Saturday, March 31, 2007

Fabulous Photos

Local photographer Julie Blackmon is chosen as one of 2007's 30 New and Emerging Artists to Watch in the March issue of Photo District News, from an article in today's News-Leader.

I've long admired her style. She is now represented by galleries in Chicago, Seattle and Santa Fe. Check out her portfolio at www.julieblackmon.com.

Friday, March 02, 2007

Blunt Fee Office Investigation Comes Under Scrutiny

This Republican administration is like an octopus with a thousand putrid tentacles choking off the democratic process. Testimony will be forthcoming from H. E. Cummins who was fired by Attorney General Gonzales and replaced by J. Timothy Griffin, "a former political operative for White House political director Karl Rove."

Via The Turner Report:

Cummins to testify before House subcommittee

Former U. S. Attorney H. E. Cummins, one of eight who was fired by the Bush Administration in recent months, will testify before a House Judiciary subcommittee Tuesday, according to an article in today's New York Times.

Cummins was fired despite excellent job reviews. His firing came during a time in which he was investigating the methods used by Governor Matt Blunt's administration to award license fee office contracts in Missouri.

Fired Up Missouri commented on the Cummins firing earlier this year. "Who knows whether Cummins may have reached a different conclusion on whether to file for indictments against figures in Missouri government had he not received a loud, clear message from the highest levels that his fee office investigation was counter to the wishes of the Attorney General and President?"

Lunar Eclipse Begets Bitchiness?

If you have anything to bitch about, tomorrow's lunar eclipse may give you the excuse you need to let it all out. An occasional bitchfest does clear the air and is so good for your mental health.

From
Gawker.com:

Crazy Blood-Red Moon To Mark Culmination Of Worldwide Bitchiness

Don't say we didn't warn you:

The Moon will blush red as it passes through Earth's shadow in a total lunar eclipse on Saturday. From most locations on Earth, at least part of the 6-hour eclipse will be visible if skies are clear.We don't know if you've made plans yet, but we're suggesting a boy's night out. Might be safer for everybody.


Moon to blush red during total lunar eclipse [New Scientist]

Thursday, March 01, 2007

Paper Ballot Initiative Proposed for Missouri Voters

Activist Phil Lindsey, director of showmethevote.org, announced a 2008 ballot initiative yesterday at UMKC, that would return Missouri elections to the paper ballot.

From the article by Michael Collins, Show Me The Vote!

...This announcement marks the first major resistance to the e-voting trend. If the initiative gets on the ballot and passes, Missourians will be voting on and hand counting paper ballots. Canada, Ireland, Italy, and England all vote on hand count paper ballots. The United States did as well until the rush to electronic voting rendered the traditional paper ballot all but extinct...

Election Day 2007 in Missouri will offer citizens of the Show Me state the chance to be the first state in the country to just say no to electronic voting. The process will be an uphill battle by the citizen groups supporting the measure. Once on the ballot, the challenge will be even greater with tens of thousands of dollars in anticipated contributions by e-voting manufacturers to fight the proposal.

Ultimately, it is the choice of the people that matters. Public opinion polls show a runaway trend against e-voting. Missouri voters may lead the nation in making that trend official and returning to a centuries old American tradition...