Tricounty DFA Halloweeen Update: Meetup with Conference Call With Governor Dean, more
Hello Everyone!

Hope you all had a Happy Halloween!

In this update:

1. Bush Makes Scary Halloween Nomination
2. Meetup Wednesday With Dean Call
3. Kirsten Gillibrand To Speak Friday
4. Rally For Voting Machine Rights
5. Final Local Campaign Events
6. Dean Gets Tough
7. Bill Clinton Starts To Catch Up

1. Bush Makes Scary Halloween Nomination

It was a scary Halloween all across the country today with the surprise nomination of Samuel Alito to the Surpreme Court.

There are two ways of looking at this: A. Bush wants to drive the Plamegate spy outing scandal off the front pages, and, B. Bush is paying back his extremist right wing base. In either case, Alito is the sole judge on the Circuit Court to vote to strike down the Family Medical And Leave -- so much for "family values" -- and to allow racial, gender and disability discrimination. He has a long and disgraceful record, once actually voting to approve the strip searching of a ten year old girl and her mother by police officers who didn't have warrants to do so (don't these guys have $20 for a "lap dance" at one of those so called Gentlemen's Clubs? ).

I am sure we will be hearing and doing more on this in the next few months. For more info: http://thinkprogress.org/2005/10/31/samuel-alitos-america/
http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2005/10/31/124646/08

And a group of very good links: http://www.mydd.com/section/Judges

The Right Wing likes to pretend they are against "Judicial Activism" but they are the worse by far: http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2005/10/31/19039/478

Moveon is calling for signatures: http://political.moveon.org/stopalito/
Also People For The American Way: http://www.savethecourt.org/site/c.mwK0JbNTJrF/b.1142525/k.3576/Stop_Alito/apps/ka/ct/contactcustom.asp

2. Meetup Wednesday With Dean Call

We will be having our November DFA "meetup," which we now call Linkups, next week, Wednesday, November 2, at the Rockhill Bakehouse Cafe in downtown Glens Falls at 7pm. There will be no Saratoga DFA meeting because of the local election.

The evening will feature a live conference call with DFA founder and DNC chair Governor Howard Dean and DFA Chair Jim Dean. This conference call is scheduled for 9pm. The Cafe has generously agreed to stay open a half hour longer so we can get in on the call. (However, we will want to vacate promptly so the staff can go home.)

This is the first live call with the Governor in a long time; so we are bound to hear a lot of exciting news. On Nov. 15th Governor Dean is having another nationwide conference call for other Democrats on the topics he intends to speak about: the Republican Culture of Corruption and organizing Democrats for victory next year. However, the Governor is going to discuss all this with us, his DFA base, first.

We will also be discussing message formation and letter writing, our upcoming Voting Machine Forum, DFA-Link and more. It should be a great meeting. Come and bring a friend.

To reach the Rockhill Bakehouse Cafe, from Northway Exit 18, travel east into Glens Falls. Past the Hannaford, bear right at the Stewart's store, go past the Post Office and the Hospital to the intersection with the light just before the five points downtown. The Cafe is on the left on the corner of Hudson Ave., Exchange Street and Elm Street.

3. Kirsten Gillibrand To Speak Friday

Upcoming Congressional Candidate Kirsten Gillibrand will be speaking at a very last minute pre-election fundraising event hosted by the Warren County Democratic Committee on November 4th from 6:30-8:30 at the Highlander Park Country Club in Queensbury Tickets are $35.00 each. For info please contact Ann Hall at ahall@nycap.rr.com or other committee members.

4. Rally For Voting Machine Rights

This came in today from Bo Lipari of New York Verified Voting -- as you may know, we are going to have him speak in Glens Falls later this month.

"This Election Day may be the last time that New Yorkers vote on mechanical lever machines. What will we replace them with? New York State citizens, legislators, and technical experts are calling for paper ballots and optical scanners (PBOS) rather than untested, unauditable, problem prone electronic voting machines (DREs).

Join New Yorkers for Verified Voting and the NYS League of Women Voters for a rally in at the State Capitol in Albany on Monday, November 7 at 12 pm. We're rallying to call for adoption of PBOS, and transparency in the voting machine selection process.

Elections belong to the public, not to voting machine vendors looking to maximize profits. Join us to tell state officials that we don't want to vote on unproven, expensive, error prone DREs.

NYS Rally for Paper Ballots
Location: State Capitol Steps, Albany NY
Date: Monday, November 7
Time: 12 Noon"

5. Final Local Campaign Events

Pat Friesen, our DFA Hostess with the mostess in Saratoga, sends this appeal for help on a big literature drop in the Spa City Saturday.

"Breakfast and Blitz
Join us for the Final Literature Drop on behalf of all the Saratoga Springs Democratic Candidates

Saturday, November 5th
10 – 11:30am at
The Parting Glass

1. Stop in and have bagels & muffins and coffee/tea/juice.
2. Head out with your pre-packed Literature Drop bags assembled with an election district map and materials for distribution that weekend.
Donations gladly accepted!
Let us know you’re coming. Email: jstuchi1@nycap.rr.com or phone 583-7855"

6. Dean Gets Tough

Governor Dean has been speaking out a lot lately and he's getting tough. It looks like he's got his medical license back and is administering another spine transplant to the Democratic Party.

First he was in the San Francisco area on a picket line for striking nurses:
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2005/10/30/01040/932
Some highlights:
"Maybe if we had the foresight to start the primaries here in California, I'd be giving this speech from a much different location!"
On the Nov. 8th special election: "Vote 'no' on all of 'em. I know there are a few propositions there that are good, but it will send a message to the Governor in Sacramento and President Bush in Washington if everything goes down together. Don't worry, we'll put in the good stuff later. Just vote 'no' on everything."
"I know from my experience as a doctor -- although I haven't practiced in a long time -- that it's the quality of the nurses that gets things done."
"We can reverse the downward trend of organized labor in this country. It was our core in the '30s and '40s when we were running things."
"We need to rebuild the Democratic party from the ground up. We can't be 'Republican Lite.' It just doesn't work."
Then he came out swinging on the meaning of the indictment of Libby Lewis:
"Worse Than Watergate": http://www.democrats.org/a/2005/10/worse_than_wate.php

Today he took the cane to the Alito nomination and the link to hiding the Bush Administration's corruption:
http://releases.usnewswire.com/GetRelease.asp?id=55907

7. Bill Clinton Starts To Catch Up

President Clinton seems to be catching the spirit as well:

According to the AP:

"Democrats can't be afraid to talk about hot-button issues, including abortion, and should fight back against personal attacks from conservatives if they want to regain power in Washington, former President Bill Clinton said Saturday.
"You can't say, 'Please don't be mean to me. Please let me win sometimes.' Give me a break here," Clinton said. "If you don't want to fight for the future and you can't figure out how to beat these people then find something else to do."

