Where’s the Outrage?

Here’s the Thursday evening news roundup:

• The Dow Jones Industrial Average roller coaster continues. The Dow gained 410 points today. The Federal Reserve and other major banks offered almost $200 billion for the markets. This will allow banks to borrow more money. It should ease some of the credit crunch.
• Steven Levitt, author of Freakonomics, invited a couple of economics professors to explain what is going on with Lehman Brothers, Bear Stearns, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac along with AIG. It is a relatively long and detailed discussion, though somewhat enlightening.
• Putnam investments has closed a $12.3 billion fund in order to limit losses to its investors. This can’t be good.
• Republican presidential nominee John McCain seems to be somewhat confused about Spain and Latin America. His answer to an interviewer’s question simply didn’t make sense.
• John McCain continues to flounder on the economy. Today he said if he were president, he would fire the SEC Chairman. It turns out, although the SEC chairman position is independent, although nominated by the president and confirmed by Congress. Therefore, the president cannot fire him or her. Oops! One would figure that McCain would know this since he has been in Congress for over 26 years and has been a part of the selection process at least two or three times.
• Governor Sarah Palin seems to be digging herself a large hole called Trooper-gate. Neither her or her husband will testify. I guess if you are a Republican, then answering a subpoena is not in your DNA. For a party that swears they do not like lawyers, they sure seem to use a lot of lawyers in their efforts to delay and to stall.
• Brother, can you spare a dime? Or how about a couple of trillion dollars?. Bailouts may cost about that. Now, where is that going to come from?
• The featured speaker at a GOP rally designed to reach out to minorities is none other than former Senator George Allen. Allen lost his re-election bid to Jim Webb partly due to his racial comments — “Macaca.” Seriously.

Tags: Congress, Economy, Election 2008, Senator George Allen by ecthompson
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From NYT:

A laboratory that has tested most of the nation’s electronic voting systems has been temporarily barred from approving new machines after federal officials found that it was not following its quality-control procedures and could not document that it was conducting all the required tests.

The company, Ciber Inc. of Greenwood Village, Colo., has also come under fire from analysts hired by New York State over its plans to test new voting machines for the state. New York could eventually spend $200 million to replace its aging lever devices.

Experts on voting systems say the Ciber problems underscore longstanding worries about lax inspections in the secretive world of voting-machine testing. The action by the federal Election Assistance Commission seems certain to fan growing concerns about the reliability and security of the devices.

The commission acted last summer, but the problem was not disclosed then. Officials at the commission and Ciber confirmed the action in recent interviews. (more…)

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I’m thinking we need to go back to the paper ballot.

Tags: Election 2006 by ecthompson
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Shekar Ramanuja Sidarth is the campaign worker for Jim Webb.  This is a great choice.

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From Salon.com:

Dec. 16, 2006 | Sometimes, for just a moment, nothing makes sense. The senator who would be president stands on the dais. It is a bright summer day. The branches of trees, still green, sway gently in the breeze. Republican George Allen is feeling good, and the crowd likes him. Almost everyone thinks he will win reelection. Then he says something. “Let’s give a welcome to macaca here. Welcome to America and the real world of Virginia.” No one knows what has happened.

But the confusion does not last long. Over the next week, people consult dictionaries in several languages. They find that the word “macaca” is a term for monkey, used in some places around the world as a racial epithet. At first, the senator recoils from the claims of insensitivity, refusing to apologize. Then he apologizes hesitantly, then profusely. At first, the senator’s advisors say the word was a nickname for a mohawk haircut. Then they say the word meant nothing at all.

As days stretch into weeks, a video of that moment, with the senator onstage, spreads over the Internet like a sickness, entering popular culture and political history. Months later in the fall, when the votes are counted, it becomes clear that a successful politician has stumbled badly over a 20-year-old with a camcorder. The career of George Allen, the former front-runner for the 2008 Republican presidential nomination, is in shambles. And when he finally concedes defeat two days after the 2006 election, he has not only lost a seat that was considered safe but also handed Democrats control of the Senate, completing their takeover of both houses of Congress.

