a shout out to hannah kluger and

the rest of the brave AND moral AND smart other glastonbury high students who protested the IMMORAL, ILLEGAL AND UNJUST war in iraq (including mary-kate james, emily jessen). no other names were available in the article. i'm proud of you!

Students Protest The War In Iraq
By NOMAAN MERCHANT Courant Staff Writer
GLASTONBURY - — With the war in Iraq about to enter its sixth year, a group of students from Glastonbury High School made their voices heard Friday.About 25 of them braved cold, windy weather to attend a rally at the intersection of Main and Griswold streets, holding signs listing the war's costs and calling on politicians to recall U.S. troops."I just strongly believe that violence has to end," said senior Hannah Kluger, the rally's organizer. "And the war is costing a huge amount of money." Kluger talked about the rally to students in the school cafeteria and in hallways, in addition to printing fliers and creating a group on the social networking site Facebook. .......

a link to a post

from one of my favorite blogs. the cool justice report by andy thibault (even though this article is not by andy). andy is quite the renaissance man. i've never met him, but he and i both live in connecticut. i'm in the process of reading one of his books right now, law and justice in every day life. it's fascinating. i've told him i love reading the book, but the stories are scaring the HELL out of me (they deal for the most part with connecticut cases).

andy has taken up causes (i don't know if that's the correct terminology. i don't know if HE would describe it that way) from billy smolinski to avery doninger AND LOTS in between.

if i was ever in a jam, i hope i'd have someone like andy at my back


Column: Top Connecticut Lawyer Delineates Ethics Rules On Telling The Truth

Liar, Liar Pants on Fire: The Rules For Lawyers Have Changed" The lawyer is mandated to remedy the falsity, even if it means informing the court that the client is lying ... Thus it is not only truth by others, but as importantly, truth from attorneys that is mandated."By RICHARD MEEHAN The Cool Justice Report http://www.cooljustice.blogspot.com/
Feb. 15, 2008
EDITOR'S NOTE: This column is available for reprint courtesy of The Cool Justice Report, http://cooljustice.blogspot.com/
The Rules of Professional Conduct (RPC) are the Bible governing lawyer ethics. Despite the cynicism of some wags, we do try to police ourselves as a profession and adhere to a code that places respect for the process above all other considerations.Lawyers have always had an obligation to be truthful with the court. Overzealous representation should not lead to an attorney misrepresenting the facts or misleading a court on issues of legal authorities. Traditionally, the RPC required that an attorney not participate actively in presenting false testimony before a tribunal. That rule has been amended to demand even more of lawyers.Rule 1.6 of the RPC requires lawyers to maintain client confidences. The sanctity of the attorney client privilege is no less than the sanctity of the seal of the confessional between priests and penitents.But what is the lawyer's responsibility when he learns that a client has given false testimony? Does the privilege mandate attorney silence and allow a subversion of the truth finding purpose of the judicial process? No.................. (read the rest at the link above)

a shout out to

supervisory assistant state's attorney stephen preleski who charged (the ALLEGED) dog torturer with a crime that carries a stiff sentence. it's about time. animals suffer. there was NO justification for what was done to that dog. if indeed the dog bit the child (and i'm believing she did. HOWEVER, she was in a cage and from what i understand was ALMOST ALWAYS IN A CAGE), i blame the adults FULLY. i could accept having the dog put down (humanely) if she was vicious. i cannot and will not accept having holes drilled in her head. may the person responsible for this (the one accused is pleading NOT GUILTY BY THE WAY) serve the MAXIMUM time allowed by law (and have this stay with him for the rest of his life)
Animal Cruelty Defendant Denounced
Protesters Attend Court Hearing For Man Accused Of Drilling Holes In Pit Bull's Head
By DON STACOM Courant Staff Writer
BRISTOL — - Outraged by allegations that Severino Cruz drilled holes in a pit bull's head, dozens of animal rights advocates protested Thursday morning as Cruz appeared in Superior Court.Cruz, 32, pleaded not guilty to animal cruelty charges in a brief hearing, then walked with his lawyer through a crowd of angry protesters who shouted "killer." Cruz was initially charged last month with cruelty to animals and disorderly conduct after police in Plainville determined he bored holes into the dog's head because the dog bit his 8-year-old son. Supervisory Assistant State's Attorney Stephen Preleski on Thursday added a new, more serious charge against him: maliciously maiming or killing an animal. If Cruz is convicted of that felony charge, he could be fined $5,000 and sent to prison for up to five years."I reviewed the case and charged Mr. Cruz with what I feel are appropriate charges," Preleski said later. ....

