Happy New Year 2009!

EVENT GUIDE FOR TIMES SQUARE 2009, NEW YEAR'S EVE IN TIMES SQUARE
You may want to get your partay on, at this point.


For 104 years, Times Square has been the center of worldwide attention on New Year's Eve, ever since the owners of One Times Square began in 1904 to conduct rooftop celebrations to greet the New Year. The first Ball Lowering celebration occurred in 1907, and this tradition is now a universal symbol of welcoming the New Year.



THE EVENT



4:00 p.m.

The Revelers

Revelers start arriving late in the afternoon on New Year's Eve. By approximately 4:00 p.m., the Bow Tie of Times Square (42nd to 47th Sts. between Broadway & 7th Ave.) is fully closed to traffic. Revelers are directed by the NYPD to gather in separate viewing sections. As one section fills up, the revelers are directed by police to the next viewing section. As the evening progresses, revelers continue to fill the Times Square neighborhood along Broadway and Seventh Avenue moving uptown from 43rd Street to as far as Central Park.



6:00 p.m. to 6:05 p.m.

Opening Ceremonies - Lighting and Raising the Times Square New Year’s Eve Ball

The celebration begins with Univision host Raúl de Molina assisted by the actress Angelica Vale lighting and raising the brand new New Year’s Eve Ball atop One Times Square. Raúl and Angelica will be joined by representative of the Philips Lighting Company to flip the giant switch which lights the New Year’s Eve Ball and begins its ascent accompanied by special pyrotechnic effects atop One Times Square.

6:05 p.m. to 6:17 p.m.

Musical Performance by Parachute

The Times Square New Year’s Celebration gets started with a musical performance by Parachute from the Nivea Countdown Stage at Duffy Island in Times Square between 46th and 47th Streets.



6:17 p.m. to 6:19 p.m.

New Year’s Eve Practice Kiss

Two revelers will be featured on the Nivea Kiss and Be Kissed Platform located on Fence Island between 45th and 46th Streets practicing their best midnight kiss…3..2..1.., Kiss like a billion people are watching!



6:58 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Hourly Countdown with Carson Daly

As we approach the New Year, Carson Daly will appear on the Nivea Countdown Stage to wish the Times Square revelers “Happy New Year”, read some of the confetti wishes to be mixed into the confetti release at midnight, share his personal wish for the New Year and lead the revelers in counting down to the end of the hour.

7:10 p.m.

Times Square 2009 Hats, Balloons, Pom-Poms, Confetti Bags and Scarves

The Times Square Alliance sanitation crews clad in bright red uniforms begin to distribute tens of thousands of fun handouts to the Times Square revelers for cheering in the New Year. Nivea is providing festive blue New Year’s Eve hats and blue balloons tied with silver mylar ribbons along with useful Nivea Lip Care product to keep our lips looking and feeling beautiful for that unforgettable kiss at midnight. 3 Musketeers is providing pom-poms to cheer in the New Year, confetti bags, and their delicious chocolate mini- bars. Pepsi is providing New Year’s Eve scarves to keep the revelers warm and happy.



7:25 p.m. to 7:35 p.m.

NBC’s New Year’s Eve with Carson Daly: Musical Performance by Ludacris

Ludacris performs “Stand Up” and “One More Drink” on the Nivea Countdown Stage.



7:45 p.m. to 7:47 p.m.

New Year’s Eve Special Anniversary Kiss

Two revelers will be featured on the Nivea Kiss and Be Kissed Platform for a special anniversary kiss…3..2..1.., Kiss like a billion people are watching!



7:58 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Hourly Countdown with Ryan Seacrest

As we approach the New Year, Ryan Seacrest will appear on the Nivea Countdown Stage to wish the Times Square revelers “Happy New Year”, read some of the confetti wishes to be mixed into the confetti release at midnight, share his personal wish for the New Year and lead the revelers in counting down to the end of the hour.



8:45 p.m. to 8:47 p.m.

New Year’s Eve Welcome Home Kiss

Two revelers will be featured on the Nivea Kiss and Be Kissed Platform for a long overdue Welcome Home kiss…3..2..1.., Kiss like a billion people are watching!



8:58 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

Hourly Countdown with Surprise Guest

As we approach the New Year, a surprise guest will appear on the Nivea Countdown Stage to wish the Times Square revelers "Happy New Year", read some of the confetti wishes to be mixed into the confetti release at midnight, share her personal wish for the New Year and lead the revelers in counting down to the end of the hour.



9:40 p.m. to 9:55 p.m.

Times Square Sing-Along Featuring the Liberty Bells

The USO’s Liberty Bells lead the annual Panasonic Sing-Along from the Nivea Countdown Stage. The Times Square revelers will join the Liberty Bells singing “America the Beautiful”, “Shout”, and “We Are Family”.

9:58 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.

Hourly Countdown with Anderson Cooper

As we approach the New Year, Anderson Cooper will appear on the Nivea Countdown Stage to wish the Times Square revelers “Happy New Year”, read some of the confetti wishes to be mixed into the confetti release at midnight, share his personal wish for the New Year and lead the revelers in counting down to the end of the hour.



10:12 p.m. to 10:18 p.m.

ABC’s Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve: Musical Performance by Taylor Swift

Taylor Swift performs a medley of her hit songs on the Nivea Countdown Stage.



10:47 p.m. to 10:54 p.m.

ABC’s Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve: Musical Performance by Lionel Richie

Lionel Richie performs a medley of his hit songs on the Nivea Countdown Stage.



10:58 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.

Hourly Countdown with Raúl de Molina

As we approach the New Year, Raul de Molina will appear on the Nivea Countdown Stage to wish the Times Square revelers “Happy New Year”, read some of the confetti wishes to be mixed into the confetti release at midnight, share his personal wish for the New Year and lead the revelers in counting down to the end of the hour.



11:11 p.m. to 11:13 p.m.

New Year’s Eve Practice Kiss

Two revelers will be featured on the Nivea Kiss and Be Kissed Platform practicing their best midnight kiss…3..2..1.., Kiss like a billion people are watching!



11:42 p.m. to 11:48 p.m.

ABC’s Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve: Musical Performance by Jonas Brothers

Jonas Brothers perform a medley of their hit songs on the Nivea Countdown Stage.



11:55 p.m.

Pepsi Balloon Release

1,000 3-foot balloons featuring the words JOY, HOPE, and 2009 will gently drift down from setback roofs throughout Times Square onto the revelers below as they prepare to countdown the final seconds to the New Year. Pepsi is energizing the revelers by bringing back the big bouncing balloons that were last seen in 1999 as part of the 24-hour millennium celebration.



11:59 p.m.

