Left Video: Here is Lebron's monologue for the season premier of Saturday Night Live. He mentions in Akron right up front. How can you be from this town and not love this guy? Overall, Lebron had a great performance on the show, but the writing for the skits wasn't very good. The stage effects for Kanye West's performance were the best I have seen on SNL. His performance was tight.
Right Video: This SNL Digital Short is brilliant. It spoofs Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's comments about no gays in Iran. Watch it.

According to Newsweek, Barack Obama leads likely caucus voters in Iowa with 28%; Hillary is at 24%; Edwards at 22%. This is huge. If Obama takes Iowa, he can do this!

Then a look inside the stats has things seeming even better. 63% of Edwards people have only "lean/not strong" support of Edwards. I take that to mean those people can be swung - to Obama (especially because another part of the poll has Obama well ahead in voters "top 2"). When the Edwards voters realize he cannot win the whole thing, they will not want to toss out their vote, so they will turn to Obama. Meaning Obama can win big in Iowa. If he wins by 10% or more, he will get huge headlines that will propel him to other victories - and the nomination.

So this is huge. It is a great reason for other Obama supporters to stay positive and confident. It is also a great reason to DONATE TODAY to Barack Obama's campaign. Today is the final day of the fundraising quarter. It sucks that this need for money is so great, but it is what it is - nothing changes until we get a leader like Obama in Washington. Obama needs to beat Hillary in fundraising again this quarter. It is going to be razor close, so every little bit makes a difference. Not only for the headline, but also on the ground and airwaves in the vital state of Iowa.

GO TO: BarackObama.com
(and even if you are not going to donate, just check out the site. take a look at the issues - you'll like what you see)

It has been a while since I last reviewed the 2008 Republican candidates. Here is an update of what is going on for the pathetic group of Republicans that are certain to lose to Obama/Hillary (previous % in parenthesis)......

Rudy Giuliani: He is hanging on in the polls, despite his shocking weirdness. I still don't see how he wins, but it seems more possible by the day. I think the new way the primaries are set help him a lot. He should be leading after the Super Tuesday.
Winning Nomination: 26% (10%)

Mitt Romney: All the early primaries line up for him, and I am pretty sure he will tell primary voters he is not really a mormon, if that is what it takes.
Winning Nomination: 24% (10%)

John McCain: I almost want to keep him on top of my rankings, because I think it can happen. However, he has a lot of ground to make up, and he needs to do it in states Romney is doing very well in.
Winning Nomination: 20% (31%)

Fred Thompson:He is turning out to be a big fat dud. People that knew more about politics saw this coming. Still, this field is so bad that anything is possible. He is at the top of a lot of polls.
Winning Nomination: 20% (29%)

Mike Huckabee: He has certainly gained the most traction of the bottom half. I think he has a chance of doing some big things. If Romney falls, Huckabee will be there to win Iowa and maybe go on to bigger things.
Winning Nomination: 9% (5%)

The Field: Gingrich is now in this bunch, but he has waited to long his talks just seem to be to feed his frog voiced ego. Duncan Hunter and Tancredo have no chance, but maybe they can push for the VP....I suggest shooting a Mexican to gain momentum with the base.
Winning Nomination: 1% (15%)

This is clip is only two minutes and dead on. It is President Clinton talking about the Republicans' "outrage" over the MoveOn.org ad. This is how we need to handle the bait and switch distractions of the Republican Party. They can have Karl Rove as their political brain. I'll take Bill Clinton everyday of the week and twice on Sunday.

A Gallup Poll released yesterday shows the Democratic Party is looking good on two fundamental questions:

"Looking ahead for the next few years, which political party do you think will do a better job of protecting the country from international terrorism and military threats: the Republican Party or the Democratic Party?"
Democrats 47% - Republicans 42%

"Looking ahead for the next few years, which political party do you think will do a better job of keeping the country prosperous: the Republican Party or the Democratic Party?"
Democrats 54% - Republicans 34%

Hey all, sorry I have been out of the office for a while. Combine some personal demands with the Democrats having a disastrous month last week, I had to take a little break. Now that I have taken a deep breath, I am ready to discuss the pathetic week for the Democratic Senate.

