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suffragette
suffragette's Journal
suffragette's Journal
April 13, 2016
http://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/apr/13/the-great-escape-inky-the-octopus-legs-it-to-freedom-from-new-zealand-aquarium
“The staff and I have been pretty sad. But then, this is Inky, and he’s always been a bit of a surprise octopus.”
Reiss Jenkinson, exhibits keeper at the National Aquarium, said he was absolutely certain Inky was not “taken” or “stolen”.
“I understand the nature of octopus behaviour very well,” he said. “I have seen octopus on boats slip through bilge pumps. And the security here is too tight for anyone to take Inky, and why would they?”
Because octopuses have no bones they are able to fit into extremely small spaces, and have been filmed squeezing through gaps the size of coins. They are also understood to be extremely intelligent and capable of using tools.
Ah, on to freedom for Inky. There's fun video at the website of Inky's fellow octopuses escaping from various places along with pictures of Inky's escape route.
Inky pulls a 'Nemo'
The great escape: Inky the octopus legs it to freedom from aquariumhttp://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/apr/13/the-great-escape-inky-the-octopus-legs-it-to-freedom-from-new-zealand-aquarium
“The staff and I have been pretty sad. But then, this is Inky, and he’s always been a bit of a surprise octopus.”
Reiss Jenkinson, exhibits keeper at the National Aquarium, said he was absolutely certain Inky was not “taken” or “stolen”.
“I understand the nature of octopus behaviour very well,” he said. “I have seen octopus on boats slip through bilge pumps. And the security here is too tight for anyone to take Inky, and why would they?”
Because octopuses have no bones they are able to fit into extremely small spaces, and have been filmed squeezing through gaps the size of coins. They are also understood to be extremely intelligent and capable of using tools.
Ah, on to freedom for Inky. There's fun video at the website of Inky's fellow octopuses escaping from various places along with pictures of Inky's escape route.
April 8, 2016
http://www.commondreams.org/news/2016/04/05/transcanada-shuts-keystone-pipeline-over-leak-we-dont-know-where-its-coming
So, basically people in the area are expected to act as unpaid 'spotters' for leaks and why add additional safety measures since they won't even acknowledge certain communities exist there.
Community reacts to Keystone leak - all connected downstream
http://www.ksfy.com/home/headlines/Community-reacts-to-Keystone-Pipeline-leak-near-Freeman--374558521.htmlHoward area rancher Mike Sibson said, "It took a farmer, or somebody with eyes to detect the leak. We were told that the technology was so good and precise, it would be detected by the system before a landowner would even see a leak."
"We have layers to our leak detection system. Some of that is alert landowners, which is why there's so much effort to put in the public awareness programs that we have. There's also our high-tech oil control center," Howard said.
~~~
Yankton Sioux Tribe treaty committee chair Faith Spotted Eagle is saddened to hear about a leak on the land of her ancestors.
"Right away, my heart sunk because we knew this was going this happen, the landowners, the tribes, the grassroots people. We're all working together on this because this is our land, no matter who has deed on it, it's all connected down stream," Faith Spotted Eagle said.
"We have layers to our leak detection system. Some of that is alert landowners, which is why there's so much effort to put in the public awareness programs that we have. There's also our high-tech oil control center," Howard said.
~~~
Yankton Sioux Tribe treaty committee chair Faith Spotted Eagle is saddened to hear about a leak on the land of her ancestors.
"Right away, my heart sunk because we knew this was going this happen, the landowners, the tribes, the grassroots people. We're all working together on this because this is our land, no matter who has deed on it, it's all connected down stream," Faith Spotted Eagle said.
http://www.commondreams.org/news/2016/04/05/transcanada-shuts-keystone-pipeline-over-leak-we-dont-know-where-its-coming
Still, the TransCanada representative assured the public that the company has in place “layers to our leak detection system” and that alert landowners are only part of the equation, the other being “our high tech oil control center.” During the South Dakota Public Utility Commission meetings Spotted Eagle and other Keystone XL opponents from several Dakota/Lakota tribes and South Dakota landowners were reassured repeatedly by TransCanada officials that the oil control center would immediately catch any leaks.
“Their hotshot computer system did not detect the spill,” Spotted Eagle wrote on Facebook while posting a photo of herself with the Simpson family, the ranchers who discovered the spill. “Our worst fears have been realized. They are still investigating…. Haven't isolated the leak. STOP DAKOTA ACCESS NOW.”
