This primary season I have been out of the country at least three weeks a month. I can tell you from direct experience that the world is watching the election very closely. I fully expect there to be references to the candidates and their positions a couple of times a week in whatever newspaper they hang on my door. That is how it was during the primary. Here are a few short bits about things heard and seen out here in the wide world.
Another entry in my Notes on NOLA series. This is more a series of stories about recovery, going home and the crowd at the Satchmo SummerFest. I also include a follow-up on some of the people I have mentioned in previous installments of the series.
A few thoughts on where we have been over the past few years. In a way, I guess this a love letter to all the Deaniacs who never gave up faith in the good fight.
What do Haditha and the alleged killings at the hospital in NOLA have in common? In both cases, the alleged perpetrators shouldn't have been there. More below the fold.
A continuation of my Notes on NOLA, this is a quick accounting of things and people that aren't around anymore. Not famous people or famous places, just people that I know or have known.
Fellow Kossaks, it pains me to say this, but I agree with Mary Cheney. Wow. I feel really dirty now. But it is true. Maybe it is because I have a really conservative family that supports me but doesn't advertise their big dyke daughter. Maybe it is because I have always been against outing gay folks unless they come out in favour of anti-gay policies. More below the fold.
Yeah, so I know that Haiti is not currently considered a vacation destination, but I kind of went there by accident. I now truly understand what poverty is. And I will never be able to donate blood again. More below the fold.
Some friends and I have a tradition of sharing stories and observations as we travel around the world. I have been asked to post some of my NOLA observations here. So here is another installment of my Notes on Nola
Last weekend I returned to NOLA for the first time since the hurricane. I left in July to get the house in Atlanta ready to use as a rental with a plan to return next spring or fall. This diary is a list of oberservation I made while I was there. I originally made the list for my personal friends, but have been asked to post it here. When I am a better blogger, I will drop some pictures if folks are interested.
Please keep in mind that these are things I heard and saw while on the ground with my Pirates. I don't have references or poll numbers. It is what the good folks are saying.
I thought some of you would "enjoy" seeing an example of the email I received today. It is telling and lays out clearly what we are up against. A warning - my posting skills are lacking so don't expect pretty boxes.
Well, it looks like a big advance was made in stem cell research. That is good news. Great news. As a member of a crazy genetically mutated family, it is news that could save my life. So what is the problem?
So I went to a UCC church last night with my mom, sister, bil and nephews. I was raised in the UCC and have always attributed my experience growing up with them to my more progressive incliniations today. More about the service below the fold.
So I have been moping around ever since the election - trying to find a little perspective and some inspiration to get back up and fight another day. I spend a great deal of time on the road so I get to hear a lot of what people are saying in a lot of different places. In spite of the fact that I am surrounded by Pharma folks most of time, I have heard mostly dismay. Pharma as an entity, obviously, had an interest in seeing Georgie and his cronies take back the WH, but most of the people we work with are from somewhere else. The people from somewhere else are largely dismayed.
The Landlady and I went to vote today in Bridge City and it sounds like there was some confusion re: the wording on the ballots. For those who don't know, LA voted on a ammendment that defines "marriage" as union between a man and a woman. Quick story below.
With all the talk of stealing the election and the missing electronic ballots, I have been wondering if it would be possible to circumvent the system by using absentee ballots. Each voter could request an absentee ballot and return it via certified mail. That would give them a "receipt" for it. If large numbers of Democrats did this, they would have a large number of essentially insured votes. The election boards could claim that the ballots were missing, but each voter would have proof they voted.
Yes, I am aware that this sort of thing would be a nightmare to organize. I was reading the US News (I think it was US News) special report on the success of the Kerry campaign. Apparently, the party bosses in Iowa use absentee ballots as part of their GOTV efforts. But the rules are different in different states.
Besides the obvious problem of logistics, could this sort of thing work?
Here is a quick story related to insane Louisiana politics for you all. If you followed the case of the Canal Street Madam, you know that our fine AG was busy getting warrants to tap the phone lines at the brothel in the months prior to 9-11. The first bug was installed on 9-10. Well, the Canal Street Madam has offically announced her intentions to enter politics by running for a City Council spot in New Orleans.
