'I-Witness group arrested before they can video tape RNC protests

'I-Witness' founder, Eileen Clancy, was arrested and detained last Saturday by police in what appeared to be a preemptive arrest.

Clancy said that she and her team were surrounded by police in the house they were staying at in St.Paul before they even had a chance to video tape any protests at the RNC. Journalist Amy Goodman was also arrested amid accusations of police brutality. There's been over three times the arrests (342) at the RNC (and it's only half over) compared to a total number of 130 at the DNC. Tear gas has already been used.

                                                                 TODAY'S THREAD:

Don't you just love how the police tactics with Clancy violated her right to assemble? Why do you think the police are being so aggressive at the RNC?

Palin's 17-yr-old daughter is pregnant

I wonder what conservatives will say when they find out that Bristol Paline is pregnant out-of-wedlock? Her 44-year-old governor mom says the family is supporting her (isn't that nice, their not going to disown her!).

According to the mainstream media McCain was aware of this little situation, but said it was no problem. Really? What about the conservative family values that neo-cons like to trot out at every opportunity? It should be interesting, as we continue to find things out about Palin (and her family). This comes from not properly vetting a candidate and a lot of Republicans are becoming worried with McCain's pick for veep.

TODAY'S 2nd THREAD:

Some pundits say Palin is giving a boost to the Republican Party. Do you agree with that?

Bush is not speaking at the RNC

Looks like President Bush will be a no show at the Republican Convention. Most Republicans are actually quit happy with this arrangement as they see him as one big negative.

McCain's campaign is trying to cut new territory for the Elephant Party and show he's a maverick by picking a woman who has less experience in politics than an intern in Washington.

TODAY'S THREAD:

The rumor is Bush is just sitting in his executive chair waiting to give aid to New Orleans and he can't be bothered with something like a silly convention - why do you think he's not attending?

New marijuana 'road map' still has detours

Today's As It Stands, in the Times-Standard, talks about California Attorney General Jerry Brown who has issued an eleven-page directive that is supposed to make life easier for medical marijuana users and California cops.

The only problem with that list is the Feds are already ignoring it. They have in the past, and will continue to ignore anything this state tries to do to carry out the voter's will.

TODAY'S THREAD:

Which one of the presidential candidates do you think might stand up for the will of California voters and grant more state's rights?

Ashes to diamonds - wear a loved one today!

Diamonds really are forever.  A small company in Switzerland uses ashes of dead people to make diamonds! So much for diamonds just being a girl's friend eh?

The technology for making artificial diamonds goes back to the 1950's when General Electric came up with the idea by subjecting carbon to huge pressure and temperature. There's even a place in Phoenix Arizona, that makes diamonds from hair!

President Bush see's 'signs' that economy is improving

President Bush is telling Americans to "don't worry," and "be happy," this Labor Day Weekend. He has seen signs-perhaps a mystic revelation-that we're doing better these days.

This despite other economic news that shows consumer spending has slowed to a crawl and people are worried.

TODAY's THREAD:

Do you think Bush has had a revelation, or is he just spouting his usual rhetoric?  

Caution:these two columns may piss you off!

These two columns have been published in Nolan Chart today:

1) Paranoid police picked the wrong convention to model riot gear!

    Anyone with any sense should have known that anti-war protestors will go for the source-the Republican's National Convention. Just who started the wars anyhow?

2)Okay let's just get it out in the open: Playing The Gender Card With Palin.

    Everyone on the planet knows that some of Hillary's followers were feminists who were voting on the Gender Card, and that when she lost to Obama they had to go somewhere!   

The truth is out there - and it's X-rated!

David Duchovny recently received a Golden Globe award for portraying a over-sexed struggling writer on Showtime's Californication. Now life imitates fiction and he has checked into a rehabilitation facility for sex addition!

He's been married since 1997 to Tea Leoni, and they have two children. If anybody remembers the Red Shoe Diaries, then they know Duchovny has a backround in so-called Soft Porn.

TODAY'S THREAD

I've never known anyone that had to go to rehab for sex addition, and can't help wondering at what point are you addicted to sex?

Surprising readership on some columns

For a lark I decided to Google this blog - AS IT STANDS - and was shocked when 3 columns I wrote appeared on the very first page!

Only two short listings appear before my column: "Outsourcing newspapers is offensive."
It was followed by; "Prosthetic ears, thieves, and payback," and
"Animal activists use terror tactics"

On Page 7, the animal activist column again; Page 15 had, "Vehicles that run on air are here," Page 20 had, "Living in the Twilight Zone," and Page 21 finally had this blog!

I didn't feel too bad however, as there were 81 Pages under this category.

It's interesting how some columns become so well read, and others (that I thought were better) don't get the same readership. I guess what I'm trying to say is I don't fully understand who reads my columns by the very disparity of subjects. It's hit and miss. There must be a magic formula that I could follow to have all of my stuff well-read. I'll just have to keep trying I suppose.

