I have 2 fans: Become a Fan. You'll get emails whenever I post articles on OpEdNews
In 2004, Rady Ananda joined the growing community of citizen journalists. Initially focused on elections, she investigated the 2004 Ohio election, organizing, training and leading several forays into counties to photograph the 2004 ballots. She officially served at three recounts, including the 2004 recount. She also organized and led the team that audited Franklin County Ohio's 2006 election, proving the number of voter signatures did not match official results. Her work appears in three books.
Her blogs also address religious, gender, sexual and racial equality, as well as environmental issues; and are sprinkled with book and film reviews on various topics. She spent most of her working life as a researcher or investigator for private lawyers, and five years as an editor.
She graduated from The Ohio State University's School of Agriculture in December 2003 with a B.S. in Natural Resources.
All material offered here is the property of Rady Ananda, copyright 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009. Permission is granted to repost, with proper attribution including the original link.
"In a time of universal deceit, telling the truth is a revolutionary act." Tell the truth anyway.
Sunday, May 24, 2009 Tech-Gate: What Is This Device? (35 comments)
New spygear is being attached to lampposts in South Florida. Care to guess what this is or what it will be used for?
Friday, May 22, 2009 CA Supreme Court to Issue Prop 8 Ruling on Tuesday
On Tuesday, the California Supreme Court will issue its ruling on the case questioning the validity of Proposition 8, a voter-based initiative that denies equal treatment under the law to homosexuals in the realm of civil marriage. Also at question is the validity of marriages made before Prop 8 passed.
Saturday, May 16, 2009 Earth's Enemies: GE, Monsanto and Obama's AG pick, Ignacia Moreno (14 comments)
With Obama's Department of Justice pick to head the Environment and Natural Resources Division, there can be little doubt the man of "hope" and "change" shills for the worst corporations on the planet.
Tuesday, May 12, 2009 Obama Increases Number of Prisons, Cops (20 comments)
President Obama's 2010 budget proposes $105 million for two new federal prisons. The new budget will also add $3 billion to the Department of Justice budget from 2008 figures, putting 50,000 more cops on the payroll.
Tuesday, May 12, 2009 Obama's Higher Education Budget a Mixed Bag for African Americans
President Obama's 2010 budget proposes to end the Federal Family Education Loan Program, cutting out the banker middleman. It proposes $2.5 billion to fund a new program, Access and Completion Incentive Fund, to increasee college graduation rates.
Tuesday, May 12, 2009 Naomi Klein: Left Economist Says Take Action NOW (18 comments)
Transcript excerpts from Klein's May 11th appearance on Charlie Rose... the solution is neither Left nor Right; the solution is local and bottom up.
Sunday, May 10, 2009 Margaret Bassett: The She-Bear of OpEdNews (21 comments)
With a debate team background, decades of educational training and experience, and some spare time on her hands now, Margaret Bassett is the She-Bear of progressive excellence on OpEdNews.
Wednesday, April 29, 2009 Scahill: Spain Launches Wide-Ranging Criminal Investigation into US Torture, When Will Obama? (15 comments)
JEREMY SCAHILL: Despite rhetoric coming from the White House that Americans should look "forward not backwards" when it comes to pursuing those responsible for torture, Spain doesn't seem to be listening. Judge Balthazar Garzon, who has been pursuing a criminal case against six former Bush administration officials for torture, has now authorized a wide-ranging criminal investigation into the US torture program at Guantanamo.
Tuesday, April 28, 2009 Swine Flu in Perspective - Ron Paul video (15 comments)
Looks like our government is getting us pretty upset and concerned about Swine Flu... reminds me of the 1972 Swine Flu panic that 'was gonna sweep the nation.' One person died of Swine Flu and 25 died of the vaccine.
Sunday, April 26, 2009 Yes We Can: Mink Shows How (7 comments)
Outside the mainstream, edgy, ahead of her time, a champion for democratic principles, a Buddhist, Japanese American, populist, female politician is honored in the film, Patsy Mink: Ahead of the Majority. This 2008 film by Kimberlee Bassford will premier on PBS on April 30th. It is a must-see for anyone needing hope that some politicians stay true to their campaign promises.
Wednesday, April 22, 2009 US Cities Increasing Use of Armed Mercenaries to Replace Police (11 comments)
JEREMY SCAHILL: The US is in the midst of the most radical privatization agenda in its history. We see this in schools, health care, prisons, and certainly with the US military/national security/intelligence apparatus. There are more than 2 million "private security" officers and guards on the streets of America and this number is growing by the day in Oakland and other cities.