It must be said that the young man, Shekar Ramanuja Sidarth, is not much of a cameraman. In the macaca footage, his hand shakes, though he manages to hold Allen in the frame as the senator points him out, an Indian-American in a crowd of whites. But in the weeks that follow, Sidarth does not shy from the spotlight that surrounds him. He undergoes a transformation of sorts, appearing on CNN and the network news, giving long interviews to the pen-and-paper press. He becomes a symbol of politics in the 21st century, a brave new world in which any video clip can be broadcast instantly everywhere and any 20-year-old with a camera can change the world. He builds a legacy out of happenstance. [Read more →]

Tags: Domestic Issues, Race, Senator George Allen by ecthompson
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So, your campaign manager mentions, “Don’t keep $90,000 in cash in your freezer.”  Unfortunately, you don’t follow your manager’s advise and the FBI finds the cold hard cash (pun intended) in your freezer. So, how does your campaign figure out a way for you to win your congressional bid?

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From CNN.com:

U.S. Rep. William Jefferson easily defeated his fellow Democratic opponent in a runoff election Saturday, despite an ongoing federal bribery investigation.

In complete but unofficial returns, Jefferson, Louisiana’s first black congressman since Reconstruction, received 57 percent of the vote over state Rep. Karen Carter, who had 43 percent.

Carter was unable to capitalize on a scandal that included allegations the FBI found $90,000 in bribe money in Jefferson’s freezer.

In a concession speech, Carter embraced family members and pledged to work with Jefferson, especially on the area’s recovery from Hurricane Katrina.  more

Tags: Election 2006, House of Representatives by ecthompson
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I feel weird back from a day off.  Crazy.  I’m doing the show without headphones so I feel naked.  No, not really not clothes naked because it is 20 degrees outside!!

Sean Bell and his 2 friends are shot and killed by the NY police department.  50 bullets are shot at their car.  No weapon.  Yuck.  I can’t remember a white man being shot like this outside of Bonnie and Clyde.

Although Bush says he is open to new ideas and change it sure seems like he is saying, “Stay the Course.”  At the same time Cheney tip-toes into Saudi Arabia. 

The first Democrat is officially out of the gate - Governor Tom Vilsack of Iowa. 

My first guest is Congressman Elect Keith Ellison.  He is the first Muslim to be elected to Congress but he is more than that.  He will work for the common good.  This is an excellent interview but because I have any interviewing skill but because Congressman Elect Ellison is a very thoughtful man.  He will be great. 

My second guest is Jim Stratton a reporter from the Orlando Sentinal.  He is following the missing 18,000 votes in Florida.  He will give us an update. 

There’s much more. 

Remember I’m on iTunes and several other podcasting services.

 

 The Errington Thompson Show 12-2-06 [50:34m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Tags: Election 2006, Iraq, Podcasts by ecthompson
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I have really talked up this interview because I believe that Keith Ellison is a special politician.  Yes, yes, he is the first Muslim in Congress.  That is not what makes him special.  He understands what Americans need.  Education, Fair Trade, Healthcare, Increasing the Minimum Wage and Hope.  This is an excellent interview (if I do say so myself).  I look forward to seeing what this freshman Congressman will do.  After listening to this interview if you are excited to see what this man can do I need to check your pulse.

 

 Interview with Keith Ellison [14:05m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Tags: Civil Rights, Election 2006 by ecthompson
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From WaPo:

Paperless electronic voting machines used throughout the Washington region and much of the country “cannot be made secure,” according to draft recommendations issued this week by a federal agency that advises the U.S. Election Assistance Commission.

The assessment by the National Institute of Standards and Technology, one of the government’s premier research centers, is the most sweeping condemnation of such voting systems by a federal agency.

In a report hailed by critics of electronic voting, NIST said that voting systems should allow election officials to recount ballots independently from a voting machine’s software. The recommendations endorse “optical-scan” systems in which voters mark paper ballots that are read by a computer and electronic systems that print a paper summary of each ballot, which voters review and elections officials save for recounts.

Voters in Maryland cast ballots on electronic machines that produce no paper record of each vote; in the District and Loudoun County, voters can choose between using such machines and optical-scan systems. Other Northern Virginia jurisdictions, and many counties across the state, use electronic voting systems exclusively.  more

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Voting experts have been saying this for more than a year now.  Hello!!  We need to be thoughtful about this. As a matter of fact, I have found no expert on voting who likes these machines.

Tags: Domestic Issues, Election 2006, Election 2008 by ecthompson
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I have listened to experts on this Sarasota problem.  It seems that this is a big deal.  18,000 votes.  If you look at those 18,000 votes they were overwhelmingly Democratic.  They would have definitely changed the outcome.

Here’s a copy of Lawsuit filed in Leon County, Florida.

Tags: Election 2006 by ecthompson
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Why?  Why Glenn “I open my mouth too much and too often” Beck’s show? I guess if you go into the Lions Den and survive nobody’s going to mess with you.  I’m proud of Ellison.  I sad for Beck.

