Fair Proxy Web

An unspoken demographic problem for Obama?

WASHINGTON (CNN) — As both Sens. Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton race to make history, some political observers believe Obama might have a unique problem because he’s African-American.

They claim voters often say they’ll go one way, then act quite differently at the polls when it comes to a candidate’s race.

Obama’s crossover appeal didn’t seem to work so well in Pennsylvania, where he lost a significant portion of working-class whites and Catholic voters to rival Clinton.

One theory bandied about is that Obama suffered from what was once called the Bradley effect, later called the Wilder effect.

Tom Bradley in California and Douglas Wilder in Virginia are African-Americans who ran for statewide office in the 1980s.

Pre-election telephone polling showed them with more support than they actually got on election day.

But Keating Holland, CNN polling director, said that hasn’t been seen with African-American politicians since then. Watch more on Obama’s loss in Pennsylvania

Even though Obama had been closer to Clinton in some pre-election Pennsylvania polls a couple of weeks before the April 22 primary, his debate performances and his referral to some state voters as bitter might have done more to hurt him than anything else. Watch more on exit polls from Pennsylvania

The primary polling that was held just on the eve of the election, the weekend before the election, tended to show Obama losing by 9 points, 10 points, Holland said.

There is no indication in the polls that were taken immediately before the Pennsylvania primary that there was any sort of a ‘Bradley’ effect going on.

The Obama campaign points out that in Pennsylvania he improved his standing among whites compared with the Ohio primary. Watch more of Obama’s comments

Democratic strategists say the notion of Obama having a problem with working-class whites is overstated; that the racial divide has dissipated.

But strategist Peter Fenn said, When people get into the voting booth, they may have said to folks, ‘I’ll vote for an African-American’, just like they would have said ‘I’d vote for a woman’ or ‘I’d vote for a Hispanic.’ And they don’t do it. And we see a little bit of a drop-off still.

Strategists and pollsters caution not to read too much into Pennsylvania’s results.

They point out Obama did very well among white voters in Iowa, Wisconsin and Virginia, where one pollster said if Obama is the nominee, he may well be able to challenge Republican dominance there.
found here.

One rock n roll too many lyrics

LUCIFER’S FRIEND - Banquet (1974)

having been hit for six by deep-rooted purple’s in rock at the tender maturity of 15 and thereby shaking off the paradigmatic music shackles i had been brought up with, i was always on the lookout against something having the same vibe.

This album fit the bill, not in terms of structure, there are only rudimentary similarities, but this album has POWER. It rocks! Straight-in-your-face. But with orchestra. What? How can that work? I don’t know, it just does.

I’ve heard this album being described as jazz-rock. No way, jazz-rock this is not, not even close. Having a horn section among the orchestral backdrop doesn’t even move it in that direction, this is rock, plain and simple. I believe that people are just being fooled into thinking that there’s more than there is, but, to be honest, more would have spoilt it.

I love this record to bits. The orchestra that groooooves along is the icing on the cake of very simple but effective rock song structures. The keyboard player Peter Hecht is responsible for the orchestration, and he couldn’t have done a better job.

Just for giggles: As a number of Lucifer’s Friend members were playing in the James Last Orchestra at the time, they actually got the JLO to play here. I think it’s the best thing they ever will have played. I can only state that because living in Germany, there was no avoiding this tasteless ensemble on some medium at unfortunate times.

The song Spanish Galleon’ just whizzes along on the basis of a handful of chords, masterfully propelled by the rhythm section.

All the songs are top-notch, there isn’t one I have the slightest reason to skip or fast-forward.

As far as rock bassists go, Dieter Horns must have been one of the most competent ones around, not just on this album, but on the other Lucifer’s Friend records too. The man is phenomenal.

I recommend this album to anyone who enjoys a bit of straight ahead power rock, with background orchestra for a progheads alibi.

My five stars are no exaggeration, I really think this album is that good. Sometimes feeling and power just rule over complexity, even in prog circles. by npjnpj LUCIFER’S FRIEND Music Online: recommended progarchives.com worldwide prog rock stores

progarchives.com recommended links more about lucifer’s friend at progarchives.com

Related posts: Aaron murray, Samuel israel, Greg plitt, Philadelphia eagles tickets, Shawn avery

Olympic athletes’ group opposes protests

LAUSANNE, Switzerland (AP) — Athletes must refrain from any kind of political protests or messages at Olympic venues during the Beijing Games, an IOC panel representing athletes said Thursday.

The athletes’ commission dismissed talk of campaigns — from wearing badges and wristbands, to boycotting the opening ceremony — suggested by athletes to express their opposition to Chinese government policies on human rights, Tibet and Darfur.

We respect their independence and the right to express yourself, but we are not going to sacrifice the Olympic venues for that right, U.S. member Bob Ctvrtlik said. Let us not destroy the clean venues.

The International Olympic Committee panel, including several gold medalists, said athletes must abide by the Olympic Charter article banning demonstrations. The group is elected by Olympic athletes.

We see that someone wants to use athletes and try to put them to political issues. Our strength is staying separate and out of political issues, chairman Sergei Bubka said. There are a lot of different conflicts around the world. If you let them get in (the Olympic venues) you can destroy the movement.