Sunday, April 19, 2009 A Progressive View on Gun Rights: 2A All the Way (103 comments)
A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.
Saturday, April 18, 2009 Food Freedom (2 comments)
BY BRYAN: Let's compare safe food to the US government's new 'Food Safety' legislative scheme from a risk assessment perspective: perceived vs. actual risk to our eating raw food, and our right to do so without government interference.
Thursday, April 16, 2009 Afghan Women Protest Marital Rape Law; Men Spit and Stone Them (13 comments)
WARNING: GRAPHIC VIOLENT CONTENT. Afghanistan parliament passed the "Shia Family Law" which legitimates marital rape and child marriage for Shia Muslims who make up ~15% of the population. At least 300 women protested the law, with their faces exposed. Nearly 1,000 Afghan men and their slaves turned maniacal and stoned the protesters.
Tuesday, April 14, 2009 Thai Unrest Spreads, Turns Violent
News Digest: Soldiers armed with assault rifles fought running street battles with antigovernment protesters in Bangkok on Monday as unrest spread through a wider swath of the city, and the chief of Thailand's armed forces vowed to use 'every means to end the chaos.'
Saturday, April 11, 2009 Thai Farmers & Youth Shut Down Southeast Asia Summit (4 comments)
Farmers and youth organize new protest party, shutting down the Association of Southeast Asian Nations economic summit. Populist resistance is growing across the globe as the elite-engineered financial collapse creates a deeper and wider spread of poverty and starvation. "Dealing in multiplications, and they still can't feed everyone."
Tuesday, April 7, 2009 Vermont 1st state to legislate marriage equality; plus this day in Q History (3 comments)
The AP and blogs lit up today with news that Vermont's legislature overrode a gubernatorial veto (Jim Douglas), and passed a law allowing marriage equality for gays and lesbians. The District of Columbia also voted today to recognize same sex marriage. These events follow the unanimous Iowa Supreme Court ruling last week banning discrimination against same-sex marriage. Still awaiting California Supreme Court ruling.
Sunday, April 5, 2009 Slumdog Millionaire: Danny Boyle captures the zeitgeist (7 comments)
Released in the US in January, Slumdog Millionaire carefully crafts a flickering time sequence to tell the story of one boy's pursuit of his destiny. The film is shocking, horrifying, in its graphic presentation of torture, genocide, child exploitation, and rampant corruption. Levity comes as the protagonist enters a game show to win a million dollars.
Saturday, April 4, 2009 Poison on the Platter - Full length (1 comments)
This video chronicles the disastrous consequences of GM food in India. The United States does not require GM food be labeled here. Seventy percent of our food, reportedly, is genetically modified.
Friday, April 3, 2009 CNN Inside Africa with Eve Ensler and Dr. Mukwege to Air Saturday (2 comments)
CNN's Inside Africa, a weekly, half-hour, current affairs program that provides global viewers with an inside look at political, economic, social and cultural affairs and trends in Africa, will air a special segment featuring Vagina Monologues author Eve Ensler and the DRC's Dr. Denis Mukwege this Saturday, April 4 at 11 AM Eastern, and will replay the episode several times thru Tuesday, April 7.
Wednesday, April 1, 2009 Vandana Shiva, Organicology & the Seed Wars (9 comments)
Physicist, ecologist and world-renowned author Vandana Shiva closed the inaugural Organicology Conference in Portland, Oregon on February 28th with her speech: The Future of Food and Seed: Justice, Sustainability and Peace in the 21st Century. This hour long video gives a brief history of the seed wars that have been ongoing since the late 1980s and argues for seed freedom and protection from unregulated biotechnology.
Monday, March 30, 2009 100 Iraqis face imminent execution for being gay (14 comments)
UK GAY NEWS: More than 100 prisoners in Iraq are facing imminent execution, many of them believed to have been convicted of the 'crime' of being gay, a UK-based Iraqi-LGBT group discovered. It believes that a total of 128 executions are imminent, is calling on the UK Government, the USA, international human rights groups and the United Nations Human Rights Commission to intervene "with due speed."
Sunday, March 29, 2009 Film, Music, Books & Art: Comments on Culture (3 comments)
All my reviews, in one place. Every cause needs its activists, its films and its books; and all these need journalists shining a light on their work and amplifying their message.
Saturday, March 28, 2009 Lights out at 8:30 pm for EarthHour (4 comments)
Tonight: Switch off your lights at 8.30pm-9.30pm on March 28th!
(everyone earthwide is encouraged to do this in their own time zone). Sign up; take video or photos; pass this on!