For more:
http://www.comcast.net/news/politics/index.jsp?cat=POLITICS&fn=/2005/10/29/253079.html
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2005/10/30/85810/572

Things are looking up!

If you haven't signed up for DFA-Link to use the new tools and help us build up the resistance to the radical right, you can do it anytime: http://www.dfa-link.com/register.php?c=g&id=91042f3ae603ef90&

Many thanks, everyone, see you Wednesday!

Larry
- posted by Larry Dudley @ 11:26 PM 0 comments

 
Tricounty DFA: "Meetup" with Governor Dean next week, "Fitzmas", last minute election news and more
Hello Everyone;

First, I want to thank everyone who came out to make Wednesday's vigil such a success, and the Post Star for its excellent coverage.

In this update:

1. Meetings next week: Conference call with Governor Dean
2. Lewis Libby: First shoe to fall -- what do we do?
3. Gillibrand Reception
4. Washington County Action
5. Volunteer For Val

1. Meetings next week: Conference call with Governor Dean

We will be having our November DFA "meetup," which we now call Linkups, next week, Wednesday, November 2, at the Rockhill Bakehouse Cafe in downtown Glens Falls at 7pm.

The main attraction of the evening will be a live conference call with DFA founder and DNC chair Governor Howard Dean and DFA Chair Jim Dean. This conference call is scheduled for 9pm so that activists from coast to coast can get in on the call. The Cafe has generously agreed to stay open a half hour longer so we can get in on the call. (However, we will want to vacate promptly so the staff can go home.)

This is the first live call with the Governor in a long time; so we are bound to hear a lot of exciting news. On Nov. 15th Governor Dean is having another nationwide conference call on the topics he intends to speak about: the Republican Culture of Corruption and organizing Democrats for victory next year. However, the Governor is going to discuss all this with us, his DFA base, first.

We will also be discussing message formation and letter writing, our upcoming Voting Machine Forum, DFA-Link and more. It should be a great meeting. Come and bring a friend.

To reach the Rockhill Bakehouse Cafe, from Northway Exit 18, travel east into Glens Falls. Past the Hannaford, bear right at the Stewart's store, go past the Post Office and the Hospital to the intersection with the light just before the five points downtown. The Cafe is on the left on the corner of Hudson Ave., Exchange Street and Elm Street.

2. Lewis Libby: First shoe to fall -- what do we do?

As you probably know, Lewis "Scooter" Libby was indicted today on five counts of perjury, obstruction of justice and making false statements. Activists across the country, especially online, are calling this "Fitzmas" -- a Christmas like gift to Democrats and progressives because it is clear there are more and possibly bigger indictments to come. And indeed it is a great event, but only if we follow through. "Taking Back America" will not happen on its own.

We have to guard against thinking this will solve all our problems for us. In a sense, this is also a moment of real danger for Democrats and progressives as well -- we can't slip back into the complacent, stand pat thinking of the past that helped get us into this mess in the first place. Our party still needs reform and real change and a renewed commitment to average Americans, not corporate elites the way some elements in our party, like the DLC, would have. Republican failure do not automatically translate into our victory.

What can we do today? Online actions:

True Majority is sending a petition for Congress to fully investigate: http://action.truemajority.org/campaign/libbyindictment

Rep. John Conyers has a petition to Bush demanding there be no pardons of "Plamegate" offenders like Libby Lewis: http://johnconyers.com/index.asp?Type=B_BASIC&SEC=%7BB8736AFE-46F8-4994-81E7-7ECB674DE91D%7D

Also, ask Congress to support Representative Dennis Kucinich's resolution that the Bush Administration disclose all documentation from the infamous White House Iraq Group Libby belonged to that "cooked" the Iraq intelligence. http://www.democrats.com/peoplesemailnetwork/72

3. Gillibrand Reception

However, the big job we can do to follow up on today's events is getting rid of Congressman John Sweeney, who George Bush has nicknamed "Conressman Kickass" for his role in stealing the vote in Miami in 2000.

You can meet the person who will do that, Kirsten Gillibrand, at a special reception this weekend.

When: Saturday, October 29, 5:00-7:00 pm
Where: 180 Combs Road, Warrensburg, NY

RSVP Sean Gavin at SeanTGavin@gmail.com
For further information call Sean at 518-755-4276
For directions enroute, please call: 518-623-4407

Directions:

From the South: take I-87 N to Exit 23 Warrensburg. Turn left at end of exit ramp; proceed west to traffic light at US-9 (0.2 miles). Right turn onto US-9; proceed north through Warrensburg (0.7 miles) to intersection with NY-Rte. 418 (Richards Ave.). Turn left onto Rte 418, proceed west 3.5 miles, crossing into the Town of Thurman. NY Rte. 418 ends at three-way intersection with Athol Rd. Turn right onto Athol Rd., proceed up the hill; bear right through Thurman (passing the Post Office and the Town Hall). Turn right onto Glen-Athol Rd.; proceed until the Y-intersection with Valley Rd. Turn left onto Valley Rd., proceeding approximately two miles. Combs Rd. has two entrances on the right; take the second Combs Rd. entrance. 180 Combs Rd. will be the second house on the left-hand side of the road.

From the North: I-87 N to Exit 25, Rte. 8. Turn right onto Rte. 8, proceed west through Wevertown (passing through intersection with Rte. 28) into Johnsburg. In Johnsburg, make a left turn onto So. Johnsburg Rd.; proceed approximately 8 miles south on So. Johnsburg Rd., entering into the town of Thurman. Bear left at the intersection with Mountain Rd. (at this point, So. Johnsburg Rd. becomes Valley Rd.). In less than a mile, the first of two Combs Rd. entrances will be on your left; turn left into the first entrance. 180 Combs Rd. will be the second house on the left-hand side of the road

This reception is hosted by George and Robin Latimer.

