DR CALDICOTT ON CNN SUNDAY, MARCH 6TH
There is a very important television program that will be aired this Sunday, March 6 from noon until 3:00p.m on C-SPAN2 Book TV. I recommend taking the time to watch this interview or to have it recorded. Dr. Helen Caldicott is one of the world's most important peace activists. She educates millions of people around the world on the true dangers that nuclear weapons and technologies present to our human evolution. Dr. Caldicott is C-SPAN2 Book TV's guest on the March edition of In Depth. Dr. Caldicott, named one of the most influential women of the 20th century by the Smithsonian Institution, is the author of five books:
"Nuclear Madness" (1979), "Missile Envy" (1984), "If You Love This Planet: A Plan To Heal The Earth" (1992), "A Desperate Passion: An Autobiography" (1996), and "The New Nuclear Danger: George Bush's Military Industrial Complex" (2001; revised 2004)
She will appear LIVE on Book TV on March 6, 2005 from Noon-3pm ET. You can join the conversation by calling in during the program or by e-mailing your questions to booktv@c-span.org
Author Bio: Dr. Helen Caldicott is founder and president of the Nuclear Policy Research Institute (www.nuclearpolicy.org). For over 35 years, Dr. Caldicott has been active in spreading information about the hazards of nuclear weapons and nuclear war. The organization she co-founded in 1978, Physicians for Social Responsibility, was co-recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize in 1985, and a documentary based on a lecture she gave in 1981, on the topic of nuclear war, won the Academy Award for Best Documentary (short) in 1982. Born in Melbourne, Australia in 1938, she currently divides her time between Australia and the U.S. For more information about Helen Caldicott, visit www.helencaldicott.com
HUGE UNANSWERED QUESTIONS REMAIN ABOUT THE EVENTS OF SEPTEMBER 11TH
1] Who helped Al-Qaeda?
2] What actually hit the Pentagon?
3] How did steel buildings melt and crumble into dust?
Watch this flash movie http://www.hugequestions.com and pass it on ... Peace & Solidarity!
QUOTE OF THE DAY ... You can recognize a pioneer by the arrows in his back. Beverly Rubik
WEEKENDS OVER AND TIME TO GO BACK TO WORK ... ABIT OF NEWS TO START OFF ONES WORK WEEK
HIJACKING THE OWNERSHIP SOCIETY
Joshua Holland, AlterNet
Long before the Republicans came up with the notion of an"ownership society," the Democrats had been pushing proposals to create it. What happened?
http://www.alternet.org/story/21363/
REGAINING MY HUMANITY
Camilo Mejia, AlterNet
Conscientious objector Camilo Mejia: "I was a coward not for leaving the war, but for having been a part of it in the first place."
http://www.alternet.org/rights/21359/
NUCLEAR TERROR AT HOME
Noam Chomsky, Foreign Policy in Focus
Nuclear destruction isn't a high-probability event. But if a low probability event keeps happening over and over, there's a high probability that sooner or later it will take place.
http://www.alternet.org/story/21358/
ARE BABIES THE NEW HOT ACCESSORY?
Luchina Fisher, Women's eNews
Motherhood has a new gloss on it courtesy of advertisers and mainstream media, but many question whether the underlying conditions of mothering in America have undergone any substantial change.
http://www.alternet.org/rights/21361/
DEBTOR NATION
Susan J. Douglas, In These Times
Credit cards manage to further impoverish the poor, the working classes and women and are rife with hidden scams that benefit the financial institutions at our expense. The Bush version of Social Security will be just like this.
http://www.alternet.org/story/21356/
RIGHT WING, LEFT WING, CHICKEN WING
Matt Taibbi, New York Press
A new poll reveals that most Americans don't know their right from their left...wing. The right knows this and leads the manipulation race.
