What does this mean? I don’t know, but I thought I would share this this photo plucked out of the archive (carefully housed in a few cardboard boxes in the back of a closet) yesterday while musing about the next week at the Democratic Convention in Denver. It was taken about 20 years ago while visiting Boston. I’m feeling like that period of temporary sanity must have ended before I applied for convention blogging credentials.

Metrohikers have compiled an unauthorized “insiders guide” to the Democratic National Convention, which will give you some idea of the number of activities going on simultaneously through the week. Progressive Democrats of America have their own parallel agenda.

And for another view of the week, check out DNC Disruptions ’08, which includes a look at Denver’s now infamous new temporary detention center prepared specially for convention goers.

Thanks to Hunter Bishop on the Big Island for flagging a Denver Post story…

“about complaints that police are ignoring a local ordinance to make marijuana offenses the lowest law enforcement priority of the Denver police department. A panel set up to implement the ordinance wants police to go easy on attendees at the Democratic National Convention coming up in Denver but aren’t getting much cooperation.”

Anyway…Longtime Democratic Party activist Bart Dame has written a long analysis of problems at the State Office of Elections, which is posted on the Progressive Democrats of Hawaii blog. Bart’s concerns range from the recent confusion at the filing deadline to the selection and implementation of the new voting machine system. He’s been at this issue for a number of years and his observations are definitely worth reading.

In an email, Bart commented:

I really, really want to share my info, such as it is, so others can take on the worries and I can focus on other things. Or at least have other folks worrying alongside me.

I would LOVE to have the journalists review the linked Ohio and California Secretary of State reports and ask the Hawaii Office of Elections if they are taking steps to enact similar safeguards in Hawaii. (I already know the answer–I’ll write it on a piece of paper and put it in my top drawer. We can pull it out later as a test of my predictive abilitiies!)

Because Safe Vote was so effective a couple of years ago, I fear that people are assuming we are there looking our for Hawaii’s voters on election integrity and voting technology matters. Others have to step up because our core has gotten too busy with other things.

A Seattle Times story reports on the University of Washington’s success in banning plastic and styrofoam food containers and implements.

And welcome to another Feline Friday. August provides fine sleeping weather for cats, and ours have been enjoying it. Here’s a shot of Leo and Duke crashed in our bedroom. Kili and Annie usually occupy the bed, so the big boys are relegated to the floor. So it goes in cat land. In any case, click on the photo for a few more.