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The Watercooler for 08/26/08 9:00 AM

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337t2482

- Howard Dean Is First!

By Subway Serenade on Aug 26, 2008 9:03 AM EDT

Just a drive by to say hi. This week Gizmo landed on the surface of my eternal self. The analogy to the Mars probe is striking.

So now I'm sending signals to activate something akin to the robotic arm, which will then slowly brush away some 54 years of sediment and take samples of what's beneath the surface, which is already responding to the touch of the probe itself.

I find it interesting that I've gotten this far within the limitations of the software, but learning how to generate coherent waves at lower amplitudes seems to have been a big help. Learning consciously how to NOT overload the program became a tool in itself.

When the software upgrade finally arrives, it will be akin to repairing the optical capabilities of the Hubble telescope.

The probe's inventor says that the DNA braid is a dynamic capacitor that can be ignited by coherent charge.

I want firsties!

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By Annilow on Aug 26, 2008 9:19 AM EDT

Subway if I hadn't known you for years and read your post I would think you were absolutely nuts -- but I will choose the other point of view which is that you are light years ahead of the rest of us.  And of course how many redneck opera lovers have you known in the past :~) -- it is truly a big tent.  Have a great day with Gizmo -- sing well if you're working.  I'm off to school in a few minutes...

337t2482

- Not Light Years

By Subway Serenade on Aug 26, 2008 10:13 AM EDT

In the not too distant future, this will be an online game played by thousands of people at a time. If the theory of The Maharishi Effect holds up on that level, we should see a healing of the entire human electromagnetic spectrum. If the cost of one month of the war in Iraq were invested in this project, the results would be felt almost immediately.

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- At 1:06 am, Audrey Wrote

By Hu Jo on Aug 26, 2008 9:40 AM EDT

Dennis  Kucinich wil speak at the convention on Tues. nighrt around 6pm. on the economy.   Dennis and  Elizabeth will be at the skylark Lounge upstairs from 9 to 10pm.   They would like to meet you.    Dennis will also be on Bill Maher show, and Randi Rhodes this week.

 

Secretary of Defence?  I wish................

 

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- Just watched Michelle's speech..........

By Hu Jo on Aug 26, 2008 9:42 AM EDT

Can't wait for Cindy's!

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- Woo!

By Tom Bearse on Aug 26, 2008 9:57 AM EDT

Her ghost writers are busy working on it now: "As I travel between our many homes in my personal jet, I am struck by the majesty of America, and the promise it holds for a hero like my husband, who spent those many years in captivity as a prisoner of war in Vietnam.  Now that he's accumulated a fortune and installed himself as a champion of the special interests, representing those among us who are productive and appreciate the blessings of living in this great nation, he's prepared to become its leader.  That's why I love this country."

676t107993

- Old Timer

By Tom Bearse on Aug 26, 2008 9:45 AM EDT

I was reading John's nostalgic reverie yesterday about the old-fashioned, unsophisticated blog we used to have, the one with hundreds of blog posters participating, and had the chance to read these new diaries:

1) Online Survey Software;

2) Age of Conan: Funcom to Appear at DragonCon; and

3) Champion.

Others should take the time to review them and decide how well the new blog format is fulfilling its promise.

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By Hu Jo on Aug 26, 2008 9:57 AM EDT

The ~100 posts-per-hour threads were particularly stimulating!

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By Annilow on Aug 26, 2008 12:53 PM EDT

I can't find them -- are there links?  I don't think it's the result that's so bad as the way it was thrust upon us.

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By Hu Jo on Aug 26, 2008 1:12 PM EDT

I would look some up if I could find the Archives going back to 2003

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- The other Cindy (Sheehan) bugged in Denver

By Hu Jo on Aug 26, 2008 9:54 AM EDT

http://www.opednews.com/articles/Cindy-Sheehan-Bugged-in-De-by-Rob-Kall-080825-412.html

Cindy Sheehan returned to her Denver hotel room today to find the door unlocked and ajar. She walked in to discover a man working on her phone, screw driver in hand.

 

Maybe Pelosi's following in Dubya's footsteps.

 

Democracy in action!

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By Hu Jo on Aug 26, 2008 10:27 AM EDT

.

Default_user

- Last night was memorable.

