Vote-PAD, the simple plastic and paper voting device meant to assist voters with disabilities and provide a countable paper ballot as an alternative to the expensive, insecure, un-recountable, hackable Electronic Voting Machines made by companies such as Diebold and ES&S, has just been approved for use by the state of Wisconsin!

According to a just-issued press release (posted in full at the bottom of this item), Vote-PAD, which derives it's name from "Voting-on-Paper Assistive Device", is announcing that the Wisconsin State Elections Board has approved the device for use in the state after conferring with attorneys at the U.S. Department of Justice.

Recently we reported on the Vote-PAD, describing it as a simple, non-electronic voting device that "could save American democracy." The company had just announced their first contract with Yolo County, California at the time. The new announcement by Wisconsin represents the first full state to announce their approval of the Vote-PAD device for use by disabled voters.

The Wisconsin announcement notably includes information on clearance for use of the device after consultations with attorneys in the "Voting Section of the Civil Rights Division at the U.S. Department of Justice," according to an email obtained by The BRAD BLOG. The email was written by the executive director of Wisconsin's State Elections Board, and will likely kick national interest in Vote-PAD into high gear...

Guest Blogged by John Gideon

As we reported in January the Maricopa County, AZ elections officials and county attorney have done all they can do to keep anyone from looking at the ballots from the Nov. 2004 District 20 race. As you may recall, the matter came into question after a recount in a Republican Primary race revealed 439 ballots magically appearing and which resulted in the final results of the election being changed. The county has even gone to the lengths of refusing subpoenas from a State Senate committee to provide the ballots, even after an expert was brought in to examine the voting machinery and found the optical scan counters completely out of calibration. The expert said that examination of the ballots was the only way to determine what had actually happened.

Today The Arizona Republic announced that the FBI has now stepped in and provided a court ordered subpoena for those ballots.

The paper reports:

It seems odd that Schweikert would refuse to obey a subpoena from the state legislature and then be delighted when he got a subpoena for the same thing from the FBI. We are just going to have to continue to watch this extraordinary case and see where the twisted road continues to lead us.

-- Hundreds of thousands of American families have been displaced by Hurricane Katrina.

-- 1,300 Americans are so-far counted amongst the dead.

-- 3,200 Americans are still wholly unaccounted for as of 1/19/06.

-- 6 sentences were devoted to the matter by George W. Bush at the tail end of last night's State of the Union address.

"Compassionate Conservatism" at work.

Heckuva job, Bushie.

According to MSNBC...

As we pointed out previously, Sheehan was arrested and detained for hours for wearing the T-shirt she had been wearing all day prior to the State of the Union Address, while a Republican Congressman's wife who wore a "Support the Troops" shirt was simply asked to leave (even though she called the cops "idiots").

On moral and "Freedom of Speech" grounds, neither should have been ejected. Now, as it turns out, neither of them should have been ejected on legal grounds or even "rules of Congress" grounds.

Here's a photo of a statement by Republicans from last year that was allowed. Here's our minute-by-minute coverage of the shameful affair as it played out last night.

UPDATE: As of Wednesday evening, it looks like MSNBC has scrubbed their "We Screwed Up" article and replaced it, at the same link, with an article by AP. No explanation is given at the MSNBC website for the switcheroo!

ReddHedd at FireDogLake has more on which "Freedom of Speech" is allowable in America these days and which "Freedom of Speech" isn't.

Our minute-by-minute coverage of events last night as they happened is here. Our discussion of the unequal treatment Sheehan was given compared to a Republican Congressman's wife last night is here.

UPDATE: Capitol Cops admit they "Screwed up"! Charges to be dropped!

Let me be very clear, since the Mainstream Wingnut Media Spinners are already attempting to "Fair and Balance" (read: level an unlevel playing field) this one.

Cindy Sheehan, who did not plan to, or even want to go to the State of the Union speech, was convinced to go. She wore the T-shirt she had been wearing all day long in support of our troops, including her own son who gave his life in service to this country while in Iraq. Sheehan's shirt said, "2,245 Dead --- How Many More??"

She was arrested for wearing the shirt, held for hours in detention, and claims to have been "roughed up" a bit in the process.

We covered the entire process, minute-by-minute, as it shamefully unfolded last night.

