Andrew Tomchik's Blog
About the Author
Ever since George W. Bush stole the 2000 election the words â��tyrantâ�� and â��dictatorâ�� have been used to describe him (I image that these terms have been used to describe all our Presidents, by someone or another). As his â��reignâ�� has progressed these terms of endearment seem increasingly applicable, but just exactly how amazingly accurate these terms are in describing George Bush is best seen when we examine the roots of these words. Analyzing the roots is more than just a fruitless mental game, but rather they provide us with an insight into ourselves and the precarious state in which our democracy exists. In the words of Karl Marx, "History repeats itself, first as a tragedy, second as a farce." Read More »
The following email was forwarded to me by Alan Brock, the President of the Florida Young Democrats (I removed his email for courtesy):
I am forwarding this email on to you, I hope the HTML comes through. From Senator Nelson to his supporters throughout Florida.
~Alan
President
Florida Young Democrats Read More »
I am forwarding this email on to you, I hope the HTML comes through. From Senator Nelson to his supporters throughout Florida.
~Alan
President
Florida Young Democrats Read More »
As Chair of your State Party, I will go before the Rules & Bylaws Committee of the Democratic National Committee (DNC) on Saturday to fight to preserve Florida's full and diverse representation in the presidential primary process.
Under the Rules, the DNC has the authority to slash the delegate voting power of states that hold unauthorized presidential primaries prior to February 5, 2008, essentially making their votes meaningless. Because the Republican-controlled state Legislature moved our state's primary to January 29, 2008, Florida Democrats may be subject to severe penalties.
On Saturday, we will make our case to the DNC. I'm going to fight to have Florida's votes counted, but in reality, I'm only one out of more than four million Florida Democrats. The DNC really needs to hear from people like you. Read More »
â��Anybody who campaigns in Florida is ineligible for Florida delegates,â�� Democratic National Committee Chairman Howard Dean said bluntly. This statement made me pause. What does it mean to â��campaign in Floridaâ��? This is not a rhetorical question I am asking, but a rather serious one. Surely Mr. Dean does not mean candidates are forbidden from entering the state of Florida. And similarly, it seems implausible that Democratic candidates for President will not be allowed to host fundraisers in Florida. Perhaps I am not aware of some specific rules that the DNC has put into place. What does it mean to â��campaign in Floridaâ��? If someone knows please let me know. Read More »
I, like many Democrats and Democratic-leaning citizens of Florida, have been watching the news with increasing alarm. Florida has officially moved up its Presidential Primary to January 29. In response, the Democratic National Committee has threatened to strip Florida of all its delegates, thereby Floridas primary essentially wont count, according to Chairman Howard Dean.
Now, unfortunately, we in Florida have become as accustomed to problems with exercising our right to vote as possible. I myself cast an absentee ballot in Broward County in the 2000 Presidential Election and was unable to vote in the 2006 Primary due to the Broward County Supervisor of Elections inability to send me an absentee ballot, despite two requests made a reasonable amount of time before the election. However, I never thought that the DNC themselves would be the ones responsible.
I do not hold any of the presidential candidates responsible, and I quite proud of our elected officials, Read More »
Now, unfortunately, we in Florida have become as accustomed to problems with exercising our right to vote as possible. I myself cast an absentee ballot in Broward County in the 2000 Presidential Election and was unable to vote in the 2006 Primary due to the Broward County Supervisor of Elections inability to send me an absentee ballot, despite two requests made a reasonable amount of time before the election. However, I never thought that the DNC themselves would be the ones responsible.
I do not hold any of the presidential candidates responsible, and I quite proud of our elected officials, Read More »
Join the climateprediction.net experiment!
What is climateprediction.net?
Climateprediction.net is the largest experiment to try and produce a forecast of the climate in the 21st century. To do this, we need people around the world to give us time on their computers - time when they have their computers switched on, but are not using them to their full capacity.
[read more about the experiment]
Why?
Climate change, and our response to it, are issues of global importance, affecting food production, water resources, ecosystems, energy demand, insurance costs and much else. There is a broad scientific consensus that the Earth will probably warm over the coming century; climateprediction.net should, for the first time, tell us what is most likely to happen.
[read more about climate science]
What do we want you to do?
You can download a climate model from this website. It will run automatically as a background process on your computer whenever you switch your computer on. It should not affect any other tasks you use your computer for. As the model runs, you can watch the weather patterns on your, unique, version of the world evolve. The results are sent back to us via the internet, and you will be able to see a summary of your results on this web site. Climateprediction.net uses the same underlying software, BOINC, as many other distributed computing projects. If you like, you can participate in more than one project at a time.
[go to BOINC/ climateprediction.net download page]
If you are in the climate research community and are interested in participating in the experiment in a research capacity, the research pages provide some basic background material.
If you decide to join make sure to join the Democratic Party team.
What is climateprediction.net?
Climateprediction.net is the largest experiment to try and produce a forecast of the climate in the 21st century. To do this, we need people around the world to give us time on their computers - time when they have their computers switched on, but are not using them to their full capacity.
[read more about the experiment]
Why?