YOUR (certainly not mine) senator, da liebs

voting for TORTURE. (imagine this happening to OUR men and women). so if this is ok, what's the NEXT step? the rack? the iron maiden?

Lieberman says some waterboarding OK
By PETER URBAN
Article Last Updated: 02/15/2008 01:39:42 AM EST
WASHINGTON — Connecticut Sen. Joe Lieberman reluctantly acknowledged Thursday that he does not believe waterboarding is torture, but believes the interrogation technique should be available only under the most extreme circumstances.
Lieberman was one of 45 senators who voted Wednesday in opposition to a bill that would limit the CIA to the 19 interrogation techniques outlined in the Army field manual. That manual prohibits waterboarding, a method where detainees typically are strapped to a bench and have water poured into their mouth and nose making them feel as if they will drown.
The Senate passed the measure.
"We are at war," Lieberman said. "I know enough from public statements made by Osama bin Laden and others as well as classified information I see to know the terrorists are actively planning, plotting to attack us again. I want our government to be able to gather information again within both the law and Geneva Convention."
In the worst case scenario — when there is an imminent threat of a nuclear attack on American soil — Lieberman said that the president should be able to certify the use of waterboarding on a detainee suspected of knowing vital details of the plot.......

if you're in the bristol area tomorrow

february 14th, why don't you show up at the hearing of saverino cruz. he (allegedly) did something so horrid to one of his dogs, it's beyond belief. the following is from susan at ourcompanions.org

Dear Animal Loving Friends,

Many people have been horrified by the recent cruelty case in Plainville, CT in which Saverino Cruz took a power drill and brutally drilled several holes into a dog's head. http://plainville.ctcitizens.com/story/police-charge-two-men-animal-cruelty

Our Companions has received many calls and emails from heart-sick animal lovers asking what they can do to help pursue justice for this unthinkable crime. We have been in touch with the Plainville Animal Control Department and have been advised that there are ways that you can make a difference.

1) Attend the Hearing that is scheduled for Thursday, February 14th at 9AM at Bristol Superior Court. (131 North Main Street, Bristol, CT 06010 ). A large show of public support to prosecute Mr. Cruz to the fullest extent of the law would help make an important statement about the serious nature of this crime.

2) Write to the Prosecutor Steven Preleski (same address as the Superior Court) and encourage him to seek the maximum punishment for this crime.

3) Consider adopting a pitbull. The Plainville Shelter has several loving pitbulls that are in desperate need of a home. You can help this very misunderstood and needy breed by opening your heart and home to a homeless dog. Check out Lucky, just one of the many sweet and loving pitbulls that desperately needs a good home. http://search.pet finder.com/petnote/displaypet.cgi?petid=9935606

4) Please forward this email to your animal loving friends and encourage them to also take action!

Thank you for caring and I hope you can attend the hearing on 2-14-08.

CONNECTICUT FOR ANIMALS connecticutforanimals.blogspot.com
www.uchckillsmonkeys.com

i thought they said the devil was NOT going to speak

at choat? well he's speaking TODAY and no one is invited
Karl Rove To Speak February 11
Edward J. Shanahan, Headmaster of Choate Rosemary Hall, released the following statement at 1:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time on Monday, January 28, 2008:
"I am pleased to announce that Karl Rove will be coming to the Choate Rosemary Hall campus on Monday, February 11, 2008 to speak with our students.
Mr. Rove originally accepted our invitation to speak at Choate’s commencement in early June. However, after meeting with our seniors last week and reading their emails regarding this subject, it was quite clear to me that our students much preferred a visit during which they might engage Mr. Rove in some thoughtful conversation about his experiences in public life. In addition, both the students and I had some concerns that, because of the public nature of our commencement exercises, we ran the risk that their graduation day might be disrupted by outsiders. When I relayed that information to Mr. Rove over this past weekend, he graciously understood our students’ interests and our concerns.
In Mr. Rove’s words: ‘I would not want 12 minutes..........

