jest's blog

It looks like we have another convert.

Money quotes:

Stein is no joke. She's a highly intelligent and experienced organizer, not to mention a Harvard alum, like her big-party opponents. Among other sensible ideas, Stein wants to abolish the Electoral College, repeal the Patriot Act, and cut military spending in half — ideas that so-called progressives seem to wholeheartedly embrace in non-election years only. With that in mind, here's a conscience call to anyone who has enough courage to put their ballot — and perhaps their volunteer time — where their mouth is.

Read below the fold...

(crossposted to http://www.oldelmtree.com/)

The convention is in my neck of the woods this year, so I went.

I doubt it's going to get much coverage, so I thought some Firedogs here would be interested. The only outlets that were providing quarter-way decent coverage were Indecision2012 (which scares me, honestly), and C-Span. Today was the big formal day of the convention where everyone nominated our candidates. A lot happened, so I'll do what I can to break it down... Read below the fold...

It's been a dramatic past few days, as thousands & thousands have been raised to support Dr. Stein in just a few days.

http://www.jillstein.org/funding

There are currently 19 states that have qualified for funds, but at least one more (CT, AZ, or DC) is needed for victory. Chances are the FEC may disqualify some donors' funds for not having the correct address, bounced checks, etc., so it's critical that there is a buffer for the unforeseen.

That's why it's important for anyone who has the ability contribute up to the $250 limit, even if your state has qualified. If your state hasn't qualified, your funds will still be gov't matched! Read below the fold...

Yesterday was a momentous day for the campaign, as thousands of dollars were raised in a single day by word of mouth and grassroots activists. Dr. Stein's campaign is on the verge of history becoming the first Green to qualify for matching funds.

Even if your state has qualified, your donations will still qualify for the match; even if your state has not qualified, your donations will still qualify for the match once the threshold is met. It's a win-win for everyone.

These are the remaining target states:

Read below the fold...

Enjoy. Read below the fold...

Izvestia:

This week, the Supreme Court will hear a case with many potential ramifications for American and international law, and for corporate responsibility for human rights around the globe. The justices will be asked to decide whether the corporations to which they have been extending the rights of individuals should also be held accountable for crimes against human rights, just as individuals are.

...in September 2010, a divided Second Circuit ... held that only individuals, and not corporations, can be sued under the statute.

Read below the fold...

Izvestia: "Drones Set Sights on U.S. Skies"

A new federal law, signed by the president on Tuesday, compels the Federal Aviation Administration to allow drones to be used for all sorts of commercial endeavors — from selling real estate and dusting crops, to monitoring oil spills and wildlife, even shooting Hollywood films. Local police and emergency services will also be freer to send up their own drones.

And what spurred this on? Safety? Homeland Security? Read below the fold...

Here's the livestream. It looks like they pulled a similar deal, bringing in Hazmat teams to clean the site. Read below the fold...

Well, that was an interesting day.

I started this Saturday morning with a nice peaceful paintball outing in Capitol Heights, just outside DC.

I was planning to go shower, finish off the remaining half of last night's pizza, and sleep. But then I read on FDL that THOSE BASTARDS WERE KICKING OUT OCCUPYDC.

So my plans immediately changed to scrubbing off the paint in my beard & hair (instead of showering), finishing off 1/4 of the pizza instead of 1/2 (I was hungry, yo), and hopped on the Metro to get to McPherson Square. Read below the fold...

From HuffPo:

WASHINGTON -- The Obama administration, state attorneys general, and, perhaps, the nation's largest banks are close to a final settlement on the years-long struggle over allegations of massive foreclosure fraud, according to several sources familiar with the talks. And the final details of the arrangement, according to the source who revealed them, will apparently not preclude prosecutors and regulators from taking legal action against many of the common abuses during the house bubble. It remains to be seen whether all parties will ultimately sign off on the language.

Read below the fold...

There was a little meet and greet session with her in DC while she was in town supporting the various Occupy actions this week in DC.

And I have to say, she was pretty awesome. The event was open to anyone, no guest list or anything. She reminded me a little of Elizabeth Warren; very likable and energetic with this really sincere warmth about her. No ego AT ALL. There were no handlers, security personnel, etc. You could literally just reach over, tap her on the shoulder and introduce yourself. By far the most open and approachable politico I’ve ever met. Read below the fold...

Worse:
Summers, Larry: Charles W. Eliot University Professor at Harvard University
Unemployment: Read below the fold...

I've come to loathe MLK day.

Erased from our memory of the 1963 March on Washington is the fact that it was really called "The March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom"; something that our beloved Job Creators™ have successfully have thrown down the memory hole.

Read below the fold...