http://www.alternet.org/mediaculture/21354/
Sunday, February 27, 2005
THE KUCINICH WEEKLY DIGEEST, Feb. 26, 2005
February 23, 2005 (Local-Cleveland/North Olmsted) ... Contract extension (on bus transportation) will cost city. Kucinich presses for contract extension to negotiate the North Olmsted bus line’s continuation in good faith. http://www.westlifenews.com/2005/02-23/buscosts.html
February 26, 2005 Dean Faces Challenges as DNC Chairman ... Activist groups such as the Progressive Democrats of America, made up of many former Dean and Kucinich campaign volunteers, and TrueMajority, a Vermont group founded by Ben & Jerry's owner Ben Cohen, supported Dean’s chairmanship from the beginning. http://www.advocate.com/new_news.asp?ID=15254&sd=02/26/05-02/28/05
February 25, 2005, Associated Press, Liberal Groups Keeping Close Eye on Dean
Rep. Dennis Kucinich of Ohio, said the Democratic Party's problem is that it needs to stop talking in generalities and start articulating its message: "I don't know why the Democratic Party even exists if it can't advocate for universal health care and ending the war in Iraq." http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/D/DEAN_DEMOCRATS?SITE=CAANR&SECTION=SPORTS&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT
$9B Goes Missing In Iraq: Huge Sum Disappears Without A Trace
Helen Thomas, Hearst White House columnist, 2/24/05
Rep. Dennis Kucinich, D-Ohio, has led the move to seek accountability for the missing funds after Stuart W. Bowen, the special inspector general appointed by the U.S. occupation authority, reported the disappearance last Jan. 30. WGAL – Harrisburg, Lancaster and York, PA http://www.thewgalchannel.com/index.html
February 23, 2005
Tribe Time: After a disappointing election, Ani DiFranco knuckles down. Ani DiFranco on Kucinich: "I think his message springs eternal in that he's pursuing justice and democracy and empowerment for people," says a typically animated DiFranco via phone from a tour stop in Santa Barbara, California when asked about Kucinich. FREE TIMES: Ohio’s premier news, arts and entertainment weekly http://www.freetimes.com/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=article&sid=2471
February 23, 2005
Dean's DNC Who's Who In Politics
Reed Davis seems confused in "Why triple-talented Dean spells trouble for Republicans" (guest commentary, Feb. 21). First he puts down Dennis Kucinich. Then he mentions Howard Dean's "allegedly vegan, bohemian liberalism." Kucinich is a vegan, and not allegedly so. Dean is not. Although the son of a Wall Street stockbroker could be a bohemian, I doubt an M.D. (Dean) married to an M.D. would be likely to be a bohemian. Davis is probably the first person in history to call Howard Dean a bohemian. I guess Kucinich could be described as somewhat bohemian. Finally, Dean's liberalism is non-existent. Dean himself says on many issues he is to the right of George Bush. I am surprised that a political-science professor could be wrong on so many counts. — Gregory Stricherz, Minneapolis, Minn. http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/opinion/2002187324_wedlets23.html
INTERNATIONAL DEPARTMENT OF PEACE CONFERENCE CALL
Tuesday, March 1st
Marianne Williamson [ie: noted author, lecturer & co-founder of The Peace Alliance group] will be joining us for part of the conference call. Anyone who is interested can be on the call. Learn about what we are doing in our campaign for the U.S. Dept of Peace and how you can participate! The call in number is 702-851-3330 (please note new code!), code 456123. Call in, you will then be prompted to enter the code. The time will be 6:00pm pacific, 8:00 central and 9:00 eastern. Mark your calendars!
QUOTE OF THE DAY ... The people never give up their liberties, but under some delusion. Edmund Burke
February 23, 2005 (Local-Cleveland/North Olmsted) ... Contract extension (on bus transportation) will cost city. Kucinich presses for contract extension to negotiate the North Olmsted bus line’s continuation in good faith. http://www.westlifenews.com/2005/02-23/buscosts.html
February 26, 2005 Dean Faces Challenges as DNC Chairman ... Activist groups such as the Progressive Democrats of America, made up of many former Dean and Kucinich campaign volunteers, and TrueMajority, a Vermont group founded by Ben & Jerry's owner Ben Cohen, supported Dean’s chairmanship from the beginning. http://www.advocate.com/new_news.asp?ID=15254&sd=02/26/05-02/28/05
February 25, 2005, Associated Press, Liberal Groups Keeping Close Eye on Dean
Rep. Dennis Kucinich of Ohio, said the Democratic Party's problem is that it needs to stop talking in generalities and start articulating its message: "I don't know why the Democratic Party even exists if it can't advocate for universal health care and ending the war in Iraq." http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/D/DEAN_DEMOCRATS?SITE=CAANR&SECTION=SPORTS&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT
$9B Goes Missing In Iraq: Huge Sum Disappears Without A Trace
Helen Thomas, Hearst White House columnist, 2/24/05
Rep. Dennis Kucinich, D-Ohio, has led the move to seek accountability for the missing funds after Stuart W. Bowen, the special inspector general appointed by the U.S. occupation authority, reported the disappearance last Jan. 30. WGAL – Harrisburg, Lancaster and York, PA http://www.thewgalchannel.com/index.html
