From Renee: I don’t really have a diary in me at the moment, or even a good title for a post, but I figured giving this comment from Donna front page attention was the lest I could do. Tried to edit the post before this one to add a link to Donna’s comment, but Blogger won’t cooperate, so I had to do a new post.

I have been out all day, but when I checked phone messages, there was an urgent message from Carol Thomas, who is working hard on behalf of Charlie Grapski’s defense.

I know that many of us are tapped out from election donations, but Charlie has about three days to come up with $40,000 for his defense of the trumped up charges against him.

If you can possibly help, go to:

http://grapskidefense.org

or send a check to:

Ad Hoc Committee for the Defense of Charlie Grapski
P.O. Bos 190
Alachua, FLA 32616

Charlie’s situation is truly an abomination. He has been arrested for daring to question the integrity of the vote in Alachua. I truly believe that if Charlie can be made to disappear, than it can happen to any activist, anywhere. Even us.

donna in evanston

Donna has a diary about this at Daily Kos–please give it a recommend if you can. 

FYI to anyone who hasn’t heard this before (and apologies if this is a repeat).

there’s a campaign to raise the minimum wage in Ohio. It seems to enjoy popluar support, and Demetrius made a couple bumper stickers in support of that amendment, by request.

So, in the face of the popular support for this amendment, opponents have decided to take the “personal privacy” angle and try to scare people into voting against it. Nice. Their claims are debunked here by the way.

So, when my husband *finally* gets a real offer of animation work (which has been really sparse this season)–something for *television*, no less, guess who it’s for?

Naturally, the opposition to Issue 2.

Damn. We *really* need the money. But how many people would we be “throwing under the bus” if he took that project? And, as much of our time and energy as we have been devoting to working to make the world a better place, even for “the least of these” would be undone? Well anyway, he did say no to the project.

Anyway, in that context, I hope you all can forgive me this flagrantly capitalistic post…

Designs by jc…

Designs by Demetrius…

Our Affiliates

Holiday designs–please let us know if you have any suggestions for new designs.

You all probably knew that already, but here’s yet more evidence–the way he treats Dr. Asma Mobin Uddin in a discussion about the “jihad” car ad that was recently pulled after area Muslim groups protested. You can see the interview here on YouTube.

I’ve met Asma on a couple of occasions. She spoke at an adult education forum at my church a couple years ago, and also preached the sermon that day (I attend a rather progressive Episcopal church). Then, last year, I heard her speak at an interfaith forum on prayer. You can see the transcript of her remarks here. I have nothing but respect for Dr. Asma Mobin-Uddin, who I think presented her views calmly and sensibly. As for Tucker Carlson, I agree with Jon Stewart:

CARLSON: I do think you’re more fun on your show. Just my opinion.
…
STEWART: You know what’s interesting, though? You’re as big a dick on your show as you are on any show.

Crossposted at WordPress, because Blogger is vexing me again. But not enough to actually switch this blog completely over to WordPress, because that would be a huge pain in the a–.

Hi. About half an hour til next visiting.

Am at a loss to thank you guys. And usually don’t have enough energy left to even try (bless Thankful!!) She reads me parts of threads and relays messages, and I need to keep telling you how wonderful you all are, and how much I’m depending on you. I also relay your messages to Edwin, and I’m sure he hears them and is as glad for you all as I am.

And thank you Howard!!! puddle | 09.11.06 – 5:34 pm

And here’s what Thankful wrote a little earlier…

Edwin Update

No dramatic news from this visit – but they restarted the nutrition so he’s getting a great liquid steak dinner. Fingers were a little colder than last night but of no concern. Some time this afternoon he’ll be switched to a different bed that helps prevent bed sores! Call me crazy but that says they’re expecting him to stick around long enough to possibly get bed sores )))))))))))))))))))))))))

~ ~ ~

What we wanna know is – is there any news on Subway?

and puddle sez thank you thank you thank you Thankful | 09.11.06 – 5:12 pm

From Renee–here’s the link to Edwin’s candle page. Also, Barbara in Seattle has pictures of puddle and Edwin on her DFA link page. Hopefully she doesn’t mind that I snagged one of the pictures so that people who don’t have a DFA login would be able to see it.

The instructions Agatha posted about sending a check or donating via PayPal to help puddle with expenses can be found here.

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For anyone who would like to donate to help puddle with the expenses of her unplanned/unexpected trip to Texas to be with Edwin in the hospital, Agatha has posted details here.

I thought this might be a good time to excerpt and link The Challenge of Terror, written by John Paul Lederach in the days that immediately followed September 11, 2001. Lederach is a Professor of International Peacebuilding at the University of Notre Dame. Clearly, the U.S. government didn’t heed his advice when responding to the events of 9/11/01, but I still think the essay is worth reading. And, since the media is busily revisiting everything else about that tragic day, I can’t think of any reason *not* to revisit these thoughtful words.

Military action to destroy terror, particularly as it affects already vulnerable civilian populations will be like hitting a fully mature dandelion with a golf club: This will further perpetuate the myth of “evil United States military might” and will assure yet another generation of recruits.

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Here are some links to current blog posts/stories about the fake 9/11 documentary that ABC plans to air on September 10 and 11.

From Crooks and Liars… ABC’s ridiculous Statement on their 9/11 fakeumentary
Greg Mitchell: ABC film heavily weighted against Clinton: Screenwriter admitted to making scene up

From Media Matters: ABC and Scholastic release skewed Path to 9/11 “Discussion Guide” for high school teachers to assign to students

Media highlighted conservative complaints about less-than-flattering portrayal of Reagan in 2003 biopic, offer little coverage of ABC’s 9-11 miniseries, reportedly riddled with falsehoods

There have been some real problems with Haloscan today, such that I need to make a good half dozen attempts to get one comment to post, so I imagine the same is happening for others people as well. So I am crossposting this entry at the “emergency backup blog” over at WordPress. If there’s something you’d like to share with the HEP family and can’t get commenting to work here, you can try leaving a comment at the WordPress blog, or you can e-mail me at howardempowered@gmail.com.