By Pat in Colorado on Aug 26, 2008 11:13 AM EDT

Good Morning Folks,

Last night was the culmination of 40 years.  The first Democratic Convention we were involved in was 1968 as we watched the "police riot" in Chicago beating up the protestors.  We had supported Eugene McCarthy by contributing, writing letters, (my two year old son shook his hand at the Lansing, Michigan airport) and following the news daily.  The Chicago convention was a heartbreak.

In 1960, John F. Kennedy announced the formation of the Peace Corps on the University of MIchigan campus, and it was broadcast throughout the campus.  I heard it from my dorm room.

So many of us were thrillled at the vision and opportunity to become a part of the world through public service.

To see and hear Edward Kennedy and Caroline Kennedy Schlossberg brought us back to vision, commitment, and the possibility of a more just and better world.  I'll never forget it.  We have an opportunity this year like none we've had in my lifetime.

Default_user

- Love White Castles, you must be so

By Pat in Colorado on Aug 26, 2008 11:20 AM EDT

proud of Chicago!

I was at the YMCA for a retreat in Rocky Mountain National Park.  I left lunch early and walked over to the administration building just as Barack Obama was announcing Joe Biden as his running mate.  I was able to hear both Barack's and Joe's speeches.

The next day I went over to check the headlines, and people were asking who the running mate was, and soon there was a small crowd around as I related the speeches.  There are people who are very committed to this presidential ticket.

There were people from all over the country at the retreat and much of what the retreat was about is what Obama speaks to: cooperation, respect, solving problems together, seeing the bigger picture, being the bigger self, speaking truth skillfully without denigration and anger. 

Here's to hope and getting him elected.

 

357t234709

- you know when I hear bobblehead pundits bemoaning that voters don't know enough about Obama ...

By * rdorgan on Aug 26, 2008 11:38 AM EDT

... and that Obama has not closed the deal --

-- well, cough it up, you're either FOR him or AGAINST him.

I seriously suspect that those voters who chime that they don't "know enough about Obama", are using that code phrase because it hides their real feelings of  "ok, I'm a racist and don't intend to ever vote for a black man for president; it's a free country" and puts the burden on Obama to keep running on the treadmill faster, faster, etc. whilst they sit their on their arses laughing at it all.

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By * rdorgan on Aug 26, 2008 12:17 PM EDT

I'm glad that Obama and his handlers are spending the bulk of their effort on getting unregistered voters to become registered.

As for the Joe-6pack (ie. Archie Bunker) crowd, the focus this week at the DNC Convention and onwards will be on reaching out to these voters. That's good.

But, in the heart of our hearts, we all know, as Obama and his handlers know, that there's a hardcore group of that crowd that will refuse to vote for Obama.

That's why it's vital for Obama to get in as our next President and finally break that barrier.

It will be to the benefit of those hardcore group members, who in the end will have the cloak of their own racism (like wearing a hairshirt) be lifted from their backs.

They and their enlightened children's, children will have a man named Barack Obama to thank for that.

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- closed the deal.

By mary vb on Aug 26, 2008 11:51 AM EDT

Why hasn't McCain closed the deal?  Good grief - the country *knows* him. 

--------

Here's a link to Huffpo - the headlines show a blurb from Jane Hamsher saying McCain will announce his VP on Thursday to try to steal the thunder away from Barack's acceptance speech.  How classy!!! And she thinks it may be Lieberman.  Ha ha.

 

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/

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- A reminder

By mary vb on Aug 26, 2008 11:56 AM EDT

of just how extreme Pat Buchanan truly is.  Here are some excerpts from his 1992 convention speech.

 

http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2008/8/26/104045/006/204/575436

Rachel Maddow hit a home run last night with her comments after Michelle's speech.  Pat Buchanan just ducked.

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- Lieberman

By Mz*Little on Aug 26, 2008 12:08 PM EDT

Would be a good pick.  Guarenteed to piss off a bunch of folks and steer them away from McSame

292t13295

- Lieberman?

By donna in evanston on Aug 26, 2008 12:51 PM EDT

YES!  A man with no loyalty, a huge ego, a smug self righteous disposition and disliked by most Democrats and would soon be disliked by republicans too.  Yes John.  Pick Lieberman.

