused on defeating Barack Obama's presidential campaign because Obama would be a disastrous president.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jVl_GioeNNU

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vW2iZ1pD2G4

~@~

An extremely vitriolic campaign @ http://www.ourcountrydeservesbetter.com/ads/index.html

~@~

Has Senator John McCain been sidelined by the Religious Conservative wing of the Republican Party? Rumors have it that Gov Sarah Palin's nomination was demanded of Sen McCain. If I remember, he wanted Joe Lieberman.

Palin plays Wright card, but Dems say she has her own pastor issues

Sarah Palin is saying more attention should be paid to the Rev. Jeremiah Wright, Barack Obama's former pastor. Democrats counter that they are ready to fight back with their own barrage of guilt-by-association attacks.

ABC News: Palin's Religion Energizing GOP Faithful

How religion guides Palin -- chicagotribune.com

Newsweek Takes on Sarah Palin's Religion

Sarah Palin - Religion and Politics « End Times Prophetic ...

~@~

What is really going on?

Who is truly pulling the strings in the Republican Presidential campaign ?

http://www.focusonthefamily.com/

http://www.ourcountrydeservesbetter.com/

Sarah Palin blessed and protected by Thomas Muthee against all forms of witchcraft

The Politico reported that "stirrings of a Palin insurgency are complicating the campaign's already-tense internal dynamics." Reporter Ben Smith cited four sources close to the governor who said that Palin has "decided increasingly to disregard the advice of the former Bush aides tasked to handle her, creating occasionally tense situations as she travels the country with them."

Though Palin kept her distance from the traveling press throughout most of the campaign, the dynamic suddenly shifted last weekend, when she took questions from the media on three separate occasions over the course of two days.

~@~

This dynamic shift coincides with the arrival of http://www.focusonthefamily.com/ and http://www.ourcountrydeservesbetter.com/

Along with rising tensions brought about by Conservative activists spreading fear of Armageddon as well as The end of the Boy Scouts.

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Politics of Deception and Hypocrisy has become a "campaign of misinformation and rhetoric"

By Richard Owl Mirror - Oct 23rd, 2008 at 11:50 pm EDT

Also listed in: 9 groups

Hello Folks, this morning I was listening to a local radio show, the Frank Beckmann on WJR NEWS AM 760

Two individuals were on air discussing the Michigan Proposal 1 which is about legalizing Medical Marijuana in our state.

Dianne Byrum is an advocate for the passage of Proposal 1 and Bill Schuette is opposed to passage of Proposal 1

The Michigan Coalition for Compassionate Care (MCCC) is a grassroots organization devoted to passing Proposal 1, the medical marijuana initiative on the November 2008 ballot. Proposal 1 will protect seriously ill Michiganders suffering from illnesses like cancer, HIV/AIDS, and multiple sclerosis from the threat of arrest and jail for simply trying to alleviate their pain.

During the conversation, Bill Schuette made the age old claim that Marijuana use is a Gateway drug which leads to use of much harder drug use. Dianne Byrum, who has never smoked Marijuana asked Bill Schuette if he had ever smoked Marijuana. He responded YES, when he was in High School. He graduated in 1972 which places him in High School during 1968-1972, the height of the Youth movement in America.

She then commented that his previous use didn't appear to lead him to using hard drugs as he suggests with his argument that marijuana is a Gateway drug.

Bill Schuette became furious at the revealing of his obvious hypocrisy and said the conversation shouldn't be about him but, about what danger this Proposal 1 presents to the youth of Michigan.

We know that ridiculous claims have always been made by opponents of legalization of Marijuana. What bothers me is not that some people are opposed to this well-written Proposal but, that they can not conduct a discussion on the merits of their opposition. They feel they must spread falsehood and rumors in an effort to defeat this Proposal.

Before I continue, I would like to present the actual language which Michagan voters will be presented with. Please refer back to this as this conversation progresses.

STATE PROPOSAL - 08-1

A LEGISLATIVE INITIATIVE TO PERMIT THE USE AND CULTIVATION OF MARIJUANA FOR SPECIFIED MEDICAL CONDITIONS:

The proposed law would:

Permit physician approved use of marijuana by registered patients with debilitating medical conditions including cancer, glaucoma, HIV, AIDS, hepatitis C, MS and other conditions as may be approved by the Department of Community Health.

Permit registered individuals to grow limited amounts of marijuana for qualifying patients in an enclosed, locked facility.

Require Department of Community Health to establish an identification card system for patients qualified to use marijuana and individuals qualified to grow marijuana.

Permit registered and unregistered patients and primary caregivers to assert medical reasons for using marijuana as a defense to any prosecution involving marijuana.

Should this proposal be adopted? YES □ NO □

~@~

Medical Marijuana In The News

When Dr. George Wagoner, a retired obstetrician/gynecologist from Manistee, saw the suffering his wife of 51 years was enduring from her battle with ovarian cancer last year, he turned to marijuana to ease her pain. "During her chemotherapy she experienced intense nausea, and conventional anti-nausea drugs didn't help much. One drug cost $46.20 a pill and didn't help," said Dr. Wagoner. "Another made her hallucinate, so she refused to take it. Basically, pharmaceutical drugs were ineffective and the marijuana -- just a very small dose -- was most effective."
Dr. Wagoner and his wife are among many who have taken the path of using marijuana for medical purposes. However, in Michigan, they are breaking the law. On November 4, Ballot Proposal 1 will give Michigan voters the opportunity to legalize the use of marijuana for medical purposes. Currently, 12 other states have laws allowing the use of medical marijuana.

The above article goes on to describe the issues being brought up by the opposition.

One of the criticisms launched by those that oppose the legalization of medical marijuana is that it is simply just a step in the process for the outright legalization of marijuana.
Those in opposition also point to a pharmaceutical drug, Marinol, that accomplishes the same result. They point to the fact that Marinol is prescribed in doses, whereas smoking marijuana is not a controlled dose.

The Citizens Protecting Michigan's Kids point to their concerns if the proposal passes:

Allow use of marijuana without a doctor's prescription.
Allow a person arrested on any marijuana offense to use a "medical marijuana" defense in court.
Allow a flood of lawsuits over things such as whether doctors and hospitals must allow patients to smoke marijuana in a doctor's office or hospital room, despite every other law banning smoking.
Allow the opening of pot shops and smoking clubs in neighborhood strip malls, like has happened in California under a similar proposal.

Again, I ask you to refer to the Legislation above and compare it's language to the outragious claims being promoted by the opposition.

"I am not sure they have read the legislation, but everything they are suggesting has been addressed and they are taking half truths to scare the public,"

The use of medical marijuana under the proposed legislation would be only allowed for certain medical conditions and patients would have to receive authorization from their doctor to grow and smoke marijuana for their condition. The conditions covered, as well as some of the concerns from the opposition, are detailed in the legislation including the stiff penalties for violating marijuana laws.

Will pot be OK in workplace? ~ Foes say Prop 1 may allow use

LANSING - Newly organized opponents to Michigan's medical marijuana ballot proposal are raising red flags about the proposal, citing negative workplace implications if the measure passes.
A memo issued last week says the proposed law permits marijuana use in the workplace and warns of potential consequences such as increased employer liability and the inability to discipline employees who use marijuana in accordance with the act's medical treatment purposes.
But backers of Proposal 1 say the law clearly states that it does not require an employer to accommodate the ingestion of marijuana in the workplace or to accommodate any employee who is working under the influence of the drug.
"We don't believe it has any workplace impact," said Dianne Byrum, spokeswoman for the Michigan Coalition for Compassionate Care and partner at Byrum & Fisk Advocacy Communications in East Lansing.

