I noticed that the flash object below was added to Charlie Wilson's House website.
I hope it made you smile like it did for me. Wilson's also posted his events for next week on his site. With the district page now gone it would seem all my complaints have been resolved.
He who controls the past controls the future. He who controls the present controls the past.
-- George Orwell, 1984
Sorry, I actually just finished rereading 1984 a few days ago so this story really seems creepy to me. Remember the "Mission Accomplished" banner on the aircraft carrier? Someone recently noticed that the WhiteHouse.gov video of that speech had been badly edited to to not show it. Watch the explanation below.
Last month my favorite little white box, my iPod, developed a little bit of a stutter now is barely functional. Barely functional like takes hours to get it to sync and needs reset frequently functional. I'm trying to hold out until the end of the year to replace it though because I'm convinced that a new version will come out.
Today I learned that Dobson (you may know it as Cellular One), my cell phone carrier, was purchased by AT&T for about $2.5 billion. AT&T is the exclusive carrier of the iPhone. Is someone trying to send me a sign?
Of course with only 8 GB of memory (max) I wouldn't pay a penny over $400 for it. It'll take a while for the two companies to actually merge though, perhaps there'll be a price cut by then.
In next weeks Newsweek there's a story called "True or False: U.S.'s Broadband Penetration Is Lower Than Even Estonia's" (it's true by the way) and I highly recommend reading it.
Maybe our proud nation is going through some rough spots, but at least we have one shining and perpetual triumph: the Internet. People may refer to it as the World Wide Web, but its capital is Silicon Valley and the United States is the big dog tapping the global keyboard. At least that's what we thought, until the news broke in April of a report by the international Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development that ranked the high-speed broadband adoption of 30 countries in the developed world. The United States was not first. Or second, or third. It ranked 15th.
And of course the FCC is to busy trying to keep swearing off of the TV to care.
I tried but it was just to late in the week I guess. I called his office around two and left a message for his press secretary asking if I could get a copy of it and if possible be added to his press release list. Living in the age of caller ID I stupidly forgot to leave a callback number but I did leave an email address.
It's now almost 6:30 and I still haven't heard back yet and at this hour I probably won't. Again it's my fault for waiting until Friday (I forgot all about the recess) but I at least tried. I also haven't given up completely but it's doubtful I'll make any progress until Monday.
So Right Angle Blog came back from their maintenance with all the grace and journalistic integrity of a super market tabloid. In a post where Matt Naugle announced that the changes were complete he attacked an Ohio blogger by posting details of their father's DUI (which took place 2 months before I was even born), claiming this was why the blogger defended Frankie Coleman.
Did you miss the point Matt or are you just an idiot? The point wasn't that Frankie Coleman's DUI wasn't wrong but that it was a personal issue that you should let them deal with in private. You got your story and made sure everyone knew about it. Honestly I was fine with that until you made it a point to rub it in everyone's face several times over. Now you've crossed a line. You attacked someone through their parents, an act that says more about how you were raised than the blogger in question.
I'm deleting RAB from my feed reader the second this post goes live. I urge everyone else to do the same. This kind of shit isn't news, it's gossip.
Update: The post was taken down since this post went up. I'm still not resubscribing to RAB or linking to them ( I just dropped them from my blog roll) until they apologize to Mr. Kurtz. I urge other bloggers on both sides of the political realm to do the same.
It's late and I'm tired so I'll make it short. Charlie Wilson voted for the Emanuel amendment to defund Cheney's office while Zack Space voted against it.
I really don't see what Space thought he'd gain from this vote, everyone hates Cheney. I mean the guy thinks he's so special that he shot someone in the face and then wouldn't talk to the police until the next day. A man that claimed he wasn't part of the executive branch because he didn't want to adhere to the rules. With his vote Space has shown me that he doesn't find anything wrong with that.
The full vote tally can be found here.
I'll admit that until Jerid interviewed him I wrote off the Dodd campaign as nothing more than misplaced hope. I'll also admit that I also admit that I only listened to the interview because it was an Ohio blogger doing the interview. And last but not least I'll admit I was wrong. I liked what I heard during Jerid's interview and I was wrong to judge the candidate just because of what I thought of his chances. Does this mean that the Ron Paul supporters shouldn't shut up? No. It just means to judge the candidate by their actions, not by the fanfare that surrounds them.