Elizabeth Lone Eagle, an official intervener for the state of South Dakota, scoffed at TransCanada’s early reports that only 187 gallons of oil were spilled. She noted the spill’s close proximity to the James and Missouri rivers and worried that the “groundwater contamination is heading to Yankton, Vermillion, Sioux City... all the way down.”
During the South Dakota PUC hearings, Lone Eagle was unable to get a TransCanada spokesperson to admit that her community of Bridger on the Cheyenne River Sioux Reservation was actually a human habitation; the spokesperson simply refused, citing reasons of “Homeland Security.” Due to its proximity to the proposed Keystone XL pipeline, admitting that her community existed would have incurred greater costs and safety measures to the project.
“Their hotshot computer system did not detect the spill,” Spotted Eagle wrote on Facebook while posting a photo of herself with the Simpson family, the ranchers who discovered the spill. “Our worst fears have been realized. They are still investigating…. Haven't isolated the leak. STOP DAKOTA ACCESS NOW.”
Elizabeth Lone Eagle, an official intervener for the state of South Dakota, scoffed at TransCanada’s early reports that only 187 gallons of oil were spilled. She noted the spill’s close proximity to the James and Missouri rivers and worried that the “groundwater contamination is heading to Yankton, Vermillion, Sioux City... all the way down.”
During the South Dakota PUC hearings, Lone Eagle was unable to get a TransCanada spokesperson to admit that her community of Bridger on the Cheyenne River Sioux Reservation was actually a human habitation; the spokesperson simply refused, citing reasons of “Homeland Security.” Due to its proximity to the proposed Keystone XL pipeline, admitting that her community existed would have incurred greater costs and safety measures to the project.
So, basically people in the area are expected to act as unpaid 'spotters' for leaks and why add additional safety measures since they won't even acknowledge certain communities exist there.
April 7, 2016
Quite the little tidbit on Cameron pushing for the offshore hideaways for the wealthy to remain hidden.
David Cameron 'argued to water down transparency rules over trusts'
Source: Belfast Telegraph
The Financial Times revealed that the Prime Minister successfully argued in 2013 for trusts to be treated differently to companies in anti-money laundering rules.
It comes after the PM came under intense pressure over his family's tax arrangements following the Panama Papers data leak, which reportedly included details about his late father Ian's tax affairs.
In a letter to then European Council president Herman van Rompuy, Mr Cameron said it was "clearly important we recognise the important differences between companies and trusts".
He wrote: "This means that the solution for addressing the potential misuse of companies, such as central public registries, may well not be appropriate generally."
Read more: http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/panama-papers/david-cameron-argued-to-water-down-transparency-rules-over-trusts-34606445.html
Quite the little tidbit on Cameron pushing for the offshore hideaways for the wealthy to remain hidden.
April 6, 2016
http://www.mcclatchydc.com/news/politics-government/election/article70280477.html
California elections chief predicts higher-than-usual June turnout
http://www.mcclatchydc.com/news/politics-government/election/article70280477.html
Warning of a “surge” of higher-than-usual turnout in California’s June primary election and a book-sized November voter information guide, the state’s elections chief this week requested a meeting with Gov. Jerry Brown to press his case for more money.
In a letter to Brown on Monday, Secretary of State Alex Padilla noted that more than 600,000 people have registered or re-registered to vote online in recent weeks. In addition, he warned that he expects proponents of more than a dozen proposed ballot measures to file piles of petitions with county election offices in the coming weeks, seeking to qualify for the November ballot.
~~~
California voters normally have little say in presidential primary contests. On June 7, though, the state stands to have a major role in determining whether Republican businessman Donald Trump secures the delegates needed to clinch the GOP nomination, with Republicans mobilizing against him. Democrats Bernie Sanders and Hillary Clinton, meanwhile, also have promised to campaign in the state in the weeks leading up to the June 7 election.
Padilla said the presidential races have increased primary turnout in other western states. One group has requested 200,000 cards to sign up voters. Pointing to November, Padilla said election workers face a deluge of signatures to qualify ballot measures; as many as 9.4 million signatures may need to be verified.
