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Don't Get Mad, Get Elected
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Jul
31
Want to follow Dimora, improve County? Then Map the Mess
Filed Under Government, Scandal, leadership, Ohio, Announcements, Politics, Tech, Cleveland+, Blogging | 7 Comments
Ed Morrison has created Map the Mess:
Map the Mess is a “watering hole” for citizens interested improving Cuyahoga County.
A small group of citizen journalists is forming to map the political and business connections in Cuyahoga County. You can help by adding your voice. We welcome your participation.
Our purpose: To shed more light on the workings of business and government in the County.
Our outcome: To develop a more complete map of how local government and business is actually done in the County.
We are promoting basic democratic principles of openness and transparency. Our first step is to use social networking software to map the connections in local government that have already been revealed by solid reporting in the press.
Beyond that, we are committed to shining more light on the relationships of local government to business in order to alter the pattern of patronage and privilege that frustrates reform and productivity.
A privileged few are happy with current patterns, but most of us are getting far less government than we pay for.
The future of Cuyahoga County depends on transparency, civility and innovation (in both government an business). Mapping the Mess is a first step to creating a new future for Cuyahoga County.
You can help by adding your voice. Start by contributing your thoughts for our team of citizen journalists to follow.
Resources at the site include a blog with many links to news and a forum for messages and discussion.
Mapping the mess doesn’t have to be a negative experience. In fact, from what I know of Ed, it’s been created because of the good we can do here in Cuyahoga County.
And who can beat the title? Read more at Brewed Fresh Daily and Creative Ink.
By Jill Miller Zimon at 9:39 pm July 31st, 2008 in Government, Scandal, leadership, Ohio, Announcements, Politics, Tech, Cleveland+, Blogging | 7 Comments
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Jul
31
New site launched by Obama campaign: Low Road Express
Filed Under Barack Obama, John McCain, Campaigning, WH2008, Announcements, Elections, Media | 11 Comments
Welcome to the Low Road Express. John McCain used to stand for “straight talk.” Not anymore.
These days John McCain doesn’t seem to stand for anything but negative attacks and false charges against Barack Obama. This isn’t the John McCain we used to know.
There are links to news stories, videos and other press regarding the turn the McCain campaign took when it started its ad that suggests a comparison between Paris Hilton, Britney Spears and Barack Obama.
I’m guessing a few people on McCain’s staff didn’t do too well on the word association and “one of these things is not like the other” portions of the IQ tests.
By Jill Miller Zimon at 5:59 pm July 31st, 2008 in Barack Obama, John McCain, Campaigning, WH2008, Announcements, Elections, Media | 11 Comments
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Jul
31
A video guide to boycotting Israel
Filed Under Social Issues, Foreign Affairs, Law, Debates, leadership, Israel, Marketing, Civil Rights, Media, Religion, Judaism, Jewish, Culture, Politics | 1 Comment
Just in case you were wondering.
By Jill Miller Zimon at 8:20 am July 31st, 2008 in Social Issues, Foreign Affairs, Law, Debates, leadership, Israel, Marketing, Civil Rights, Media, Religion, Judaism, Jewish, Culture, Politics | 1 Comment
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Jul
30
Two days left to enter YouTube/DNCC contest: Why Are You A Democrat in 2008
Filed Under Elections, Democrats, Announcements, Media, Tech, Politics | 1 Comment
The deadline is August 1. Here are the details:
The contest asks voters to respond to the question: “why are you a Democrat in 2008?” To enter, participants just submit a short video (2 minutes or less) at http://youtube.com/
DemConvention. Not only will the winner travel to Denver for the Convention, but the winning video will be shown on the big screen in the Convention hall in front of guests, elected officials, and delegates. On top of that, the winner will also hit the campaign trail with Barack Obama as a member of the traveling press corps. We want to make sure that as many people as possible have the chance to participate, so any help spreading the word would be much appreciated. You can check out two of our favorite entries here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cU4gR2FVVMY
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7eKGayNTI4Q Gov. Richardson also shared why he is a Democrat in 2008:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=c4ql_KcmFx4
Emphasis mine. It doesn’t say by when on August 1st and it doesn’t tell you how many videos already have been submitted, but you can watch others’ submissions at that first link.
