NeoAlertz

Anti War Protests :: March 17 - 20, 2007

2007-02-03T10:10:00.000-05:00

United For Peace & Justice...

United For Peace & Justice are providing a searchable database of protest located all across the country so you can find one in your area. Major demonstrations are planned in New York, Los Angeles and in Washington D.C. which features a March on the Pentagon. Thanks to Godless Liberal Homo for the news of this event...

united for peace & justice
March on Pentagon
Saturday, March 17th 2007
Washington, DC USA

On March 17, 2007, the 4th anniversary of the start of the criminal invasion of Iraq, tens of thousands of people from around the country will descend on the Pentagon in a mass demonstration to demand: U.S. Out of Iraq Now! 2007 is the 40th anniversary of the historic 1967 anti-war march to the Pentagon during the Vietnam War. The message of the 1967 march was "From Protest to Resistance," and marked a turning point in the development of a countrywide mass movement.

Continue Reading at United For Peace... -•- Technorati Cosmos ( Blogs Who Link To This Article )

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Mandate For Peace :: Jan 27, 2007

2007-01-22T14:16:00.000-05:00

United For Peace...

Once again the folks at United For Peace and others are planning a day of non-violent resistance to the War In Iraq and the escalation of which Bush so proudly defies the public with. I am sad to say I will not be able to make it to this one as my wife and I did for a similar event on September 24th, 2005. I hope many people are able to make it...

Our new lawmakers need to look out their windows and see people marching in the street. They have been given a Mandate For Peace and it is time they acted upon it. Who will be the last to die for Bush's lies.

More importantly, who in congress stood by and did nothing to stop Bush. They have been given Democratic Leadership as well as prominent Republicans who are standing up and saying...

NO TO BUSH

It is time to set this country on the road to repair before the Madman is taken from behind the wheel. His license to kill needs to be revoked... Now...!!!

Bring the Mandate for Peace to Washington DC on Jan. 27

Tell the New Congress: Act NOW to Bring the Troops Home!

Join United for Peace and Justice in a massive march on Washington, D.C., on Sat., January 27, to call on Congress to take immediate action to end the war.

On Election Day the voters delivered a dramatic, unmistakable mandate for peace. Now it's time for action. On January 27, 2007, we will converge from all around the country in Washington, D.C. to send a strong, clear message to Congress and the Bush Administration: The people of this country want the war and occupation in Iraq to end and we want the troops brought home now!

Congress has the power to end this war through legislation. We call on people from every congressional district in the country to gather in Washington, DC -- to express support for those members of Congress who are prepared to take immediate action against the war; to pressure those who are hesitant to act; and to speak out against those who remain tied to a failed policy.

Continue Reading at United For Peace...
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Tags :: Politics · Bush · War In Iraq · Peace Movement · Mandate For Peace

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Methodists: No To Bush

2007-01-18T17:31:00.000-05:00

Tells Bush NOT at SMU...

Some very influential people in Dallas and the Methodist Church have taken it upon themselves to tell SMU to Say :: No-To-Bush. I'm talkin' 'bout retired Bishops and others from all over the country...

Methodists: No Bush library at SMU

DALLAS - A group of Methodist ministers from across the nation launched an online petition drive Thursday urging Southern Methodist University to stop trying to land George W. Bush's presidential library.

Protect SMU.org

We the undersigned express our objection to the prospect of the George W. Bush library, museum, and think tank being established at Southern Methodist University. As United Methodists, we believe that the linking of his presidency with a university bearing the Methodist name is utterly inappropriate. We urge the Board of Trustees of Southern Methodist University and the South Central Jurisdiction of The United Methodist Church to reject this project.

Continue Reading at Protect SMU.org...
Technorati Cosmos ( Blogs Who Link To This Petition )

Tags :: Politics · Bush · Bush Library · SMU · Methodists

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KSFO :: Hate Speech

2007-01-13T07:34:00.000-05:00

Stop Hate Speech Now

The Spocko Blogswarm has expanded to include support from Media Matters. They have highlighted the Hate Speech Radio programming of KSFO radio which includes choice Hate Speech by Coulter and her ilk.

Media Matters is taking one more step by providing this petition to ABC Disney to stop their support of such abuse. If you are interested in more info, see my post on World of WingNuts, which explains and links to Spocko, Blogintegrity and the Hate Speech Agenda of the WingNuts.

If you have a blog, drop a footnote to one of you posts linking to the Spocko Blogswarm. - fc

MEDIA MATTERS
FOR AMERICA
Hate has no place on the airwaves

Recently, the major television networks have given a platform to conservative hate merchants like Ann Coulter, Glenn Beck, and Melanie Morgan.

Coulter's column is distributed by Universal Press Syndicate, one of the country's largest syndicates. Beck was recently hired by CNN Headline News. Morgan broadcasts from a radio station owned by Disney. And all three -- and countless others like them -- are regularly given guest spots on cable-news networks.

The fact that these right-wing pundits -- who have called for the execution of public officials and others -- are given a platform in the major media is unprecedented.

We, the undersigned, urge the media to stop allowing these hate merchants to spread their venom and abuse. America deserves to hear honest, reasoned debate, not rants from professional hatemongers.

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Tags :: Politics · KSFO · ABC Disney · Hate Speech · WingNuts

Check and Balance

2007-01-07T07:32:00.000-05:00

Impeach / Convict

It's nice to see people finally coming around to the idea that Impeachment is the only option we have to save our country from the ruinous policies of George W. Bush. It's not like he has not given reasons a plenty. Bush's entire reign of terror aimed at the destruction of our Constitution has documented time and again his utter disdain for the rule of law.

The Bush Administration is the Wal-Mart Impeachment Super Store with aisle after aisle of marked down Impeachment causes. The Red-Light Special of the Week turns out to be his signing statement that supposedly allows him to open first class mail.

Fear not entrepid Impeachment Shoppers, the Cheney, Addington support and guidance for more and better signing statements is still in full operation. No outsourcing of jobs here folks. Nothin' but good ole homegrown NeoCon ideolougues cookin' the books for Corporatistic Facism comin' to a neighborhood near you... Soon...

Wherein I Am Reluctantly Dragged Against My Will Into the Pro-Impeachment Camp
My Left Wing
by: thereisnospoon
Fri Jan 05, 2007

Well, when a destructive person hell-bent on saving his own ass or taking everything and everyone down with him continues to bluff, threaten and up the ante, the only pragmatic thing to do is to call that bluff before the ante gets too expensive for well-meaning people to contemplate.

And Impeachment really is the only option left. This was really crystalized for me in a thread on Free Republic of all places, where a commenter ironically named "Founding Father" really laid out the bare bones of the matter in a thread on Bush's laughable plan to balance the budget by 2012:

Constitutionally speaking, the President doesn't have to spend money congress appropriates; the President, through his justice department doesn't have to enforce laws congress passes; the President, again through his justice department and other executive departments doesn't have to enforce any federal court ruling (remember Andrew Jackson), I could go on but you catch my drift...
[skip to later comment by same author]
reply to: However, the President refusing to enforce Constitutional laws isn't among those checks within the Constitution.
Sorry, I didn't realize I needed to point out the obvious, which is the President refuses to do so because he doesn't believe the law is constitutional and since he has equal standing with the other branches the judicial branch can do nothing and the legislative branch has only the impeachment/conviction option.

As batshit crazy and on the wrong side of the issue as he is, the guy is right: Impeachment is the final pragmatic check and balance on a President who behaves like an Emperor. To many of these people, it is the ONLY check or balance on such a president. Indeed, in the minds of Bush and his legal team, a President can literally get away with almost ANYTHING and it's not a problem (as Nixon said, "If the President does it, that means it's legal")--after all, if the Congress finds him to be out of control, they can always impeach him! That's the check and balance!
So what we have now is a President who figures it's okay to open your mail without a warrant--after all, who's to stop him? If Congress thinks it's such a bad idea, we'll just move to impeach, right? Because if we don't move to impeach, it shows we just really didn't care bad enough--or that we figure we've got more to lose than he does.
And like the childish, addictive, irresponsible criminal he is, he'll use the same logic to continue upping the ante, calling our bluff, and DARING us to do something about it.

Continue Reading This Article...

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Tags :: Politics · Signing Statements · Impeachment · Bush

Phone Cards For Wounded Vets

2006-12-14T05:17:00.000-05:00

Working For ChangeThis is a very touching thing that can be done for the Vets who have survived Bush's WarMongering. If you can possibly help, I know the Vets would appriciate it... - fc

Phone Cards For Wounded Vets
to injured veterans at Veterans Administration hospitals.
Support the veterans who've served our country by sending them a phone card so they can call their loved ones over the holidays.

Veterans Administration (VA) budget cuts in recent years have left many of our nation's veterans at VA hospitals without the means to call their families over the holidays. These long distance calls are generally not covered by the VA, and many vets just don't have the financial resources to call all their loved ones.

So Working Assets, Veterans for Peace, CODEPINK, Iraq Veterans Against the War and Gold Star Families for Peace have teamed up on a project to thank our veterans by sending them phone cards loaded with 125 minutes of domestic long-distance calling time. We'll purchase these cards and deliver them to VA Medical Facilities (Facilities Locator & Directory) all over the country on December 18th. (If you want to join in delivering the cards to a VA hospital near you, just click on the link you'll see after making your gift.)

$10 will cover the cost of phone cards for three veterans. $20 will buy six phone cards. $33 will buy ten cards. $100 will buy phone cards for 30 veterans to call home over the holidays. 100% of your gift will go directly to buying phone cards -- so please give as generously as you can.

Send A Phone Card To A Wounded Vet

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Tags :: Politics · Wounded Veterans · VA Hospital

December 10, 2006: Human Rights and Impeachment Day

2006-11-28T18:14:00.000-05:00

AfterDowningStreet.org From AfterDowningStreet.org comes this iniative to support the Impeachment of George W. Bush and Richard Cheney. As long as these warmongers are in office there will be nothing but endless war. It is our right, priviledge and duty as citizens of these United States to stand up and demand an accounting of the lies, torture, incompetence and treason against our Constitution and nation.

December 10, 2006: Human Rights and Impeachment Day

December 10 is Human Rights Day, and this year we're making it Human Rights and Impeachment Day. Slogan: "Putting Impeachment on the Table."

We encourage you to organize a town hall forum or rally on this day for the impeachment of Bush and Cheney.

You can create a public listing of your event here. You will be able to communicate with the people who sign up for your event, and to edit the listing for your event, changing or filling in details later.

Continue Reading This Article...

Dec 9^th Event Plans in New York City
Dec 10^th Event Plans in Santa Barbara, CA
Dec 10^th Event Plans in Los Angeles, CA

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Tags :: Politics · Impeachment · Impeach Bush · Impeach Cheney

A Liberal’s Pledge to Disheartened Conservatives

2006-11-21T13:53:00.000-05:00

Just Sayin...! by Michael MooreHat Tip to my friend Brad at Brad's Brain for this... - fc

A Liberal’s Pledge to Disheartened Conservatives

November 14th, 2006

To My Conservative Brothers and Sisters,

I know you are dismayed and disheartened at the results of last week’s election. You’re worried that the country is heading toward a very bad place you don’t want it to go. Your 12-year Republican Revolution has ended with so much yet to do, so many promises left unfulfilled. You are in a funk, and I understand.

Well, cheer up, my friends! Do not despair. I have good news for you. I, and the millions of others who are now in charge with our Democratic Congress, have a pledge we would like to make to you, a list of promises that we offer you because we value you as our fellow Americans. You deserve to know what we plan to do with our newfound power — and, to be specific, what we will do to you and for you.

Thus, here is our Liberal’s Pledge to Disheartened Conservatives:

Dear Conservatives and Republicans,

I, and my fellow signatories, hereby make these promises to you:

1. We will always respect you for your conservative beliefs. We will never, ever, call you “unpatriotic” simply because you disagree with us. In fact, we encourage you to dissent and disagree with us.

2. We will let you marry whomever you want, even when some of us consider your behavior to be “different” or “immoral.” Who you marry is none of our business. Love and be in love — it’s a wonderful gift.

3. We will not spend your grandchildren’s money on our personal whims or to enrich our friends. It’s your checkbook, too, and we will balance it for you.

4. When we soon bring our sons and daughters home from Iraq, we will bring your sons and daughters home, too. They deserve to live. We promise never to send your kids off to war based on either a mistake or a lie.

5. When we make America the last Western democracy to have universal health coverage, and all Americans are able to get help when they fall ill, we promise that you, too, will be able to see a doctor, regardless of your ability to pay. And when stem cell research delivers treatments and cures for diseases that affect you and your loved ones, we’ll make sure those advances are available to you and your family, too.

6. Even though you have opposed environmental regulation, when we clean up our air and water, we, the Democratic majority, will let you, too, breathe the cleaner air and drink the purer water.

7. Should a mass murderer ever kill 3,000 people on our soil, we will devote every single resource to tracking him down and bringing him to justice. Immediately. We will protect you.

8. We will never stick our nose in your bedroom or your womb. What you do there as consenting adults is your business. We will continue to count your age from the moment you were born, not the moment you were conceived.

9. We will not take away your hunting guns. If you need an automatic weapon or a handgun to kill a bird or a deer, then you really aren’t much of a hunter and you should, perhaps, pick up another sport. We will make our streets and schools as free as we can from these weapons and we will protect your children just as we would protect ours.

10. When we raise the minimum wage, we will pay you — and your employees — that new wage, too. When women are finally paid what men make, we will pay conservative women that wage, too.

11. We will respect your religious beliefs, even when you don’t put those beliefs into practice. In fact, we will actively seek to promote your most radical religious beliefs (”Blessed are the poor,” “Blessed are the peacemakers,” “Love your enemies,” “It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God,” and “Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.”). We will let people in other countries know that God doesn’t just bless America, he blesses everyone. We will discourage religious intolerance and fanaticism — starting with the fanaticism here at home, thus setting a good example for the rest of the world.

12. We will not tolerate politicians who are corrupt and who are bought and paid for by the rich. We will go after any elected leader who puts him or herself ahead of the people. And we promise you we will go after the corrupt politicians on our side FIRST. If we fail to do this, we need you to call us on it. Simply because we are in power does not give us the right to turn our heads the other way when our party goes astray. Please perform this important duty as the loyal opposition.

I promise all of the above to you because this is your country, too. You are every bit as American as we are. We are all in this together. We sink or swim as one. Thank you for your years of service to this country and for giving us the opportunity to see if we can make things a bit better for our 300 million fellow Americans — and for the rest of the world.

Signed,

Michael Moore
mmflint@aol.com
(Click here to sign the pledge)
www.michaelmoore.com

P.S. Please feel free to pass this on.

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Tags :: Politics · Conservatives · Liberals · Michael Moore

10 Reasons To Impeach

2006-11-10T13:25:00.000-05:00

Rule of Law...! I support the Impeachment of George W. Bush and Richard Cheney because a return to the Rule of Law must be made. Supporting the prosecution of criminal activity is a cornerstone of our society. Excusing criminal activities of this current President is not acceptable. - fc

On Saturday, Democrats.com and our progressive allies will launch a nationwide grassroots mobilization for impeachment in Philadelphia near Independence Hall, where the Constitution was signed on September 17, 1787. The mobilization is called ImpeachForChange. Our goals include:

1. A grassroots petition drive to collect 1 million signatures at ImpeachForChange.org

2. Form Impeachment Committees in all 435 Congressional Districts to lobby every Member of Congress by:
• delivering books & videos on impeachment
• collecting petitions and handwritten letters in front of their District Offices
• meeting with every Member to discuss the issues that require impeachment

Ten Reasons to Impeach George Bush and Dick Cheney

I support the impeachment of President Bush and Vice President Cheney for the following reasons:

1. Violating the United Nations Charter by launching an illegal "War of Aggression" against Iraq without cause, using fraud to sell the war to Congress and the public, and misusing government funds to begin bombing without Congressional authorization.

2. Violating U.S. and international law by authorizing the torture of thousands of captives, resulting in dozens of deaths, and keeping prisoners hidden from the International Committee of the Red Cross.

3. Violating the Constituton by arbitrarily detaining Americans, legal residents, and non-Americans, without due process, without charge, and without access to counsel.

4. Violating the Geneva Conventions by targeting civilians, journalists, hospitals, and ambulances, and using illegal weapons, including white phosphorous, depleted uranium, and a new type of napalm.

5. Violating U.S. law and the Constitution through widespread wiretapping of the phone calls and emails of Americans without a warrant.