In a letter to Brown on Monday, Secretary of State Alex Padilla noted that more than 600,000 people have registered or re-registered to vote online in recent weeks. In addition, he warned that he expects proponents of more than a dozen proposed ballot measures to file piles of petitions with county election offices in the coming weeks, seeking to qualify for the November ballot.
~~~
California voters normally have little say in presidential primary contests. On June 7, though, the state stands to have a major role in determining whether Republican businessman Donald Trump secures the delegates needed to clinch the GOP nomination, with Republicans mobilizing against him. Democrats Bernie Sanders and Hillary Clinton, meanwhile, also have promised to campaign in the state in the weeks leading up to the June 7 election.
Padilla said the presidential races have increased primary turnout in other western states. One group has requested 200,000 cards to sign up voters. Pointing to November, Padilla said election workers face a deluge of signatures to qualify ballot measures; as many as 9.4 million signatures may need to be verified.
April 5, 2016
Read more here: http://www.mcclatchydc.com/news/nation-world/national/article69943337.html#storylink=cpy
McClatchy releases some U.S. names from Panama Papers
The passports of at least 200 Americans show up in this week’s massive leak of secret data on secretive offshore shell companies.
~~~
Mossack Fonseca is a leading global player in the incorporation of offshore companies across the globe. It was the subject of the largest-ever financial breach, and 11.5 million of its documents are the subject of a collaborative analysis by McClatchy and about 350 journalists under the umbrella of the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists. McClatchy was the only U.S. newspaper company involved.
~~~
Determining a precise number of Americans in the data is difficult. There are at least 200 scanned individual U.S. passports. Some appear to be American retirees purchasing real estate in places like Costa Rica and Panama. Also in the database, about 3,500 shareholders of offshore companies who list U.S. addresses. And almost 3,100 companies are tied to offshore professionals based in Miami, New York, and other parts of the United States.
Further complicating matters, some U.S. citizens enjoy dual citizenship and open accounts under foreign passports. Others appeared to be American retirees purchasing real estate in places like Costa Rica and Panama.
Among the cases McClatchy and its partners found:
~~~
Mossack Fonseca is a leading global player in the incorporation of offshore companies across the globe. It was the subject of the largest-ever financial breach, and 11.5 million of its documents are the subject of a collaborative analysis by McClatchy and about 350 journalists under the umbrella of the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists. McClatchy was the only U.S. newspaper company involved.
~~~
Determining a precise number of Americans in the data is difficult. There are at least 200 scanned individual U.S. passports. Some appear to be American retirees purchasing real estate in places like Costa Rica and Panama. Also in the database, about 3,500 shareholders of offshore companies who list U.S. addresses. And almost 3,100 companies are tied to offshore professionals based in Miami, New York, and other parts of the United States.
Further complicating matters, some U.S. citizens enjoy dual citizenship and open accounts under foreign passports. Others appeared to be American retirees purchasing real estate in places like Costa Rica and Panama.
Among the cases McClatchy and its partners found:
Read more here: http://www.mcclatchydc.com/news/nation-world/national/article69943337.html#storylink=cpy
April 1, 2016
http://www.jsonline.com/news/statepolitics/enbridge-pipeline-plan-in-northern-wisconsin-prompts-concerns-b99681508z1-371225671.html?ipad=y
Enbridge Energy Co., which wants to expand pipeline capacity in northern Wisconsin, is drawing concerns because of the company's operating history of spills and other problems.
A new state report says the company has had 85 oil spills over the past decade, although most were considered small.
The Department of Natural Resources has released an environmental-impact statement on the project in Douglas County. It concluded that a spill of 500 gallons or more would have a "substantial" impact on water resources and endangered species and habitat, meaning leaking oil could remain in the environment for up to a year.
The report, more than 600 pages long, analyzes potential impacts of a 14-mile-long project that environmentalists say has statewide implications.
Enbridge has a history of spills. First Nations have been working nationally and together across the border to educate and oppose these potentially devastating pipeline expansions.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/georgianne-nienaber/first-nation-riders-protest_b_4014538.html
Enbridge does not have a stellar maintenance record.
843,000 gallons spilled from an Enbridge pipeline into Michigan’s Kalamazoo River in 2010. The Environmental Protection Association estimates that now, three years after the spill, 280,000 gallons still remain in the river.
In 2002 an Enbridge pipeline dumped 48,000 gallons of oil west of Cass Lake Minnesota. On site monitoring indicates continuing crude oil contamination of the groundwater aquifer today.