Friday, March 27, 2009 When Doves Cry: US-backed Ethiopian regime imprisons opposition
MITMITA Report: Ethiopian prisons hold a "Who's Who" of intelligentsia, artists and human rights defenders. Those not imprisoned are often killed, drawing the charge of crimes against humanity. This brand of leadership is supported by Western interests, and the US allegedly runs a prison here for the CIA's extraordinary rendition (kidnapping and torture) program.
Monday, March 23, 2009 Link TV to air The Future of Food this week (4 comments)
Joining the growing conversation about genetically modified foods and the tactics of transnational corporations, Link TV will air The Future of Food this week, Deborah Koons Garcia's groundbreaking film from 2004.
Sunday, March 22, 2009 Seeds of Deception: 10-pg summary by Author Jeffrey M. Smith (3 comments)
Given the amount of recent attention on genetically modified organisms, it seems appropriate to reproduce for OEN readers a ten-page summary of the book, Seeds of Deception: Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) in the Food You Eat. The summary was prepared by the author, Jeffrey M. Smith.
Thursday, March 19, 2009 Obama signs UN Declaration to decriminalize LGBTIs (16 comments)
On March 18th, U.S. President Barack Obama signed the United Nations General Assembly Statement calling for the protection and decriminalization of sexual minorities, "LGBTIs" (lesbians, gays, bisexuals, transgendered and intersexed). Bush declined to do so at the December 2008 UN meeting when 66 UN member states signed on. Paris to host IDAHO world congress on May 17.
Wednesday, March 18, 2009 Day of Decision national action to follow CA Prop 8 ruling
PRESS RELEASE by Pride Tampa Bay. The California Supreme Court will provide 24 hours notice of its ruling, at which time Day of Decision will notify cities of its national action. Several LGBT orgs are helping to coordinate this.
Tuesday, March 17, 2009 Global Week of Action against Capitalism and War: March 28–April 4 (1 comments)
We the social movements from all over the world came together on the occasion of the 8th World Social Forum in Belém, Amazonia, where the peoples have been resisting attempts to usurp Nature, their lands and their cultures. We are here in Latin America, where over the last decade the social movements and the indigenous movements have joined forces and radically question the capitalist system from their cosmovision.
Monday, March 16, 2009 Seeds of Domination video focuses on Monsanto (2 comments)
This 17-minute video, produced by Organization for Competitive Markets, provides a 'news-feel' introduction to the bullying tactics by Monsanto. It exposes that both Clinton (D) and Bush (R) have allowed Monsanto's explosive, monopolistic growth since 1996.
Sunday, March 15, 2009 The new weapons of genetic engineering (8 comments)
Biotech labs and industry have developed two techniques – artificial minichromosomes and transformed organelles – which are supposed to overcome low efficiency and genetic contamination by GMOs. But, in fact, as the two technologies converge, the frightening possibility arises that contamination will reach a new level of toxicity, and occur not only within organisms of the same species but also between species.
Saturday, March 14, 2009 Fighting GMO contamination around the world (4 comments)
GRAIN Paper: Ever since GMOs were first introduced in the mid-1990s, farmers' groups and NGOs have warned that they would contaminate other crops. This has happened, just as predicted. In this article we look at how communities in different parts of the world that have experienced contamination are developing strategies to fight against it.
Thursday, March 12, 2009 Amorous cockatiels and marriage equality (5 comments)
There must be a reason the genus name for cockatiels is 'nymphicus' and it does reveal a natural truth to confront homophobia.
Wednesday, March 11, 2009 Obama's Omnibus Appropriations Act May Save Lever Voting System (2 comments)
Analysis from Co-Chair of the New York State Board of Elections on the effect of HR 1105 as pertains to election technology is reproduced in full. Douglas Kellner suggests that the Act, which extends the deadline for states to use federal funds to modernize voting systems, can also be read to extend New York's timeline for another year. Lever fans also get another year to win the hearts and minds of NY's county heads.
Sunday, March 8, 2009 Vagina Warriors Stand against Femicide (17 comments)
Eve Ensler monologues 'Marta' at the Atlanta tourstop of Turning Pain to Power with Dr. Denis Mukwege, the ob-gyn who serves in the war-torn Congo. International groups like V-Day continue to publicize the sexual terrorism spreading from the Heart of Darkness, where minerals are more valued than lives.
Thursday, March 5, 2009 Shaking the Tree March 8th (2 comments)
Men and women 'Unite to End Violence against Women and Girls,' the theme for 2009 International Women's Day. Find an event near you.