From puddle:

Okay, here’s the deal. He’s deteriorating, is not responding, and I’m on my way there. This will prolly be last update for a while.

Please keep them prayers, light, and vibes coming.
I love you all. This is a wonderful loving community whose price is far above rubies. . . .

xox puddle*in*NYC | Homepage | 09.07.06 – 10:39 am |

Update: Karen has posted hospital details, via Linda in Cincinnati, here.

Here’s a picture of Edwin that Kimmy posted:

In this picture, Edwin is the one on the left

Here’s a link to a virtual candle lighting site. (Requires Flash–I think). Edwin has his own page here, if you’d like to light a candle to join mine.

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The first of four scheduled debates between Ohio gubernatorial candidates Ted Strickland and Ken Blackwell was took place at noon today, airing on the Ohio News Network and streaming live on WFMJ. It will air again on ONN tonight at 11 p.m.. Here are the candidates closing remarks…

<

Moderator: We now come to the last part of the debate, the closing remarks. Mr. Blackwell, you have two minutes. Ken Blackwell: Thank you very much for this opportunity to speak to my fellow Ohioans. I’ve had the opportunity to live the American dream. That public housing community that I talked about at the beginning of these debates was a half mile away from City Hall. I sold peanuts inside and outside of Crosley Field. I went on to become the mayor of my hometown, and I now am a minority shareholder of the Cincinnati Reds. I’ve lived the American Dream, I’ve answered the question. My wife and I have worked very very hard over our lifetime, we’ve actually taken risks, risks with our own homes to start a business to produce jobs. I want more Ohioans to be able to live that American Dream.Right now, too many of our young people believe that, in order to go up, they have to go out. I want to restore an option. I want to put an Ohio option back in their hands, where they know with confidence that if they exercise their options, they can find better education here in Ohio, they can, in fact, have health coverage. They can find a job, and elevated incomes. I think that that requires leadership, and leadership that has a record of accomplishment. I will compare, over the next 64 days, my record with that with Ted Strickland’s, and I think that people will see that he is a get along to go along guy, or go along to get along guy. He is an extension of the status quo, I represent change. I look forward to ushering in a new era of prosperity. Ohioans deserve a better future, Tom Raga and I want to lead them there.

Moderator: Thank you, sir. Mr. Strickland, you’ve got two minutes.Ted Strickland: Well, I think the choice is clear. If people like what’s happening in Ohio, if they like the leadership they’ve gotten, if they like the condition of our state, then they should vote for Mr. Ken Blackwell. Because he represents a continuation of the Taft-Blackwell way of governing. I represent change. I come from modest backgrounds, as I said earlier, wasn’t born with a silver spoon in my mouth, but Ohio has been good to me. Ohio has enabled me to serve as a minister and as a psychologist, and as a university professor, and to have the great privilege of serving in the House of Representatives, representing the people of southern and southeastern Ohio. I’ve been able to do things because of education.

And I want to make a promise to Ohioans. If they elect me to be their governor, every morning when I get out of bed, I’m going to look in the mirror and I’m going to say, “Governor Strickland, what are you going to do today to create jobs for Ohioans to provide economic security for Ohio’s families? What are you going to do today to make education of high quality and college affordable for the young people of Ohio. And what are you going to do today, Ted Strickland, to make sure that the people of Ohio who need healthcare can get healthcare without bankrupting their families. Those are the kitchen table issues, the bread-and-butter, dinner bucket issues facing Ohioans, education, healthcare, and economic security for their families.Those are the issues. No more polarization–I will work to pull Ohioans together, Republicans, Independents and Democrats alike, to move our great state forward. That’s the challenge. That’s what’s facing Ohio, and I ask for your support, because, together, we can move our state forward, and make Ohio great once again. … Moderator: Before we leave, I have a quick question. Jerry Springer’s

going to be on the show Dancing with the Stars. Would either of you be interested in competing? (Laughter)

Ken Blackwell: Like his brother Ted, the only thing Jerry’s good at running is his mouth. (More laughter).Ted Strickland: Well, that was sort of a nasty thing to say. I just would like to end by thanking my worthy opponent for participating in this debate. … Some “crosstalk” can be heard between the moderator and Blackwell, stepping on the end of Strickland’s remarks. I could hear more laughter, “Thank you sir” and “Appreciate it”, and then Blackwell’s voice saying “I was talking about Jerry.”

Nice save, Ken–not! Ken Blackwell simply can’t stop himself from being a petty namecaller, which was evident throughout the debate. That he chose to answer this light, joking question from the moderator in, as Ted Strickland said, such a nasty way, only serves to highlight this truth about Blackwell.So, which of these two men has the necessary character “to work to pull Ohioans together, Republicans, Independents and Democrats alike, to move our great state forward”. I think Ken Blackwell just answered that question for us.

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I’ve transcribed Howard Dean’s appearance on Face the Nation, and I’ve added both that transcript and the other one I did recently to the left sidebar (which admittedly hadn’t been updated for quite a while). Thank you Linda in Cincinnati for the annotated Google video. You can recommend her Kos diary here. And while you’re over there, you can help out Oscar with his survey.

Howard Dean on Face the Nation, Sunday, September 3, 2006

Howard Dean’s Speech to the DNC in Chicago, August 19, 2006

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