Later, during the speech --- after Sheehan had already been arrested --- the wife of a Republican Congressman from Florida, Bill Young, was politely asked to leave the chamber for wearing a T-shirt in support of our troops. Her shirt said "Support the Troops Defending Our Freedom."

She was not arrested for wearing the shirt, she was not held for hours in detention, nor roughed up. She does not face any legal charges or legal fees in connection with the incident that we know about. And, as far as we know, did not also make the ultimate sacrifice of giving the life of her child for this country.

Rep. Young reportedly decried, "Shame, shame," on the U.S. House Floor today for the treatment of his wife. His wife, who was not arrested as far as we know.

While neither woman should have been arrested --- or even removed from the gallery (in our opinion) --- they were not treated equally. Whatever the "rules" are about such things in the U.S. Congress, they did not receive "equal treatment under the law". (A law, we might add, which would seem to be unconstitutional, according to this 1971 Supreme Court decision which ruled that wearing a "Fuck the Draft" T-shirt into a courthouse was Constitutionally protected free speech).

Both T-shirts were in support of our troops. Both shirts made a political statement of sorts. One woman was arrested, the other was not.

In fact, the other was not even asked to leave until after the speech had already started. After Sheehan had been arrested and after the authorities knew they had a politically sticky situation on their hands. All of which begs the question of whether Mrs. Young would have been asked to leave the chamber at all, had not Sheehan's arrest occurred previously.

As to Sheehan's take on things, she wrote this morning about "What Really Happened" as she experienced it.

She describes the fact that she didn't want to go to Bush's speech at all, since it would be so difficult for her to here, didn't wish to protest or be disruptive, but was convinced, in the end, to go anyway.

You can read her entire description of events, but here's one notable passage:

All of that, even as Bush was saying at the exact same moment, as if he meant it, these words during his State of the Union Speech:

Cindy Sheehan understands what those words actually mean. She gave up the life of her son in supposed defense of that freedom. She is fighting for that freedom which George W. Bush doesn't have a clue about.

And frankly, any American who doesn't stand with her in that particular fight, hasn't a clue of what America --- or the U.S. Constitution --- actually stands for.

"Shame, shame," indeed.

UPDATE: John Nichols in The Nation gets it right. He discusses the events that took place "Minutes before the President of the United States would tell the Congress how much he appreciates 'responsible criticism and counsel'" and points out that Mrs. Young admits to having "argued loudly with officers and called one of them 'an idiot'". But, of course, unlike Sheehan, who behaved politely throughout the proceedings according to all accounts...

ALSO... More on "Good SOTU Protests" versus "Bad SOTU Protests" here...

FURTHER UPDATE: Capitol Cops admit they "Screwed up"! Charges to be dropped!

Velvet Revolution's rolling billboards rolled out tonight.

Please help the effort to keep rolling, and with more banners, by donating here...

To see what was on the other side of the billboard, click here...

We can report that the truck was pulled over by Capitol Police at least 3 times in the first hour it was rolling. Turns out, they've got no good reason to ticket it however. Freedom of speech wins...for a few hours anyway...

CNN is now reporting...

Invited by Rep. Lynn Woosley [sic] (D-CA) to attend the State of the Union, reports are that she was arrested inside the Capitol chamber.

MORE... 9:08p ET - CNN's "Breaking News" banner announcing the arrest at their website now removed, shortly after CNN reported arrest on air. No further news available currently at their site on the arrest...

9:14p ET - AP reports on CNN's report. Says, "Activist Cindy Sheehan Arrested at Capitol".

9:30p ET - The BRAD BLOG has confirmed the arrest moments ago with David Swanson of AfterDowningStreet.org.

According to Swanson, Sheehan was "arrested for wearing the shirt she was wearing all day, which had the number of U.S. troops killed in Iraq...She was lifted out of her seat [in the Capitol Chamber gallery] by the Capitol Police and taken away."

Swanson told The BRAD BLOG moment ago that Sheehan is "now under arrest and lockup by Capitol Police." He confirmed that moments ago with Gael Murphy, a co-founder of CodePink, an organization which has been working Sheehan. Murphy spoke by cell with Sheehan after the arrest, and they are currently arranging for an attorney for her.