Last Tuesday: Democrats lost first meaningful vote of last week, when the Republicans filibustered the passage of a bill to provide DC a voting seat in the House of Representatives. Democrats support of this bill bothered me, since I have been convinced by the Keeler Report that it is unconstitutional. But what do the Dems care about the Constitution, since this Senate authorized Bush to wiretap without a warrant and without going to the FISA court.

Last Wednesday: Democrats failed to restore habeas corpus for those detained by the United States, after another Republican filibuster. I cannot comprehend why Republicans are bothered by habeas. Basically, all it would mean is to allow someone to ask a judge to review why they are being detained. What's the big deal? Every Democrat was united on this vote.

The next failed vote was an attempt to slowly begin a troop draw down. Senator Webb's proposal would demand troops spend as much time at home in the States as they spend in harms way, which would mean the troop levels in Iraq could not be sustained. Of course the Republicans opposed it......only they can support the troops by demanding they spend more time in danger. The good thing was that every Democrat was united on this vote. The bad thing was that it was a wimpy way to try to end the war.

Last Thursday: This was the most absurd and pathetic day for the Democrats since their takeover. For some reason, Democrats took the bait and debated a weeks old ad by Moveon.org that called out General Petraeus. Why Democrats felt the need to defend themselves for the conduct of Moveon is insane. I mean, when was the last time you saw a Republican defending itself for the crazy comments of Ann Coulter? Nonetheless, Harry Reid allowed several votes on not condemning people negative talk about the military. This is just pathetic.

Next, a Russ Feingold measure to get most troops out of Iraq by July 2008 failed miserably. Almost half of the pathetic Democrats voted against ending the war. 20 Democrats are opposed to a real, serious timetable. A joke.

Last Friday: One more try at stopping the war failed. This modest measure started troop reduction after four more months of murder and death. Only 47 Senators supported this failed measure, which is less support than a similar proposal months earlier. Hence, support for the war is growing.

Wow. It was a bad week. Not one positive sign. I guess its nice they brought up Iraq and sort of debated it. But they lost ground and again failed to properly frame the issue. And they got caught up in Republican games with some dumb Moveon ad. This is sad.

According to the Beacon, the Summit County Board of Elections counted provisional ballots from the September 11th primary election. Going into yesterday, the official results had DeAndre Forney up by 4 votes. After the provisional count, the board now has incumbent Renee Greene up by 3 votes. I have no further details on how the votes broke down because they have yet to be released. There will now be an automatic partial recount on October 2nd. My understanding is that this partial recount will be a machine recount of 2 of the 18 precincts in Ward 4. A manual recount of all 18 precincts requires candidate DeAndre Forney to pay $1,000 out of pocket. I do not understand why in a race decided by only 3-4 votes that they would not do a complete manual recount. What else is the Board of Elections for other than to make sure that our election results are counted properly? If their rules acknowledge that a recount in a race within .5% is a good idea, then why not recount the entire thing without placing an undue financial burden on a candidate? Any good campaign has spent every dime they have by Election Day. Coming up with $1,000 in a week is tough.

There is a second more important issue. The post office held 200 provisional ballots until the day after the election. State law says that ballots received after the election are not to be counted. The post office acknowledges that it made the mistake in handling the ballots. The city sued the state to have the votes count. Judge Teodosio ruled that the city lacks standing and threw out the case. Maybe one of the lawyers who reads this site can explain to me why the city would lack standing. I think the Board of Elections should be required by law to notify those 200 voters whose votes were suppressed in the post office that their votes did not count and will be thrown away instead. How is a person supposed to know that their vote wasn't counted so that they can have standing to bring the suit?