BTW, I think that I might have Congressman elect Ellison on my show next week.  Keep your fingers crossed.

 

 Glen Beck - Congressman elect Ellison [1:59m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Tags: Election 2006, Media by ecthompson
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From Salon.com:

The neoconservatives who dreamed up America’s Iraq nightmare are rushing desperately about, searching for scapegoats. Their favorite whipping boy is yesterday’s jutting-jawed hero, Donald Rumsfeld, who has been unceremoniously tossed onto the scrapheap. But they also blame the National Security Council, Condoleezza Rice, George Tenet, Paul Bremer, Gen. Tommy Franks and George W. Bush himself. The only thing they don’t blame is the actual culprit — neoconservative ideology itself.

The neocon finger-pointing over who lost Iraq, recently showcased in Vanity Fair, obscures the fact that Bush’s war was a laboratory in which their doctrine was tested — and completely failed. This failure was manifested on the ground and confirmed by the midterms. Most Americans don’t even know what neoconservatism is, but they know a failure when they see it — and they decisively rejected it.

Unfortunately, Bush himself and the key figures in his administration continue to cling, with the fervor of true believers, to neoconservative ideology. Bush has taken some potentially positive steps, like dumping Rumsfeld and replacing him with the more pragmatic Robert Gates, and saying he’s open to “any idea” on Iraq. And he is now under enormous pressure, not just from Democrats but also from his own party, to implement profound changes in his Middle East policies. But it remains doubtful whether a figure as dogmatic and inflexible as Bush, who regards his “war on terror” as a sacred duty, will be able to change his approach. It is essential that the fundamental failure of neoconservatism be recognized, to prevent more foreign policy debacles like Iraq. [Read more →]

Tags: Domestic Issues, Election 2006, Other Political Thoughts, Party Politics by ecthompson
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Keith Olbermann’s Countdown reviews the late night comedy that surrounded the election.

 

 Countdown - Last Laughs: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Tags: Election 2006 by ecthompson
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Keith tellin’ it like it is.

 

 Commentary - Voting [4:47m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Tags: Bush Administration, Election 2006 by ecthompson
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Jon Stewart takes and interesting look at Rummy. 

 

 TDS - Bush_Rummy [3:08m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Tags: Election 2006, Iraq, Military by ecthompson
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From the Miami Herald:

The latest Florida election whodunit, replete with a razor-thin vote margin and a looming recount, played out here Wednesday as state and county officials were at a loss to explain why 18,382 votes weren’t cast or recorded in the nationally watched congressional race to replace Katherine Harris.

Already, the specter of the botched 2000 elections has gripped the area, owing to the mere mention of Harris, the former Florida secretary of state, as well as partisan battle cries, with Republican Vernon Buchanan saying it’s time to move on after he claimed a 368-vote victory near 1 a.m. Wednesday.

Democrat Christine Jennings said voters were ”victimized” because the ‘’staggering number” of so-called ”undervotes” were disproportionately higher here compared with the other four counties in House District 13 and other races. More votes were recorded for the Hospital Board Southern District.  more

Tags: Domestic Issues, Election 2006 by ecthompson
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Dem Victory Punctures E-Voting Conspiracy Theories (From Information Week)
By Marianne Kolbasuk McGee
Nov 10, 2006 at 08:11 PM ET

Sure, there were problems with e-voting systems during Tuesday’s elections. But all in all, they worked. What’s the proof? The Democrats won big.

Among the various e-voting conspiracy theories prior to the midterm elections were allegations that one of the biggest suppliers of the systems — Diebold — would rig voting because of supposed ties between the company and the Republican party.

Well, if Diebold or anyone else rigged, hacked, or tampered with any of those systems to skew the outcome, they didn’t do a very good job. Or maybe e-voting hysteria is just like the Y2K panic.

Like I said, sure there were problems — including voters inconvenienced by delays and some whom unfortunately weren’t able to vote at all. And I’m not predicting that there won’t be problems, hacking, or rigging-schemes in the future. But like our democracy, e-voting isn’t perfect, but it works.

What do you think? Is e-voting a success?

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It is this kind of logic that just floors me.  It is because I didn’t see it, it didn’t happen — kind of logic.  It is like standing outside and because you didn’t get wet you walked back inside and say it hasn’t rained at all today.  The only way to prove that electronic voting machines worked is to compare the electronic voting machines to exit polls or to paper ballots in the same districts.  That is the only way to truly prove your hypothesis.  Anything else is simply conjecture.  Just because your opponent won, doesn’t mean that you didn’t try to stuff the ballot box.  It simply may be a case that you didn’t stuff the ballot box with enough votes or that your opponent was better at cheating than you were.My suggestion is that this author needs to go back to eighth grade and take a course on logic.

