When I wanted a lawn sign for Kerry/Edwards the other day, I called information to see if there is a listing for a local Democratic party office. No dice. There was no listing for a Republican office either which was cold comfort. I ended up ordering a bumper sticker and signs online from the Kerry campaign web site.

Wouldn't you think that this year with the most critical election in a long time in the offing, the Party would have a presence in town so it could move campaign materials out through the neighborhoods? Before Binney & Smith created Two Rivers Landing on Center Square, local Democratic headquarters occupied a glass-fronted office right on the circle. Rosemary Friedman and Susie Ravitz, among other long-time local activists, would drop in to do a stint on the phones or pick up campaign literature

Now as part of the Easton Redevelopment Authority, Binney Smith has displaced local Democrats. Moreover, it pays no taxes for this plum public relations location. Corporate welfare has replaced a center that encouraged local political involvement.

James Edinger is head of the Easton party according to Joseph Long, chair of the Democratic Party for Northampton and Lehigh Counties. A call to Edinger's office was not returned on Tuesday. Chairman Long says he has about 40 volunteers in Easton. Where is the leadership that would make these 40 souls a visible local political force? No doubt these people are anonymously toiling at phones and perhaps knocking on doors but extraordinary times call for extraordinary action.

Our so-called "liberal" editorial media on the cable channels are outvying each other to disparage John Kerry and protect George Bush. Last night on MSNBC "chief political analyst" Howard Fineman waxed indignant over the CBS documents that "had the potential to bring down a sitting President." Where was the outrage when the Swift Boat volunteers lied about Kerry's actions in Vietnam?