Sunday, March 1, 2009 Robbin' the Hood (19 comments)
Remember when politics were interesting and important and that's all you could talk about? Then, years later, remember when you avoided it? Couldn't stand to hear stupid opinions from people who hadn't cracked a book in ten years. Do you remember when the cracks began to form in your illusion of the US of A? Do you remember the moment when Humpty Dumpty fell off the wall?
Wednesday, February 25, 2009 Q-Equality March on CA Supreme Court March 5 (3 comments)
On March 5th, the California Supreme Court will hear oral arguments in the case to repeal Proposition 8 and confirm that fundamental freedoms cannot be stripped from minorities by a popular vote. You can show your support for the repeal of Proposition 8 in four ways.
Sunday, February 15, 2009 O'Reilly's Hate Factor: 'Venom Boys' Blamed for Shooting Spree (12 comments)
Hate speech of MSM talking heads is linked to the shooting spree in a liberal church last year. But don't ask any of those 'venom boys' to recognize the connection. Point it out to them.
Sunday, February 8, 2009 Kevorkian: The Right to Die and Other 9th Amendment Freedoms (61 comments)
Dr. Jack Kevorkian recently spoke before an audience of 2,500 at a South Florida university. Loving compassion for terminally ill patients drives the 81-year-old, but his advocacy is fierce and dramatic, drawing outbursts of support and condemnation. The freedom to die has gained much media attention lately, with two more states explicitly affirming this natural and inalienable right.
Wednesday, January 28, 2009 Iceland to Install Lesbian Prime Minister amid Financial Collapse, Toppled Government (15 comments)
Iceland's most beloved political leader, Social Democrat Johanna Sigurdardottir, will become the world's first openly homosexual prime minister. A minority coalition government of Social Democrats and Left-Greens has replaced the toppled conservative Independence Party, which failed to regulate its banks. October's financial collapse followed Ponzi-scheme lending when banks couldn't cover their debts.
Thursday, January 22, 2009 'Tanks in My Memory' a Good Start (1 comments)
This video doesn't go far enough in its condemnation. We still have the Patriot Act, the Bailouts, the immunity for telecoms for spying on American citizens, computerized elections, the Military Commissions Act, the Healthy Forests Act, the Clear Skies Act, the Minimum Wage frozen at below poverty, while Congress continues to give itself raises. All "bi-partisanly" passed. Still, this is a good start.
Wednesday, January 21, 2009 Lowery and Alexander Deliver for Obama
Civil rights icon and gay pastor, Rev. Joseph Lowery, and distinguished American poet, Elizabeth Alexander, deliver for Obama on Inaugural Day.
Saturday, January 17, 2009 Arab League Fractured over Israel-Gaza; Israel votes for Cease-Fire (14 comments)
Amr Moussa, secretary-general of the Arab League, admitted on Friday that Arab nation reactions to the war on Gaza was "in a very big chaos." Kuwaiti Information Minister Sabah Al-Khalid Al-Sabah said "The Arab leaders are unanimous on the importance of putting an end to the tragedy unfolding in Gaza, but they differ on the means of achieving it." The Israel cabinet voted tonight to cease fire in Gaza.
Tuesday, January 6, 2009 Ad Hominem Attacks (167 comments)
We've all done it, and we need to stop. The best way to avoid it is if we understand what exactly constitutes argumentum ad hominem (argument directed at the person). On OEN, we are diplomats of progressive ideals and Leftist thought. We have to act accordingly.
Friday, January 2, 2009 UN Agenda: Decriminalize Sexual Minorities (11 comments)
On Dec. 18, 66 nations signed the UN Statement that affirms human rights for all, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity, and demands decriminalization of sexual minorities. Theocracies, dictatorships and the US refused to sign.
Monday, December 29, 2008 Vote Now for Hand Counted Paper Ballots (11 comments)
Voting closes at midnight on 12/31 at Obama's change.org website. Here are two HCPB "ideas" that need a million votes. Okay, 10,000 would be enough. Okay, 3,000 would be enough. Do it. Vote now.
Saturday, December 27, 2008 Perversion of Justice: Gulag America (15 comments)
In 1925, the US jailed 1 in 100,000 women. In 2006, it jailed 1 in 746. The 1984 Sentencing Reform Act and mandatory minimum sentence laws need to be repealed for the protection of families, communities and society as a whole. The film, Perversion of Justice, highlights the experiences of one family victimized by these laws.