Tags: Election 2006 by ecthompson
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Representative Fisher who has been on my show 3 times (the only politician to have come on my show that many times) has been re-elected. This is a huge win for North Carolina. She is a great representative.

Update (from Susan Fisher’s Camp):

YOU helped re-elect our wonderful NC House Representative Susan Fisher and significantly aided in other victories that will have a profound impact on our community, our state, and our nation. THANK YOU!

Susan received over 15,000 votes and we will be sending her back to Raleigh in January with a RESOUNDING show of support for her strong progressive stance on issues that matter to all of us. The voters of district 114 proved that the politics of division, fear, and dirty tricks CAN be defeated with caring, positive, collaborative, issue-focused and responsive leadership. Thanks to you, Susan will be able to continue her hard work protecting our environment, fighting for affordable health care for all, supporting strong local economies with small, homegrown, clean businesses paying living wages, and ensuring quality education for all children in North Carolina. Your hard work, financial support, and participation made the difference. We left no stone unturned in NC House District 114, and our voters helped elect Heath Shuler to the US Congress, and Van Duncan as our new Sheriff. HURRAH!

MUCH APPRECIATION again to all of the volunteers who have made phone calls, knocked on doors, addressed postcards, hosted events, and otherwise chipped in on the campaign in the past week. This grassroots campaign would not be possible without your help! Appreciation also to all of those who supported the campaign financially, and those who got friends and family out to VOTE for Susan. Thank you.

Tags: Election 2006, Rep. Susan Fisher, State and Local Politics by ecthompson
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Missouri, Virginia are still out.  Tennessee goes to the Republicans.  So, what do we know?  I’m not sure that we know anything more now then we knew in January.  Iraq is a big deal but there are more issues out there.  The American people are starting to wake from their dreamy sleep.  Americans are starting to get involved and are starting to be aware of the issues that are effecting their lives. 

The one thing that is clear the era of the conservativism has ended.  The Bush era has ended at least I hope it has.

Democrats will have to lead.  Look for a rise in the minimum wage.  What will we do on Iraq?  Immediate push to simply pull out?  Phased withdrawal?  Will Bush actually work with the Democrats to save his presidency or will he dig his heels in?  Rumsfeld?  Is he now out?

It is going to interesting.

Tags: Domestic Issues, Election 2006 by ecthompson
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Van Duncan had an outstanding interview on my show.  He is a thoughtful and polished man.  He will do a great job. 

From ACT:

Van Duncan has defeated Bobby Medford in the race for Buncombe County sheriff.

Medford conceded the race a little before 10 tonight.

His supporters, including Pat Hefner, Walt Roberson and Carl Mumpower, shook their heads as the Medford conceded the race.

Tags: Election 2006, State and Local Politics by ecthompson
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It wasn’t long ago the Dem’s were licking their wounds from 2004.  Complete incompetence mixed with a particularly vile type of arrogance gave the Democrats a window of opportunity.  The continued deaths in Iraq.  The chaos in Iraq.  The lack of a coherent plan.  The Dubai Port deal.  The attempt to steal Social Security.  An economy that’s making the rich richer and everyone else is asked to bend over.

I had an opportunity to speak with Tom Daschle on Sunday night.  He and I were riding the same plane going to Atlanta.  I asked him a rhetorical question — can you name any policy that President Bush has implemented that is actually benefit the American people?  Then I qualified this question by saying any major policy.  Neither one of us could think of any.  You have No Child Left behind, Stem Cell Research, Healthy Forests, Energy Policy — not one of these have been helpful to the American people.  (On a personal note, it was a great thrill to talk with Senator Daschle in person, especially since, I interviewed him on my show not two weeks ago.)

It will still be another couple of hours before we find out the outcomes of the Senate races.  It appears that the race in Virginia, Tennessee and Missouri are going to be extremely close.

 

 Queen - Another one bites the dust [3:29m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Tags: Election 2006 by ecthompson
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Governor Sanford of South Carlina (R) is turned away from the polls.  He didn’t have his voters card.  Now, that’s embarassing.  If you listen you can hear either his wife or his assistant state that she asked him if he had the card “this morning.”  (Maybe this is the penalty for ignoring your wife!!)

 

 Governor turned away from poll [2:09m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Tags: Election 2006 by ecthompson
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