Nancy Tobi Rocks! Democracy for New Hampshire comes to Ohio!
About 22 of some of Central Ohio's best election activists showed up Tuesday night, March 6, at the Free Press offices to hear Nancy Tobi of "Democracy for New Hampshire"? speak about how she has managed to develop positive relationships with her election officials and certain legislators to help work together on getting her grassroots organization's election integrity legislation passed.
For three hours she inspired us, complimented us, cajoled us, and listened to our tales of fighting corruption and incompetence in scandle-riddled Ohio. Here are some of the highpoints of her speech.
She started by speaking of "Difficult Dialogues,"? something we all encounter in this movement. She described her own concentric spheres: first herself as a Jewish woman in New Englander country. "Who am I, to presume to take on changing the institution of elections?"? "What are my shortcomings and inadequacies?"? "Why am I compelled to continue this struggle for democracy?"?
Secondly, how do we deal with our families, who want to know, "When is supper?"?
For three hours she inspired us, complimented us, cajoled us, and listened to our tales of fighting corruption and incompetence in scandle-riddled Ohio. Here are some of the highpoints of her speech.
She started by speaking of "Difficult Dialogues,"? something we all encounter in this movement. She described her own concentric spheres: first herself as a Jewish woman in New Englander country. "Who am I, to presume to take on changing the institution of elections?"? "What are my shortcomings and inadequacies?"? "Why am I compelled to continue this struggle for democracy?"?
Secondly, how do we deal with our families, who want to know, "When is supper?"?
Cost of Iraq war trickles down to Ohio, Ohio's Senate fiddles while Baghdad Burns
COLUMBUS -- The only thing Ohioans can expect to resolve on the Ohio Senate floor Tuesday, is that a majority of Ohio legislators are likely to choose political one-upmanship over an opportunity to send a message about the true toll of the war to Ohioans.
President Bush's move to escalate the war in Iraq is destined to increase the number of casualties and the cost to taxpayers, Brian Rothenberg, executive director of ProgressOhio.org, said Tuesday. "Ohio's Senate is fiddling around while Baghdad is burning."
The Ohio Senate is preparing to debate a resolution that praises President Bush and Rothenberg said, it is time for Ohio to examine the potential costs of the war and the deception used to launch it. "No price would have been too high if our nation faced an imminent threat from an Iraq armed with weapons of mass destruction. We now know there were no weapons of mass destruction, and we are paying a hidden cost back home that our Ohio Senate leaders seem oblivious to acknowledge.''
President Bush's move to escalate the war in Iraq is destined to increase the number of casualties and the cost to taxpayers, Brian Rothenberg, executive director of ProgressOhio.org, said Tuesday. "Ohio's Senate is fiddling around while Baghdad is burning."
The Ohio Senate is preparing to debate a resolution that praises President Bush and Rothenberg said, it is time for Ohio to examine the potential costs of the war and the deception used to launch it. "No price would have been too high if our nation faced an imminent threat from an Iraq armed with weapons of mass destruction. We now know there were no weapons of mass destruction, and we are paying a hidden cost back home that our Ohio Senate leaders seem oblivious to acknowledge.''
After Ohio's recount rigging convictions in Cuyahoga, is Coshocton County next?
After the recent convictions of two Cuyahoga County Board of Election workers for felony recount tampering, Republican County Prosecutor Robert Batchelor is stonewalling efforts to investigate similar well-documented charges in Coshocton County, Ohio.
The Cuyahoga County Board of Elections (BOE) third-ranking employee and an assistant manager were each convicted of a felony count of negligent misconduct and a misdemeanor count of failing to perform their duties during the 2004 recount. The convictions stemmed from the secret pre-counting of precincts prior to the lawfully required open recount. The convicted election workers only allowed the pre-counted precincts that matched the official results to be used in the recount. This caused the special prosecutor to tell the jury that the election recount was "rigged" in Cuyahoga.
Testimony and eyewitness reports document similar activity in several Ohio counties regarding the illegal rigging of the 2004 recount.
The Cuyahoga County Board of Elections (BOE) third-ranking employee and an assistant manager were each convicted of a felony count of negligent misconduct and a misdemeanor count of failing to perform their duties during the 2004 recount. The convictions stemmed from the secret pre-counting of precincts prior to the lawfully required open recount. The convicted election workers only allowed the pre-counted precincts that matched the official results to be used in the recount. This caused the special prosecutor to tell the jury that the election recount was "rigged" in Cuyahoga.
Testimony and eyewitness reports document similar activity in several Ohio counties regarding the illegal rigging of the 2004 recount.
Former President of Mexico gives speech for fundraiser
TOLEDO, OHIO Former president of Mexico, Vicente Fox, was the guest of honor at Thursday’s Junior League event, Toledo After Hours, held downtown at the historic Valentine Theater. I had read about his upcoming visit in the Hispanic newspaper La Prensa and asked my editor for some cash to cover fuel expenses. He lured me to a deserted parking lot and tried to run me over with his PT Cruiser. Failing to kill me, he forked over $60 and sped away. My hillbilly logistics team, one V Mann, agreed to drive us to Toledo in his van but backed out of the trip at the last minute after getting his beard inextricably tangled in his banjo, so I was forced to borrow my roommate’s Escort Wagon to make the trek on my own.