4. Washington County Action

Our Washington County Democrats are working hard on their local races:

October 29, Saturday, 4-7:00 PM, Open House for Granville Candidates Sheila Comar and Frank Caruso at Mary and Nicholas Silitch's house, 10272 Route 22, North Granville, contact Mary Silitch, 642-9410, silitch@erols.com

November 3, Thursday, 6-8:00 PM, Meet Greenwich Candidates, Suzanne Cohen and Lisa Manzi upstairs at One One One Resturant on Main St. in Greenwich, contact Lisa Manzi 854-3388

5. Volunteer For Val

Roger Wyatt reports that the reception for Val Keehn yesterday in Saratoga was a smashing success with around 400 in attendance. What's really exciting, is rank and file Republicans, disgusted by the lies and more, came in to support Val.

However, this is a very intense race and they need help on their literature drop and Walking with Val:

"Breakfast and Blitz: Join us for the Final Literature Drop on behalf of all the Saratoga Springs Democratic Candidates

Saturday, November 5th, 10 to 11:30am at The Parting Glass

1. Stop in and have bagels & muffins and coffee/tea/juice.
2. Head out with your pre-packed Literature Drop bags assembled with an election district map and materials for distribution that weekend.

Donations gladly accepted!
Let us know you’re coming. Email: jstuchi1@nycap.rr.com or phone 583-7855
Election Day is 72 Hours LATER!!!
We need to keep working through Election Day. Bring your family along, bring friends!"

and

"Val will be walking in neighborhoods as much as she can. What we need to do is make those walks more visible. The way to do that is to create groups of 4 to 6 on each walk. So please look at your calendars and see if there isn't a time when you can join Val and other volunteers on these walks.

Here are the times for this week:

Sat. 10/29 12-5 (you could choose any part of this time)
Sun. 10/30 12-3

Per usual, meet Val at headquarters unless you hear differently from her or me.
Thank you so much. Nedra"

Thanks everyone! And a Merry Fitzmas to us all! But let's be careful we don't take the wrong message away.

Larry
- posted by Larry Dudley @ 5:46 PM 0 comments

 
Tricounty DFA: Pre-election update
Hello Everyone;

This is a pre-election update in addition to our earlier Vigil Flash update.

In this update:

1. Vigil Wednesday.
2. Indictments Coming?
3. $5 to Meet A Mayor! Not $500!
4. Reception on 29th for Kirsten
5. Washington County Events
6. New Blog Tools at DFA-Link!
7. Walking with Val
8. Literature Drop Volunteers needed
9. Conyers on Voting Machines
10. Linkups Next week!

1. Vigil Wednesday.

As most of you probably now know, according to Blog For America, Staff Sergeant George T. Alexander Jr., of Killeen, Texas was the 2,000th US military fatality in Iraq. He was wounded by a roadside bomb in Samarra, a town 60 miles north of Baghdad, last Monday, October 17th. He died in San Antonio, Texas last weekend.

At DFA's call, we will be holding a quiet, speech free vigil at or around the bandstand in City Park in Downtown Glens Falls, today, Wednesday, October 26, at 6:30pm. Please come, bring a friend, a candle and a sign of your own making, witnessing for peace. A paper cup to hold the candle to prevent wax drippings is also requested. The vigil will last approximated a half hour to an hour.

We are all upset by the war, but the primary purpose of this vigil is to bear witness for and remember those who have died, to bear witness for peace, and to silently protest war.

To confirm or get directions, please go to http://political.moveon.org/event/events/event.html?event_id=6089
and click on that you plan to attend. (we really appreciate those confirmations -- and it helps with media coverage!)

There will also be vigils in downtown Saratoga Springs at 7pm and in Clifton Park in front of Congressman John Sweeney's office at 3:30pm. As we all know, Rep. Sweeney voted for the war.

2. Indictments Coming?

The newswires are buzzing tonight that major indictments in the "Plamegate" spy exposure scandal will be coming imminently. Together with the sad and tragic death of Staff Sergeant Alexander, October 26th will likely go down as one of the most pivotal in U.S. history. For more on what is coming: http://www.cnn.com/2005/WORLD/meast/10/25/iraq.main/index.html

3. $5 to Meet A Mayor! Not $500!

You’re invited! You don’t have to spend $500.-a-plate to meet a candidate for Mayor.
But, for 5 bucks, Val Keehn will treat you like you did.
Got $5* to spare? That’s all you need to meet Val Keehn, candidate for Mayor, at her fundraiser.

When: Thursday, October 27
Where: Union Gables Inn, 55 Union Ave.
Time: 5:30 - 7:30 p.m.
Donation: $5 -a-plate*

We’ll share simple snacks and drinks while you and Valerie get to meet and talk.
*Actually, you’ll get in even if you can’t swing the 5 bucks, because Val welcomes everyone.
Check out Val's great flyer at our blog: http://townmeetingday.blogspot.com just scroll down a bit.

4. Reception on 29th for Kirsten

You are cordially invited to a meet and greet reception for Kirsten Gillibrand!

As most of you know, Kirsten is preparing to enter the Congressional race against Representative John Sweeney. If you haven’t had a chance to meet her, this is it!

When: Saturday, October 29, 5:00-7:00 pm
Where: 180 Combs Road, Warrensburg, NY

RSVP Sean Gavin at SeanTGavin@gmail.com
For further information call Sean at 518-755-4276
For directions enroute, please call: 518-623-4407

Directions:

From the South: take I-87 N to Exit 23 Warrensburg. Turn left at end of exit ramp; proceed west to traffic light at US-9 (0.2 miles). Right turn onto US-9; proceed north through Warrensburg (0.7 miles) to intersection with NY-Rte. 418 (Richards Ave.). Turn left onto Rte 418, proceed west 3.5 miles, crossing into the Town of Thurman. NY Rte. 418 ends at three-way intersection with Athol Rd. Turn right onto Athol Rd., proceed up the hill; bear right through Thurman (passing the Post Office and the Town Hall). Turn right onto Glen-Athol Rd.; proceed until the Y-intersection with Valley Rd. Turn left onto Valley Rd., proceeding approximately two miles. Combs Rd. has two entrances on the right; take the second Combs Rd. entrance. 180 Combs Rd. will be the second house on the left-hand side of the road.

From the North: I-87 N to Exit 25, Rte. 8. Turn right onto Rte. 8, proceed west through Wevertown (passing through intersection with Rte. 28) into Johnsburg. In Johnsburg, make a left turn onto So. Johnsburg Rd.; proceed approximately 8 miles south on So. Johnsburg Rd., entering into the town of Thurman. Bear left at the intersection with Mountain Rd. (at this point, So. Johnsburg Rd. becomes Valley Rd.). In less than a mile, the first of two Combs Rd. entrances will be on your left; turn left into the first entrance. 180 Combs Rd. will be the second house on the left-hand side of the road

This reception is hosted by George and Robin Latimer.