6. Violating the Constitution by using "signing statements" to defy hundreds of laws passed by Congress.

7. Violating U.S. and state law by obstructing honest elections in 2000, 2002, 2004, and 2006.

8. Violating U.S. law by using paid propaganda and disinformation, selectively and misleadingly leaking classified information, and exposing the identity of a covert CIA operative working on sensitive WMD proliferation for political retribution.

9. Subverting the Constitution and abusing Presidential power by asserting a "Unitary Executive Theory" giving unlimited powers to the President, by obstructing efforts by Congress and the Courts to review and restrict Presidential actions, and by promoting and signing legislation negating the Bill of Rights and the Writ of Habeas Corpus.

10. Gross negligence in failing to assist New Orleans residents after Hurricane Katrina, in ignoring urgent warnings of an Al Qaeda attack prior to Sept. 11, 2001, and in increasing air pollution causing global warming.

Sign This Iniative...

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Tags :: Politics · Impeach Bush · Impeach For Change

Vote Them All Out

2006-10-29T12:06:00.000-05:00

Wake The Rest of Them Up...

Ned Lamont
Senate - Conn

Nick Lampson
DeLay's Seat TX

Bob Menendez
Senate - NJ

Zack Space
Bob Ney's Seat OH

Sherrod Brown
Senate - OH

Ted Strickland
Gov - OH

C. McCaskill
Senate - MI

Bob Casey
Senate - PA

Jon Tester
Senate - MT

Jim Webb
Senate - VA

S. Whitehouse
Senate - RI

Carl Sheeler
Senate - RI

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Tags :: Politics · Congress · Vote · Election 2006 · Election Resources

Bring the House Back in Session

2006-10-02T20:54:00.000-04:00

Demand Accountability for PredatorGate The Foley scandal has made it clear that the House cannot police itself. We call on Speaker Hastert to bring the US House of Representatives back into session now to:

# Create an independent commission to police House ethics.
# Hold a public hearing to make disclose all information about the handling of the Foley case.

Bring the House Back in Session

Hastert, J. (Republican) - Speaker of the House , Congressional District 14 , IL

Your Federal Representative(s)

I join with Common Cause in calling on House Speaker Dennis Hastert (R-IL) to bring the House of Representatives back to Washington, DC before Election Day to:

* Hold a public hearing to disclose all information in their possession about the handling of sexually explicit e-mails by former Rep. Mark Foley to former and current House pages.

* To establish an outside ethics commission to provide ethics oversight and enforcement of a body that has proven now beyond a shadow of a doubt that it is incapable of policing itself.

Congress in 2005 returned to Washington during its Easter Recess to consider the fate of Terri Schiavo. It should return now to consider the fate of its own ethical standards.

This Congress has displayed progressively worse ethical behavior. There has been bribery, resignations, Members of Congress are in jail. But the apparent cover-up by House leaders of a Member of Congress who was sexually exploiting children is absolute proof that the House is unable and incapable of policing itself, and that the system of peer review must be changed.

The House must reconvene before Election Day because the public has a right to know where every House Member who is up for re-election stands on their willingness to be held accountable.

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Tags :: Politics · Congress · Foley · PredatorGate

Move The Senate Into The 21st Century

2006-09-18T20:40:00.000-04:00

Action Alert - Demand Accountability This issue is critical in holding Senators accountable when it comes to who contributes to their campaigns. This is a bipartisan effort that is supported by Redstate and other rightwing bloggers as well as MYDD and the left blogosphere. This effort demands more than just signing a petition. You must make phone calls to critical senators asking that they support this bill that is in committee. Please join me in making this effort work for all Americans. - ƒç

Move The Senate Into The 21st Century
MYDD

There's a bill out there, S. 1508, which would bring Senate candidates up to the same level as their brethren in the House in requiring electronic filing. It has bipartisan support - Sens. McCain and Feingold, Durbin and Cochran, Landrieu and Lugar, among others. But it hasn't gotten a hearing in the Senate since first being introduced in 2003. Why?

Two people stand in its way -- Rules and Administration Committee chair Trent Lott, who's not returning calls from reporters on the topic, and (based on informed accounts) Sen. Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, who neither likes campaign finance regulation nor anything to make it easy on citizens.

From The Washington Post ::
In one of the most controversial quirks in election law, candidates for Senate are not required to file their campaign-finance reports electronically. That means voters can't effectively find out how much and from whom their would-be senators have collected money until long after the election -- too late for them to act.

A growing number of senators and public-interest groups have been working for years to change this rule. They contend that it's only reasonable that senators should be required to file their disclosures electronically -- just as candidates for the House and the presidency do. In that way voters can easily see within 24 hours via the Internet what the candidates are spending and from whom they are getting their funds.

As it is, almost all senators and Senate candidates deliver their reports on paper (even though those reports are written on computers). The paper filings are laboriously scanned and then key-punched into an electronic system, a procedure that often takes six weeks to finish and costs hundreds of thousands of dollars.

After the reports are submitted to the Secretary of the Senate (often well past published deadlines), they are placed onto the Federal Election Commission's Web site in a page-by-page format. The listings are not searchable, which makes it almost impossible for anyone to glean useful information. Think of the process like rummaging through thousands of disorderly papers in a very large box.

The net result: Senators have insulated themselves from criticism that stems from their very important, end-of-campaign donations because they have denied voters accessible information when it would be most useful.
We're going to let the RedStaters take care of calling Sens. Lott and McConnell while we focus on our side of the aisle. Our goal is to get the rest of the Democrats on the Rules and Administration Committee on board, starting with Sen. Chris Dodd, who as our ranking member of the Committee needs to be doing more to push this through.
Here's your phone numbers:

Sen. Christopher Dodd (D-CT): (202) 224-2823

Sen. Robert Byrd (D-WV): (202) 224-3954

Sen. Daniel Inouye (D-HI): (202) 224-3934

Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-CA): (202) 224-3841

Sen. Charles Schumer (D-NY): (202) 224-6542

Sen. Mark Dayton (D-MN): (202) 224-3244

Sen. Ben Nelson (D-NE): (202) 224-6551

Of those seven, Sen. Dodd is the key, so if you can only make one call, make it to his office. Call today - be polite, and tell them that you read the article in the Washington Post, and that you want them to co-sponsor and support S. 1508. This is bipartisan, obvious legislation to bring the Senate in line with everyone else regulated by campaign finance law, and to bring it into the 21st century. It's time for a vote on S. 1508.

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Tags :: Politics · Congress · Election Reform · FEC · S. 1508

Stop the Cheney-Specter Wiretapping Bill

2006-08-21T21:41:00.000-04:00

Demand Accountability This issue is critical in holding Bush and his cabal of criminals accountable. Where they have broken the law, they should be held responsible to their oath of office. No more -- No less... - fc

Update :: SUCCESS • This bill was killed in committee as reported by The Jurirt. With a few Dems and even a couple of Republicans growing a spine and distancing themselves for the catastrophe that is Bush, the American People can declare a victory for justice in the defeat of this bill. It is not over but this is a major victory for the netroots. Thanks to all who have participated in this effort. - ƒç

Stop the Cheney-Specter Wiretapping Bill
August 20, 2006

In a clear victory for our constitutional rights, a federal court recently found the President's warrantless domestic wiretapping program to be unlawful and unconstitutional. (Working Assets is proud to have supported the American Civil Liberties Union lawsuit that resulted in this judgment.)

However, Senator Arlen Specter has worked closely with Vice President Cheney to develop a bill that would cede even more power to the executive branch -- and tries to strip us of our Fourth Amendment right not to be wiretapped without a warrant.

Specter's bill, S. 2453, would give the Administration new authority to obtain blanket "warrants" for its domestic wiretapping program -– as well as for any other wiretapping programs it desires. Once it obtains this blanket permission, the Administration would apparently be exempt from the Fourth Amendment's requirement to show a reason for each wiretap and obtain a warrant. (The legislation does not directly address the fact that the wiretapping program was just declared unconstitutional in a U.S. District Court.)

S. 2453 would also:
* Send all court cases involving warrantless surveillance –- including cases currently pending in Federal courts -- to the secret Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court of Review, which is completely off-limits to lawyers without the highest security clearances.
* Allow these cases to be dismissed for "any reason" with no chance for appeal.
* Remove other protections, enabling the White House to freely conduct data-mining of your private information.
Simply stated, if we want to preserve the Fourth Amendment to our U.S. Constitution, this bill must not be allowed to pass the Senate.
NO on S. 2453

I'm writing to you because I am simply appalled at Senator Specter's S. 2453, and I strongly urge you and your colleagues on the Judiciary Committee to vote no on this legislation.

The President's warrantless wiretapping is a clear violation of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) -- and was also recently found unconstitutional by a federal court. What's more, the FBI has clearly stated that this program provided no information of value, and needlessly diverted agents from more important counterterrorism investigations.

Now, Senator Specter's bill would permanently legalize this warrantless wiretapping -- making a mockery of the Fourth Amendment. The President doesn't need a blank check; he simply needs to act within the letter of the FISA law. Additionally, you need to step up and fulfill your constitutional role of checks and balances before our freedoms are irretrievably diminished.

Sincerely,

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Tags :: Politics · Congress · Warrantless Wiretapping · Domestic Spying · NSA · Bush · Cheney · Specter

Voters First Pledge

2006-08-20T03:57:00.000-04:00

Ask Your Rep To Sign It I will be sending this to all my reps and candidates. The Ohio Elections this november will be fascinating to watch. There are many strong Democratic Candidates and a few that are threatening Republican Incumbents.

The Democratic Candidate for Governor is my Representative Ted Strickland. Sherrod Brown is making quite an effort to unseat Mike DeWine (Republican Rubber Stamp for Bush) and he will definately get one also. Please take the time to find out how your elected lawmakers feel about the issues raised in this pledge. - fc

PUBLIC CAMPAIGN ACTION FUND
The Voters First Pledge
It’s time to clean up Congress.

The public is losing faith in Congress. With so much pressure to fundraise to win and keep their offices, politicians focus on donors rather than the people they are supposed to represent. Too many politicians appear to care more about what lobbyists and powerful interests think than they do about the pressing problems faced by most Americans.

Voters are tired of "politics as usual." We want solutions that improve fairness in campaign fundraising and allow new voices and ideas to be heard. We want an end to the headlines about scandals involving the powerful interests and lobbyists in Washington. We want more public reporting of the relationships between lobbyists and the people we elect to serve our interests.

Powerful interests and lobbyists spend millions of dollars to gain access to our elected officials, and are rewarded with billions of taxpayer dollars in return. Potential leaders of tomorrow who refuse to play this game or don’t have access to millions can't get a start in politics today.

It's time to clean up Congress by putting voters first. For our nation's future, vision and voters should matter more than donors and their dollars.

In 2006, American voters are demanding real change that goes beyond empty slogans. To ensure that Congress is accountable to voters, we urge all candidates to sign the Voters First Pledge.

Tell politicians to sign the pledge below today.
By signing below, I pledge to put voters before lobbyists by supporting legislation to:

1. Make Elections Fair.
Establish and enforce campaign spending limits by providing a set amount of public funding for all candidates who agree to take no private contributions.

2. Restore Accountability.
Pass and enforce meaningful new restrictions on gifts and travel from lobbyists and other powerful interests for members of Congress.

3. Protect Voters' Right-To-Know.
Require full disclosure on the internet of all lobbyists' contributions and any fundraising help members of Congress get from lobbyists.

Signature of federal candidate:

Take This Action ...

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Support Clean Elections Reform

2006-08-14T01:18:00.000-04:00

Election Reform :: Urgent Need It is time for the entire country to pay attention to campaign funding and the out of control spending and special favors. We need to stand up for "We The People" - fc

PUBLIC CAMPAIGN ACTION FUND

Support Clean Elections Reform

DeLay and Abramoff were just the beginning. New scandals involving the rotten triangle of special interest lobbyists, wealthy donors, and our elected officials continue to break while we pay the price for this "pay-to-play" political system.

But there is a real solution: Clean Elections campaign reform. Already working in 7 states and 2 cities, Clean Elections helps keep politicians working for the voters and not for the special interests and their lobbyists by providing public campaign funding to qualified candidates that agree to forgo private contributions and follow strict spending limits.

It's time to bring back the power of citizens to elect representatives not bought and paid for by special interest lobbyists and big-money donors. Join us in supporting Clean Elections now.

I support Clean Elections campaign reform

It's time to end the era of influence peddling, "pay-to-play" politics in Washington, D.C. By enacting a system of full public financing for elections, we can sever the cord between politicians and the big-money interests and their lobbyists who fund campaigns.

The Clean Money, Clean Elections Act (HR 3099), introduced by Reps. John Tierney (D-MA) and Raul Grijalva (D-AZ), goes farther than any campaign reform proposal currently on the table in Washington, DC. It would bring a proven system of campaign finance reform to the federal level, freeing politicians from the burdens of constant fundraising and helping to restore the people's faith in our elected officials.

It's time to bring back the power of citizens to elect representatives not bought and paid for by special-interest lobbyists and big-money donors.

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• Tags :: Politics · Vote · Election Reform · Culture Of Corruption

Governors Wary of Change on Troops

2006-08-06T20:02:00.000-04:00

presidential power or abuse It's allways important to pay attention when dealing with the Bush Administration. Is that an understatement or what...? Are you active in your state politics...? I am in constant touch with my reps and the local candidate for Ohio Govenor, Ted Strickland. It might pay for you to touch bases with your reps while on their vaction... - fc

Contacting The Congress • Write The House of Reps • Congress.org • Project Vote Smart

washingtonpost.com
Governors Wary of Change on Troops
House Bill Would Increase President's Authority Over National Guard Units

By David S. Broder
Washington Post Staff Writer
Sunday, August 6, 2006; Page A05

CHARLESTON, S.C., Aug. 5 -- The nation's governors on Saturday launched a bipartisan drive to block a move to expand the president's authority to take over National Guard troops in case of natural disaster or homeland security threats.

At a closed-door luncheon on the opening day of the annual summer meeting of the National Governors Association, the chairman, Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee (R), told colleagues that a provision in the House-passed defense authorization bill would end the historic link between the states and their Guard units.

Huckabee and the association's vice chairman, Arizona Gov. Janet Napolitano (D), plan to ask all the governors at the session to sign a letter of protest Sunday aimed at killing the provision when House and Senate conferees meet next month on the bill.

The provision was tucked into the House version of the defense bill without notice to the states, something Vilsack said he resents as much as the proposal itself.

Under the provision, the president would have authority to take control of the Guard in case of "a serious natural or manmade disaster, accident or catastrophe" in the United States.

Calls to a spokesman for the White House National Security Council staff, where the plan reportedly originated, were not returned.

In addition to the National Guard, he cited the new "Real ID" legislation, requiring states to ascertain the citizenship status of everyone seeking a driver's license. Huckabee said that, in effect, "they are trying to make every entry-level employee in our [department of motor vehicles] offices an immigration officer, and they're giving us no money to train them or hire them. It is a disaster in the making."

Read Complete Article ...

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• Tags: POLITICS · GOVERNMENT · BUSH · PRESIDENTIAL POWER · NATIONAL GUARD

Stand Up To Big Oil

2006-08-03T04:55:00.000-04:00

Gas Tax Holiday Amendment I think the Senator from New Jersey has some really good ideas. I think we all could agree on just about everything he is proposing... Don't You...? - fc

Act now to immediately lower gas prices and to support a real, long-term plan for America's energy independence »

Stand Up To Big Oil !

The Petition

We, the undersigned, are Standing Up to Big Oil and demanding immediate relief at the pump with a real, long-term plan for America's energy independence.

We support the Menendez Federal Gas Tax Holiday Amendment to suspend the 18.4 cents-per-gallon federal gasoline tax for two months. This amendment would make up the cost difference by eliminating $6 billion in tax breaks for the oil and gas industry.

We also support the Nelson-Menendez Amendment to help America kick its "oil addiction" and put our country on a "path to real energy security." The amendment would infuse critically-needed resources into next-generation technologies.

Read More From the Press Releases...

Cosmos • Tags: POLITICS · GOVERNMENT · BIG OIL · BUSH · GAS PRICES

Demand Global Warming Leadership Now!

2006-08-02T17:35:00.000-04:00

League of Conservation Voters Sign the Global Warming Leadership Petition. Send a message to political leaders, and those running for re-election in November, that Americans want energy leadership from their government. We have the technological know-how to turn the tide on global warming and the energy crisis. We as citizens must demand that elected officials act now to develop policies to stop global warming before our environment is irreparably harmed.