An urgent appeal on behalf of Carol Fisher
From: Carol Steiner, Chris and Frank Targoss, J. Uprise and Zirca (Guerilla Radio), Lee Thompson, Marjorie Clark, Mary Jo Muser, Rebekka Willow, Cheryl Lessin
We are friends of Carol Fisher, the woman from Cleveland, Ohio , who spent the better part of 2006 battling felony charges stemming from putting up anti-Bush posters. We urge you to take a minute to read an update on her situation and pledge your support.
Millions of people are deeply concerned about the direction and fate of the world. The Bush Regime has made torture legal, is conducting a “surge” of US troops into Iraq , and continues to radically remake society very quickly, in a fascist way, and for generations to come. Many more need to step up to stop this, and join with people who are showing tremendous courage in refusing to be silent and complicit in these crimes being done in our name.
As most of you are aware, in an outrageous trial Carol was convicted of two felony counts of “assault on police officers”. She served 5 weeks in jail, completed a court ordered “anger management” class, and is on probation until June of 2008.
We are friends of Carol Fisher, the woman from Cleveland, Ohio , who spent the better part of 2006 battling felony charges stemming from putting up anti-Bush posters. We urge you to take a minute to read an update on her situation and pledge your support.
Millions of people are deeply concerned about the direction and fate of the world. The Bush Regime has made torture legal, is conducting a “surge” of US troops into Iraq , and continues to radically remake society very quickly, in a fascist way, and for generations to come. Many more need to step up to stop this, and join with people who are showing tremendous courage in refusing to be silent and complicit in these crimes being done in our name.
As most of you are aware, in an outrageous trial Carol was convicted of two felony counts of “assault on police officers”. She served 5 weeks in jail, completed a court ordered “anger management” class, and is on probation until June of 2008.
2006 election
I voted at my correct precinct and polling place in May, 2006 without incident.
I received an "official elction mailing" in the mail in Oct. 2006 clearly stating my correct name, address, polling place and precinct.
I erroneously thought this meant I was properly registered to vote in Nov. 2006!
I took this mailing in hand and went to vote in November, 2006. I was told I wasn't registered even though I showed poll workers my mailing and said that I'd voted in May without any incident!!
I was told I needed to complete a provisional ballot. I told the poll workers, I had no faith that my provisional ballot would be counted so I left my polling place without voting.
I made several phone calls. My story was carried by AP and other news sources. One website with my story is located at : http:www.onnnews.com/?sec=&story=sites/onn/content/pool/200611/41146806…
I phoned the following organizations:
1. Election Protection Hotline, 1.866.657.8683
2. ACLU voter protection, 216.472.2220
I received an "official elction mailing" in the mail in Oct. 2006 clearly stating my correct name, address, polling place and precinct.
I erroneously thought this meant I was properly registered to vote in Nov. 2006!
I took this mailing in hand and went to vote in November, 2006. I was told I wasn't registered even though I showed poll workers my mailing and said that I'd voted in May without any incident!!
I was told I needed to complete a provisional ballot. I told the poll workers, I had no faith that my provisional ballot would be counted so I left my polling place without voting.
I made several phone calls. My story was carried by AP and other news sources. One website with my story is located at : http:www.onnnews.com/?sec=&story=sites/onn/content/pool/200611/41146806…
I phoned the following organizations:
1. Election Protection Hotline, 1.866.657.8683
2. ACLU voter protection, 216.472.2220
Stop the unity of hate in Columbus, Ohio
Columbus, Ohio is hosting a unity of hate groups on the 17th and 18th of
Feburary 2007 and we intend to shut them down. Central to organizing
this national hate conference is the National Socialist Movement, which is
the largest neo-nazi group in the United States according to the
Anti-Defamation League.
The NSM have invited other white supremacist organizations to attend, including "Klansmen, Skinheads, National Socialists, Aryan Nations and World Creators". Every one of these groups is associated with a history of violence and brutality against people of color and all people opposed to nazi and fascist power. Some of their membership have endorsed the attacking and/or killing of people at random, lynchings and other acts of violence against people with the intention of enforcing a malevolent world order of white supremacy.
Their History of Violence
The NSM have invited other white supremacist organizations to attend, including "Klansmen, Skinheads, National Socialists, Aryan Nations and World Creators". Every one of these groups is associated with a history of violence and brutality against people of color and all people opposed to nazi and fascist power. Some of their membership have endorsed the attacking and/or killing of people at random, lynchings and other acts of violence against people with the intention of enforcing a malevolent world order of white supremacy.
