Ponders News ============ ========= === If you would like to join my email list, send an email to http://groups. yahoo.com/ group/ponderaa1/ join 24 Members so far ============ ========= === Federal Voter Assistance Program Needs Reform Washington, D.C. - On October 3rd, Reps. Carolyn B. Maloney (D-NY) and Michael Honda (D-CA) introduced the Fixing the Federal Voting Assistance Program Act (H.R. 7265), which would strengthen oversight of the federal office charged with helping overseas military and civilian voters. In recent elections, the Federal Voter Assistance Program (FVAP) has struggled to meet its mandate to help ensure access to the ballot for thousands of overseas voters, both civilian and military (see list of the FVAP's recent lapses, below). Maloney's bill would create an oversight board to monitor the FVAP's efforts and ensure accountability by requiring Senate confirmation of the program's director. "It's sadly ironic that Americans who are fighting to preserve our democracy often have a tough time casting their vote," Maloney said. "We must do more to ensure that our troops and other overseas Americans have access to the ballot. This legislation is designed to bring oversight and accountability to the federal program that has struggled in its mission to ensure greater ballot access for our soldiers, sailors and airmen, their families, as well as civilians living overseas. My only regret is that this legislation cannot pass in time to help in the 2008 elections." Specifically, H.R. 7265 would amend the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act to require the presidential designee responsible for carrying out federal functions under the Act to have experience in election administration and be approved by the Senate. The bill would also establish the Overseas Voting Advisory Board to oversee the administration of the Act so that American citizens who live overseas or serve in the military can participate in elections for public office. Background The Federal Voting Assistance Program is supposed to help ensure that overseas voters are counted in elections. The following is a list of recent failures of the FVAP that highlight the need for a new direction and greater oversight of the office's efforts. 2002 . The Inspector General of the Department of Defense found during the 2002 election that about 42% of military surveyed knew who their Voting Assistance Officer was. Four years and two federal election cycles later, only 47% knew. 2004 . In 2004, the Interim Voting Assistance System spent $576,000, but only 17 voters participated. 2006 . The Inspector General also found that in 2006, only 33% of military absentee voters were aware of the Federal Post Card Application (FPCA, the very form they are to use to request an absentee ballot). Only 25% had received FPCAs by the DoD deadline of January 15th. Further, only 31% of the military absentee voters surveyed were even aware of the Federal Write-in Absentee Ballot (FWAB) and its use if they didn't receive their regular absentee ballot. . Only 5% of Unit Voting Assistance Officers during the 2006 election cycle had delivered Federal Post Card Applications to their personnel by the Secretary of Defense mandated January 15th deadline. When pressed, the UVAOs admitted they either weren't assigned until after the January 15th deadline, they did not even know of the requirement, or they simply ignored the requirement because they "perceived the requirement as an administrative burden." . In 2006, 39.8% of this country's citizens voted. However, only 22% of the military's active duty personnel voted. Simply bringing military voting rates up to those of the general population would increase military voting by over 241,000 total voters. . While more than 85% of the general electorate who requested absentee ballots actually cast them, only about 25% of the military who requested them actually got the chance to cast them. . In 2006, FVAP spent $1.1 million on the Integrated Voting Assistance System, but only eight votes were traced back to the system. 