Sensible solutions to global warming and our energy problems exist - we can own our energy future and reinvigorate our economy. Sign the petition and demand that politicians and candidates for office make global warming and clean energy a priority in the 2006 elections.

Demand Global Warming Leadership Now!

I am concerned about the disastrous effects of global warming and our continued reliance on oil, therefore I strongly urge you to make these issues a priority in the coming 2006 elections.

Few disagree that global warming is a significant problem or that we face an energy crisis. Now is the time for politicians to show leadership on this issue by creating policies to address global warming.

As you campaign for yourself or for others during this election, I urge you to engage citizens in a discussion about global warming and energy issues so that we can develop real solutions to this real problem, including:

** New energy technologies that create jobs and build our economy
** More fuel-efficient vehicles that reduce our reliance on oil
** Cleaner power production that reduces greenhouse gas emissions
** Caps on global warming pollution

Make global warming and energy security issues during the election -- in speeches, at town hall meetings, on your web site, at campaign events, in advertisements and flyers. Let voters know which global warming solutions you support. And encourage your colleagues in Washington to do the same.

Future leaders hold the key to solving our epic energy problems, and the 2006 elections is the starting point. I would like to hear your plans for a cleaner, cheaper, better energy future.

Thanks for listening,

Signed by:

Take This Action Now...

Cosmos • Tags: Politics · Global Warming · Conservation · Bush Administation

Protect Online Political Speech

2006-07-21T19:48:00.000-04:00

Before June 3, 2006! This effort is vital for all of us who participate in online free speech in the political arena. Democrat, Republican or Independent, it matters not. Please take the time to go the site below and read the complete list of principles laid out by the Center For Democracy & Technology. These principles represent the basis for all our continued freedom on the internet. - fc

Protect Online Political Speech

The Federal Elections Commission (the "FEC") is proposing in a "Notice of Proposed Rulemaking" ("NPRM") to extend the regime of federal campaign finance rules to political speech on the Internet. Although the proposed rules are intended to be limited, they will have a significant harmful impact on the independent political speech of ordinary citizens online. The public has an opportunity to comment on the proposed rules before June 3, 2005.

The Center for Democracy & Technology and the Institute for Politics, Democracy and the Internet are collaborating to respond to the NPRM. Working with a broad range of stakeholders and interest groups, we have drafted a set of "principles" that we believe should guide the FEC and Congress in crafting rules that affect on online political speech.
1. The Internet is a unique and powerful First Amendment forum, which supports speech as "broad as human thought." It empowers ordinary people to be speakers and publishers with the ability to reach millions. As such, the Supreme Court has afforded speech on the Internet the highest constitutional protection.

2. Unlike the broadcast media, the Internet is a powerful engine for interactive, diverse, and robust democratic discourse, and it has broadened and increased the public's participation in the political process. The Internet's user-driven control and decentralized architecture support a multiplicity of voices and constrain the ability of any one speaker to monopolize attention or drown out other voices.

3. Robust political activity by ordinary citizens on the Internet, including their monetary contributions, strengthens and supports the central underlying purpose of the campaign finance law: to protect integrity of our system of representative democracy by minimizing the corrupting influence of large contributions on candidates and office holders. Individuals’ online political activity engages larger numbers of citizens in the political and campaign processes and encourages an increase in smaller contributions.

4. The Federal Election Commission should adopt a presumption against the regulation of election-related speech by individuals on the Internet, and should avoid prophylactic rules aimed at hypothetical or potential harms that could arise in the context of Internet political speech of individuals. Instead, the Commission should limit regulation to those activities where there is a record of demonstrable harms.

5. If in the future evidence arises that individuals’ Internet activities are undermining the purpose of the federal campaign finance laws, any resulting regulation should be narrowly tailored and clearly delineated to avoid chilling constitutionally protected speech. The Commission should eschew a legalistic and overly formal approach to the application of campaign finance laws to political speech on the Internet.

Continue Reading The Rest of the Principles ...

Cosmos • Tags: Politics · Internet · Free Speech · US Law

Shut Gitmo Down

2006-07-09T00:10:00.000-04:00

Cut Funding Now! I realise that with the Rubber Stamp Congress that this effort is most likely in vain. It does allow us to be on the record and find out if your reps are spineless or not. As many experts have shown that torture does not produce reliable information, why does this administration reduce itself to such tactics...? It only sends the message that they are as much of a low life as the terrorist they hunt. No wonder we are the laughing stock of the entire world. Please join me in sending the message below to your lawmakers. - fc

Shut Gitmo Down

Congress has a chance to act this year by shutting down Guantanamo Bay and government-run secret detention centers. To ensure that closing these prisons does not merely result in transferring abuse elsewhere, Congress must also ensure that all prisoners get basic protections such as humane treatment, access to a lawyer and a court, the right to know the government's charge against them and a meaningful right to prove their innocence.

The Defense Department estimates that it spends $100 million per year on the Guantanamo Bay prison -- nearly $200,000 per prisoner. Congress can cut all funds for Guantanamo Bay, for secret prisons, and for sending people to foreign countries that torture people. But Congress must also make sure that it never happens again by making sure that all prisoners have basic protections under the rule of law. >> Read more

Shut down Guantanamo Bay prison and secret prisons

Dear [Decision Maker],

As your constituent, I urge you to cut off all funds for the Guantanamo Bay prison, for secret government-funded prisons around the globe and for sending people to foreign countries that torture people. It is time to hold the government accountable by stopping these practices and halting funding for such un-American acts.
No one should be above the law, but FBI agents have reported government-funded abuse of prisoners in Guantanamo Bay, including persons "chained hand and foot in a fetal position to the floor, with no chair, food, or water... for 18, 24 hours or more."

Funding should be stopped for Guantanamo Bay prison and secret government-funded prisons where these abusive practices are likely to occur.

Congress should also ensure that all prisoners get such basic protections as humane treatment, access to a lawyer and a court, the right to know the government's charge against them, and a meaningful right to prove their innocence.

The government should not be able to transfer prisoners to foreign governments that torture people. I have read that people are being shackled and flown on government-chartered planes to countries such as Syria and Egypt where they are tortured -- typically without any criminal charge or any useful information being obtained. I understand that the government even kidnapped a Canadian citizen in New York, flew him to Syria where he was tortured for nine months, and then released him -- without ever charging him with any crime.

I have read that some prisoners are being held in complete secrecy. The federal government continues to hold prisoners, known as "ghost detainees," in secret prisons around the globe. These prisons were created after President Bush signed a secret presidential order based on a secret memorandum scheming to keep prisoners off prison rolls and outside the reach of the Red Cross.

Once again, I urge you to cut off all funds for the Guantanamo Bay prison, for secret government-funded prisons around the globe and for sending people to foreign countries that torture people. I furthermore urge you to ensure that all prisoners get basic protections such as humane treatment, access to a lawyer and a court, the right to know the government's charge against them and a meaningful chance to prove their innocence.

I look forward to hearing your thoughts on this matter.

Cosmos • Tags: Politics · Gitmo · Guantanamo Bay · Secret Prisons · Rendition · Bush Administration

Bush's Silent Vetoes

2006-07-03T19:10:00.000-04:00

Investigate this issue! Officially, President Bush has not vetoed a single piece of legislation. But in reality, he has used a radical theory of constitutional power to ignore much of what Congress has passed through the mild-sounding power of "signing statements" -- 750 of which he has issued during his term in office, more than any of his predecessors.

Essentially, this means that when the President signs a bill into law, he attaches a statement indicating which pieces of the new law he intends to obey, and which he does not. This practice gives the President unchecked power to decide which parts of the law will be followed based on his interpretation of their constitutionality.

Take, for example, Senator McCain's anti-torture amendment to the defense appropriations bill last December. President Bush's signing statement indicated that he would construe that law "consistent with the constitutional authority...of the unitary executive branch and as Commander in Chief..." In ordinary language, this means that the President reserves the right to put on his military cap and torture anyone he pleases.

It is time for Congress to defend the laws it has passed -- as well as our Constitution. Tell your representative and senator that you elected them to pass legislation, and that you do not approve of signing statements where Mr. Bush is too cowardly to veto legislation. Tell them also that you expect them to not only speak out, but to use their legal standing to sue the President when he uses signing statements to ignore the law, as in the case of torture.

Stop the President's Silent Vetoes

I'm writing to ask that you review this president's unprecedented use of signing statements to break laws that he does not agree with -- and then use all means at your disposal to hold him accountable.

It was often heard during the impeachment proceedings against President Clinton that "no one, not even the President, is above the law." Isn't that still the case today? If the President declares that he is the sole arbiter of what is and is not legal and constitutional, then what's the point of even having laws?

The separation of powers is one of the fundamental principles that differentiates our representative democracy from a dictatorship. Your power has been radically usurped. You need to express your opposition publicly, hold oversight hearings, and use your unique standing as lawmakers to sue. The future of our democracy demands no less.

Sincerely,

Sign This Petition...

Cosmos • Tags: Politics · Signing Statements · Unitary President · Bush Administration

Make Congress 'Oil-Free'

2006-06-20T11:46:00.000-04:00

Tell Big Oil - NO! Tell your rep to say no to Big Oil and Yes to America. Nothing gets a point across like 'Money'. By not being bought and paid for by Big Oil, our reps will be free once again to act in the best interest of all Americans. Pandering to the special interest groups has gone on long enough. Make your voice heard. - fc

Since 1990, Big Oil has given more than $190 million to members of Congress and 75% ($142,635,314!) of those donations have gone to Republicans. Those donations guarantee an energy policy that serves the oil industry's interests over the public interest. Until we stop politicians from taking oil money, it'll be hard to move into a clean-energy future.

Dear Representative,

I'm writing to ask you to publicly pledge not to take any further campaign contributions from the oil industry. As you know, Americans have become increasingly concerned about the high price of our nation's addiction to oil and want a clean energy future. While there is a lot of talk in Washington about our addiction to oil, there is very little action.

Before we can expect to free the nation from its dependence on oil, we need politicians who will free themselves from their dependence on the oil industry. That's why we are asking you to stop taking contributions from Big Oil.

Cosmos • Tags: Politics · Congress · Big Oil · Alternative Energy

'No' To Sunset Commission Legislation!

2006-06-18T07:16:00.000-04:00

Tell Your Lawmaker - NO! Tsounds like just another act of destruction from Bush's Playbook. The thought of yet another group of non-elected officials making decisions for us whether we like it or not. Join me in researching this issue and making a decision to send this letter to your Representatives. - fc

OMB Watch 'No' To Sunset Commission Legislation!

Both houses of Congress are planning to vote on controversial legislation that would create an unelected, unaccountable commission with the broad authority to make recommendations to terminate or "realign" federal programs. These recommendations would be forced through Congress on a fast track, take-it-or-leave-it basis with limited debate and no opportunity for amendment.

Learn More...

Decisions about federal programs are too important to be ripped from the hands of elected lawmakers and made behind closed doors.

Continue Reading This Article...

I am writing to oppose any legislation for sunset commissions.

Whether the vehicle in question is H.R. 2470, H.R. 3277, H.R. 3282, the sunset commission sections of S. 3521, or some provision still to be unveiled, I am concerned by the prospect of forcing federal programs to justify their continued existence in front of an unelected commission with the power to recommend whether they live, die, or get "realigned."

Decisions on federal programs that inspect the safety of our food and drugs, keep workers safe on the job, enforce environmental and civil rights protections, help educate our children, provide needed social services such as healthcare and food assistance, and much more are too important to be left to an unelected, unaccountable panel. Congress has the obligation and authority to conduct oversight of federal agencies. This power should not be abdicated to the executive branch.

There is no need for these sunset commission proposals. Congress already has the power to decide that programs should be eliminated or reorganized. Mechanisms already exist to evaluate these programs. Beyond Congress's oversight authority, the Government Accountability Office, the Inspector General's office, the Congressional Research Service and the Office of Management and Budget all conduct evaluations of agency effectiveness. Moreover, there are many programs for which there is simply no question of their worth. Forcing programs to conduct even more costly analysis to justify their existence would be a waste of resources - resources that should instead be spent on meeting their missions to serve the public.

I am also troubled by any provision that would force the recommendations of unelected sunset commissions through Congress on a fast-track, take-it-or-leave-it basis, with little opportunity for debate and no opportunity for amendment. Questions as crucial as the very function of government programs are too important for debate to be muzzled.

Sunset commission proposals do not address government waste. Instead, they would force programs targeted in budget cuts to face the chopping block for a second time. I cannot support this dangerous concept.

Cosmos • Tags: Politics · Congress · Bush Administration

PNAC :: Mission Accomplished !

2006-06-13T10:35:00.000-04:00

NeoCons new strategy? Seems like the NeoCons are trying to have a "Mission Accomplished" moment like the little cowboy did. Maybe just a name change because the stink of the term NeoCon has finally become unbearable, even to some of their rank and file supporters. When your whole fabric of being is built on a foundation of corruption, lies and fear mongering, it is only time before the shit finally breaks the surface. It is only one small step for a glorious leader to go from walking on water to sinking into a quagmire of his own making.

I guess you do have to give it to them, they did get a man into the World Bank. And they are still managing a nice stab at robbing the taxpayers money in order to pad the pockets of the megacorp Military Industrial Complex, 21st Century revision edition featuring a lean mean bilking machine based on privatizing the military. Pirate sizing huge markups while brewing a cauldren of corruption and incompetence unriveled in modern history. I guess you could say they have accomplished their mission... No doubt about it... - fc

In The Loop
by Al Kamen

Mission Accomplished?

The doors may be closing shortly on the nine-year-old Project for a New American Century, the neoconservative think tank headed by William Kristol , former chief of staff to Vice President Dan Quayle and now editor of the Weekly Standard, which is must reading for neocon cogitators and agitators.

The PNAC was short on staff -- having perhaps a half-dozen employees -- but very long on heavy hitters. The founders included Richard B. Cheney , Donald H. Rumsfeld , Paul D. Wolfowitz , Jeb Bush , I. Lewis "Scooter" Libby , William J. Bennett, Zalmay Khalilzad and Quayle.

The goal was to continue the Reaganite, muscular approach to projecting American power and "moral clarity" in a post-Cold War world, the group's manifesto said. The targets were liberal drift and conservative isolationism.

PNAC and its supporters dominated the Bush administration's foreign policy apparatus and championed a policy to get rid of Saddam Hussein long before Sept. 11, 2001.

In its famous 1998 letter to President Bill Clinton , PNAC said "removing Saddam Hussein and his regime . . . now needs to become the aim of American foreign policy." Clinton was urged to use all diplomatic, political and military means to topple him.

Despite the happy chatter before the Iraq invasion about cheering crowds and bouquets and cakewalks and how the war was going to pay for itself, the signatories wrote that "we are fully aware of the dangers of implementing this policy."

There had been debate about PNAC's future, but the feeling, a source said, was of "goal accomplished" and it looks to be heading toward closing. Former executive director Gary J. Schmitt , who had been executive director of President Ronald Reagan 's Foreign Intelligence Advisory Board, left recently for a post at the American Enterprise Institute. (Not a big move. Actually, only five floors up from PNAC.) Still, seems like a short century.

Cosmos • Tags: Politics · PNAC · Iraq · War OF Terror · NeoCons · Bush Administration

Stop the Trillion-Dollar Giveaway to the Rich

2006-06-05T10:41:00.000-04:00

The Estate Tax The Bush Administration is just not going to give up trying to pad the pockets of the rich. This call to action is needed to let your lawmakers know that you are not pleased with the way tax breaks are doled out to the top 4% of Americans and the rest of us get shafted. Take the time to let your voice be heard. - fc

Keep The Estate Tax

Conservatives in the Senate are pushing to permanently repeal the estate tax in a vote next week -- an action that will cost the U.S. Treasury more than $1 trillion over the first ten years, and provide benefits only to the wealthiest of the wealthy in our society. Haven't they benefited enough from President Bush's previous tax giveaways for the rich?

First, some facts:

The estate tax currently has an exemption of $2 million per person ($4 million per couple) -- meaning that only five out of every one thousand people will ever be subject to the tax. With the exemption already set to rise to $3.5 million per person by 2009, the Congressional Budget Office has calculated that the overwhelming majority of farms and small businesses will not be taxed.
Who is pushing for this repeal? 18 super-wealthy families, who are looking to cash in on a potential windfall of $71.6 billion.
Who else will benefit? People like Exxon CEO Lee Raymond, who will get a tax break of $160 million. Vice President Cheney will save between $12 million and $60 million. President Bush will also do pretty well, with a tax break somewhere between $787,000 and $6.2 million.

