Guest Blogged by Steve Viele

Many thanks to Joan, who came through for the Silent Auctions with some wonderful contributions of her artwork. (Many thanks to Peg C. as well, for her beautiful Fractal Art contributions which we are selling, rather than auctioning).

What we and Joan are offering for auction are giclee reproductions of some of her work: “The Three Witches” and several other pieces, some of which ex-AG Ashcroft would have draped. I understand that giclee is a method of reproduction that is quite popular now and gives a quality that simulates the original and can be printed on different kinds of canvases (at least I know that her “The Three Witches” is printed on water color paper).

Because this is a fundraiser and because we will have certain costs to get the pieces to anyone who wins the auctions, we will have to ask for a minimum bid of $100 for any of these pieces. I believe there can only be one winner for each piece but we can certainly ask Joan whether more than one giclee of a given piece can be produced if an item is particularly popular.

The auction for each of these pieces is officially open. To make it a silent auction, bidders will need to place their bid by e-mail (please include at least your first name or an appropriate pseudonym) to BradBlogathonFundraiser@yahoo.com (or click here). The auctions on all items will close at noon Pacific Daylight Time (that's 3pm Eastern Daylight Time) on Wednesday July 13th. The winners (if there is at least a minimum bid on any or all of the items) will be posted on BradBlog by about 3pm PDT (6pm EDT) and will also receive an e-mail notification.

Check Joan's pieces out. They are all worthy of your bids but please also remember this is a fundraiser and it is also Brad's Birthday next week. Maybe someone wants to buy one of the pieces for Brad!!!

Guest blogged by Winter Patriot

SPECIAL RULES will be in effect for the duration of the Blogathon. We will start a new open thread for each day of the event. PLEASE stay on-topic on the other blogathon threads; but POST FREELY on whatever subjects you like on the open threads. OFF-TOPIC comments on other threads may be subject to relocation or removal.

Guest blogged with particular attention to apostrophes by Winter Patriot

This week's BRAD SHOW is almost ready to hit the airwaves --- again.
Once again we have a fine lineup and the prospect of an excellent show.
Only this time we think we have all the bugs ironed out.

Listen LIVE via the Web!!
Sunday 12noon-4p ET (9a-1p PT)
Quick and easy access to LIVE listening links, archives, upcoming guests,
donation links and ad info (it's not to late to advertise next week!)
and more via www.BradShow.com!

Direct streaming links via RAW STORY!
Donate here to help defray costs!

Guests include: MICHAEL SMITH of the London Times, LARISA ALEXANDROVNA of The RAW STORY, Karl Rove's friend BILL ISRAEL, and election auditors JOHN BRAKEY & DAVID GRISCOMB.

Features include: A Tribute to Andy, Blogathon updates from Kira and Steve, and much more!

PLEASE JOIN US Sunday at noon-4p ET (9a-1p PT)! Listen up via www.BradShow.com, and blog along right here at The BRAD BLOG in our LIVE Open Thread during the re-BRAD-cast!

URGENT REMINDER: The BRAD SHOW is supported (for now) by listener donations! So get on the phone, or send some e-mail, and tell a few friends about The BRAD SHOW. You (and they) will be glad you did.

LIVE OPEN THREAD BLOGGING below: click on the "comments" link at the bottom-right corner of this item to join in!

Guest Blogged by Bernie Ellis

INTRODUCTION {by Winter Patriot}: Regular readers of this space will remember Bernie Ellis from this item, among other places. Bernie Ellis was the organizer of the ground-breaking National Conference on the 2004 Election and as I am sure you have already guessed, he is always more than welcome around here!

Every time I read something Bernie Ellis has written, I feel like I'm listening to an old friend. Here, read him for yourself and you'll see what I mean:

Guest Blogged by Steve Viele

We have been contacted by an individual who we know to be legitimate but who wishes/needs to remain anonymous. This individual has generously offered to contribute a matching contribution of up to $1,000 for the dollar value of all purchases or contributions at the Brad Store during four hours of Brad's Radio Show today (4PM-8PM PDT, 7PM-11PM EDT). Images of the unique Brad Bobblehead Doll will be available at the Store by that time. This item is a limited edition product and is ONLY available for contributions of at least $100 (details of qualifying contributions are at the site).

Guest blogged by Winter Patriot

This week's Brad Show is almost ready to hit the airwaves.
Once again we have a fine lineup and the prospect of an excellent show.

Listen LIVE via the Web! Saturday from 7p-11p ET (4p-8p PT)!
Repeating Sunday 12noon-4p ET (9a-1p PT)
Quick and easy access to LIVE listening links, archives, upcoming guests,
donation links and ad info (it's not to late to advertise!)
and more via www.BradShow.com!

Direct streaming links via RAW STORY!
Donate here to help defray costs!

