My Lawyer Is Carrying Her Passport -- Just In Case She Wants to Go to Canada

Working the polls today, I had the pleasure of logging in my lawyer. She's just a garden variety family-law lawyer, not high profile, but very good and reputable in this town.

Since Michigan has decided to address the complete absence of voter fraud with a photo id requirement, all voters must present a picture identification.


My lawyer and her husband presented their passports.


It may be significant that the couple is Jewish--they are prepared for the worst, and view Pakistan's treatment of lawyers with trepidation. And Canada is 50 minutes away by car. But it's got to be troubling that they feel it's wise to be ready to go at a moment's notice.


God Save America! Please!

Hopefully there will be a chance to sneak out if necessary.
Sad and troubling times indeed.

With the anti-illegal alien crackdown going on, there's been a sudden flood of Hispanics showing up in Windsor claiming refugee status from "ethnic persecution" or something. And apparently some rumours in South Florida and elsewhere that Canada actively welcomes refugees has caused more people to enter Canada illegally...that's a bit interesting when you think about it.

The poll worker asked about it, saying that a driver's license or state issued ID would have been sufficient. I said that these days, I feel the need to prove US citizenship as well as my identity. He said he understood completely.

He then asked if I wanted a paper ballot or would I like to use the electronic touch screen; when I just glared at him, he reached for a Scantron form and said with a rueful grin, "Country regs say I have to ask. Oddly enough, I've not had any takers on that all day."

I will cry when, next year, my county eliminates all polling places and goes to totally unaccountable all mail-in ballots.

Why would anyone want to do that when paper is so easy?

And need to put in for a new one as mine expires in 2008

news from Pakistan and my first thought was - so that is who will be going in to our new maintained, but empty prisons. The lawyers and some of the people they were defending?

The right wing plan of 30+ years has been to groom people for all jobs civic to federal and jobs within school boards and planning commissions. From local employee or elected official to editors of papers and new directors.

Of all the approaches to taking over this country - they have hit lawyers and the courts with the heaviest blow. From the Supreme Court down.

If I were a lawyer, especially one fighting them, I would have my papers ready, but in the six years we've observed the attacks on our own - Canada has been moving from being a possible refuge to an Echelon partner with the neo-cons. Spying, serving, cooperating. Our vpp tells them who to pick up and keep out. Not such a great choice, but a possibility if you only have to cross a near border.

North American Union thing gets into full swing, it will make no difference if you are here or there.

All the polls indicate that Harper is not popular, but not unpopular at the same time. Right now the government is in a minority situation and, in theory, cannot govern too rightward. The problem is, the Liberals have a leader who simply isn't leading, has no charisma, has an image of a loser, and for weeks they have been bust ripping themselves apart. A few Liberal politicians switched to Conservative, and in some by-elections (or special elections if you want to call them that) the Liberals lost a seat that they had been holding for 80 years. It's like if a Democrat were to win in a special election in Idaho. This left the Liberals in an extremely tight situation, and the government dared them to not oppose their agenda or they would call an election. Given this situation, the Liberals could not afford an election, and for several important votes the entire party simply abstained (and as a result were ridiculed as losers). As a result, Harper is essentially able to rule as a majority. Unfortunately, it doesn't seem like there are any Liberals who could act as a fresh face and get their act together...and the clock's ticking.