The Bush Administration's reckless fiscal management, combined with irresponsible tax cuts passed by a Republican congress, have saddled us with a national debt that is spiraling out of control. Each American baby born these days comes into the world already almost $28,000 in debt. Is this enormous birth tax fair to future generations of Americans?

Senator Kyl, Republican of Arizona, is floating a dangerous "compromise" proposal that will cost the Treasury nearly the same amount, and still concentrate its benefits on the wealthiest of estates. This proposal needs to be defeated as well.

Dear Senator,

I'm writing to strongly urge you to vote against permanently repealing the estate tax, and also to vote against the so-called "compromise" proposal being floated by Senator Kyl.

It's morally repugnant to me that you would consider giving even more tax breaks to the super-wealthy. You and I both know that with the current and future exemption limits, very few farms and family business -- according to the CBO, less that 200 total across the nation -- will be subject to this tax.

The height of fiscal irresponsibility would be passing an even larger debt on to our children. By the time you read this, the birth tax will have exceeded $28,000 per American baby. What kind of legacy will we leave for future generations if this number keeps spiraling out of control?

I look forward to your reply on this very important issue, and I will be watching very closely to see how you vote.

Thank you for your time and attention to my letter.

Sincerely,

Cosmos • Tags: Politics · Estate Tax · Tax Breaks · Bush Administration

THE PEACE MAJORITY!

2006-05-26T10:27:00.000-04:00

Peace Action What is it going to take before Congress hears the American People...? Peace Action is making available this petition in support of getting our troops out of Iraq. Please join me in letting your lawmakers know that you want them to bring our troops home and letting Iraq be free and independant of permanent occupying military forces. - fc

TELL CONGRESS TO CATCH UP WITH THE PEACE MAJORITY!

Over 60% of Americans believe the war in Iraq was not worth fighting. When will Congress catch up with the rest of the country? Write your member of Congress and demand that they do all they can to end the war as soon as possible.

Representative Mike Thompson (D-CA) has introduced a great bill which has bipartisan support. House Concurrent Resolution 348 demands that the United States should not maintain a permanent military presence or military bases in Iraq, the United States should not attempt to control the flow of Iraqi oil, and United States Armed Forces should be redeployed from Iraq as soon as practicable after the completion of Iraq's constitution-making process or September 30, 2006, whichever occurs first.

Your Congressmen and women need to hear from you!

Sign onto H. Con. Res. 348

As one of your constituents and a member of Peace Action, I ask that you sign onto H. Con. Res. 348: "Expressing the sense of Congress with respect to accomplishing the mission in Iraq."

Representative Mike Thompson (D-CA) has introduced a great bill which has bipartisan support. House Concurrent Resolution 348 demands that the United States should not maintain a permanent military presence or military bases in Iraq, the United States should not attempt to control the flow of Iraqi oil, and United States Armed Forces should be redeployed from Iraq as soon as practicable after the completion of Iraq's constitution-making process or September 30, 2006, whichever occurs first.

Please take a stand and sign onto H. Con. Res. 348.

I look forward to hearing from you and learning where you stand on this issue.

H.C. 348 :: Gov Track

Cosmos • Tags: Politics · Petition · Iraq · Bush Adinistration

Telco & Cable Mergers

2006-05-25T12:48:00.000-04:00

Stop The Mergers I have posted on this issue a couple of times but it is important that we do not slack off on putting pressure on our government to do the right thing. We need to keep these megacorps from attaining any more control and consolidation of power than we can help... As is witnessed by the revalations about our personal information and who has it and what they are doing with it, it is time to make sure these giants hear what we have to say... - fc

Stop Big Telco and Big Cable from getting even bigger

The largest telecommunications and cable companies are fighting to shut down a free and open Internet. They keep raising prices while making empty promises about serving all Americans. They've even illegally handed over your personal information to government eavesdroppers.

AT&T is trying to buy BellSouth, which would make it the largest telecom company in the world. Comcast and Time Warner — the country's two largest cable and Internet companies — are trying to wrap up their purchase of Adelphia, the nation's fifth-largest cable company. If these deals go through, Comcast, Time Warner, and AT&T will control over half of all the high-speed Internet connections in the United States.

The Federal Communications Commission is in the final stages of deciding whether these deals should go through. Your voice can make all the difference in stopping them.

To ensure your comments are useful to the FCC, try to address the questions below. We'll put your answers together into a single filing on the next page.

Introductory text (edit to express your own concerns):

Dear Chairman Martin:

I am writing to challenge the Comcast/Time Warner/Adelphia merger (FCC Docket No. 05-192) and the AT&T/BellSouth merger (FCC Docket No. 06-74). Allowing the largest telecommunications company and the two largest cable companies in the United States to grow even larger does not serve the public interest.

The concentration of media power is a growing problem in this country. Though we have more channels available than ever before, they are increasingly falling under the control of a handful of giant corporations. The cost of broadband service also remains out of reach for many households. Americans are hungry for more competition in services. However, these mergers will only starve Americans of this needed competition.

Allowing AT&T to combine with BellSouth will give the top three broadband providers control of over half of all broadband connections in the country. At the same time, the Time Warner/Comcast/Adelphia merger will give Comcast and Time Warner increased power over entire regions of the United States, allowing rates to rise even as the digital divide continues to grow.

What services and needs should be protected if the FCC allows this merger to go through?

The FCC should block these transactions or impose strict conditions to protect free speech and competition under its "public interest standard." If the FCC decides to allow either of these mergers, it should require the following conditions:

1. Subscribers must be able to choose from competitive Internet Service Providers ("open access"). The FCC should also ensure that these companies cannot discriminate against any Internet content or rival service and that every service will be treated exactly the same ("Network Neutrality").

2. Companies must be required to sell broadband access separate from video and telephone service, and at the same price ("naked broadband" or "unbundling").

3. Any subscriber must be able to connect any device to the network (such as a Wi-Fi router) that does not harm the network.

4. Take steps to protect public access programming ("PEG"). Cable companies have become less responsive to the needs and requirements of communities. The quality of public accountability in local franchise agreements has declined, as big companies leverage their power to squeeze local governments. Likewise, telecommunications giants — like AT&T — are trying to eliminate the remaining vestiges of effective local oversight and control altogether.

5. Independent programmers must be able to reach subscribers. We are required to buy channels we don't want or need because providers of video service bundle them together.

6. Any company that owns both programming and video systems should be required to provide competitors with access to their regional sports and other programming needed to offer competing services, so consumers will still have real choices.

Concluding Text (add your own comments)

In conclusion, I ask the FCC to consider the interests of the people like me who pay the cable, telephone and broadband bills and watch the programming. Many of us already have enough trouble trying to afford broadband or cable TV. Please don't make it even harder for us to find competitors, or make it easier for Comcast, Time Warner and AT&T to raise prices or block local and independent voices.

Cosmos • Tags: Politics · Telcos · Cable · Mergers · AT&T · Comcast · Adelphia · Time Warner · FCC · Network Neutrality · Open Access

Stop Drive-through Mastectomies

2006-05-23T19:43:00.000-04:00

Lifetime TV Cares Sign this petition. By doing so, you'll ensure that women who are diagnosed with breast cancer won't have to worry about being forced out of the hospital after undergoing a mastectomy! The Breast Cancer Patient Protection Act of 2005 will guarantee that women and their physicians, not insurance companies, will decide when they are ready to go home. So voice your support now — with your signature. Lifetime will deliver your signature, along with the millions of others, to Congress. Please add your name to the list to help get this legislation passed. (Presione aquÍ para español.)

Lifetime

Stop Drive-through Mastectomies

U.S. Senators Olympia J. Snowe (R-ME) and Mary L. Landrieu (D-LA) and U.S. Representatives Sue Kelly (R-NY) and Rosa DeLauro (D-CT) introduced The Breast Cancer Patient Protection Act of 2005. As part of the network's Stop Breast Cancer for Life advocacy campaign, Lifetime has been working to pass this legislation since 1996 and now has collected more than 10 million petition signatures from viewers who have showed support for Congress to pass this bill. The bill's protections for those facing breast cancer include:

A second opinion. This bill assures a patient of a second opinion for any cancer diagnosis. A cancer diagnosis must be reliable.

Inpatient coverage. The bill ensures that a health care provider cannot limit hospital stays for a mastectomy or breast-conserving surgery to less than 48 hours, and also assures a 24-hour stay for lymph node dissection.

Support for lumpectomy treatment. This bill requires coverage for radiation therapy for patients undergoing lumpectomy. Together with the assurance of inpatient care, this act removes the economic incentive for a woman to select mastectomy simply to reduce the immediate cost of treatment.

While both medical and nursing associations believe that most patients require a longer hospital stay, "drive-through" mastectomies have become an unwelcome reality for women who are battling breast cancer. Against the advice of their doctors, women must leave the hospital while still in pain, groggy with anesthesia and with drainage tubes still in place.

The legislation is supported by the American Medical Association; American College of Surgeons; American Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons; Association of Women's Health, Obstetric and Neonatal Nurses; National Council of Jewish Women; Society for the Advancement of Women's Health Research; Susan G. Komen Foundation; Y-ME National Breast Cancer Organization; and Families USA.

Cosmos • Tags: Politics · Mastectomies · AMA · American College of Surgeons · American Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons · Association of Women's Health · National Council of Jewish Women · Society for the Advancement of Women's Health Research · Susan G. Komen Foundation · Y-ME National Breast Cancer Organization · Families USA

Kick The Oil Habit

2006-05-19T10:20:00.000-04:00

Tell The Oil Companies We all know it is coming and it may not be so very far into our future as the oil companies would like for us to belive. The transition to alternative fuels and energy sources needs to start with us and it needs to start now. - fc

Tell Big Oil to Support Renewable Fuels Like E85

More than five million American cars are already equipped to run on E85, a cheaper, cleaner, homegrown, renewable alternative to gasoline. Unfortunately, only about 600 of America's 170,000 gas stations currently offer this alternative fuel. Tell ExxonMobil, Chevron, BP, Shell, Valero, and ConocoPhillips to double the number of E85 pumps over the next year and provide E85 at half of all gas stations within a decade.

Dear Energy Company Executives:

We need to act now to move away from expensive polluting imported oil and towards clean, innovative American alternatives. I am asking America's largest oil and gas companies to take the E85 pledge to double the number of E85 pumps in the next year and provide E85 at half of all gas stations within a decade.

I would appreciate your prompt reply.

Thank you.

The following groups support the Kick the Oil Habit campaign.

Natural Resources Defense Council Action Fund
MoveOn.org
Consumers Union
Apollo Alliance
Californians for Clean Energy
Environmental Action
Oil Change International
Vote Solar

KickTheOilHabit.org is a campaign of the Center for American Progress Action Fund

For the latest news and commentary about energy alternatives, please visit our blog: Think Progress

Cosmos • Tags: Politics · Alternative Energy · E85 · Ethanol · Environmental Activism · Clean Energy · Oil Companies · Bush Administration

Tell the Phone Companies OFF

2006-05-13T10:37:00.000-04:00

Hang Up on NSA The ACLU has made available this petition to the phone companies that allowed the NSA to obtain your phone numbers and calling information. If this does not spark outrage in you, there will be new revelations next week about more wrong doing from the NSA. - fc

ARE YOU HELPING THE GOVERNMENT INVADE MY PRIVACY?

Dear AT&T, Verizon and BellSouth,

Revelations regarding the Bush administration's illegal and warrantless spying on Americans make it clear that your company is enabling illegal government spying by turning over private details about our telephone calls to the National Security Agency.

As an American consumer, I expect you to treat my personal communications as totally private.

This is my right under the U.S. Constitution. I do not intend to forfeit it and I don't expect you to forfeit it for me.

I am writing to demand that your company stop participating in the government's illegal spying program.

By helping the government track the calls and communications of millions of ordinary Americans, you are violating not only the law but the trust of the American consumer. And that's just plain wrong.

Please write me at the address below to let me know that you are reconsidering your cooperation with this un-American spying program.

Cosmos • Tags: Politics · Phone Companies · AT&T · Verizon · Bell South · NSA · Domestic Phone Calls · Bush Administration · Michael Hayden

Another NSA Scandal

2006-05-11T23:14:00.000-04:00

Democracy For America In light of the news today that the NSA has been datamining our phone numbers, it is necessary to ask this Rubber Stamp Congress to investigate this critical issue. Michael Hayden was the man who was in charge of this operation during his tenure at the head of the NSA from 2001 to 2005. It will be important for him to answer questions about this during his confirmation hearings to become head of the CIA. I don't think the Republicans will be so anxious to get that hearing underway now that this scandal has been piled on top of the previous domestic spying issues... - fc

Tracked by the NSA

Attn: Senator Bill Frist, Senator Harry Reid, Speaker Dennis Hastert, Representative Nancy Pelosi

It has recently been exposed that the National Security Agency has been collecting the personal and business call records of tens of millions of innocent Americans. This is an intrusion on privacy. I call on you, as leaders of a co-equal branch of our government, to investigate this matter fully. In order to fully understand the breadth of this program, all witness testimony should be delivered under oath.

Cosmos • Tags: Politics · Congress · NSA · Domestic Phone Calls · Bush Administration · Michael Hayden

Save The Internet

2006-04-22T21:18:00.000-04:00

Where Does Your Lawmaker StandFrom the activists at FreePress comes this information by way of Rebelle Nation :: Save The Internet. There have been several bills in this Congress about the internet and politics. This latest bill is just as important as the other issues we face in keeping the internets free.

Gonzales beating the KiddyPorn drum and ensconcing a look at what other ways he and the corporatists can worm their way into making regulations and awarding a few select corporations the privilege of charging for services that today are free. If there is a way for the big corps to make money, this administration is just the ticket to get it done.

We must stay vigilant in our bizaro bush world for another thousand days... My Representative has not voted on this bill... Save The Internet.com provide and interactive map that will tell you if and how your reps have voted... - fc

Don't Let Congress Ruin the Internet

Right now Congress is pushing a law that would abandon the First Amendment of the Internet -- a principle called "network neutrality" that preserves the free and open Internet. Congress needs to hear from you today or they will hand over control of what you do online to companies like AT&T, Verizon and Comcast.

Politicians are trading favors for campaign donations from these companies. They're being wooed by people like AT&T's CEO, who says "the Internet can't be free." Sign this petition to tell your elected representatives to protect Internet freedom now.

Other Actions ::
Net Freedom Now Send a message to corporate America telling them to leave Net Neutrality Alone...

Stop Fake TV News Corporate propaganda has infiltrated local TV newscasts, with disguised product advertisements posing as genuine news reports. This represents a breach of the trust between broadcasters and their viewers. Send a message to the FCC...

Save The Internet at MoveOn Another petition/letter to Congress like the main post action listed above...

Consumers Union :: Protect Your Access to an Open Internet Another action similar to the main post...

Cosmos • Tags: Politics · Corporatism · Net Neutrality · Fake News · FCC · Congress · Culture Of Corruption

Letter to the U.N.

2006-04-15T04:27:00.000-04:00

Stop The Bomb... Please join me in supporting Code Pink's effort to stop the madness that is pre-emptive nuclear war. When my wife and I went to Washington D.C. on Sept 24th 2005 for the Anti-War Protest March, we met three of the ladies from Code Pink. I was confined to a wheel chair and they were very gracious in helping us find our way to the Washington Monument and the site of the march. Their efforts to showcase the unjust and illegal war in Iraq and their help in Cindy Sheehan's efforts to bring our troops home are very much appreciated. They need our help now to stop the use of nuclear weapons against Iran. - fc

Tell the Bush administration and Kofi Annan that the world is demanding an end to this madness!

HELP US PREVENT A WAR WITH IRAN

To the Honorable Kofi Annan, Secretary-General of the United Nations

Dear Mr. Secretary-General,

We are appalled that the United States is threatening a military strike against Iran, possibly using nuclear weapons. As you are well aware, a preventive strike is illegal under international law, and the threat to use nuclear weapons against Iran, a non-nuclear weapons state, is a violation of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty that the United States has signed. A nuclear strike against Iran would undermine the entire legal framework of disarmament and non-proliferation that so many millions of people around the world, and the United Nations itself, have worked so hard to build and protect.