PAID FOR WITH REGULATED FUNDS BY CITIZENS PROTECTING MICHIGAN'S KIDS

Police chief critical of marijuana measure

Howell Police Chief George Basar, president of the Michigan Association of Chiefs of Police, said Proposal 1 would make it easy for people to grow and use marijuana, and the lack of regulations would lead to more people, including children, using the drug.
He said the message is, "If you feel bad, let's sit around and smoke marijuana and get high."
Basar said there are associations of doctors, law enforcement and prosecuting attorneys opposed to this ballot issue.
He also said this measure is really aimed at a more sweeping change.
"This is the nose under the tent to the general legalization of marijuana," Basar said.
Supporters of the measure said that's not true.
Former state lawmaker Dianne Byrum, spokeswoman for the Michigan Coalition for Compassionate Care, said a community-based effort pushed for the statewide referendum to provide an option for patients who are experiencing pain due to disease or illness.
She said legalization is not the goal. She said other states have approved similar measures allowing for medical use of marijuana, and those states have not legalized marijuana.
Byrum said she met with numerous law enforcement officials this year to explain the ballot question, and she said many called the proposal "well-written." She said these officials knew about the issue for seven months and questioned why they would suddenly organize a "campaign of misinformation and rhetoric" to oppose the proposal.

Pot bill would bring chaos to Michigan
California shows why medical marijuana is dangerous
By Bill Schuette and Daniel Michael • October 10, 2008

A decade ago, voters in California approved a proposal to legalize marijuana smoking for so-called "medical" purposes. Today, even the proposal's most vocal supporters admit the California law has resulted in "chaos," "pot dealers in storefronts" and millions of dollars being dumped "into the criminal black market."
Proposal 1 on the Nov. 4 ballot in Michigan is just like the California law. While its stated intent, to help people in serious pain, is well meaning, Proposal 1's vague language, careless loopholes and dangerous consequences place Michigan communities and kids at risk. Michigan voters should reject it.
For doctors and hospitals, those on the front lines of medical care, Proposal 1 is "bad medicine." For one thing, Proposal 1 doesn't require a prescription.
Judge Bill Schuette is a member of the Michigan Court of Appeals. Dr. Daniel Michael is a Detroit neurosurgeon and speaker of the Michigan State Medical Society's House of Delegates.

OK, I realize it's a lot of reading but, I hope you have taken the time to review all the misinformation and rhetoric, deception and hypocrisy being perpetrated by those opposed to passage of Proposal 1.

Now, my simply presenting this information might be useful to a few readers of this article but, my hope is that you will take the information presented here and spread it around to others who care about this issue. We must combat this effort, each one of us so that their lies do not take root and serve to defeat this noble and compassionate legislation. Please send this article to anyone and everyone you know who can have an impact upon getting the word out on these tactics.

If you need truthful and honest information regarding this Proposal, please visit http://www.stoparrestingpatients.org/

Detroit Free Press, Detroit News, Lansing State Journal, Battle Creek Enquirer, Jackson City Patriot, and Detroit Metro Times Endorse Proposal 1

This is an issue of simple compassion and common sense, and is overwhelmingly supported by residents across the state - 67%, according to a September 2008 poll. And in each of five citywide medical marijuana votes - in Flint in 2007, Traverse City and Ferndale in 2005, and Ann Arbor and Detroit in 2004 - medical marijuana won in a landslide. To get involved today, please visit our Take Action page

Most importantly, please vote Yes on Proposal 1 on November 4, and encourage everyone you know to do the same!

~@~

In the spirit of full disclosure, I am a patient who will benefit from passage of Proposal 1. Yesterday I had to go to the Social Security office and take a number. I spent over 5 hours at the office and I had to make the decision not to take the synthetic morphine because I had to drive myself. That meant I spent over 8 hours in pain because I have no alternative. See I can't handle doing much of anything when I'm drugged up on the pain medication I'm given. When I do take the pain medication I'm given, the most I can do is sit in a chair and nod out off and on throughout the day. If I want to go grocery shopping, I have to skip taking my medication because I wouldn't be able to walk around the store.

Medical marijuana is not a miracle drug that is going to solve all our problems and, of course there are other drugs which patients will need to take but, mandating patients to taking only those drugs that are profitable to the Pharmacuticle Industry and the stock portfolio the doctors profit from isn't the answer.

This legislation is well-written and would allow me or, if needed, a caregiver I legally designate to grow my own Marijuana for my personal use. That means I won't be giving criminal enterprises money.

Please read the Legislation and do all you can to get the word out to vote YES on Proposal 1.

http://www.stoparrestingpatients.org/files/sap/L300-MILit-FINAL.pdf

http://www.stoparrestingpatients.org/videos

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Senator John Sydney McCain recently exclaimed ...

By Richard Owl Mirror - Oct 22nd, 2008 at 2:37 am EDT

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Senator John Sydney McCain recently exclaimed that the group called ACORN was involved in widespread voter registration fraud.
He even intimated that this threat was so far reaching, it would undermine the very fabric of Democracy.

Officials: FBI investigates ACORN for voter fraud
http://www.gopusa.com/news/2008/october/1017_fbi_acorn.shtml

WASHINGTON (AP) -- The FBI is investigating whether the community activist group ACORN helped foster voter registration fraud around the nation before the presidential election.
A senior law enforcement official confirmed the investigation to The Associated Press. A second senior law enforcement official says the FBI was looking at results of inquiries in several states, including a raid on ACORN's office in Las Vegas, for any evidence of a coordinated national effort.
Both officials spoke on condition of anonymity because Justice Department regulations forbid discussing ongoing investigations particularly so close to an election.
Two spokesmen for ACORN, the Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now, on Thursday said the FBI has not contacted the group. "ACORN has not been notified that we are the target of an investigation by any authorities -- nor should we be," spokesman

Kevin Whelan said in a statement. "ACORN members have done a good and patriotic thing by helping bring more than a million of their fellow citizens into our democratic process."
Republican accusations about the group were raised during Wednesday's presidential debate between Democrat Barack Obama and Republican candidate John McCain.

~@~

OK, so there was nothing to this hyper boil launched by the McCain/Palin campaign and a complicit Whitehouse who directed the FBI to investigate this charge and announce it in a very public way, even though doing so is against the law.

So, now for the very scary truth of the matter regarding voter fraud and voter suppression comes to light.

Block the Vote @ http://www.rollingstone.com/politics/story/23638322/block_the_vote
Will the GOP's campaign to deter new voters and discard Democratic ballots determine the next president?
ROBERT F. KENNEDY JR. & GREG PALAST ~ Oct 20, 2008
STEAL BACK YOUR VOTE INVESTIGATIVE COMIC BOOK

Rolling Stone - Block the Vote ~ October 20, 2008
http://www.gregpalast.com/block-the-vote/
http://www.gregpalast.com/sbyv/download/SBYV-Guide-100608.pdf
http://www.gregpalast.com/sbyv/download/Rolling_Stone_Palast_Kennedy_103008.pdf
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=azYH5qVH90M

Block the Vote ~ Transcript - September 1, 2006
http://www.pbs.org/now/transcript/235.html

~@~

It has come to light, the GOP and the McCain/Palin campaign have been caught red-handed committing real crimes of voter fraud and voter suppression across the Nation.