2007-2008 . In response to the FY07 Defense Appropriations Act, FVAP initiated a Request for Proposals for Military Voter Registration System which was supposed to be operational in December 2007, but was not launched until late August 2008 just months before the 2008 election. In additional there have been numerous reportsxvi that the final product available on the FVAP website is much less helpful than other websites that are available, this after months of delay. This article can be found on the web at: http://maloney. house.gov/ index.php? option=content& task=view& id=1727&Itemid= 61 ============ ========= === Get your "Vote!" Large Mug Rock the vote, vote or die, however you say it, just Vote! Awesome election day gear, clothes, stickers and buttons. Vote clothes, tees and mugs for November elections. Voting shirts! http://www.anrdoezr s.net/email- 3189384-10467594 ?url=http% 3A%2F%2Fwww. cafepress. com%2Fworldsfair .199516593% 3Fr%3Dcj% 26pid%3D7532081% 26CMP%3DOTC% 3Acommissionjunc tion&cjsku= 199516593 ============ ========= === Articles of Interest Markey to Markets: Derivatives Reform Necessary to Regain Stability Representative Edward J. Markey (D-MA), former chairman of the House Subcommittee on Telecommunications and Finance from 1987-1995, today announced the re-introduction of legislation he first proposed in 1994 to reform the "derivatives" market which has played a key role in the current financial crisis. Derivatives are complex financial contracts that allow market participants to hedge risk or make speculative bets regarding interest rates, foreign currencies, commodities, credit defaults or other assets. Read More... http://markey. house.gov/ index.php? option=com_ content&task= view&id=3468& Itemid=141 Rep. McCarthy Urges Women to Screen for Early Detection During National Breast Cancer Awareness Month As we turn the corner into the fall, cooler weather can be a reminder for us all that October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. There are over 2 million women living in the United States who have been treated for breast cancer. As Long Islanders, we experience a higher incidence of breast cancer than many other parts of the country, so monthly self-exams for women of all ages, and annual mammograms for women over 40 are especially important. For women under 40 with a family history of breast cancer, they should speak with their health care provider about the appropriate time to begin receiving mammograms and how often. Read More... http://carolynmccar thy.house. gov/?sectionid= 155&parentid= 1§iontree= 155&itemid= 831 Murphy to Paulson and Bernanke - No Taxpayer Money for Lavish CEO Trips In response to AIG executives hosting a nearly quarter million dollar retreat at the St. Regis Resort in Monarch Beach, California, Congressman Tim Murphy (PA-18) today joined his colleagues in a letter to Treasury Secretary Paulson and Federal Reserve Chairman Bernanke to demand that AIG repay the American people in full and that no taxpayer money be used to fund extravagant trips for CEO's and top executives bailed out by the federal government. Read More... http://murphy. house.gov/ News/DocumentSin gle.aspx? DocumentID= 104646 ============ ========= === Breast Cancer Awareness Long Sleeve Dark T-Shirt This breast cancer awareness t-shirt and gift idea will let everyone know we all are for breast cancer research to find a cure for breast cancer. http://www.dpbolvw. net/email- 3189384-10467594 ?url=http% 3A%2F%2Fwww. cafepress. com%2F1siesandmo re.142964579% 3Fr%3Dcj% 26pid%3D7532081% 26CMP%3DOTC% 3Acommissionjunc tion&cjsku= 142964579 ============ ========= === Sites of Interest The Patriot http://thepatriot. homestead. com/ The Patriot Post http://patriotpost. us/ THE WORLD AS IT SHOULD AND SHOULD NOT BE ACCORDING TO LISA RICHARDS http://www.lisa- richards. com/ ============ ========= === Spirit of America Patriotic Party Assortment for 10 People "Spirit of America Patriotic Party Assortment for 10 People includes: (5) Plastic Top Hats (assorted red, white and blue), (5) Printed Tiaras (red, white and blue with glitter and silver stars), (10) 9"" Red, Silver and Blue Horns, (5) Soft-Twist Poly Leis, (20) White Serpentine Throws." http://www.anrdoezr s.net/email- 3189384-10273928 ?url=http% 3A%2F%2Fwww. buycostumes. com%2FSpirit- of-America- Patriotic- Party-Assortment -for-10-People% 2F30048%2FProduc tDetail.aspx% 3FREF%3DAFC- datafeed& cjsku=30048 ============ ========= === Yes, Shonda said it "As media, my job was to cry the warning -- to be the "Watchman on the wall" so to speak." ============ ========= === Libertarian Party 2008 Boxer Shorts Campaign t-shirts, bumper stickers, button, banners, and signs for the Libertarian party candidate, former GOP congressman Bob Barr, for President