The Sixty-Second Countdown

The Times Square 2009 Special Guest and New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg push the Waterford crystal button that signals the descent of the New Year’s Eve Ball, and lead the final sixty-second countdown to the New Year at the Nivea Countdown Stage.



The New Times Square New Year’s Eve Ball

The lighted Ball descends 70 feet in sixty seconds. The Ball is a geodesic sphere, twelve feet in diameter, weighing 11,875 pounds. The Ball is covered with 2668 Waterford crystal triangles and lit by 32,256 Philips Luxeon Rebel LEDs.



12:00 a.m. -- New Year's Day

2009 Sign

At the stroke of Midnight, the lights on the New Year’s Eve Ball are turned off as the numerals of the New Year “2009” burst to life shining high above Times Square.



Times Square Confetti Release and Pyrotechnic Effects

The world-famous New Year's Eve confetti is released from the rooftops of buildings throughout Times Square creating a celebratory blizzard of colorful confetti as revelers welcome the New Year accompanied by colorful pyrotechnic effects.



12:15 a.m. - End of Show

International Sex Kitten dies at age 81

Once dubbed the "most exciting woman in the world" by Orson Welles, Eartha Kitt, known in the industry as "The Sex Kitten" died Christmas Day at the age of 81. She leaves behind one daughter.Kitt gained fame overseas as an actress and cabaret singer but is known to younger American audiences as the first black Catwoman on the 1960s Batman series.

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Levert death may lead to changes in RX prison meds

Sean Levert apparently died because he did not receive his Xanax medication after being arrested and held in an Ohio jail on child support charges. His widow is filing a wrongful death lawsuit. Jail authorities will now allow inmates to have prescriptions upon verification. Good idea.

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Charting the psychology of evil, decades after 'shock' exper

If someone told you to press a button to deliver a 450-volt electrical shock to an innocent person in the next room, would you do it? Many people have. It's called by some, "The Lucifer Effect."

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Jackson Five cash at stake

A Northwest Indiana man says the famous Gary-born group owes him $900,000 he estimates in royalties from songs he wrote for the men long ago. He has excluded frontman Michael Jackson from the lawsuit.

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W. Mark Felt, 'Deep Throat' of Watergate, dead at 95

W. Mark Felt, who leaked information to reporters under the moniker, "Deep Throat," about the Watergate break-in, died Thursday at the age of 95, sources told CNN.

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Insult, satire, roast or pure genius comedy writing?

Throughout the years, Saturday Night Live has entertained audiences with their gentle ribbing of public figures. However, Saturday's skit on the show's fictitious news cast apparently did not tickle the funny bone of a few. One news report dished it as "third grade humor" which is way different than the humor they are used to seeing on SNL. Really!?
Is it surprising to hear bawdy comments and jokes, sophomoric and at times, humor used inappropriately? What about the obscure tales of jubilation and woe, ie, Schwetty Balls confections skit, cork soaker skit, the lamp store skit, the Blago skit? Although using the Fed's transcript walks the line--it was still hi-larious.
Please understand the history of SNL, not just those witty political skits the world seems to love.
Remember Jane Curtain was the "Ignorant Slut" on Weekend Update for many years? How about Sprockets, the German cable access show? Dija even get that?? Bokay?
How about the portrayal of families on the show? The noisy silverware skit, the kissing skit or the kids-won't-go-to-bed skit and the favored A-holes skit? There was even a bathroom humor skit featuring Fred Armisen.
If you are a walking stereotype, a public figure who so foolishly has made a target of him or herself through unscrupulous behavior; severely obscure, way too cute for your own good; a liar, really, really nice or very mean--you will be satirized on SNL.
They are equal opportunity offenders and I laughed my ass off at the skit. (So you should too.)

Nicolas Cage as The Fly?

NICOLAS CAGE is vying for the part of THE FLY in a planned remake of DAVID CRONENBERG's 1986 cult classic, according to the director himself.Cronenberg, who is working on an operatic version of the creepy man-insect story, will not be involved in the remake, but he has been kept abreast of developments.

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First look: Hollywood knowingly prepares for apocalypse

•Knowing, which gets its first look here, stars Nicolas Cage as a man who discovers a series of numbers that foretell catastrophes, including the9/11 attacks. The story lines may be grim, but that doesn't mean moviegoers won't pay good money to see apocalypse now.

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Fred Armisen on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon

I can't wait to see this concept on late night. Fred should be on often.

Video Recaps | Full Episodes | Webisodes

Yeah and--So What!: Political Soap Opera off-focus

Obama, Jackson are not the problem as Blagojevich pouts, acts out as if he weren't invited to the party.Appreciating the Political Soap Opera means reading the indictment for yourself.

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Blink Bling? Not So Fast, Say Some Experts

Dr. Sandra Cremers of Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary explained the procedure."So what you do is make a cut, you insert whatever you are inserting, right there into the little pocket and you close it back up," Cremers.

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Jimmy Fallon finds a new late night voice

Video of Jimmy introducing his new show. SNL's Fred Armisen to guest star.

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The Homes that Pitt built

It was a bittersweet moment for Brad Pitt, walking through the Lower 9th Ward neighborhood where families were preparing to spend their first holidays since Hurricane Katrina.

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First Black Social Secretary Discusses Her New Appointment

We're just getting started working on them, so I can't really discuss it, but that's the first series of events I'll be working on. The first event we will have in the White House is the governor's ball in February.

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Fed bets $800 billion on consumers

President-elect Barack Obama will speak at a news conference today on federal spending. Central bank and Treasury announce a massive plan to jumpstart lending. Will make $200 billion available for a range of consumer loans - including credit cards and car loans - likely won't be up and running until February.

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Fed bets $800 billion on consumers

President-elect Barack Obama will speak at a news conference today on federal spending. Central bank and Treasury announce a massive plan to jumpstart lending. Will make $200 billion available for a range of consumer loans - including credit cards and car loans - likely won't be up and running until February.

read more | digg story

Michelle Obama: The world's most recognized woman

"Michelle Has the Power to Change the Way African-Americans See Ourselves, Our Lives and Our Possibilities"

NEW YORK, Nov. 23 /PRNewswire/ -- Without even stepping into the White House, Michelle Obama has already accomplished a great deal in raising the profile of African-American women, Newsweek National Correspondent Allison Samuels writes in the December 1 cover, "The Meaning of Michelle" (on newsstands Monday, November 24). "When her husband raises his hand to take the oath of office, Michelle will become the world's most visible African- American woman," Samuels writes. "The new First Lady will have the chance to knock down ugly stereotypes about black women and educate the world about American black culture more generally. But perhaps more important -- even apart from what her husband can do -- Michelle has the power to change the way African-Americans see ourselves, our lives and our possibilities."