As the head of the United Nations, the repository of international law, you called the U.S./UK invasion of Iraq what it was: illegal. Now we call on you to tell the Bush administration and the world:

--That any preventive military strike against Iran is illegal.

--That even threatening a nuclear strike against Iran - a non-nuclear weapons state - is illegal.

--That a nuclear strike threatens dire consequences - maybe even global war. We urge you to make a diplomatic solution to this crisis your top priority.

Thank you for your consideration.

Sincerely,

CODEPINK

Cosmos • Tags: Politics · Iran · Nuke · Petition · Code Pink · Bush Administration

Don't Nuke Iran

2006-04-14T00:20:00.000-04:00

Stop The Bomb... We need to send a strong message to Congress and the Bush Administration. Most of us realise the damage that has already been done by this irresponsible and incompetent administration. Without hearing directly from you, they will take the next step into madness that is nuclear destruction. Join me in letting your lawmakers know that this is the wrong way to go... - fc

President Bush and Congress should rule out attacking Iran with nuclear weapons

TO: Your Senators
CC: (Your Representative)
FROM: (Your Name and Email)
SUBJECT: Don't Nuke Iran

__________

Dear Senators and Representatives,

Congress and President Bush must rule out attacking Iran with nuclear weapons. Even the threat of a nuclear attack eliminates some of the best options we have for diplomacy, and the consequences could be catastrophic.

Cosmos • Tags: Politics · Iran · Nuke · Petition · MoveOn · Bush Administration

Kerry :: Deadline For Iraq

2006-04-11T15:39:00.000-04:00

Co-Sponsor This Petition... We need to stand behind Kerry in his effort to avoid more useless deaths in Iraq. His reasoning is sound and his words are powerful. Under Richard Nixon, 30,000 more names were added to the wall in D.C. There have been thousands of our troops in Iraq killed and wounded for a lie. Tens of thousands of Iraqi men, women and children have died because of the war criminal in the White House. It is time for the killing to stop. - fc

Co-Sponsor This Resolution

Half the names on the Vietnam Memorial wall were added after America's leaders knew our strategy would not work. It was immoral then and it would be immoral now to engage in the same delusion. You and I have to do everything in our power to stop that from happening again.

Two weeks ago, President Bush said that the timing of complete withdrawal from Iraq "...will be decided by future presidents." But this is our responsibility now, not the responsibility of future presidents or a future Congress.

I believe that American combat troops should come home from Iraq in 2006 - not the distant future as President Bush does. Furthermore, I believe we must set a May 15th deadline for the Iraqis to form an effective unity government. And, if the Iraqi politicians choose to ignore that deadline, then I believe things will only get worse and we will have no choice but to withdraw immediately.

It's not enough to express our convictions - we need to back up our beliefs with concrete actions. Today I introduced a resolution into the Senate that will give members of both parties the chance to tell the president that our course in Iraq must change.

I am setting tough deadlines for action in Iraq, and you know as well as I do how fiercely the extreme right wing will attack us. So I'm asking you today to be a citizen co-sponsor of this important resolution. Show the White House and my Senate colleagues a groundswell of support.

Support a Deadline for Iraq

I support John Kerry's Senate resolution for a timely withdrawal from Iraq.

I believe that American combat troops should come home from Iraq in 2006 - not the distant future as President Bush does. Furthermore, I believe we must set a May 15th deadline for the Iraqis to form an effective unity government. And, if the Iraqi politicians choose to ignore that deadline, then I believe things will only get worse and we will have no choice but to withdraw immediately.

We want democracy in Iraq, but it's now the job of Iraqis to build it. Our troops have performed gallantly and heroically. The best way to keep faith with them is to set deadlines for bringing our troops home and getting Iraq on its own two feet. That's the only way to give their sacrifice its best chance of resulting in success.

Cosmos • Tags: Politics · Iraq · John Kerry · Petition · Bush Administration

Phone Records Act

2006-03-29T21:09:00.000-05:00

Prevention of Fraudulent Access ! This issue should be one of importance to all Americans, regardless of party or political preference. If it is of concern to you, please join me in contacting your elected lawmakers. - fc

Cosumers Union.org

Help Keep Your Cell Phone Records Private!

Think your cell phone records are private? Think again! Stalkers, identity thieves, and data-brokers can easily access your detailed cell phone records—who you called, their number, how long you talked, and when. How? They call your cell phone carrier and pretend to be you. And cell phone companies aren’t doing enough to keep your information safe.

Consumers Union wants Congress to take a hard stance against this practice. Congress should make it illegal for anyone use unscrupulous means to buy or sell your phone records. And Congress should require phone companies to do more to safeguard your private information and prohibit them from sharing it with other companies without your express permission. A House of Representatives committee recently approved the Prevention of Fraudulent Access to Phone Records Act, strong legislation that would do just that!

Unfortunately, the Senate Commerce Committee will soon consider a bill that would actually weaken privacy protections. It not only fails to require phone companies to safeguard your detailed records, it also prevents your state from imposing stronger privacy protection requirements on those companies a dangerous step backward!

Tell Congress to pass the Prevention of Fraudulent Access to Phone Records Act and reject the dangerously weak Senate bill.

Support H.R. 4943, Reject S. 2389

I am rightfully concerned that stalkers, identity thieves, and data-brokers can access my private phone records that I entrusted to my telephone company. I urge you to protect my privacy by supporting H.R. 4943, the Prevention of Fraudulent Access to Phone Records Act. Further, you should reject S. 2389, a Senate bill that would actually weaken consumer phone record privacy protections.

It is simply not enough for Congress to prohibit fraudulent practices used to access my private calling records. There will always be those who will flout the law. Congress must make sure that phone companies have safeguards in place that prevent fraudsters from accessing my private information in the first place! In addition, Congress should prohibit my phone company from sharing my private, detailed phone records with their business partners and other companies unless I give them my express permission to do so. The more widely my records are shared, the more vulnerable they are.

The House Commerce Committee recently approved H.R. 4943, which takes all of these steps: it prohibits fraudulent access to my phone records; requires phone companies to implement strict, new security safeguards; and requires my carrier to get my express permission before it hands out my detailed phone records to other companies.

Unfortunately, S. 2389, about to be considered by the Senate Commerce Committee, doesn't require phone companies to do anything more to protect the privacy of my phone records. And at the same time, it prevents my state from enforcing stricter protections on the use and sharing of my private calling records. As a result, the Senate legislation is a dangerous step backward for consumers and should be rejected.

Please support H.R. 4943, the Prevention of Fraudulent Access to Phone Records Act, and reject S. 2389, the dangerously weak Senate proposal.

Thank you for protecting my personal privacy!

Who Links To This Article

Tags: Politics · Congress · Bush Administration · Petition · Privacy · Phone Records

Censure Bush

2006-03-16T09:32:00.000-05:00

Support Feingold!

B U S H

It is time to stand up for America and help support Feingold's Censure To The President. The rule of law must be held as the top priority for all Americans. Bush is not above the law no matter what spin and rhetoric they force feed to the press. Even tho this Censure will not be effective because of the Republican Corrupt Congress, it is still important to stand behind Senator Feingold and have it on the record at this time. No, we will not win but it is a fight worth fighting, for the principal of it. - fc

President Bush Must be Censured for Breaking the Law

"Congress must censure President Bush for breaking the law to wiretap American citizens without a warrant."

President Bush should be censured for breaking the law by illegally wiretapping American citizens.

When the president misleads the public and the Congress and willfully and repeatedly breaks the law, there need to be some consequences --that's how the law works for everybody else. Censuring the president is a reasonable first step in condemning his actions.

Who Links To This
Tags: Politics · No To Bush · Scandals · Domestic Spying · Warrantless Wiretapping · Unitary President · FISA · NSA · Bush Administration · Cheney Administration · Culture of Corruption

Stop the Hypocrisy!

2006-03-11T09:27:00.000-05:00

Tell the Religious Right: Stop the Hypocrisy! The leaders of the Religious Right have been swept up in the Abramoff Scandal yet no mention of it in the M$M. When they need airtime for bashing gays or trying to wash away 200 years of Seperation of Church and State, they get plenty. Their hypocrisy is so transparent... Their flock of sheeple are so gullable... - fc

Tell the Religious Right:
Stop the Hypocrisy

The leaders of the religious right have long preached against the moral evils of gambling. But now James Dobson, Lou Sheldon and Ralph Reed have been exposed as base hypocrites, knee-deep in the muck of the Jack Abramoff scandal -- they took millions of dollars of Abramoff's gambling money to lobby against his clients' competitors.

• Former Christian Coalition Director Ralph Reed made millions from Indian gambling interests, rallying religious conservatives to oppose competing casinos.
• James Dobson of Focus on the Family recorded anti-gambling ads that a casino-operating Indian tribe paid to air.
• Lou Sheldon's Traditional Values Coalition was paid $25,000 by online gambling outfit eLottery to lobby congress on its behalf.

It's time for the hypocrisy to end. Millions of Americans have taken their moral cues from these men, only to find out now that they are in bed with the very interests they've earned their living condemning. These so-called leaders need to stop telling others how to act, and start practicing what they preach.

Tell Ralph Reed, Louis Sheldon and James Dobson to stop the hypocrisy -- and donate all their Abramoff money to Gamblers Anonymous.

To : Ralph Reed, Louis Sheldon and James Dobson

For years, you've attacked the freedom of women to control their own bodies, waged war on gay marriage, and fought to erode one of the most central tenets of our Constitution: the separation between church and state.

You've always claimed the moral high ground, asserting the right to tell people how to live and condemning millions of Americans for actions you deemed immoral. But your high ground is washed away. After years of condemning gambling as a social ill, you're caught knee-deep in pro-gambling campaigns hatched by convicted felon Jack Abramoff.

It's time to stop telling others how to act, and start practicing what you preach.

End your hypocrisy, and donate all the money you received from Jack Abramoff and his clients to Gamblers Anonymous.

Who Links To This
Tags: Politics · Abramoff · Hypocrisy · Religious Right · Scandals

Channel Choice Now

2006-03-07T23:03:00.000-05:00

A La Carte Option! Current news has it that AT&T and SBC are possibly being transmuted back into a megacorp mini-monopoly under the Bush Administration. No big surprise there, for sure... The push for channel choice from providers becomes an even more inportant issue for all of us. We need to push congress on the 'a la carte' option... - fc

You may be able to save as much as 13% on your cable bills, according to a new FCC report (PDF file). Real cable and satellite choice would allow you to pick and pay for only those channels you want.

If you had the option to choose channels individually (known as a la carte) instead of having to buy cable and satellite packages like you do today you could lower your monthly bills and gain more control over the programs your family watches. This a la carte system could also allow for more independent and diverse programming because it would break the hold that cable and satellite operators currently have when deciding what packages to market.

It is time to tell Congress that consumers want more channel choice! Real cable and satellite choice can bring consumers lower prices, and more diverse programming.

Give me more control over my channels!

I am writing to let you know that I am angry that cable and satellite rates are continuing to rise and I want more control over my cable and satellite TV bills. The Federal Communications Commission has said that allowing consumers to choose and pay for only those channels they want to watch will save consumers money. Cable and satellite companies should adopt this "a la carte" system immediately, and give me more control over what programs come into my home.

Consumers should have more flexibility when it comes to the cable and satellite programming that we pay for. Today, the cable and satellite companies, not consumers, decide what packages of channels we have to buy. Because of this system, they're able to favor the channels they own. Giving me more choice--either to choose a package or select my own channels--would help break the choke hold cable and satellite companies have on programming, and could allow more independent programming to get aired. This "a la carte" system would let me save money and allow me to decide what programming I want to keep out of my home.

Over the past ten years, the average price of expanded basic cable service has increased from just over $20 to well over $40 nearly three times the rate of inflation. Today, 98% of consumers can choose from only one cable company and not everyone can get satellite. This lack of competition has hurt consumers and encouraged the industry to lock us into the large packages of channels we don't watch.

I understand the technology already exists to make a cable and satellite a la carte system work. While the cable and satellite industry is fighting this idea, giving consumers choices is the way most markets work. Imagine Time Warner telling consumers that to buy Time magazine, they also had to buy Time Warner-owned Field & Stream. In the competitive publishing market they couldn't get away with that, but in TV, they make more money by controlling how consumers get cable and satellite programming. Bundling lets them squeeze consumers and control content. They may have no incentive to quit unless policymakers step in and get involved.

Please support giving me more control over my bill.

Who Links To This
Tags: Politics · Petition · Channel Choice · Cable · Satellite · Consumer Choice · A La Carte

Action Alerts Round-Up

2006-02-27T09:28:00.000-05:00

Do More Than Just Vote! Due to the number of petitions and letters, I am breaking habit of giving each one it's own post. All of these deserve your attention. At a time when the MSM can only focus on one scandal at a time, we in the reality based community need to multi-task and maintain a wide focus. Many things slip beneath the radar and with a corrupt and inept administration like Bush/Cheney, they use it to their maximum advantage. Take Action. Do it now...!!! Do it often...!!!

Should the United Arab Emirates Operate U.S. Ports? - by Democrats.com

Conyers Censure Bill - Congressman John Conyers has introduced three new pieces of legislation aimed at censuring President Bush and Vice President Cheney, and at creating a fact-finding committee that could be a first step toward impeachment. H.Res.635 - H.Res.636 - H.Res.637 Sponsored by Progressive Democrats of America

Resolution 350 - S.R. 350 - NSA Wiretapping ... the Authorization for Use of Military Force does not authorize warrantless domestic surveillance of United States citizens. - Whereas the United States Supreme Court has consistently held for nearly 40 years that the monitoring and recording of private conversations constitutes a `search and seizure' within the meaning of the Fourth Amendment; - by Ted Kennedy

India Nuke Deal - HConRes318 ... this deal would send a strong message to the rest of the world that the U.S. no longer plays by the rules established by the international community in the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty (NPT). - ... cosponsor HConRes318, legislation opposing the proposed civilian nuclear cooperation deal with India - by Peace Action

H.Con.Res.318 :: Summary

India Nuke Deal - HConRes318 he (Bush) will be offering to provide India nuclear technology which he is criticizing Iran for possessing. At the top of his agenda will be negotiating an agreement to provide nuclear technology to India even though the leaders of that South Asian nation refuse to endorse the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) - by Friends Committee on National Legislation

Who Are We as a Nation? The Federal Budget Debate Will Tell (2/16) - President Bush and Congress are on a roll to slash spending for vital domestic human needs programs, while giving even bigger tax cuts to the relatively few who have profited the most in recent years.) - by Friends Committee on National Legislation

Tell Your Senator to Support S. 2259 - Congressional Ethics Enforcement Commission Act of 2006 - Senator Barack Obama has introduced legislation to ensure that Congressional ethics rules are enforced. Currently, the congressional ethics committees are ineffectual. An independent commission with oversight of ethics rules is a critical step for Congress to take in response to the Abramoff scandal. - by Common Cause

Think the Internet Will Always be Open? - You think the Internet will always be the great freewheeling information superhighway you've grown to love? Well, think again. Media giants want to privatize our Internet. (See the quotes | Get more info) - I support network neutrality, and I am dismayed by comments made by your executives recently indicating they want to see dramatic changes to the way the Internet operates. - by Common Cause

Who Links To This
Tags: Politics · Petition · PortGate · US Ports · UAE · NSA · Domestic Spying · SnoopGate · Wiretapping · India Nukes · Ethics · PlameGate · Scandals · Bush Administration · Internet Neutrality

Tell Bush NO

2006-02-23T14:48:00.000-05:00

Port Deal Must Go! I have found this port deal to be absolutely unbelievable. Not because they are muslim but because of the 9-11 terrorist aspect. Bush was seen as imcompetent over the handling of Katrina and now stands to loose credibility over the security of this nation. Everything is trumped by the almighty dollar. If a corporation wants it done, it must be rubber-stamped by Bush. It truely boggles the mind. "We The People" is slowly being replaced with "We The Corporations"... - fc

President Bush, Stop the Dubai Ports World Deal

Dubai Ports World is fully owned by the government of the United Arab Emirates -- a country whose capital city USA Today recently called a "logistical hub" for terrorism. (In fact, more than half the Sept. 11th hijackers flew directly from Dubai to the United States.) It's also a nation whose royal family met with Osama Bin Laden in 1999, preventing a U.S. airstrike on Bin Laden; the UAE is also known for its refusal to recognize Israel and its anti-Semitic rhetoric.