A 50,000-gallon spill in 2012 near Grand Marsh Wisconsin prompted the United States Department of Transportation Pipeline and Hazardous Safety Administration (PHSMA) to order Enbridge to submit plans to improve the safety of the Lakehead System.
Sierra Club notes additional concerns. Much more info at the link than I can post here.
http://www.sierraclub.org/wisconsin/blog/2016/03/1-million-more-barrels-oil-flowing-through-wisconsin
More oil means more pipelines
Together, these pipelines could bring up to 1 million more barrels of oil into Superior. That oil will not stay there. Like Enbridge’s other expansion plans, this oil will have to move through Wisconsin, to the south—requiring a new pipeline south of Superior.
Enbridge has started the first steps to building another pipeline through the heart of Wisconsin, calling it a Line-61 twin, meaning they will likely build another pipeline right next to the existing Line 61. When complete, Line 61 will be the largest tar sands pipeline in the world, outside of Russia. We could soon have the two largest pipelines in the world outside of Russia, right next to each other—two pipelines going through the St. Croix River (a National Scenic and Wildlife River), the Wisconsin River, the Rock River, and the other important areas in Wisconsin. ‘Twinning’ the pipeline means twinning the threat that is posed through Wisconsin.
In the Environmental Impact Statement, the DNR did not consider the environmental concerns about the Line 61-twin. However, if the DNR permits these two pipelines, Enbridge will need to build a pipeline to move this oil. The DNR should study all three pipelines as one project.
These pipelines are all risk and no reward for Wisconsin.
A recently released report from the National Academy of Sciences examined the difference between tar sands oil and traditional oil. It found that cleaning up a tar sands spill in a waterway is significantly more difficult and potentially up to 14.5 times more expensive than cleaning up a non-tar sands oil spill. The disastrous Enbridge Line 6B tar sands spill in Michigan in 2010 made it clear that even a smaller rupture with a quicker response time in the Wisconsin River, Rock River, or the St. Croix River (a National Scenic and Wildlife River) could be devastating. The DNR needs to scrutinize how spills would be cleaned up, the permanent damage to waterways, and the impacts to Wisconsin’s economy. The DNR’s review does not consider how difficult (or impossible) it could be to clean up a spill if it were to occur under snow or ice.
Enbridge pipeline plan in northern Wisconsin prompts concerns
http://www.jsonline.com/news/statepolitics/enbridge-pipeline-plan-in-northern-wisconsin-prompts-concerns-b99681508z1-371225671.html?ipad=y
Enbridge Energy Co., which wants to expand pipeline capacity in northern Wisconsin, is drawing concerns because of the company's operating history of spills and other problems.
A new state report says the company has had 85 oil spills over the past decade, although most were considered small.
The Department of Natural Resources has released an environmental-impact statement on the project in Douglas County. It concluded that a spill of 500 gallons or more would have a "substantial" impact on water resources and endangered species and habitat, meaning leaking oil could remain in the environment for up to a year.
The report, more than 600 pages long, analyzes potential impacts of a 14-mile-long project that environmentalists say has statewide implications.
Enbridge has a history of spills. First Nations have been working nationally and together across the border to educate and oppose these potentially devastating pipeline expansions.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/georgianne-nienaber/first-nation-riders-protest_b_4014538.html
Enbridge does not have a stellar maintenance record.
843,000 gallons spilled from an Enbridge pipeline into Michigan’s Kalamazoo River in 2010. The Environmental Protection Association estimates that now, three years after the spill, 280,000 gallons still remain in the river.
In 2002 an Enbridge pipeline dumped 48,000 gallons of oil west of Cass Lake Minnesota. On site monitoring indicates continuing crude oil contamination of the groundwater aquifer today.
A 50,000-gallon spill in 2012 near Grand Marsh Wisconsin prompted the United States Department of Transportation Pipeline and Hazardous Safety Administration (PHSMA) to order Enbridge to submit plans to improve the safety of the Lakehead System.
Sierra Club notes additional concerns. Much more info at the link than I can post here.
http://www.sierraclub.org/wisconsin/blog/2016/03/1-million-more-barrels-oil-flowing-through-wisconsin
More oil means more pipelines
Together, these pipelines could bring up to 1 million more barrels of oil into Superior. That oil will not stay there. Like Enbridge’s other expansion plans, this oil will have to move through Wisconsin, to the south—requiring a new pipeline south of Superior.