5. Washington County Events

October 29, Saturday, 4-7:00 PM, Open House for Granville Candidates Sheila Comar and Frank Caruso at Mary and Nicholas Silitch's house, 10272 Route 22, North Granville, contact Mary Silitch, 642-9410, silitch@erols.com

November 3, Thursday, 6-8:00 PM, Meet Greenwich Candidates, Suzanne Cohen and Lisa Manzi upstairs at One One One Resturant on Main St. in Greenwich, contact Lisa Manzi 854-3388

6. New Blog Tools at DFA-Link!

This week DFA unveiled a powerful new tool for all the local DFA-Links (what we used to call Meetups). We now have a group blog. This blog is open to use by everyone who has registered with DFA-Link. You can use it to express yourself on any issue that concerns you -- and it's easy. Go to http://tools.democracyforamerica.com/link/group.php?id=113 which is our page, and check it out! If you haven't registered yet, you will need to do so -- in fact, if you haven't, you have all the more reason to do so now. To register go to: http://www.DFA-Link.com/register.php?c=g&id=91042f3ae603ef90 enter your name and email address, pick a password, then click the button at the bottom to join up with our group to use this new tool.

I would note some people, when they registered with DFA-Link, accidentally missed hitting the button to join a local group. There really isn't much point to registering with DFA-Link if you aren't in one of our Linkups, so you might want to check to make sure you have.

7. Walking with Val

Again, from Nedra on the front lines in Saratoga Springs:

"If you have not gotten involved yet, now is the time. These last two weeks are so very important and Val intends to make the most of them. She will be walking in neighborhoods as much as she can. What we need to do is make those walks more visible. The way to do that is to create groups of 4 to 6 on each walk. So please look at your calendars and see if there isn't a time when you can join Val and other volunteers on these walks.

Here are the times for this week:

Friday 10/28 4:30-6:30
Sat. 10/29 12-5 (you could choose any part of this time)
Sun. 10/30 12-3

Per usual, meet Val at headquarters unless you hear differently from her or me.
Thank you so much. Nedra"

8. Literature Drop Volunteers needed

Breakfast and Blitz: Join us for the Final Literature Drop on behalf of all the Saratoga Springs Democratic Candidates

Saturday, November 5th, 10 to 11:30am at The Parting Glass

1. Stop in and have bagels & muffins and coffee/tea/juice.
2. Head out with your pre-packed Literature Drop bags assembled with an election district map and materials for distribution that weekend.


Donations gladly accepted!
Let us know you’re coming. Email: jstuchi1@nycap.rr.com or phone 583-7855
Election Day is 72 Hours LATER!!!
We need to keep working through Election Day. Bring your family along, bring friends!

9. Conyers on Voting Machines

As you may know from the last couple of meetings, we are trying to get an educational forum set up for the next month or so on voting machine technology with Bo Lipari of New York Verified Voting. We will be having more info on this soon.

In the meanwhile, Congressman John Conyers has a report about the many, many, troubling problems with computerized voting machines that were discovered by the non-partisan Government Accounting Office -- it seems they do in fact have fundamental security flaws, as many have predicted:
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2005/10/21/115027/30

If you want to help with this forum, please contact our Voting Rights Committee Chair Bob Rockwell at rrockwel@nycap.rr.com or me.

For more on this issue: http://www.commondreams.org/views05/1018-22.htm

10. Linkups Next week!

Remember, next week is the first of the month and a new DFA-Linkup. Because of the press of news on local elections, I'll have another posting on that in a couple of days.

Thanks everyone! See you tomorrow at the Vigil.

Larry
- posted by Larry Dudley @ 11:38 PM 3 comments

 
Greater Glens Falls DFA Flash Update: Join in Vigil For the 2,000
Hello Everyone;

2,000 Americans have died in Iraq, along with an unknown number of Iraqis. The identity of the 2,000th service man or woman is not known, but that soldier or marine stands as a representative of all those who have made the ultimate sacrifice for their country.

DFA is joining with True Majority and Moveon.org to sponsor nationwide vigils in commemoration of all those who have died in Iraq -- the 2,000 Americans and uncounted Iraqis alike.

At DFA's call, we will be holding a quiet, speech free vigil at or around the bandstand in City Park in Downtown Glens Falls, tomorrow, Wednesday, October 26, at 6:30pm. Please come, bring a friend, a candle and a sign of your own making, witnessing for peace. A paper cup to hold the candle to prevent wax drippings is also requested. The vigil will last approximated a half hour to an hour.

We are all upset by the war, but the primary purpose of this vigil is to bear witness for and remember those who have died, to bear witness for peace, and to silently protest war.

To confirm, please go to http://political.moveon.org/event/events/event.html?event_id=6089
and click on that you plan to attend. (we really appreciate confirmations!)

There will also be vigils in downtown Saratoga Springs and in Clifton Park in front of Congressman John Sweeney's office. As we all know, Rep. Sweeney voted for the war.

Thanks Everyone,

See you tomorrow and please RSVP!

Larry Dudley
- posted by Larry Dudley @ 5:00 PM 1 comments

 
Reception For Val Keehn!
You’re invited!
You don’t have to spend
$500.-a-plate to meet a
candidate for Mayor.



But, for 5 bucks, Val Keehn
will treat you like you did.

Got $5* to spare?
That’s all you need to meet Val Keehn,
candidate for Mayor, at her fundraiser.

When: Thursday, October 27
Where: Union Gables Inn, 55 Union Ave.
Time: 5:30 - 7:30 p.m.
Donation: $5 -a-plate*

We’ll share simple snacks and drinks while
you and Valerie get to meet and talk.

*Actually, you’ll get in even if you can’t swing the 5 bucks,
because Val welcomes everyone.
- posted by Larry Dudley @ 10:34 PM 1 comments

 
Tricounty DFA Update: Rumors Fly and more
Hello Everyone;

In this update:

1. Cheney Resignation Rumors Fly
2. Gillibrand at Wash Women's Luncheon
3. Walking with Val
4. An alert for those who attended the Washington demonstration
5. Activism Opportunities
6. Ring wingers attacking churches
7. We still need more of you on DFA-Link!

