And thanks for the heads up!

Montana primary drawing national attention
By MIKE DENNISON of the Missoulian State Bureau

HELENA - As Montanans go to the polls in Tuesday's primary election, the eyes of the nation and the world will be upon them, for their votes will help decide the Democratic presidential contest between Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama.

With Obama just 40-some delegates away from sealing the nomination, Montana's usually irrelevant 25 Democratic nominating delegates have become critical - and Tuesday's election results will help determine how many go to Obama.

Yet while the Democratic presidential contest is drawing all the attention, voters have plenty of other contested state races on the ballot.

[...]

Kevin O'Brien, spokesman for the Montana Democratic Party, said Monday the Obama-Clinton clash has supercharged interest in the party and the race, likely leading to a record turnout among Democratic voters.

“The two presidential campaigns have gotten folks energized and excited, and they've also gotten people involved,” he said. “I've seen more folks canvassing in a primary than ever before. We hope to tap into that volunteer base.”

Montana's presidential primary is getting media attention from around the nation and the world. Reporters from the nation's top newspapers and TV networks have been in the state, and O'Brien said he's been called by broadcast crews from German television and Al-Jazeera, an Arabic news network. [...]

The only independent poll in recent weeks, one sponsored by Lee Newspapers, showed Obama, a senator from Illinois, leading Clinton among likely Democratic primary voters, 52 percent to 35 percent. If Obama wins the Montana Democratic primary, he'll probably pick up nine or 10 of the state's 17 pledged delegates.

Another five Montana Democratic superdelegates, who are state elected and party officials, also could go to Obama if he wins Tuesday's primary election.

A victory in neighboring South Dakota today for Obama could add another 10 or so delegates, and CNN reported Monday that “most” of the 17 U.S. senators who are superdelegates will be endorsing Obama this week, likely giving him the nomination - if he wins in Montana and South Dakota. [...]

http://www.missoulian.com/articles/2008/06/03/news/local/news02.txt

These SD's who haven't yet endorsed anyone are of a various assortment. First are the ones, like Gore, who truly should not become political because of what he represents -- global warming.

Then there are those who are those who are kinda shy, some cowardly, and want to hide behind the crowd when it moves.

Many kudos for those who endorsed early on, even if it was for the losing candidate, for they represent the leaders of the Dem Party by demonstrating that they, at least, have the courage and conviction of their beliefs.

Just MHO and rant for the day.

"Y" day -- bbl.

Oil prices: George Soros warns that speculators could trigger stock market crash

• Graeme Wearden
• guardian.co.uk,
• Tuesday June 3 2008

George Soros. Photograph: Suzanne Plunkett/AP

George Soros, the billionaire hedge fund manager, will warn later today that the oil price has become a bubble that could trigger a stock market crash.

The Financial Times reported today that Soros will tell the US Senate commerce committee that oil was pushed to its recent all-time peak of $135 a barrel by a new wave of speculators.

He believes that the doubling in the price over the last year is partly due to investment institutions, such as pension funds, who are pumping money into indexes that track the cost of crude.

According to the FT, Soros will warn that there could be very serious consequences for global stock markets if the institutions suddenly began betting on a fall in the oil price.

[...]

http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2008/jun/03/commodities/print

By MICHAEL A. COHEN | 6/3/08 5:01 AM EST

Text Size:

Barack Obama has faced the tougher primary battle. But in adversity has come opportunity. Photo: AP

<script> <!-- OAS_AD('x07'); //--> </script>

After months of bruising political battles, the matchup for the November election is now almost set. It’s clear that one of the two presumptive nominees has been badly hurt by his party’s nominating fight. Barack Obama?

No. John McCain.

Certainly, Obama has faced the tougher primary battle. But in adversity has come opportunity. The presumptive Democratic nominee has been able to confront difficult questions about his candidacy that would normally arise during the general election. And he was able to test out an affirmative message of change with independent voters in nearly every state of the country.

......