As long as it's fun, it's all good!

Biden may have a problem

It's been Happy Days recently for Joe Biden. But there's dark clouds forming in the future as his brother and son have been benefiting from his Congressional ties, according to this article in The Los Angeles Times.

TODAY'S THREAD:

Do you think Sen. Biden running as VP may turn out to be a liability for Obama?

Requiem for a veteran: Bob Porter

Bob Porter was a veteran who was proud of his country, his time in service (2 tours in Vietnam), and who sought refuge in our local veterans stand down. He made friends and became part of the volunteer community. He wasn't famous or high profile.

Bob was just a regular guy who died suddenly and unexpectedly two weeks ago. He will be honored at stand down this year in October when the organizers dedicate the weekend to him. He was an inspiration to many and will be missed by many people.

Flight attendants prepare to be porn police

It's really no fun being a flight attendant these days. Read my column that was published today in Nolan Chart.

The public is peeved with the airlines and having to pay for pillows and blankets. Now Delta, and the other big carriers are going to provide wi-fi access (for a price of course) to passengers.

The flight attendants now have to be ready to confront someone viewing porn and to make them stop it. It could get a little dicey though if they think the nudes in the art site the person is viewing is porn, or someone else thinks it is. Not to mention First Amendment issues.

McCain with PTSD column featured on Daily Crock

Check it out, my recent column on McCain having PTSD has been picked up by a radio show host in New Mexico who also started the blog this column is being featured in today.

This particular column has gotten a lot of feedback on the Times-Standard Online forum. I bring up an inconvenient reminder of the 2000 campaign when his famous temper was an issue. He still has it folks. His spin-boys are trying to keep the topic of PTSD out of the press, but truth has a funny way of leaking out.

Authorities uncover plot to kill Obama

This morning details are coming out about a possible plot to assassinate Barack Obama. Apparently at least one of four men arrested yesterday planned to shot Obama at the outdoor acceptance speech.

I have to admit that my prime concern for Obama has been this kind of thing. There's so many racists in this country that hate him because he's black, that it's not funny. The suspected person that was going to do the shooting has White Power/Supremacy tattoos. The four men were also "geeter-heads" pumped up on meth and holding a quantity of it when they were busted.

TODAY'S THREAD:

Do you think there will be more attempts on Obama's life before he's elected, or afterwards?

*******

It's The GOP's Turn Now!

Those nasty Republicans are trying to keep my presidential pick, Bob Barr, off the Pennsylvania ballot! In this satirical letter to the Libertarian Party I plead McCains case!

Desperate Dems Seek a Miracle

What an interesting Democratic National Convention. Setting security aside, how about having a man with a malignant brain tumor come to hopefully heal the hotheads in the place?

Today's As It Stands in Nolan Chart online, I examine that possibility.

Abandoned baby found safe with dog

A baby was found safe in a dog pen after being abandoned by her 14-year-old mother who had just given birth to her.

The newborn girl was found by a farmer snuggled up with a mother dog and her brood of puppies. Authorities in Buenos Aires aren't sure if the baby was left outside and the mother dog brought her in or not.

                                                                           .......

It's Monday with another work week ahead fellow bloggers. I don't know about you, but I'll be watching the Democratic National Convention closely. Supposedly, authorities claim that there is a chance of riots, but thus far (and the anti-war people are already there and have been since Saturday) there's been no problems. Let's see what happens between now and Thursday.

TODAY'S THREAD:

I think this is going to be a fairly peaceful convention (outside - or as far as protestors go). Do you anticipate rioting protestors during the convention?

As It Stands didn't run today

For those of you who were wondering where my Times-Standard column is today...it's my fault that it didn't run.

Yes, I screwed up and didn't get my column into the editor before I left town this weekend. I didn't even leave my cell phone number for her! What a dummy! My apologies to all concerned.

I just now got back, and I guess I'll work on my book the rest of the afternoon. Peace.

Obama opts for experience

Looks like Sen.Barack Obama is going for experience as he has selected Joe Biden to be his running mate. I have to say I'm glad he didn't go with Sen.Hillary Clinton. Some pundits thought he might go with someone else who represents change, but in the end Biden is the boy!

                                                             TODAY'S THREAD:

Will Biden's help be enough to overcome the critic's claims that Obama is going to be weak on foreign affairs if elected?

Today's As It Stands with Nolan Chart

If you haven't had the opportunity to look at the warehouse turned jail for protestors you ought to check out YouTube. It was a secret, this 'Gitmo on the Platte' ,as activists are calling the temporary jail for protesters at the Denver Democratic National Convention this weekend.

It's a clear message of intimidation for anyone seeking to exercise their first amendment rights of free speech.

Another THREAD for the Day:

How do you feel about the idea of building large temporary jails every time there is a party national convention?