This email from the Dodd campaign was sent out a little while ago.
Dear David,
With all the profound challenges facing America, you'd think we'd be talking about the very real issues before us.
Troop cuts, not haircuts.
Energy choices, not song choices.
Baghdad, not Paris.
The traditional media claims they talk about those issues because that's what YOU want to hear about.
But as we reach the end of the second fundraising quarter, we believe bold solutions and leadership on our most pressing challenges are what we should be talking about.
Do you?
http://ChrisDodd.com/twodaysleft
There are only a few days left before campaigns file their next fundraising reports, and they're pulling out all the gimmicks to separate you from your hard earned small-dollar contributions.
But we're not asking you to pick our campaign theme song today.
We will, however, continue to offer bold leadership that includes the "Dodd Amendment," the best and most realistic plan to end the war in Iraq; leadership that calls for a corporate carbon tax to turn back the clock on climate change; leadership that has the courage to say restoring our Constitution improves our security, not threatens it; and leadership that calls all Americans to service in their communities.
Your contribution at the end of this quarter ensures you'll continue to see Chris Dodd leading with conviction and boldness throughout the next one.
http://ChrisDodd.com/twodaysleft
There was a comment that struck me on a popular Democratic website the other day:
"I dunno. [Dodd's] site doesn't say anything about haircuts or his middle name or what songs he likes. It's just all about some habeas corpus thing."
Indeed.
Can you we count on your small-dollar contribution today in support of bold leadership?
http://ChrisDodd.com/twodaysleft
Thank you for all of your support thus far in the campaign. Whether it's your contributions, providing the largest visible crowds at the recent New Hampshire debate, or voicing your support for Senator Dodd's bold leadership on the important issues of the day...
We thank you,
Tim Tagaris
Chris Dodd for President
There are no voicemail messages or campaign song videos. There aren't any gimmicks at all actually (the DoddPod is nowhere to be found), just a man with a message. What more does a president need?
I finally got Charlie Wilson's schedule for the recess added to the Left of Ohio Calendar. In case the calendar format isn't your style I pasted all the event information from the press release below.
I hope to make it to at least one (if not more) of them but I really can't say for sure. I live pretty much right in the middle of Bridgeport and Marietta so I'm leaning towards the Marietta office opening and the town meeting.
Congressman Charlie Wilson (OH-6) sets schedule for July District Work Period.
JULY 2
Wilson to Lead Small Business Roundtable Discussion
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Congressman Charlie Wilson (OH-6) and the Lawrence County Chamber of Commerce will team up for a roundtable discussion with area small business leaders to talk about tax credits for small businesses and other issues.
WHO: Rep. Charlie Wilson (OH-6)
WHAT: Roundtable Discussion
WHEN: Monday, July 2, 3-4pm
WHERE: Melini Cucina Italian Restaurant
124 S. Second St.
Ironton, OH 45638
###
JULY 2
Wilson Opens New District Office in Ironton
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Congressman Charlie Wilson (OH-6) is pleased to formally open his new district office in Ironton. It will serve Scioto, Lawrence and Gallia Counties. Please join us for cookies and conversation as the Congressman officially opens the Sixth District's southern office.
WHO: Rep. Charlie Wilson (OH-6)
WHAT: Office Opening
WHEN: Monday, July 2, 4-6 pm
WHERE: 202 Park Avenue, Suite C
Ironton, OH 45638
###
JULY 3
Wilson to Host Conference Call with Veterans
Vets invited to call in with questions for the Congressman
Washington, D.C. - Please join U.S. Congressman Charlie Wilson (OH-6) for his first Veterans telephone town hall meeting. Charlie wants to share the news about the largest increase in Veterans spending in 77 years.
To participate veterans should call (toll free) 1-866-447-5149, pin 13016.WHO: Rep. Charlie Wilson (OH-6)
WHAT: Town Hall Meeting
WHEN: Monday, July 3, 10:30-11 am
WHERE: American Legion Post 64
8th & Wooster
Marietta, OH 45750
###
JULY 3
Wilson Opens New District Office in Marietta
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Congressman Charlie Wilson (OH-6) is pleased to formally open his new district office in Marietta. It will serve Meigs, Washington and Athens Counties. Please join Charlie for goodies and conversation.