McCain’s weakness has become clearer in the 3½ months since he wrapped up the nomination. Instead of staking out centrist ground — the normal behavior after a tough primary battle — he has generally moved in the opposite direction and focused his energy on mollifying conservative voters. In recent weeks, McCain has delivered a series of speeches aimed not at laying out a fall campaign strategy but at reassuring conservatives.

......

McCain’s campaign to date has been all tactics and no strategy. Five months ahead of Election Day, it is difficult to surmise why McCain is even running for the nation’s highest office. The same cannot be said of Obama, who was forced to test his political messages in the crucible of a heated campaign.

......

"tat" for this "tit" ... !  Imagine having Condi wait 72 hours to visit a European capital!  Hah!

This is just one of the many reasons why more multinationals are moving HQ operations outside the US.  As I know well ... the area where I live in Switzerland has been a great beneficiary so far.  Of course, it also helps that the area has a highly educated, well trained, motivated plethora of international employees, which is one reason that area wins out over Zug where the taxes are lower.

Thanks again, *Co.   The Worst. Ever. Administration.

US security: visitors must give 72 hours' notice

• James Orr and agencies
• guardian.co.uk,
• Tuesday June 3 2008
• Article history

Travellers from 27 countries, including Britain, will be required to register online with US authorities at least three days before leaving to visit America, it will be announced today.

This latest measure aimed at bolstering American security is expected to take effect from January 2009.

Last year, European companies expressed concern when the US homeland security department floated proposals to make passengers register with US authorities 48 hours before travel. Critics feared this could complicate last-minute business arrangements.

The introduction of the new 72-hour notice period will be announced by the homeland security secretary, Michael Chertoff, later today, according to a US government official.  [...]

http://www.guardian.co.uk/travel/2008/jun/03/terrorismandtravel.terrorism/print

drains away US taxpayer money that could be put to much better use, both at home and abroad.

Developed countries fall behind in meeting foreign aid pledges

• Mark Tran in Seoul
• guardian.co.uk,
• Tuesday June 3 2008

Vietnam: cited as a success story after achieving one of the fastest cases of poverty reduction on record. Photographer: Kham/Reuters

Rich countries need to increase their foreign aid by unprecedented levels if they are to meet ambitious targets set out at the Gleneagles summit three years ago, leading development officials said today.

The extent to which the developed world is failing to live up to its pledges was spelled out in stark terms at an international conference in Seoul, South Korea, to review the progress towards meeting the UN millennium development goals and to assess aid effectiveness.

[...]

http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2008/jun/03/internationalaidanddevelopment/print

and begin his trial for crimes against his own people.

Of course, that might set a precedent for clapping *Co visitors into prison, for their own war crimes.

Which, in my view, would not be a bad idea at all.

'Obscene': Mugabe's arrival at food summit provokes outrage

He inflicted starvation on his nation. Now Mugabe has arrived in Europe for a UN summit to tackle the global food crisis<!--proximic_content_off-->

By Peter Popham in Rome, Anne Penketh and Colin Brown
Tuesday, 3 June 2008

He's turned up again like a bad penny. President Robert Mugabe of Zimbabwe is back in Rome, staying in five-star accommodation for the duration of a United Nations food summit while his people starve as a result of his disastrous farm policies.

The unexpected arrival of President Mugabe and his shopaholic wife, Grace, prompted a flood of international protests yesterday after he joined more than 60 world leaders flying in for the three-day conference. Although the Zimbabwean leader and his wife are targeted by an European Union travel ban, the sanctions do not apply to UN meetings conducted on UN premises.

The grotesque irony of the situation was lost on no one. "Robert Mugabe going to Rome for the food summit is like Pol Pot going to a human rights convention," said Lord Malloch-Brown, the Foreign Office minister for Africa, referring to the mastermind of the Cambodian genocide.

[...]

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/politics/obscene-mugabes-arrival-at-food-summit-provokes-outrage-838867.html

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which I have never quite understod since he has, imo, too much of a sense of humor.

In any event, I wish him well, as I wish Sens Kennedy and Byrd well in their respective situations.