Bubka, a pole vault gold medalist, said he had not received a single letter from any athlete demanding the right to protest.

David Douillet, a two-time judo gold medalist from France, had proposed that athletes wear a badge with the words For A Better World.

Bubka said he told Douillet recently that the commission would be meeting this week and asked him to send in his proposal for review.

Until now we did not receive any letter, any request, any concern, Bubka said. The badge is clearly a political issue. You cannot do that. We as athletes compete with rules and respect the rules.

Some athletes have indicated they want to speak out in support of human rights and freedom of speech in China. The leadup to the August 8-24 games has been overshadowed by political issues, including China’s action in Tibet in response to protests there last month, and disruptions of the Olympic torch relay.

The Team Darfur coalition represents hundreds of athletes opposed to China’s support for Sudan, where government-backed militias are waging a conflict in its western province that has claimed more than 200,000 lives.

Of the 20 commission members, 13 were present in Lausanne — including Moroccan middle distance star Hicham El Guerrouj and Russian swimmer Alexander Popov — and two others joined by teleconference.

They unanimously supported Article 51.3 of the charter forbidding any kind of demonstration or political, religious or racial propaganda at Olympics, sites, venues or other areas.

Ctvrtlik said he had been contacted by many athletes in the United States.

Many groups are pressuring athletes, are using athletes and are manipulating athletes for the group’s purpose, not for the athletes, he told The Associated Press. We think an athlete, well informed, can make their own decision whether to be vocal.

Ctvrtlik, a volleyball gold medalist at the 1988 Seoul Games, said athletes would have ample opportunities to express opinions at the press center and after they have competed, but not on the medal stand, not on the field of play.

We can’t allow changes to uniforms and political demonstrations, he said.

Ctvrtlik said he hoped the panel’s public stance would end the call for athletes to make political gestures in Beijing.

We are trying to put explicit recommendations and clarifications around what has been the regulations for the last 60 years, he said. We still have to remember that we are the guests in China. We are there to play sports.

In a written statement, the panel said athletes have a right to express themselves but will mainly be focused on competing.

They have trained years for their moment and deserve to experience it without being burdened with geopolitical issues, no matter how important those issues might be, it said.

The athletes defended the choice of Beijing as the host city and said sports have helped open China to the world over the past seven years.

There can be no better way to encourage China’s change and celebrate the positive steps already taken than to engage through sport, the statement said.

The athletes expressed regret that some politicians are talking about boycotting the opening ceremony.

The Olympic ceremonies, like the games, are for the athletes, the group said. Having heads of state, government and sports ministers alongside the general public in the stadium is a sign of support for their athletes.

The athletes said they were truly saddened’ by the protests during the torch relay.

We do not want to see (the torch) mistreated nor exploited, the statement said.
found here.

Olympic athletes’ group opposes protests

LAUSANNE, Switzerland (AP) — Athletes must refrain from any kind of political protests or messages at Olympic venues during the Beijing Games, an IOC panel representing athletes said Thursday.

The athletes’ commission dismissed talk of campaigns — from wearing badges and wristbands, to boycotting the opening ceremony — suggested by athletes to express their opposition to Chinese government policies on human rights, Tibet and Darfur.

We respect their independence and the right to express yourself, but we are not going to sacrifice the Olympic venues for that right, U.S. member Bob Ctvrtlik said. Let us not destroy the clean venues.

The International Olympic Committee panel, including several gold medalists, said athletes must abide by the Olympic Charter article banning demonstrations. The group is elected by Olympic athletes.

We see that someone wants to use athletes and try to put them to political issues. Our strength is staying separate and out of political issues, chairman Sergei Bubka said. There are a lot of different conflicts around the world. If you let them get in (the Olympic venues) you can destroy the movement.

Bubka, a pole vault gold medalist, said he had not received a single letter from any athlete demanding the right to protest.

David Douillet, a two-time judo gold medalist from France, had proposed that athletes wear a badge with the words For A Better World.

Bubka said he told Douillet recently that the commission would be meeting this week and asked him to send in his proposal for review.

Until now we did not receive any letter, any request, any concern, Bubka said. The badge is clearly a political issue. You cannot do that. We as athletes compete with rules and respect the rules.

Some athletes have indicated they want to speak out in support of human rights and freedom of speech in China. The leadup to the August 8-24 games has been overshadowed by political issues, including China’s action in Tibet in response to protests there last month, and disruptions of the Olympic torch relay.

The Team Darfur coalition represents hundreds of athletes opposed to China’s support for Sudan, where government-backed militias are waging a conflict in its western province that has claimed more than 200,000 lives.

Of the 20 commission members, 13 were present in Lausanne — including Moroccan middle distance star Hicham El Guerrouj and Russian swimmer Alexander Popov — and two others joined by teleconference.

They unanimously supported Article 51.3 of the charter forbidding any kind of demonstration or political, religious or racial propaganda at Olympics, sites, venues or other areas.

Ctvrtlik said he had been contacted by many athletes in the United States.