"This not the Park Police," said Swanson. "We're used to getting arrested by them. This was the Capitol Police....She didn't even want to go to the speech, she said she couldn't stand to listen to Bush, but she went. She didn't even protest, she was just wearing the same shirt she'd be wearing all day, a black shirt with the number of troops killed. It was already 'out of date' and she had to add 3 more to the previous number."

9:40p ET - Reports we are receiving are in conflict with AP's updated report that Sheehan had a protest banner prepared to be unfurled. It was, according to our sources, her T-Shirt which seems to be the given reason for her arrest... According to AP:

We cannot confirm the "banner" reports, and have been told by several sources the arrest was due to the T-Shirt she was wearing after already being allowed into the Capitol chamber where Bush was to deliver his State of the Union address just moments later...

Cindy Sheehan's son Casey was killed in Iraq in 2004.

9:50p ET - Reuters confirms arrest. Few details given.

9:55p ET - Photo of the arrest from Reuters...

10:02p ET - CNN files its story. Sticks to "banner" reporting:

10:20p ET - AP updates their report. Confirms original exclusive BRAD BLOG report that it was a T-Shirt, not a banner that led to Sheehan's arrest:

10:39p ET - Sheehan still in jail, Morning Shows "fighting over her"...

David Swanson, in D.C. tells The BRAD BLOG that Sheehan is still in jail. Swanson had been previously arrested along with Sheehan at earlier protests.

He tells us, "Attorneys are trying to get her out. Media is fighting over here...Today Show, Good Morning America, they all want her...but she has to get out of jail first."

11:30p ET - Bob Fertik reports:

He also suggests...

11:49p ET - Village Voice has more on Sheehan's recent arrests, including this evening's.

11:54p ET - CNN's Ed Henry finally corrects their report and confirms it was a T-shirt that was the reason for Sheehan's arrest.

He just reported during Anderson Cooper:

What, like wear it? The only opinions allowed in the people's Capitol tonight are George W. Bush's, we guess.

Here's another opinion on the "State of the Union" from outside the capitol tonight.

12:05a ET - Police Surround HQ to fend off Protesters... More from Fertik...

World Can't Wait is an organization that held a protest near the Reflection Pond on the elipse today, calling for Bush to step down.

12:18a ET - MSNBC now has an online poll on whether the Capitol Police should have arrested Sheehan for wearing a T-shirt. Go register your opinion...

12:22a ET - SHEEHAN FINALLY RELEASED! SAYS SHE WAS "ROUGHED UP"...According to Fertik who is in touch with David Swanson...

12:44a ET- NBC reports the shirt in violation of the "law" read: "2,245 Dead - How Many More??"

Attytood points out:

1:21a ET - MBare gets the money shot!

Note the hand-corrected number on the shirt, as we reported previously, since 3 U.S. troops had been killed in Iraq since Sheehan put the short on earlier today.

Mbare points out that moments later, in Bush's speech, just after Sheehan's arrest, he said (without a hint of irony):

So will we, Mr. "President"...

2:41am ET - David Swanson, now safe and sound back home, has details and more photos of both Sheehan wearing the shirt earlier in the day, as well as VR's Impeachment Truck (NOTE: Who is that debonair gent behind Sheehan in this photo?

3:13am ET - One final thought for tonight. Also with a hat-tip to MBare...

Good night America.

NEXT DAY UPDATE: More on Sheehan's arrest, her own words, and the Republican Congressman's wife who was asked to leave for wearing her own T-shirt in support of the troops now posted here...

MORE UPDATE: Acceptable State of the Union protest...

FURTHER UPDATE: Capitol Cops admit they "Screwed up"! NBC reports they will be dropping all charges!

NOTE: We've now restored the Comment link that we had to temporarily turn off previously while this site was getting pounded with hits, making it impossible to update the item. Thanks for your understanding.

According to TVNewser, CNN plans to continue their "Liberal" ways by featuring 3 "Conservative" analysts/Bushies and just one countering voice.

From Media Matters' coverage:

CNN has recently come under criticism for their continued lurch to the far right as they've hired both Bennett and Watts as a "analysts", and contracted with Right Wingnut/Radio Personality Glenn Beck to provide him with his own primetime show on the formerly-reputable-ish CNN Headline News channel.

...CONTACT...
CNN
Phone: 404-827-1500

Today we begin to seem more evidence of that pain as Diebold, the unAmerican mega-corporation that believes in privatizing our public elections, and keeping the results of those elections as their own "trade secret", had their quarterly earnings call today.

