Please listen to Rabbi Daniel Lapin's interview with Stefan Sharkansky on the Toward Tradition radio show. Works best in Windows Media Player... fast forward to minute 6.
The Rabbi was so interested in the topic, and blogging in particular, that he asked Stefan to continue into the next hour, very unusual in radio and for that show in particular. I've worked with Rabbi Lapin for a while and sat in... I was not expecting to be asked any questions; it shows. Stefan did a great job. (I've subbed call-screening for the Michael Medved show in that same studio, but never have been on the mic).
The other radio shows where you've heard Stefan have focused almost solely on details of the controversy. That's fine, of course, and this interview does that, but also gives you a better chance to know a little more about the people behind the blog.
Both Stefan and the Rabbi (who spoke at the Supreme Court swearing-in today) will address the rally tomorrow. Be sure to say hello!
UPDATE: There was a hosting problem with the audio file: rectified now!
Posted by Brian Crouch at January 10, 2005 07:09 PM | Email ThisDear MoveOn member:
Thanks to help from MoveOn members and many others, Christine Gregoire has finally won the Washington governor's race, fair and square. But, her Republican opponent refuses to give up, bent on overturning the election. Dino Rossi has no constitutional leg to stand on but he is continuing to try to make Gregoire's victory seem illegitimate. Tomorrow, as the state Legislature certifies the election as fair and complete, Rossi is holding a Rally in Olympia to press his case. The Washington State Democrats are asking your help to attend a counterrally, to urge your legislator to certify the vote, and to write to local papers.
Read the Democrats' alert below, and then read on for a thank-you letter from Governor-Elect Gregoire to MoveOn members for their support in her victory.
It was sent by a Adam Ruben, MoveOn PAC
Is this Adam-dude even a Washington resident???
Is this Adam-dude being paid by that real rich guy???
My buddy's response is a classic that ends with:
"Is Democrat just another word for Hypocrite??? If this is your stance, SHAME ON ALL DEMS!!!!!!!
Actually, we will find that many, many lifelong Dems actually hold their Party to a high standard. Ms. Gregoire (NOT GOVERNOR) will find that out in the re-vote.
King County is in denial and attending voters anonymous meetings with the Dem's. Or was that anonymous voters meetings. Expect the same ol' same ol' come Nov. They might purge a few dead people and call it reform.
Posted by: Mike J on January 10, 2005 08:43 PMAttached to the MoveOn.org e-mail I posted previously was the following:
WASHINGTON STATE DEMOCRATS' ALERT:
Let the Legislature hear your voice
rally at the Capitol Tuesday morning
On Tuesday, January 11th, the legislature is scheduled to certify Chris Gregoire as governor. But Republicans are pulling out the stops to block this. They have blanketed the state with a media blitz of TV, radio and newspaper ads. And they claim they'll have as many as 10,000 supporters at the State Capitol on Tuesday to protest and delay Governor-elect Gregoire's certification.
We need a loud chorus to challenge them. Tell the Republicans it's time for Rossi to concede, and let the legislature know it's time to start moving Washington forward.
Here's how you can help:
1. Come to the Tuesday rally in Olympia. Here are the details:
Tuesday, January 11th 10:30AM
State Capitol, Olympia Washington
Story Pole on the north side of the Capitol Campus
2. Let your legislator know how you feel, either by calling the Legislative Hotline at 1-800-562-6000 tomorrow morning (before the certification vote).
3. Write letters to your newspapers and e-mail your friends,
Republicans are working to undermine the legitimate results of the most accurate election in Washington's history. We need your help to stop them.
To RSVP for the rally, or for questions, contact Chris Hayler chrish@wa-democrats.org or 206-328-2969.
By refusing to concede, Rossi is doing exactly what he has accused Gregoire of doing--ignoring the law and the will of the people. Moreover, while congressional Republicans unfairly attacked Senator Barbara Boxer and her objection to the Ohio presidential vote last week as trying to overthrow the election, their criticisms would be more fairly aimed at their own candidate in Washington.
Thank you very much. Sincerely,
Adam Ruben
MoveOn PAC
December 10, 2004
PS Here is Christine Gregoire's letter to MoveOn:
Dear MoveOn:
I am deeply grateful for your generous support of the Democratic Party's efforts to fund a statewide hand recount of the governor's race. Your contribution of $250,000 ensured this process was able to move forward. Your dedication to having every vote count is allowing the citizens of Washington State to have full confidence in the election results.
I am proud of the Democratic Party, our friends and supporters. Our insistence that every vote be counted is right. It aims to strengthen our democracy and restore a sense of fairness to the process. Only a hand count will ensure that whoever wins this election will have legitimacy.
At this time of year, I'm reminded how forunate I am to have the friendship and support of so many. My family and I are grateful to you and wish you all the best in the New Year.
With warm regards,
Chris
NOTE BY MR. CYNICAL--
All I can say is GAG ME WITH A FORK!!!!
Pat Sullivan
State Representative
47th District
Thank you very much for your message.
It is unfortunate there were a number of errors in the election process in King County and in a number of counties across the state. I share the frustration from the recent election. Some citizens have called for not certifying the election results for the race for Governor and others have requested a revote.
The certification of the Governor's race has already occurred. The 39 county auditors and our Secretary of State Sam Reed (a Republican) certified the race after the manual recount. The Speaker of the House and Secretary of the Senate, as a matter of formality, sign official documents that they have received the certified results.
The call for a revote through the legislative process, while tempting, raises a number of concerns. The greatest concern is the precedent that would be set by the Legislature if we were to legislate a revote.
The King County elections division had many serious problems 2 years ago with the absentee ballots. Some voters received their ballots days before the election, some received them after the election, and some simply never received them at all. I ran for the Legislature during that election and lost by 90 votes. Many people from the district were not allowed to vote because they did not get their ballots. Some suggested that I challenge the election because I would have won with a larger turnout. It was a very difficult time for me, but I decided not to take any action and move on.
If the partisan Legislature (and I believe it is too partisan many times) is allowed to call for a revote, we open the door to this process for any future elections. My race or any similar situation, for example, could have led to a challenge and for the Legislature to call
for a revote.
I believe every election should be decided by the voters. But if there are concerns that fraud or gross errors occurred, the impartial courts should look into the allegations, not the partisan Legislature. The Rossi campaign has filed their action in Superior Court and the Supreme Court will undoubtedly take up this issue. I will abide by and support
the court's decision after they have carefully and impartially reviewed this case.
I appreciate hearing from you on this important issue and hope that you will share your thoughts and ides with me on how best to make sure this situation does not happen again. I look forward to working on election reform in our state to regain the confidence of our voters.
Sincerely,
Pat Sullivan
State Representative
47th District
Since you work with the show maybe you can answer a question for me. What is the advantage for Towards Tradition to post that audio file as as streaming only? Why cant they offer it in a format that would allow me to download it and listen to it away from my computer? I LOVE Daniel Lapin, I just dont have time that I can sit in front of a computer just to listen to a show, :(
Christian
Posted by: Christian on January 12, 2005 06:11 AM