WHO: Rep. Charlie Wilson (OH-6)
WHAT: Office Opening
WHEN: Tuesday, July 3, 4-6 pm
WHERE: 258 Front St.
Marietta, OH 45750
###
JULY 5
Wilson to Host Town Hall Meeting in Bridgeport
Washington, D.C. - Please join Congressman Charlie Wilson (OH-6) for a question and answer session on issues and current affairs. Wilson wants to hear from the residents of Ohio's Sixth District.
WHO: Rep. Charlie Wilson (OH-6)
WHAT: Town Hall Meeting
WHEN: Thursday, July 5, 10:30-11:30 am
WHERE: 800 Main Street
Bridgeport, OH 43912
###
JULY 5
Wilson Hosts Roundtable Discussion with Business Leaders
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Congressman Charlie Wilson (OH-6) will sit down with the leaders of area small businesses to talk about tax credits and other issues.
WHO: Rep. Charlie Wilson (OH-6)
Leaders from surrounding Chambers of Commerce
Area Pharmacists
WHAT: Roundtable
WHEN: Thursday, July 5, 2-3 pm
WHERE: 800 Main Street
Bridgeport, OH 43912
###
I'll see what I can do to get Zack Space's schedule tomorrow.
This post mentions an item in the Political Calendar. You can view the calendar as a webpage here or subscribe to it through RSS or iCal feeds.
And of course that's spelled C-H-A-R-L-I-E W-I-L-S-O-N.
A while back I had some rather aggressive things to say about my Representative, Charlie Wilson, over his lack of district outreach. Specifically I was mad about the lack of updates to his House website and his lack of events in his district. That post was picked up by both Right Angle Blog and Buckeye State Blog and both missed the point of it. It wasn't that I hated Wilson and wanted him replaced. It was tough love intended to shape him into a candidate that was bullet proof. I wanted to drag out the dirty laundry now while the masses aren't looking in our direction.
Since then I've kept a very close eye on Wilson's campaign and even called them to see what was going on. It wasn't much of a surprise to me that his staffers handled my concerns with both courtesy and efficiency and told me that they had been undergoing some changes in their communications department. I was promised that changes would be coming soon.
A little while after that I noticed his website had added new pictures but still no news. Getting somewhat impatient (though I shouldn't have) I suggested that if they couldn't figure out how to post press releases they should send them to me and I'd post them. Of course I never expected anything to come out of it though.
Shortly after that Wilson's site started to come alive again with the usual flow of news. At about the same time I got a voicemail from Wilson's press secretary referring to my previous post and asking if I'd like to be added to her press release list. Since then I've gotten a steady stream of Wilson news like this piped into my inbox and from his site. That was one problem down, one more to go.
Today marks what may be the final chapter in this saga because it brings with it a critical blow to problem #2, the lack of events. I just received a press release detailing a very busy schedule for Wilson over next weeks recess (I'll have more on them later and have them added to the Left of Ohio Calendar later tonight).
Did I ruin Wilson's chances for reelection? Not hardly. I might not have even had an impact at all. It's very possible (even likely) that they were working on this problem before I even came into the picture. The one thing I do know is that I see Wilson as a stronger congressman than I did a few weeks ago and that's all I ever wanted.
Well through your voicemail anyway. Yes that's right, Obama's newest fundraising incentive is record voicemail messages for two of his top fundraisers for this week.
Dear David,
What if the next person to get your voicemail heard Barack Obama explaining that his friend David wasn’t able to answer the phone?
Our second quarter fundraising deadline is only three days away, so we’re trying new things to encourage you to reach out using your My.BarackObama.com personal fundraising page. Barack has agreed to record two personalized greetings for two motivated online fundraisers.
The individual who raises the most money and the individual with the largest number of contributions on their personal fundraising page at the end of this week will each get a message from Barack.
Just two? Couldn't Barack find enough time in his schedule to record 5 or more? The email goes on to say:
P.S. -- We have never done this before and we are only offering this chance to My.BarackObama.com users because they have gone above and beyond.