Owner of YPM Arrested for Voter Registration Fraud ~ Oct 20, 2008
http://blueherald.com/2008/10/owner-of-ypi-arrested-for-voter-registration-fraud/

BREAKING: CA GOP Vote Registration Contractor Arrested for Registration Fraud, Perjury
http://www.bradblog.com/?p=6534
http://www.latimes.com/news/politics/la-me-fraud18-2008oct18,0,3505611.story

The smoking gun on voter registration fraud: Nathan Sproul ~ Oct 13th, 2004
http://www.debatebothsides.com/showthread.php?t=13519

Voter Fraud Charges Out West
GOP Group Under Investigation In Oregon; Similar Charges In Nevada
TEMPE, Ariz., Oct. 14, 2004
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2004/10/14/politics/main649380.shtml

Voter Beware: Alleged Voter Registration Fraud ~ July 29, 2005
http://www.lasvegasnow.com/Global/story.asp?S=3639161&nav=168YcaPi

Nathan Sproul @ http://www.dkosopedia.com/wiki/Nathan_Sproul

GOP voter registration fraud: Mark Jacoby arrested, Nathan Sproul under investigation (again)
http://arizona.typepad.com/blog/2008/10/voter-registrat.html

McCain Employing GOP Operative Accused of Voter Registration Fraud ~ October 20, 2008
http://www.alternet.org/blogs/peek/103846/_mccain_employin...voter_registration_fraud/

Voters Outreach of America @ http://www.dkosopedia.com/wiki/Voters_Outreach_of_America

Voter suppression @ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Voter_suppression

~@~

Some Voters Improperly Removed From Rolls
Report: Ohio, Ind. Among 6 States Where Problem Found
http://www.wlwt.com/politics/17679991/detail.html

Hoosiers Being Improperly Purged From Voter Rolls ~ October 09, 2008
http://www.wbiw.com/election/archives/2008/10/hoosiers_being_improperly_purg.php

Over 1,000,000 voters purged in Indiana ~ May 05, 2008
http://markcrispinmiller.blogspot.com/2008/05/over-1000000-voters-purged-in-indiana.html

Joe the Plumber Purged from Ohio Voter Rolls ~ 10/16/2008
http://www.theyoungturks.com/story/2008/10/16/165745/86/Diary/Joe-the-Plumber-Purged-from-Ohio-Voter-Rolls
According to the Confidence in Voting Act of 2006, and the Ohio 30-day voter registration deadline, Joe the Plumber is not eligible to vote in the Presidential election this year.

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A Blog comment that deserves it own article of discussion, JOIN ME

By Richard Owl Mirror - Oct 18th, 2008 at 3:31 pm EDT

Also listed in: 9 groups

I write @ http://richardowlmirror.gather.com/

I wrote TRANSCRIPT: Sarah Palin visits "pro-America areas of this great nation"

In the ensuing discussion, I answered a comment left by one of my readers.

I'd like to present it to you because I believe it answers Sarah Palin's accusations best.

Hi Richard. What's wrong with AIP? I mean she simply believes in State's rights. :-P

Seriously, though, I think what she is meaning to say, is that she is visiting parts of the country that view the USA as a positive force in the world who believe in our missions in Iraq, Afghanistan, and elsewhere without apology, instead of describing our great land as "evil war mongers hell bent on destruction for the sake of oil" as some have described us. Or those who say we get what we deserve. I don't know if this is pro vs anti Americanism, but I think that is what she is trying to say. I always try to focus on the message and not the words.
Sveth Aris

~@~

Hi Sveth Aris, so are you intimating that a Patriot who stands up against governmental abuses and corruption is Anti-American ? If that is the case then isn't McCain/Palin Anti-American in their quest to sweep out the corrupting influences called the American Congress ?
Are all those who protested the "police action" known as Vietnam and have been proven right by history, anti-American ?
Am I to understand that when a Patriot petitions their government for redress on issues such as being spied upon in violation of US Law, they are anti-American?

I believe, an even more important question to ask is if Standing Bear (Ma-chu-nah-zah) was Anti-American ?

One of the greatest events in human rights history occurred when a man stood alone, challenging the United States government and its constitution, demanding the right to be treated equal to any other. His name was Standing Bear, chief of the Ponca’s, and his heroic story rivals the likes of any other civil rights proponent in American history.

Ponca Chief, Standing Bear: The First Native American Civil Rights Activist

How about those in America who are Challenging U.S. Human Rights Violations Since 9/11? Are they a part of that mystical, mythical portion of America which is Anti-American ?

I don't know for certain but, I can confidently surmise that McCain/Palin view James Bamford as residing in that mythical land of Anti-Americanism.
And most likely, Naomi Wolf when she talks about The End of America.

Probably, even ME
Richard Owl Mirror, Oct 18, 2008

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DEBATE QUESTION: Abortion and the "Health" of the Mother exception

By Richard Owl Mirror - Oct 16th, 2008 at 12:32 am EDT

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Folks, I'm going to post a selection of links regarding Abortion, Supreme Court and the Health of the Mother

I believe this is going to be the news out of this debate. I'll be writing more on this tomorrow but, until I do, maybe you want to have some resources for your own conversations. Sen McCain was dismissive, snide, demeaning and mean-spirited towards women regarding this "Health" of the Mother exception.

Roe v. Wade , 410 U.S. 113
Today's Health News Headlines
Partial Birth Abortion ~ What Can Christians Expect
Presidential Candidates' Statements on the Federal Abortion Ban
SUPREME COURT SIDESTEPS ABORTION RULING
PARTIAL-BIRTH ABORTION CASES HEARD BY THE SUPREME COURT
Bush Administration Sets Up Supreme Court Showdown on Abortion
Get Your Laws off My Body . . . of Constitutional Rights
Judicial Showdown: The Supreme Court Returns to the Abortion Debate

What is the consensus on a health exception for the Mother?

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Third and Final Debate ~ Will McCain go mean and nasty?

By Richard Owl Mirror - Oct 15th, 2008 at 9:43 am EDT

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The Republicans, desperate to smear Barack and try to build on their lies about his religion, insinuate that Barack Obama has a deep relationship with William Ayers. William Ayers was once a member of a radical group in the 1960s.

While "guilt by association" is one of the more bogus attacks in any political campaign, the attacks on Barack Obama over William Ayers are particularly "ridiculous," in the words of one Republican legislator from Illinois. The entire attack is based on their mutual membership in a highly respected organization, an educational foundation started by a Reagan supporter and boasting a membership of some of the most respected members of Illinois society, both Republicans and Democrats. Early in Barack Obama's career, he attended one reception in his own honor at Ayers' house. They also were separately asked by a Republican-created charitable organization to serve on that organization's board. And that's it.

Now, Senator John McCain has all but promised to bring this slanderous innuendo up during his final debate. Personally, I believe if he does it will be the final nail in his political coffin. I find it especially strange that the McCain/Palin campaign is pursuing this line of attack giving the ties both candidates have with equally repugnant individuals.

