Just heard on KCBS-AM 740, San Francisco:  the Secretary of State's office has determined that there are enough valid signatures to qualify the amendment for the California ballot in November.

The amendment defines marriage as between one man and one woman.  

OK folks, time to roll up our sleeves and FIGHT FIGHT FIGHT.

More below...

Summary:  

In chess terms, we take the queen and encircle the king so that he can't go far without placing himself in check.  Then we clean up any threatening pieces that may remain on the board.  Along the way we prevent another war, and protect the 2008 election.  Details below.

Retaj's diary today, "Rove Squirms," describes how Karl apparently became quite flustered and defensive in a brief encounter with journalists.  http://www.dailykos.com/...

This may offer us a few clues that could be used to provoke similar reactions in him in the future.  Consider the potential at press conferences and other public events.  Consider how it will appear if the ever-charming Mr. Rove is suddenly seen to be increasingly snippy, rude, and defensive.  

I have a few ideas about this, taken from the event described in Retaj's diary.  The purpose of this diary is to share ideas and suggestions, and build up a repertoire that will hopefully be put to use by journalists and others.  However, rule #1 is, nothing that could even remotely be considered illegal.  And suggestion #1 is, the more subtle, the better.  

You can call this, "taking the polish off the turd."  

One proves conclusively that there is intent to deceive.  The other strongly supports (though does not prove conclusively -yet!) that the Rs are behind this.  Details on the flipside.

Meanwhile, we need your help in collecting as many examples as possible.  Even if we don't make news headlines with this on Tuesday, we will need this information for when the (newly Democratic) House starts investigating election-tampering.

This is clearly illegal under some statutes & regulations, arguably illegal under others.  It appears to be going on across the US, using the same format and methods.  If we pursue this nationally, we could bankrupt the GOP.

I'm a PBX engineer (design & program commercial telephone systems), with over 20 years in the industry.  Here's what you need to know, and how we can fight back.

WASHINGTON (AP) - Now the death toll is 9/11 times two. U.S. military deaths from Iraq and Afghanistan now match those of the most devastating terrorist attack in America's history, the trigger for what came next. Add casualties from chasing terrorists elsewhere in the world, and the total has passed the Sept. 11 figure.

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The implications of this should be obvious.

This diary covers two topics:  One, what if PT 9/11 is a Rovian bait & switch and the real agenda is deeper and more twisted than it seems?  Are we being led by the nose...?  Two, if the damn thing actually airs, how could we use it to make our own points and support our own agenda?   Tell you what, folks.  I may be wrong but I think we're being played.  It's time to start "thinking outside the box" about this thing.  

Here is what I propose:  a comprehensive, highly organized, well-coordinated plan to watch the the polls across the United States, and act swiftly through all available legal channels in the event of even the slightest discrepancy.   The organization that should be formed for this purpose can begin by keeping a close eye on voter registrations and intervening at that level where needed.  Read on....

I am not suggesting that President Bush is suffering from bipolar disorder (and any implication of that from the title of this diary is an artifact of the need to use short titles).  I am saying that the parallels are cause for concern.  There is a clear parallel between Barber's "active/negative" presidential type, and the "negative mood / high energy" state in bipolar disorder.  Since that phase of bipolar is known to involve significant dangers to the patient and to others (e.g. "suicide by cop," see item (4) below), this type of behavior on the part of a president is as serious as a heart attack.  More below....

It's not science fiction.  It has been clearly demonstrated that specific types of audio signals can induce changes in state of consciousness.  The original research in this field was entirely benign, focused on areas such as relaxation, concentration, and meditation.  However there is no reason why it wouldn't be possible to use these techniques to induce states of anxiety, depression, and worse.  This deserves to be looked into in detail.

Here is the technical information on the theory and practice: how it's done.  Anyone in the mainstream media is welcome to get in touch for more information.   Note, this diary does not contain any vivid descriptions of torture, in case you're someone who gets ill reading such things.  

 There is no excuse for judges, particularly in the highest court in the land, to be ignorant of basic scientific methods and principles in this day and age.  

And so they should be grilled on their knowledge of the core principles of scientific method: hypothesis formation and testing, probability and statistics, standards of proof; and a certain amont of content in each of the most relevant areas of science and technology: biology, medicine, computer science, and so on.  

Let's start with Alito.  And let's watch the right-wingers and Talibans' heads start exploding like popcorn!

Key quote:  "TEHRAN, Iran (AP) - Iran's hard-line president called for Israel to be "wiped off the map" and said a new wave of Palestinian attacks will destroy the Jewish state, state-run media reported Wednesday."

Scenario: Israeli hardliners take Iran's rant as war words.  Theocrats/end-timers and Israel-firsters in the Admin tell Israel "go ahead, we're right behind you."  Israel attacks Iran.  Iran closes the Strait of Hormuz.  USA jumps in.  Very Very Bad.   And perfect timing to deal with those pesky indictments by diverting attention...

The purpose of this diary is four-fold.  One, to develop a common ground of understanding of the physical and psychological basis of dreams.  Two, to provide a place where people can see how these theories might be relevant to their dreams, and try out these theories in light of their own experience.  Three, to encourage an attitude of open-minded realism in dealing with experiences that are often both emotional and compelling.  And four, to see if any common threads emerge, and if so, to see if they provide useful information for our thoughts, decisions, and actions in the world.  

At that point, the only thing left is violent insurrection: overthrowing an illegitimate government by force of arms.  

But before we go there, there is one other step we need to take, one more strategy we need to try, and try with all our might.

It's our last best hope for preserving democracy and preventing the equivalent of Civil War II.    Read on...

Here's the news item; and for the spin see the extended entry...

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan told France's Finance Minister Thierry Breton the United States has "lost control" of its budget deficit, the French minister said Saturday.

"'We have lost control,' that was his expression," Breton told reporters after a bilateral meeting with Greenspan.

"The United States has lost control of their budget at a time when racking up deficits has been authorized without any control (from Congress)," Breton said.

"We were both disappointed that the management of debt is not a political priority today," he added.

source:  http://money.cnn.com/2005/09/24/news/international/greenspan_france.reut/index.htm?cnn=yes

We know the Bush Admin has had its troubles with spies.  AIPAC, Chalabi, and probably more we don't know about.

What if one of these spies managed to learn about the Pentagon's plans for a terrorism drill exercise on 9/11?  

And what if that information made its way back to Al Qaeda, when, coincidentally, they were already planning a hit on the US for some time in late 2001?

Al Qaeda could then have chosen the specific date to minimize detection and/or maximize chaos.  

So while the Bush Admin wouldn't have directly caused 9-11, its utter incompetence at dealing with spies could have played a significant role in what actually happened.  

If this is correct, there sure is a huge incentive for it to be covered up.  Anyone want to start digging...?

"WASHINGTON (AP) - The federal agency in charge of aviation security is considering major changes in how it screens airline passengers, including proposals that an official said would lift the ban on carrying razorblades and small knives as well as limit patdown searches."   (Boldface added for emphasis.)

Just in time to open the barn doors for another terrorist attack on a jetliner.  And thereby gain the perfect excuse for whatever the Administration is currently planning as its next big move.  

Will it be Iran?  Something to do with US civil liberties?  Maybe something to do with elections...?

Read on....

Calif. court bolsters partnership rights for gays
by Jim Christie

"SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) - California businesses must grant registered domestic partners the same benefits they give married heterosexuals, the state's top court ruled on Monday after a lesbian couple sued a country club for discrimination."...

The link is too long to paste in here, but search it on Google News and you'll find it.  

Progress, piece by piece, one step at a time...