Many groups are pressuring athletes, are using athletes and are manipulating athletes for the group’s purpose, not for the athletes, he told The Associated Press. We think an athlete, well informed, can make their own decision whether to be vocal.

Ctvrtlik, a volleyball gold medalist at the 1988 Seoul Games, said athletes would have ample opportunities to express opinions at the press center and after they have competed, but not on the medal stand, not on the field of play.

We can’t allow changes to uniforms and political demonstrations, he said.

Ctvrtlik said he hoped the panel’s public stance would end the call for athletes to make political gestures in Beijing.

We are trying to put explicit recommendations and clarifications around what has been the regulations for the last 60 years, he said. We still have to remember that we are the guests in China. We are there to play sports.

In a written statement, the panel said athletes have a right to express themselves but will mainly be focused on competing.

They have trained years for their moment and deserve to experience it without being burdened with geopolitical issues, no matter how important those issues might be, it said.

The athletes defended the choice of Beijing as the host city and said sports have helped open China to the world over the past seven years.

There can be no better way to encourage China’s change and celebrate the positive steps already taken than to engage through sport, the statement said.

The athletes expressed regret that some politicians are talking about boycotting the opening ceremony.

The Olympic ceremonies, like the games, are for the athletes, the group said. Having heads of state, government and sports ministers alongside the general public in the stadium is a sign of support for their athletes.

The athletes said they were truly saddened’ by the protests during the torch relay.

We do not want to see (the torch) mistreated nor exploited, the statement said.
found here.

Olympic athletes’ group opposes protests

LAUSANNE, Switzerland (AP) — Athletes must refrain from any kind of political protests or messages at Olympic venues during the Beijing Games, an IOC panel representing athletes said Thursday.

The athletes’ commission dismissed talk of campaigns — from wearing badges and wristbands, to boycotting the opening ceremony — suggested by athletes to express their opposition to Chinese government policies on human rights, Tibet and Darfur.

We respect their independence and the right to express yourself, but we are not going to sacrifice the Olympic venues for that right, U.S. member Bob Ctvrtlik said. Let us not destroy the clean venues.

The International Olympic Committee panel, including several gold medalists, said athletes must abide by the Olympic Charter article banning demonstrations. The group is elected by Olympic athletes.

We see that someone wants to use athletes and try to put them to political issues. Our strength is staying separate and out of political issues, chairman Sergei Bubka said. There are a lot of different conflicts around the world. If you let them get in (the Olympic venues) you can destroy the movement.

Bubka, a pole vault gold medalist, said he had not received a single letter from any athlete demanding the right to protest.

David Douillet, a two-time judo gold medalist from France, had proposed that athletes wear a badge with the words For A Better World.

Bubka said he told Douillet recently that the commission would be meeting this week and asked him to send in his proposal for review.

Until now we did not receive any letter, any request, any concern, Bubka said. The badge is clearly a political issue. You cannot do that. We as athletes compete with rules and respect the rules.

Some athletes have indicated they want to speak out in support of human rights and freedom of speech in China. The leadup to the August 8-24 games has been overshadowed by political issues, including China’s action in Tibet in response to protests there last month, and disruptions of the Olympic torch relay.

The Team Darfur coalition represents hundreds of athletes opposed to China’s support for Sudan, where government-backed militias are waging a conflict in its western province that has claimed more than 200,000 lives.

Of the 20 commission members, 13 were present in Lausanne — including Moroccan middle distance star Hicham El Guerrouj and Russian swimmer Alexander Popov — and two others joined by teleconference.

They unanimously supported Article 51.3 of the charter forbidding any kind of demonstration or political, religious or racial propaganda at Olympics, sites, venues or other areas.

Ctvrtlik said he had been contacted by many athletes in the United States.

Many groups are pressuring athletes, are using athletes and are manipulating athletes for the group’s purpose, not for the athletes, he told The Associated Press. We think an athlete, well informed, can make their own decision whether to be vocal.

Ctvrtlik, a volleyball gold medalist at the 1988 Seoul Games, said athletes would have ample opportunities to express opinions at the press center and after they have competed, but not on the medal stand, not on the field of play.

We can’t allow changes to uniforms and political demonstrations, he said.

Ctvrtlik said he hoped the panel’s public stance would end the call for athletes to make political gestures in Beijing.

We are trying to put explicit recommendations and clarifications around what has been the regulations for the last 60 years, he said. We still have to remember that we are the guests in China. We are there to play sports.

In a written statement, the panel said athletes have a right to express themselves but will mainly be focused on competing.

They have trained years for their moment and deserve to experience it without being burdened with geopolitical issues, no matter how important those issues might be, it said.

The athletes defended the choice of Beijing as the host city and said sports have helped open China to the world over the past seven years.

There can be no better way to encourage China’s change and celebrate the positive steps already taken than to engage through sport, the statement said.

The athletes expressed regret that some politicians are talking about boycotting the opening ceremony.

The Olympic ceremonies, like the games, are for the athletes, the group said. Having heads of state, government and sports ministers alongside the general public in the stadium is a sign of support for their athletes.

The athletes said they were truly saddened’ by the protests during the torch relay.

We do not want to see (the torch) mistreated nor exploited, the statement said.
found here.