Senator John McCain considers himself "an old friend" of G. Gordon Liddy and as recently as November 2007 McCain said: "I'm proud of you, I'm proud of your family... It's always a pleasure for me to come on your program, Gordon, and congratulations on your continued success and adherence to the principles and philosophies that keep our nation great."
You may ask yourself, what are those "principles and philosophies that keep our nation great."?

Apparently Senator John McCain believes: "if the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms comes to disarm you and they are bearing arms, resist them with arms. Go for a head shot; they're going to be wearing bulletproof vests." ... "They've got a big target on there, ATF. Don't shoot at that, because they've got a vest on underneath that. Head shots, head shots.... Kill the sons of bitches.

And Senator John McCain's hand-picked running mate also has equally disturbing individuals in her life. Former Alaskan Independence Party chairman Mark Chryson said recently in an interview: "I've got enough weaponry to raise a small army in my basement," he said, clutching a 9-millimeter Makarov PM pistol in his palm. During the 1990s, when Chryson directed the AIP, he and another radical right-winger, Steve Stoll, played a quiet but pivotal role in electing Palin as mayor of Wasilla and shaping her political agenda afterward. Both Stoll and Chryson not only contributed to Palin's campaign financially, they played major behind-the-scenes roles in the Palin camp before, during and after her victory. The AIP was born of the vision of "Old Joe" Vogler, a hard-bitten former gold miner who hated the government of the United States. With sponsorship from the Islamic Republic of Iran, Vogler was scheduled to present his case for Alaskan secession before the United Nations General Assembly in the late spring of 1993. But before he could, Old Joe's long, strange political career ended tragically that May when he was murdered by a fellow secessionist.

With these verified associations in their past, why would Senator John McCain and Gov Sarah Palin pursue such a tactic ? I believe they feel it's their only chance at getting people to vote for their ticket. They are not offering issues or policies that the American people support so they intend to spread fear and confusion in the hope that you will vote for McCain/Palin.

Another strange association recently announced by the McCain/Palin campaign is the naming of William Timmons as his Presidential Transition Chief.

For those of you who do not know who William Timmons, he was once Assistant to President Gerald R. Ford for Legislative Affairs. More recently, he was implicated in the Oil for Food Scandal involving Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein. A U.N commission headed by former Federal Reserve Chairman Paul Volcker conducted an exhaustive investigation of the oil-for-food program, in which various individuals were found to have paid illegal kickbacks to Saddam Hussein. The findings of the Volcker Commission detail the roles of Vincent, Park and Timmons in trying to ease the sanctions. At one point, Timmons even boasted to investigators that it was his ideas that later became the basis for the United Nations' oil-for-food program.

One of the most outspoken critics in the U.S. Senate of the oil-for-food program was John McCain: "We need to have a full and complete cooperation on the part of the U.N. about this whole oil-for-food program, which stinks to high heaven," McCain told Fox News in Dec. 2004. "We're talking about billions and billions of dollars here that were diverted for many wrong purposes. And this is an example of corruption.

Why would Senator John McCain name the principle individual who facilitated Saddam Hussein in circumventing US sanctions which was a main cause for this Nation going to War because the funds he secured through this Oil for Food program gave him the needed funds to invest in the manufacturing of Weapons of Mass Destruction ?

Senator McCain will be asking Americans to review the tenuous relationship between Senator Obama and William Ayers, implying that his judgement is risky and dangerous for America. I believe given the above mentioned facts, America should ask the same question of the McCain/Palin campaign.

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McCain Transition Chief Aided Genocidal Terrorist Saddam Hussein

By Richard Owl Mirror - Oct 15th, 2008 at 9:41 am EDT

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Saddam Hussein committed Crimes against Humanity, Torture, Murder, Genocide.

This country has gone to war against him Twice and yet, John McCain has named to head his presidential transition team a lobbyist who was attempting to assist Saddam Hussein in circumventing US sanctions ?

McCain Transition Chief Aided Genocidal Terrorist Saddam Hussein

William Timmons, the Washington lobbyist who John McCain has named to head his presidential transition team, aided an influence effort on behalf of Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein to ease international sanctions against his regime.
The two lobbyists who Timmons worked closely with over a five year period on the lobbying campaign later either pleaded guilty to or were convicted of federal criminal charges that they had acted as unregistered agents of Saddam Hussein's government.
During the same period beginning in 1992, Timmons worked closely with the two lobbyists, Samir Vincent and Tongsun Park, on a previously unreported prospective deal with the Iraqis in which they hoped to be awarded a contract to purchase and resell Iraqi oil. Timmons, Vincent, and Park stood to share at least $45 million if the business deal went through.
Timmons' activities occurred in the years following the first Gulf War, when Washington considered Iraq to be a rogue enemy state and a sponsor of terrorism. His dealings on behalf of the deceased Iraqi leader stand in stark contrast to the views his current employer held at the time.
John McCain strongly supported the 1991 military action against Iraq, and as recently as Sunday described Saddam Hussein as a one-time menace to the region who had "stated categorically that he would acquire weapons of mass destruction, and he would use them wherever he could."
Timmons declined to comment for this story. An office manager who works for him said that he has made it his practice during his public career to never speak to the press. Timmons previously told investigators that he did not know that either Vincent or Park were acting as unregistered agents of Iraq. He also insisted that he did not fully understand just how closely the two men were tied to Saddam's regime while they collaborated.
But testimony and records made public during Park's criminal trial, as well as other information uncovered during a United Nations investigation, suggest just the opposite. Virtually everything Timmons did while working on the lobbying campaign was within days conveyed by Vincent to either one or both of Saddam Hussein's top aides, Tariq Aziz and Nizar Hamdoon. Vincent also testified that he almost always relayed input from the Iraqi aides back to Timmons.
Talking points that Timmons produced for the lobbyists to help ease the sanctions, for example, were reviewed ahead of time by Aziz, Vincent testified in court. Proposals that Timmons himself circulated to U.S. officials as part of the effort were written with the assistance of the Iraqi officials, and were also sent ahead of time with Timmons' approval to Aziz, other records show.

Moreover, there was a major financial incentive at play for Timmons. The multi-million dollar oil deal that he was pursuing with the two other lobbyists would only be possible if their efforts to ease sanctions against Iraq were successful.
continued, . . .

~@~

Imagine that, this William Timmons, the Washington lobbyist, if indeed it is the same William Timmons, was once Assistant to President Gerald R. Ford for Legislative Affairs.

He must have worked with Dick Cheney and Donald Rumsfeld back then, when they were first implementing the Imperial Executive approach to governing.

Oh Boy, this story just gets worse and worse ! continued, . . .

I wonder if I can find out if this man was one of the individuals who worked on the secretive Energy Task Force ?

Ok, enough speculation, let's get back to this story.

