I can’t think of any precedent, at least in America, for the blizzard of lies since the Republican convention. The McCain campaign keeps making assertions that anyone with an Internet connection can disprove in a minute, and repeating these assertions over and over again.

And right off the internet comes video proof.

Video proof John McCain’s ads are Lies

Diebold Accidentally Leaks Results Of 2008 Election Early

I don’t even know if I can enjoy the sham election, now that I know who’s going to win.

Okay, it’s just a 36 question survey, but given Obama’s win in Iowa last night, I thought my results were interesting. Although, if I had to vote today, I’d go for John Edwards. I generally like what Obama has to say, but I am a little concerned about his lack of experience. Should be an interesting race though.

Dear Sir,

I am writing to you regarding the development project proposed to be placed on the banks of the Wisconsin River’s Lower Dells (Docket Number IP-SC-2007-11-2032LW and IP-SC-2007-11-2033LW). I believe the proposed development would be a bad idea for a number of reasons, and I urge your agency to deny the permit for this development.

As a strong supporter of the DNR’s efforts with state natural areas, I am deeply concerned about the habitat of protected plants and animals such as those that can be found in the Lower Dells. Building such a large resort complex adjacent to this beautiful natural area would severely threaten that habitat, and only lead to the area’s downfall.

Accounts in the local news have quoted developers as saying their project wouldn’t encroach on the natural area, that they have promised to post signs along the resort’s border advising people that the adjacent property is a state natural area. It’s absurd to believe advisory signs would do anything to protect that area. I believe the negative impact on that natural area would be inevitable, and would eventually lead to the destruction of protected species, as well as the scenic beauty of the area.

Erosion from the 62 acre site (including parking lot runoff), as well as increased boat traffic can only harm the Wisconsin River and that natural area. The proposed six-story-high structure would be a severe detriment to the scenic beauty of that unique part of the river.

As one who has contributed to Wisconsin’s Endangered Resources Fund for a long time (through the license place which I’ve had for years, and through regular contributions on my income tax form), I am so very proud of the D.N.R.’s efforts with regard to the state natural areas. It is my hope the State continues to protect those areas, especially from sprawling development. Please don’t put the Wisconsin River State Natural Area in jeopardy. Deny the permit for this development project.

Sincerely,
Jonathan Bloy

At the request of the Recording Industry Association of America, the Copyright Royalty Board has increased the royalty payments internet radio stations must pay. That increase makes royalty payments drastically higher for the internet radio industry than those paid by traditional broadcasters. Even more absurd, royalty payments would be owed retroactively, for music that was played as far back as January of 2006 (which is kind of like the petroleum companies telling me I owe them money for the gas bought last year, because the price is higher this year).

When it comes to broadcast radio, I listen only to public radio, and the occasional sports broadcast. If I want to listen to music, I turn to internet radio such as Radio Paradise. Take a look at their playlist. You won’t hear a quarter of those songs on any commercial station.

There is a bill before congress which would equalize payments broadcasters and the internet radio industry pay. If this bill does not pass, the cost of playing music will be so high for the internet radio industry as to prohibit them from operating. That would leave music fans with only the homogenized sound of radio stations owned by Clear Channel and other media conglomerates.

For more information and links to contact your representatives, go to Save Internet Radio. You can also sign a petition and have it sent to your congressional representative at FreePress.net.

In another issue, the Postal Regulatory Commission is implementing a plan that will give favorable postal rates to “large, ad-heavy magazines like People at the expense of smaller publications like In These Times and The American Spectator.”

So, small independent publishers will be penalized with higher rates, while the larger companies can take advantage of a lower rate. Guess who proposed this plan to the Postal Regulatory Commission? None other than media conglomerate, Time Warner. Yet another example of inappropriate corporate influence on a government agency.

FreePress.net has more information about the postal rate hike, along with links to send messages to congress, and the Postal Service.

Please support these causes. Let’s keep the independent media on equal footing with the media conglomerates.

There were some real eye opening moments in the film. One in particular made me angry. Mr. Gore was convincingly illustrating the point that it’s a false choice when some say we can either fight against global warming, or have a strong economy. He displayed this graph:

(source: http://www.pewclimate.org/global-warming-in-depth/all_reports/fuel_economy/)

Look at the fuel economy standards for the United States! Japan and the European Union currently have almost double the MPG standards we do! Seeing that chart makes me embarrassed to be a U.S. citizen. Oh, and guess which automobile manufacturers makers are making the highest profits? The Japanese. The U.S. automakers have been experiencing the worst losses in the industry. Higher standards lead to innovation which leads to more sales, which makes the economy stronger.

Another eye opening point for me was that fact that we already have the means to combat this problem. It sounds simplistic, but if everyone did just little things (like use efficient compact florescent light bulbs, turn down the heat a degree or two, use less hot water) it actually can make big difference. It’s also so very important to let your representatives know how concerned you are about the rising levels of CO2, and the subsequent increases in global warming.

It was said in the film that future generations will see the state the planet is in and might very well ask, “Why didn’t they do something about this?”

Let’s do something now and eliminate the possibility of the question.

The elections and Rumsfeld’s resignation were a major event, but not the end of the world. The war on terror goes on without interruption… And let’s be on the lookout for any statements from the Iraqi insurgents, who must be thrilled at the prospect of a Dem-controlled congress.

I guess the powers that be at Fox News were absent the day they talked about objectivity in journalism school. Be sure and bring this up the next time anyone complains about the liberal bias in the media.

“Fair and Balanced” indeed.

One referendum is asking if the State should institute the death penalty for capital crimes with DNA evidence. Wisconsin hasn’t executed anyone for the past 150 years, and I certainly think we should keep it that way.

The death penalty has always struck me as being a tool of vengeance, which I believe is morally wrong.

The death penalty is not a deterrent. States with the death penalty have a higher incidence of murders per capita than states without.

The death penalty is not fair or equitable. In states with the death penalty, a higher number of poor and minority people are executed.

The death penalty is more costly. Death penalty trials spend considerably more tax-payer dollars than life-without-parole trials.

How many innocent people have been executed, only to be exonerated posthumously? With all the C.S.I. show’s on tv, DNA evidence has been high on the public’s radar. I believe it is a myth that DNA evidence is infallible.

My bottom line on this issue is I believe killing is wrong. If it is wrong for people to kill, it is also wrong for the state to kill.

The other referendum is the so-called Gay Marriage Amendment, asking to amend our state’s constitution with the following text:

Only a marriage between one man and one woman shall be valid or recognized as a marriage in this state. A legal status identical or substantially similar to that of marriage for unmarried individuals shall not be valid or recognized in this state.

Not only would this amendment discriminate against same sex couples who want to marry, it also would discriminate against any unmarried couples (either straight or gay) who are seeking the rights and benefits that come with a civil union.

Advocates for this amendment have said it’s necessary to preserve the sanctity of marriage and foundation of the family. Frankly, their logic eludes me.

But apparently, the current administration thinks having an uninformed public would better suit its policies. Or, should that be “would better suit their corporate interests?”

The U.S. has long taken on the role of world leadership. Where is the leadership when it comes to the environment? What an embarrassment.

So, here is the man who actually performed the act of political espionage, breaking into the democratic party headquarters, spewing on about unethical behavior in others? Am I the only one who finds this totally absurd?

In the news recently, the Downing Street Memo has finally come to light. How three years ago, the Bush Administration had decided to “fix the intelligence” to support its policy of invading Iraq to remove Saddam Hussain from power. Would that we had someone with the courage of Mark Felt’s convictions, three years ago.