Saturday, December 6, 2008 Queer Nation Strikes Back (9 comments)
In response to discriminatory legislation targeting lesbians and gays, the LGBT community has mobilized several actions nationwide to ramp up the Civil Rights Movement of the 21st Century. In this video, Bill Clinton still defends DOMA as a political strategy that protects lesbians and gays from harassment by discriminating against them. Hollywood video shorts rebuking this thinking also embedded.
Friday, November 28, 2008 Florida Gay Adoption Ban Ruled 'Not Rational' (8 comments)
On Tuesday, a Miami-Dade County judge granted adoption of two children to Martin Gill, a gay man who has fostered them for four years, along with his partner. Judge Ledermen further ruled Florida's gay adoption ban unconstitutional, calling the state's arguments "not rational." The State has appealed the decision.
Friday, November 28, 2008 CA Supreme Court to Hear Prop 8 Challenge (24 comments)
On Wednesday, the California Supreme Court agreed to hear several legal challenges to Proposition 8, the ballot initiative to end marriage for same-sex couples in California.
Monday, November 17, 2008 CA Voters Needed to Investigate Prop 8 Results (9 comments)
California's passage of Proposition 8 – the same sex marriage ban - is in question. All CA residents are urged to assist in Velvet Revolution's investigation. The process is simple; you serve as official observers during the hand count audit, taking accurate notes or steady video.
Sunday, November 16, 2008 Milk and the White Night Riots (8 comments)
Gay rights icon Harvey Milk is covered in numerous books and movies, including the Academy Award–winning 1984 documentary, "The Times of Harvey Milk." His life is also the basis of a 2008 major motion picture, "Milk," starring Academy Award winner Sean Penn and directed by Academy Award nominee Gus Van Sant. This collection of videos, photos and personal accounts provides background for the Nov. 26th release of "Milk."
Saturday, November 15, 2008 RealNews Video: The lame duck economic summit (3 comments)
News analyst Pepe Escobar interviews Mark Weisbrot, co-director of the Center for Economic and Policy Research in Washington, about this weekend's summit.
Thursday, November 6, 2008 Equality There, Not Here (12 comments)
We cannot ignore the significance of a person of color holding the highest seat in the nation, especially given our history of slavery, segregation and discrimination. The US has the highest incarceration rate in the world, and half of our prisoners are black. But we also can't ignore that lesbians and gays continue to be excluded from equal treatment under the law.
Monday, November 3, 2008 We Do Not Consent - Open Letter To The Media (redux) (6 comments)
Election results are due - remember your promise! Let's not report as fact what cannot be proven and has not been independently verified, particularly when the only source of the information is the government itself.
Wednesday, October 29, 2008 Samhain: Witches, Druids, and other Pagans Honor the Dead (5 comments)
Tis the season opener when the US begins its annual spending, feeding, partying, celebrating, decorating frenzy that includes a nod, usually, to the God of our understanding. One of my favorite holidays is Samhain. This compendium describes aspects of Samhain, its history, its traditions and how individual Pagans view the celebration.
Sunday, October 26, 2008 1936: Counting America's 40,000,000 Votes (1 comments)
This 70-yr-old article from Modern Mechanix Hobbies & Inventions peeks at the lever voting machine, and voting systems dating back to ancient Athens.
Saturday, October 25, 2008 Does the US electoral system HAVA brain? (13 comments)
The Help America Vote Act is so flawed it makes the USA PATRIOT Acts look like time-out for ill behaved children. Bipartisanly passed in 2002, HAVA strips U.S. citizens of their right to know their vote is counted as cast. Electoral management bodies across the nation ALL know these machines can be hacked without detection. They've read the studies. So I gotta ask, Does the US electoral system HAVA brain?
Friday, October 24, 2008 We Do Not Consent - Open Letter To The Media (26 comments)
It will surprise nobody this November when the election outcome is a spoiled mess, riddled with controversy. We can already say the results-–based on the conditions–-are guaranteed to be inconclusive, unknowable and unprovable. We must challenge our industry to refuse to report as fact what cannot be proven and has not been independently verified, particularly when the only source of the information is the government itself.
Friday, October 24, 2008 Science Friday: Who Controls the Voting Machines? (4 comments)
Video Transcript: NPR aired a Science Friday release of a nine-part video interview of William Biamonte, Democratic Commissioner of Elections from Nassau County, New York on its Science Friday program. Biamonte details the problems with transitioning from machines that allowed for complete control by election officials to those now completely controlled by private for-profit corporations with no accountability to the public.