Kelsey Grammer has heart attack

By Steve Gorman
Tuesday, 3 June 2008

 US television star Kelsey Grammer, best known from his long-running sitcom "Frasier," suffered a mild heart attack during the weekend in Hawaii, three weeks after his latest show was canceled, his publicist said yesterday.

Grammer, 53, experienced chest pains on Saturday morning while paddle-boarding with his wife, Camille, off the Kona coast of Hawaii's Big Island, where they have a second home, spokesman Stan Rosenfield told Reuters.

The actor was immediately taken to an area hospital, where "it was determined that he had a mild heart attack," Rosenfield added in a statement.

Rosenfield said the actor was now resting and will be released from the hospital early this week.

[...]

http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/film-and-tv/news/kelsey-grammer--has-heart-attack-838970.html

The processBy linda b on Jun 3, 2008 10:18 AM

Drudge is reporting an expected 25 point win in South Dakota for Hillary according to Clinton campaign.  It's a developing story.  I know, it's Drudge - but he gets their leaks for whatever reason.  He was just about right in PA as well.  I sure hope not.  

and it's the last for now.  Have good ones!

Who found Machu Picchu?

<!--proximic_content_on-->How a German may have beaten the Americans to lost Inca city<!--proximic_content_off-->

By David Keys, Archaeology Correspondent
Monday, 2 June 2008 

When Peruvian locals led Hiram Bingham to Machu Picchu in 1911, it was a discovery which would make the Yale professor famous, highly respected and richer.

Bingham went on to become a governor of Connecticut and member of the US senate, and his book on Machu Picchu became a bestseller. Such was his prominence in early 20th century archaeology, that some have speculated that Bingham was the inspiration for the character of Indiana Jones.

But Bingham's claim to be the first to discover Peru's lost city of the Incas is looking more than a little doubtful. Detailed investigations by a US historian have revealed that Machu Picchu was, in fact, discovered over 40 years earlier by a German businessman.

Little is known about Augusto R Berns, an obscure entrepreneur now largely lost to history, but documents unearthed in US and Peruvian archives by the American historian Paolo Greer, reveal that Berns discovered Peru's most famous archaeological site in the late 1860s before setting up a company specifically to loot Machu Picchu and its immediate surroundings. [...]

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/who-found-machu-picchu-838255.html

but NOT suspending campaign. What does this mean, exactly?

I remember Rahm Emmanuel's quote about the Dem winning in November depended on *how the loser loses will determine if the winner wins in November*.

http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2008/6/3/11527/09402/769/528065

I'm sick and tired of this dem nomination being dragged out as far as it has been.  What now all the way to Nov ?

rd -- I feel your pain.  I don't like the games and parsing.  There should be a gracious exit.  It's time to move on.  And no way to HRC as a VP.  Especially not with what Bill said yesterday about Barack.  No way!

The longer Clinton's candidacy remains in limbo - the angrier her supporters will become.  Does this mean that she will not endorse Obama *at this time*?  Because this action (inaction) will not unite the party...

My husband is in Montana this week - great place to be when they put Barack over the top! I'll be at a meeting this evening and will miss the talking heads thankfully. I'll race back to check the blogs though!

who are unfortunate enough to share the building with the DNC meeting and protestors.   What a Howardly thing to do.

Sharing a wedding day with the DNC meeting and protestors...champagne from Howard Dean

http://journals.democraticunderground.com/madfloridian/2176

or accidentally.   Don't much blame them if on purpose.

http://www.counterpunch.org/whitney06032008.html

Look around. The evidence of a withering economy is everywhere. In "good times" consumers shun the canned meat aisle altogether, but no more. Today, Spam sales are soaring; grocery stores can't keep it on the shelves. Everyone is looking for cheaper ways to feed themselves and their families. The Labor Department. assures us that core-inflation is only 4 per cent, but everybody knows that’s a  load of malarkey. Food prices are shooting up. Inflation is rampant and there's no end in sight. The dollar is closing in on the peso and working people are struggling just to get by.