Michelle Obama challenges the typical stereotype of African-American women, including what is beautiful. Often, the standard of beauty for black women has meant fair skin, and dainty facial features, a limited scope that has had a profound effect on the self-esteem of many African-American women. Michelle Obama puts a new face on the standard of beauty. "Michelle is not only African-American, but brown. Real brown," Samuels writes. "In an era where beauty is often defined on television, in magazines and in movies as fair or white skin, long straight hair and keen features, Michelle looks nothing like the supermodels who rule the catwalks or the porcelain-faced actresses who hawk must-have cosmetics. Yet now she's going to grace the March cover of Vogue magazine -- the ultimate affirmation of beauty."

It remains to be seen what Michelle Obama will accomplish if she takes on substantial issues. "I'm hoping the whole "Mom-in-Chief" role will leave plenty of room for Michelle to tackle significant, meaty issues even if she's not clamoring for a West Wing office, Samuels writes. "But she'll have another dimension to worry about: if she focuses on the black community -- helping urban schools, say -- will her interests be viewed as too parochial? And while every First Lady -- and plenty of professional women -- walk the line between being confident and seeming like a bitch, African- American women are especially wary that being called 'strong' is just another word for 'angry'."

First Photos of Nic Cage in Season of the Witch

As the Black Plague rages across 14th century Europe, one brave knight Lavey, is tasked with transporting a girl suspected of being the witch who caused the pandemic to trial.

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National Report Ranks Indiana 28th, Illinois 43rd, in Protecting Kids From Tobacco

Ten Years After Tobacco Settlement, States Falling Short in Funding Tobacco Prevention

An annual report on states' funding of tobacco prevention programs, titled "A Decade of Broken

Promises," was released by the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, American Heart Association, American

Cancer Society Cancer Action Network, American Lung Association and the Robert Wood Johnson

Foundation.
Ten years after the November 1998 state tobacco settlement, Indiana and Illinois rank 28th and 43rd in the nation in funding programs to protect kids from tobacco, according to a national report released today by a coalition of public health organizations.

Illinois currently spends $9.5 million a year on tobacco prevention programs, which is 6.1 percent of

the $157 million recommended by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Other key findings for Illinois include:

-- The tobacco companies spend more than $471 million a year on marketing
in Illinois. This is almost 50 times what the state spends on tobacco
prevention.
-- Illinois this year will collect $913 million from the tobacco
settlement and tobacco taxes, but will spend just 1 percent of it on
tobacco prevention.

Indiana currently spends $16 million a year on tobacco prevention programs, which is 20.3 percent of

the $78.8 million recommended by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Other key findings for Indiana include:
-- The tobacco companies spend more than $425 million a year on marketing
in Indiana. This is more than 26 times what the state spends on
tobacco prevention.
-- Indiana this year will collect $660 million from the tobacco
settlement and tobacco taxes, but will spend just 2.4 percent of it on
tobacco prevention.


The report warns that the nation faces two immediate challenges in the fight against tobacco use:

complacency and looming state budget shortfalls. First, while the nation has made significant progress

over the past decade in reducing smoking, progress has slowed and further progress is at risk without

aggressive efforts at all levels of government.

Second, the states are expected to face budget

shortfalls in the coming year as a result of the weak economy. The last time the states faced

significant budget shortfalls, they cut funding for tobacco prevention programs by 28 percent between

2002 and 2005. The cutbacks are a major reason why smoking declines subsequently stalled, and states

should not make the same mistake again.

On Nov. 23, 1998, 46 states settled their lawsuits against the nation's major tobacco companies to

recover tobacco-related health care costs, joining four states (Mississippi, Texas, Florida and

Minnesota) that had reached earlier settlements. These settlements require the tobacco companies to

make annual payments to the states in perpetuity, with total payments estimated at $246 billion over

the first 25 years. The states also collect billions of dollars each year in tobacco taxes.

The new report finds that most states have broken their promise to use a significant portion of their

tobacco money to fund programs to prevent kids from smoking and help smokers quit.

According to the report, the states in the last 10 years have received $203.5 billion in revenue from

the tobacco settlement and tobacco taxes. But they have spent only 3.2 percent of this tobacco money

-- $6.5 billion -- on tobacco prevention and cessation programs.

In recent years, Indiana has taken several important steps to protect kids from tobacco. In 2007,

Governor Mitch Daniels and the Legislature increased tobacco prevention funding by nearly 50 percent

and raised the cigarette tax by 44 cents to 99.5 cents per pack. Cigarette consumption in Indiana

decreased by almost a fifth from 2007 to 2008 and was accompanied by a 260 percent increase in calls

to the state's smoking cessation quitline.

The annual report on states' funding of tobacco prevention programs, titled "A Decade of Broken

Promises," was released by the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, American Heart Association, American

Cancer Society Cancer Action Network, American Lung Association and the Robert Wood Johnson

Foundation.

The new report finds that most states have broken their promise to use a significant portion of their

tobacco money to fund programs to prevent kids from smoking and help smokers quit.

In Indiana, 22.5 percent of high school students smoke, and 9,800 more kids become regular smokers

every year. Each year, tobacco claims 9,800 lives and costs the state $2.1 billion in health care

bills.

The report warns that the nation faces two immediate challenges in the fight against tobacco use:

complacency and looming state budget shortfalls. First, while the nation has made significant progress

over the past decade in reducing smoking, progress has slowed and further progress is at risk without

aggressive efforts at all levels of government. Second, the states are expected to face budget

shortfalls in the coming year as a result of the weak economy. The last time the states faced

significant budget shortfalls, they cut funding for tobacco prevention programs by 28 percent between

2002 and 2005. The cutbacks are a major reason why smoking declines subsequently stalled, and states

should not make the same mistake again.

The report found that there is more evidence than ever that tobacco prevention programs work to reduce

smoking, save lives and save money by reducing tobacco-related health care costs. Washington State,

which has been a national leader in funding tobacco prevention, has reduced smoking by 60 percent

among sixth graders and by 43 percent among 12th graders since the late 1990s. A recent study found

that California's tobacco control program saved $86 billion in health care costs in its first 15

years, compared to $1.8 billion spent on the program, for a return on investment of nearly 50:1.



More information, including the full report and state-specific information, can be obtained at

www.tobaccofreekids.org/reports/settlements.

President-Elect Obama selects Eric Holder as top cop pick

Holder set to be nation's first black Attorney General when confirmed
President-Elect Barack Obama has selected Eric Holder as the first African American Attorney General, according to US media reports. Mr Holder, 57, whose appointment is subject to confirmation by the Senate, was deputy attorney general for four years under Bill Clinton and co-chairman along with Caroline Kennedy of Mr Obama's vp search team.