February 23, 2005
Tribe Time: After a disappointing election, Ani DiFranco knuckles down. Ani DiFranco on Kucinich: "I think his message springs eternal in that he's pursuing justice and democracy and empowerment for people," says a typically animated DiFranco via phone from a tour stop in Santa Barbara, California when asked about Kucinich. FREE TIMES: Ohio’s premier news, arts and entertainment weekly http://www.freetimes.com/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=article&sid=2471
February 23, 2005
Dean's DNC Who's Who In Politics
Reed Davis seems confused in "Why triple-talented Dean spells trouble for Republicans" (guest commentary, Feb. 21). First he puts down Dennis Kucinich. Then he mentions Howard Dean's "allegedly vegan, bohemian liberalism." Kucinich is a vegan, and not allegedly so. Dean is not. Although the son of a Wall Street stockbroker could be a bohemian, I doubt an M.D. (Dean) married to an M.D. would be likely to be a bohemian. Davis is probably the first person in history to call Howard Dean a bohemian. I guess Kucinich could be described as somewhat bohemian. Finally, Dean's liberalism is non-existent. Dean himself says on many issues he is to the right of George Bush. I am surprised that a political-science professor could be wrong on so many counts. — Gregory Stricherz, Minneapolis, Minn. http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/opinion/2002187324_wedlets23.html
INTERNATIONAL DEPARTMENT OF PEACE CONFERENCE CALL
Tuesday, March 1st
Marianne Williamson [ie: noted author, lecturer & co-founder of The Peace Alliance group] will be joining us for part of the conference call. Anyone who is interested can be on the call. Learn about what we are doing in our campaign for the U.S. Dept of Peace and how you can participate! The call in number is 702-851-3330 (please note new code!), code 456123. Call in, you will then be prompted to enter the code. The time will be 6:00pm pacific, 8:00 central and 9:00 eastern. Mark your calendars!
QUOTE OF THE DAY ... The people never give up their liberties, but under some delusion. Edmund Burke
Friday, February 25, 2005
EMPTY TOWN: THE GERMANS BUSH WASN'T ABLE TO SEE
[Protesters made their feelings known in Mainz on Wednesday as President Bush's itinerary avoided contact with everyday Germans. A meeting with the public was canceled for fear the audience would be hostile.]
by Richard Bernstein, New York Times
http://www.commondreams.org/headlines05/0224-06.htm
CALLING ALL SOLDIERS: MILTARY RECRUITERS FACE RESISTANCE FROM YOUNG ANTI-WAR ACTIVISTS
Elizabeth Weill-Greenberg, NY Amsterdam News
For instance, most students don't know that. . . . . . .
* Two-thirds of recruits don't get any college money, according to the Central Committee for Conscientious Objectors.
* Most people in the military do not have time to attend college while in the service.
* To qualify for college money recruits have to pay $100 per month for a year.
* The unemployment rate for veterans is three times higher than the national average.
* People who sign up with the Delayed Entry Program are told they can't change their minds, but getting out is as simple as writing a letter.
* The enlistment contract is for eight years.
* There are other ways to finance college, like federal financial aid, private scholarships, going to community college or joining AmeriCorps.
http://www.commondreams.org/views05/0224-26.htm
NYC DEPARTMENT OF PEACE NEWS & EVENTS
Marianne Williamson will be speaking in NYC on 3 Sundays. These are great opportunities to find inner peace and connect with your community. For more information ... see below.
1] March 19 marks the anniversary of the war in Iraq. United for Peace and Justice is organizing a city-wide response. NYC-DoP will be participating - stay tuned for details. Click the link below to find your member of congress and take action. http://www.congress.org
2] NY-DoP events ... Join us once a month to learn about the bill, our local & national campaign efforts, updates about upcoming events and how you can contribute your skills and talents to making the Department of Peace a reality. Join us for either of the following:
MEET UPS - Every second Wednesday at Bonobos on 23rd Street across from Madison Park.
COMMUNITY CONFERENCE CALLS - Every 3rd Wednesday ... The call in number is:413-200-7075 the code to enter is 091402. We look forward to hearing from you. Be sure to visit our local Department of Peace website to stay up to date on upcoming events in NYC.
http://www.nyc-dop.com
3] We are thrilled to announce Marianne Williamson will be speaking in NYC at Covenant House 346 West 17th Street (at 9th Ave.) Sundays at 5pm, March 13, 20 & 27. Be sure to mark your calendars! http://www.marianne.com
QUOTE OF THE DAY ... The past is prophetic in that it asserts loudly that wars are poor chisels for carving out peaceful tomorrows. Martin Luther King, Jr
[Protesters made their feelings known in Mainz on Wednesday as President Bush's itinerary avoided contact with everyday Germans. A meeting with the public was canceled for fear the audience would be hostile.]
by Richard Bernstein, New York Times
http://www.commondreams.org/headlines05/0224-06.htm
CALLING ALL SOLDIERS: MILTARY RECRUITERS FACE RESISTANCE FROM YOUNG ANTI-WAR ACTIVISTS
Elizabeth Weill-Greenberg, NY Amsterdam News
For instance, most students don't know that. . . . . . .
