Transportation Futuristics -- an online exhibit of yesterday's look at the future of transportation. I especially like the Ford Levacar and the quarter-mile-long Nuclear Eel.

Tell your senators to support:

• S. 1980, the Voter Confidence and Increased Accessibility Act of 2003
• S. 2437, the Voting Integrity and Verification Act amending HAVA

See also VerifiedVoting.org - Campaign to Demand Verifiable Voting Results

For information on the crisis in the Darfur region of Western Sudan, and to take action, visit:

• darfurgenocide.org
• Amnesty International > Sudan

From MIT Technology Review: Electronic Voting Outcome: Too Close to Call:

[Michael] Wertheimer [of RABA Technologies] studied Maryland's electronic voting system in January and found numerous concerns. He is not satisfied with the state's response to his company's findings. "Maryland has disregarded in large measure our recommendations, even though our study was what spurred Ohio and California to look more carefully at Diebold and electronic voting in general and to put together a more stringent security requirement," he says. "The Maryland board of election simply doesn't want to believe the system has problems." [...] So what can voters do if their voting place uses electronic voting machines? “The public can get involved,” says [Kim] Brace [president of Election Data Services], who encourages citizens to volunteer to help at the polls. As for insuring the veracity of individual votes, Brace offers up this advice: “Make sure you double check your vote.”

 

Here's how: show your ballot to the poll worker who is about to feed it into the machine, and have them sign a receipt that says "I, [poll worker's name], affirm that [your name] voted for [your choice] on [date]". Now if everyone did this...

Global Exchange Invites Internationals to Monitor US Elections. All non-U.S. citizens who are also not permanent residents of the United States can submit an application to become a Fair Elections monitor.

Arianna Huffington: In Praise of Unruly Women

Tell Congress to pass the joint resolutions HR 467 and SR 124, urging the president to declare genocide in Sudan and take measures to end it now.

Thirsty for something just a bit... unnatural? Then try Kenth Beer -- it's not just brewed, it's genetically engineered! And if that doesn't work, Monsanto's next trick will be: GM Kool Aid!

From Global Exchange : Running Toward Empty: The End of the Oil Age:

Some experts believe we have already reached peak oil [the point at which oil extraction stops growing and begins an inexorable slide downward]. Others say it won't happen until 2015. A recent article in The Oil and Gas Journal, an industry publication, predicted peak output is likely in 2006.
[...]
There is no single solution, but a combination of mass transit, biofuel and hydrogen vehicles, and solar and wind power might maintain many of the benefits of industrial society.

Protest marches and rallies scheduled during the Democratic National Convention, July 26 - 29, in Boston:

Monday (July 26) Events:

10am-12pm - Rally Boston Common
12:30pm-3:30pm - March to Fleet Center
3:30pm-4:30pm - Rally at Fleet
4:30pm-5pm - March to Gov't Center Plaza
5pm-7pm - Rally at Gov't Center (North Stage)

Thursday (July 29) Events:

8am-10am - Critical Mass Bike Ride, meet at Copley Square
10am-12pm - Rally Copley Square
12:30pm-3:30pm - March to Fleet Center
3:30pm-4:30pm - Rally at Fleet
4:30pm-5:30pm - March to Boston Common
5:50pm-7pm - Rally at Boston Common

From Reuters.com: U.S. Mulling How to Delay November Vote in Case of Attack:

"Homeland Security Department spokesman Brian Rochrkasse told [Newsweek] magazine the agency is reviewing the matter 'to determine what steps need to be taken to secure the election.' "