Good luck.
By Jill Miller Zimon at 10:07 pm July 30th, 2008 in Elections, Democrats, Announcements, Media, Tech, Politics | 1 Comment
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Jul
30
Volunteers still needed for 2008 Platform Drafting meetings here, 8/1-3
Filed Under WH2008, Democrats, Ohio, Announcements, Cleveland+, Politics | 1 Comment
RSVP to Cleveland Field Director for the Ohio Democratic Party and one of my favorite White House Project pals, Stephanie Howse ASAP. She says that five more volunteers are needed for this Democratic National Convention-related event:
Good Afternoon Everyone,
The 2008 Platform Drafting Committee of the Democratic National Convention will be hosting its National Hearing and Committee Meeting in Cleveland this upcoming weekend on August 1 – 3, 2008.
The Committee is in need of five more volunteers. Volunteers will be needed for participant registration, press registration, runners and door monitors. All volunteers will be invited to the Saturday night reception.
Please feel free to pass on to individuals you believe would be interested in this wonderful opportunity. If you are interested please contact me ASAP at (216) 212-6099.
Thanks,
StephanieFYI - The Platform Committee is one of three “Standing Committees” of the 2008 Democratic National Convention. The other two standing committees are the Credentials and Rules Committees. The Committee is responsible for drafting and recommending a proposed National Platform for approval at the Democratic National Convention. Its recommendation is presented as a Committee Report voted on by the delegates to the Democratic National Convention
Sounds like a great chance to do some primary blogging too. Press credentials are available.
***Press Logistics***
Media Coverage: This event is open to the media. For credentials, please RSVP to Michael Czin at czinm@dnc.org.
Throw: 40 ft
Cable Run: 300 ftLive truck parking is on the corner of 6th and St. Clair Street. Press trucks shorter than 7.5 ft can park on the 6th floor of the garage.
Workspace available will include:
- Seating for 25
- Free WiFi throughout the hotel
- Two Internet land lines
Contact for planning and logistical purposes only: Blaine Rummel at 202-863-8148 or rummelb@dnc.org.
By Jill Miller Zimon at 8:28 pm July 30th, 2008 in WH2008, Democrats, Ohio, Announcements, Cleveland+, Politics | 1 Comment
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Jul
30
Browser URL history determines your gender
Filed Under Gender, Tech | 16 Comments
Well, at least that’s what the enterprising algorithm-happy person who developed this tool seems to wonder about.
One of the things that I always wanted to do but never got around to was to analyze a user’s browsing history to estimate age and gender. Of course the idea is definitely not new, in fact Xerox (of all companies??) has a patent on the whole process and I’m certain plenty of networks already do something of the sort… but what the heck, let’s have some fun!
So what I did is I modified the SocialHistory JS so that it polled the browser to find out which of the Quantcast top 10k sites were visited. I then apply the ratio of male to female users for each site and with some basic math determine a guestimate of your gender.
Go to his site and click the link to see your results.
After a few of you do that and list your results in the comments, I’ll paste in what mine were. And you can always guess.
By Jill Miller Zimon at 6:34 pm July 30th, 2008 in Gender, Tech | 16 Comments
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Jul
30
Elizabeth Kucinich is still 30?
Filed Under Dennis Kucinich, Culture, Politics | 5 Comments
I swear, I thought former Democratic primary candidate for president and OH-10 Representative Dennis Kucinich’s wife, #4 on The Hill’s 50 Most Beautiful 2008 she was 30, like, for, a long time. But then again, I thought my mother was 44 for about five years.