* Two-thirds of recruits don't get any college money, according to the Central Committee for Conscientious Objectors.
* Most people in the military do not have time to attend college while in the service.
* To qualify for college money recruits have to pay $100 per month for a year.
* The unemployment rate for veterans is three times higher than the national average.
* People who sign up with the Delayed Entry Program are told they can't change their minds, but getting out is as simple as writing a letter.
* The enlistment contract is for eight years.
* There are other ways to finance college, like federal financial aid, private scholarships, going to community college or joining AmeriCorps.
http://www.commondreams.org/views05/0224-26.htm
NYC DEPARTMENT OF PEACE NEWS & EVENTS
Marianne Williamson will be speaking in NYC on 3 Sundays. These are great opportunities to find inner peace and connect with your community. For more information ... see below.
1] March 19 marks the anniversary of the war in Iraq. United for Peace and Justice is organizing a city-wide response. NYC-DoP will be participating - stay tuned for details. Click the link below to find your member of congress and take action. http://www.congress.org
2] NY-DoP events ... Join us once a month to learn about the bill, our local & national campaign efforts, updates about upcoming events and how you can contribute your skills and talents to making the Department of Peace a reality. Join us for either of the following:
MEET UPS - Every second Wednesday at Bonobos on 23rd Street across from Madison Park.
COMMUNITY CONFERENCE CALLS - Every 3rd Wednesday ... The call in number is:413-200-7075 the code to enter is 091402. We look forward to hearing from you. Be sure to visit our local Department of Peace website to stay up to date on upcoming events in NYC.
http://www.nyc-dop.com
3] We are thrilled to announce Marianne Williamson will be speaking in NYC at Covenant House 346 West 17th Street (at 9th Ave.) Sundays at 5pm, March 13, 20 & 27. Be sure to mark your calendars! http://www.marianne.com
QUOTE OF THE DAY ... The past is prophetic in that it asserts loudly that wars are poor chisels for carving out peaceful tomorrows. Martin Luther King, Jr
Thursday, February 24, 2005
[DUCHESS NOTE ... The following announcement was sent to me by fellow NYC Kucitizen Bill D]
RALPH NADER IS COMING TO MANHATTAN, FRIDAY, FEB. 25
WHO: RALPH NADER with a Performance by PATTI SMITH, a talk by STANLEY ARONOWITZ, and Anti-war songs sung by a former US soldier, etc!
WHAT: Rally to Stop the Iraq War and Bring the Troops Home
WHEN: Friday, February 25, 8 PM (6-8 PM buffet reception with Nader for $100)
WHERE: New York Society for Ethical Culture Concert Hall 2 West 64th Street at Central Park West, New York, NY 10023 [Admission $10-15 sliding scale at the door]
Local and national activists will speak words of insight and encouragement. There will also be a $100 dollar a plate buffet reception, with Ralph Nader, before the rally to celebrate Ralph's 71st Birthday Weekend. To get more info or to RSVP for the reception please call Marcia Jansen at our national office in DC at 202-265-4000. For more info on this rally contact Austin Pferd at (917) 952-1842, or go to http://www.VoteNader.org OR http://www.votenader.org/calendar/index.php
Proceeds to help defray campaign expenses of Nader for President 2004. Contributions are not tax-deductible. WE NEED YOUR HELP! You can make this event a success by encouraging your friends to join us for a night, especially if they've never been involved. Please contact us with your ideas if you can help in any special way.
We always need help with the following ... Flyering & Postering communities and campuses -Phone Banking supporters from 6pm-9pm - Organizational Outreach - Community Outreach To Help call: 917 952-1842 *Paid for by Nader for President 2004*
RALPH NADER IS COMING TO MANHATTAN, FRIDAY, FEB. 25
WHO: RALPH NADER with a Performance by PATTI SMITH, a talk by STANLEY ARONOWITZ, and Anti-war songs sung by a former US soldier, etc!
WHAT: Rally to Stop the Iraq War and Bring the Troops Home
WHEN: Friday, February 25, 8 PM (6-8 PM buffet reception with Nader for $100)
WHERE: New York Society for Ethical Culture Concert Hall 2 West 64th Street at Central Park West, New York, NY 10023 [Admission $10-15 sliding scale at the door]
Local and national activists will speak words of insight and encouragement. There will also be a $100 dollar a plate buffet reception, with Ralph Nader, before the rally to celebrate Ralph's 71st Birthday Weekend. To get more info or to RSVP for the reception please call Marcia Jansen at our national office in DC at 202-265-4000. For more info on this rally contact Austin Pferd at (917) 952-1842, or go to http://www.VoteNader.org OR http://www.votenader.org/calendar/index.php
Proceeds to help defray campaign expenses of Nader for President 2004. Contributions are not tax-deductible. WE NEED YOUR HELP! You can make this event a success by encouraging your friends to join us for a night, especially if they've never been involved. Please contact us with your ideas if you can help in any special way.
