The dog ate my homework
The following table is a compilation of excuses for the destruction of some or all of the records from the 2004 presidential election in Ohio. The statements are excerpted from the "letters of explanation" submitted in April 2007, by certain Boards of Election to the office of Ohio Secretary of State Jennifer Brunner, which were provided to us in response to a public records request.
According to the Columbus Dispatch ("56 Ohio counties failed to keep ballots," August 2, 2007), Brunner stated that there is no evidence that ballots were intentionally destroyed. We respectfully refer her to the "letters of explanation" from Fayette and Warren counties, both of which state, in these exact words, that some or all ballots were "intentionally destroyed." We also refer her to the "letters of explanation" from Allen, Champaign, Fairfield, Hancock, Hardin, Holmes, Logan, Marion, Medina, Monroe, Montgomery, Morrow, Paulding, Perry, Putnam, Sandusky, Seneca, Shelby, and Stark counties, all of which state, in other words, that some or all ballots were intentionally destroyed.
Adams – "does not have in its possession"
According to the Columbus Dispatch ("56 Ohio counties failed to keep ballots," August 2, 2007), Brunner stated that there is no evidence that ballots were intentionally destroyed. We respectfully refer her to the "letters of explanation" from Fayette and Warren counties, both of which state, in these exact words, that some or all ballots were "intentionally destroyed." We also refer her to the "letters of explanation" from Allen, Champaign, Fairfield, Hancock, Hardin, Holmes, Logan, Marion, Medina, Monroe, Montgomery, Morrow, Paulding, Perry, Putnam, Sandusky, Seneca, Shelby, and Stark counties, all of which state, in other words, that some or all ballots were intentionally destroyed.
Adams – "does not have in its possession"
Did U.S. intelligence assets kill Antioch College?
At the time of its announced closure, Antioch College, perhaps America’s most progressive and well-known peace college, had a few visible capitalist hawks on its Board of Trustees.
Bruce P. Bedford, one of only three Trustees not a former alum, had been appointed to the board of Arlington, Virginia company GlobeSecNine in 2005. The company is described by a representative of investment corporation Bear Sterns as having "a unique set of experiences in special forces, classified operations, transportation security and military operations." One can only speculate why the nation’s longest-standing anti-imperialist education institution would appoint a trustee with extensive ties to the military and security industrial complexes.
Business Wire on May 4, 2005 described GlobeSecNine as follows: "GlobeSecNine invests in companies providing U.S. defense, security, global trade management and supply chain solutions to the public and private sectors, and has a strategic alliance with The Scowcroft Group, a business advisory firm headed by former National Security Advisor Brent Scowcroft."
Bruce P. Bedford, one of only three Trustees not a former alum, had been appointed to the board of Arlington, Virginia company GlobeSecNine in 2005. The company is described by a representative of investment corporation Bear Sterns as having "a unique set of experiences in special forces, classified operations, transportation security and military operations." One can only speculate why the nation’s longest-standing anti-imperialist education institution would appoint a trustee with extensive ties to the military and security industrial complexes.
Business Wire on May 4, 2005 described GlobeSecNine as follows: "GlobeSecNine invests in companies providing U.S. defense, security, global trade management and supply chain solutions to the public and private sectors, and has a strategic alliance with The Scowcroft Group, a business advisory firm headed by former National Security Advisor Brent Scowcroft."
Comfest Satuday ends in radical street demo
The first ComFest took shape when a handful of political hippies who had already formed, among other things, a free medical clinic, a food co-op, a tenants union and an alternative newspaper, pulled off a big street party at the convergence of East 16th and Waldeck Avenues in the OSU area. Saturday June 23rd, 2007 Comfest regained some of its political clout when the festival ended in a radical street march against the War in Iraq. At around 10pm a crowd assembled by the pond at the northeast corner of Goodale park. Demonstrators brandished bullhorns, bucket drums, banners, signs, and torches. The festival had been going on all day and much of the crowd had grown rowdy and boisterous after a day of Comfest beverages and music.
Be ashamed to die until you have won some victory for humanity
You can't generally hold a writer responsible for a headline, usually written by an editor, but you can take issue with it. The headline "Antioch's sunk itself by refusing to evolve," in the June 17 Columbus Dispatch over a Mike Harden column, suggests that the new corporate college and university model is in some way a step forward for humanity.