Vincent, an Iraqi-born American citizen with whom Timmons worked most closely, pleaded guilty to federal criminal charges in January 2005 that he had acted as an unregistered agent of Saddam Hussein's regime. Tongsun Park, the second lobbyist who Timmons worked closely with, was convicted by a federal jury in July 2006 on charges that he too violated the Foreign Agent Registration Act.
As part of a plea bargain agreement with the Justice Department, Vincent agreed to testify against Park and others in exchange for a reduced prison sentence. He was the government's chief witness against Park during Park's trial. Park was sentenced to five years in prison after his conviction.
A U.N commission headed by former Federal Reserve Chairman Paul Volcker conducted an exhaustive investigation of the oil-for-food program, in which various individuals were found to have paid illegal kickbacks to Saddam Hussein. The findings of the Volcker Commission detail the roles of Vincent, Park and Timmons in trying to ease the sanctions.
Timmons testified that he first introduced Vincent to Tongsun Park and encouraged him to hire Park to work on the deal.
At the time Timmons introduced the two men, Park's notorious background was well known:
In the 1970s, Park had admitted to making hundreds of thousands in payments and illegal campaign contributions to U.S. congressmen on behalf of the South Korean government. Park was indicted on 36 counts by a federal grand jury, but fled to South Korea before he could face trial. All of the charges were later dismissed in exchange for Park providing information about which public officials received funds from the South Korean government.
Perhaps unsurprisingly, not long after Timmons suggested that Vincent hire Park to assist their influence, lobbying, and back-channel diplomatic efforts on behalf of Saddam Hussein's government, much of that effort became increasingly bizarre, corrupt, and - on occasion - illegal.
Vincent testified that Park covertly received millions of dollars from Saddam's government that was supposed to be used to bribe then-U.N. Secretary General Boutros Boutros Ghali to ease international sanctions against Iraq. But both men simply pocketed the money, according to Vincent. (There is no evidence that Boutros Ghali even knew of Iraq's intention to bribe him.)
Investigations by the Justice Department and the Volcker commission disclosed that Park also served as the middleman for a million dollar payment that investigators believed was a bribe for another senior United Nations official. That official in fact admitted receiving the money from Park, but said he did not know that the funds originated with Saddam's regime.

~@~

There is about 30 more inches of this story, I'll skip to the conclusion.

At one point, Timmons even boasted to investigators that it was his ideas that later became the basis for the United Nations' oil-for-food program.
Under that program, the United Nations allowed Iraq to sell its oil under U.N. supervision, with the proceeds placed in U.N. escrow accounts to buy food, medicine, and other humanitarian goods for the Iraqi people.
However, a major flaw in the program was that Saddam Hussein's regime was allowed to play a role in the selection of oil companies awarded contracts. Because of lax oversight of the program, Saddam's government was able to demand that foreign oil companies -- including American ones -- provide more than $1.7 billion in kickbacks to his regime.
One of the most outspoken critics in the U.S. Senate of the oil-for-food program was John McCain:
"We need to have a full and complete cooperation on the part of the U.N. about this whole oil-for-food program, which stinks to high heaven," McCain told Fox Newsin Dec. 2004. "We're talking about billions and billions of dollars here that were diverted for many wrong purposes. And this is an example of corruption.

~@~

OK, so is this where John McCain first met William Timmons ? By demanding an investigation into his illegal activities ? And today he has him heading his presidential transition team ?

Certainly sounds like John McCain is a kept man.

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SARAH PALIN is NOT who you have been led to believe she is !

By Richard Owl Mirror - Oct 15th, 2008 at 9:39 am EDT

Also listed in: 9 groups

Sarah Palin advertising at the 1999 AIP State Fair

Investigation ties Palin to 'extreme right-wing fringe'

Sarah Palin Palling with Secessionist

The Palins' Un-American Activities

Palin addresses AIP 2008 convention

The Alaskan Independence Party has historically supported Alaska's secession from the "lower 48" states in the federal union. The AIP continues to support that agenda, even at the time of Palin's address, which was in close approximation to her nomination as a Vice Presidential candidate for the 2008 federal campaign. The AIP also supports other extreme positions on its party agenda.

~@~

What Palin's '90s dalliances tell us now ~ October 13, 2008

I wanted to offer a little deeper detail on the report in Salon that Max Blumenthal and I put together on Sarah Palin's radical-right friends in Wasilla and the extent to which they worked together -- partly because some of the details reveal a good deal about Palin's approach to governance.

As the story explains, when Palin was elected mayor in 1996, one of her first acts was to attempt to fill her former city council seat by appointing one of the leaders of the town's Bircherite faction, Steve Stoll. She was blocked in that effort by a single vote from former councilman Nick Carney.

Here's a PDF of the minutes from that meeting. What's particularly noteworthy is that Palin was on the verge of ramming the appointment through over Carney's head.
~@~
The report is now complete and can be read in its entirety at Salon.com. You can also see above the video Max made of his interview with one of the faction's main leaders, a man named Mark Chryson, who headed up the secessionist Alaskan Independence Party during the same time period. It pretty much speaks for itself.

Essentially here's what we found:
That Gov. Palin, when a Wasilla city council member, formed an alliance with some of the more radical far-right citizens in Wasilla and vicinity, particularly members of the secessionist Alaskan Independence Party who were allied with local John Birch Society activists. These activists played an important role in her election as Wasilla mayor in 1996.
Once mayor, one of Mrs. Palin's first acts was to attempt to appoint one of these extremists (a man named Steve Stoll) to her own seat on the city council. This was a man with a history of disrupting city council meetings with intimidating behavior. She was blocked by a single city council member.
Afterward, Mrs. Palin fired the city's museum director at the behest of this faction.
She fomented an ultimately successful effort to derail a piece of local gun-control legislation which would simply have prohibited the open carry of firearms into schools, liquor stores, libraries, courthouses and the like. The people recruited to shout this ordinance down included these same figures, notably the local AIP representative (who became the AIP's chairman that same year).
She remained associated politically with the local AIP/Birch faction throughout her tenure as mayor on other issues, particularly a successful effort to amend the Alaska Constitution to prohibit local governments from issuing any local gun-control ordinances.

In general, we found that not only did Mrs. Palin have numerous associations with these extremists, she actively sought to empower them locally and to enact their agendas both locally and on a state level.

We sent an e-mail to the McCain/Palin campaign asking for their reaction to these findings, and have so far received no response. If and when we do, we'll update.

We haven't any insight into Palin's accusations that Barack Obama "palled around with terrorists" by associating with William Ayers. But we do know there are serious questions about her own dalliances with the far right during the same time period. We didn't find any evidence that Palin herself subscribed to their "New World Order" conspiracy theories, but it's clear she was comfortable with not only aligning herself with them politically, but putting them in positions of actual political power and influence.

I'll be back tomorrow with some City of Wasilla documents you can peruse on your own substantiating our findings.

UPDATE: Max Blumenthal appeared on Rachel Maddow to discuss this article. Video shortly.
~@~

This is who Senator John McCain has presented to be literally one heart beat away from the Presidency of the United States of America ?

Personally, I believe this selection has been forced upon Senator McCain along with the recent announcement of his Transition Chief, William Timmons.

Who is pulling Presidential Candidate John McCain's strings?

Is America willing to allow these type of people to maintain control over Our Government or will the people rise up and break the cycle of their influence ?

If you love this country and the freedoms we currently enjoy, spread the word about both Sarah Palin and William Timmons.

We can not afford to allow this to take place!

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Sarah Palin and The Danger Of Causing A Christian to Sin

By Richard Owl Mirror - Oct 11th, 2008 at 6:27 pm EDT

Also listed in: 9 groups

I wrote an article this morning regarding Sarah Palin blurred the line between church and state as Mayor and Governor ?