We always need help with the following ... Flyering & Postering communities and campuses -Phone Banking supporters from 6pm-9pm - Organizational Outreach - Community Outreach To Help call: 917 952-1842 *Paid for by Nader for President 2004*
Wednesday, February 23, 2005
QUOTE OF THE DAY ... I'm going out telling the story that I think is thebiggest story of our time: how the right-wing media has become a partisanpropaganda arm of the Republican National Committee. We have anideological press that's interested in the election of Republicans, and amainstream press that's interested in the bottom line. Therefore, we don'thave a vigilant, independent press whose interest is the American people. Bill Moyers, Final PBS "Now" Episode, Dec. 17, 2004
THOUSANDS OF GERMANS MARCH TO PROTEST BUSH VISIT
Rhea Wessel, Mail & Guardian [South Africa]
http://www.commondreams.org/headlines05/0223-10.htm
[German Demonstrators in Mainz]
NO GERMAN FLOWERS FOR BUSH
Victor Grossman Commentary
http://www.commondreams.org/views05/0223.htm
THE KUCINICH WEEKLY DIGEST … Week Ending 02/19/05
Dennis Kucinich this week asked that any merger of city bus systems be delayed until there is an opportunity for a study. The Cleveland Plain Dealer – Local - www.cleveland.com
PERSPECTIVE: Social Security a politically risky issue for Ohio Republicans Right now, payroll taxes from workers pay for the benefits of current retirees. The president's plan would turn that around so that some of the money people pay in taxes would be saved for their own retirement. The five Democrats on Ohio's 20-member congressional delegation immediately opposed the plan, saying it would mean fewer benefits to younger workers and cost too much to implement. Reps. Dennis Kucinich and Stephanie Tubbs Jones each are holding town hall meetings in their Cleveland area districts to campaign against the plan, while AARP and the liberal group MoveOn.org both have rolled out TV commercials attacking Bush's plan.
Associated Press
Friday February 18, 2005
http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/O/OH_SOCIAL_SECURITY_POLITICS_OHOL-?SITE=AP&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT
A nuclear reactor with a hole in its head should have triggered a widespread examination and overhaul of the safety program at the Davis-Besse Nuclear Power Station. Management says it has learned valuable lessons; critics charge that it's business as usual.
Friday 02/18/05
U.S. Rep. Dennis Kucinich, D-Cleveland, tried to get FirstEnergy's operating license yanked in February 2003. He says the operators at Davis-Besse "haven't been telling the truth," adding: "It's all about money in the end. It's not about public safety." Kucinich also blasts the NRC, noting that a report issued by the Government Accounting Office last May "shows that the NRC was ill-equipped, ill-informed and far too slow to react. The NRC's reaction to Davis-Besse was inadequate, irresponsible and left the public at grave risk."
http://www.occupationalhazards.com/articles/13010
Join a People's Campaign to Ratify the Kyoto Protocol
Thursday, 2/17/05
Renowned Environmental leaders and others, including Congressman Kucinich have signed a statement in support for the Kyoto Protocol: "we hereby ratify the Kyoto Protocol and demand that our elected representatives follow suit."
http://www.commondreams.org/views05/0217-31.htm
Indecency on airwaves may carry high price House passes bill to increase fines
Thursday, 2/17/05
"Change the channel, not the Constitution," said Dennis Kucinich, the only Ohioan to vote against the bill. Last year, Democrat Stephanie Tubbs Jones, also of Cleveland, joined Kucinich in opposing stricter FCC fines. The Plain Dealer (Cleveland Local Paper)http://www.cleveland.com/news/plaindealer/index.ssf?/base/news/110864139872220.xml
HOUSE ROLL CALL ON LIMITING LAWSUITS
A/P Wednesday, 02/16/05
The 279-149 roll call Thursday by which the House passed legislation aimed at limiting lawsuits by transferring most large, multistate class action lawsuits to federal court. Kucinich voted NO, against passage of this bill.