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First Family: Still taking it all in

Watch CBS Videos Online

President-Elect Barack Obama gives Weekly Democratic Radio Address

Is it possible? A Fugees reunion?

Seriously? Say "no" to J. C. shoes?

During the economic boom of the past decade, many people relaxed their definitions of "need." They upgraded from Timex to Rolex. When the price of Jimmy Choo shoes hit $800, many people said they "needed" the latest shoe anyway.

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Town stunned as 8-year-old charged in two killings, Chicago lawyer who tried similar case talks to CNN

An 8-year-old Arizona boy charged in the fatal shootings of his father and another man draws similarities between it and another case. Chicago attorney, Andre M. Grant spoke to CNN anchor, Don Lemon about a similar case in 1990s where Chicago police accused 7 and 8-year-old boys of a heinous sex crime and murder of an 11-year-old girl. He defended one of the boys.

(left to right) Atty. Andre Mandell Grant, Ill. Appellate Judge, ret. R. Eugene Pincham (deceased), Atty. Lewis Myers. This photo was taken by a Chicago Defender photographer (Rod) on the steps of the Defender at 2400 S. Michigan in 1999 at its old location in connection with a story on the Ryan Harris case.
Although both children were later exonerated, the incident changed the Cook County juvenile justice system forever. Grant said several factors must be considered, like the legality of the police interrogation process, when charging juveniles with adult crimes.Eighteen Months, a fictitious book based on a reporter who covered the story of two young boys accused of murdering 11-year-old Ryan Harris in the 1990s may be found here: Eighteen Months.

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Town stunned as 8-year-old charged in two killings, Chicago lawyer who tried similar case talks to CNN

An 8-year-old Arizona boy charged in the fatal shootings of his father and another man draws similarities between it and another case. Chicago attorney, Andre M. Grant spoke to CNN anchor, Don Lemon about a similar case in 1990s where Chicago police accused 7 and 8-year-old boys of a heinous sex crime and murder of an 11-year-old girl. Although both children were later exonerated, the incident changed the Cook County juvenile justice system forever. Grant said several factors must be considered, like the legality of the police interrogation process, when charging juveniles with adult crimes.Eighteen Months, a ficticious book based on a reporter who covered the story of two young boys accused of murdering 11-year-old Ryan Harris in the 1990s may be found here: http://stores.lulu.com/ljonesmccloud.

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Town stunned as 8-year-old charged in two killings, Chicago lawyer who tried similar case talks to CNN

An 8-year-old Arizona boy charged in the fatal shootings of his father and another man draws similarities between it and another case. Chicago attorney, Andre M. Grant spoke to CNN anchor, Don Lemon about a similar case in 1990s where Chicago police accused 7 and 8-year-old boys of a heinous sex crime and murder of an 11-year-old girl. Although both children were later exonerated, the incident changed the Cook County juvenile justice system forever. Grant said several factors must be considered, like the legality of the police interrogation process, when charging juveniles with adult crimes.Eighteen Months, a ficticious book based on a reporter who covered the story of two young boys accused of murdering 11-year-old Ryan Harris in the 1990s may be found here: http://stores.lulu.com/ljonesmccloud.

read more | digg story

The First Family

And the Winner is...Mr. President.

Election in Day Lake County, Indiana (Turn It Blue, Indiana!)

Fraud alert for SSA

Social Security Inspector General Warns Public about Misleading Internet Websites that Appear to be Official Social Security Administration Site
Recently OIG has received complaints from Social Security applicants who believed that personal information they provided to the Social Security Administration had somehow been disclosed, without their permission, to claimant representative firms.
An Office of the Inspector General investigation revealed that instead, while the applicants believed they were visiting the Social Security Administration’s official website, they were instead visiting privately-owned websites designed so as to appear to be that of the Social Security Administration. As a result, some applicants provided personal information when the website operators later contacted them to offer representation.
Some of the misleading characteristics of these websites include: official-sounding website addresses; links which users could click on to (purportedly) apply for benefits; and the use of patriotic and/or governmental symbols, such as the American flag.
The Social Security Administration and the Office of the Inspector General are concerned that some applicants who mistakenly visited these websites believed they were applying for benefits online with SSA. The Office of the Inspector General has taken action under Section 1140 of the Social Security Act to stop the owners of these and similar websites from misleading the public in this fashion.
“Any organization that uses misleading tactics such as these to victimize applicants for Social Security benefits will be dealt with swiftly, and to the full extent of the law,” said Patrick P. O’Carroll, Jr., Inspector General for the Social Security Administration.
To date, the operators of two websites have been contacted and agreed to alter their sites to eliminate confusion. Nevertheless, Social Security Commissioner Michael J. Astrue urges the public to exercise caution online, and to provide personal information only through the Social Security Administration’s official website, www.socialsecurity.gov.
Anyone with knowledge of misleading websites such as those described in this advisory or any suspicious activity involving Social Security programs should contact the Office of the Inspector
General’s Fraud Hotline at http://www.socialsecurity.gov/oig/hotline/ or by phone at 1-800-269-0271. (Those who are deaf or hard-of-hearing can call the OIG TTY number at 1-866-501-2101.)
If a person has questions about Social Security benefits or programs, he or she should contact Social Security’s toll-free customer service number at 1-800-772-1213 or visit Social Security’s official website at www.socialsecurity.gov. (Those who are deaf or hard-of-hearing can call Social Security's TTY number at 1-800-325-0778.)

As public servants, SSA employees are expected to maintain a high level of integrity when it comes to facilitating the business of the Social Security Administration. As such, SSA/OIG takes seriously any crimes involving SSA employees. For example, is an SSA employee selling Social Security Cards? Is an employee stealing checks from beneficiaries? If you believe an SSA employee is committing these or any other crime against the Social Security Administration, please contact the OIG Fraud Hotline.

Top

Scams Involving the Impersonation of an SSA Employee

We sometimes receive reports where individuals have been contacted by someone pretending to be an SSA employee. The intent of this type of call may be to steal your identity and/or money from your bank accounts. The caller generally asks you for personal information such as your Social Security number, date of birth, your mother's maiden name, or your bank or financial account information.

The impersonator may state that "the SSA computers are down" or may refer to enrollment in the Medicare prescription drug program. The intent of this type of call may be to steal your identity and/or money from your bank accounts. You should not provide any of this information to these individuals.

It is possible that an SSA employee may contact you to follow-up on a previous application for SSA/Medicare Part D benefits or to follow-up on other business you initiated with SSA. If you are unsure as to the authenticity of someone who claims to be an SSA employee, please call SSA's toll-free number:

Barack: The One

We Were There!