Media barred from covering Rove speech at prep school
WALLINGFORD, Conn. -- The media have been barred from covering a speech by former presidential adviser Karl Rove to students at a prestigious prep school on Monday.Mary Verselli, spokeswoman for Choate Rosemary Hall, said Headmaster Edward Shanahan and Rove decided mutually to exclude the media. The prep school, which is the alma mater of President John F. Kennedy and two-time Democratic presidential nominee Adlai Stevenson, is limiting attendance to students and staff due to space restrictions in the auditorium, she said......

for the most part

i have no issues with the hartford police department. EXCEPT their issuance of PARKING TICKETS. my very first ticket ever (not THIS storm by the way) was for parking on a hartford street during a (practically non-existant) snow storm. by the way, the snow plow(s) NEVER came down the street that day. NEVER, and it is a busy street with an entrance and exit to the highway on it. so i KNOW how these people feel. i was going to take all sorts of pictures of OTHER non-ticketed cars on practically every street in hartford, but i didn't. i just didn't want to go downtown and argue. i'm glad these people DID

Storm Of Anger
250 Appeal Tickets Given On Day City Banned Parking, Snow Fizzled

By JEFFREY B. COHEN Courant Staff Writer

The city was prepared for a big snowfall. The parking ban was in place, and city police were enforcing it.But when the snowfall on Jan. 14 was less than expected, and a blizzard of parking tickets fell anyway, a lot of motorists took exception.More than 250 irritated people — a record-setting number, according to municipal officials — jammed the small lobby of the city's parking citation office Friday, coming to complain about the $99 tickets they got for parking on the street during a big-storm-turned-smaller-than-expected on Monday, Jan. 14...........

picture: DAVID PUTTERMAN, of Burlington, fills out a form on Friday to appeal the parking ticket he received on Jan. 14, a day when a parking ban was in effect in Hartford because of a snowstorm that proved to be less severe than expected. More than 250 people jammed the small lobby of the city's parking citation office to complain about the $99 ticket they got that day. (MICHAEL MCANDREWS / February 8, 2008)

unfavorable opinion

my big fat ass. i think he's a STEAMIN' PILE o' scheist

Once darling of the Dems, Lieberman's support booms among GOP

HARTFORD, Conn. -- During his four terms in the U.S. Senate, Joe Lieberman says he has visited more than 130 Connecticut diners to meet with constituents.But increasingly, more Republicans may be inclined to share a proverbial "cup of joe with Joe" than the Democrats for whom he'd been the party standard-bearer for decades. Lieberman, the Democrat-turned-independent who was his party's 2000 vice presidential nominee, is now viewed unfavorably by two of every three Connecticut Democrats polled during the Super Tuesday presidential primaries, according to exit poll data...........

west hartford taxes

this article is eye opening. why would ONE person's home go up 184% and another, whose house is HUGE and in an EXCLUSIVE neighborhood only go up an insignificant amout? the bigger home was worth more than the lesser home at the beginning, but at the end of the re-evaluation, it was worth LESS* than the smaller home in a less exclusive neighborhood? (my father's home went up an incredible amout as well. i don't have the info in front of me but if my mind serves me, i believe it went up almost as much as 184%). seems the RICH KEEP GETTING RICHER and the little peeps gotta pay the piper even though EVERYONE danced, not just them (*when i say worth less, i don't mean that literally. i mean it's TAXED at a lesser rate)
well mr kennedy, i do feel for you. i feel for my soon to be 81 year old father as well

Thursday, February 07, 2008 West Hartford Reval Madness Rates for a tiny house on the water go up 184 percent
Jennifer Abel
Some West Hartford residents think the town is jacking up property tax bills based on subjective factors, like the relative prettiness of a view from the backyard.
"They ran up the assessment because of my 'water view,'" said George Kennedy, who lives in the 2,100-square-foot Cape house where he spent his childhood. It's a nice house, but nothing spectacular, especially by West Hartford standards.
His three-quarter-acre lot hugs the edge of Woodridge Lake, which is 450 feet wide where Kennedy's land borders it. On the lake's opposite shore sits Tunxis Road, and if you like the way sunlight glitters off the windshield of tractor-trailers zooming down a busy thoroughfare, you'll agree the view from Kennedy's backyard is gorgeous........

do we really want our

local police departments to be migra? i know i sure as shite DO NOT. i want them to be POLICE NOT immigration enforcers.

i appear to be in the minority in the united states. i really don't hold immigration as top priority. i really don't hold with the notion immigrants (yes, even ILLEGAL ONES) are bringing our nation to it's knees. (guess who i hold responsible for THAT feat? yeah, king george and his ENTIRE COURT).

if we could just concentrate on GOOD SOLID POLICING - protecting and serving the public (ALL of the public) then the world would be a far better place. how about protecting us from domestic abuse? how about protecting us from home invasions (i really HATE that term. when the hell did we start using 'home invasion' any damn way???)? how about answering our 911 calls in a matter of seconds? how about assisting us in all the ways you are SUPPOSED to?