1. Cheney Resignation Rumors Fly

The online media is burning tonight with reports that Veep Dick Cheney is about to be indicted for his role in the "Plamegate" spy outing scandal. According to several reports, John Hannah, former aide to both Cheney and foaming at the mouth UN Ambassador John Bolton has turned state's evidence and is testifying against the administration. Indictments are expected within a week. This could be an extraordinary moment in our history, and a great opportunity for Democrats, liberals and progressives -- if we capitalize on it. As the old saying goes, luck goes to the prepared. Check out the story that started the uproar today:
http://www.usnews.com/usnews/news/articles/051018/18whwatch.htm?track=rss

2. Gillibrand at Wash Women's Luncheon

Possible Congressional Candidate, Attorney Kirsten Gillibrand, will be speaking at the Washington County Women's Luncheon.

Friday October 21st from noon to 3:00 PM. The featured speaker will be Kirstin Gillibrand, who has announced that she plans to challenge John Sweeney in 2006. Join us at La Fontana Resturant in Hudson Falls.

Reserve your seat by October 17th by sending $25 per person payable to WCDC to Mary Silitch PO Box 78, North Granville NY 12854. Contact Mary Silitch at 642-9410.

Note: Space is limited - reservations are required by October 17th.

3. Walking with Val

From Nedra on the current frontlines in Saratoga Springs:

"Hello, Everyone,

This is a call to action. I would like to invite each of you to accompany Val as she walks the neighborhoods of our city. Repeatedly, I have heard from those with considerable experience within the political system that meeting and talking with the residents of Saratoga Springs is the most meaningful thing Val can do. I know from walking with her myself that people are appreciative, receptive, and supportive. They love it when she appears at their door and is ready to listen to what they have to say.

I believe it is also meaningful when Val is accompanied by energetic volunteers who demonstrate the growing support within the community for Val as our next mayor. I want to encourage you to volunteer for any of the following times this week that Val will be out and about:

Wednesday, Oct. 19 4 - 6
Friday, Oct. 21 4 - 7
Saturday, Oct. 22 10:30 - 1
3 - 6
Sunday, Oct 23 12 - 2
3 - 6

Generally, you will meet at the Democratic Headquarters (58 Federal St). Val will decide where to walk. Be sure to give me your phone number in case the time of the walk changes. If you have any questions, you can email them to me or call (587-4980 or 879-9760).

Thank you very much. Hope to hear from you soon. And if you are unable to participate this week, we will be soliciting volunteers each week until the election. Go Val!

Nedra R. Stimpfle

4. An Important Health Alert For Those Who Attended The Washington Demonstration!

There was a very weird story in today's Salon Magazine that I would like to highlight for everyone who attended the demonstration in Washington on September 24.

Apparently there was a release of a biological agent on the Mall during the protest; tularemia. This is real. No one apparently was injured, but there are scattered reports of people with flu-like illnesses. If you went and have experienced any odd health symptoms, colds, flues, congestion, coughing that persists, you should see a physician immediately. Tularemia is easily treated with common antibiotics.

The incubation period has passed. If you are well, you cannot get sick. It is unknown where these bio agents came from. One can speculate; was someone attacking the protestors? Or someone hiding in the crowd to test detections systems? No one knows. For full details read the Salon piece; you can read it after a short commercial:
http://www.salon.com/news/feature/2005/10/18/tularemia/index_np.html

5. Activism Opportunities

Act For Change sends these out:

Call on Congress To Admit Invasion of Iraq Was a Mistake
http://act.actforchange.com/cgi-bin7/DM/y/eigw0FAnh60COb05qg0EE

Tell the New York Times to Fire Judith Miller and Apologize to Their Readers
http://act.actforchange.com/cgi-bin7/DM/y/eigw0FAnh60COb05qh0EF

Congress has returned to Washington to deal with the budget implications of the huricane disaster. Among the ideas that have widespresd backing by the Majority Republicans is to cut funding for Medicaid, Medicare, Head Start, Child Nutrition Aid, Food Stamps, and other programs designed primarily to provide help for the poor and middle class. The Administration is looking for $50 BILLION in budget cuts while still planning to extend the nearly $70 BILLION IN TAX CUTS TO THE WEALTHIEST AMERICANS. Moderate Republicans are objecting to some of the cuts but the balance is so delicate no one can guarantee which side will prevail. Many organizations have sponsored a national call-in. The goal is to reach 20,000 calls to each member of Congress.

Call Rep. Sweeney at his office in Washington at 202- 225-5614
e-mail at www.house.gov/Sweeney

Please make the effort...
KAy Abaham

6. Ring wingers attacking churches

This illustrates the depth to which the far right has gone to hijack our country -- nothing is sacred to these people or beyond politicization, it seems, but some churches are starting to wake up and fight back.
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2005/10/18/182954/61

We need as many of us as possible to register with DFA-Link and pick a local Linkup to join. As we move into the next election year we will be giving DFA's new online tools a real workout, so the sooner you sign up, the stronger we will be.

7. We still need more of you on DFA-Link!

I would note these are all tools we can use -- their purpose is to connect and empower YOU! So if you haven't registered, or have registered and haven't joined a local Linkup, which is essential, please hit the link below and follow though by entering you name and email and creating an account with your own unique password. You can share as much or as little personal information as you please -- it is up to you. http://www.DFA-Link.com/register.php?c=g&id=91042f3ae603ef90&

Thanks everyone!

Larry
- posted by Larry Dudley @ 12:16 AM 0 comments

 
Tricounty DFA Update: Saratoga For Keehn, Take the Pledge, more
Hello Everyone!

In this update:

1. Saratoga DFA-Linkup endorses Val Keehn
2. Take The Pledge
3. Gore Will Not Run
4. Washington Demonstration Pictures
5. Bernie Sanders Wants Us To Send a Message To Sweeney
6. Cooking With The Candidate
7. Call On Bush Daughters To Enlist
8. Bill McKibben
9. Electric Cars
10. On The Lighter Side


The Saratoga group had a successful meeting last Tuesday night and endorsed Valerie Keehn For Mayor. Val attended the DFA training weekend in Syracuse last July and her primary victory really showed its value! Here is the release:

SARATOGA SPRINGS DEMOCRACY FOR AMERICA
UNANIMOUSLY ENDORSES VAL KEEHN FOR MAYOR

Wednesday, October 11 – Valerie Keehn, Democratic candidate for Mayor of Saratoga Springs, was unanimously endorsed last night by the Saratoga Springs Democracy for America Link-Up (formerly Meet-Up). With a broad base of grassroots support, Valerie Keehn has built an innovative and creative campaign that is drawing both Republicans and Democrats to her side. She believes that effective local government must be open, inclusive and transparent and that the people of the city, utilizing the knowledge of experts, must participate in the solution of city problems.

