A budget proposal - illustrated with cookies

It can't help but be oversimplified, but here's an animated attempt to show how we can shift some spending from the military to social issues without giving up security. And it's Ben Cohen of Ben & Jerry's speaking.

Ben Cohen US budget cookie video

I don't know anything about True Majority Action, but I'm happy to hear this kind of message.

Grim Iraq assessment

The New York Times (and many other papers) have news about a classified National Intelligence Estimate on Iraq. It outlines the likely possibilities for Iraq through the end of 2005. The best outcome is the status quo with little stability. The worst outcome? Civil war. So much for a smooth switchover to democracy.

http://www.nytimes.com/2004/09/16/politics/16intel.html

The tone of this estimate is very different from recent Bush administration public statements. Perhaps the plan is to think only happy thoughts about Iraq, then everything will be ok.

More reasons to ignore the polls

Here's an article about how the Gallup poll may be making some bad assumptions. Gallup assuming that "40% of those turning out to vote will be Republicans, and only 33% will be Democrat". But according to Zogby,

If we look at the three last Presidential elections, the spread was 34% Democrats, 34% 
Republicans and 33% Independents (in 1992 with Ross Perot in the race); 39% Democrats, 34% 
Republicans, and 27% Independents in 1996; and 39% Democrats, 35% Republicans and 26% 
Independents in 2000.

Here's a link to the article:

http://www.theleftcoaster.com/archives/002806.html

If Gallup is wrong, this election might be a landslide for Kerry. It's not enough to hope though; donate, spread the word, write letters, and show up to vote.