It discusses: WASILLA, Alaska -- The camera closes in on Sarah Palin speaking to young missionaries, vowing from the pulpit to do her part to implement God's will from the governor's office.

It continued with examples of her behavior while Mayor and Governor even her having Ousting her own mother-in-law, Faye Palin from the Valley Hospital's board because she wasn't as strong against abortion as she liked. Of course Federal Law mandated the Hospital allow LEGAL abortions yet, Sarah wouldn't have any of that stand in her way.

If you would like to read my full article, please click the link above.

One of the individuals who left a comment said:

Military units have chaplins. Jews and different sects of Christians do not seem to mind. Usually the chaplin tries to honor all religions.

When a president goes to church, secret service men go with him; he is taken to church in a motorcade. All of this is at taxpayer expense.

When Obama goes to the White house, Revenend Wright will go with him. Maybe Tony Rizzo and Bill Ayers will attend. It will look like a convention of scoundrels. Mary Ann S., Oct 11, 2008

So, naturally I had to respond and this is how I did so. I hope you will also use this response and the associated LINKS whenever and wherever you find yourself confronted by this same mentality.

Mary Ann S., You were making sense, until you had to spread lies like: When Obama goes to the White house, Revenend Wright will go with him. Maybe Tony Rizzo and Bill Ayers will attend. It will look like a convention of scoundrels.

People may become upset by the articles I post, even annon giving low ratings but, you can't say I've stooped to LYING.

The Sin of Lying

"The Sin of Lying'' is one of the most damnable and common sins of the human race. More people have been guilty of lying, in some form or other, than of any other sin which man has ever committed; and there is no doubt as to the final consequences of this sin if it is not repented of before one dies. The Bible plainly informs us that "ALL liars, SHALL HAVE their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone,'' (Rev. 21:8).

The Danger Of Causing A Christian to Sin
Introduction: If some one were to ask you, "What is the sin of all sins?" How would you answer? You may say, "The sin of unbelief is the sin of all sins," or you may say, "The sin of adultery is the sin of all sins." Some would say, "The sin of lying or pride" some might say, "No sin is greater than any other sin." But there is one sin greater than all the others and that is the sin of causing another person to sin. The reason it is the sin of all sin is because of its far-reaching effects. When you teach one person to sin, they teach another, who teaches another and soon you have set a train in motion with an unforeseeable end. In our passage today Jesus is warning us of "The Danger of Causing a Christian to Sin."

McCain Forced To Defend Obama After Rhetoric Backfires!

Notice the LIE which the woman perpetuated, (Obama is an Arab/Muslin) most likely having heard it repeatedly on Talk Radio and other supporters of McCain/Palin.
The Danger Of Causing A Christian to Sin
This is being perpetuated throughout America from the Republican Party.
Should these people be held accountable ?
(Religious Rights proponents)

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McCain's "own Bill Ayers"? ~ G. Gordon Liddy

By Richard Owl Mirror - Oct 5th, 2008 at 1:56 am EDT

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On October 4, The New York Times published a 2,140-word front-page article about Sen. Barack Obama's association with former Weather Underground member William Ayers -- at least the 18th Times article this year mentioning that association. But the Times has yet to mention, let alone devote an entire article to, Sen. John McCain's relationship with radio host and convicted Watergate burglar G. Gordon Liddy.

As Media Matters for America has noted, Liddy served four and a half years in prison in connection with his conviction for his role in the Watergate break-in and the break-in at the office of the psychiatrist of Daniel Ellsberg, the military analyst who leaked the Pentagon Papers. Liddy has acknowledged preparing to kill someone during the Ellsberg break-in "if necessary"; plotting to murder journalist Jack Anderson; plotting with a "gangland figure" to murder Howard Hunt to stop him from cooperating with investigators; plotting to firebomb the Brookings Institution; and plotting to kidnap "leftist guerillas" at the 1972 Republican National Convention -- a plan he outlined to the Nixon administration using terminology borrowed from the Nazis. (The murder, firebombing, and kidnapping plots were never carried out; the break-ins were.) During the 1990s, Liddy reportedly instructed his radio audience on multiple occasions on how to shoot Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms agents and also reportedly said he had named his shooting targets after Bill and Hillary Clinton.

Liddy has donated $5,000 to McCain's campaigns since 1998, including $1,000 in February 2008. In addition, McCain has appeared on Liddy's radio show during the presidential campaign, including as recently as May. An online video labeled "John McCain On The G. Gordon Liddy Show 11/8/07" includes a discussion between Liddy and McCain, whom Liddy described as an "old friend." During the segment, McCain praised Liddy's "adherence to the principles and philosophies that keep our nation great," said he was "proud" of Liddy, and said that "it's always a pleasure for me to come on your program."

Additionally, in 1998, Liddy reportedly held a fundraiser at his home for McCain. Liddy was reportedly scheduled to speak at another fundraiser for McCain in 2000. The Charlotte Observer reported on January 23, 2000, that McCain's campaign vouched for Liddy's "character":

His [McCain's] campaign officials said Liddy's character will appeal to many voters because he was following orders from President Nixon and kept silent afterward.
"His (Liddy's) judgment might be in question, but I don't think his character is," said Ed Walker, the York County chairman of McCain's campaign. "He was following orders just like any good soldier, and he didn't tell on anybody. He felt like he was on a mission and kept his silence."

Liddy's 2000 speech was reportedly canceled due to bad weather.

Media Matters has documented that as of September 19, the Times had published 15 news articles and four opinion pieces referencing Obama's ties to Ayers. Since then, in addition to the October 4 article, the Times has published two more articles mentioning the association.

But despite having apparently judged Chapman's opinions on the candidates' controversial associations as being newsworthy, the Times has ignored entirely McCain's relationship with Liddy, according to a search of the Nexis database from January 1 through October 4*.

In his May 4 Tribune column, Chapman wrote:

What McCain didn't mention is that he has his own Bill Ayers -- in the form of G. Gordon Liddy. Now a conservative radio talk-show host, Liddy spent more than 4 years in prison for his role in the 1972 Watergate burglary. That was just one element of what Liddy did, and proposed to do, in a secret White House effort to subvert the Constitution. Far from repudiating him, McCain has embraced him.
How close are McCain and Liddy? At least as close as Obama and Ayers appear to be. In 1998, Liddy's home was the site of a McCain fundraiser. Over the years, he has made at least four contributions totaling $5,000 to the senator's campaigns -- including $1,000 this year.
Last November, McCain went on his radio show. Liddy greeted him as "an old friend," and McCain sounded like one. "I'm proud of you, I'm proud of your family," he gushed. "It's always a pleasure for me to come on your program, Gordon, and congratulations on your continued success and adherence to the principles and philosophies that keep our nation great."
Which principles would those be? The ones that told Liddy it was fine to break into the office of the Democratic National Committee to plant bugs and photograph documents? The ones that made him propose to kidnap anti-war activists so they couldn't disrupt the 1972 Republican National Convention? The ones that inspired him to plan the murder (never carried out) of an unfriendly newspaper columnist?
Liddy was in the thick of the biggest political scandal in American history -- and one of the greatest threats to the rule of law. He has said he has no regrets about what he did, insisting that he went to jail as "a prisoner of war."
All this may sound like ancient history. But it's from the same era as the bombings Ayers helped carry out as a member of the Weather Underground. And Liddy's penchant for extreme solutions has not abated.
[...]
Given Liddy's record, it's hard to see why McCain would touch him with a 10-foot pole. On the contrary, he should be returning his donations and shunning his show. Yet the senator shows no qualms about associating with Liddy -- or celebrating his service to their common cause.
How does McCain explain his howling hypocrisy on the subject? He doesn't. I made repeated inquiries to his campaign aides, which they refused to acknowledge, much less answer. On this topic, the pilot of the Straight Talk Express would rather stay parked in the garage.
That's an odd policy for someone who is so forthright about his rival's responsibility. McCain thinks Obama should apologize for associating with a criminal extremist. To which Obama might reply: After you.