By Jill Miller Zimon at 4:32 pm July 30th, 2008 in Dennis Kucinich, Culture, Politics | 5 Comments
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Jul
30
Tzipi Livni getting closer to governing Israel? Olmert not running
Filed Under Predictions, Israel, Breaking, Foreign Affairs, WH2008, Announcements, Elections, Politics | Leave a Comment
Ehud Olmert has decided not to run for the leadership of his centrist Kadima Party.
The Israeli prime minister was expected to make the annoucement during a hastily organized speech at 8 p.m. Israel time (1 p.m. Eastern Standard Time).
The Prime Minister’s Office did not give details of the speech, but Israeli media are reporting that Olmert will announce he is not running in primaries for the leadership of Kadima. Olmert has been the subject of a number of corruption investigations. Some of his government colleagues have called on him to step down, saying the scandals are impeding peace talks with the Palestinians and Syria.
Omert’s decision is expected to turn the spotlight on Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni, the second-ranking member of the party.
Livni was the subject of a lengthy New York Times Magazine profile almost exactly a year ago. I’d urge people who are following the Middle East to read it. Now.
By Jill Miller Zimon at 1:22 pm July 30th, 2008 in Predictions, Israel, Breaking, Foreign Affairs, WH2008, Announcements, Elections, Politics | Please comment
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Jul
30
Carnival of Ohio Politics #128 now posted
Filed Under Ohio, Writing, Announcements, Carnivals, Politics, Blogging | Leave a Comment
I had the pleasure and honor of hosting this week’s Carnival of Ohio Politics #128. Think Ms. Pac-Man. Kind of sort of.
Thanks as always to all the contributors and readers. Feel free to post about it and if you’d like a button, let us know - we’ve got them somewhere on the blog itself if you use the search tool.
By Jill Miller Zimon at 11:33 am July 30th, 2008 in Ohio, Writing, Announcements, Carnivals, Politics, Blogging | Please comment
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Jul
30
Analysis, input on Obama’s Blueprint for working women & families
Filed Under Barack Obama, Michelle Obama, Social Issues, Campaigning, Women, WH2008, Politics | 8 Comments
I cross-posted a link to and intro of Barack Obama’s Blueprint for working women and families at The Moderate Voice, where I’m a co-contributor, although lately, I haven’t posted nearly as much as I’d like to.
The post has received a great deal of feedback there (unlike at WLST) and I’d like to feature just one of the 40-plus (many very lengthy and deeply analytical) comments which is written by another co-contributor whom I deeply respect:
As a woman, as a working woman, as a mother who raised children alone, as a person who went without health insurance for years, as a woman who made it through any number of monstrous obstacles, I definitely wish for more balance and fairness.
But, my effort has to be on helping people to become better educated, more SKILLED, helping women to NOT have babies so young, to make better choices early on… to point to women seriously training for high paying jobs rather than try to strangle an employer into paying them more for jobs, many of which can be outsourced at HALF the salary to people who live in other parts of the world where cost of living is less than half what it is here. Helping women to move upward to be thoughtful before the fact, those I can put my energy behind.
But to glue the same old set of fantasies all over the gateposts when someone is running for election, I just shake my head
There already are huge amounts of money, federal, state and foreign spent on cancer research and r and d seeking cures, as there are huge amounts of money given for delving the mysteries of other diseases.
Forgive me if I am overly-realistic, but frankly, there are billions of dollars wasted in every program the Feds support, daily. Daily. No one watches moneyy versus result and decides which programs are effective and which are not.
If I were President, I’d start there. Several weeks ago I went to the Feds website to read the National Budget. You would not believe how unreadable it is. Nothing is laid out clearly. Your own tax returns are logical compared to the messy and illogical way the US budget is laid out.
Aspirations are a beautiful thing. But reality? Especially when, thank goodness, we don’t have a unitary presidency, often necessitates different results and consequences.
Please add to the discussion there if you have thoughts on the blueprint, which you can read here.
By Jill Miller Zimon at 8:44 am July 30th, 2008 in Barack Obama, Michelle Obama, Social Issues, Campaigning, Women, WH2008, Politics | 8 Comments
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