Tuesday, October 21, 2008 The Big One: Stealing America Vote by Vote (7 comments)
Stealing America peers into the darkness of U.S. elections with stunning clarity, supported by deep research and significant interviews of several key investigators. More than a film, the entire project encompasses a Grassroots call to immediate action. Both the film and its website inform the public and demand that citizens step into their role as overseers of public elections. The stakes couldn't be higher.
Tuesday, October 14, 2008 Blackwell's Neoliberals file RICO Suit against ACORN (11 comments)
The Buckeye Institute, a neoliberal think tank featuring Ohio's notorious vote suppressor, J. Kenneth Blackwell, today filed a state RICO action against ACORN on behalf of two voters. Reviving an unsuccessful tactic employed against the organization in 2004, the allegations recycle discredited claims from 2004, and attempt to link unsubstantiated stories to ACORN, raising false and unattributed "congressional testimony."
Tuesday, October 14, 2008 BREAKING: Florida Dems Told to Vote by Phone (15 comments)
Adding to a lengthening string of voter abuses, the GOP has now been accused of telling Democrats they can call in their vote for Barack Obama.
Sunday, October 12, 2008 Zeitgeist Addendum: Steps toward a sustainable future (23 comments)
While Zeitgeist challenged our perspectives on religion, the attacks of September 11th, and the formation and function of the Federal Reserve Bank, Zeitgeist Addendum dives deeply into our debt-based monetary system. It also comments on the media, corporations, energy use, consumerism, government, as well as religion. More importantly, perhaps, it also offers solutions.
Tuesday, September 30, 2008 Ecuador Constitution Recognizes 'Rights of Nature' (12 comments)
On Sunday, two-thirds of the voters in Ecuador approved a new constitution that is the first in the world to recognize legally enforceable Rights of Nature, or ecosystem rights. It also provides for pensions for stay-at-home mothers and free education for all through college. The battle between Ecuadorians and Chevron rages on.
Tuesday, September 30, 2008 Sheri Myers Strikes Again: Turdblossom Part 1 (4 comments)
Introducing Sheri Myers' video, "Turdblossom's Insider's Guide to Swinging Elections" and her new Voter Guide... all part of a campaign to get more and more citizens involved in overseeing US elections. But the historical research behind this campaign is also worth the read.
Monday, September 29, 2008 Murder, Spies & Voting Lies: The Clint Curtis Story (7 comments)
Released on DVD and now airing on Link TV, "Murder, Spies & Voting Lies: The Clint Curtis Story" is the most explosive documentary produced in recent memory, involving murder, espionage, coverup, electoral cyber fraud and a United States Member of Congress with ties to the Bush Administration. VIDEO TRAILER included.
Wednesday, September 24, 2008 Michael's Brilliant Denial: A review of Slacker Uprising (26 comments)
This free release chronicles Michael Moore's 62-city tour in 2004. It is his best effort, his slickest, most exciting, most inspirational film to date. It's a rousing musical-speech-video tour aimed at Getting Out The Vote in 2008, and is pathologically silent on electoral cyber fraud and Democrat wimplicity.
Monday, September 22, 2008 Sequoia's Sinking Ship (12 comments)
All along the Eastern seaboard, Sequoia Voting Systems continue to fail. Vendor response is, we're not at fault and don't you dare study our product. Faulty design, hackable software, lengthy voting process and an inability to accurately count the vote doesn't stop officials and "voter advocacy" groups from using them. Tempers flared at Friday's NY State Board of Elections meeting.
Monday, September 22, 2008 Naomi Klein: The Bomb Has Yet to Detonate (30 comments)
Naomi Klein debates Andrew Sullivan in defining the current economic meltdown on the Bill Maher show. Klein warns, "The thesis of the Shock Doctrine is that you need a disaster to rationalize pushing through these very unpopular policies. The real disaster is the debt that is going to explode on the American taxpayers. And then they'll do 'economic shock therapy.'"
Friday, September 19, 2008 Livni "Wins" in Israel: 2nd Woman PM (10 comments)
Former Mossad agent and current Foreign Minister, 50-year-old Tzipi Livni, stunned pollsters with a claimed victory in Israel's election yesterday, despite trailing by 10-12 percentage points in the exit polls.
Thursday, September 18, 2008 HDTV Sucks (21 comments)
When you look around your living room and then at the HDTV, it's as if Walt Disney, Andy Warhol and Timothy Leary took an acid trip to the sun. The colors radiate, irritate, and distract from the film. It's like permanently watching TV in phosphorescence. It sucks.