Oh come on, without these people you'd still be sitting back in Illinois. Don't act like you making this big sacrifice, it's just two 30 second phone calls. You really want to impress me? Go visit them. That's right, change you're schedule and go campaign in their hometown. Shake their hand and thank them for their work. After all they've probably worked very hard on your behalf and you owe them that much.
Don't get me wrong, I like Obama. I'm just not a big fan of this fundraiser. In his last fundraiser he picked four donors at random (not by the effort they put into it) to have diner with him, why shouldn't the people that work hard for him get any less?
So Blogger has had this little subdivision of their site for a week or so called "Blogger in Draft" (if you aren't logged in you'll be redirected to the regular blogger page, in that case click the link again) where they test new features before they officially release them. So far they've added video uploading and polls.
The question: "Did BSB's interview with Chris Dodd make you more or less likely to consider voting for him?"
Vote in the sidebar. The poll results load within the page and the poll itself will close at 11:59 PM on July 12th (two weeks).
For being 70 years old (71 next month) George Voinovich I find it amazing that he is still able to pull off more flips than the U.S. gymnastics team.
WASHINGTON - Sen. George Voinovich said Tuesday the U.S. should begin pulling troops out of Iraq, joining Richard Lugar as the second Republican lawmaker in as many days to suggest President Bush's war strategy is failing.
He said the Iraqi people must become more involved and "I don't think they'll get it until they know we're leaving."
The Ohio senator's remarks followed similar comments by Lugar, R-Ind., the previous night. The two GOP senators previously had expressed concerns about Bush's decision to send 30,000 extra troops to Iraq in a massive U.S.-led security push in Baghdad and Anbar province. But they had stopped short of saying U.S. troops should leave and declined to back Democratic legislation setting a deadline for troop withdrawals.
I'm glad to actually have him on our side on this issue though I still wouldn't trust him. He saw what happened to Mike DeWine and now he's trying to save himself.
Source: Voinovich joins in call to pull troops from Iraq - Politics - MSNBC.com
And it's about time someone did it. From their announcement:
Are you tired of constantly checking the candidates' blogs or consulting your feed reader to stay on top of their activities and whereabouts? Wishing there was a place where all of that info is aggregated in one spot? Well, so were we. That's why present to you techPresident's Politickr. Politickr is a new feature that combines official blog posts, news feeds, photo streams, and video posts from the declared and prospective 2008 presidential candidates (plus some unannounced wild cards and third-party sites) and presents them side by side.
It's near impossible to keep up with everything. I've got an entire folder in my RSS reader for some candidates and I still haven't subscribed to everything. Heck, John Edwards (who's on Leno tonight with his wife) has 20 for his website alone. That's not including YouTube, Flickr, Twitter or any of the other outside sites the campaign uses.
You can find Politickr here.
Source: techPresident – Announcing techPresident's Politickr
I'm sure you've probably already heard about it but Jerid's interview with Chris Dodd is up. You can download it from this page.
On the whole I was pleased with Dodd's answers but the bigger story here was definitely that the interview took place at all. The media landscape is changing and Dodd has just shown Ohio that he understands that. It also should be mentioned that Jerid handled himself very professionally in what surely must have been nerve wracking interview. Sure he bracketed the interview with "Louie Louie" (and it wasn't even the Black Flag version!) but it's the actual interview that counts (just messin' with ya Jerid).
Go listen to it. Do it now! In fact you should have been listening to it and forming your own opinion instead of reading this.
Photo credit to Jerid at Buckeye State Blog
I noticed this little post on the Republicans "State of the Union" blog about Ted Strickland and the theft of state employee information.
The Plain Dealer states the obvious on Sunday:
Before Gov. Ted Strickland took office in January, one of his transition teams warned, in writing, that the state's information systems weren't secure.
So it's fair to ask why, six months later, a state intern was still following an utterly antiquated procedure when he brought home a data-backup device packed with hundreds of thousands of Social Security numbers and other personal data. ...
Now let's see if I've got this right, the ORP is complaining because Strickland isn't working fast enough to clean up the mess that the last republican administration left behind?
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