We were there to hear and see Presidential Candidate, Barack Obama speak to Hoosiers in Highland, Indiana at Wicker Park Halloween Night.


It was the greatest thing to be a part of because I was about 10 yards from the podium and got to shake the Candidate's hand.
He was so nice and personable to everyone.
Now I can post as many photos and video as I care to because they all belong to me and I hold the copyright.
Naah nah!
Go Obama! Vote Obama!

Sen. Barack Obama on Jon Stewart

Poll update: Obama ahead in key states, close in Indiana

(CNN) — New CNN polls of polls in key battleground states suggest Barack Obama holds significant advantages in Ohio, Pennsylvania, and New Hampshire, while John McCain is only up 2 points in Indiana — a state that hasn't voted Democrat in 44 years.

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Poll update: Obama ahead in key states, close in Indiana

(CNN) — New CNN polls of polls in key battleground states suggest Barack Obama holds significant advantages in Ohio, Pennsylvania, and New Hampshire, while John McCain is only up 2 points in Indiana — a state that hasn't voted Democrat in 44 years.

read more | digg story

Poll update: Obama ahead in key states, close in Indiana

(CNN) — New CNN polls of polls in key battleground states suggest Barack Obama holds significant advantages in Ohio, Pennsylvania, and New Hampshire, while John McCain is only up 2 points in Indiana — a state that hasn't voted Democrat in 44 years.

read more | digg story

Poll update: Obama ahead in key states, close in Indiana

(CNN) — New CNN polls of polls in key battleground states suggest Barack Obama holds significant advantages in Ohio, Pennsylvania, and New Hampshire, while John McCain is only up 2 points in Indiana — a state that hasn't voted Democrat in 44 years.

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Sen. Obama visits his Ohio campaign office

Alaska's largest newspaper endorses Obama (AP)

McCain's poor judgment, erratic behavior--plus Palin's unreadiness means that smart and steady Barack Obama is the best person to be President.

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Palin a diva? Nooooo.

ALBUQUERQUE, New Mexico (CNN) – With 10 days to go until election day, long brewing tension between Sarah Palin and key aides to John McCain has become so intense, it is spilling out into the public.

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Nicolas Cage Gets Medieval, National Treasure III (finally) gets the green light

Nicolas Cage on the set of Knowing
while filming in in Australia


Galloping Into Theaters: Nicolas Cage will once again work with Gone in Sixty Seconds director Dominic Sena in Relativity Media's Season of the Witch. Story follows a fourteenth-century knight who must escort on horseback a girl suspected of being "the witch behind the Black Plague" to a distant monastery. The action-loving Sena was presumably hesitant until Cage convinced him that he "could put in some bitchin' horse chases." [HR]


National Treasure 3 is Officially a Go
Written by Stephanie Sanchez

It was certainly an all Disney, all the time kind of day here at IESB. The studios' preview and showcase of upcoming films was full of a lot of good information and surprises.

One surprise had producer Jerry Bruckheimer and actor Nicolas Cage on stage to talk about their favorite Disney franchise, “National Treasure.”
Jerry Bruckheimer, Nicolas Cage and Disney's Dick Cook confirmed that National Treasure 3 was currently in development.

Another installment of the popular history based franchise was expected but had not been officially announced.


No release date was given but rumors have it out during the holiday season of 2010.


Information gathered from Cagefactor, a group of individuals dedicated to the fannery of Nicolas Cage.Thanks Colleen!

Celebrate in Grant Park in Chicago Election Night Nov. 4

WASHINGTON--Barack Obama will celebrate election night in Chicago's Grant Park---providing scenic backdrops of the city--and near where demonstrators gathered during the 1968 Democratic Convention in Chicago.

The Grant Park location is down the street from Obama's national campaign headquarters on Michigan Avenue.


Obama Campaign Announces Location for Election Night Event

CHICAGO - The Obama-Biden campaign today announced that the location for the Election Night event on Tuesday, November 4 will be Chicago's Grant Park on Hutchinson Field.

Grant Park is regularly used as an open-air venue for concerts, charity events and sporting activities such as the Chicago Marathon and Taste of Chicago.
Additional details will be announced as they become available.
This message is courtesy of Chicago Sun-Times and columnist Lynn Sweet

Find out how to take your autistic child to the library without incident

www.thejointlibrary.org/autism
For more information about this project and to receive a free "Libraries and Autism: We're Connected" decal for your library, please contact the libraries at autism@thejointlibrary.org.





SCOTCH PLAINS, N.J., Oct. 21 /PRNewswire/ -- The Scotch Plains Public Library (NJ) and the Fanwood Memorial Library (NJ) produced a customer service training video to help library staff serve individuals with autism and their families more effectively. The video focuses on what you need to know about autism spectrum disorder and empowers the viewer with specific techniques to offer more inclusive and comprehensive customer service when interacting with this growing and underserved population. Nationally, autism affects one in every 150 individuals, and in New Jersey, as many as one in ninety-four.
As suggested in the video, the two libraries provided additional in-depth training to their combined staff as well as to local school media specialists. The session was conducted by representatives from our project partners: Dr. Linda Meyer, Executive Director of COSAC, The NJ Center for Outreach and Services for the Autism Community; Dr. Jill Harris, Director of Psychology and Coordinator of The Autism Center of Excellence at Children's Specialized Hospital; and Adrienne Robertiello, Founder of Community Partnership for People with Autism.

My captain, my captain: They want you dead

ROME - Police in Italy are looking into reports that the Naples mafia plans to carry out its threat to kill the author of the best-selling book "Gomorra," which has been made into a hit movie about mafia brutality, by Christmas.

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Leslie Live!

Secret Service looking into Obama threat at rally (AP)

AP - The Secret Service is looking into a second allegation that a participant at a Republican political rally shouted "kill him," referring to Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama.

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Comedian D.L. Hughley to host CNN show

When news breaks, D.L. Hughley will be ready to mock it.

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Lake County early voting

Early voting in Gary, East Chicago and Hammond

Barack Obama and Joe Biden's plan for the middle class

Barack Obama and Joe Biden's Rescue Plan for the Middle Class - Upload a Document to Scribd

Barack Obama and Joe Biden's plan for small businesses

Barack Obama & Joe Biden's Small Business Emergency Rescue Plan - Upload a Document to Scribd

Vote and be heard!

Gary woman creates domestic violence database

Indiana domestic abuse database aims to savepost-trib.com1 min ago - A Gary, Indiana woman has compiled the names of convicted domestic abusers into a searchable database at theweakervessel.org, in hopes of keeping other victims from experiencing the nightmare.