Of course I want DeAndre to prevail because I know he will make a great councilman, but more importantly I want everyone's vote to count. This hotly contested primary election in Ward 4 lead to record turnout and voter participation. Nothing would be worse than to throw those 200 votes away. That kind of disenfranchisement has a lasting impact on voters. Regardless of our politics, those who believe in our Democracy want people to vote. We want people to participate. It is one of the most basic rights of our citizens. People who drop their vote at the post office must have the same confidence as those who cast their votes at the polls that their votes will count. I hope that the City of Akron appeals its suit to protect the votes of its citizens.

This story is developing and I will share more details this week as they become available.

In honor of the Iranian President's visit today to Manhattan (and his speech at Columbia in which he said that Iran did not have gays). I am republishing part of a post I put up here in May of 2006 originally titled: Return to Sender, in which the Chief Source gave its readers an exclusive look at a private letter Ahmadinejad sent to Bush. Let the flashback begin. Here, again, is that letter:

Dear Mr. President Bush,
How is it hanging? Good. Good to hear. And Laura, she does well? Wonderful.

Listen, we must talk. The situation between our great nations has turned tough. I am writing you today to set a record straight. Normally I would send the email, but of late when I open Outlook it says that I have performed an 'illegal' operation. How this can be, I do not know. I make the law here!

Anywho, the record to set straight... I watch your news. You say we are brutes and savages...violent and barbaric...a warlike nation. This is false. I could show you some films, films that portray a different, gentler side of Iran. And while you're watching the films I'd sort of slip away, because guess what: the projector is actually a thing that shoots out spinning blades! And you fell for it!

You say you will resume diplomatic relations with Iran if I sign statement promising that I'll adhere to nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. And I have agreed! Allow me to sign on your throat with a long sharp pen, yes?

Maybe one day we will not be enemies as you make us out to be. Perhaps one day a little Iranian child will sit down to play with a little American child, or larva, or whatever they are. But, after a while, guess what happens: the little American tries to eat the Iranian child. But guess what the Iranian child has? A nuke. You weren't expecting that, were you? And now the American child is running away, as fast as he can. Run, little American baby, run!

Your pal,
Ahmadinejad

[Not surprisingly, Ahmadinejad plagiarized the bulk of the letter from a classic Jack Handey rant: WHAT I'D SAY TO THE MARTIANS. It's a funny read, but the audio is just hilarious (if you can find it).]

The following is a motivational update from The Chief Source Akron Marathon Relay Captain Michael Maney. The race is this Saturday.

This is your captain speaking.

Well boys we are 5 days away from show time. Smokers time to kick it back to one or none per day. Then we can let it go Saturday night for the post race celebration.

I will pick up all our packets Friday, if anyone wants to come to the expo please feel free to call, it is a lot of fun. Kyle, it is at the John S knight Center btw. You should try to come if you can leave work.

Once everyone gets off work we all need to meet at Morgan's for the annual Pre race pictures & packet pick up. Then we will all go to the Olive Garden for some Pasta loading.

After dinner there will be a showing of the movie Without Limits & Run Like Hell. Feel free to stay over and that way we all can go together in the morning.

I hope this year everyone can hang around for the post race for a bit for more pictures and drinks. After the race we will head back to Kyle's re group and head out to really celebrate!!!

Good Luck!!

Maney

Yesterday, Hillary Clinton was the guest on This Week, Meet The Press, and Fox News Sunday. I have to start by respecting her ability to complete this mental workout. These are three shark tanks and it would be tough to have to jump into all three within the same day. The Stephanopoulos interview focused on her efforts as first lady and used a lot of footage from the 1990's. It allowed her to focus on what she learned in her first go round. Whenever I watch Stephanopoulos interview a Clinton, particularly Hillary, I notice this tension. It was an awkward interview and not very revealing.

Russert opened with her time in the Senate, and then hit the 1990's. The questions were brilliant. Russert knows how to prepare for interviews and when he is on his game it is awesome to watch. Here was my favorite question from Russert:

MR. RUSSERT: Senator, before you go, answer a question I've heard from Democrats as I travel around the country, and that is they like Senator Clinton, they respect Senator Clinton, but they're afraid that she's too polarizing, that her negatives in the national polls are in the high 40s, the highest of any Democratic candidate. And that she would be incapable of uniting the country behind healthcare, behind withdrawal from Iraq, because she just is too divisive.

