IMPORTANT MESSAGE FROM THE GOOD PEOPLE AT MOVEON.ORG ... Regarding Democrats Who Oppose Gonzales ... Let Them Know It Matters

A month ago, Beltway insiders said Alberto Gonzales would fly through the nomination process to become the next Attorney General. But the outcry from MoveOn members made Gonzales' torture record the central issue, leading Senate Democrats to overwhelmingly oppose Gonzales' nomination. On Thursday, 36 Senators took a principled stand against Gonzales, and only 6 Democrats voted to confirm him. Democrats were so united that Gonzales got fewer votes from the minority party than any Attorney General since 1925. Our opposition transformed this vote from a rubber stamp into a clear choice between loyalty to Bush and stopping torture -- forcing the Republicans to show the nation their true priorities.

In the ongoing effort to win back America, this was a major victory. Senators Schumer and Clinton of New York defied pressure from the Bush administration and opposed Gonzales, and we should take this opportunity to thank them for their courage and conviction.

Senator Charles Schumer
Local phone: 212-486-4430
DC Phone: 202-224-6542

Senator Hillary Clinton
Local phone: 212-688-6262
DC Phone: 202-224-4451

[Duchess Note ... If your not a New Yorker and the Democrat Senator in your state opposed Gonzales, then contact them by phone/email and let them know how much you appreciate what they did. Let them know their constituents back them up 100%. Remember, you voted these Senators into office, so they are working for you, not the other way around.]

All in all, the Cabinet nominations were much tougher battles than the Bush administration expected, with fierce opposition coming from the Democrats. In addition to opposing Gonzales in record numbers, more Senators voted against war architect Condoleezza Rice than any Secretary of State nominee since 1825. With your help, we'll keep building momentum to halt George Bush's reckless agenda. Thank you for all you do.

QUOTE OF THE WEEK ... If you love wealth more than liberty, the tranquilityof servitude better than the animating contest of freedom, depart from usin peace. We ask not your counsel nor your arms. Crouch down and lick thehand that feeds you. May your chains rest lightly upon you and mayposterity forget that you were our countrymen. Samuel Adams

MORE NEWS ZIPPING DOWN THE TURNPIKE

GIMME SHELTER
Rose Aguilar, AlterNet
How some Iraq veterans are returning home, only to face homelessness and mental problems. Meanwhile, the VA is MIA.
http://www.alternet.org/waroniraq/21191/

INTERNAL BLEEDING
Mary Lynn F. Jones, AlterNet
George Bush's aggressive push to privatize Social Security is causing concern -- inside his own party.
http://www.alternet.org/story/21201/

DRUM MAJOR FOR JUSTICE
Amy Goodman, Democracy Now!
A tribute to actor and civil rights activist Ossie Davis, 1917-2005.
http://www.alternet.org/rights/21200/

THE PERSISTENT TAINT
Salim Muwakkil, In These Times
Race has faded into the background as an issue for most Americans, including progressives.
http://www.alternet.org/rights/21199/

IT WASN'T WORTH IT
Cindy Sheehan, AlterNet
Now that every lie about the invasion and occupation of Iraq has been exposed to the light, why are our sons and daughters still there? Was my son's sacrifice "worth it"?
http://www.alternet.org/waroniraq/21184/

ANOTHER TURKEY ESCAPES THE POT
Osha Neumann, AlterNet
Alberto Gonzales, the new U.S. Attorney General, is the perfect example of the New Racism.
http://www.alternet.org/rights/21193/