Affordable and workforce housing and fair and equitable assessments are among Valerie Keehn’s top campaign issues. She also vows to fight over-development by revising and tightening development standards. She wants new construction to maintain the character of the city’s historic downtown, maintain the green-belt around the city and encourage small local businesses. She supports using Saratoga Lake as an additional water source while at the same time keeping its recreational uses intact. She wants the City to have a voice in all the larger issues that concern its residents, e.g. the racing franchise, sales tax and others.

Valerie Keehn is a DFA –trained candidate who exemplifies all of those values that Howard Dean has tried to bring to American politics. Although a newcomer to politics, she won the Democratic primary with a sizeable margin. She has received the endorsements of Eliot Spitzer, Senator Charles Schumer, Congressional candidate Kirsten Gillibrand, MS Magazine (Gloria Steinam) and numerous local leaders.

Valerie Keehn chooses concensus-building as the way of finding solutions to all of the many problems of our City. Her issues are those that concern the people of the City and her goal is to create a City in which the residents have a voice and can afford to live.

2. Take The Pledge

Most of the people who came into this movement, which started as the Howard Dean campaign, but also eventually included supporters of other anti-war candidates like Dennis Kucinich and Wesley Clark, came into it out of our anger over the War in Iraq.

DFA in Burlington has put a major new initiative online: they are asking not just candidates but everyone to "take the pledge" on Iraq, that: 1. Acknowledge that the U.S. was misled into the war in Iraq
2. Advocate for a responsible exit plan with a timeline
3. Support our troops at home and abroad

If you haven't signed, you should pledge tonight: http://tools.democracyforamerica.com/petition/iraqpledge/
There is also a great interactive map where you can see where and the first name of who has signed: http://tools.democracyforamerica.com/local/

3. Gore Will Not Run

Poignant news comes tonight that President-Elected Al Gore has ruled out another run for the Presidency, at least for 2008. However, President-Elected Gore tore into Bush with uncommon fury, laying out how America would have been a different and entirely better country if Justice had been done. When you read these words it's almost heartbreaking to think what might have been:

http://cnn.netscape.cnn.com/news/story.jsp?floc=ne-main-6-l2&flok=FF-APO-1131&idq=/ff/story/0001%2F20051012%2F1332671703.htm&sc=1131

4. Washington Demonstration Picture

Pictures of the big demonstration against the war in Washington on Sept. 24 are coming in. Check out this one on our blog:
http://townmeetingday.blogspot.com/2005/10/washington-demonstration-pics.html

On the subject of demonstrations, Kimberly noted at the last meeting that there will be a another big demonstration in Boston on 10/29. She is going. For more info: http://www.oct29.org/wst_page8.html

5. Bernie Sanders Wants Us To Send a Message To Sweeney

Our neighbor and future Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders is asking us to send a message to John Sweeney protesting the Patriot Act and its provisions to secretly search library and bookstore records. There is no conceivable national security need for these police state powers. Let Sweeney hear about it! http://action.truemajority.org/campaign/patriotact

6. Cooking With The Candidate

This in from Pell:

WHAT: Cooking With The Candidate
FOR: Event for Joanne Yepsen, running for Supervisor
WHERE: Cameleon on the Lake
WHEN: Sunday, October 16th, 12:00-2:00PM

DOES YOUR CHILD LIKE TO COOK?!

Kids 4 years and up will help prepare the food and raise money for a local charity of their choice! The kids will take a cooking class with owners Richard and Ann Marie of Chameleon on the Lake, and then prepare and serve lunch to their parents. The kids will decide how much of their tips go to a local charity.

While enjoying the meal, meet and hear from Joanne Yepsen, candidate for City Supervisor on the County Board who will outline her A-B-C approach to preserving our quality of life.

$10.00 per adult; children are free. If you and your children would like to participate:
RSVP to Carrie Hansen at (518) 469-6515 by Oct. 14th

7. Call On Bush Daughters To Enlist

This in tonight: call on the Bush daughters to enlist! Buzzflash.com has put up a petition for the many Bush siblings and cousins to enlist to fight the Bushco War. It's only fair, isn't it? http://www.buzzflash.com/editorial/05/08/edi05061.html

8. Bill McKibben

Harvey sends this really interesting piece by famous environmental author Bill McKibben, who lives nearby in Ripton, Vermont, on how hollow and inauthentic the religious right's claims are that America is a "Christian Nation". If anything at all, we worship the Golden Calf and the money changers are in charge of the temple. http://www.harpers.org/ExcerptTheChristianParadox.html

McKibben will be speaking on environmental issues at the Crandall Library in downtown Glens Falls on Oct. 26th, which is something to look forward to.

9. Electric Cars

McKibben I am sure would endorse this exhaustive dKos post on electric cars. The technology is obviously far more along than we might believe; non-polluting, cheap to run and energy independent electric cars are a real alternative. I could go on but it is better to simply dig in -- I found it revelatory: http://www.dailykos.com/story/2005/10/11/63745/864

10. On The Lighter Side

Finally, Linda sends this along, and it is great: http://www.wimp.com/presidential/

For more on the same check this Washington Post account:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/10/11/AR2005101101577.html

Maybe it's because of this! The majority would want Bush Impeached? http://www.dailykos.com/story/2005/10/11/171040/56

That should make us all feel better,

Thanks everyone,

Larry
- posted by Larry Dudley @ 10:47 PM 0 comments

 
Washington Demonstration pics!
The pictures of the big Demonstration in Washington, DC on September 24th are starting to come in. Here's a sample;



In the center is Glens Falls DFA-Linkup member Pat Dudley and former Glens Falls City Treasurer Paul Kemnitzer.
- posted by Larry Dudley @ 9:26 PM 0 comments

 
Tricounty Update: Saratoga DFA Meeting Tuesday -- Upcoming events, Much More
Hello Everyone;

First: Remember, October 14th is the voter Registration deadline for the November 8th election! If you aren't registered, you need to show some speed!

In this update:

1. Saratoga Meetup Tuesday
2. Glens Falls Meetup Report
3. Washington County Democratic Events
4. Saratoga County Democratic Events
5. Glens Falls Mayoral Candidates to Debate Tuesday
6. A Long View Of What Has Gone Wrong Through The Prism of Architecture and J.K. Galbraith
7. The Long View Of How To Put It Right: Dean, Colorado
8. On The Lighter Side

1. Saratoga Meetup Tuesday

The next Saratoga 'Meetup" -- now DFA-Linkup -- is scheduled for Tuesday, October 11 at 7:15pm. It will be held this month at the home of Sally Kirouac, 21 Horseshoe Drive, Saratoga Springs. Pat Friesen is unable to host this month, so Sally has graciously stepped forward to host. For more info call Sally at: 518-580-9264

On the agenda is an opportunity to meet and interview Mayoral Candidate Valerie Keehn, who will make a presentation. If you live in Saratoga and haven't met her yet, this is a great chance to do so; they are also looking for campaign volunteers. This is a big race, with serious implications for the future of Saratoga Springs. Remember,the last mayoral race was decided by only 80 votes!

