I don't know that this is Pressworthy, but I'm just so honored to know all of you. We're about $300 shy of matching Tim's grand. I think we should be able to get Nilly something in business class (because an international flight from Israel? blows in coach).

Truly am honored to have a really teensy part in making this happen. Someone in another thread said Nilly is the heart of the board, and that's true.

Your generosity sparkles and dances. When fit hits the shan around here, remember this. This sort of connection with the world is what the 'net is for.

Well, and porn.

Now we just need to get in a hella fight about who gets Nilly and for how long, which is a nice fight to have.

We're definately bringing her here.

Thank you.

OK -some fairly urgent news, in the sense there is a problem you (if you are a U.S. citizen) can do something about now.

El Salvador is holding elections. Part of the process is to have international observers - whose rights the constitution of El Salvador them to respect.

From Friday onwards international observers have been arrested there. Orginally about four. I've received verbal reports that the latest number is 80-100 arrested. Most of the international observers are U.S. citizens by the way, so these are mostly U.S. citizens who are being arrested. Many of these are not political people, who thought that being an objective election observer would be a nice non-profity way to make a contribution, and learn stuff and see the world.

There is no reason for the right wing conservative government to do this unless they intend to commit massive electoral fraud. Winning this election by massive fraud might well restart the Salvadorean civil war again.

No one believes for a minute the government of El Salvador would do this without at least the tolerance of the U.S. - since El Salvador is dependent upon U.S. Aid, international aid the U.S is in a position to cut off, and international trade the U.S. is in a position to cut off.

So I'm asking anyone who is a U.S. citizen to call the U.S. Embassy in El Salvador:

CISPES's action alert asks:

. Call the U.S. Embassy in El Salvador – over the weekend,call 011-503-234-2316, on weekdays call Annie Pforzheimer,the Counselor for Political Affairs at (011) 503-278-4444x2025 – and: · Demand that the U.S. Embassy call the Salvadoran Ministry of Government (Ministerio de Gobernación) to insist that they allow all international observers into the country. · Insist that the U.S. Embassy pressure the head of the Immigration Department to respect El Salvador’s electoral code which guarantees international observers the right to receive a visa of entry to the country as well as freedom of circulation and mobility. · Express concern for the many detained U.S. citizens and their access to human rights officials and lawyers.

And I would add don't accept "concern" as a brushoff. Emphasize politely that if International Observers are excluded, and human rights are ignored in this election, no one will believe it was done without U.S. permission.

You can learn more about this from [link] Yes they have a strong left-wing bias, but still are a very good source of information, and right now the only source since none of the mainstream media (or even much of the alternative media) has picked it up .

An international phone call is expensive, but this is one of those critical points where public pressure can make a difference - especially from U.S. citizens. (If you are not a U.S. citizen, a phone call still won't hurt shows the world is watching etc... But the sad fact is our government does not care much about world opinion. Because it is an election year, U.S. opinion matters a little to our leaders.)

We're at 2600 in the Nilly's Coming to America!Fund.

As Perkins points out, business class will run about 6K, which I think is really a lot.

Should I close out donations? Do more people want to contribute, "just because" and we'll discuss overage possibilities after the ticket is purchased?

Allyson, will we need additional money for hotels, transit within the U.S., etc.?

Aiyee, I don't know if this qualifies as Natter, but Nilly's been offered safe harbor staying with people, so that's not going to be an issue.

In the interests of irony...

Some people are annoyed by the posting of deathmatch starts in Press, some people find them useful, a lot of people don't care.

But I'm trying to find a solution that will still help the people who like the posts, and not annoy the folks who are irritated.

To that end, I'm going to post - in Quotables - the start of each match in blue. You can see what that looks like here:

Elena "The Quotable Buffy 3: The Softer Side of Eating Babies in Istanbul" Mar 14, 2004 3:22:24 pm PST

People will have to skim the thread until they find the start they want, and I'll post the end of the day's matches in, oh, green.

I'd like the folks who participate in the matches to let me know if this system works for them.

Here are the photos from my trip to London. Including photos of Anthony Stewart Head.

$2700 in the Nilly North American Tour Fund.

Latest news on observers in El Salvador. All observers have gotten through safely, been released. However there is another batch coming through tomorrow. So we are still asking for calls to the U.S. Embassy in El Salvador - this time thanking them for seeing to it that the first batch of observers got through safely, and and asking them to ensure that this does not happen with the next batch.

Please call Annie Pforzheimer, the Counselor for Poltical Affairs. 011-503-278-4444. X2025 Again thank her and the Ambassodor for helping to get the first batch of observers in safely, and emphasize that it is just as important that the next batch is allowed to enter, that no further harassment of election observers takes place, and that free and fair elections take place this month in El Salvador.

Thanks

Gar

$2971.00 in the Nilly North American Tour Fund.

I'm going to stop taking donations at some arbitrary hour when I get home, tonight.