Hillary's full answer is posted in the comments. Russert hit the nail on the head with this question. I am one of those Democrats who is afraid she is too polarizing. Read her response to this important question and share your thoughts.

I think when the social studies books are written the six page spread dedicated to this war/era will showcase some specific events with bold, black headings and their own little picture with blurb: Abu Ghraib is a shoo-in. GITMO for sure. Maybe even domestic wiretaps. Now, it seems that there may be one more historic blemish vying for a spot: Blackwater.

I have been really busy with my new job and have literally not picked up a book since May. But this weekend I'm going out to pick up a copy of: Blackwater: The Rise of the World's Most Powerful Mercenary Army by Jeremy Scahill.

This stuff is unreal...US contractors who operate above Iraqi law and outside of US military control. Apparently a regulation known as Order 17, which was established under the U.S.-led Coalition Provisional Authority and is still in effect, grants American private security contractors immunity from prosecution in Iraqi courts.

They're also exempt from the annoying rules and regulations that the average American soldier has to deal with. There is no Court Martial or dishonorable discharge for these guys. (When you shoot too many women and children, you get fired.) They are literally mercenaries for hire.

The Pentagon has said that there are at least 20,000 of these Boba-Fetts out there, the International Contractors Association says the number is closer to 50,000.

The same week that Blackwater is being investigated for opening fire on yet another crowd they're being investigated for smuggling weapons into Iraq...some of which seem to have turned up in terrorist hands!!! (see story in below post)

Finally, on Tuesday the Iraqi government banned Blackwater. After almost five years of operating with complete impunity (and at least six bloody incidents involving dead, unarmed bystanders) Iraqis are demanding that they all leave. Literally demanding it.

We'll see if the administration respects the wishes of Iraq's leaders. My guess: Blackwater will pull an Altria. I recommend the name: Snuggle-bug Tours. Any ideas, team?

Thousands of people are converging on Jena, Louisiana , a town of 3000 and symbol of ongoing racism, today to protest the criminal case of Mychal Bell, the 17-year-old high school football star, who a year ago was being eyed as a top prospect for Division I scholarships. Bell has been in jail since December for answering a classmate's racial taunts with a punch in the face. Just this week Bell's conviction was overturned, but he is still being held in jail, on $90,000 bail, which is completely excessive.

The story begins at an assembly last fall, when a black freshman asked if he was allowed to sit under a large tree on school grounds that he had heard was "whites-only." He was given permission, but the next day three nooses were found swinging from its branches. The principal tracked down the offenders, three boys from the rodeo team, and recommended expulsion, but the superintendent insisted on only a three day suspension, explaining, "adolescents play pranks."

Racial tensions continued to escalate throughout the fall, with several incidents between groups. Then, on December 4, Bell slugged Justin Barker, a white student who had been taunting him with racial slurs and defending the noose-hangers, and the other members of the Jena Six joined in. During the skirmish, Barker smacked his head on the pavement and suffered a concussion. He was treated at the local hospital and released a few hours later, and was in good enough shape to head out and socialize that evening.

District Attorney Walters, who had earlier that fall threatened black students at school that he could "take away your lives with a stroke of my pen," pushed for maximum charges. The Jena Six were expelled, arrested and charged with attempted second-degree murder and conspiracy--their shoes were described as potentially lethal weapons. Bell, the first to face trial, saw his murder charges reduced to aggravated second-degree battery. No attempt was made by his public defender to contest the racial makeup of the jury pool, nor did he call any witnesses during the trial. Bell was convicted by an all-white jury in June. Anger of the injustice has continued to grow since.

[More here, here and here]

Here is a hunch, this prosecutor will not be disbarred....and conservative websites will be okay with that.