To RSVP or get more info go to: http://tools.democracyforamerica.com/link/event.php?id=1353

2. Glens Falls Meetup Report

Last Wednesday we held another successful DFA meeting at the Rockhill Bakehouse Cafe in downtown Glens Falls. We discussed the September 24th March on Washington, with in person reports from Pat and Dick Dudley, Bernice Mennis, Rebekkah Chenoweth and KImberly Kennedy.

We also talked about the coming Congressional race against John Sweeney. You may not have heard that George Bush has a nickname for our John Sweeney. Guess what it is? "Congressman Kick-Ass." That's right, "Congressman Kick-Ass." George Bush knows he is indebted to John Sweeney for shutting down the fair and accurate counting of votes in Miami in 2000 -- otherwise he would not be in the White House now. We must never forget what Sweeney did.

On the subject of votes, we also discussed the upcoming local county decisions on voting machine technology -- will our communities go with optically scanned paper ballots that can be recounted and verified, or touch screen DRE's, which can be hacked with the real vote locked up and altered inside the machine?

We agreed to invite Bo Lipari, of New York Verified Voting, to a forum to be held later this month or early next month on voting machine technology and the decisions local counties will have to be making soon. To pay his expenses we passed the hat to raise the $125 needed. We are contacting him now and expect to hear from him shortly as to the available dates. This should be a very big event.

Also -- if anyone wants to chip in -- we fell a bit short -- that would be greatly appreciated. We need about $25 more.

If you want to help as a volunteer, contact me or the committee chair for this issue, Bob Rockwell at rrockwel@nycap.rr.com

3. Washington County Democratic Events

Lisa Manzi sends these Washington County Democratic Events:

October 18th - The Salem Democratic committee will be hosting a "Meet the Candidate" night for Dottie Schneider at 7PM at the Georgi Museum meeting room in Shushan. Refreshments will be served. Contact Frank Fronhofer 854-7893 for more information.

October 21st - noon to 3:00 PM, Women's Luncheon with Kirstin Gillibrand at La Fontana Resturant in Hudson Falls. To reserve your seat, send $25 per person payable to WCDC to Mary Silitch PO Box 78, North Granville NY 12854. Contact Mary Silitch at 642-9410. Note: Space is limited - reservations are required by October 17th.

October 25th - Greenwich Democrats are hosting a "Meet the Candidates House Party" for Suzanne Cohen and Lisa Manzi from 7:00 to 8:30 PM at Ed and Jane Dowling's House, 1 Highland Street in Greenwich. Refreshments served. For more information, contact Ed Dowling at 692-3394.

4. Saratoga County Democratic Events

Pell Kennedy sends these Saratoga Events:

The Friends of Valerie Keehn cordially invite you to a McKrells Concert Fundraiser for Valerie at the Parting Glass.
Come hear the music, support & meet Val, and have a blast. Cash bar, free appetizers! $25 per person. 7 - 9 PM.
The Parting Glass is on Lake Avenue in Saratoga Springs between City Hall and the Armory; you can't miss it or the partying crowd!

The Saratoga Springs Democratic Women’s Committee is hosting a Luncheon Fundraiser for its Women Candidates.
Wednesday, October 19th at the Inn at Saratoga. Noon – 1:30pm

Featuring remarks by:
Valerie Keehn, Candidate for Mayor
Joanne Dittes Yepsen, Candidate for County Supervisor
Cheryl Keyrouze, Candidate for County Supervisor

Please RSVP by Sunday, October 16. $25 per person
For more info contact: Janine at 583-7855 or jstuchi1@nycap.rr.com or Stephanie at 581-2627 or corps@lexcenter.org

5. Glens Falls Mayoral Candidates to Debate Tuesday

All five candidates for the Glens Falls Mayor's race will debate live on television on Tuesday, October 11 at 7:30pm on TV 8. TV 8 is also available on Time Warner Cable channel 8. This will be the first time all five candidates: Republican Bud Taylor, Democrat LeRoy Atkins, Independent Esmond Lyons, Independent Peter McDevitt and Independent WIlliam Berg will meet to debate.

6. A Long View Of What Has Gone Wrong Through The Prism of Architecture and J.K. Galbraith

The famous 19th century artist, critic and historian John Ruskin once observed that the story of a civilization is more accurately told by the story of its stones, that is, its buildings, than its poems or histories. Perhaps. Certainly architecture can give a true long view of what has gone wrong with a county.

The NY Times architecture critic Nicolai Ouroussoff gave a deeply thoughtful long view of America in the Sunday Times. Starting with the heroic saga of New Orleans pump operators trying to keep pumps built in the 1920s working (yes, New Orleans was dependent on 80 year old pumps!), he goes on to observe;

"For decades now, we have been witnessing the slow, ruthless dismantling of the nation's urban infrastructure. The crumbling levees in New Orleans are only the most conspicuous evidence of this decline: it's evident everywhere, from Amtrak's aging track system to New York's decaying public school buildings.... Rather than confront the causes of that deterioration, we are encouraged to overlook it... The inadequacy of that vision has now become glaringly obvious.... our decision makers will have to face up to what our cities have become, and why. "

In Ouroussoff's powerful account, this happened because of the privatization of American culture and the decline of a commitment to the common good, what used to be called the commonweal. A not to be missed article: http://www.nytimes.com/2005/10/09/arts/design/09ouro.html

It is also the 97 birthday of America's greatest economist John Kenneth Galbraith. Galbraith famously warned us against the danger of "private affluence and public squalor" -- exactly what Ouroussoff is describing. Interviewed for his birthday, Galbriath, "the man who warned Kennedy about the championing of war in Vietnam added: 'Our military operations, including notably Iraq, are under corporate direction through Rumsfeld and a compliant military staff. In the absence of corporate initiative and power we would not be in Iraq. And, a more poignant matter, we would not have George Bush.'