Enbridge has started the first steps to building another pipeline through the heart of Wisconsin, calling it a Line-61 twin, meaning they will likely build another pipeline right next to the existing Line 61. When complete, Line 61 will be the largest tar sands pipeline in the world, outside of Russia. We could soon have the two largest pipelines in the world outside of Russia, right next to each other—two pipelines going through the St. Croix River (a National Scenic and Wildlife River), the Wisconsin River, the Rock River, and the other important areas in Wisconsin. ‘Twinning’ the pipeline means twinning the threat that is posed through Wisconsin.
In the Environmental Impact Statement, the DNR did not consider the environmental concerns about the Line 61-twin. However, if the DNR permits these two pipelines, Enbridge will need to build a pipeline to move this oil. The DNR should study all three pipelines as one project.
These pipelines are all risk and no reward for Wisconsin.
A recently released report from the National Academy of Sciences examined the difference between tar sands oil and traditional oil. It found that cleaning up a tar sands spill in a waterway is significantly more difficult and potentially up to 14.5 times more expensive than cleaning up a non-tar sands oil spill. The disastrous Enbridge Line 6B tar sands spill in Michigan in 2010 made it clear that even a smaller rupture with a quicker response time in the Wisconsin River, Rock River, or the St. Croix River (a National Scenic and Wildlife River) could be devastating. The DNR needs to scrutinize how spills would be cleaned up, the permanent damage to waterways, and the impacts to Wisconsin’s economy. The DNR’s review does not consider how difficult (or impossible) it could be to clean up a spill if it were to occur under snow or ice.
March 29, 2016
Hundreds attended the House Elections Committee hearing on Monday. Some took to the podium to express their frustration. One woman accused election officials of purposely limiting polling places in areas with large populations of poor and minority voters, while another spoke about how she saw voters leave because they didn't have time to wait in the long lines. And some called on Purcell to resign.
Maricopa County Supervisor Steve Gallardo said another day of voting should take place "because there were a number of people that were disenfranchised."
"They did everything they were supposed to do," Gallardo said. "They registered to vote on time. They looked up to find out where they needed to go. They showed up on time. Unfortunately, they were not able to make it all the way up to the polling booth for a number of reasons."
Michael Martinez, director of legislative affairs for the Arizona Students' Association, accused election officials of engaging in "a systematic effort" to eliminate polling places in areas with large populations of Latino and low income families. In doing so, he said officials "made it more difficult for people of color and people who are below the poverty line to actually have their voices heard."
Arizona: At Hearing, Latinos Demand Answers to Primary Voting Problems
http://www.nbcnews.com/news/latino/arizona-hearing-latinos-demand-answers-primary-voting-problems-n547131Hundreds attended the House Elections Committee hearing on Monday. Some took to the podium to express their frustration. One woman accused election officials of purposely limiting polling places in areas with large populations of poor and minority voters, while another spoke about how she saw voters leave because they didn't have time to wait in the long lines. And some called on Purcell to resign.
Maricopa County Supervisor Steve Gallardo said another day of voting should take place "because there were a number of people that were disenfranchised."
"They did everything they were supposed to do," Gallardo said. "They registered to vote on time. They looked up to find out where they needed to go. They showed up on time. Unfortunately, they were not able to make it all the way up to the polling booth for a number of reasons."
Michael Martinez, director of legislative affairs for the Arizona Students' Association, accused election officials of engaging in "a systematic effort" to eliminate polling places in areas with large populations of Latino and low income families. In doing so, he said officials "made it more difficult for people of color and people who are below the poverty line to actually have their voices heard."
March 28, 2016
Partners Anton and Stephen support Bernie
CWA is the Communications Workers of America.
The picture is from Sanders' rally in Seattle's Key Arena.
And the ILWU!
https://www.ilwu.org/senator-bernie-sanders-visits-ilwu/
Oh, wait that was Sanders being active for people's issues before the campaign got rolling.
