Observations From a Point of View

WE ARE WATCHING:

     Ralph Nader

     Nader has, for more than a generation, been the "White Knight of the environmental and populist movements... His candidacy has forced awareness of many issues usually ignored by the "Repulicrats" who dominate American politics... Now, it is time for Nader to prove his dedication by stepping aside in favor of Al Gore, rather than ensure the election of George W Bush by fighting to the bitter end...
     Come on, Ralph: do the right thing!

14:10

00/10/31

     This is from Gloria Steinem's recent speech in Portland, OR at the Pro-Choice rally at Pioneer Courthouse Square. It's definitely worth reading and considering.

05:25

00/10/31

     The growing fear of a Bush Presidnecy has a new voice: Carl Pope, Executive Director of The Sierra Club has publiched an open letter to Ralph Nader... in it, he implores Nader to step aside in favor of Vice President Gore...
     When such a figure as Mr Pope, a long-time friend and colleague of the populist leader, makes such a plea, those of us who care about our freedom and our world should pay heed...
     I have long supported Nader and his highly principled stands... I have come to fear the result of a continued Nader candidacy...
     Mr Pope's appeal speaks more powerfully than I ever could... read it, then decide!

18:27

00/10/29

      There's a revival of an old ethical issue with the low-cost personal locator technology now coming on to the market... A shopping mall provides locator bracelets to parents and children, allowing the parent to always locate their kids while shopping... in a college in Florida,any student equipped with a locator tag can summon assistance if needed, and their location pin-pointed on a central map...
     There is talk of "smart luggage" equipped with the technology which can never be lost even by the most aggressive airline baggage (mis)handler!
     What's the problem?
     As with all technology, "it ain't the tools, it's the potential for abuse" of those tools...

18:10

00/10/29

     Of course, the Naderites want Gore to withdraw. But are the Naderites willing to risk a Bush presidency just to prove that their man is better?
     Not every Democrat will rally to a Nader candidacy -- party loyalty of that sort is a trait of Republicans, NOT Democrats... The very ideological differences which make Gore unpalatable to Naderites make Nader equally unpalatable to mainstream Dems... unlike Republicans, however, dis-enchanted Democrats don't vote at all...
     To think otherwise is to ignore the lessons of history...
     I wish I could smoke some happy weed and "believe" in God, Country, and Saint Ralph the Savior, but the reality of National elections is that anything which divides the Democratic vote benefits the Republican candidate... with the US Supreme Court facing as many as three vacancies in the next four years, I'll not risk a Bush presidency... My sisters might not survive a Bush presidency... my non-Christian friends might not survive a Bush presidency... my gay friends might not survive a Bush presidency...
     My free-thinking friends might not survive a Bush presidency!
     Pack the city halls with 3rd (& 4th & 5th & 6th & ...) party candidates! Pack the county councils and state legislators with 3rd party candidates! Send as many 3rd party candidates as possible to Washington DC!
     Demonstrate to the average voter the viability of 3rd party public servants... demonstrate to the average citizen the clear advantages -- in accountability, in responsiveness -- of 3rd party policy makers... demonstrate to the average taxpayer the savings to be realized by an efficient, accountable government...
     Once we have disabused the commonfolk of the notion that only political business as usual can serve their needs, THEN will be the time to move to National office...
     Because then the average citizen will be primed to believe -- and take back our nation!

17:57

00/10/28

     "... Give me your vote... let's get trafic moving again..." John Carlson...
     How, Mr Carlson? HOW are you going to reverse the effects of I-695?

22:10

00/10/24

     First take on election 2000...

     GORE vs Bush

     I've exhausted this subject... Gore is by far less lethal to individual liberty than is Bush...

     Vote GORE

     CANTWELL vs Gorton

     I've had political diffeences with Slade Gorton since 1980... I've never believed that he really respects the individual citizen... even his "Let Slade take care of you" ads sound paternalistic to me...
     Ms Cantwell does not impress me, but I believe that she is less dangerous to the liberty of this Republic than is Mr Gorton...

     Vote CANTWELL

     LOCKE vs Carlsson

     I don't much like Gary Locke... back in the mid '90s, he savaged a model welfare reform bill proposed by a group of very thoughtful, very knowledgable women -- a bill which actually facilitated and encouraged honest women to get off of welare by eliminating the obstacles to that progress... the current bill, so lauded by politicos and others without expereince, does not address these traps... too many women still find themselves blocked from obtaining the training, counseling and support services they need to get -- and stay -- off of welfare... Mr Locke was a principle supporter of the current legislation...
     Yet, for the most part, Gary Locke respects the citizen... for the most part, Gary Locke cares about people... for the most part, Gary Locke favors equal opportunity for all...
     Carlsson's record, as far as I can tell, is one of hatred, bigotry and paternalism -- things which this state does not need!

     Vote LOCKE

     Stay tuned...

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