The pundits on the business channel are telling us that the "worst is over"; that the Force 5 hurricane in the financial markets has weakened to a squall. Don't believe it. The corporate bond market is still frozen, housing is in free fall, and the banking system is buckling from the overload of bad investments. The FDIC is even trying to lure former employees out of retirement to deal with the tsunami of bank failures set to touch down later in 2008. Corporate defaults are on the rise and and commercial real estate is crashing.

The troubles in the financial markets will be with us for some time. The massive expansion of credit has created numerous equity bubbles that are unwinding at an unpredictable pace. Author James Howard Kunstler calls the present process "the remorseless algebra of a deflationary death spiral". That's about as close to a perfect description as imaginable. 

The real origin of the problem is rooted in the prevailing "trickle down" orthodoxy which opposes any increases in wages or benefits for working people. Henry Ford realized what today's captains of industry and finance refuse to accept; that if workers aren't adequately paid for their labor and wages do not keep pace with production then the economy cannot grow because consumers do not have the money to buy the things they make. It's just that simple. Greenspan and his ilk believed that they could prosecute the class war and make up the difference by relaxing lending standards, changing bankruptcy laws, and by creating a nearly endless array of exotic financial products that expanded credit. But shifting wealth from one class to another has its costs. By crushing the worker the Friedmanites have killed the golden goose. The world's most prosperous consumer society is in deep, deep distress.

Forced Vaccinations Part Of Dark Eugenics Agenda

Lee Rogers
Rogue Government
June 3, 2008

	Theoretically, if the CDC decided that paint thinner was a recommended vaccination, all children in the state of New York would not be able to attend the brainwashing camps without having paint injected into their veins.

Government terrorists are continuing their dark eugenics agenda of enslavement and death. The New York State Assembly has proposed a bill that would make all vaccines recommended by the CDC mandatory for any children attending the government’s brainwashing camps. These government brainwashing camps are more commonly referred to by the corporate controlled media as the public school system. Assembly Bill 10942 would force children to take vaccines with or without parental consent in order to be admitted into these government facilities. These terrorists are attempting to setup a system in which the government will force parents to have their children injected with anything that the federal government recommends. Theoretically, if the CDC decided that paint thinner was a recommended vaccination, all children in the state of New York would not be able to attend the brainwashing camps without having paint injected into their veins. These people want to treat your children like they are cattle and this is completely unacceptable. There are already numerous questions about the safety of many of these vaccines. There has been an astronomical rise in autism over the past several decades that have coincided with the increased amount of preservatives that the pharmaceutical companies have included in these vaccines. It is unacceptable to force children to take these vaccines when there’s a great deal of question surrounding their safety.

No disappearing act tonight, just another rumor. Hillary wants to meet with Obama to iron out differences regarding the platform, VP, and health issues.

I guess this is where we find out who has the greater will. I truly believe we should make our wishes about vP known to the Obama camp now. I would hope our choice would be Howard.

I have this feeling that Hillary will be standing next to Obama, straightening his tie that she chose, and then suddenly shoving him to the side while she swears herself in on Jan 20.

 I disagree with part of what you said.   Her attitjude would be the same if JE were her opponent.   She regards ALL of us as "boys".    She will let nothing stand in her way.    I also think that she wants to see to it that the VP choice is hers,  whether it is herself because she thinks something might happen to Barack, or whether it is some politically weak supporter of hers that won't run against her in '12 or that she can beat.   Sorry, I never had very much faith in her, but now I have none.   She just needs to be stopped.

Mary vb.,    I don't believe Barack would  choose Hillary.   Unfortunately, the choice might not be his.  There are a lot of big donors who would be willing to help Hillary make it her choice.    Weren't two deligates offered money to switch?   

she won't drop out.

The latest delegate number according to Ed Schultz is 33.5.

 i just talked to Heath Shuler's office.  I was told they didn't know how he would vote, maybe tomorrow.

I told them that he needed to keep his office aware, and that he needed to "let" the voters make the choice tonight in Montana,  that we didn't really care what the Super Dels thought, and he shouldn't be wimping out.   They asked for my name and phone no.    They really are intimidated, guess they're checking to see if I really am a constituent.

30.5 delegates, MSNBC

29 delegates away, MSNBC