Best read back to back with the story of New Orleans antique pumps.
http://observer.guardian.co.uk/comment/story/0,6903,1588151,00.html

7. The Long View Of How To Put It Right: Dean, Colorado

Thankfully, in Governor Dean we have a man who takes the long view in how to set America back on track:

Dean was just interviewed on Hardball -- he is saying the leading issue to come will be a "culture of corruption exists in the Republican Party", which actually ties into the two articles above: http://msnbc.msn.com/id/9601984/

There was also a great Washington Post profile on how he is rebuilding the Party and what voters are really looking for from Democrats: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/10/08/AR2005100801129.html

Also, Dean Democrats are busy in Colorado:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/10/08/AR2005100800615.html

8. On The Lighter Side

Finally, on the lighter side, Drew found this gem: http://www.cronyjobs.com/

Thanks Everyone! See you all soon.

Larry
- posted by Larry Dudley @ 12:21 AM 2 comments

 
Tricounty DFA Update: Glens Falls Meeting Wednesday, Saratoga meeting moved to the 11th, more
Hello Everyone!

In this update:

1. Glens Falls DFA-Linkup or "Meetup" reminder -- Wednesday
2. Saratoga DFA-Linkup moved to Oct. 11th
3. Report on Saratoga Reception For Kirsten Gillibrand
4. Governor Dean on the 20th CD
5. All Hell Breaking Loose In Washington: Indictments in "Plamegate" coming? Could Bush & Cheney be indicted?
6. Miers appointment related?


1. Glens Falls DFA-Linkup or "Meetup" reminder -- Wednesday

This Wednesday, October 5th, we will have our monthly DFA-Linkup, which we used to call a "meetup," at the Rockhill Bakehouse Cafe in downtown Glens Falls at 7pm. Please come and bring a friend! There is a lot on the agenda:

*We'll be talking about the large reception last Saturday in Saratoga for Kirsten Gillibrand, who we first met seven months ago at our 2nd Anniversary meeting when we first learned she was looking to take on Rep. John Sweeney.
*What we can do to get rid of John Sweeney, who, we will note, shamelessly managed to inject himself into the disaster on Lake George last weekend, grandstanding for no good reason at all on a police boat that most assuredly had to have something better to do.
*Dick and Pat Dudley will be reporting on the big demonstration in Washington, DC on the 24th
*We will be hearing back on our Leave My Child Alone initiative from last month
*Will will also be talking about voting machines
*We did hear back from some Glens Falls mayoral candidates on their positions
*We will also be talking about DFA-Link briefly
*DFA also has a training exercise on message, for those Linkups that can get to it

To RSVP or for more info go to: http://tools.democracyforamerica.com/link/event.php?id=168

To reach the Rockhill Bakehouse Cafe, from Exit 18, turn East into downtown Glens Falls. Past the Hannaford Supermarket, bear right at the fork in the road by the Stewart's shop, travel past the Post Office and the Glens Falls Hospital. Past the Hospital, the Cafe is on the corner of Exchange and Elm Streets and Hudson Avenue, at the light by the light, just before the center of town.

2. Saratoga DFA-Linkup moved to Oct. 11th

The Saratoga DFA-Linkup was scheduled for tomorrow, Tuesday, October 4, but has been postponed because of Rosh
Hashana. It will now be held on October 11th at 7:15pm at the home of Sally Kirouac, 21 Horseshoe Drive, Saratoga Springs. For more info call Sally at: 518-580-9264

On the Saratoga agenda is an opportunity to meet and interview Mayoral Candidate Valerie Keehn, who will make a presentation. To RSVP or get more info go to: http://tools.democracyforamerica.com/link/event.php?id=1353

3. Report on Saratoga Reception For Kirsten Gillibrand

We will be discussing this more Wednesday, but an unusually early, large and very successful reception was held Saturday at the home of Miriam Scarborough in Saratoga Springs.

First, all our thanks to Miriam Scarborough for hosting and providing for this event! It was extremely well done and very generous.

There was an unusually large turnout of area Democratic officials, DFA leaders, and Democratic and progressive activists. Most had met and heard Kirsten Gillibrand speak before, but she spoke at length about her approach to the issues, about the need for accountability in government, and representation that actually serves the values and needs of the entire 20th Congressional District. It was a very impressive speech and attests to the enormous preparation she has already made. I think I fairly summarize the feelings of everyone at the reception that her coming entry is the best chance the Democrats have in the 20th Congressional District since Ned Pattison took the seat after the Watergate scandal in 1976.

4. Governor Dean on the 20th CD

As many of you know, when I was in the DFA Headquarters in Burlington on the last day of August, Governor Dean was there and asked me how the Democratic Party was doing in our area. I told him how incredibly encouraged I felt about Kirsten's race -- and that I felt it was the most important thing DFA could do in our area in the next year. Governor Dean thought that was absolutely correct, nothing we could do is as important as getting rid of John Sweeney. I'll have more on this at our Glens Falls meeting.

5. All Hell Breaking Loose In Washington: Indictments in "Plamegate" coming? Could Bush & Cheney be indicted?

All hell appears to be breaking loose in Washington. On top of DeLay, Frist and all, the Valerie Plame "spygate" scandal appears to be reaching a climax. There are even growing stories Bush and Cheney could be indicted. Sunday morning on This Week, host George Stephanopolous' was was quoted as saying, "a source close to this told me this week, that President Bush and Vice President Cheney were actually involved in some of these discussions," referring, of course, to the plot to expose a covert intelligence agent in order to smear her husband, career diplomat Joe Wilson, who told the truth about the fake yellowcake claim.

If the discussions in this scandal actually included Bush and Cheney, that is a stunning development. It is actually possible they could be indicted for criminal conspiracy, obstruction of justice, even violation of the Espionage Act. http://thinkprogress.org/2005/10/02/bush-directly-involved/
The Times confirms Cheney was probably involved: http://www.nytimes.com/2005/10/01/politics/01leak.html?pagewanted=all

6. Miers appointment related?

This also ties into today's surprising 8am nomination of Harriet Miers to the Supreme Court. The right wing is aghast, as is the left; this is not the candidate they expected. Does Bush believe, also, that he could be indicted, and therefore feels the need for a Bush family retainer to protect him on the high court from this coming indictment? Check out: http://www.salon.com/politics/war_room/index.html?blog=/politics/war_room/2005/10/03/plame/index.html

Whew! We will have a lot to discuss.

Thanks Everyone! See you all at our DFA-Linkups! If you haven't signed up, you can do it now! Please, go to: http://www.dfa-link.com/register.php?c=g&id=91042f3ae603ef90& register and sign up. We need you all.

Larry
- posted by Larry Dudley @ 3:41 PM 4 comments