Tuesday, September 9, 2008 Mexico Constitutionalizes the Right to Abort (2 comments)
In an 8-3 vote by the Mexican Supreme Court, abortion is now legal in Mexico under any circumstance in the first twelve weeks of pregnancy. Plus other news from around the world, mostly from WomenNewsNetwork.
Tuesday, September 9, 2008 'Fatally Flawed' Systems Await Voters: 'Drastic Change Needed' (24 comments)
A new report, and video, has been issued by the Computer Security Group at the University of California, Santa Barbara. "All voting systems recently analyzed by independent security testers have been found to contain fatal security flaws. There is need for drastic change. The very core of our democracy is in danger."
Sunday, September 7, 2008 AZ Election Official Arrested for Flagging Tampered Ballots: Charged with Criminal Trespass (41 comments)
During Saturday's audit of Pima County ballots from Arizona's primary election, official observer John Brakey was forcibly removed by sheriffs when he raised questions about possible ballot tampering. At least seven ballot bags arrived unlocked or lacked proper chain of custody documentation. Elections Director Brad Nelson had Brakey arrested and charged with criminal trespass.
Saturday, September 6, 2008 Anne Kilkenny Full Email on Sarah Palin (49 comments)
It's legit; and widely posted. On Sept. 1st, Wasilla resident Anne Kilkenny wrote to about 40 family members and friends who kept asking about Sarah Palin. This is her six-page response which brought Kilkenny global attention. She's been interviewed by ABC, NBC and CNN, as well as NPR and mainstream newspapers from around the globe. Because this email is widely posted, it's reproduced here.
Saturday, September 6, 2008 Log Cabin Republicans Embrace Homophobic Party (2 comments)
Human Rights Campaign condemns Log Cabin endorsement of McCain/Palin. Sarah Palin and John McCain clearly oppose treating all US citizens equally. That Log Cabin Republicans would endorse either contributes to the notion that even the "Left" side of the Republican party is out of touch with humanity.
Wednesday, September 3, 2008 Palin and Giuliani to Speak Tonight at RNC (1 comments)
Vice presidential nominee Sarah Palin and former New York mayor Rudy Giuliani are scheduled to speak Wednesday night at the Republic National Convention in St. Paul.
Wednesday, September 3, 2008 St. Paul is a police state - Take Action Now (24 comments)
Leslie Cagan, National Coordinator for United for Peace and Justice sends this urgent message from St. Paul: The situation in St. Paul is very grave. Over the past few days, the heavily armed and extremely large police presence in St. Paul has intimidated, harassed and provoked people; and, in a number of instances, the police have escalated situations when they used excessive force. Call the Mayor now; end police violence.
Tuesday, September 2, 2008 CA Appeals Court Strikes Down Ten Percent Ballot Audit (7 comments)
An August 29th ruling by California's Fourth Appellate District Court bans Secretary of State Debra Bowen's regulation requiring a 10 percent manual tally of ballots counted by Sequoia, Hart and Premier-Diebold. California will return to a 1% manual audit, as enacted in 1965.
Monday, September 1, 2008 Thugs with Badges: Crackdown in Minneapolis (11 comments)
This may be the first video release on the Twin Cities raids against legitimate protest at the Republican National Convention. Twin Cities author Jeremy Hubbell provides background info on this decade-long practice. Included is a call to action, with an online petition, mayors' phone numbers, links and info on upcoming national actions.
Monday, September 1, 2008 First Open Access Day To Be Held Oct. 14, 2008 (2 comments)
SPARC, the Scholarly Publishing and Academic Resources Coalition, the Public Library of Science, and Students for FreeCulture have jointly announced the first international Open Access Day. Building on worldwide momentum toward Open Access to publicly funded research, OAD will create a key opportunity for the higher education community and the general public to appreciate the opportunities of wider access and use of content.
Sunday, August 31, 2008 Election Fraud Bibliography (4 comments)
Here's a list of books I've compiled - mostly focused on software driven elections, but with some choice books covering paper ballot fraud. I strongly recommend the history books, tho - something all American voters should be required to read if they want to involve themselves in honest election administration.
Saturday, August 30, 2008 Bob Thaves Tackles e-Voting (5 comments)
I'm a big fan of comics, and try to keep track of all that capture the ridiculous state of U.S. elections now that our vote is secretly counted on software – software that can be hacked without detection. So this one of Frank & Ernest made it into my inbox. Enjoy!
Sunday, August 24, 2008 Video Interview of a Voter's Hero: Stephanie Tubbs Jones (3 comments)
The struggle for honest elections in the United States suffers tremendously with the loss of Congresswoman Stephanie Tubbs Jones, who showed America what it means to represent the people. In this video interview with Free Press editor Bob Fitrakis, Mrs. Jones discusses the process behind her decision to lead the historic stand opposing Ohio's 2004 election results. List of all who stood with her is included.
