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Charges dropped against woman who registered her dog to vote
Criminal charges were dismissed Monday against Jane Balogh, the Federal Way woman who registered her dog to vote — but not without a hiccup along the way.
King County District Court Judge Mariane Spearman dropped a misdemeanor charge of making a false or misleading statement to a public servant, based on Balogh's completion of the terms of a plea agreement reached in September 2007.
Balogh, 67, a grandmother and Army veteran, paid $240 in court costs and completed 10 hours of community service at the Tacoma Rescue Mission.
She registered her Australian shepherd-terrier mix as a voter in protest of what she contends are lax standards for voters to prove their identity and citizenship. She used a utility bill in the dog's name — Duncan M. MacDonald — as identification.
Balogh made no attempt to hide the deception after the fact, telling a number of elected officials what she had done and putting a pawprint instead of a signature on an absentee-ballot envelope. She didn't try to vote using the dog's registration.
Monday's court action resolved an apparent clerical glitch that led the court to conclude in May that Balogh had failed to pay court costs or begin doing community service. One day after a May 29 hearing, Balogh sent the court a copy of the check with which she paid the $240 in court costs Sept. 5, 2007. The check cleared two days later.
Balogh apparently failed to comply with the part of her plea deal that said she would complete 10 hours of community service "at agreed upon location to be provided within 6 mos." She said Monday she didn't have a copy of the final plea agreement and didn't realize she was supposed to obtain court approval of a community-service site by March.
At the court's urging, she paid an attorney $1,000 to represent her Monday.
Balogh said she was saddened by her difficulties with the court and her failure to get any elected officials to respond to her letters and phone calls complaining that current state laws make it too easy for an undocumented worker or a nonexistent person to be added to the voting rolls.
"I'm a nobody. I'm just a plain old lady who loves her country and nobody is responding," Balogh said. "What does it take to get somebody to listen?
"You tell me why, when you have such a broken system, not a county, state nor local politician — no one — bothered to contact me and say, 'Hey, Mrs. Balogh, you're right, things are a little shaky.' "
Dan Donohoe, spokesman for King County Prosecuting Attorney Dan Satterberg, declined to comment on the case Monday. Satterberg authorized the plea deal last year, saying it held Balogh accountable "but it doesn't go overboard" by leaving a criminal conviction on her record. Criminal charges were dismissed Monday against Jane Balogh, the Federal Way woman who registered her dog to vote — but not without a h... more -
Iraq War Veterans Testify about War Crimes
Winter Soldier Conference sponsored by IVAW and Democracy Now. Several soldiers detailing their time in Iraq
For the full clips and more please visit:
http://www.ivaw.org Winter Soldier Conference sponsored by IVAW and Democracy Now. Several soldiers detailing their time in Iraq ... more -
Religion in veteran health care
"Taxpayers cannot sue the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs for incorporating religion into its health care programs for the nation's veterans, an appeals court has ruled.
The 7th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled Tuesday the Madison-based Freedom From Religion Foundation and three of its members have no legal standing to bring the case.
The group was trying to end the department's practice of asking patients about their religion in "spiritual assessments," its use of chaplains to treat patients, and drug and alcohol treatment programs that incorporate religion. It claimed those practices violated the separation of church and state.
But the court ruled that federal taxpayers cannot challenge those expenditures. The court cited a U.S. Supreme Court decision last year in which the same group was not allowed to sue over President Bush's faith-based initiative.
In that case, the court ruled 5-4 the executive branch cannot be sued by taxpayers for expenses that allegedly promote religion. Cases can only be brought when the questionable expenditures are explicitly authorized in a congressional spending bill, the court ruled.
Congress never authorized spending on the chaplain services, pastoral care and other programs challenged, the 7th Circuit ruled.
Annie Laurie Gaylor, the foundation's co-president, criticized the ruling but said an appeal to the Supreme Court was unlikely. She said the group would look for VA patients who object to their treatment to be potential plaintiffs but said such a case would still be difficult to win.
"The courts are moving to the position where government can fund religious activities and endorse religion without restraint," she said. "It's really very disturbing."
The veterans agency, which treated 5.3 million people at its facilities in 2005, says it believes spirituality should be integrated into care, but it allows patients to decide whether that involves religion.
Its spiritual assessments ask patients a series of questions about their faith, such as how often they attend church and how important religion is in their lives. Agency officials say the assessments help them determine patients' needs."
