It's been over a year since my last original blog entry here but I wanted to share something that I heard earlier tonight from a friend who used to work for the O. (Victim of the recent cuts, sadly.)

Vickie Kilgore, Executive Editor since 1998, announced her retirement on Friday afternoon. No word on who is taking over her position just yet. 

Sadly, the Nader/Gonzales 2008 Presidential campaign is suffering a Mainstream Media Blackout. Thank goodness for OlyBlog.

After hearing Nader on Parallel University yesterday, I am really getting back into the idea of Nader as a candidate. I got an email from Jason Kafoury, one of the Nader/Gonzales campaign staffers about the Mainstream Media Blackout that the campaign is experiencing [see bold portion]. Also included is a YouTube video about Nader v. the two-party corporate duopoly.

Check this out:

Wild 24 Hours

Posted by Jason Kafoury on Friday, August 29, 2008 at 10:24:00 AM

What a wild last 24 hours.

With the help of more than a hundred Colorado volunteers and our best roadtrippers we worked day and night to pack 4,000 people into the University of Denver's Magness Arena.

(As usual, this was done with zero help from the Denver media. For example, not a mention all week in the Denver Post, the city's largest newspaper, before or after the event [emphasis added].)

Now we're re-focusing and gearing up for the RNC.

I just flew into Minneapolis and we need your help to fill thousands of seats for our September 4th rally at Orchestra Hall.

...continued [linked in title above]

It's Time for Real Change

How the Democrats Helped Bush Hijack the Country

By CYNTHIA McKINNEY

Our country has been hijacked and the Democrats have proven themselves to have been in on the plan. When it came to the Constitution, the Democratic leadership showed us that aiding and abetting illegal spying on us was more important to them than protecting our civil liberties. When it came to war and occupation, the Democratic leadership showed us that financing an illegal and immoral war, based on lies, was more important to them than the people's desire for peace. And when the people, hurting from the financial mismanagement of this country, called for accountability for the crimes that have been committed against the people here, against the global community, against nature, itself, the Democratic leadership took impeachment off the table!

...continued

Eastside Neighborhood, across the street from us, our neighbor's trees were attacked (click for larger photo):

...any tips (on how this happened), or support is appreciated =)

I just finished watching Obama's acceptance speech on Tivo, and I have to say that I found it pretty impressive. He spoke openly and honestly about a lot of issues, addressing them directly. These are real issues that will affect all of us, and I'd like to hear what other people thought, and how you perceive the choices in this election.

In case you missed it, here's the video:

Here's the text.

The second portion of the show was with Ralph Nader. Ralph Nader is so awesome. He was really instrumental in kindling my political awareness. I saw him in Minneapolis, MN at the "Target Center." I haven't been the same since. I suppose you could consider it an awakening. I was working, at the time, on a Voter Registration Drive for the Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now (ACORN). I registered a lot of people in traditionally economically depressed and low voter-turn-out areas, can't remember exactly how many, but it was right around 2,500 if I remember right.

Voter registration drives are great. It's good to inspire political awareness.

Anyway, it was a good program. Thanks to Kim and all the good folks at KAOS.

And I hope that I can find a mp3 from the show so that I can plug you in to the discussions. - bert

Two of my friends(who wish to remain anonymous) are in need of assistance. I have seen Olyblogers in the past help out people who are in need and I was hoping this could happen again. This Mother and daughter duo need security deposit and moving expense money of 900 dollars.

Both of these women are amazing, kind and inspiring people, who are constantly helping others. They have been living in a trailer for almost a year now and finally found an apartment they could afford, however the move in costs are more then they can handle by themselves. I hope olyblog can help. It would mean the world to these women. Their trailer is small and has many problems, the biggest problem is their trailer cannot stay warm and winter is coming soon. If this community can help out even a little this would be greatly appreciated.

Capitol Clubhouse located at 618 7th Ave SE Olympia Wa 98501 is accepting donations on the behalf of these women. If you are able to help drop off donations with Jeff Aldrich at The Capitol Clubhouse. Thank you.

Wow, what a trip =)

"duo crossed Pacific in "junk raft" -my synopsis

Check out the full story

Blog War! Read the entire thing, because its worth the effort to at least get the other side:

And by the way, when TJ Johnson voted this ordinance in he never suggested it should be decided by a vote of the people.  Now that he’s in the audience and I’m in his chair, he thinks we need a public vote.  Funny how the republic suited him just fine when he was the representative.  Now he wants to make me sound like Marie Antoinette.  Let him eat cake…gooey chocolate cake with rich chocolate icing on top.  Let it improve his mood so he can conduct himself with integrity the next time he wants to disagree with me.

What a shamefull way for TJ to conduct himself.  He and I have many friends in common.  I supported him when he ran for office in 2003.  I introduced him to my neighbors and displayed his sign in my yard.  I have never publicly criticized him or even been rude to him.  I can’t imagine what I’ve done to merit such disrespectful treatment from him, save disagree with him.  Perhaps he simply needs an enemy to target his energy on.  I won’t quietly let him demonize me.

And, as far I can tell, Rhenda has comments at her blog, so please, comment over there and not on this thread.

I hear that folks liked being able to talk about non-local topics on OlyBlog, and I'm sympathetic. I would like to see a hyperlocal discussion of larger issues -- that's one of the functions that I originally hoped the blog would take on. So, I invite people to start threads about topics that are of local interest either because they are happening in Olympia, or because they will affect our life here in Olympia. In truth, the prohibition on non-local content was more to limit the extreme vitriol than anything.

I want to invite people to remain respectful while addressing this wider range of topics. Talk to each other with the spirit that you may run into each other on the corner or at the coffee shop. If you are having trouble sticking to the issues and engaging in personal attacks, then take a break. Leave it alone. The blog (and all its participants) will still be here when you cool down.