I'm writing to express to you my deep opposition to the recently-approved deal to turn over operations of six of our major American seaports to Dubai Ports World, and ask that you approve legislation to block this sale.

As the USA Today has pointed out, Dubai is still a logistical hub for terrorism. The United Arab Emirates has a disturbing record of anti-semitism and involvement with the Bin Laden family.

You're asserting the right to tap our phone lines and curtail our civil liberties as a part of the "war on terror," yet you're pushing to approve this deal without even the comprehensive 45-day review provided for under law? I find that position deeply hypocritical.

Again, I ask that you approve legislation to stop the sale of operations at our ports to Dubai Ports World. I look forward to your response on this issue.

Sincerely,

Who Links To This
Tags: Politics · PortGate · US Ports · Scandals · UAE · Bush Administration

EPIC Wins FOIA Lawsuit

2006-02-17T01:28:00.000-05:00

foia for documents...! I think the most important aspect of this event is summed up in this statement from the 'Background" section below ::
"Once the DOJ completes its processing of the material, any decision to withhold the requested documents will be subject to judicial review"
This has got to be a step in the right direction because the nitwits in Congress sure don't know how to deal with it... - fc

Court Orders Justice Department to Release NSA Surveillance Documents in EPIC Lawsuit
Electronic Privacy Information Center
Thur Feb 16, 2006

In response to a Freedom of Information Act lawsuit (pdf) filed by EPIC, a federal judge has ordered (pdf) the Department of Justice to process and release documents related to the Bush Administration's warrantless surveillance program by March 8. It is the first court opinion addressing the controversial domestic spying operation. "President Bush has invited meaningful debate about the warrantless surveillance program," U.S. District Judge Henry H. Kennedy wrote. "That can only occur if DOJ processes [EPIC's] FOIA requests in a timely fashion and releases the information sought." For more information, see ::

EPIC's Domestic Surveillance FOIA

Background

In December 2005, the New York Times reported that President Bush secretly issued an executive order in 2002 authorizing the National Security Agency to conduct warrantless surveillance of international telephone and Internet communications on American soil. President Bush acknowledged the existence of the NSA surveillance program and vowed that its activities would continue.

EPIC submitted FOIA requests to the NSA and four Department of Justice components just hours after the existence of the warrantless surveillance program was first reported. Noting the extraordinary public interest in the program — and its potential illegality — EPIC asked the agencies to expedite the processing of the requests.

The DOJ agreed that the requests warranted priority treatment, but has now failed to comply with the FOIA's usual time limit of twenty working days. In January 2006, EPIC filed a lawsuit (pdf) against the DOJ to compel the immediate disclosure of information concerning the NSA surveillance program, which will facilitate the current and ongoing public debate on the propriety of warrantless surveillance. EPIC has asked (pdf) the federal district court in Washington to issue a preliminary injunction requiring the release of relevant documents within 20 days. EPIC's case has been consolidated with a lawsuit (pdf) filed by the American Civil Liberties Union and National Security Archive concerning the same documents.

On February 16, 2006, U.S. District Judge Henry H. Kennedy ordered (pdf) the DOJ to process and release documents concerning the NSA program within 20 days. Once the DOJ completes its processing of the material, any decision to withhold the requested documents will be subject to judicial review, and Judge Kennedy will have the ability to order "in camera" production of the material and make an independent determination concerning public disclosure.

The NSA has released two internal messages (pdf) in response to EPIC's request, but is withholding all other responsive material. EPIC filed suit (pdf) against the NSA in February 2006, asking a federal court to compel the release of the withheld documents.

Who Links To This
Tags: Politics · Scandals · Domestic Spying · Warrantless Wiretapping · Unitary President · FISA · NSA · Bush Administration · Cheney Administration · Culture of Corruption

Kerry Filibuster of Alito

2006-01-27T10:13:00.000-05:00

Stop Alito Now!

At a time when this country needs John Kerry to take a stand against the Alito Nomination, he has stood up and started the process. Now he needs our grassroots suport. He needs us also to call and email the Senators who are not supporting his effort. Time is short so do your part today... - fc

John Kerry.com Support a Filibuster Against Judge Alito

I fully support a filibuster against Judge Alito's nomination to the Supreme Court.

Judge Alito's nomination does not serve the best interests of our nation; it serves to appease extreme right wing elements of the Republican Party. His nomination is an incredible mistake for America, and only the United States Senate can put a stop to it.

I think it's time that the United States Senate confirmed once and for all that extreme ideology has no place on the highest court in the land. This is a critical fight for the future of our country. That's why I've taken the time to sign this petition. And I hope that's why the Senate will step up to the plate and do the right thing for America: support a filibuster against Samuel Alito.

Contact Our Lawmakers Toll free numbers to call the Capitol: 888-355-3588 or 888-818-6641
Robert Byrd (WV) (202) 224-3954 Web Form: Contact FAX: (202) 228-0002 Mary Landrieu (LA) (202) 224-5824 Web Form: Contact FAX: (202) 224-9735K. Ken Salazar (CO) (202) 224-5852 Web Form: Contact FAX: (202) 228-5036 Tim Johnson (D - SD) (202) 224-5842 Web Form: Contact Mark Pryor (D - AR) Phone: (202) 224-2353 Web Form: Contact Fax: (202) 228-0908 Kent Conrad (D - ND) Phone: (202) 224-2043 Web Form: Contact Fax: (202) 224-7776 Byron Dorgan (D - ND) Phone: 202-224-2551 Web Form: Contact Fax: 202-224-1193 Daniel Inouye (D - HI) Phone: (202) 224-3934 Web Form: Contact Fax: (202) 224-6747 Joseph I. Lieberman (D - CT) Phone: (202) 224-4041 Web Form: Contact Fax: (202) 224-9750 E. Benjamin Nelson (D - NE) Phone: (202) 224-6551 Web Form: Contact Fax: (202) 228-0012	Also, worth a shot: Susan Collins (R - ME) Phone: (202) 224-2523 Web Form: Contact FAX: (202) 224-2693 Olympia Snowe (R - ME) Phone: (202) 224-1946 WebForm: Contact FAX: (202) 224-1946 Lincoln Chafee (R - RI) Phone: (202) 224-2921 Web Form: Contact Fax: (202) 228-2853 Ted Stevens (R - AK) Phone: (202) 224-3004 Web Form: Contact Fax: (202) 224-2354 Saxby Chambliss (R - GA) Phone: (202) 224-3521 Web Form: Contact Fax: (202) 224-0103 John Ensign (R - NV) Phone: (202) 224-6244 Web Form: Contact Fax: (202) 228-2193 Pat Roberts (R - KS) Phone: 202) 224-4774 Web Form: Contact Bob Smith (R - OR) Phone: 202.224.3753 Web Form: Contact Fax: 202.228.3997 George Voinovich (R - OH) Phone: (202) 224-3353 Web Form: Contact Fax: (202) 228-1382 Complete List of Senators Senate.gov
Toll free numbers to call the Capitol: 888-355-3588 or 888-818-6641

Who Links To This Action

Addendum :: Daily Kos has a post dedicated to this issue. And now, let's get to work... by georgia10 which references even more phone numbers than I do. Her introduction includes links to posts by Armando which include ::
The Rules of the Game: Crossing Your Rubicon
Joining The Filibuster Movement.

If you are interested in this issue, these links are well worth taking the time to check out... -fc

Tags: Politics · Petition · Alito · filibuster · John Kerry · Senate

MoveOn Action Alert

2006-01-24T07:10:00.000-05:00

Restore Rule of Law!

Please take the time to join me in asking our Representatives and the Attorney General to ensure now laws were broken in regards to domestic wiretapping and spying on American Citizens. No man is above the law, not even George W. Bush. - fc

We demand a thorough and independent investigation of the Bush administration's allegedly illegal wiretapping activities, including:

• appointment of an independent counsel to respond to any criminal activity that may have taken place,

• a thorough, meaningful and open Congressional investigation,

• protection for all whistleblowers who come forward with evidence of wrongdoing in this program.

YOUR COMMENT TO CONGRESS AND THE JUSTICE DEPARTMENT

TO: Your Senators
CC: (Attorney General Alberto Gonzales)
FROM: (Your Name and Email)
SUBJECT: Thoroughly Investigate the Wiretapping Program
__________
Dear (Senator/Attorney General),

(Your personal note)

President Bush admitted to personally authorizing thousands of potentially illegal wiretaps, and he doesn't plan to stop. This abuse of power threatens the very core of our Constitution.

We demand a thorough and independent investigation of the Bush administration's allegedly illegal wiretapping activities, including: (1) appointment of an independent counsel to respond to any criminal activity that may have taken place, (2) a thorough, meaningful and open Congressional investigation, (3) protection for all whistleblowers who come forward with evidence of wrongdoing in this program.

Sincerely,

Who Links To This Action

Tags: Politics · petition · Domestic Wiretapping · Domestic Spying · SnoopGate

Echalon Keywords

2006-01-23T00:56:00.000-05:00

What they search for!

Have you ever wondered what exactly the government searches for when they prowl thru your email and chat room logs...? Me too... Well wonder no more. Below is one of several lists on the internets of the keywords for Echalon (Eschalon, Carnavoire) and I am pretty sure this is what is being used in the NSA eavesdropping program also (it only seems logical) although there surely are more recently added words or phrases. - fc