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Palin's unethical behaivor should stunt negative GOP campaign

ANCHORAGE, Alaska - A legislative committee investigating Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin has found she abused her authority in firing the state's public safety commissioner, which is against Alaska state law. Early Friday, campaign officials tried to spin the debacle, playing the blame game.
Who will they blame now? Is Palin a GOP liability?
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A Buckley endorses Barack Obama

(CNN) — No, hell has not frozen over, but a Buckley is backing a Democrat for president.
Christopher Buckley, the son of the late conservative icon William F. Buckley, said Friday he's decided to back Barack Obama's White House bid, the first time in his life he will vote Democrat.
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Obama opens 5-point lead on McCain

By John Whitesides, Political Correspondent WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Democrat Barack Obama has opened a 5-point lead over Republican rival John McCain in the White House race and expanded his support among women voters, according to a Reuters/C-SPAN/Z...

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I'm on CNN!

Barack Obama buying network airtime

(CNN) – Barack Obama is buying 30 minutes of airtime on the major television networks just days before the presidential election, the Obama campaign confirms.
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How much does it cost you to shop?

Real help for real people II

County in Illinois is suspending foreclosure evictions

"These mortgage companies only see pieces of paper, not people, and don't care who's in the building," the sheriff said. "They simply want their money and don't care who gets hurt along the way ... On top of it all, they want taxpayers to fund their investigative work for them. We're not going to do their jobs for them anymore... It stops today."

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Why are parents permanently dropping-off their kids in Nebraska?

New NE law for safe haven ends up being used for frustrated parents to legally abandon their teenagers.Do you see what I mean when I say that it is important to have legal-minded people crafting laws in this nation? It is hard enough for them to do it!However, that is besides the point here. Maybe someone should examine why frustrated parents of teens are so willing to give away their children.Seriously. The point isn't that the law is intended to only protect infants. The point that children who are old enough to know they are being abandoned are just that. What is going on with America's parents? Who can help them without said parents being jailed?

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CNN: Fact check on employer-provided health benefits on point

The Statement
At a presidential debate Tuesday, Oct. 7, in Nashville, Tennessee, Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Barack Obama criticized the health-care plan of Republican opponent Sen. John McCain. "In fact, just today, business organizations like the United States Chamber of Commerce, which generally are pretty supportive of Republicans, said that this would lead to the unraveling of the employer-based health care system," Obama said.
Read more

Barack Obama speaks to Indianapolis--prepared text

*"Best Comment Ever!" found on CNN.com by "Chris" October 8th, 2008 12:51 pm ET
"I hope Indiana turns blue this year…or at least Obama challenges enough that McCain has to use up more resources there…"
THAT ONE '08


Remarks of Senator Barack Obama—as prepared for delivery

Indianapolis, Indiana

Wednesday, October 08, 2008

We meet today at a moment of great uncertainty for America. Yesterday, we saw another significant drop in the stock market as the anxiety about this financial crisis grew worse. Overnight, the same thing happened with markets around the world. And this morning, the Federal Reserve took swift action together with other nations to stem what is now a full-blown global financial crisis. I support that action, as I’ve said before that this is a global problem and it needs to be solved through a global effort. I hope this global response continues as leaders of major financial institutions and representatives from nations around the world gather in Washington soon.

We are facing a very serious challenge, and all of us – all of us – have a stake in its solution. Because the credit markets are frozen right now, there’s a ripple effect throughout our economy. Businesses large and small are finding it impossible to get loans, which means they can’t buy new equipment or make payroll. Auto plants that have been around for decades are closing their doors and laying off workers who’ve never known another job in their entire life. And we have already lost three-quarters of a million jobs just this year.

Here in Indianapolis and all across America, you’re seeing your hours get cut or realizing that you can’t pay every bill that’s sitting on the kitchen counter. It’s harder to make the mortgage or fill up your gas tank and some people don’t even know whether they’ll be able to keep the electricity on at the end of the month. The money you’ve been putting away for your retirement or your kids’ college education is disappearing faster than you can count. The dream that so many generations have fought for feels like it’s slowly slipping away.

But I’m here today to tell you that there are better days ahead. I know these are tough times. I know that many of you are anxious about the future. But this isn’t a time for fear or panic. This is a time for resolve and leadership. I know that we can steer ourselves out of this crisis. Because that’s who we are. Because this is the United States of America. This is a nation that has faced down war and depression; great challenges and great threats. And at each and every moment, we have risen to meet these challenges – not as Democrats, not as Republicans, but as Americans. With resolve. With confidence. With that fundamental belief that here in America, our destiny is not written for us, but by us. That’s who we are, and that’s the country we need to be right now.

America still has the most talented, most productive workers of any country on Earth who work two jobs or three jobs and take the last bus home at night because they want something more for their children. We’re still the home to innovation and technology, colleges and universities that are the envy of the world. Some of the biggest ideas in history have come from our small businesses and our research facilities. It won’t be easy, but there’s no reason we can’t steer ourselves out of this crisis and make this century another American century. Of course we can.

But I also know this. It will take a new direction. It will take new leadership in Washington. It will take a real change in the policies and politics of the last eight years.

And that’s why the decision you make in twenty-seven days is so important. That’s why this is no ordinary election – because this is no ordinary moment for America.

In last night’s debate, John McCain and I each had the chance to make the case for change – to talk about what we would do differently from the last eight years when it comes to lifting our middle-class, growing our economy, and restoring our prosperity. But all we heard from Senator McCain was more of the same Bush economics that led us to this point.

Take health care. We were both asked whether we believed that health care should finally be the right of every American. I believe it should. But Senator McCain didn’t say that. And when you look at his radical health care plan, you can see why.

He talks about giving every family a $5,000 credit to buy health care, but he didn’t mention last night that he’ll also tax your benefits for the first time in history. It’s an old Washington bait and switch. He gives you a tax credit with one hand, but raises your taxes with the other. And he didn’t mention that the average health care plan costs $12,000 in the first place.

Senator McCain didn’t tell us about the studies that say his plan would cause 20 million Americans to lose their health insurance, or how the Chamber of Commerce said it would be a disaster for businesses, or how it would de-regulate the insurance industry so that they don’t have to cover things like mammograms, or vaccinations, or maternity care. He thinks we won’t notice these things.

Well, I’ve got news for John McCain: we notice, we know better, and we’re not going to let him get away with it.

This issue is personal for me. My mother died of ovarian cancer at the age of 53, and I’ll never forget how she spent the final months of her life lying in a hospital bed, fighting with her insurance company because they claimed that her cancer was a pre-existing condition and didn’t want to pay for treatment. If I am President, I will make sure those insurance companies can never do that again.