Remember that the Antioch College motto, taken from the great educator Horace Mann, is: "Be ashamed to die until you have won some victory for humanity."
How one talks about the death, or temporary closing, of the legendary Antioch College – without talking about the great victories that it has won for humanity, this nation, the state of Ohio, and even the city of Columbus – is puzzling.
Let's recall that history. The Christian Connection founded the college in 1852. It's a little hard to believe now, in the era of George W. Bush's warmongering, profit-loving, pro-corporate version of Jesus, but there was a time when the American Christian churches drew more from the Sermon on the Mount than Adam Smith's Wealth of Nations.
Remember that the Antioch College motto, taken from the great educator Horace Mann, is: "Be ashamed to die until you have won some victory for humanity."
How one talks about the death, or temporary closing, of the legendary Antioch College – without talking about the great victories that it has won for humanity, this nation, the state of Ohio, and even the city of Columbus – is puzzling.
Let's recall that history. The Christian Connection founded the college in 1852. It's a little hard to believe now, in the era of George W. Bush's warmongering, profit-loving, pro-corporate version of Jesus, but there was a time when the American Christian churches drew more from the Sermon on the Mount than Adam Smith's Wealth of Nations.
Troy Davis action alert
In recent weeks, we've been working to get the word out about Troy Davis, a Georgia man on death row, using the traditional media, blogs, radio stations, and of course, Facebook. Now, we're taking the first big step to reach out to the people who will ultimately decide Troy's fate.
Right now, we're starting up a letter writing campaign to the Georgia Board of Pardons and Paroles. If Troy's last appeal is denied in the Supreme Court (unfortunately, a likely outcome), the Georgia Board of Pardons and Paroles will be making the last call on whether Troy Davis lives or dies. They have the power to pardon him, or to commute his sentence from death to life.
So, here's how it works:
1) Go to this site: http://www.democracyinaction.org/dia/organizationsORG/ncadp/content.jsp…
2) Copy and paste the letter into a Word document. Print it out on your personal/school/company letterhead if possible.
Right now, we're starting up a letter writing campaign to the Georgia Board of Pardons and Paroles. If Troy's last appeal is denied in the Supreme Court (unfortunately, a likely outcome), the Georgia Board of Pardons and Paroles will be making the last call on whether Troy Davis lives or dies. They have the power to pardon him, or to commute his sentence from death to life.
So, here's how it works:
1) Go to this site: http://www.democracyinaction.org/dia/organizationsORG/ncadp/content.jsp…
2) Copy and paste the letter into a Word document. Print it out on your personal/school/company letterhead if possible.
Farm & nature guides needed at Stratford Ecological Center
This 236 acre organic farm and nature preserve is dedicated to educating children and adults toward understanding the relationships between living things and their environment. Stratford is looking for summer volunteer guides to lead small groups of children on adventures around the farm and nature preserve in June, July & August. No experience is necessary, but guides need to have a love of nature, children and adventures. Training will be June 14th—1-4pm. If you would like to become a Stratford Farm & Nature Guide, please contact Jane at 740-363-2548 or SECVolunteer@aol.com or visit www.StratfordEcologicalCenter.org.
Lavender festival seeks volunteers
The Ohio Lavender Festival is seeking volunteers for the 2007 event slated for July 6,7 & 8 at DayBreak Lavender Farm in Streetsboro, OH.
Will you work four hours for free soap? That's the deal says Jody Byrne, manager of The Ohio Lavender Festival. “Last year we had 35+ volunteers who worked a four-hour block of time … either 9 - 1 or 1 - 5. By way of saying thank you, each received a $50 Gift Certificate good for any of DayBreak Lavender Farm's handmade soaps, home spa or lavender culinary products. In addition, they each volunteer gets 2 Free Festival passes so they can return with a friend and enjoy the festival on all the days they're not volunteering.”
From lavender planting and grooming in the lavender field, to Nature Hunt Guides working with kids, to the Gourmet Pavillion … there are all kinds of tasks that the Festival needs your help with. If you are interested, just email SoapPlease1@aol.com and write volunteer in the subject line. Jody will send you complete hours, dress and work assignment details.