http://www.newsday.com/ OR http://www.newsday.com/news/politics/wire/sns-ap-house-rollcall-limiting-lawsuits,0,2410394.story?coll=sns-ap-politics-headlines
Kucinich: Congress Should Reject Administration's Request for $82 Billion More For Iraq
Common Dreams
Tuesday, 2/15/05
http://www.commondreams.org/news2005/0215-04.htm
THOUSANDS OF GERMANS MARCH TO PROTEST BUSH VISIT
Rhea Wessel, Mail & Guardian [South Africa]
http://www.commondreams.org/headlines05/0223-10.htm
[German Demonstrators in Mainz]
NO GERMAN FLOWERS FOR BUSH
Victor Grossman Commentary
http://www.commondreams.org/views05/0223.htm
THE KUCINICH WEEKLY DIGEST … Week Ending 02/19/05
Dennis Kucinich this week asked that any merger of city bus systems be delayed until there is an opportunity for a study. The Cleveland Plain Dealer – Local - www.cleveland.com
PERSPECTIVE: Social Security a politically risky issue for Ohio Republicans Right now, payroll taxes from workers pay for the benefits of current retirees. The president's plan would turn that around so that some of the money people pay in taxes would be saved for their own retirement. The five Democrats on Ohio's 20-member congressional delegation immediately opposed the plan, saying it would mean fewer benefits to younger workers and cost too much to implement. Reps. Dennis Kucinich and Stephanie Tubbs Jones each are holding town hall meetings in their Cleveland area districts to campaign against the plan, while AARP and the liberal group MoveOn.org both have rolled out TV commercials attacking Bush's plan.
Associated Press
Friday February 18, 2005
http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/O/OH_SOCIAL_SECURITY_POLITICS_OHOL-?SITE=AP&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT
A nuclear reactor with a hole in its head should have triggered a widespread examination and overhaul of the safety program at the Davis-Besse Nuclear Power Station. Management says it has learned valuable lessons; critics charge that it's business as usual.
Friday 02/18/05
U.S. Rep. Dennis Kucinich, D-Cleveland, tried to get FirstEnergy's operating license yanked in February 2003. He says the operators at Davis-Besse "haven't been telling the truth," adding: "It's all about money in the end. It's not about public safety." Kucinich also blasts the NRC, noting that a report issued by the Government Accounting Office last May "shows that the NRC was ill-equipped, ill-informed and far too slow to react. The NRC's reaction to Davis-Besse was inadequate, irresponsible and left the public at grave risk."
http://www.occupationalhazards.com/articles/13010
Join a People's Campaign to Ratify the Kyoto Protocol
Thursday, 2/17/05
Renowned Environmental leaders and others, including Congressman Kucinich have signed a statement in support for the Kyoto Protocol: "we hereby ratify the Kyoto Protocol and demand that our elected representatives follow suit."
http://www.commondreams.org/views05/0217-31.htm
Indecency on airwaves may carry high price House passes bill to increase fines
Thursday, 2/17/05
"Change the channel, not the Constitution," said Dennis Kucinich, the only Ohioan to vote against the bill. Last year, Democrat Stephanie Tubbs Jones, also of Cleveland, joined Kucinich in opposing stricter FCC fines. The Plain Dealer (Cleveland Local Paper)http://www.cleveland.com/news/plaindealer/index.ssf?/base/news/110864139872220.xml
HOUSE ROLL CALL ON LIMITING LAWSUITS
A/P Wednesday, 02/16/05
The 279-149 roll call Thursday by which the House passed legislation aimed at limiting lawsuits by transferring most large, multistate class action lawsuits to federal court. Kucinich voted NO, against passage of this bill.
http://www.newsday.com/ OR http://www.newsday.com/news/politics/wire/sns-ap-house-rollcall-limiting-lawsuits,0,2410394.story?coll=sns-ap-politics-headlines
Kucinich: Congress Should Reject Administration's Request for $82 Billion More For Iraq
Common Dreams
Tuesday, 2/15/05
http://www.commondreams.org/news2005/0215-04.htm
Tuesday, February 22, 2005
QUOTE OF THE DAY ... If the man doesn't believe as we do, we say he is a crank, and that settles it. I mean, it does nowadays, because now we can't burn him. Mark Twain
BUSH DISAPPOINTS EUROPE WITH CLIMATE CHANGE IDEAS
Jeff Mason, Reuters [UK]
[European Protesters ... Hurray!]