And in an August 22 blog post about an anti-Obama ad highlighting Obama's association to Ayers, Chapman wrote:

But conservatives may not want to draw attention to the issue of ties to violent radicals -- since John McCain is longtime pals with convicted Watergate burglar Gordon Liddy, who once plotted a journalist's murder (which was never carried out) and has advocated the shooting of federal law enforcement agents.
If Obama needs to answer questions about Ayers, McCain has the same obligation regarding Liddy. How about they both get started?

From The New York Times' October 4 article "Obama and '60s Bomber: A Look Into Crossed Paths":

Their relationship has become a touchstone for opponents of Mr. Obama, the Democratic senator, in his bid for the presidency. Video clips on YouTube, including a new advertisement that was broadcast on Friday, juxtapose Mr. Obama's face with the young Mr. Ayers or grainy shots of the bombings.
In a televised interview last spring, Senator John McCain, Mr. Obama's Republican rival, asked, "How can you countenance someone who was engaged in bombings that could have or did kill innocent people?"
[...]
Since earning a doctorate in education at Columbia in 1987, Mr. Ayers has been a professor of education at the University of Illinois at Chicago, the author or editor of 15 books, and an advocate of school reform.
"He's done a lot of good in this city and nationally," Mayor Richard M. Daley said in an interview this week, explaining that he has long consulted Mr. Ayers on school issues. Mr. Daley, whose father was Chicago's mayor during the street violence accompanying the 1968 Democratic National Convention and the so-called Days of Rage the following year, said he saw the bombings of that time in the context of a polarized and turbulent era.
"This is 2008," Mr. Daley said. "People make mistakes. You judge a person by his whole life."
That attitude is widely shared in Chicago, but it is not universal. Steve Chapman, a columnist for The Chicago Tribune, defended Mr. Obama's relationship with the Rev. Jeremiah A. Wright Jr., his longtime pastor, whose black liberation theology and "God damn America" sermon became notorious last spring. But he denounced Mr. Obama for associating with Mr. Ayers, whom he said the University of Illinois should never have hired.
"I don't think there's a statute of limitations on terrorist bombings," Mr. Chapman said in an interview, speaking not of the law but of political and moral implications.
"If you're in public life, you ought to say, 'I don't want to be associated with this guy,' " Mr. Chapman said. "If John McCain had a long association with a guy who'd bombed abortion clinics, I don't think people would say, 'That's ancient history.' "

~@~

All of the above information was delivered to me in an e-mail today.

Why is the NY Times continuing to ignore McCain's "own Bill Ayers"?

http://mediamatters.org/items/200810040004

Do you believe the comparison is accurate and deserving ?

Should Senator John McCain come clean on this issue ?

Palin Claims Obama's Linked To Terrorist
Then she promptly transitioned into attacking Barack Obama for his relationship with William Ayers, a founder of the Weather Underground movement in the 1960s. Palin mentioned a story about the relationship that appeared in Saturday’s New York Times, which the Obama campaign says actually showed the relationship between Obama and Ayers added up to far less than a friendship.

“Our opponent is someone who sees America as imperfect enough to pal around with terrorists who target their own country,” Palin said.
Read More »

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No Shirt, No Shoes, No Vote? ~ Will Dress Code Affect Your Right To Vote?

By Richard Owl Mirror - Oct 5th, 2008 at 1:53 am EDT

Also listed in: 10 groups

No Shirt, No Shoes, No Vote? ~ Will Dress Code Affect Your Right To Vote?

(CBS/AP) In Pennsylvania, two Pittsburgh-area elections officials are suing to permit a dress code at polling places, after a Pennsylvania Department of State memo advised counties last month that voters' attire doesn't matter.

In Virginia, where backers of both Barack Obama and John McCain are pushing for registration of college students in this battleground state, many students were wrongly advised by officials that registering could adversely affect their parents' taxes.

In Michigan, campaign officials are suing to prevent lists of foreclosed homes being used to prevent voters from voting at their local precinct.

And in Ohio, a legal skirmish over same-day registration and voting has not prevented hundreds from casting absentee ballots a month before Election Day, even though they do not plan on bring out of state come November 4.

Across the country, voter registration leading up to a highly-anticipated presidential election has been up, but so are concerns that bureaucracy, misreadings of election law, or just plain stupid mistakes may cost many Americans their right to exercise their vote.

continued . . .

~@~

Interestingly, the four states mentioned are states that Senator Obama is leading in the Polls.

Pennsylvania, Virginia, Michigan and Ohio

Pennsylvanian Sue Nace thought election volunteers were joking last spring when they told her she would have to remove her T-shirt to vote in the U.S. presidential primary.
But it was no laughing matter to the poll workers-turned-fashion police, who said Nace's Barack Obama shirt was inappropriate electioneering - and made her cover the writing before casting a ballot.
At least four states - Maine, Montana, Vermont and Kansas- explicitly prohibit wearing campaign buttons, stickers and badges inside polling places, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures and state officials.

In Kentucky, elections officials last month told poll workers they should admit voters decked out in campaign apparel, after e-mails circulated warning that Obama supporters would be turned away if they wore shirts and pins.

Sorry, You've Been De-Registered

To obtain an absentee ballot, an absentee application form may be submitted. Because of a printing error on an application form sent out by the McCain campaign in several states, thousands of voters who requested absentees were rejected if the voter failed to check a box that needn't have been on the form in the first place.
http://www.canivote.org/
http://www.votersunite.org/info/RegInfo.asp

Lost Your House, Lost Your Vote?

Michigan election officials say they will remind local clerks that home foreclosure lists are not sufficient to challenge voting status.
State elections director Chris Thomas said foreclosure lists alone aren't enough to contest a voter's residence. A person whose home is in the foreclosure process still could be living at the address on the foreclosure list.
The notice could ease an ongoing flap about disputed allegations of possible challenges to Michigan voters in Macomb County, considered a possible key area in the presidential contest between Democrat Barack Obama and Republican John McCain.
The Obama campaign filed a lawsuit to prevent the Michigan GOP from using foreclosure lists as a residency challenge.
Marion County GOP Chairman Tom John told the Indianapolis Star that while his party has no plans to pursue such challenges, he wouldn't rule it out.
"I think it would be a solid basis for asking someone to vote provisionally," John said.

Old Enough To Vote, But Not Here?