Climate change, and our response to it, are issues of global importance, affecting food production, water resources, ecosystems, energy demand, insurance costs and much else. There is a broad scientific consensus that the Earth will probably warm over the coming century; climateprediction.net should, for the first time, tell us what is most likely to happen.
[read more about climate science]
What do we want you to do?
You can download a climate model from this website. It will run automatically as a background process on your computer whenever you switch your computer on. It should not affect any other tasks you use your computer for. As the model runs, you can watch the weather patterns on your, unique, version of the world evolve. The results are sent back to us via the internet, and you will be able to see a summary of your results on this web site. Climateprediction.net uses the same underlying software, BOINC, as many other distributed computing projects. If you like, you can participate in more than one project at a time.
[go to BOINC/ climateprediction.net download page]
If you are in the climate research community and are interested in participating in the experiment in a research capacity, the research pages provide some basic background material.
If you decide to join make sure to join the Democratic Party team.
All the Democratic Candidates for President have offered compelling visions of a country under his or [and I am proud to say] her leadership.
The question I intend to ask about these candidates is which and how much of their vision line up with the priorities and goals set out by BOINC. I going to look at the top three contenders in order of their popularity based upon the numerous polls streaming out, Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama, and John Edwards. And I do hope that any supporters, opponents, and anyone else please assist me in this process. We must know what an elected leaders in tends to with his or his office before we elect them, Democrat or no.
Now before I being I would like to point out determining "BOINC's" Goals and Priorities can be difficult. It is an open-source program designed to help any institution or organizational conduct research. That being said most of the projects which use BOINC stress research in the areas of physical and health science.
Hillary Clinton like the the other two candidates, in that see has made her support for universal health care clear. I could not find an official statement from her site so we will continue on to the next candidate, but please visit her website form more information at: HillaryClinton.com
Barack Obama seems to the have the plans that most thoroughly match the goals of BOINC. He are some quotes from his website:
"Encouraging Medical Information Technology
Every transaction consumers make at banks across the country costs them less than a penny. Yet, because we have not updated technology in the health care industry, a single transaction at a hospital still costs up to $25--not one dime of which goes toward improving care. The lack of modern, interoperable information technology at our hospitals costs in time, money, and medical errors. Senator Obama worked with Senator Harry Reid (D-NV) to introduce the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program Efficiency Act to leverage the federal government's purchasing power to encourage the development of health information technology. The bill would require medical insurance companies that deal with the federal government to implement an electronic system for efficient and effective settlement of medical claims.
"Empowering Health Care Consumers with Hospital Report Cards
Consumers do not have enough information to make good choices about their health care. Senator Obama introduced the Hospital Quality Report Card Act to require hospitals to report on the effectiveness, safety and timeliness of the care they provide. This legislation, which is similar to a bill that Barack Obama passed in the Illinois State Senate, would help patients make healthcare decisions and help providers and insurers get the right information to improve quality and contain costs.
"Harnessing the Power of Genetic Medicine
Genomics has the potential to revolutionize the practice of medicine, but despite significant scientific advances, very few genomics-based tests or treatments have reached consumers. Genomics could eventually help predict which Americans will get sick, diagnose illness earlier, and screen patients to determine which drugs will be effective and safe. Senator Obama introduced the Genomics and Personalized Medicine Act to overcome the scientific barriers, adverse market pressures, and outdated federal regulations that have stood in the way of better medicine.
"'The Obama bill accelerates advances in the beneficial applications of genetic technologies to human health, while ensuring appropriate safeguards for the quality of genetic testing. After decades of policy lagging behind genetic science, we are hopeful that discussion of this bill will jumpstart the setting of sound genetic public policy.'
- Kathy Hudson, Director, Genetics and Public Policy Center"
- BarackObama.com, 31 March 2007
To see Barack Obama's website simply go to: BarackObama.com
John Edwards like Hillary Clinton supports universial health care, and says on his website:
"Healthcare
John Edwards has a bold plan to transform America's health care system and provide universal health care for every man, woman and child in America.
Under the Edwards Plan:
* Families without insurance will get coverage at an affordable price.
* Families with insurance will pay less and get more security and choices.
* Businesses and other employers will find it cheaper and easier to insure their workers.
The Edwards Plan achieves universal coverage by:
* Requiring businesses and other employers to either cover their employees or help finance their health insurance.
* Making insurance affordable by creating new tax credits, expanding Medicaid and SCHIP, reforming insurance laws, and taking innovative steps to contain health care costs.
* Creating regional "Health Markets" to let every American share the bargaining power to purchase an affordable, high-quality health plan, increase choices among insurance plans, and cut costs for businesses offering insurance.
* Once these steps have been taken, requiring all American residents to get insurance.
Securing universal healthcare for every American will require the active involvement of millions of Americans."
- John Edwards for President-Health Care, 31 March 2007
To see Jon Edwards's website simply go to: JohnEdwards.com
I should finally note that there is no universal health care project in BOINC. That is because universal health care requires political will not technological progress; however I felt it is an issue that strives toward the same goal. There are numerous other issues in health that I glossed over. I would enjoy discussing these at greater length. However, since the goal of BOINC is research I would much to prefer to discuss what the candidates have in mind for research, in all areas of study.