Will you work four hours for free soap? That's the deal says Jody Byrne, manager of The Ohio Lavender Festival. “Last year we had 35+ volunteers who worked a four-hour block of time … either 9 - 1 or 1 - 5. By way of saying thank you, each received a $50 Gift Certificate good for any of DayBreak Lavender Farm's handmade soaps, home spa or lavender culinary products. In addition, they each volunteer gets 2 Free Festival passes so they can return with a friend and enjoy the festival on all the days they're not volunteering.”
From lavender planting and grooming in the lavender field, to Nature Hunt Guides working with kids, to the Gourmet Pavillion … there are all kinds of tasks that the Festival needs your help with. If you are interested, just email SoapPlease1@aol.com and write volunteer in the subject line. Jody will send you complete hours, dress and work assignment details.
Volunteer opportunity at Stratford Ecological Center
Farm Tour & Nature Guides Needed at Stratford Ecological Center - Summer volunteer guiding requires nothing but a love of nature, children and adventures. Guides lead small groups of children on adventures around the farm and nature preserve in June, July & August. Guide Training will be June 14th
1-4pm. If you would like to become a Stratford Farm Tour & Nature Guide, please contact Jane at
740-363-2548 or SECVolunteer@aol.com.
We're making history in Duncan Falls
Duncan Falls, OH. The fifth grade classes at Duncan Falls Elementary School
will hold a Solar Cooking Festival on May 22, 2007 from 2:30 PM to 3:15 PM.
Over 150 solar unique homemade ovens will be on display and cooking nachos
(provided there is enough sunshine). This is the world’s largest display of
homemade solar ovens (they are waiting to hear if the solar oven category
qualifies for the Guinness Book of World Records). The solar oven project
was made possible with the support of Blue Rock Station, Zukebox Pizza, the
Muskingum County Community Foundation, and the Muskingum County Master
Gardeners.
Teams of students will have created amazing salsa recipes and the atmosphere will be “ripe” with Mexican music as everyone waits for the unveiling of the new permanent solar cooker designed and built just for the school by Jay Warmke of Blue Rock Station. Salad fixings, also grown by the fifth graders will be available to accompany the nachos and salsa. Guests should plan to arrive no later than 2:30 PM for the taste testing with the unveiling of the oven will taking place at 3:00 PM.
Teams of students will have created amazing salsa recipes and the atmosphere will be “ripe” with Mexican music as everyone waits for the unveiling of the new permanent solar cooker designed and built just for the school by Jay Warmke of Blue Rock Station. Salad fixings, also grown by the fifth graders will be available to accompany the nachos and salsa. Guests should plan to arrive no later than 2:30 PM for the taste testing with the unveiling of the oven will taking place at 3:00 PM.
Volunteers needed at Stratford Ecological Center
40-50 Summer Education Guides Needed at Stratford Ecological Center
Summer volunteer guides are people who love nature, children and adventures. Ed guides spend 2-4 hours per week at Stratford to share their love of the land and nature with our future generation. We are looking for volunteers for Educational Guides who lead small groups of children on an adventure around our farm and nature preserve on Monday through Friday during June, July & August. No experience necessary. We will train you. Ed Guide Training will be June 14 th – 1:00-4:00pm. If you would like to become a Stratford Ed Guide, please contact Jane at Stratford Ecological Center 740-363-2548 or SECVolunteer@aol.com
Saturday Receptionist
We are looking for Saturday morning volunteer receptionists from 9am - 1pm to answer phones, take messages, greet visitors, direct visitors to activities, trails, u-pick areas and sell farm products. Contact Jane at Stratford Ecological Center 740-363-2548 or SECVolunteer@aol.com.
Summer volunteer guides are people who love nature, children and adventures. Ed guides spend 2-4 hours per week at Stratford to share their love of the land and nature with our future generation. We are looking for volunteers for Educational Guides who lead small groups of children on an adventure around our farm and nature preserve on Monday through Friday during June, July & August. No experience necessary. We will train you. Ed Guide Training will be June 14 th – 1:00-4:00pm. If you would like to become a Stratford Ed Guide, please contact Jane at Stratford Ecological Center 740-363-2548 or SECVolunteer@aol.com
Saturday Receptionist
We are looking for Saturday morning volunteer receptionists from 9am - 1pm to answer phones, take messages, greet visitors, direct visitors to activities, trails, u-pick areas and sell farm products. Contact Jane at Stratford Ecological Center 740-363-2548 or SECVolunteer@aol.com.