Saturday, August 23, 2008 Miss. State Supreme Court bans one of its own from dissent
Something unusual happened Thursday at the Mississippi Supreme Court. It may be the first time a majority of the justices voted to prohibit a colleague from publishing a dissent in a case. Presiding Justice Oliver Diaz disagreed with a court decision and wanted to write about it. His fellow judges said, no, altho orders and dissents are always available to the public. Full dissenting opinion included.
Wednesday, August 20, 2008 Zogby Poll: 2 in 3 Voters Want None of the Above (37 comments)
A new Zogby poll commissioned by Joseph Farah, WorldNetDaily founder and author of the new book: "None of the Above: Why 2008 is the Year to Cast the Ultimate Protest Vote" indicates a large percentage are ready to throw in the towel rather
than vote for either of the two candidates in Nov. 2008.
Friday, August 15, 2008 Ballot Stuffing Video Repaired; Uploaded (2 comments)
Check out this 2 minute video – how to stuff ballots into a $12,000 hi-tech ballot marking device. (Original video repaired and uploaded.)
Friday, August 15, 2008 SysTest Labs under Fire for Shoddy Methods & Collusion with Vendors (2 comments)
SysTest Labs, LLC, one of four federal testing labs responsible for certifying our nation's voting systems, is under investigation for failing to document or validate its test methods. Accused of using unqualified personnel, it also may be colluding with vendors to "ensure certification."
Tuesday, August 12, 2008 Ballot Stuffing Holes, Illegal USB Ports Add to Sequoia/Dominion Voting System Flaws (15 comments)
Certified for use in New York, Sequoia/Dominion's ImageCast ballot marking device (BMD) was designed to allow voters with special needs to create their own paper ballots unassisted. But a series of problems continue to plague the BMD and its scanner's certification. Our investigation revealed ballot stuffing holes, illegal USB ports and shoddy test methods by the federal lab.
Tuesday, August 5, 2008 The 11th Husband; or, Why software is bad for elections (20 comments)
HUMOR: A handsome man married a beautiful woman who had previously divorced ten husbands. On their wedding night, she told her new husband, "Please be gentle; I'm still a virgin."
Monday, August 4, 2008 Presidential Interpreter Fred Burks Tells High-Level Interpreting Stories
By Fred Burks: Not many people have had the privilege of working directly with our world leaders. As I was most fortunate to have had this great honor, and as I resigned from interpreting work in late 2004 after 18 years with the U.S. Department of State, I thought I'd share with you brief descriptions of some of the many fascinating experiences I had while working as an Indonesian language interpreter with top dignitaries.
Tuesday, July 29, 2008 NYC Elections Board Hires Spin Doctors for $6.5 million (4 comments)
One day after NY Governor Paterson and NYC Mayor Bloomberg testified about billion dollar budget deficits, calling on city agencies to tighten their belts, the NYC Elections Board hired Blackwater's PR firm to "educate" NY votes on the new computerized voting systems set to be used in 2009. Burson-Marstellar must out-talk scientific condemnation, exorbitant price tags, and widespread failures of these new voting systems.
Monday, July 28, 2008 This Magic Moment (4 comments)
Jennifer Anderson's essay is brought to us by Fred Burks (WantToKnow.info). This is an incredibly inspiring story about a magical moment with a manta ray sent in by a great friend. It originally comes from the book Chicken Soup for the Ocean Lover's Soul. Enjoy the magical adventure between this woman and the graceful manta ray.
Sunday, July 27, 2008 Rove Threat to Blackmail GOP IT Mastermind Triggers Immunity Request to Ohio AG by Election Lawyers (1 comments)
By John Michael Spinelli: The little story about how the GOP cyber-gamed the Ohio presidential election in 2004 is growing by the day, spurred on to greater heights Thursday when an Ohio election attorney asked the Ohio Attorney General to provide immunity protection to Mike Connell, the GOP IT mastermind who built various computer systems they say not only won Ohio for G.W.Bush in 2004 but led to other GOP wins since 2000.
Friday, July 25, 2008 Kellner Speaks: Voting systems incomplete, undocumented (8 comments)
In this open email, Commissioner Douglas A. Kellner, co-chair of New York State Board of Elections, publicly comments on the issues of certifying computerized voting technology in time for September's election, as per court order. Vendor production schedule lags; incomplete systems provided; chain of custody documentation and instructions lacking.