Their History of Violence
Strickland-Fisher inaugural committee announces details of swearing-in ceremony
Strickland chooses Second Harvest to benefit from inaugural celebrations, to visit Cleveland Foodbank today
Columbus, Ohio – The Strickland-Fisher Inaugural Committee announced today that the ceremonial swearing-in ceremony of Ted Strickland as governor and Lee Fisher as lieutenant governor will take place at 11:30 a.m., January 13th, 2007, on the West Lawn of the Ohio Statehouse.
The event will be non-ticketed and open to the public.
Thomas Moyer, Chief Justice of the Ohio Supreme Court, will administer the oath of office for Strickland. Stanley Fisher will lead the oath for son Lee Fisher. Strickland will give his inaugural address following the oaths of office.
After the swearing-in ceremony, Ted and Frances Strickland, joined by Lee and Peggy Fisher, will greet the public in the Statehouse Atrium.
Additional inaugural festivities, including the Ohio inaugural ball, will be announced in detail in the coming days.
Columbus, Ohio – The Strickland-Fisher Inaugural Committee announced today that the ceremonial swearing-in ceremony of Ted Strickland as governor and Lee Fisher as lieutenant governor will take place at 11:30 a.m., January 13th, 2007, on the West Lawn of the Ohio Statehouse.
The event will be non-ticketed and open to the public.
Thomas Moyer, Chief Justice of the Ohio Supreme Court, will administer the oath of office for Strickland. Stanley Fisher will lead the oath for son Lee Fisher. Strickland will give his inaugural address following the oaths of office.
After the swearing-in ceremony, Ted and Frances Strickland, joined by Lee and Peggy Fisher, will greet the public in the Statehouse Atrium.
Additional inaugural festivities, including the Ohio inaugural ball, will be announced in detail in the coming days.
The Pryce of democracy in Ohio’s 15th Congressional District
The Republican Party is on the brink of seizing another seat in the
U.S. Congress. The key race is the central Ohio
15th District Congressional House seat held by Deborah Pryce, the
fourth most powerful Republican in Congress.
On election night the preliminary vote count showed Pryce beating Franklin County Commissioner Mary Jo Kilroy by 3717 votes out of more than 200,000 cast. Nearly 20,000 votes remained uncounted after Election Day. Kilroy refused to concede and demanded a full accounting of provisional, absentee and uncounted machine votes.
On Monday, November 27, the final tally was announced. Kilroy officially picked up 2482 votes, leaving Pryce ahead by 1054. The Franklin County Board of Elections could have certified the results earlier, but chose instead to wait until after the Big Ten championship football game between Ohio State and the University of Michigan.
Because the margin is within 1/2% of the votes cast, Franklin County Board of Elections Director Matt Damschroder says this will trigger an automatic recount within ten days.
On election night the preliminary vote count showed Pryce beating Franklin County Commissioner Mary Jo Kilroy by 3717 votes out of more than 200,000 cast. Nearly 20,000 votes remained uncounted after Election Day. Kilroy refused to concede and demanded a full accounting of provisional, absentee and uncounted machine votes.
On Monday, November 27, the final tally was announced. Kilroy officially picked up 2482 votes, leaving Pryce ahead by 1054. The Franklin County Board of Elections could have certified the results earlier, but chose instead to wait until after the Big Ten championship football game between Ohio State and the University of Michigan.
Because the margin is within 1/2% of the votes cast, Franklin County Board of Elections Director Matt Damschroder says this will trigger an automatic recount within ten days.
Support Ohio Senate Bill 74 - Medical Marijuana
On Wednesday 11/15, the Senate Judiciary Committee on Criminal Justice
heard
sponsor testimony from Sen. Robert Hagan (D-Youngstown) on S.B.
74, which
will protect seriously ill Ohio patients from the threat of
arrest and
imprisonment for using marijuana to treat their conditions.
Thank you to everyone who attended the hearing and took action over the last several days. But we don't have time to let up! The Criminal Justice Committee needs to hear just how important S.B. 74 is to the well-being of the critically ill. Here's what you can do right now to help us get a hearing with patient testimony:
1) Call the members of the Criminal Justice Committee. Legislators regularly tell us that a phone call from their constituents is very influential on their decisions regarding legislation.
The message can simple: "I strongly support S.B. 74, Sen. Hagan's compassionate medical marijuana bill. People suffering from cancer and other serious illnesses should not go to jail if they use medical marijuana on their doctors' advice. Please schedule S.B. 74 for a hearing with patient testimony."
Thank you to everyone who attended the hearing and took action over the last several days. But we don't have time to let up! The Criminal Justice Committee needs to hear just how important S.B. 74 is to the well-being of the critically ill. Here's what you can do right now to help us get a hearing with patient testimony:
1) Call the members of the Criminal Justice Committee. Legislators regularly tell us that a phone call from their constituents is very influential on their decisions regarding legislation.
The message can simple: "I strongly support S.B. 74, Sen. Hagan's compassionate medical marijuana bill. People suffering from cancer and other serious illnesses should not go to jail if they use medical marijuana on their doctors' advice. Please schedule S.B. 74 for a hearing with patient testimony."