Connecticut City Plans to Team Its Police With Federal Immigration Agents
By JILL P. CAPUZZO

DANBURY, Conn. — When baseball season begins, Mayor Mark D. Boughton will probably throw out the first pitch again for this city’s Dominican baseball team. On Sundays, he sometimes can be found on the sidelines at the soccer games organized by many of the ethnic communities here. And he makes it a point to be at the annual Hajj festival held by the sizable Muslim population.
But on Wednesday night, Mr. Boughton, who governs a city of nearly 80,000 residents — 90,000 when illegal immigrants are included — and the Common Council are expected to approve a plan that would require the local police to work with the federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency in rounding up workers who are in the country illegally.
“The intention is to target criminal aliens,” the mayor said in an interview. “It’s not going to be the horrible thing the opponents think it’s going to be. On the other side, it’s not the sweeps and roundups the far right want it to be.”......

he won connecticut!

(not all states, unfortunately). i'm so PROUD OF US! (and i'm talking about obama in case you didn't know)

February 5, 2008
Obama, McCain Take Connecticut
One day after drawing 17,000 people to an electrifying rally in downtown Hartford, Barack Obama won an upset victory Tuesday over Hillary Rodham Clinton in Connecticut's earliest and most closely contested Democratic presidential primary.
February 6, 2008
Clinton, Obama Look Ahead
Hillary Rodham Clinton captured needed states Tuesday night even as Barack Obama ate into her traditional base of support on a topsy-turvy night on which a ballot victory was not the only measure of success..............

and here are town by town results

we knew something was going on at bishop's corner

when we found out they didn't renew (the VERY popular) macaroni grill's license. westfarms, the center, black and blue square (which i spit on) and now a revitalized bishop's corner. it's already fairly difficult to find a parking place there on EITHER side by whole foods or marshall's. the foodmart/post office side isn't quite so bad, but i have a feeling it WILL be. we'll see what they do. i'll wait to make my judgement

Bishops Corner: Plans For Fresh Face
By KENNETH R. GOSSELIN
WEST HARTFORD
In 1953, Lord & Taylor opened its first store outside the New York area at a quiet crossroads known as Bishops Corner, bringing with it big-city glitz, glamour and fashion.The center created a retail buzz and drew shoppers from all over Greater Hartford. It spawned a wave of retail development and the rise of the suburban mall in the area as people and commerce headed out Albany Avenue from the city.Now, 55 years later, can this aging, tired shopping center create magic again — this time in a mature suburb?The owner of what was once Lord & Taylor — now a Marshalls — and a retail and office complex next door is expected to unveil plans as soon as this spring for a major redevelopment of the two properties, which could include the demolition of the half-empty Marshalls building and adjoining parking deck.The developer, Edens & Avant, isn't giving details. But early talks with town officials — who will help shape the plans — point to a walkable "town center" with small shops and one or two large anchor tenants. The project could cost as much as $100 million, town officials said.........

vote today - and please remember......

(hat tip to boing boing

today at 5:30

barack obama at the xl (CIVIC CENTER) center. doors open at 3:30 and it's FREE AND OPEN TO ALL. you can just show up!

Details Of Democratic Visits Announced
Two Of Three Events Open To The Public
................ "Stand for Change" rally in Hartford will feature Sen. Barack Obama at the XL Center, formerly the Hartford Civic Center. Accompanying Obama on stage will be Massachusetts Sen. Edward Kennedy and Caroline Kennedy and Connecticut Reps. John Larson, D-1st, Rosa DeLauro, D-3rd, and Chris Murphy, D-5th.Doors to the XL Center open at 3:30 p.m., and the program is scheduled to begin at 5:30. The event is free and open to the public. Reservations are unnecessary. For more information call 860-729-4632 or visit http://www.barackobama.com...........

yes we can

change

hope

vote

i'm leaving work a bit early on monday

for a dental appointment. i have my fingers crossed i can somehow attend the obama stop (but i don't have my hopes up)
(i just posted rosa delauro endorsed obama, and i knew chris murphy and john larson endorsed him the other day)