Brussels - US President G.W. Bush has disappointed European environmental activists who had hoped for a wider commitment from the worlds largest polluter to fighting global warming.
http://www.commondreams.org/headlines05/0222-09.htm
LIVE FROM NEW YORK ITS THE WHOLE NEWS AND NOTHING BUT THE NEWS
BUILDING BLOGS
Zack Pelta-Heller, AlterNet
Online journals are under fire in Iran, but bloggers there and around the world refuse to let their voices be silenced.
http://www.alternet.org/mediaculture/21316/
WHY BUSH WILL FAIL IN EUROPE
William Pfaff, The Guardian [UK]
The president has an enormous political gulf to bridge. The trouble is, he doesn't even know it's there.
http://www.commondreams.org/views05/0220-22.htm
SLEUTHS OF SPIN
Bill Berkowitz, AlterNet
By harnessing the investigative power of hundreds of citizen journalists, media activists John Stauber and Sheldon Rampton aim to reinvent journalism.
http://www.alternet.org/mediaculture/21307/
WILL BERT AND ERNIE BE NEXT?
Marty Jezer Commentary
http://commondreams.org/views05/0221-22.htm
CATCH AND RELEASE
Ben Lynfield, Christian Science Monitor
Opinions are mixed on Israel's release of 500 Palestinian prisoners.
http://www.alternet.org/story/21317/
BUSH'S JOURNALISM JIHAD EXPOSED
Dave Zweifel, Capital Times
http://www.commondreams.org/views05/0221.23.htm
A CHURCH AT THE CROSSROADS
Heidi Schlumpf, Sojourners
Sex abuse scandal, priest shortages, celibacy, ordaining women: The issues roiling the Catholic Church offer challenges -- and hope? -- for the future.
http://www.alternet.org/story/21306/
A JURY OF HER PEERS
Kathy Plonsky, Brain, Child
A single mother on trial has a right to be judged by a jury of her peers. But what if the jurors can't find childcare for their own children?
http://www.alternet.org/rights/21296/
BUSH DISAPPOINTS EUROPE WITH CLIMATE CHANGE IDEAS
Jeff Mason, Reuters [UK]
[European Protesters ... Hurray!]
Brussels - US President G.W. Bush has disappointed European environmental activists who had hoped for a wider commitment from the worlds largest polluter to fighting global warming.
http://www.commondreams.org/headlines05/0222-09.htm
LIVE FROM NEW YORK ITS THE WHOLE NEWS AND NOTHING BUT THE NEWS
BUILDING BLOGS
Zack Pelta-Heller, AlterNet
Online journals are under fire in Iran, but bloggers there and around the world refuse to let their voices be silenced.
http://www.alternet.org/mediaculture/21316/
WHY BUSH WILL FAIL IN EUROPE
William Pfaff, The Guardian [UK]
The president has an enormous political gulf to bridge. The trouble is, he doesn't even know it's there.
http://www.commondreams.org/views05/0220-22.htm
SLEUTHS OF SPIN
Bill Berkowitz, AlterNet
By harnessing the investigative power of hundreds of citizen journalists, media activists John Stauber and Sheldon Rampton aim to reinvent journalism.
http://www.alternet.org/mediaculture/21307/
WILL BERT AND ERNIE BE NEXT?
Marty Jezer Commentary
http://commondreams.org/views05/0221-22.htm
CATCH AND RELEASE
Ben Lynfield, Christian Science Monitor
Opinions are mixed on Israel's release of 500 Palestinian prisoners.
http://www.alternet.org/story/21317/
BUSH'S JOURNALISM JIHAD EXPOSED
Dave Zweifel, Capital Times
http://www.commondreams.org/views05/0221.23.htm
A CHURCH AT THE CROSSROADS
Heidi Schlumpf, Sojourners
Sex abuse scandal, priest shortages, celibacy, ordaining women: The issues roiling the Catholic Church offer challenges -- and hope? -- for the future.
http://www.alternet.org/story/21306/
A JURY OF HER PEERS
Kathy Plonsky, Brain, Child
A single mother on trial has a right to be judged by a jury of her peers. But what if the jurors can't find childcare for their own children?
http://www.alternet.org/rights/21296/
Monday, February 21, 2005
QUOTE OF THE DAY ... My thoughts about you are inseparable from my thoughts about myself. Marianne Williamson [author of "The Gift of Change"]
Moby's 'We're All Made of Stars' music video ... with a cameo appearance by one of my fav British actors. Check it out at this link: http://www.blastro.com/player/mobyweareallmadeofstars.html
EXTRAORDINARY SECURITY MEASURES FOR BUSH VISIT TO GERMANY
Marianne Arens & Peter Schwarz, World Socialist Website
[Duchess Note ... Is it any wonder that so many people throughout the world loath this man and his repressive republican regime. The most hated American president, plus regime, in history and rightly so.]
http://www.wsws.org/articles/2005/feb2005/bush-f21.shtml
For those of you who enjoy the LORD OF THE RINGS movie trilogy ... you'll get a chuckle out of these animation stories ... check out the links at your leisure:
http://www.fendahleen.com/nerf/catapult.gif
http://waxy.org/random/images/weblog/mortor.gif
If you are a big fan, like me, of the SHARPE tv series and Bernard Cornwell books ... then check out the link to some great website ... http://www.southessex.co.uk/main.htm Enjoy!
