Newfoundland: New items in the news

My head is spinning and my inbox is exploding with information that keeps pouring in--maps, iq charts, news articles, blogs (woo-hoo!)--which show the current political situation in historical perspective, in geographic perspective, in 3-D, in comic relief (and none of them are very flattering, I assure you). But I'd like to achieve something like a sense of synthesis, and maybe we can help one another on this. Here are some of the most provocative things I've seen recently:

ON VOTING FRAUD:

I am super-concerned by the reports on possible election fraud, for example, such as the one published on the Truthout website (thanks, Dad!) and also on the Common Dreams site (thanks, Ann!). Are these crazily sensational? I know anecdotally I've heard about voting problems in Florida and Ohio, but this blows anecdote away, I fear. I've just been exploring Truthout and Common Dreams, and both of them are very provocative, very interesting sites.

ON HOW WE LOOK FROM AFAR:

Not so hot, apparently. There's an incredible editorial in the Guardian by Robin Cook, the politician who resigned his position in the government in protest of Iraq, I believe. He is sympathetic but alarmed.

Although thanks to Ann again, there are still a few ways to laugh, it would seem. You should definitely check out sorryeverybody for a bittersweet chuckle and feelings of solidarity.

ON WHAT'S WRONG WITH OUR SYSTEM:

Have you seen this video clip of Jon Stewart on Crossfire? They hate him. It's a kind of amazing exchange on the powers and responsibilities of the media. I hope this link works, but you can find it by googling Jon Stewart and Crossfire and then looking for the ifilm link.

ON WHY WE DON'T HAVE TO MOVE TO CANADA IMMEDIATELY:

John Kerry wrote a letter to his supporters, a sign-off email of sorts, and this website quotes the letter and replies, quirkily and concernedly. Funny, poignant, and found by Stephanie:

Michael Moore gives us 17 reasons, supposedly, not to slit our wrists. I'm convinced by some of them. One wrist only?

But then there's the astute historical perspective of John Cavanaugh, director of the Institute for Policy Studies, which gives some hope, too. Are these kinds of analyses consolatory? I keep wondering whether this situation is really extraordinary, or whether we are simply experiencing it as such. I tend to conclude the former, but what do I know, really?

This is of course an incredibly limited choice; feel free to add things, or to make comments! I LEARNED HOW TO INSERT HYPERTEXT. Now I feel like everything will be okay for the next four years.