FISA.  General Wesley Clark.  What in the world is Obama up to?  Why is he doing this?

I'm not a mind reader, nor am I an insider of some sort.  So these words of distilled wisdom are worth somewhat less than an ounce of distilled barley product would be.  However, I do have a theory.

Rope-a-dope.

Who is Virginia?  To most of you, she will mean little.  To me, she was my mother.  She died, after years of struggle with Multiple Sclerosis, Post-Polio, and kidney failure, passing quietly late Thursday night, the 12th of June, in St Vincent's Hospital in Portland.

I looked around for Diaries or stories on this, but it looks as if this somehow passed us by.  Last Thursday, the Transportation Safety Administration (TSA) announced a change in policy - "...passengers that willfully refuse to provide identification at security checkpoint[s] will be denied access to the secure area of airports."

So, does this mean that if you don't present ID, you cannot fly?  Not at all.  If you state that you have lost your ID, you will still be able to fly.  Only people who, for whatever reason (be it legal protest or desire to hide something) refuse to present ID will be banned.

At this point, I assume that everyone has heard that Obama has changed the rules for the DNC, banning contributions by lobbyists and PACs.  But has anyone seen the Republican counterattack?

I didn't think so.  I would have seen more laughter here.

Tonight, with the surge of important information coming from the primaries and the Clinton and Obama campaigns, I predict a plethora of "Breaking" diaries.

Please don't.

Look at the polls.  Just look at the polls!  You people here have been abusing pie, and it's got to stop!

I realize this may make me a bit unpopular in some areas here.  So, let me remind you that I am an Obama supporter.  That said - the interpretation of the audio on this clip sucketh.

From a single parent family nonetheless.

How many contradictory things can be said about Barack Obama in one campaign?  I am starting to wonder, and I think we need to put together a series on the contradictions.

Washington - land of meaningless primaries and meaningful caucuses.  Today in Clark County, the Obama campaign held a training session as to how the county Convention will operate, what to expect, and how to minimize the problems and maximize the Obama turnout.

Once again, for this political process virgin, it was an interesting day.

Yesterday, I went to the Democratic caucuses in Vancouver, WA.  In my precinct, we heard from an avowed feminist (started in the Feminist movement in the 1960s), general folk, younger people new to both the caucus and to voting, and a fair number of others before we were done.

Leading up to the caucuses, we had limited contact from the candidates.  We had one call from the Edwards campaign before he withdrew, and at least one robocall from the Clinton campaign within the last two weeks.  And then there was the Obama campaign.

At least four personal calls over the last few weeks.  An invitation to a "Super Tuesday" watching party at a location in downtown Vancouver.  A reminder call on the evening before the caucus, and one on the day of the caucus.  Friendly people.  A spectacular ground game for Obama.

Through this and that, my lady ended up as the caucus chair.  Since I was vocal enough, and because other people felt I was OK, I was elected as a delegate to the next level up (Legislative District and County), as was my wife.  Not bad for our first caucus.

Notes on what was said and done are below the fold.

Next Saturday, February 9th, my wife and I shall be Caucusing in Washington - for the first time ever.  Who I am going to caucus for is, in my opinion, less important than the fact that I am going to caucus for the first time in my life.

For those of us on the Left (behind) Coast who can't go cruising the networks for news for another few hours (I probably won't be home until around 7:00 PST, more than three hours from when I type these words), I beg - Someone, please liveblog on what is happening in Iowa!

Back on Dec 7th, the Ohio Secretary of State's office released a 334 page PDF report on electronic voting machine security.  The findings?  Appalling.  On some machines, the vote could be tampered with using "a magnet and a personal digital assistant."

Read on....

We already have one person in North Carolina reporting that they were disenfranchised in today's election, as a comment under another person's report that they were almost disenfranchised.

We need to see where, and what type, of problems there are.  I offer this diary for people to post their own story of voting irregularities.

If you read dKos for a long time (say, about 45 minutes currently), you may have come across one or two (hundred) diaries with titles or themes like:

• Hillary will sink our chances!
• Edwards and the haircut:  Why John can't win
• Obama will lose the Black vote because he's not Black enough
• Ku-what-ich?

As a recently reformed Republican (now Independent), I have to ask....

Why?

Or rather...

Why not?

At various times in this campaign season (what should have been the pre-season, but things are so accelerated this time) I have supported Obama, Hilary, and Edwards, with a nostalgic look at Richardson (who I personally thought should have been the 2000 Dem nominee).  Currently, I am leaning strongly towards Edwards.  Why the changes?  Or rather, why not Hilary or Obama?

I'll tell you my reasons below the fold.

There is a huge difference between Strategy and Tactics.  Generally, the Democratic leadership are good at tactics, and bad at strategy. (What's the game plan?  Let's confuse the Republican voters by acting Republican!  That'll do it!)  On the other hand, the Republican leadership are good at strategy, and poor to bad at tactics.  (So, how will we get our spin out?  How about using this Gannon guy?  He seems eager to help.)

So, what's the point?  The point is, does anyone know what the Republican strategy is right now?

...Republican.  Have been since I first registered to vote.

Some of you will be wondering why I am even here.  Others may wonder about my sanity, or my integrity.  I wouldn't even be surprised if I get a few nasty remarks.  Yet I am here for the same reason you are... to try and help ensure that this country of ours gets back on track.

With all of the cracks that are showing up in the walls the administration has erected to keep out those it considers 'undesirable', one small story should bring a smile to anyone concerned with religious freedom, and especially to Veterans who follow one of the neoPagan religious traditions, such as Wicca.

Finally, the Veterans Administration has agreed to allow the pentacle as a symbol for Wiccan veterans.  Considering that this application has been pending (in one form or another) since 1997, all I can say is "It's about time."