Like many of you, I have been working hard on voter registration for weeks now, and plan to continue to do so until midnight, October 6. But registering voters is pointless unless we get those voters to the polls.

Fortunately, in Texas, we have two provisions for early voting. Our Early Voting in Person procedure is quick and easy, and I will discuss it in detail in a separate post.  However, for some people voting by mai, or absentee voting, is the only option. The rules are a little stricter here, but are easily complied with by planning and early action. 

Want to vote absentee ballot, or obtain one for someone else? Well, here's how it's done in Texas.

I have been greatly disturbed over the past few days. We have been provided a red herring, and we have been totally distracted from the real quarry and have been knocked off of our game.

STOP!! It is time to straighten out before this campaign is severely damaged.

William Wineberg, distinguished attorney, Republican, fellow Navy veteran, and just turning 72 years old, posted an open greeting to John McCain on the Republicans for Obama mail server on BarackObama.com.

It is a delightful, respectful read. I have copied it below.  

It was April 17, 2008 and John McCain was facing a friendly interview from Peter Cook on Bloomberg T.V. A couple of questions and answers defined McSame's view of the nation:

MR. COOK: I'm going to ask you a version of the Ronald Reagan question. You think if Americans were asked, are you better off today than you were before George Bush took office more than seven years ago, what answer would they give?

SEN. MCCAIN: ...I think if you look at the overall record and millions of jobs have been created, et cetera, et cetera, you could make an argument that there's been great progress economically over that period of time.... But let me just add, Peter, the fundamentals of America's economy are strong.

 Of course for some people things probably have gone well, corporate CEO's don't appear to be suffering. International Oil Cartels have not suffered. The "Military Industrial Complex" as defined by Dwight Eisenhower, have certainly done ok. 

What about the rest of us? Well it could be better, and it's getting worse. See the following article from the current online MoneyNews.com site: 

Being president of the United States is probably one of the most demanding jobs physically, mentally, emotionally, spiritually on earth.

I believe it is essential that a person's fitness in these areas be examined just as closely as those of his or her experience, policies, history, etc.

When Patrick Kennedy had his auto accident and erractic behavior last year, his use of Ambien was cited as a contributory cause. Many other incidents of a similar nature have been reported by users of this prescription drug.

Does John McCain's regular use of Ambien have implications in  his ability to serve as Commander-in-Chief. A recent report by ABC News tries to answer this question. 

One of my online Democrats.org friends has contacted me distressed about my post on the SE Asia POW's. She stated that "my" post was identical to the |swift boat" attacks on John Kerry, and in fact said that the people behind this attack on John McCain were the same as those behind the "swift boat" attacks, and that John Kerry would vouch for John McCain in this matter.

Well,... let's examine that.

John LeBoutillier (R-NY) and Bill Hendon (R-NC) state that John McCain lied to suport the US decision to abandon hundreds of Vietnam era POW's in IndoChina.

An online bio states that "John LeBoutillier, a NewsMax.com pundit, is a former U.S. Congressman and a nationally recognized political commentator."

Although the claims would be shocking from anyone, when they arise from one of John McCain's own conservative colleagues they are even more damaging. I think the Congressmen's comments are worth reading. Below is the message as posted on the military blog The Boots Blast

Many of you have seen the comments from Philip Butler on one or more of the mail lists. If so, you have probably wondered, "Just who is Philip Butler, and why does his opinion count?" Well, from the biographical information at Military.com

"Doctor Phillip Butler is a 1961 graduate of the United States Naval Academy and a former light-attack carrier pilot. In 1965 he was shot down over North Vietnam where he spent eight years as a prisoner of war. He is a highly decorated combat veteran who was awarded two Silver Stars, two Legion of Merits, two Bronze Stars and two Purple Heart medals.

After his repatriation in 1973 he earned a Ph.D. in sociology from the University of California at San Diego and became a Navy Organizational Effectiveness consultant. He completed his Navy career in 1981 as a professor of management at the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, California. He is now a peace and justice activist with Veterans for Peace."

 Ok, he's a highly decorated combat veteran, with a distinguished post military career. So just what did he say about John McCain

Faint media attention has been paid to the invalid wife John McCain cheated on repeatedly, then dumped for the twenty-year younger playgirl daughter of a millionaire.

I did discuss the first Mrs. McCain in an earlier post. Thoughts on values, forgiveness, trust, & why I can't vote for John McCain

Well, as Paul Harvey would say, here’s the rest of the story.

In an address to the Texas Association of Broadcasters, Rick Norriega again addressed the issue of what he characterizes as Cornyn’s “blank check” and “rubber stamp” endorsement of Bush policies.

James Shannon, writing for The Examiner Online provided details on a bill of particulars from the Noriega campaign which illustrate a few of Noriega's profound differences with Cornyn:

In Lubbock Wednesday, Rick Noriega, campaigning to become the next U.S. Senator from Texas discussed his comprehensive plan for immigration reform.

Noriega if elected, will become the first Latino ever elected to the United Staes Senate from Texas. Texas population is almost 40% Hispanic by current U.S. Census Bureau estimates.

If, like me, you feel this is an important race, and want to provide the support Rick needs to take back this seat for Texas, contribute now to his campaign.

 Eric Finley of the Lubbock Avalanche-Journal reported on Ricks plan.

I have regularly posted positive articles on Rick Noriega, the Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate. Rick, who would be the first Hispanic ever elected to the U.S. Senate from Texas, is indeed a dynamic, intelligent, experienced man.

Today I thought it might be informative to take a look at who Rick is running to defeat.

If, like me, you feel this is an important race, and want to provide the support Rick needs to take back this seat for Texas, contribute now to his campaign.

Yesterday Rick Noriega, U.S. Senatorial candidate from Texas, issued a call for the Iraqi government to pay the costs of our military support of their government out of the $80 billion oil profits they generate each year. As a combat veteran of the Asian conflict, Rick has long demonstrated an in depth knowledge of the region, and our involvement.

I have included Rick's message below. If you are ready to replace John Cornyn and his 97% support of GW, I also invite you to join North Texans for Rick Noriega, and help us elect this exciting young man, who will be the first Hispanic U.S. Senator ever elected by Texas.

John McCain has begun regularly expounding on his merits as a proponent of limited government, and castigating Barack Obama as a “tax raising liberal” John has boldly stated that his economic plans will totally eliminate the nations deficit by the end of his second term.

This echoes almost word for word the promises George W Bush made eight years ago when he was running for his first term. This make some sense, because the primary economic thrust of McCain’s campaign appears to be continuing the tax structure set in place by George Bush and making them permanent. Observers can find very little difference between John’s plans and those of the incumbent.

Did it work? Just how well does “trickle down” economics work in the real world. We now have twenty years of accumulative experience to review.

This site has been around for at least a couple of years. I discovered it in early 2006. It has an excellent suite of tools for organizing neighborhoods against encroaching big box retailers.

Let me know what you think. Big Box Tool Kit