And speaking for all Jews everywhere, we don't want him either.

357t234709

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By * rdorgan on Aug 26, 2008 1:01 PM EDT

Indeed.

J L will virtually be a man without a country and, since he has made his own bed, he can lie in it.

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- 2008 Democratic National Convention Podium Schedule

By Susan Rowe on Aug 26, 2008 1:07 PM EDT

FULL SCHEDULE

Tuesday, August 26, 2008

"RENEWING AMERICA'S PROMISE"
Time shown as local--Denver, Colorado MST

Hour #1 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM (LOCAL)
Call to Order
The Honorable Shirley Franklin
Mayor of Atlanta, Georgia

Invocation
Reverend Cynthia Hale
Disciples of Christ - Decatur, Georgia

Presentation of Colors
The American GI Forum
Mile High Chapter, Colorado
Congressionally chartered Mexican-American veterans & civil rights organization

Pledge of Allegiance
Koby Langley
>From Fort Mead, Maryland, he received the Bronze Star for leadership in the US Army
Credited with design & implementation of 1st Foreign Torts Claims Policy Act - Iraq

National Anthem
Rocky Mountain Children's Choir
A multicultural, multiracial choir committed to forming community around music

Remarks/Video
The Honorable Eleanor Holmes Norton
Non-voting Member of the US House of Representatives, District of Columbia

Remarks
Ted Sorenson
Special Counsel, advisor and speechwriter to President John F. Kennedy
Researched and drafted Kennedy's "Profiles in Courage"

The Honorable Mike Honda
Member of the US House of Representatives, California

Dr. David Gipp
Member of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe
President - United Tribes Technical College

The Honorable Linda Sanchez
Member of the US House of Representatives, California

The Honorable Chet Culver
Governor of Iowa

The Honorable David Patterson
Governor of New York

The Honorable Patrick Leahy
US Senator, Vermont

Hour # 2 4:08 PM – 5:00 PM (LOCAL)
Remarks
The Honorable Chris Van Hollen
Member of the US House of Representatives, Maryland

Remarks
Cecile Richards
President of the Planned Parenthood Federation of America
Daughter of the former Governor of Texas, The Honorable Ann Richards

Congressional Black Caucus
The Honorable Carolyn Kilpatrick
Member of the US House of Representatives, Michigan
The Honorable Charles Rangel
Member of the US House of Representatives, New York
The Honorable John Conyers
Member of the US House of Representatives, Michigan
The Honorable Bennie Thompson
Member of the US House of Representatives, Mississippi

Moment of Silence

Video – "In Memoriam"

Remarks
The Honorable Dennis Kucinich
Member of the US House of Representatives, Ohio

The Honorable John Chiang
State Comptroller, California

The Honorable Jim Doyle
Governor of Wisconsin

The Honorable Ted Strickland
Governor of Ohio

DGA - Remarks
The Honorable Joe Manchin
Governor of West Virginia

Hour # 3 5:00 PM – 6:00 PM (LOCAL)
US Senate Women
The Honorable Barbara Mikulski
US Senator, Maryland
The Honorable Barbara Boxer
US Senator, California
The Honorable Mary Landrieu
US Senator, Louisiana
The Honorable Blanche Lambert Lincoln
US Senator, Arizona
The Honorable Debbie Stabenow
US Senator, Michigan
The Honorable Maria Cantwell
US Senator, Washington State
The Honorable Claire McCaskill
US Senator, Missouri
The Honorable Amy Klobuchar
US Senator, Minnesota

Remarks
The Honorable Ed Rendell
Governor of Pennsylvania

The Honorable Tammy Baldwin
Member of the US House of Representatives, Wisconsin

The Honorable Xavier Becerra
Member of the US House of Representatives, California

John Sweeney
President of the AFL-CIO

Robin Golden
Autoworker from Michigan scheduled to lose his job

Video - First Time Delegates: Renewing America's Promise

Remarks
The Honorable Rahm Emanuel
Member of the US House of Representatives, Illinois

Live Performance
Alejandro Escovedo
Vocals & guitar

Hour # 4 6:01 PM – 7:00 PM (LOCAL)
Remarks
The Honorable Steny Hoyer
Member of the US House of Representatives, Maryland
Democratic Majority Leader