Here's more info about Sanders support in Richmond for the people and the pro-union City Council and an article about the outcome there.
http://billmoyers.com/2014/10/30/sanders-richmond-speech/
http://www.sfgate.com/bayarea/article/Chevron-s-3-million-backfires-in-Richmond-5873779.php
Here's their endorsement:
http://www.commondreams.org/news/2016/03/25/because-hes-best-candidate-working-families-sanders-nabs-another-union-endorsement
Maybe, ask these folks?
Partners Anton and Stephen support Bernie
CWA is the Communications Workers of America.
The picture is from Sanders' rally in Seattle's Key Arena.
And the ILWU!
https://www.ilwu.org/senator-bernie-sanders-visits-ilwu/
Senator Bernie Sanders visits ILWU
OCTOBER 20, 2014 11:44 AM
Only a few U.S. Senators have consistently stood with the ILWU and working families against powerful corporate interests, and Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders is one of the best. Never afraid to criticize Wall Street or advocate for unions, Sanders in an “independent” who calls-out the sell-outs in Washington. In mid-October he came to Richmond, CA to rally citizens against the Chevron Corporation’s attempt to buy City Council votes with $3 million in campaign cash – and replace the progressive, pro-union City Council members with a company-backed slate. The next day he visited with union leaders, including ILWU International President Bob McEllrath and Secretary-Treasurer Willie Adams, before making a speech to hundreds at a nearby church. Some are urging Sanders to run in the Presidential primary against Hillary Clinton who is backed by Wall Street, supports free trade agreements, and other corporate priorities.
OCTOBER 20, 2014 11:44 AM
Only a few U.S. Senators have consistently stood with the ILWU and working families against powerful corporate interests, and Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders is one of the best. Never afraid to criticize Wall Street or advocate for unions, Sanders in an “independent” who calls-out the sell-outs in Washington. In mid-October he came to Richmond, CA to rally citizens against the Chevron Corporation’s attempt to buy City Council votes with $3 million in campaign cash – and replace the progressive, pro-union City Council members with a company-backed slate. The next day he visited with union leaders, including ILWU International President Bob McEllrath and Secretary-Treasurer Willie Adams, before making a speech to hundreds at a nearby church. Some are urging Sanders to run in the Presidential primary against Hillary Clinton who is backed by Wall Street, supports free trade agreements, and other corporate priorities.
Oh, wait that was Sanders being active for people's issues before the campaign got rolling.
Here's more info about Sanders support in Richmond for the people and the pro-union City Council and an article about the outcome there.
http://billmoyers.com/2014/10/30/sanders-richmond-speech/
http://www.sfgate.com/bayarea/article/Chevron-s-3-million-backfires-in-Richmond-5873779.php
Here's their endorsement:
http://www.commondreams.org/news/2016/03/25/because-hes-best-candidate-working-families-sanders-nabs-another-union-endorsement
With the endorsement from ILWU, which represents 50,000 workers in California, Oregon, Washington, Alaska, and Hawaii, Sanders has now nabbed the support of five national unions.
"Bernie Sanders is the best candidate for America's working families," said ILWU International President Robert McEllrath.
"Bernie is best on the issues that matter most to American workers: better trade agreements, support for unions, fair wages, tuition for students and public colleges, Medicare for all, fighting a corrupt campaign finance system, and confronting the power of Wall Street that's making life harder for most Americans," his statement continues.
Underscoring backing of rank-and-file union members, ILWU spokesman Craig Merrilees told the Huffington Post, "The support was significant at the grassroots level," adding, "Many local bodies throughout the union had already recommended endorsements."
"Bernie Sanders is the best candidate for America's working families," said ILWU International President Robert McEllrath.
"Bernie is best on the issues that matter most to American workers: better trade agreements, support for unions, fair wages, tuition for students and public colleges, Medicare for all, fighting a corrupt campaign finance system, and confronting the power of Wall Street that's making life harder for most Americans," his statement continues.
Underscoring backing of rank-and-file union members, ILWU spokesman Craig Merrilees told the Huffington Post, "The support was significant at the grassroots level," adding, "Many local bodies throughout the union had already recommended endorsements."
March 25, 2016
Important WA caucus info. Read espec. if registered early
I noticed the following info about caucus location changes STILL being made tucked into an article about the letter one Sanders supporter received.
I haven't seen this info posted separately and thought it important to post.
Please, double check your email and caucus location, especially if you registered early to attend.
http://www.king5.com/news/politics/national/sanders-campaign-clinton-letter-with-wrong-caucus-location-not-malicious/102211792
The party is still making caucus location changes, Raad said. Voters who pre-registered can expect to get an email with instructions regarding their final location once it’s set.