Explosives, guns, assassination, conspiracy, primers, detonators, initiators, main charge, nuclear charges, ambush, sniping, motorcade, IRS, BATF, jtf-6, mjtf, hrt, srt, hostages, munitions, weapons, TNT, rdx, amfo, hmtd, picric acid, silver nitrite, mercury fulminate, presidential motorcade, salt peter, charcoal, sulfur, c4, composition b, amatol, petn, lead azide, lead styphante, ddnp, tetryl, nitrocellulose, nitrostarch, mines, grenades, rockets, fuses, delay mechanism, mortars, rpg7, propellants, incendiaries, incendiary device, thermite, security forces, intelligence, agencies, hrt, resistance, psyops, infiltration, assault team, defensive elements, evasion, detection, mission, communications, the football, platter charge, shaped charges, m118, claymore, body armor, charges, shrapnel, timers, timing devices, boobytraps, detcord, pmk 40, silencers, Uzi, HK-MP5, AK-47, FAL, Jatti, Skorpion MP, teflon bullets, cordite, napalm, law, Stingers, RPK, SOCIMI 821 SMG, STEN, BAR, MP40, HK-G3,FN-MAG, RPD,PzB39, Air Force One, M60, RPK74, SG530, SG540, Galil arm, Walther WA2000, HK33KE, Parker-Hale MOD. 82, AKR, Ingram MAC10, M3, L34A1, Walther MPL, AKS-74, HK-GR6, subsonic rounds, ballistic media, special forces, JFKSWC, SFOD-D! , SRT, Rewson, SAFE, Waihopai, INFOSEC, ASPIC, Information Security, SAI, Information Warfare, IW, IS, Privacy, Information Terrorism, Kenya, Terrorism Defensive Information, Defense Information Warfare, Offensive Information, Offensive Information Warfare, NAIA, SAPM, ASU, ECHELON ASTS, National Information Infrastructure, InfoSec, SAO, Reno, Compsec, JICS, Computer Terrorism, Firewalls, Secure Internet Connections, RSP, ISS, JDF, Passwords, NAAP, DefCon V, RSO, Hackers, Encryption, ASWS, Espionage, USDOJ, NSA, CIA, S/Key, SSL, FBI, Secret Service, USSS, Defcon, Military, White House, Undercover, NCCS, Mayfly, PGP, SALDV, PEM, resta, RSA, Perl-RSA, MSNBC, bet, AOL, AOL TOS, CIS, CBOT, AIMSX, STARLAN, 3B2, BITNET, Tanzania, SAMU, COSMOS, DATTA, E911, FCIC, HTCIA, IACIS, UT/RUS, JANET, ram, JICC, ReMOB, LEETAC, UTU, VNET, BRLO, SADCC, NSLEP, SACLANTCEN, FALN, 877, NAVELEXSYSSECENGCEN, BZ, CANSLO, CBNRC, CIDA, JAVA, rsta, Awarehouse, Active X, Compsec 97, RENS, LLC, DERA, JIC, ri! p, rb, Wu, RDI, Mavricks, BIOL, Meta-hackers, ^?, SADT, Steve Case, Tools, RECCEX, Telex, OTAN, monarchist, NMIC, NIOG, IDB, MID/KL, NADIS, NMI, SEIDM, BNC, CNCIS, STEEPLEBUSH, RG, BSS, DDIS, mixmaster, BCCI, BRGE, SARL, Military Intelligence, JICA, Scully, recondo, Flame, Infowar, Bubba, Freeh, Donaldson, Archives, ISADC, CISSP, Sundevil, jack, Investigation, JOTS, ISACA, NCSA, ASVC, spook words, RRF, 1071, Bugs Bunny, Verisign, Secure, ASIO, Lebed, ICE, NRO, Lexis-Nexis, NSCT, SCIF, FLiR, JIC, bce, Lacrosse, Bunker, Flashbangs, HRT, IRA, EODG, DIA, USCOI, CID, BOP, FINCEN, FLETC, NIJ, ACC, AFSPC, BMDO, site, SASSTIXS, NAVWAN, NRL, RL, NAVWCWPNS, NSWC, USAFA, AHPCRC, ARPA, SARD, LABLINK, USACIL, SAPT, USCG, NRC, ~, O, NSA/CSS, CDC, DOE, SAAM, FMS, HPCC, NTIS, SEL, USCODE, CISE, SIRC, CIM, ISN, DJC, bemd, SGC, UNCPCJ, CFC, SABENA, DREO, CDA, SADRS, DRA, SHAPE, bird dog, SACLANT, BECCA, DCJFTF, HALO, SC, TA SAS, Lander, GSM, T Branch, AST, SAMCOMM, HAHO, FKS, 868, GCHQ, DITSA, S! ORT, AMEMB, NSG, HIC, EDI, benelux, SAS, SBS, SAW, UDT, EODC, GOE, DOE, SAMF, GEO, JRB, 3P-HV, Masuda, Forte, AT, GIGN, Exon Shell, radint, MB, CQB, CONUS, CTU, RCMP, GRU, SASR, GSG-9, 22nd SAS, GEOS, EADA, SART, BBE, STEP, Echelon, Dictionary, MD2, MD4, MDA, diwn, 747, ASIC, 777, RDI, 767, MI5, 737, MI6, 757, Kh-11, EODN, SHS, ^X, Shayet-13, SADMS, Spetznaz, Recce, 707, CIO, NOCS, Halcon, NSS, Duress, RAID, Uziel, wojo, Psyops, SASCOM, grom, NSIRL, D-11, SERT, VIP, ARC, S.E.T. Team, NSWG, MP5k, SATKA, DREC, DEVGRP, DF, DSD, FDM, GRU, LRTS, SIGDEV, NACSI, MEU/SOC,PSAC, PTT, RFI, ZL31, SIGDASYS, TDM, SUKLO, SUSLO, TELINT, fake, TEXTA, ELF, LF, MF, SIGS, VHF, Recon, peapod, PA598D28, Spall, dort, 50MZ, 11Emc Choe, SATCOMA, UHF, SHF, ASIO, SASP, WANK, Colonel, domestic disruption, 5ESS, smuggle, Z- 200, 15kg, UVDEVAN, RFX, nitrate, OIR, Pretoria, M-14, enigma, Bletchley Park, Clandestine, NSO, nkvd, argus, afsatcom, CQB, NVD, Counter Terrorism Security, SARA, Rapid Reaction, JSOF! C3IP, Corporate Security, Police, sniper, PPS, ASIS, ASLET, TSCM, Security Consulting, M-x spook, Z-150T, High Security, Security Evaluation, Electronic Surveillance, MI-17, ISR, NSAS, Counterterrorism, real, spies, IWO, eavesdropping, debugging, CCSS, interception, COCOT, NACSI, rhost, rhosts, ASO, SETA, Amherst, Broadside, Capricorn, NAVCM, Gamma, Gorizont, Guppy, NSS, rita, ISSO, submiss, ASDIC, .tc, 2EME REP, FID, 7NL SBS, tekka, captain, 226, .45, nonac, .li, Ionosphere, Mole, Keyhole, NABS, Kilderkin, Artichoke, Badger, Emerson, Tzvrif, SDIS, T2S2, STTC, DNR, NADDIS, NFLIS, CFD, quarter, Cornflower, Daisy, Egret, Iris, JSOTF, Hollyhock, Jasmine, Juile, Vinnell, B.D.M., Sphinx, Stephanie, Reflection, Spoke, Talent, Trump, FX, FXR, IMF, POCSAG, rusers, Covert Video, Intiso, r00t, lock picking, Beyond Hope, LASINT, csystems, .tm, passwd, 2600 Magazine, JUWTF, Competitor, EO, Chan, Pathfinders, SEAL Team 3, JTF, Nash, ISSAA, B61-11, Alouette, executive, Event Security,! Mace, Cap-Stun, stakeout, ninja, ASIS, ISA, EOD, Oscor, Merlin, NTT, SL-1, Rolm, TIE, Tie-fighter, PBX, SLI, NTT, MSCJ, MIT, 69, RIT, Time, MSEE, Cable & Wireless, CSE, SUW, J2, Embassy, ETA, Fax, finks, Fax encryption, white noise, Fernspah, MYK, GAFE, forcast, import, rain, tiger, buzzer, N9, pink noise, CRA, M.P.R.I., top secret, Mossberg, 50BMG, Macintosh Security, Macintosh Internet Security, OC3, Macintosh Firewalls, Unix Security, VIP Protection, SIG, sweep, Medco, TRD, TDR, Z, sweeping, SURSAT, 5926, TELINT, Audiotel, Harvard, 1080H, SWS, Asset, Satellite imagery, force, NAIAG, Cypherpunks, NARF, 127, Coderpunks, TRW, remailers, replay, redheads, RX-7, explicit, FLAME, JTF-6, AVN, ISSSP, Anonymous, W, Sex, chaining, codes, Nuclear, 20, subversives, SLIP, toad, fish, data havens, unix, c, a, b, d, SUBACS, the, Elvis, quiche, DES, 1*, NATIA, NATOA, sneakers, UXO, (), OC-12, counterintelligence, Shaldag, sport, NASA, TWA, DT, gtegsc, owhere, .ch, hope, emc, industr! ial espionage, SUPIR, PI, TSCI, spookwords, industrial intelligence, H.N.P., SUAEWICS, Juiliett Class Submarine, Locks, qrss, loch, 64 Vauxhall Cross, Ingram Mac-10, wwics, sigvoice, ssa, E.O.D., SEMTEX, penrep, racal, OTP, OSS, Siemens, RPC, Met, CIA-DST, INI, watchers, keebler, contacts, Blowpipe, BTM, CCS, GSA, Kilo Class, squib, primacord, RSP, Z7, Becker, Nerd, fangs, Austin, no|d, Comirex, GPMG, Speakeasy, humint, GEODSS, SORO, M5, BROMURE, ANC, zone, SBI, DSS, S.A.I.C., Minox, Keyhole, SAR, Rand Corporation, Starr, Wackenhutt, EO, burhop, Wackendude, mol, Shelton, 2E781, F-22, 2010, JCET, cocaine, Vale, IG, Kosovo, Dake, 36,800, Hillal, Pesec, Hindawi, GGL, NAICC, CTU, botux, Virii, CCC, ISPE, CCSC, Scud, SecDef, Magdeyev, VOA, Kosiura, Small Pox, Tajik, +=, Blacklisted 411, TRDL, Internet Underground, BX, XS4ALL, wetsu, muezzin, Retinal Fetish, WIR, Fetish, FCA, Yobie, forschung, emm, ANZUS, Reprieve, NZC-332, edition, cards, mania, 701, CTP, CATO, Phon- e, Chicago! Posse, NSDM, l0ck, spook, keywords, QRR, PLA, TDYC, W3, CUD, CdC, Weekly World News, Zen, World Domination, Dead, GRU, M72750, Salsa, 7, Blowfish, Gorelick, Glock, Ft. Meade, NSWT, press- release, WISDIM, burned, Indigo, wire transfer, e-cash, Bubba the Love Sponge, Enforcers, Digicash, zip, SWAT, Ortega, PPP, NACSE, crypto-anarchy, AT&T, SGI, SUN, MCI, Blacknet, SM, JCE, Middleman, KLM, Blackbird, NSV, GQ360, X400, Texas, jihad, SDI, BRIGAND, Uzi, Fort Meade, *&, gchq.gov.uk, supercomputer, bullion, 3, NTTC, Blackmednet, :, Propaganda, ABC, Satellite phones, IWIS, Planet-1, ISTA, rs9512c, South Africa, Sergeyev, Montenegro, Toeffler, Rebollo, sorot, cryptanalysis, nuclear, 52 52 N - 03 03 W, Morgan, Canine, GEBA, INSCOM, MEMEX, Stanley, FBI, Panama, fissionable, Sears Tower, NORAD, Delta Force, SEAL, virtual, WASS, WID, Dolch, secure shell, screws, Black-Ops, O/S, Area51, SABC, basement, ISWG, $ @, data-haven, NSDD, black-bag, rack, TEMPEST, Goodwin, rebels, ID, MD5, ID! EA, garbage, market, beef, Stego, ISAF, unclassified, Sayeret Tzanhanim, PARASAR, Gripan, pirg, curly, Taiwan, guest, utopia, NSG, orthodox, CCSQ, Alica, SHA, Global, gorilla, Bob, UNSCOM, Fukuyama, Manfurov, Kvashnin, Marx, Abdurahmon, snullen, Pseudonyms, MITM, NARF, Gray Data, VLSI, mega, Leitrim, Yakima, NSES, Sugar Grove, WAS, Cowboy, Gist, 8182, Gatt, Platform, 1911, Geraldton, UKUSA, veggie, XM, Parvus, NAVSVS, 3848, Morwenstow, Consul, Oratory, Pine Gap, Menwith, Mantis, DSD, BVD, 1984, blow out, BUDS, WQC, Flintlock, PABX, Electron, Chicago Crust, e95, DDR&E, 3M, KEDO, iButton, R1, erco, Toffler, FAS, RHL, K3, Visa/BCC, SNT, Ceridian, STE, condor, CipherTAC-2000, Etacs, Shipiro, ssor, piz, fritz, KY, 32, Edens, Kiwis, Kamumaruha, DODIG, Firefly, HRM, Albright, Bellcore, rail, csim, NMS, 2c, FIPS140-1, CAVE, E-Bomb, CDMA, Fortezza, 355ml, ISSC, cybercash, NAWAS, government, NSY, hate, speedbump, joe, illuminati, BOSS, Kourou, Misawa, Morse, HF, P415, ladylove, fi! lofax, Gulf, lamma, Unit 5707, Sayeret Mat'Kal, Unit 669, Sayeret Golani, Lanceros, Summercon, NSADS, president, ISFR, freedom, ISSO, walburn, Defcon VI, DC6, Larson, P99, HERF pipe-bomb, 2.3 Oz., cocaine, $, impact, Roswell, ESN, COS, E.T., credit card, b9, fraud, ST1, assassinate, virus, ISCS, ISPR, anarchy, rogue, mailbomb, 888, Chelsea, 1997, Whitewater, MOD, York, plutonium, William Gates, clone, BATF, SGDN, Nike, WWSV, Atlas, IWWSVCS, Delta, TWA, Kiwi, PGP 2.6.2., PGP 5.0i, PGP 5.1, siliconpimp, SASSTIXS, IWG, Lynch, 414, Face, Pixar, IRIDF, NSRB, eternity server, Skytel, Yukon, Templeton, Johohonbu, LUK, Cohiba, Soros, Standford, niche, ISEP, ISEC, 51, H&K, USP, ^, sardine, bank, EUB, USP, PCS, NRO, Red Cell, NSOF, Glock 26, snuffle, Patel, package, ISI, INR, INS, IRS, GRU, RUOP, GSS, NSP, SRI, Ronco, Armani, BOSS, Chobetsu, FBIS, BND, SISDE, FSB, BfV, IB, froglegs, JITEM, SADF, advise, TUSA, LITE, PKK, HoHoCon, SISMI, ISG, FIS, MSW, Spyderco, UOP, SSCI, NIMA, HAMASMOIS, SVR, SIN, advisors, SAP, Monica, OAU, PFS, Aladdin, AG, chameleon man, Hutsul, CESID, Bess, rail gun, .375, Peering, CSC, Tangimoana Beach, Commecen, Vanuatu, Kwajalein, LHI, DRM, GSGI, DST, MITI, JERTO, SDF, Koancho, Blenheim, Rivera, Kyudanki, varon, 310, 17, 312, NB, CBM, CTP, Sardine, SBIRS, jaws, SGDN, ADIU, DEADBEEF, IDP, IDF, Halibut, SONANGOL, Flu, &, Loin, PGP 5.53, meta, Faber, SFPD, EG&G, ISEP, blackjack, Fox, Aum, AIEWS, AMW, RHL, Baranyi, WORM, MP5K-SD, 1071, WINGS, cdi, VIA, DynCorp, UXO, Ti, WWSP, WID, osco, Mary, honor, Templar, THAAD, package, CISD, ISG, BIOLWPN, JRA, ISB, ISDS, chosen, LBSD, van, schloss, secops, DCSS, DPSD, LIF, PRIME, SURVIAC, telex, SP4, Analyzer, embassy, Golf, B61-7, Maple, Tokyo, ERR, SBU, Threat, JPL, Tess, SE, EPL, SPINTCOM, ISS-ADP, Merv, Mexico, SUR, SO13, Rojdykarna, airframe, 510, EuroFed, Avi, shelter, Crypto AG.

Note :: I keep this box (textarea) small because there are still people who run their screen resolution at 800x600 (believe it or not).

This list at Rense.com
Another list at Attrition.org

Tags: Politics · Echalon Keywords · Eschalon Keywords · Carnivore Keywords · Domestic Spying · SnoopGate

Murtha H.J. Res. 73

2006-01-14T13:48:00.000-05:00

Support Jack Murtha!

Peace Action has decided to support Murth'a resolution calling for a withdrawal of troups from Iraq. I share their reservations but this move will be a necessary first step. There is a list of co-sponsors at Thomas - LOC which allows you to see if your rep has already signed on to this resolution. Take a look at this list and if they have not, send them this letter asking them to detail their position on it. I also include in all my efforts to speak to my reps that I will not support anyone who does not support our withdrawal from Iraq.

There have been several lawmakers speaking their mind on this issue. Congressman Charles Rangel released this statement in support of this bill titled :: "Cong. Jack Murtha brings the courage of Martin Luther King to the debate over Iraq". Rep. Maxine Waters has also issued a Statement on Iraq. The text of the Murtha Resolution is available in pdf format at the Brad Blog :: Text of H.J. Res. 73 - fc

Support Congressman John Murtha's Resolution, H.J. Res 73

Congressman John Murtha (D-PA), longtime congressional hawk, has taken a historic stand and has come out against the war in Iraq and for bringing our troops home. A decorated Korean and Vietnam war veteran, Murtha understands the realities of war.

His piece of legislation, HJ Res 73, is not perfect. We at Peace Action, after serious consideration, have decided to support HJ Res 73, which calls for a gradual withdrawal of troops from Iraq over six months. While some details of the bill, including the "over the horizon" presence, do cause us concern, the bill does achieve the immediate goal - full withdrawal of all American troops from Iraq.

As a member of Peace Action, I urge you to support Congressman John Murtha's legislation, H.J. Res 73, calling for a gradual withdrawal of troops from Iraq. With nearly 2,200 American soldiers dead and, in Bush's own words, 30-35,000 Iraqi's dead, it's apparent that our occupation is nothing but the fuel for the insurgency. Peace cannot be achieved until our troops come home.

Please send me a letter detailing your position on H.J. Res 73 and whether or not you intend to support it.

Who Links To This Article

Urge Congress to End the War in Iraq

I urge you to end the War in Iraq within six months by co-sponsoring these bills:

H.J.Res. 73, To ReDeploy U.S. Forces in Iraq, sponsored by Rep. John Murtha.

H.R. 4232, The End the War in Iraq Act, sponsored by Rep. Jim McGovern.

H.CON.RES. 197, No Permanent Bases in Iraq, sponsored by Rep. Barbara Lee.

And the new Kucinich/Paul bipartisan bill that would allow the Iraqi parliament to vote on whether to end the occupation.

I also urge you to sign the discharge petition for H.J.Res. 55, to allow a real debate on the war in the House.

Who Links To This Article

Tags: Politics · petition · Murtha · Iraq · Peace Movement

Bush :: Return Abramoff Money

2006-01-09T13:44:00.000-05:00

Come Clean Mr. President!

From Act For Change comes this initiative to ask Bush to come clean and return the money Abramoff collected for him in the 2004 Election. Join me is asking George W. Bush to do the right thing... fc

President Bush: Disclose and Return ALL Your Abramoff Donations

Jack Abramoff was a "Pioneer" fundraiser for President Bush's 2004 re-election campaign, raising at least $120,000 -- and probably a great deal more -- by bundling together contributions from other individuals and political action committees.

Bush knows keeping donations collected by Abramoff is dead wrong -- in fact, he already donated to charity the $6,000 the Republican operative contributed to his campaign coffers. But despite the fact that Abramoff has pled guilty to multiple felony charges of bribery and corruption, the President still refuses to publicly identify -- or return -- the vast majority of the campaign funds that Abramoff collected for on his behalf as a favored "Pioneer" fundraiser.

Abramoff's guilty pleas have made clear that the public has a powerful interest in knowing the details of Mr. Abramoff's bundled fundraising activities for President Bush. Did Abramoff's clients seek or receive special treatment from the White House in return for these contributions? The President needs to come clean about the money Abramoff raised for him.

You ran for President on a promise to bring honor and integrity "back" into our federal government. Were you referring to the levels of honor and integrity missing since the Nixon administration?

Jack Abramoff has now admitted his guilt on numerous felony charges of bribery and corruption. He was one of your "pioneer" fundraisers and brought at least $120,000 into your 2004 campaign. Yet despite his recent admissions of guilt, from that $120,000 you're donating only $6,000 to charity -- and you still won't come clean about who the rest of that money came from.

Mr. President, come clean with us. Jack Abramoff represents the worst of the worst when it comes to pay-for-play access and favors at the highest levels of our government. The public needs to know which of his cronies helped you get re-elected, and whether they committed any illegal or unethical acts. Otherwise, we'll have to conclude that you accept and condone Mr. Abramoff's illegal conduct.

I look forward to your reply.

Sincerely,

Who Links To This Article

Tags: Politics · Petition · Abramoff · Scandals · Campaign Money · Bush Administration · Culture of Corruption

NeoCon :: Redux

2005-12-29T08:51:00.000-05:00

The Definition!

- fc

A pale surrealistic glow accents the detail of cold black lines, delineating the black hearted egotism and absolute power sought with no respect or remorse for those that stand in their way. The pervasive dynamic of attack mode divisiveness permeates the spirits of the NeoCon. Battles not fought head on but with character assassination of the opponent with little more than hypocritical lip service to issues. Hidden agenda's that are as cold, imperial and deceitful as their name projects. Lies and deception disbursed on the winds of politically loaded keywords are framed in ways to keep the naive and gullable, captured and enthralled in false pretense, ignorant of the true intentions and dire consequences of their surrender of power to the forces of the 21st Century's American Axis of Evil. The cold black elephant is symbolic of the republican sacrifice that was made to the rise of the NeoCon. Within a few short years we have found ourselves an ignorant, arrogant child of history, repeating mistakes made in the past, with subsequently as great or greater loss of integrity, and yet again the ultimate sacrifice of the blood of valiant American warriors fighting a faceless enemy in yet another contrived war based on lies. The prostitution of morals and ethics for nationalistic knee-jerk reactionaries has promulgated through the rank and file apologists and excusers. The vilified hate for those who see the damage being done will yet again be the undoing of their agenda. As the American public awakens to facts concerning this corrupt administration which has never before been equaled in our nations's history, the agenda has been derailed. As the blinders come off, their propaganda will carry less and less weight while their transparency will intensify. As the smoke and mirrors fade, the true path will once again be forged by those of us who are willing to stand up and let them know that we will not tolerate their excuses or the actions of those they have enabled. History will repeat itself, much to the chagrin of the NeoCons.

Originally posted on 7-28-05

Tags: Politics NeoCon · Bush Administration · Culture of Corruption · George W. Bush · Dick Cheney · ConMen

Stop Bush's Illegal Wiretaps

2005-12-24T00:00:00.000-05:00

Stop Bush's illegal wiretaps -- act now!

