For somebody familiar with the basics of statistical analysis it is entertaining to watch people's reactions when confronted with the findings of the most recent poll. However, when one realizes how people get caught up and attempt to analyze the hell out of it as if it represents the absolute and whole truth it is not entertaining anymore. It is sad. It is sad because people don't care to know about the survey design, the sample size, the underlying assumptions, the implied confidence intervals etc etc. People just want to talk a certain increase or decrease and try to interpret it. I even suspect that the majority of the people do not understand the meaning of the so-called "margin of error". However, people build long arguments around the findings of these polls. So, I suggest that people make an effort to understand what the polls really mean and their limitations. This dangerous practice has to stop.

Two years ago, Jerome Armstrong and Markos Moulitsas wrote a book titled "Crashing the Gates" about people-powered politics in the Democratic party. As millions of other progressives, I became extremely hopeful and was deeply moved after reading the book (still have my signed copy). Yesterday, 20 fat cats sent a letter threatening Nancy Pelosi that they will stop donating to DHCC unless she "revises" the opinion she expressed regarding super-delegates and their role in the nomination process. There is already a petition taking place to back up Pelosi.

I would like to ask Jerome Armstrong: where do you stand on this issue? It is time to pick sides: are you with the people or with the fat cats?

Here is the link: http://pol.moveon.org/democracy/ in case you want to sign the petition. I just did.

This is my first diary ever. I've been reading the likes of dailykos, mydd and etc for the last few years but I never reached a point at which I felt I had to write something. I have never made a donation to a political campaign in my entire life. This is despite my being involved in politics, especially in Europe where I am from, for at least 25 years. To avoid misinterpretations, let me say that I am a permanent resident and I will be voting in 2012. So, today I started donating to the Obama campaign. My donation was $10. Although, I could afford donating more I decided against it. Instead, I decided that I will be donating $10 every single day until this nomination is determined (hopefully, when Obama becomes the party's nominee). So, one might ask why today and why this type of decision?

Today, because Hillary Clinton crossed a line yesterday. She stated that John McCain would bring a lifetime of experience to the White House and also that John McCain crossed the commander-in-chief threshold . This is the John McCain that enthousiastically voted for the Iraq war and doesn't mind staying there for whatever (you pick) number of years. I do not care that Hillary Clinton's plan is - whether she wants to win the primary at any cost or to damage Obama enough so that McCain wins and she can run again in 2012. I do not care. These statements are just inexcusable.  

I chose this type of arrangement so that I will stay involved till the end. Until Barack Obama wins the nomination and then goes on to become the president of the United States. Barack Obama will unite the country and, more importantly, will decisively stop the short-sighted stupid cowboy-style US foreign policy that will make America safer and more respected around the world.

PEACE.