Raad said because this process is run largely through volunteers, some potential sites have fallen through or changed for various reasons. This most affects people who registered weeks ago.
March 23, 2016
For weeks, some Democrats have been sounding the alarm about not enough polling places in Maricopa County for Tuesday's presidential primary.
They warned that reducing the number of polling places from 200 during the 2012 primary election to 60 would mean long lines and discourage people from voting.
They said the fact that some predominantly Latino areas got one or none polling places essentially translates into voter suppression.
Before, it was easy to dismiss their claims as pure conspiracy theories. It was difficult to fathom that Maricopa County election officials would purposely design a plan to keep people, especially minorities, away from the polls.
Well, think what you may. But the fact is that voting on Tuesday turned into long waits and traffic nightmares near some polling places, proving their case.
http://www.phoenixnewtimes.com/news/arizona-voters-brave-long-lines-for-presidential-preference-election-8159491
But the state Democratic Party sent an e-mail to constituents asking them to send their election-day stories for a complaint that would be submitted to the Arizona Secretary of State's Office. Enrique Gutierrez, Arizona Democratic Party spokesman, said some Democrats waited in long lines — then were told they weren't really Democrats when they tried to obtain a ballot.
"We've received complaints throughout the whole day of lifelong Democrats showing up to the polls and being told they are either independent or have no party affiliations," Gutierrez said. No official election complaint will be submitted — yet, he says. But the party will continue to gather information.
~~~
Arizona State Senator Martin Quezada (D-Maryvale) sent out a news release on Tuesday claiming that if only several bills he sponsored this year had been passed, the problems would have been fixed.
"We are learning a valuable lesson today at the expense of suppressing many votes," Quezada said. "I call on the state and the county to implement additional polling locations, particularly in districts where large numbers of minority voters [of both parties] are heavily reliant on public transportation and have limited time to cast their vote."
Disenfranchisement is wrong, period.
People should not have to spend all day and into the night waiting to vote.
We all need to support a better process and encourage people to participate and demand the system be improved, not just for this primary, but for the elections to come.
Despite Democrats' warnings, problems for Arizona voters in primary
http://www.azcentral.com/story/opinion/op-ed/elviadiaz/2016/03/22/maricopa-county-election-officials-writing-off-voters-you-bet/82145554/For weeks, some Democrats have been sounding the alarm about not enough polling places in Maricopa County for Tuesday's presidential primary.
They warned that reducing the number of polling places from 200 during the 2012 primary election to 60 would mean long lines and discourage people from voting.
They said the fact that some predominantly Latino areas got one or none polling places essentially translates into voter suppression.
Before, it was easy to dismiss their claims as pure conspiracy theories. It was difficult to fathom that Maricopa County election officials would purposely design a plan to keep people, especially minorities, away from the polls.
Well, think what you may. But the fact is that voting on Tuesday turned into long waits and traffic nightmares near some polling places, proving their case.
http://www.phoenixnewtimes.com/news/arizona-voters-brave-long-lines-for-presidential-preference-election-8159491
But the state Democratic Party sent an e-mail to constituents asking them to send their election-day stories for a complaint that would be submitted to the Arizona Secretary of State's Office. Enrique Gutierrez, Arizona Democratic Party spokesman, said some Democrats waited in long lines — then were told they weren't really Democrats when they tried to obtain a ballot.
"We've received complaints throughout the whole day of lifelong Democrats showing up to the polls and being told they are either independent or have no party affiliations," Gutierrez said. No official election complaint will be submitted — yet, he says. But the party will continue to gather information.
~~~
Arizona State Senator Martin Quezada (D-Maryvale) sent out a news release on Tuesday claiming that if only several bills he sponsored this year had been passed, the problems would have been fixed.
"We are learning a valuable lesson today at the expense of suppressing many votes," Quezada said. "I call on the state and the county to implement additional polling locations, particularly in districts where large numbers of minority voters [of both parties] are heavily reliant on public transportation and have limited time to cast their vote."
Disenfranchisement is wrong, period.
People should not have to spend all day and into the night waiting to vote.
We all need to support a better process and encourage people to participate and demand the system be improved, not just for this primary, but for the elections to come.
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