The question I intend to ask about these candidates is which and how much of their vision line up with the priorities and goals set out by BOINC. I going to look at the top three contenders in order of their popularity based upon the numerous polls streaming out, Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama, and John Edwards. And I do hope that any supporters, opponents, and anyone else please assist me in this process. We must know what an elected leaders in tends to with his or his office before we elect them, Democrat or no.
Now before I being I would like to point out determining "BOINC's" Goals and Priorities can be difficult. It is an open-source program designed to help any institution or organizational conduct research. That being said most of the projects which use BOINC stress research in the areas of physical and health science.
Hillary Clinton like the the other two candidates, in that see has made her support for universal health care clear. I could not find an official statement from her site so we will continue on to the next candidate, but please visit her website form more information at: HillaryClinton.com
Barack Obama seems to the have the plans that most thoroughly match the goals of BOINC. He are some quotes from his website:
"Encouraging Medical Information Technology
Every transaction consumers make at banks across the country costs them less than a penny. Yet, because we have not updated technology in the health care industry, a single transaction at a hospital still costs up to $25--not one dime of which goes toward improving care. The lack of modern, interoperable information technology at our hospitals costs in time, money, and medical errors. Senator Obama worked with Senator Harry Reid (D-NV) to introduce the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program Efficiency Act to leverage the federal government's purchasing power to encourage the development of health information technology. The bill would require medical insurance companies that deal with the federal government to implement an electronic system for efficient and effective settlement of medical claims.
"Empowering Health Care Consumers with Hospital Report Cards
Consumers do not have enough information to make good choices about their health care. Senator Obama introduced the Hospital Quality Report Card Act to require hospitals to report on the effectiveness, safety and timeliness of the care they provide. This legislation, which is similar to a bill that Barack Obama passed in the Illinois State Senate, would help patients make healthcare decisions and help providers and insurers get the right information to improve quality and contain costs.
"Harnessing the Power of Genetic Medicine
Genomics has the potential to revolutionize the practice of medicine, but despite significant scientific advances, very few genomics-based tests or treatments have reached consumers. Genomics could eventually help predict which Americans will get sick, diagnose illness earlier, and screen patients to determine which drugs will be effective and safe. Senator Obama introduced the Genomics and Personalized Medicine Act to overcome the scientific barriers, adverse market pressures, and outdated federal regulations that have stood in the way of better medicine.
"'The Obama bill accelerates advances in the beneficial applications of genetic technologies to human health, while ensuring appropriate safeguards for the quality of genetic testing. After decades of policy lagging behind genetic science, we are hopeful that discussion of this bill will jumpstart the setting of sound genetic public policy.'
- Kathy Hudson, Director, Genetics and Public Policy Center"
- BarackObama.com, 31 March 2007
To see Barack Obama's website simply go to: BarackObama.com
John Edwards like Hillary Clinton supports universial health care, and says on his website:
"Healthcare
John Edwards has a bold plan to transform America's health care system and provide universal health care for every man, woman and child in America.
Under the Edwards Plan:
* Families without insurance will get coverage at an affordable price.
* Families with insurance will pay less and get more security and choices.
* Businesses and other employers will find it cheaper and easier to insure their workers.
The Edwards Plan achieves universal coverage by:
* Requiring businesses and other employers to either cover their employees or help finance their health insurance.
* Making insurance affordable by creating new tax credits, expanding Medicaid and SCHIP, reforming insurance laws, and taking innovative steps to contain health care costs.
* Creating regional "Health Markets" to let every American share the bargaining power to purchase an affordable, high-quality health plan, increase choices among insurance plans, and cut costs for businesses offering insurance.
* Once these steps have been taken, requiring all American residents to get insurance.
Securing universal healthcare for every American will require the active involvement of millions of Americans."
- John Edwards for President-Health Care, 31 March 2007
To see Jon Edwards's website simply go to: JohnEdwards.com
I should finally note that there is no universal health care project in BOINC. That is because universal health care requires political will not technological progress; however I felt it is an issue that strives toward the same goal. There are numerous other issues in health that I glossed over. I would enjoy discussing these at greater length. However, since the goal of BOINC is research I would much to prefer to discuss what the candidates have in mind for research, in all areas of study.
It has taken almost 3 years, but NASA has finally decided to repair the Hubble Telescope and provide much needed improvements. To read more please click here.
BOINC Democrats are individuals that are participating in, or are interested in participating in, the volunteer computing program BOINC. BOINC is a screensaver that uses that idle time on your computer to contribute your computer's resources to a worthwhile cause. The cause you want to participate in is entirely up to you.
Currently, you can help advance knowledge in Earth Sciences, Biology and Medicine, Astronomy/Physics/Chemistry, and/or Mathematics and strategy games, without lifting a finger!
Currently, you can help advance knowledge in Earth Sciences, Biology and Medicine, Astronomy/Physics/Chemistry, and/or Mathematics and strategy games, without lifting a finger!
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