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TOO CLOSE TO CALL IS BETTER THAN A LOSS: PROGRESS IN WASHINGTON STATE
Share / Recommend - Comment - Print - Wednesday, Dec 22 2004, 11:00AM
There is a remarkable recount story unfolding in Washington State. When so many stories of misdeeds and voter system mismanagement that favored Republicans appeared elsewhere in the nation, it is interesting to see the Republicans making similar statements as Dems in this Washington State race.
The $750,000 the Dems needed to raise to force this hand recount looks like it might get a big payoff.
Speaking of payoffs, I'm still in Las Vegas having fun. I head home tonight on the red eye flight after seeing Cirque du Soleil's "O". There is a lot wrong with Vegas, the largest city in the United States founded in the 20th century, but there is also a lot right.
It's a city based on crass consumerism, sex, gambling, shows -- but it also has amazing sights, some of the most beautiful shopping malls I've ever seen -- like the one at Caesar's Palace that seems to stretch for several football fields. I can understand now why so many from around the world are drawn here despite the inexpensive sin packages.
It's all artificial, but it somehow works. Kind of like Singapore. If you speak to staff here, they have all had FBI background checks on them, even the janitorial staff supposedly. There is freedom here, but also a very heavy lurking authoritarianism just under the surface. Again, just like Singapore.
More later, particularly after I get back to Washington.
-- Steve Clemons
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I honeymooned in Vegas. We walked the underground mall at Ceaser's Palace and actually GOT LOST. Then when we returned to the 1st floor we walked the strip all the way back to Circus Circus where we were staying. It was hot but not too hot and the complementary iced bottled water the hotels provided made the walk pleasant. We stopped to see the Pirate show outside a hotel who's name I can't recall. Anyway, walking the mall at Ceasar's P and then the strip all the way back to Circus Circus is quite a stroll but we are in good shape. Once at the hotel we showered, and when found a nice place and we had a fantasic a steak dinner.
After words we planned a quiet evening of wine and romance in our hotel room. We got to the room. the wife put on a sexy nighty, we had a glass of wine, turned on the music, and (oh boy)...about 1 am we both woke up and realized all that walking wore us out more than we thought!!...we had both fallen asleep while holding each other w/o getting to the mAIN event (wink!)
We looked at each other and burst out laughing.
But it was a great vacation and great way to start the 21st year of our marriage. (smile)
By the way, we also took in a bus tour of the city that included a stop at Mars (?) chocolate where they sell the high end stuff. It has a unbelievably beautiful garden on the grounds of the factory. There's a lot to see in Vegas if you get out of the Casinos. We didn't do much gambling, and we did finally get to the Main Event (wink) There are few things more rewarding then loving someone and knowing that person loves you back.
Opps, It wasn't a HONEYMOON! it was my 20th anniversary. I guess it felt like a honeymoon. Because we never had one.
Republicans & voter suppression,
"...Republicans went to court to prevent the counting of those ballots".
It's hard habit to quit, just ask Renquist, he cut his teeth on voter suppression and he'll be remembered through all of time for his suppression of the Florida Vote. What a disgrace.
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...good story Charles.
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...This map is starting to look a little too blue...http://icasualties.org/oif/US_CITY.aspx
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The background checks for the staff in Las Vegas is most likely another product of 9/11 -- over the past two years, Las Vegas has consistently popped up as an attractive target in Al Qaeda chatter -- and I can tell you that DHS is very concerned over securing the large set of targets in this city of sin. The background checks are a means for the big casinos, etc. to ensure against at least one type of attack -- insider sabotage. Imagine the economic repercussions for the city if there was a single successful terrorist attack.
So, no, I'm afraid the background checks are not in any way representative of the "city's authoritarian streak" -- if anything, the city represents the ultimate epitome of America's libertarian impulses ...
fuck las vegas. and all who support that gangsters' mecca.
I kicked one hundred bucks for the recount--that's my way of gambling i guess. I'm proud of Washington Democrats. Now if the DNC and DLC would learn from us and start fighting back...have a great Christmas or winter solstice or holiday or whatever your famly does!
GOOD ON YOU WONKIE!
SEATTLE - Democrat Christine Gregoire has won the Washington governor's race by 130 votes over Republican Dino Rossi, according to final recount results from King County was the last county to report in the statewide hand recount, the third count of ballots in the governor's election. The election results have not been certified and probably will be challenged in court.
http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=
519&ncid=716&e=4&u=/ap/20041223/ap_on_re_us/governor_recount
dcu --
"the city represents the ultimate epitome of America's libertarian impulses ..."
Just the way Bugsy Siegel and Meyer Lansky pictured it.
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