My health care plan will ensure that insurance companies can’t discriminate against those who are sick and need care most. If you have health insurance, the only thing that will change under my plan is the amount you pay in premiums. That will be less. And if you don’t have health insurance, you’ll be able to get the same kind of health insurance that Members of Congress get for themselves. We’ll invest in preventative care and new technology to finally lower the cost of health care for families, businesses, and the entire economy. That’s the change we need, and that’s the choice you face in this election.

Even as so many Americans are worried about their medical bills or keeping their jobs or staying in their homes, Senator McCain’s campaign announced last week that they plan to “turn the page” on the discussion about our economy and spend the final weeks of this election attacking me instead. His campaign actually said, and I quote, “if we keep talking about the economy, we’re going to lose.”

Well I’ve got news for John McCain. This isn’t about losing a campaign – this is about Americans who are losing their jobs, and their homes, and their life savings. I can take four more weeks of John McCain’s attacks, but America can’t take four more years of John McCain’s George Bush policies. We can’t afford four more years of the economic theory that says we should give more and more to those with the most and hope that prosperity trickles down to everyone else. We can’t afford more four years of John McCain’s call for less regulation so that no one in Washington is watching anyone on Wall Street. We’ve seen where that’s led us and we’re not going back.

It is time to turn the page on eight years of economic policies that put Wall Street before Main Street but ended up hurting both. We need policies that grow our economy from the bottom-up, so that every American, everywhere has the chance to get ahead. Not just corporate CEOs, but their secretaries too. Not just the person who owns the factory, but the men and women who work on its floor. Because if we’ve learned anything from this economic crisis, it’s that we’re all connected; we’re all in this together; and we will rise or fall as one nation – as one people.

The rescue plan that passed Congress last week isn’t the end of what we’ll do to strengthen this economy, it’s only the beginning. Now we need to pass a rescue plan for the middle-class that will provide every family immediate relief to cope with rising food and gas prices, save one million jobs by rebuilding our schools and roads, and help states and cities avoid budget cuts and tax increases. And we should extend expiring unemployment benefits to those Americans who’ve lost their jobs and can’t find new ones. I’ve been fighting for this plan for months. My opponent has said nothing. And that is the choice in this election.

You’ve heard a lot about taxes in this campaign. Well here’s the truth – John McCain and I are both offering tax cuts. The difference is, he wants to give the average Fortune 500 CEO a $700,000 tax cut but nothing at all to over 100 million Americans.

I’ll give a middle-class tax cut to 95% of all workers. And if you make less than $250,000 a year, you won’t see your taxes increase one single dime – not your payroll taxes, not your income taxes, not your capital gains taxes – nothing. Because in an economy like this, the last thing we should do is raise taxes on the middle-class.

My opponent wants to give $200 million in tax cuts to the biggest corporations in America. I will eliminate capital gains taxes for the small businesses and the start-ups that will create the high-wage, high-tech jobs of tomorrow.

John McCain wants to give tax breaks to the corporations that ship our jobs overseas. If I am President, I will end those tax breaks and give them to companies that create good jobs in the United States of America. That is the choice in this election.

Senator McCain’s first reaction to this economic crisis was to say that “the fundamentals of our economy are strong.” Well I don’t know about you, but where I come from there’s nothing more fundamental than a job – not just because it provides a paycheck, because it provides a sense of dignity. And if we want to turn this economy around and lead the world in the 21st century, we have to create the high-wage jobs of tomorrow right here in America.

If I am President, I will invest $15 billion a year in renewable sources of energy to create five million new, green jobs over the next decade – jobs that pay well and can’t be outsourced; jobs building solar panels and wind turbines and fuel-efficient cars; jobs that will help us end our dependence on oil from Middle East dictators.

I’ll also put two million more Americans to work rebuilding our crumbling roads, schools, and bridges – because it is time to build an American infrastructure for the 21st century.

And we’ll give every child, everywhere the skills and the knowledge they need to compete with any worker, anywhere in the world. I will not allow countries to out-teach us today so they can out-compete us tomorrow. It is time to provide every American with a world-class education. That means investing in early childhood education. That means recruiting an army of new teachers, and paying them better, and giving them more support in exchange for higher standards and more accountability. And it means making a deal with every American who has the drive and the will but not the money to go to college: if you commit to serving your country after you graduate, we will make sure you can afford your tuition. You invest in America, America will invest in you, and together we will move this country forward.

Finally, I will take on the corruption in Washington and on Wall Street to make sure a crisis like this can never, ever happen again. I’ll put in place the common-sense regulations and rules of the road I’ve been calling for since March – rules that will keep our market free, fair, and honest; rules that will restore accountability and responsibility in our corporate boardrooms.

And just as we demand accountability on Wall Street, I will also demand it in Washington. That’s why I’m not going to stand here and simply tell you what I’m going to spend, I’m going to tell you how we’re going to save when I am President.

I’ll do what you do in your own family budgets and make sure we’re spending money wisely. I will go through the entire federal budget, page by page, line by line, and eliminate programs that don’t work and aren’t needed. We’ll start by ending a war in Iraq that’s costing $10 billion a month while the Iraqi government sits on a $79 billion surplus. And we’ll save billions more by cutting waste, improving management, and strengthening oversight.

These are the changes and reforms we need. A new era of responsibility and accountability on Wall Street and in Washington. Common-sense regulations to prevent a crisis like this from ever happening again. Investments in the technology and innovation that will restore prosperity and lead to new jobs and a new economy for the 21st century. Bottom-up growth that gives every American a fair shot at the American dream.

I won’t pretend this will be easy or come without cost. We will all need to sacrifice and we will all need to pull our weight because now more than ever, we are all in this together. What this crisis has taught us is that at the end of the day, there is no real separation between Main Street and Wall Street. There is only the road we’re traveling on as Americans – and we will rise or fall on that journey as one nation; as one people.

This country and the dream it represents are being tested in a way that we haven’t seen in nearly a century. And future generations will judge ours by how we respond to this test. Will they say that this was a time when America lost its way and its purpose? When we allowed our own petty differences and broken politics to plunge this country into a dark and painful recession?

Or will they say that this was another one of those moments when America overcame? When we battled back from adversity by recognizing that common stake that we have in each other’s success?

This is one of those moments. I realize you’re cynical and fed up with politics. I understand that you’re disappointed and even angry with your leaders. You have every right to be. But despite all of this, I ask of you what’s been asked of the American people in times of trial and turmoil throughout our history. I ask you to believe – to believe in yourselves, in each other, and in the future we can build together.

Together, we cannot fail. Not now. Not when we have a crisis to solve and an economy to save. Not when there are so many Americans without jobs and without homes. Not when there are families who can’t afford to see a doctor, or send their child to college, or pay their bills at the end of the month. Not when there is a generation that is counting on us to give them the same opportunities and the same chances that we had for ourselves.