Katherine Marcano
Cedar Rapids, Iowa flood victim

Anna Berger
Officer with SEIU & 1st Chair of America's newest labor federation, "Change to Win"

Pauline Beck
Homecare worker & member of SEIU from Oakland, California

The Honorable Janet Napolitano
Governor of Arizona

America's Town Hall - Economy
Moderator: The Honorable Jennifer Granholm – Governor of Michigan
Panelists: Aimee Christensen, Jim Rogers, Jim Bauer, Jerome Ringo

Remarks
Jim Whitaker
Republican Mayor of Fairbanks, Alaska

Pamela Cash-Roper
Unemployed nurse and lifelong Republican from North Carolina

The Honorable Nydia Velazquez
Member of the US House of Representatives, New York

Hour # 5 7:00 PM - 8:00 PM (LOCAL)
Remarks
The Honorable Kathleen Sebelius
Governor of Kansas

The Honorable Frederico Peña
Former Secretary of Energy and former Mayor of Denver, Colorado

Nancy Floyd
Founder of Nth Power – an energy technology investment firm in Portland, Oregon

The Honorable Robert Casey, Jr.
US Senator, Pennsylvania

Lily Ledbetter
Her actions against Goodyear Tire led to the passage of the Fair Pay Restoration Act

Keynote Speech
The Honorable Mark Warner
Governor of Virginia

Remarks
Ret. Rear Admiral John Hutson
President, Franklin Pierce Law Center in Concord, New Hampshire
Lifelong Republican

The Honorable Deval Patrick
Governor of Massachusetts

Hour # 6 8:02 PM – 9:04 PM (LOCAL)
Remarks
Gloria Craven
Laid-off North Carolina textile worker with huge medical bills

The Honorable Brian Schweitzer
Governor of Montana

Hillary Clinton Segment - Video/Remarks
The Honorable Hillary Rodham Clinton
US Senator, New York

Benediction
Revs. Jin Ho Kang, Yoougsook Kang
Methodists - Aurora, Colorado

Recess
The Honorable Shirley Franklin
Mayor of Atlanta, Georgia

292t13295

- Thanks for Posting This

By donna in evanston on Aug 26, 2008 1:14 PM EDT

I would have missed Teddy's and Michelle's speeches last night if I hadn't seen your posted schedules.  I have to work tonight, so I won't get to bask in Hillary's "unity."

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- You're welcome

By Susan Rowe on Aug 26, 2008 1:35 PM EDT

My hubby and I watched the whole thing on C-Span. We finely convinced my mother-in-law yesterday not to watch anything on CNN or Fox News. We've been telling her to watch C-Span for years but now she understands that the corporate media doesn't allow folks to see the whole picture of any event. They only show what they think is important to their corporate sponsors. And they yap over and all through the coverage and between commercials that always tell folks what they need to purchase so they can feel new and improved.

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By Hu Jo on Aug 26, 2008 2:15 PM EDT

Thanks Susan.

 

I see the dishonorable Steny Hoyer and Rahm Emanuel are featured

676t107993

- Yech

By Tom Bearse on Aug 26, 2008 2:29 PM EDT

Now there's two speeches I'd like to avoid hearing.

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- Sting - Brand New Day

By Susan Rowe on Aug 26, 2008 1:39 PM EDT
676t107993

- Channeling HJ

By Tom Bearse on Aug 26, 2008 2:05 PM EDT

With Clinton scheduled to speak after having her image and her phony Operation Chaos delegates appropriated by the Republicans to use against the Democratic nominee, tonight should mark the beginning of a relentless, scorched earth assault on the haughty, immature, and completely inept Repbublican Party for its execrable policies and amoral smear machine.  I would not relinquish one minute of this valuable free airtime, because the witless, gullible networks will all recycle the major points of attack into their 24 hour news cycles.

By the time it's over, all voters should realize how ineffably, monumentally stupid it is to use their votes to help elect Republicans running for office.

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- Thanks for posting the schedule, Susan

By mary vb on Aug 26, 2008 2:07 PM EDT

Now I'll watch this evening since I see Schweitzer on the list.  I'm not all that interested in what Hillary says.