in 2008 http://www.tkqlhce. com/email- 3189384-10467594 ?url=http% 3A%2F%2Fwww. cafepress. com%2Flimitlessp os.132406107% 3Fr%3Dcj% 26pid%3D7532081% 26CMP%3DOTC% 3Acommissionjunc tion&cjsku= 132406107 ============ ========= === What Ponder's News is About: This newsletter is dedicated to getting out information vital to encouraging action and thought toward protecting our rights as Americans. I will post information that is important to the Judeao-Christian point of view. I will encourage activism in many aspects from organizing rallies to writing our congressman. Here you will see news, views, and ideas that will help you in your daily decision making as a citizen. Shonda Ponder does not necessarily support any one person, group or organization. She dedicated to information as a whole. If you don't like the information posted here, don't share it. It's that simple. If you do find this information useful, then by all means, please share the information you find here. ============ ========= ========= = Chuck Baldwin 08 Large Mug If Baldwin and the Constitution Party have your vote in November, then let everyone know it! http://www.tkqlhce. com/email- 3189384-10467594 ?url=http% 3A%2F%2Fwww. cafepress. com%2Frightthing s.271314852% 3Fr%3Dcj% 26pid%3D7532081% 26CMP%3DOTC% 3Acommissionjunc tion&cjsku= 271314852 ============ ========= ========= = Have a Sense of Humor, Please Evil Politician Goes to Heaven Sent by Debra Dedmon libertariangirl702@ yahoo.com An evil politician stands at the gates of heaven . God tells him "there is free will even in death and you have a decision to make" "Whats that" asks evil politician ( please insert any name) "you need to decide where to spend eternity" relies God "you could stay in heaven and live a lovely peaceful eternity with loved ones , its some what simple but alas all is good and well here" or ( god shows the evil politician the scene from hell) "you could stay there "( god shows him hot women , debauchery , a regular party where the fun never ends , drugs , sex , great music... all the pleasures one had in life: etc the evil one says " well the choice is obvious , I choose down there , no offense but you seem a little boring for a man of my stature" and so it is , and the politician wakes to find endless torture and pain bestowed him forever and ever. he cries out " my god what happened this isnt what i chose , where is all that was promised me" GOD REPLIES " oh yesterday we were campaigning and today you voted." ============ ========= ========= = The ABC of the Federal Reserve System: Why the Federal Reserve System Was Called into Being, the Main Features of Its Organization, and How It Works http://www.dpbolvw. net/email- 3189384-10524481 ?url=http% 3A%2F%2Fwww. ecampus.com% 2Fbk_detail. asp%3Fisbn% 3D9781428631687% 26referrer% 3DCJ&cjsku= 9781428631687N ============ ========= ========= Visit Shonda Ponder's Blog http://shondaponder .blogspot. com ============ ========= ========= = If you have some news you would like to share, please contact me Contact Information Shonda Ponder [EMAIL PROTECTED] m.net 903-280-8263 Citizen's Network Alliance Shonda Ponder, President [EMAIL PROTECTED] m.net 903-794-7241 (Home) 903-280-8263 (Cell) Join the Alliance today! I'm looking for authors, writers, Access TV Hosts, radio show hosts, TV show personalities, Newspaper editors, and especially reporters from all walks of life to join the alliance and help cover the news. If you would like to help us fight to protect liberty as a media contact, please contact me immediately! Are you a web site owner, or email list owner? We need you too! Any media! Get the Alliance Alerts citizensnw-subscrib [EMAIL PROTECTED] com Ponder's Ponderers: Shonda's Discussion list ponderaa1-subscribe @yahoogroups. com Just Write In Ron Paul - 2008 Presidential Election Bumper Stickers (Large) http://www.amazon. com/gp/product/ B001AY4NQC? ie=UTF8&tag= texasexpressn- 20&linkCode= as2&camp= 1789&creative= 9325&creativeASI N=B001AY4NQC I'M MAD AS HELL, AND I'M NOT GOING TO TAKE IT ANY MORE. http://www.thepetit ionsite.com/ 1/recall- the-congress- of-this-united- states Would you like to help organize a march on Washington like the one that successfully brought an end to Viet war? If we don't fire Washington, who will? For details, send email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Rich Martin __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com
