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Politics, open government, and safe streets. And the constant incursion of cycling.

Month: October 2008 Page 5 of 12

The Price of Decency

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On October 22, 2008

In Politics, Society

Chaylee Coal deserves some real credit for standing up for decency:

Chaylee Cole, a student at Fairmont State University, lost her part-time job in Weston last Friday after refusing to make telephone calls attacking Barack Obama.

McCain-Palin 2008 and the Republican National Committee were paying for the calls, according to a “work paper” handed to Cole and her co-workers at the Weston offices of 1.2.1 Direct Response, a company based in Philadelphia.

“I was working at the call center,” Cole said. “We got a campaign ad talking about how Obama had been part of terrorist attacks on the Capitol, the Pentagon and a judge’s home and had ties with Bill Ayers.

“Last Thursday, I told them I did not want to read it,” Cole said. “They said, ‘Either you read it or you go home.’

So she went home.  Good for her.

China’s New Land Lease/Transfer Rules

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On October 22, 2008

In Policy, Society

Interesting story on the adoption of rules permitting land lease/transfer in China:

Although China’s 800 million farmers own their produce, farmland in China is still collectively owned and parceled out in 30-year leasing contracts. Allowing the transfer of land-use rights is a major step toward privatization.

Okay, this sounds like a good idea.  Why?  In theory:

Markets for land leasing and rights transfer will be set up to allow farmers to subcontract, exchange and swap their rights, the agency said. All transfers of land-use rights must be voluntary, with adequate payment.

I suspect, however, there’s going to be no small problem with that last part.  If you’re interested in the future of China, that’ll be something to follow.

She Doesn’t Shop in “Real America”

By

On October 21, 2008

In Politics

The RNC spent $150k dressing up the Palin clan, getting:

bills from Saks Fifth Avenue in St. Louis and New York for a combined $49,425.74.

The records also document a couple of big-time shopping trips to Neiman Marcus in Minneapolis, including one $75,062.63 spree in early September.

Gotta love it.

Seems Like a Nice Time to Visit

By

On October 21, 2008

In Personal, Politics

Chicago.

Some election nights stand out more than others.  I especially remember the soul crushing night in a bar in Atlanta in ’94.  The multiple “election nights” of 2000 that ended up following me across the ocean and back.  And ’06 wasn’t bad, either.  I suspect, however, that 2008 will be one for the ages.

You Mean I’ll Never Get a Seat on the Straight Talk Express?

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On October 21, 2008

In Politics

It seems that Joe Klein has been kicked out of John McCain’s treehouse:

Time columnist Joe Klein, who’s been a forceful critic of the McCain campaign (and already said he’s unwilling to accept a post-election apology), has found himself without a seat on the McCain or Palin the past four months.

[ . . . ]

“I’ve done nine presidential campaigns and this is the first time this has ever happened to me,” Klein said. “I was even allowed—I won’t say welcomed—on the Clinton plane in the summer of 1996 after I was revealed as the author of Primary Colors.”

I’m no fan of Joe Klein, and I think that this cold shoulder probably gets more credit for Joe’s increasingly negative takes on McCain than any sudden development of his analytical abilities.  But it still shows the McCain campaign as being run (and headed) by remarkably petty people.   But here’s where I get to be petty:

UPDATE: Campaign spokesperson Michael Goldfarb responded that “we don’t allow Daily Kos diarists on board either.”

My feelings are *so* hurt.  I’ll have to watch the campaign crash and burn from afar.  Probably for the best, I suppose.

Crossposted to DailyKos.com, natch.

McCain Can’t Manage His Own Ticket, Nevermind the Country

By

On October 21, 2008

In Politics

TPM brings us this moment of . . . bathos?

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yeeGzu9iYKU[/youtube]

“Listen to me!  I’m the candidate!”  This guy can’t get the one person who is supposed to back him on everything to stop embarrassing and undermining him in public, and he wants to convince us he can run this country?

Sign O’ The Times: Alarming Your Yard Sign

By

On October 19, 2008

In Politics, Virginia

Yard signs seem to be in great demand in my neighborhood these days – first by supporters, then by sad little thieves that decide to take a page from their party’s playbook by shutting down speech they don’t like.   At last count, six Obama and/or Warner signs have been stolen from a prominent spot on my street.  The last time it happened, I duct-taped a short note to the McCain sign that replaced the stolen Obama sign.  It invited the thief to leave future Obama signs alone, as no one has stolen a McCain sign around here, as best I can tell.  Alas, the Obama sign just disappeared again.  So, because I know we’re not the only ones with troubled and bitter little Republican thieves, I offer this handy HOW-TO:

In the weeks running up to the 2004 presidential election, my yard sign was often pilfered and/or destroyed.  After the 4th time, I had had enough, and rigged up a fairly simple alarm to help protect my sign.  This post documents how to do it in case you’re facing your own First Amendment-hating neighborhood antagonists.

What You’ll Need
• Duct tape
• A wire hanger
• Fishing line (string or twine can also be used)
• A personal alarm (more on this below)

Full instructions and pictures here.

18 Days Is a Long Time

By

On October 19, 2008

In Politics, Society

Yes, 100,000 people in St. Louis.  Yes, $150,000,000 in September.  But there are still 18 days to go.  Do not let up.  Reed Hunt reminds:

Only if we win will McCain and Palin have to cope with the reputations they will have earned. If they win, they get to write the history.

Democrats need to knock on every door in those key states; respond to every charge, no matter how crazy, in every media forum that can be found; stay on the air; stay on the offense. And remember the essential voters in those key states won’t finally decide until the weekend before that Tuesday.

Atrios on Powell’s Endorsement

By

On October 19, 2008

In Politics

He reflects my feelings:

I think what little credibility Colin Powell had is in a little vial of white powder somewhere, and have no desire to help rehabilitate his image. Still such things are not aimed at me, but at that segment of the population for whom the recommendation of their first black friend might encourage them to get a second one.

Is McCain Capable of Telling The Truth About . . .

By

On October 19, 2008

In Politics

anything?

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