We can do this. Americans have done this before. Some of us had grandparents or parents who said maybe I can't go to college but my child can; maybe I can't have my own business but my child can. I may have to rent, but maybe my children will have a home they can call their own. I may not have a lot of money but maybe my child will run for Senate. I might live in a small village but maybe someday my son can be president of the United States of America.

Now it falls to us. Together, we cannot fail. And I need you to make it happen. If you want the next four years looking like the last eight, then I am not your candidate. But if you want real change – if you want an economy that rewards work, and that works for Main Street and Wall Street; if you want tax relief for the middle class and millions of new jobs; if you want health care you can afford and education that helps your kids compete; then I ask you to knock on some doors, make some calls, talk to your neighbors, and give me your vote on November 4th. And if you do, I promise you – we will win Indiana, we will win this election, and then you and I – together – will change this country and change this world. Thank you, God bless you, and may God bless America.

###

*"Best Comment Ever" is my personal designation to really good comments found on the Web.

Real help for real Americans

Lawmakers steamed over ritzy AIG retreat after bailout

Days after it got a federal bailout, American International Group Inc. spent $440,000 on a posh California retreat for its executives, complete with spa treatments, banquets and golf outings, according to lawmakers investigating the company's meltdown.

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Northwest Indiana responds to the 08 election, debate

During errands, I took my camera and asked a few questions

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McCain linked to private group in Iran-Contra case

GOP presidential nominee John McCain has past connections to a private group that supplied aid to guerrillas seeking to overthrow the leftist government of Nicaragua in the Iran-Contra affair.

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Heirlooms, gold teeth --- desperate people sell it all

Low pay doesn't go very farDavid Goldmacher of Longwood listed his signed Denver Broncos helmet and Pachinko pinball machine to pay for his diabetes, heart and blood-pressure medication and medicine for his wife's injured back. Goldmacher, 42, lost his job as a state corrections officer in June. Although he was recently hired as a bus driver...

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Chinese counterfeit chips causing military hardware crashes

Over the past year, US citizens have become increasingly aware of the substandard consumer-level goods flowing out of China, but new reports indicate that the counterfeit products and dubious quality controls are not confined to the consumer sector.

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Why is McCain always trouncing on the little guy and picking his pocket?

Change is a government that doesn't let deregulated industry take advantage of the people. True that.
Sen. John McCain was involved with the Keating 5 and allows his running mate to accuse Sen. Barack Obama of "palling around with terrorists." A fellow board member and college professor held a coffee/meet and greet for him when he ran for Illinois State Senate. That is what really happened.
It seems McCain was closer to the fire than Obama. Obama was 8 when the Weathermen formed. John McCain was a grown man active in the Senate when he testified about his involvement in the Keating 5 Savings & Loan debacle (sound familiar?). If I were John and Sarah who is--wife to an anti-union, anti-American secessionist--I would keep my mouth shut! (before another skeleton fell out of it!)
Watch the video




Oh, and by the by, it will be a COLD DAY IN HELL before the American people allow McCain to tax their work site-provided health plan. What a lot of nerve. Imagine, you pay out of your check for the plan and then pay a tax in addition to that every time you get a check. Why is taking money out of an employee's check always the way to go for the Republicans? Imagine paying tax on a $12 to $19,000 health care plan. It costs enough just to insure the entire family. Work provided health care plans are expensive to the average person.
Guess what. John McCain wants to open the health care industry to more vigorous competition like his party did with banking. Can you believe this man? He really is out-of-touch.
What money will the everyday worker have to live on? Damn a $5,000 tax credit because that will go to the insurance company to pay on a $12-to-$19,000 individual health care plan. And you still have to pay the premiums. Why are McCain and Palin so eager to take money out of "Joe Six Pack's" paycheck? Don't they know how much he makes? I guess they want only for themselves to have nice things in this life. I guess we can wait or go without. That must be what it is: They think we should go without, while they have taxpayer-provided health care. McCain and Palin must think that they are better than "Joe Six Pack."
I agree with Obama, we can all have health care just as good as he has as a U.S. Senator.
Vote Obama.

Gary Indiana, "ground zero" in '08 election

On Nov. 4, Gary, Ind., could end up as ground zero of the political universe. Indiana was the firewall state in the 2008 Democratic primary season. Hillary Clinton won that battle, but lost the war.
Read more

Palin's words may come back to haunt her--and hurt McCain

By claiming that Democrat Barack Obama is "palling around with terrorists" and doesn't see the U.S. like other Americans, vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin targeted key goals for a faltering campaign. And though she may have scored a political hit each time, her attack was unsubstantiated and carried a racially tinged subtext that John McCain may come to regret.
"How low can McCain go? He's already lower than snake's belly.
McCain has been playing the race card through the whole campaign; so far it hasn't worked. HRC tried to play the race card, it didn't work for her either. Now that there is no doubt in anybody's mind that the US economy is in the toilet, teetering on the brink of a, gasp, DEPRESSION, most voters want to hear about solutions and not smears and lies.
Unfortunately for McCain (and the rest of us), McCain is running out of room to land his pathetic campaign that he has piloted without a flight plan. And, now he's running out of room to land it and fuel - quickly! I am predicting Mr. '894/899' will crash this one like he's crashed so many other expensive tax payer financed machines before. On the flight deck are all those rethugs running for Congress that are not smart enough to clear the deck. They will get burned. Fuck 'em!" --"Best comment ever!" by dBass 23 minutes ago on Digg.

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p.s. "Best comment ever!" is a designation I made up to highlight some of the web's best commentary on today's news.

GOP found purging thousands of eligible Democratic voters in 19 states

It is normal for states to periodically review lists of voters and remove any who have moved, died, or been convicted of felonies. However, with no national standards to control this process, it has become "chaotic," "riddled with inaccuracies," and "vulnerable to manipulation" for partisan purposes.
"So CBS News has noticed. Where the hell are the Democrats, and why aren't they raising holy hell about all of this stuff everywhere & seem to have no clue that they are in a War on Democracy being waged by their GOP opponents." "Best comment ever!" by Brad Friedman.


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Exclusive First Look: The MILF-of-the-year Porn Flick

Flynt provides Radar with a copy of the script. It uses a Palin look-a-like.

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Look at the background at the "on CNN" tag over my pic!

This proves that the piece was on TV!

Another Freddie Mac Lobbyist Now McCain Staffer

When mortgage giant Freddie Mac feared several years ago that Sen. John McCain was too outspoken on the issue of executive pay, it pinpointed a lobbyist known for his closeness to McCain and hired him to work with the senator

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I-Reporter Leslie talks about the VP debate