AP reported on their announced "76% decline in fourth-quarter earnings". What a shame.

You can listen to the audio from the 4th quarter conference call here. I haven't had time to listen yet as I'm climbing a mountain of things I'm working on and catching up with. If you listen to it, and hear anything notable, please let me know!

Samuel Alito owes a debt of gratitude to the following Democrats who have allowed his confirmation to proceed to a vote tomorrow, virtually guaranteeing that he'll become the next new Justice of the Supreme Court where he will sit for decades.

What you owe the following people, we'll leave for you to determine...

Akaka (D-HI)
Baucus (D-MT)
Bingaman (D-NM)
Byrd (D-WV)
Cantwell (D-WA)
Carper (D-DE)
Conrad (D-ND)
Dorgan(D-ND)
Inouye (D-HI)
Johnson (D-SD)
Kohl (D-WI)
Landrieu (D-LA)
Lieberman (D-CT)
Lincoln (D-AR)
Nelson (D-FL)
Nelson (D-NE)
Pryor (D-AR)
Rockefeller (D-WV)
Salazar (D-CO)

Who says America isn't a great nation?!

From AP...

Keep pumpin' America! And be happy about it!

UPDATE: Only 25 Senators voted to continue the debate over Sam Alito by voting NO on "Cloture". Thus, the filibuster ends, and Samuel Alito will likely be confirmed tomorrow morning in time for King George to shove him up America's ass in time for the State of the Union speech tomorrow night. Bless all of you patriots who care about our country and were willing to fight for it no matter the outcome. In particular, thanks to The Young Turks for setting an example of what a "noble cause" actually looks like. Still busy in large part today, but I'll try to post a list soon of those Senators who deserve the support of nobody in America ever again. History will not forget them. Shame.

.....

Unfortunately, I've got some pre-scheduled appointments throughout the day, which is going to make it difficult for me to cover the play-by-play of the attempted filibuster of Alito. So please feel free to use comments in this thread to Be the Media today, while I do my best to come in and out.

If ever there was a time for Dems to step up and fight for this country, to draw a line in the sand against George W. Bush's extremist takeover of the government and his hatred of American Values it is now!

Keep listening to The Young Turks who continue to filibuster on air. You can watch their live video feed here. Live audio feeds are here and here.

At this hour (1:58p ET), C-SPAN lists the tally of announced intentions for Alito Confirmation as YES: 57 NO: 35. The vote for "Cloture" (ending of the debate, and thus ending the filibuster) is scheduled for 4:30p ET. It takes 60 YES votes by Republicans and turncoat Democrats to end the filibuster.

Keep calling Senators constantly to share your opinions if you care about the future of this country and feel that George W. Bush does not deserve unrestrained Executive powers! Phone numbers are available here.

Add any other thoughts or info you have here in comments...

This toon ran today, but is a flashback from 2004 as I recall. Unfortunately, it's still as appropriate today as it was then...

Had a great time Guest Hosting Saturday for The Young Turks who are staying on air around the clock --- filibustering for a filibuster --- until at least Monday afternoon.

SPREAD THE WORD!!! "We the People!" Remember?!

I'll be sitting in again for them on Sunday night from 9p-Midnight PT (Midnight-3am ET!), so they can get a few hours rest. Please stay up for a little late-night filibuster with Brad! Watch me via the video-cast from the Turks website if you dare, or listen to the Audio-only via CrystalOne.net or WhiteRoseSociety.org (Where they've got lower bandwidth streams for dial-up users as well)! Call into the show to help filibuster at 323-866-8201!

But, more importantly, call into the Senate and let your Senators know you expect them to stand up and fight for America! 888-355-3588 or 888-818-6641. More info and number at Democrats.com, TheDemocraticDaily.com and DailyKos.com.

Also, Sunday, hosts from Air America, Thom Hartmann will be Guest Hosting from 1p-3p PT, followed by Mike Malloy 3p-5p PT. Young Turks sprinkled in between (I think) until I show up for the 9p PT shift.

Spread the word! We're making the world's first ad hoc MSM network this weekend!

UPDATE: Guests tonight to include David Swanson of AfterDowningStreet.org/CensureBush.org, Democratic Communications Consultant Richard Greene & Larisa Alexandrovna of RAW STORY!