- fc

It's now been 5 days since President Bush admitted to authorizing the National Security Agency to spy on Americans without court order -- a system he reauthorized as many as 3 dozen times since 2001. Yet despite the outcry from millions of Americans -- both Democrats and Republicans alike -- President Bush has stubbornly promised to continue this illegal and unconstitutional activity.

How can the President of the United States -- the highest elected official in our land, a leader who swore an oath to "preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution" -- so egregiously and repeatedly violate our most basic civil liberties?

It's time for Congress to act -- to thoroughly investigate the President's actions now.

Urge Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Arlen Specter to hold hearings into the President's conduct, before beginning Supreme Court nomination hearings for Judge Alito - sign my petition today!

We, the undersigned Americans, urge you to hold thorough public hearings into the program of secret, warrant-less wiretaps authorized by President Bush since 2001. Congress must act to thoroughly investigate the President's actions now.

Clearly, protecting Americans from terrorism here at home must be the top priority of any Administration. But we certainly can do that without trampling on the Constitution in the process. Defending America means protecting our homeland as well as preserving our very rights and freedoms as citizens.

That's why Congress enacted the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) in 1978, to protect national security while still preserving civil liberties. Why did President Bush consciously choose to violate federal law, even though the Act clearly states that FISA "shall be the exclusive means by which electronic surveillance...and the interception of domestic wire and oral communications may be conducted"?

This egregious and repeated violation of American civil liberties by President Bush and his Administration requires a thorough Congressional investigation. That's why we urge you to hold hearings before you take up Judge Alito's nomination to the Supreme Court.

Signed by:
[Your name]
[Your address]

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Technorati tags: politics petition · PAC For A Change · Barbara Boxer · SnoopGate · domestic spying · FISA · constitution · Bush Administration · corruption · culture of corruption

Conyers :: Censure & Impeach

2005-12-22T13:39:00.000-05:00

No One Is Above The Law!

- fc

CensureBush.org Campaign Launched in Response to New House Legislation

Ask Your Congressman To Support These Bills

The AfterDowningStreet.org coalition, an alliance of over 100 grassroots organizations, has launched a new campaign called CensureBush.org in order to support new legislation introduced by Congressman John Conyers that would censure President Bush and Vice President Cheney and create a select committee to investigate the Administration's possible crimes and make recommendations regarding grounds for impeachment.

H.Res.635 would create a select committee to investigate the Administration's intent to go to war before congressional authorization, manipulation of pre-war intelligence, encouraging and countenancing torture, and retaliating against critics, and to make recommendations regarding grounds for possible impeachment. Full text PDF

Status of H.Res. 635.

H.Res.636 and H.Res.637 would censure, respectively, Bush and Cheney for failing to respond to requests for information concerning allegations that they and others in the Administration misled Congress and the American people regarding the decision to go to war in Iraq, misstated and manipulated intelligence information regarding the justification for the war, countenanced torture and cruel, inhuman, and degrading treatment of persons in Iraq, and permitted inappropriate retaliation against critics of the Administration, for failing to adequately account for certain misstatements they made regarding the war, and - in the case of President Bush - for failing to comply with Executive Order 12958.
H Res 636 PDF
H Res 637 PDF

Status of H.Res. 636.
Status of H.Res. 637.

Ask your Congress Member to support these efforts!

The House Judiciary Committee Democratic staff has just released an extensive report titled "The Constitution in Crisis: The Downing Street Minutes and Deception, Manipulation, Torture, Retribution, and Cover-ups in the Iraq War." It is available here.

The After Downing Street / Censure Bush Coalition has organized over 60 town hall forums around the country on January 7th and plans to make these new developments in Congress a focus of many of those events: http://www.afterdowningstreet.org/event

Tim Carpenter, Director of Progressive Democrats of America (PDA), and Co-Founder of After Downing Street, said: "Progressive Democrats of America is proud to be working with Congressman Conyers for the passage of H.RES.635, H.RES.636, and H.RES.637. We thank Congressman Conyers for his leadership and are excited to be working with the grassroots to mobilize and organize a broad base coalition that will demand action from Congress to investigate the lies of the Bush administration and their conduct related to the war in Iraq."

The Breaking Strain
By William Rivers Pitt
t r u t h o u t | Perspective

Wednesday 21 December 2005

"This is America," I wrote. "At bottom, America is a dream, an idea. You can take away all our roads, our crops, our people, our cities, our armies - you can take all of that away, and the idea will still be there as pure and great as anything conceived by the human mind. I do very much believe that the idea that is America stands as the last, best hope for this world. When used properly, it can work wonders. That idea, that dream, is in mortal peril. You can still have all our roads, our crops, our people, our cities, our armies - you can have all of that. But if you murder the idea that is America, you have murdered America itself in a way that ten thousand 9/11s could never do. No terrorist can destroy the ideals we hold dear. Only we can do that."

Rep. John Conyers and the Democratic staff of the House Judiciary Committee have compiled a massively detailed, impeccably-researched report on the activities of this administration titled "The Constitution in Crisis: The Downing Street Minutes and Deception, Manipulation, Torture, Retribution, and Coverups in the Iraq War."

Continue Reading ...

John Conyers ::

Censure

Impeachment

Dear Mr. President:

We are brave, proud, patriotic citizens of the United States. We love our country and are writing to express our profound disappointment with you and your administration for your conduct surrounding the Iraq War, the collection and use of intelligence, and your disrespect for the laws of this great nation.

We are calling upon Congress to form a Special Committee to investigate your administration's abuses of power and report any offenses which rise to the level of impeachment.

We are also calling upon Congress to immediately censure you and Vice-President Cheney.

We have great love for our country and faith in the government institutions provided for in our constitution. We believe that the integrity of our nation is at stake and have supported these steps only after your administration has refused to come clean with the American people at every opportunity.

Respectfully,

John Conyers

Who Links to This Article
Technorati tags: politics · AfterDowningStreet.org · downingstreetmemo · SnoopGate · domestic spying · FISA · constitution · Bush Administration · corruption · culture of corruption

Dems FOIA Request

2005-12-20T17:24:00.000-05:00

Democrats Request Documents!

There are many unanswered questions about the legality of what Bush is doing with regard to domestic spying. There was a case as reported in the NY Times in 1982 where the NSA spyed on a muslim-american doctor and the case was upheld by an appeals court. Smitty in the comments to my Act For Change petition post graciously pointed this out to me. Many things have changed and the FISA act has been ammended several times since then. I would also note that lawmakers on both sides of the isle are wanting to know what is going on with this issue also. In this light I support Howard Dean's effort to gain information under the FOIA. Join me and Howard Dean in requesting documents that bring all this out in the open. - fc

Make Your Freedom of Information Act Request

George Bush is using the National Security Agency to conduct surveillance on American citizens without the consent of any court. After initially refusing to confirm the story, the President has admitted to personally overseeing this domestic spying program for years.

These actions are explicitly against the law. But the administration says that other laws somehow allow for this unprecedented use of a foreign intelligence agency to spy on Americans right here in the United States. According to reports, political appointees in the Justice Department's Office of Legal Counsel wrote still-classified legal opinions laying out the supposed justification for this program.

Governor Howard Dean is filing a formal demand that they release these documents. You can add your name to a Freedom of Information Act request below.

Ms. Elizabeth Farris
Supervisory Paralegal
Office of Legal Counsel
Room 5515
950 Pennsylvania Ave., N.W.
U.S. Department of Justice
Washington, D.C. 20530-2038

Re: Freedom of Information Act Request

Dear Ms. Farris:

This letter constitutes a request under the Freedom of Information Act, 5 U.S.C. §552 (“FOIA”), and is submitted by the undersigned individuals who are concerned about the Bush Administration’s reported decision to undertake a massive program of spying on American citizens in apparent violation of the law and the Constitution.

President Bush stated on December 19 that his legal authority to have the National Security Agency conduct such spying derives from his inherent constitutional powers and from the congressional authorization for the use of military force in Afghanistan. Of course, these assertions made no sense, in view of the express statutory provisions of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act of 1978, 50 U.S.C. §§1801 et seq. that flatly prohibit any such spying without a court order. It is the duty of your Office to advise the President on precisely such questions relating to his constitutional and statutory authority. The American people certainly have a right to know whether the President has knowingly acted in blatant violation of the law or believed he was acting within the law based on advice of your office.
• We therefore request all documents in the possession, custody or control of the Office of Legal Counsel, prepared on or after January 20, 2001, referring, relating to or discussing the authority of the President of the United States to authorize any agency of the U.S. Government, including but not limited to the National Security Agency, to conduct electronic surveillance of a United States person, as defined in FISA, 50 U.S.C. §1801(i), or where there is a substantial likelihood that the surveillance will acquire the contents of a communication to which such a United States person is a party, without obtaining a court order as required by FISA.
We urge you, in considering this request, to forego invoking Exemption 5 to FOIA allowing the government to withhold documents based on deliberative process or attorney client privilege. In these exceptional circumstances, where the President of the United States may have acted in gross disregard of the law and the Constitution, the stakes for the American people are too high for the Bush Administration and the Department of Justice to hide behind legal privileges as an excuse for withholding these documents.

The undersigned requestors fall in the category of “other requestors” for purposes of FOIA and the Department’s FOIA fee regulations. On behalf of the undersigned requestors, the Democratic National Committee will pay any fees for searching or copying the requested records.

We look forward to your response within twenty (20) working days as the law requires. If you have any questions or need any further information concerning this request, please contact the first signatory below, Governor Howard Dean. Thank you for your prompt attention to this important matter.

Sincerely,
Governor Howard Dean
430 South Capitol Street SE
Washington, DC 20003

FOIA Request : pdf

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Technorati tags: politics · domestic spying · petition · foia · constitution · Bush Administration · corruption · culture of corruption

Investigate Domestic Spying

2005-12-19T21:32:00.000-05:00

Louise Slaughter Demands Answers!

Another opportunity to demand accountability from the Bush Administration. Louise Slaughter stood with John Conyers and AfterDowningStreet.org and the Big Brass Alliance in seeking an explanation for the DowningStreetMemo. Now we can stand by her in forcing answers about Bush's Illegal Spying on Americans. Please join me in signing this petition as well as the petition by Act For Change. - fc

Demand Hearings for Domestic Spying

Last week, we learned from the New York Times that President George W. Bush signed a presidential order in 2002 allowing the National Security Agency to spy on US citizens without court-approved warrants.

Our law forbids warrant less surveillance of American citizens, and it provides the Government with a set of procedures to follow in emergency situations, when federal agents do not have enough time to get a warrant. (Foreign Intelligence Service Act, 50 U.S.C. Chapter 36, Subchapter I) If the Times report is correct, the Bush government may have acted illegally by not following these procedures.

Moreover, this report raised serious constitutional questions as to whether the President’s order violated the Fourth Amendment, and the requirement that the President "shall take Care that Laws be faithfully executed." (Article II, sec. 3)

Congress has the responsibility to call out the Administration, determine the facts of this story, and find out whether the Bush Administration did in fact take actions which violated the constitutional and legal parameters for the Executive Branch. The House of Representatives must do their part in holding this Administration accountable if in fact it acted with total disregard of our laws.

We the undersigned urge Congressman James Sensenbrenner Jr., Chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, and Congressman Peter Hoekstra, Chairman of the House Intelligence Committee, to hold hearings demanding answers on Bush's domestic spying.

Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act
FISA :: Wikipedia
FISA Info :: EFF
FISA :: ACLU :: Action
FISA :: ACLU :: Action

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Technorati tags: politics · domestic spying · constitution · Bush Administration · corruption · culture of corruption

Investigate Illegal Spying

2005-12-19T14:25:00.000-05:00

Congress: Investigate Bush's Illegal Domestic Spying!

Both Conservatives and Liberals alike should be up in arms at the latest news that Bush has taken it upon himself to circumvent the law, mandating spying on Americans. This is not a partisan issue. It is a constitutional issue that was addressed due to the same abuse by the Nixon Administration. Please take the time to join with me in asking Congress to investigate this outright travesty. - fc

Call To Action

Shockingly, it has come to light that President Bush secretly authorized the National Security Agency to eavesdrop on conversations of Americans and others in the United States. This spying apparently occurred without any court order and was focused on telephone and e-mail communications of "hundreds, perhaps thousands, of people inside the United States."

Even under the insidious USA PATRIOT ACT, electronic surveillance law generally prohibits non-consensual eavesdropping in the U.S. without a court order based on probable cause. The Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) makes it a crime, punishable by up to five years in prison, to conduct electronic surveillance, except as "authorized by and conducted pursuant to a search warrant or court order." Kate Martin, director of the Center for National Security Studies at George Washington University, has said that Bush's secret order may amount to the president authorizing criminal activity.

Since this potentially illegal activity was clearly directed from within the Administration, there is simply no way that the Justice Department can investigate the matter without serious conflicts of interest. Therefore, we are calling on Attorney General Alberto Gonzales to appoint a special prosecutor to get to the bottom of this matter and bring criminal charges against anyone found to have violated the law

Devastating hack proven

I am writing you -- with a copy to my representative and senators in Congress -- to formally request the appointment of a special prosecutor to investigate recent disclosures that the National Security Agency has been spying on Americans without a court order.

This appears to be a clear violation of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act. I am outraged and disgusted at this clear violation of the civil liberties of all Americans.

Since high-level administration officials -- up to and including the President himself -- may be criminally involved in this matter, it will not be possible for the Justice Department to conduct a thorough and independent investigation. Therefore, I call upon you to appoint a special prosecutor to get to the bottom of this matter and hold accountable anyone found to have violated the law.

I look forward to your response on this very serious matter.

Sincerely,

Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act
FISA :: Wikipedia
FISA Info :: EFF
FISA :: ACLU :: Action
FISA :: ACLU :: Action

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Technorati tags: politics · domestic spying · constitution · Bush Administration · corruption · culture of corruption

Voter Resources

2005-12-14T10:29:00.000-05:00

Election & Voter Info!

In the effort to reduce page size, this post will highlight the voter resource links I have collected over the years. If you have any links that you would like to share, please leave a comment or a message in the Cbox in the sidebar. - fc

Voter Awareness
my polling place election impact your voting equipment eVote electoral vote president elect.org election protection us election.org electionline.org e-voting security ballot initiative strategy just vote project vote-smart rock the vote	music for america hip hop summit voting assitance.gov voters info guide national voice electionmatch america votes declare yourself advancement project america coming together conservative voters young voter alliance new voters project vanishing voter project voting catholic
Polls & Stats
pollkatz politopia zogby int gallup poll harris online pew research rasmussen reports quinnipiac survey usa tipp poll research 2000	polling report pollingpoint election projection frank luntz mason dixon american research focus groups nationmaster facts wayback machine real clear politics
Voter Fraud
blackbox voting verified voting count every vote election archive.org freepress election issues contest the vote nov3.us · bill of rights national ballot integrity incident reporting system social responsibility s.a.v.e. democracy	voters unite submit incident votescam votergate c.a.s.e. ohio ohio roundtable indyvoter re-defeat bush alliance for democracy the blatant truth what really happened - 2004
International Elections
election resources resources int int election systems · links admin & cost of elections arab election law · links	palestinian legislative council election world int republican institute nat democratic institute · iraq governance in arab region
See also Activism	See also Iraq Resources

Updated : 12/14/2005
If you would like to add to this listing please leave a comment or message.

Technorati tags: politics · voter resources · election · vote

Political Resources

2005-12-13T19:02:00.000-05:00

Info and Facts!

In the effort to reduce page size, this post will highlight the political resource links I have collected over the years. If you have any links that you would like to share, please leave a comment or a message in the Cbox in the sidebar. - fc

Directories
fact check political index political resources political info - search politics 1.com - links political government mondo politico m&s info one stop national priorities links world leaders - 1945 -> intelligence aggregator	wikipedia demopedia dKOSopedia bibliomania disinfopedia liberal oasis cool aqua bear left hated.net link crusader cosmopolis
Government Quick Links
white house white house news releases senate senate votes frist • reid house of representatives house roll call votes blunt • pelosi conyers • kennedy clinton • jomentum fiengold • boxer	library of congress thomas • gov track first gov • egov govspot • info.gov dnc • dscc the stakeholder ndn • dlc from the roots dems.com kicking ass gop • rnc blog
See also Activism	See also Government Links

Updated : 12/13/2005
If you would like to add to this listing please leave a comment or message.

Technorati tags: politics · political resources · political directories · governemnt