In late August, a notice by a Montgomery County election official aimed at clarifying the voter registration process for Virginia Tech students actually mislead potential voters, creating a firestorm. It read in part,

"The Code of Virginia states that a student must declare a legal residence in order to register. A legal residence can be either a student's permanent address from home or their current college residence. By making Montgomery County your permanent residence, you have declared your independence from your parents and can no longer be claimed as a dependent on their income tax filings."

The statement also warned that students could lose their scholarships as the result of an address change.

After the IRS disputed the tax claims, the official released another notice which clarified some aspects but still caused concern that students would not be allowed to vote, in part because of the vagaries of declaring an "abode" and a "domicile."

~@~

Who in their right mind, anywhere in the United States could vote for a candidate who will resort to such tactics as trying to keep citizens from voting through deception? I hope you will pass along these tips to inform people who might be affected as well as letting voters know the lengths the Republican Party and John McCain are willing to go in preventing them from their Constitutional Right to Vote.

http://moritzlaw.osu.edu/electionlaw/news.php

http://moritzlaw.osu.edu/electionlaw/states.php

http://moritzlaw.osu.edu/electionlaw/topics.php

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Achieving Victory through a campaign of gratuitous cruelty

By Richard Owl Mirror - Oct 5th, 2008 at 1:50 am EDT

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My friends, I wish to ask the question, why Senator McCain seems to have embarked upon a spiteful campaign whereby he intends to achieve victory through a campaign of gratuitous cruelty?

A great leader should be able to present their ideas and policy proposals as if they do not have any competition. Relying upon the merit of their ideas and policies to garner the votes necessary to win. Senator John McCain seems to be relying upon a tactic of merely tearing apart his opponents life and character as a means of attaining victory despite his lack of ideas and policies which might be beneficial to the American People.

Senator Barack Obama has lead his campaign with thoughtfully revealing his plan of action, his policies and vision in hopefully bringing social justice to the American people. Wanting each of us to prosper and grow as citizens. He has challenged us to participate in this movement towards achieving social justice, allowing for the result of all boats rise with the tide.

Senator Obama has been able to develop innovative approaches to challenge the status quo and get results. Americans are tired of divisive ideological politics, which is why Senator Obama has reached out to Republicans to find areas of common ground. He has tried to break partisan logjams and take on seemingly intractable problems. During his tenure in Washington and in the Illinois State Senate, Barack Obama has accumulated a record of bipartisan success.

~@~

http://www.johnmccain.com/Informing/Multimedia/

I invite you to click the above link to John McCain & Sarah Palin website.

They offer nothing except gratuitous cruelty as their platform in tempting you to vote for them. Nothing about their plans for America, just mean-spirited campaign ad's which are designed to tear down the opponent. What type of campaign is that ?

Each one ends with "I'm John McCain and I approve this message"

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White House Looks For New Strategy In Afghanistan

By Richard Owl Mirror - Oct 2nd, 2008 at 11:44 am EDT

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White House Looks For New Strategy In Afghanistan

Morning Edition, October 2, 2008 · The Bush administration is drawing up a new strategy for Afghanistan, an effort that comes as the top U.S. commander there, Gen. David McKiernan, issues another call for more troops to help stem the insurgency.

When the U.S. military first entered the country in late 2001, it made some quick and impressive gains, toppling the Taliban and driving them from their strongholds.

Since then, with the White House focused mainly on Iraq, the situation in Afghanistan has steadily deteriorated. McKiernan, the overall commander of NATO forces in Afghanistan, says this past year has been particularly bad.

"I think we are in a very tough fight - a tough counterinsurgency fight," McKiernan says. "We're [at] a higher level of violence this year than we were this time last year. We are seeing a greater amount of insecurity in certain areas. The idea that it might get worse before it gets better is certainly a possibility."

continued . . .

~@~

Barack Obama's plan for AFGHANISTAN & PAKISTAN

~@~

Joe Biden interviews Gen. Petraeus on Iraq, Iran, Afghanistan (Part 1)

Joe Biden interviews Gen. Petraeus on Iraq, Iran, Afghanistan (Part 2)

Biden: Afghanistan Needs Two More Battalions

Biden and Graham On Afghanistan and Iraq

White House Looks For New Strategy In Afghanistan ~ October 2, 2008

John McCain: Speech 11/05/03

JOHN MCCAIN: "[...] There has been a rise in al Qaeda activity along the border. There has been some increase in U.S. casualties. I am concerned about it, but I'm not as concerned as I am about Iraq today, obviously, or I'd be talking about Afghanistan. But I believe that if Karzai can make the progress that he is making, that -- in the long term, we may muddle through in Afghanistan."

~@~

Yes John, the United States of America has indeed muddled through, so far.

Barack Obama Responds to John McCain ~ February 27, 2008

~@~

Folks, join me in the renewal of The American Promise

~@~

Sincerely, Richard Owl Mirror

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Governor Palin: a champion of government accountability and transparency ?

By Richard Owl Mirror - Oct 1st, 2008 at 1:32 pm EDT

Also listed in: 10 groups

(Washingtonpost.com) This story was written by Karl Vick.

Gov. Sarah Palin maintained a private e-mail account that she used to communicate with a small circle of staff members outside the state government's secure official e-mail system, according to the Wasilla company that established the site.

The account was separate from the Yahoo e-mail address that was abruptly abandoned by the John McCain campaign on Sept. 17, the day hackers penetrated the account and posted pages from it on the Internet. Palin had routinely used her Yahoo address for state business.

The existence of additional private e-mail accounts may affect two state probes into whether Palin, her husband and her staff attempted to influence the job status of a state trooper who divorced Palin's sister.

It also raises more questions about Palin's record of commingling the official and personal. The Yahoo inbox posted on the Internet contained family photos, notes from well-wishers and official state correspondence on pending legislation.

~@~

Awareness of the state and federal statutes and regulations pertaining to records management ensures compliance with applicable laws.

http://www.kshs.org/government/records/stategovt/recordslaw.htm

This section of the manual includes the state statutes and administrative regulations that agencies encounter most often during the course of business. Four major laws govern the creation, use, and disposition of state government records:

ALASKA GOVERNMENT RECORDS PRESERVATION ACT

AS 40.21: MANAGEMENT & PRESERVATION OF PUBLIC RECORDS.

AS 40.21 requires the orderly management of current local public records and preservation of noncurrent public records that have permanent historical value. AS 40.21.070 says "the governing body of each political subdivision of the state shall promote the principles of efficient records management for local public records..." Moreover, per
AS 29.20.380(4) the municipal clerks shall "manage municipal records and develop retention schedules and procedures for inventory, storage and destruction of records." Local Government General Records Retention
Schedule #300 is a tool municipal clerks and other officials (AS 40.21.080) may utilize to assist in determining how long to retain records created or received in the conduct of their respective responsiblities.

S. 3477: Presidential Historical Records Preservation Act of 2008

Historians: Stop Bush/Cheney From Destroying Presidential Records

- The White House is "missing as many as 225 days of e-mail dating back to 2003 and there is little if any likelihood a recovery effort will be completed by the time the Bush administration leaves office."

The Use of RNC E-Mail Accounts by White House Officials

The Oversight Committee has been investigating whether White House officials violated the Presidential Records Act by using e-mail accounts maintained by the Republican National Committee and the Bush Cheney ‘04 campaign for official White House communications.

~@~

Can America afford FOUR more Years of the same ?

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