Guests include: Rep. SHEILA JACKSON LEE (D-TX), London Times' MICHAEL SMITH, RAW STORY's LARISA ALEXANDROVNA, Karl Rove's friend BILL ISRAEL, JOHN BRAKEY & DAVID GRISCOMB.

Features include: a tribute to Andy, Blogathon updates and more!

Join us Saturday Night 7p-11p ET (4p-8p PT)! Listen up via www.BradShow.com, call in with your questions and comments for our guests at 323-650-1286, and play along right here at BRAD BLOG in our LIVE Open Thread during the show!

URGENT REMINDER: The BRAD SHOW is supported (for now) by listener donations! So get on the phone, or send some e-mail, and tell a few friends about The BRAD SHOW. You (and they) will be glad you did.

LIVE OPEN THREAD BLOGGING below: click on the "comments" link at the bottom-right corner of this item to join in!

Guest blogged by Winter Patriot

SPECIAL RULES will be in effect for the duration of the Blogathon. We will start a new open thread for each day of the event. PLEASE stay on-topic on the other blogathon threads; but POST FREELY on whatever subjects you like on the open threads. OFF-TOPIC comments on other threads may be subject to relocation or removal.

Guest Blogged by Clint Curtis

INTRODUCTION {by Winter Patriot}: We are indeed most fortunate to welcome Clint Curtis, whose "incredible" story turns out to be just a little bit too credible after all. For those not familiar with the story, here's a quick summary:

Vote-Rigging Sofware Fit For A Congressman

by Brad Friedman

In an affidavit and sworn testimony, Florida software programmer Clint Curtis told members of the U.S. House Judiciary committee that U.S. Congressman Tom Feeney (R-FL) asked him to design a "vote-rigging software prototype". This request, according to Curtis, took place in October 2000 during a meeting at Yang Enterprises, Inc. (YEI), a computer consulting firm in Oviedo, Florida.

What an excellent group of guest bloggers we have lined up for Sunday! Wow! I get a chance to mention Bob Koehler, Bob Fitrakis and Clint Curtis --- all in one sentence. And we'll all have a chance to blog with them, too.

Guest blogged by Winter Patriot

Guest blogged by Bob Fitrakis

INTRODUCTION {by Winter Patriot}: On behalf of the BradBlog and the Blogathon I am pleased and proud to introduce Dr. Robert J. Fitrakis. According to his biography at freepress.org, Dr. Fitrakis is a professor of political science and a lawyer. He served as an international election observer in the 1994 presidential elections in El Salvador and as a dual-Ward legal advisor for the Election Protection Coalition during the 2004 U.S. Presidential Election. Dr. Fitrakis is also co-editor, with Steve Rosenfeld and Harvey Wasserman, of DID GEORGE W. BUSH STEAL AMERICA'S 2004 ELECTION? This essential volume is currently available from freepress.org, as well as through The BRAD STORE.

It's great to have Dr. Fitrakis here with us. And I think we can even call him "Bob".

Guest blogged by Robert C. Koehler

INTRODUCTION {by Winter Patriot}: If you thought there were no brave and honest journalists left in America, you'll be happy to know that you're wrong. Bob Koehler is living proof of that.

In true blogger style, he sent these with the most recent piece first, the oldest last. But he'll probably forgive us if we walk you through them in chronological order. Our story starts here:

Guest blogged by Winter Patriot

Click on the image to go to the Fractals Page at The BRAD STORE!

Guest Blogged by Steve Viele

Thanks to Bradblogger Tracy, Clint Curtis will have a new German Shepherd in December to replace the one he lost under mysterious circumstances after becoming a whistleblower in the Yang Enterprises, Inc., Tom Feeney vote-rigging scandal. It is possible that Ray Lemme was not the only one “suicided” in that sordid affair.

Now, YOU will have a chance to name Clint's new dog.

Guest Blogged by John Amato

INTRODUCTION {by Winter Patriot}: Every great party needs a great comedian, and we've got one of the best! I invite you to savor this political satire from John Amato now --- and be prepared to blog with him on Saturday afternoon.

Crooks and Liars has acquired a transcript from a hidden source that was buried deep inside the function. This is the part they didn't televise.

Seated at the dais is James Dobson. Al Mohler, Tony Perkins, Bill Donohue, Pat Robertson, Jennifer Giroux, Rick Santorum, and Bill Frist's big smiling face televised on a huge majestic screen behind the podium.

Never let it be said that the BLOGATHON isn't fair and balanced. We have some very distinguished contributors this weekend but we haven't gone overboard in the direction of fine journalism. Not by any means. As evidence, please consider the latest "effort" from the lowly and nearly frozen Winter Patriot:

Did anyone else happen to notice that the timing of the explosions in London on Thursday morning was Just A Shade Too Convenient? Or was I the only one who thought "Gladio Smites Britannia" as soon as I heard the news?

No, it turns out that I wasn't the only one at all. Far from it, in fact. Psst! Keep this quiet, will you? We've been whispering about it all day.