At Last, Connecticut Gets A Turn
Clinton And Obama Could Cross Paths As They Bring Battle To State On Monday
By MARK PAZNIOKAS Courant Staff Writer
Over 48 dizzying hours, Connecticut has become a Super Tuesday battleground, with Hillary Rodham Clinton and Barack Obama placing new emphasis on a small state once solidly in Clinton's column.The Clinton campaign abruptly announced Thursday that their candidate was returning to Connecticut on Monday, the day before Democrats go to the polls here and the same day Obama is holding a rally in Hartford.Clinton is intent on shoring up support in Connecticut, a state where one poll gave her a 14-percentage point lead two weeks ago, against the buzz of an Obama visit and a late burst of endorsements................
.............Obama was endorsed Thursday by U.S. Rep. John B. Larson, D-1st District, the highest-ranking House Democrat to back a presidential candidate, and freshman Rep. Chris Murphy, D-5th District...............

i was wondering who rosa was going to back

now i know (and i'm happy)

Rosa Will Back Obama
DeLauro, Feminist Congresswoman, Will Endorse Today
By MARK PAZNIOKAS Courant Staff Writer
U.S. Rep. Rosa L. DeLauro, whose job before Congress was helping to elect Democratic women as the director of the influential feminist group EMILY's List, is endorsing Barack Obama over Hillary Rodham Clinton.The Clinton campaign will counter the endorsement by DeLauro, whose husband was the pollster for President Clinton, with a "women's tour" across Connecticut on Sunday led by Ellen Malcolm, the president and founder of EMILY's List.The endorsement by DeLauro, D-3rd District, is part of a flurry of last-minute moves that will culminate in Connecticut appearances by Clinton and Obama on Monday, the day before Democrats vote in Super Tuesday presidential primaries and caucuses here and in 21 other states...........

beth and ernie

another friend or relative of yours?

Conn. man tries to sell pot online
Conn. Man Nabbed When Cops Answer His Ad Trying to Sell Marijuana Online
If you're looking to sell high-grade marijuana, Craigslist may not be the place to do it. A man learned that the hard way when the "buyer" who contacted him turned out to be an undercover officer, Stamford police said. Police said Steven Zahorsky, 24, posted an ad for "Mary Jane in Fairfield County." The ad offered a half-ounce of "A plus" marijuana for $220 and the same amount of "B plus" marijuana for $160..............

i want to print his name

and i want everyone to know what he (allegedly - since he's pled NOT GUILTY and he's not gone to trial yet) has done to his two greyhounds (retired from racing and adopted by him). one was dumped from a car in connecticut. HALF the weight she/he should be. the other dumped in rhode island and dead

Dog lovers protest outside Danielson court in animal cruelty caseBy DUSTIN RACIOPPI
Norwich BulletinDanielson, Conn. -
Louise Coleman felt remiss Wednesday morning as she stood outside Danielson Superior Court with five other protesters, each holding a greyhound on a leash. Last May and June, Coleman, director of the Hopkinton, Mass., dog adoption agency Greyhound Friends Inc., allowed Kevin Schneider, an acquaintance of hers, to adopt two greyhounds. She said it was a mistake that won’t happen again. Schneider pleaded not guilty Wednesday to charges of animal cruelty after being arrested Jan. 18 by Troop D in Danielson. His case was continued until March. According to Eva Longo of the Northeast Connecticut Council of Government’s Animal Control Division, Schneider, who lives in Watertown, Mass., dumped a dog on the side of Route 6 in Killingly after months of what appeared to be improper care of the animal.According to a written account from Michael McCann, president of The Greyhound Project, a Killingly man watched Oct. 27 as someone in a black sport utility vehicle let the dog out while the vehicle was still rolling...............

John Shishmanian/ NorwichBulletin.com
Protesters meet outside Danielson Superior Court Wednesday, January 30, 2008 after the arraignment of Kevin Schneider of Watertown, Mass. on animal cruelty charges. From left are Michael McCann of Boston, Virginia Gamache and her grandson Izy Roby of Willimantic, Linda Jensen and Jennifer Donley, both of Plainfield.

now we can have

MORE buttons made! i am still proudly displaying my "the kiss" (between da liebs and king george) button. now i get a NEW 'the kiss' button! chrissy and king george! how lucky CAN a grrrl get i ax y'all?

(courtesy think progress - SOTU: Bush Gets A Kiss )