Steve Fontana at the JJB Dinner

One more video; this is State Rep. Steve Fontana (87th Dist. - North Haven).

I used a couple of fancy transitions in the beginning and ending titles to spice the video up a bit. Because I'm an artist, you know. ;)

John Olsen, Mayor DeStefano at the JJB Dinner

These will probably be the last videos from the Jefferson Jackson Bailey Dinner for a while. Thanks to Nancy DiNardo, Chair of the Connecticut Democrats, and Justin Kronholm for arranging the press pass for the event, and we also appreciate the blogger's table that was set up next to the camera riser.

John Olsen of the Connecticut AFL-CIO, introduced by Attorney General Dick Blumenthal:



New Haven Mayor John DeStefano:

Sen. Andrew McDonald, Rep. Jason Bartlett at JJB

Two more quick videos from the JJB dinner; Senate Deputy Majority Leader Andrew McDonald (Stamford & Darien) and Rep. Jason Bartlett (Bethel, Danbury & Redding):

Gov. Brian Schweitzer's complete JJB speech

The governor from Montana, Brian Schweitzer, was the keynote speaker at this year's Jefferson Jackson Bailey dinner. The entire speech (minus about 30 seconds right before the end, when I was required to change tapes) is roughly 43 minutes long, and concludes with an entertaining auction of the governor's bolo tie.

Rep. Rosa DeLauro (D-3) introduced the governor.

Sen. Chris Dodd - "What's tough"

A quick one-minute video in which Sen. Dodd gets directly to the point:

More JJB videos

Here's three short videos featuring Susan Bysiewicz, Dan Malloy, and Merrick Alpert.

More videos are likely over the next several days. And don't forget CT Blogger's video interview with State Democratic Chairperson Nancy DiNardo.

Susan Bysiewicz


Dan Malloy


Merrick Alpert

Sen. Dodd's speech at the JJB Dinner

Video from the Monday night Jefferson Jackson Bailey Dinner of Sen. Chris Dodd giving his remarks. More videos to follow soon...

The Day Democracy Died

Remembering the time twenty years ago when China reminded the world of who and what they are. Many people seem to have forgotten what happened in Tienanmen Square. I haven't.

I'm a huge sports fanatic, and I refused to watch a single second of last year's Olympic coverage from Beijing. Yes, it was a ridiculously minor sacrifice compared to those who put their lives and their personal freedom on the line to gamble for democracy. Many of them paid a very steep price indeed.

Today China is still as underhanded and overbearing as ever, but we don't seem to care if they continue selling us cheap (and toxic) goods and loan us money.

I won't forget what happened. The day they roll in voting machines instead of tanks, I'll think about forgiving them. But I won't forget.

Impressions of the JJB Dinner

Last night was the annual Democratic Party bash in Hartford, and as usual it was a well-attended and interesting event.

I worked with CT Blogger to get interviews (but it was definitely a party, too; look at what he's holding!), and saw Christine Stuart from CT News Junkie, and finally met John Wirzbicki from CT Blue (on left, from his photo above).

Montana’s Gov. Brian Schweitzer was a big hit with the audience, and his speech was both memorable and funny. I shot nearly three hours of video last night, and I'm sure CT Blogger has a similar amount of tape to edit and upload, so (especially in my case, since I have to go on a quick business trip in about an hour) it will probably be a few days before we get video clips online.

In the meantime, here's my video, "Impressions of the JJB Dinner", which showcased the 2007 event. It's stunning to think how much has changed in the two intervening years!

MN Supreme Court hears Coleman/Franken case

This morning, the case of the never-ending Senate contest up in the slowly-thawing northlands took another step towards the inevitable conclusion, when the Minnesota Supreme Court heard arguments from attorneys representing former Senator Norm Coleman (R) and Senator-elect Al Franken (DFL).

The hearing was brief, and Phoenix Woman at FireDogLake observed thusly:

UPDATE: 10:23 am CDT -- Well, it's done. The UpTake counted up the number of questions that were asked by the Justices to each side. The reason: In the US Supreme Court, a study has shown that the more questions Justices ask of a side, the more likely a side will lose. (The UpTake didn't count the questions asked during Norm's rebuttal.) Final count: Coleman 26, Franken 18. Furthermore, the judges were at times quoting from Team Franken briefs. I think we know where this is going.

As always, The Uptake (http://theuptake.org) provides live-streaming video converage (currently replaying this morning's events) and excellent commentary. Any time someone asks what sort of things video blogging can accomplish, I always point them to The Uptake's website.