What do you think? "Taxpayers cannot sue the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs for incorporating religion into its health care programs for the na... more -
Hate the War, but Love the Vets
Bill O'Reilly has been accused of saying nasty things about homeless veterans these days. Namely that they don't exist or are an unimportant problem. So on Valentine's Day, a group of them challenged him outside of News Corporation in New York City -- imploring him, politicians, and passerbys to show them some love. Bill O'Reilly has been accused of saying nasty things about homeless veterans these days. Namely that they don't exist or a... more
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Military Tribute
I originally created this as a Memorial Day Tribute last year (2007), however it is always appropriate to celebrate the service of American service members.
The first 2:22 minutes is me giving some backround on Memorial Day and talking about my service and that of my fellow soliders. You can skip it, but I think I am kind of interesting.
Anyway, the video is one of my most viewed YouTube posts. Enjoy and let me know what you think. I originally created this as a Memorial Day Tribute last year (2007), however it is always appropriate to celebrate the service of Ame... more -
O'Reilly Turns Away Homeless Vets Demanding Apology
I was there that day with the vets, capturing their stories, documenting their exchange in front of News Corporation. The next day, O'Reilly had spun it to look like... well, you already know how O'Reilly rolls. Let the vets speak for themselves. I was there that day with the vets, capturing their stories, documenting their exchange in front of News Corporation. The next day, O... more
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The Manoomin Project: Michigan teens, American Indians restore wild rice
(Marquette, Michigan) - The Manoomin Project is restoring wild rice to northern Michigan after the grain disappeared a century ago due to logging, pesticides and other manmade impact.
Over 100 at-risk teens are learning to respect themselves, nature and American Indian culture by planting more than one ton of wild rice during the past four summers. The teens also learn about social issues like racism against Native Americans.
The 2007 planting was delayed six weeks until November due to low water levels.
The teens first participate as part of juvenile court probation for minor crimes but many enjoy the project so much they return the next year.
Guides from several tribes volunteer to teach the teens how to take water samples, and about the historical and cultural importance of the grain that is used in many American Indian ceremonies.
The project was founded by the non-profit Cedar Tree Institute and the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community (KBIC).
Guides belong to KBIC, the Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa (Ottawa) Indians based in downstate Harbor Springs, Michigan, and the Bois Forte Band of Chippewa located close to International Falls, Minnesota near the Canadian border.
Rev. Jon Magnuson, project founder, praised the tribes for working with the teens, most of whom are white. The project includes classroom time, stress reduction exercises, and learning about social issues like prejudice against Native Americans.
In July 2007, the teens heard from Ojibwa elder and Vietnam War veteran Glen Bressette who explained he was the target of racism while their age and overcame problems familiar to the youth like substance abuse and scrapes with the law that included being shot at by police while stealing gas.
The teens witnessed Bressette have a dramatic flashback when a helicopter flew low and close to their meeting site along Lake Superior. He had been a gunner aboard a chopper in Vietnam.
American Indian guide Don Chosa said the teens carry hundreds of pounds of wild rice seeds for miles through thick forests and over mountains to get to seven secret remote planting sites along rivers and lakes. During the hikes, the teens have come upon bears, eagles and other wildlife.
An annual "Blessing of the Wild Rice" ceremony is held that includes American Indian food, songs, language, and prayers. If they want, the teens have the opportunity to learn about God and the environment but they are not forced to be be involved in any religious activities.
Manoomin Project volunteer media advisor Greg Peterson looks at the 2007 planting and four years of success. (Marquette, Michigan) - The Manoomin Project is restoring wild rice to northern Michigan after the grain disappeared a century ago due... more -
Top Ten Veteran's Day Movie Picks - From a Veteran
For Veteran's Day I asked my father, a former Marine and Vietnam Vet, to give me his top ten movie picks
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Auction up for Hitlers globe
The 91 year old veteran in possession of the globe grabbed it in the looting that followed the fall of Hitlers stronghold near the end of WWII The 91 year old veteran in possession of the globe grabbed it in the looting that followed the fall of Hitlers stronghold near the end... more
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Rest When You're Dead
Garth Stewart is a freshman at Columbia University. He is 23 and fought in the invasion of Iraq. This pod follows Garth as he speaks of his time in Iraq, his schoolwork, and his political aspirations. Garth Stewart is a freshman at Columbia University. He is 23 and fought in the invasion of Iraq. This pod follows Garth as he speaks o... more
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Drama King
Thomas G. Waites, Broadway veteran of the stage famous for his role in the cult classic, "The Warriors," imparts his wisdom on the young and restless of today's Hollywood. Thomas G. Waites, Broadway veteran of the stage famous for his role in the cult classic, "The Warriors," imparts his wisdom ... more
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Last known WWI soldier visits battlefield
He's 109 years old
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