676t107993

- Hoping

By Tom Bearse on Aug 26, 2008 2:12 PM EDT

I can't know in advance, but Clinton is a very talented speaker, and might use the occasion to present an extraordinary, game changing address to the nation.  Think of Ted Kennedy in 1980.

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By Hu Jo on Aug 26, 2008 2:20 PM EDT

We can only hope, Tom.

 

What I wanna know is: are the networks and cable news going to afford the Democrats the opportunity to trash the Republican Convention in real time like the're doing with the Repugs (Unprecedented) this week?

676t107993

- Not Particularly Subtle

By Tom Bearse on Aug 26, 2008 2:25 PM EDT

I know they will because that's how base their instincts are.  They are single-mindedly devoted to either unearthing or actually promoting any controversy possible between the parties for purposes of enhancing viewer interest in the election they're covering.

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- Kennedy speech in 1980

By Fox Mulder on Aug 26, 2008 3:07 PM EDT

lol, yeah that worked out really well for the nominee, Jimmy Carter.  What a game changer that was. HRC will say the right words tonight, but will anyone trust that she means it when we all know she does not??  BO's loss will mean she can spend four years running the "I told you so" tour to cruise to the nomination in 2012.  Don't believe she would be that callous and ruthless???  Remember how she treated the women used and abused by her husband for all those years. She organized the systematic response that attacked, maligned, and discredited each one.   Barrack's failure this time would make it easier for her next time.  She is after all first a politician, and secondly a Clinton.

676t107993

- I didn't say Kennedy's speech was a game changer.

By Tom Bearse on Aug 26, 2008 3:46 PM EDT

I'm saying it was a great speech.  I said Clinton's could set a course for the rest of the campaign.

357t234709

- BBC spotlight ...

By * rdorgan on Aug 26, 2008 3:00 PM EDT

... on Howard:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/2979960.stm

Howard Dean speaking during a voter registration event in North Carolina in July

Howard Dean: Colourful, controversial but influential
Page last updated at 15:20 GMT, Monday, 25 August 2008 16:20 UK

Profile: Howard Dean

Howard Dean came to national prominence in the US during his bid to be the Democratic presidential candidate in 2004.

He drew admiration for the way he used the internet to recruit supporters and raise millions of dollars, something that is now taken for granted.

...

Come November, if Barack Obama secures the presidency and if the Democrats continue or improve on their electoral success in the congressional mid-term elections, Mr Dean will be able to point to a significant political legacy.

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- New Thread.

By Tom Bearse on Aug 26, 2008 3:47 PM EDT

There's a new front page thread on which the comment that Dean is first is on topic!

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By Hu Jo on Aug 26, 2008 3:52 PM EDT

Good firsties there Tom. I daren't post for fear of being off topic.

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- Mark Warner's going to give the keynote speech

By Hu Jo on Aug 26, 2008 4:03 PM EDT

written by John Kerry's speechwriters; Messrs Namby and Pamby, with a contribution by Casper Milquetoast:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/08/26/democratic-convention-day_n_121373.html

Some Democratic activists, meanwhile, voiced concern that the convention has yet to produce a sustained attack against the Republican presidential candidate.

In particular, they cited former Virginia Gov. Mark Warner's preview of his Tuesday night keynote speech in which he suggested he would not make a red-meat attack on McCain but an appeal for bipartisanship.

 

I think I shall hurl!

Bi-freakin-partisanship?????

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By mary vb on Aug 26, 2008 4:17 PM EDT

I think we need a few *barn burner* speeches.  Last night was appropriate with Kennedy and Michelle Obama.  If Michelle had done anything barn-burneresque she would have been criticized but I think passion, etc is called for tonight and tomorrow night.  The Republicans won't be having any such bi-partisanship speeches at their convention.  I'm sure they'll get rave reviews from the traditional media too.

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By Hu Jo on Aug 26, 2008 4:46 PM EDT

Warner's top priority is obviously to win John Warner's seat in the Senate. He seems willing to throw the Party and Obama under the wheels of the "Straight-Talk Express" to achieve that goal.

What I wanna know is: who's the genius that picked him for that important speech, knowing full well that he's a DLC DINO?

Thank goodness he wasn't seriously considered for the Veep spot!

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