DISQUS

Citing "popular vote" counts in a electoral college system just makes you sound bitter...especially when you don't cite the popular vote count in 2004.

I guess the "Diebold fix" was turned off in 2006 because I certainly don't hear as much whining about the election process when it comes to those rare results where Democrats actually win.....and lucky for us they did....I mean things have just gotten sooooo much better since then, right Nancy???

Always interesting to hear New Yorkers and Californians bitch about the electoral college system when their loud voices are exactly the reason it was enacted in the first place. Never hear them complain too much about the "disproportionate" Senate for some reason, which is odd.

A little historical context on the (extremely valid) reasons behind the electoral college and states rights will go a long way towards understanding the beauty of the current system.

As for the selection process....anyone can run. With McCain-Feingold supression of free speech, however, it is likely that we will continue to see candidates that the media (who is not restricted) likes the most. It's really no shock that the 2 candidates the media likes the most are squaring off in the McCain-Feingold era.

Goooo FREY

Whoa. That's spooky

Kudos to those with enough experience and thoughtfulness to think beyond the shocking stat and into its positive consequences both here and around the world. Although I think this episode would have been a lot funnier in Berkley during a "torch the recruiting center" peace-rally :)

I think your conclusion that we are heating is accurate, given the fact that there was likely a glacier where Lindsay was standing just a few short millennia ago

70's: Upcoming Ice Age
80's: Acid Rain
90's: Ozone layer holes
2000's: Global Warming

Solution to each is ALWAYS the reduction of (mainly the US) economy, global regulation and global taxation (oops...I mean "carbon credits" lol).

Looking forward to the 2010's repackaging of this eco-trojan-horse for socialists.

This horseshit does nothing but undermine the work of true environmentalists, conservationists and agriculture advocates (farmers) who have to deal with the backlash of these nutty hype machines as they try to convince people that industrial pollution and political food distribution gaming are the real threats to the health of (mostly) 3rd world countries.

Efficiency Technologies are the answer, not regulation. Parabolic energy prices drive demand (and thus funding/supply) for that technology. $5/gallon gas will be the true environmentalist's greatest ally.

Can't make the SXSW party....ugh. Would have loved to be there. You bring the granola and merlot....I'll bring the bourbon and BBQ.... :)

GOP enforces rule as it is written on paper. DNC views rules as a "living document" and makes an emotional reaction to a situation and changes the rules ex post facto....shocking! ;)

So essentially, the Michigan Dems decided that their voters should NOT have a say in selecting the Presidential candidate....in order to "send a message" to their own party and Howard Dean. Seems like a good show to me.

LOL....classic. "But, but, but mommy.....he made me do it!" That's what happens when you lose elections 2:1....the other guy makes the rules.

LOL Lindsay....nice setup there. I think there should be a law....if you've never killed livestock, corralled livestock, been involved in a duel or performed some type of minor surgery on yourself using a blade you sharpened yourself, or married/parented by someone who has....you are NOT allowed to wear a cowboy hat.

No doubt. If McCain wants to do this right, "qualified" would be the word to use, NOT "experienced". George Bush is "experienced"....but Bloomberg is "qualified"

For tonights Democratic debate....

Plug this into your favorite reader or just refresh it at will: http://pipes.yahoo.com/pipes/pipe.run?_id=WI5Tv...

I made it using the following terms: Hillary, Clinton, Barak, Obama, debate, brian williams, tim russert, mccain, democrat, texas primary, ohio primary, health care plan, iraq war, hate politics

Nope, nothing racist to see here folks....just a test by one of our own.....move along....save your protests and outrage for when McCain says he likes fried chicken.....nothing to see here...

I agree....I REALLY like the flickr model.....free, but micro-subscription for our biggest fans to get more out of it.

Seems like the baseline of every "digital" (bits and bytes) product should be free, since that's about the variable cost of producing it. No reason not to make some flow from super-users that are happy to pay.

Nice post Fred. I actually have nothing to add or argue....rare :)

Well I suppose one thing we can agree on is the need for a 100% accurate vote-counting system, so that the margin of error does not exist. It makes me sick that American Idol has much more accurate systems than American Presidency.

Agreed. Recount is VERY different than a have "them vote over again" 2nd campaign.

I don't know enough about delegates or super delegates to comment on that....but the notion that in 2000 Florida should have been "called a tie" strikes me as extremely UNdemocratic. "Every vote counts....unless it's close and every vote would actually count..... then we'll just do-over".

Careful what we wish for. I, for one, am not looking forward to the day when Nike can do a "mash up" that shows Dora the Explorer and Harry Potter becoming even more powerful because of her new $100 pink shoes. I already get pissed off that so many companies use Santa in their "mash ups".

I think that protecting the ideas and creations of individuals (and corporations) is absolutely critical to society and the economy. We must maintain incentives that reward original creations....not allow those with more means to profit to take them as their own.

The key is in the PERMISSION of the originator. Ya, it might make a LOT of sense for an artist to want his stuff out there mashed up by everyone....but maybe not. I say that's his decision completely and I'm actually pretty encouraged by the copyright/permission advances and acceptance of the last 5-10 years.

I nominate: http://www.twitter.com/ijustine

Those who are too smart to engage in politics are punished by being governed by those who are dumber. ~Plato

Let's put this on Digg so that the world can vote up/down the candidates....

Translation: Fred, will you consider hiring someone with no cahones?

Thanks and I agree with most of your points. Looking forward to finding ways to work together.

To clarify....I like covestor...there is a lot that can go wrong there but I also think they have the right long-term, stable approach. Good to see a "follow me" without the hype....IMO.