[Sean Bean as Sharpe and his Chosen Men from the British tv series. Available on VHS and DVD.]
THE WEEKEND IS OVER, A LITTLE SNOW IS DUSTING OUTSIDE, SO LETS SEE WHAT THE NEWS HAS TO OFFER
NOW HE HAS THE POWER
John Nichols, The Nation
Unlike past DNC chairs, Howard Dean won't have to scream for attention. He is in a position to make his party more newsworthy and potentially more dangerous than it has been in decades.
http://www.alternet.org/story/21304/
BLOGGING WHILE BLACK
Christopher Rabb, Afro-Netizen
Blogging is not a luxury, it's a civic responsibility.
http://www.alternet.org/mediaculture/21301/
WANTED: ALL CRUISERS
Celina De LeÛn, WireTap
Cruising is an age-old ritual involving a car, friends and the desire to see and be seen. While some see it as an issue of public safety, others believe it's an important rite of passage that needs to be preserved.
http://www.alternet.org/wiretap/21233/
SHOW ME THE MONEY
Mark Weisbrot, AlterNet
Bush's privatization plan for Social Security is a case where it helps to read the fine print.
http://www.alternet.org/story/21302/
SPY'S EYE VIEW
Sandip Roy, Pacific News Service
Dame Stella Rimington, the first woman to head the British spy agency MI5 and the real-life inspiration for the James Bond spymaster "M," says the notion of a war on terror obscures what it takes to fight terrorism.
http://www.alternet.org/story/21303/
Moby's 'We're All Made of Stars' music video ... with a cameo appearance by one of my fav British actors. Check it out at this link: http://www.blastro.com/player/mobyweareallmadeofstars.html
EXTRAORDINARY SECURITY MEASURES FOR BUSH VISIT TO GERMANY
Marianne Arens & Peter Schwarz, World Socialist Website
[Duchess Note ... Is it any wonder that so many people throughout the world loath this man and his repressive republican regime. The most hated American president, plus regime, in history and rightly so.]
http://www.wsws.org/articles/2005/feb2005/bush-f21.shtml
For those of you who enjoy the LORD OF THE RINGS movie trilogy ... you'll get a chuckle out of these animation stories ... check out the links at your leisure:
http://www.fendahleen.com/nerf/catapult.gif
http://waxy.org/random/images/weblog/mortor.gif
If you are a big fan, like me, of the SHARPE tv series and Bernard Cornwell books ... then check out the link to some great website ... http://www.southessex.co.uk/main.htm Enjoy!
[Sean Bean as Sharpe and his Chosen Men from the British tv series. Available on VHS and DVD.]
THE WEEKEND IS OVER, A LITTLE SNOW IS DUSTING OUTSIDE, SO LETS SEE WHAT THE NEWS HAS TO OFFER
NOW HE HAS THE POWER
John Nichols, The Nation
Unlike past DNC chairs, Howard Dean won't have to scream for attention. He is in a position to make his party more newsworthy and potentially more dangerous than it has been in decades.
http://www.alternet.org/story/21304/
BLOGGING WHILE BLACK
Christopher Rabb, Afro-Netizen
Blogging is not a luxury, it's a civic responsibility.
http://www.alternet.org/mediaculture/21301/
WANTED: ALL CRUISERS
Celina De LeÛn, WireTap
Cruising is an age-old ritual involving a car, friends and the desire to see and be seen. While some see it as an issue of public safety, others believe it's an important rite of passage that needs to be preserved.
http://www.alternet.org/wiretap/21233/
SHOW ME THE MONEY
Mark Weisbrot, AlterNet
Bush's privatization plan for Social Security is a case where it helps to read the fine print.
http://www.alternet.org/story/21302/
SPY'S EYE VIEW
Sandip Roy, Pacific News Service
Dame Stella Rimington, the first woman to head the British spy agency MI5 and the real-life inspiration for the James Bond spymaster "M," says the notion of a war on terror obscures what it takes to fight terrorism.
http://www.alternet.org/story/21303/
Sunday, February 20, 2005
PERSONAL NEWS #47
On Sunday, January 30th, the NYC Friends of Kucinich group held their second official general meeting. It was held in the home of fellow Kucitizens Gloria and William on the upper Eastside of Manhattan. Two wonderful, intelligent, charming, gracious individuals. The meeting would of been a better success if a particular man [disruptive loose cannon] wasn't in attendance. [He must be terminated from the group.] Speaking of those in attendance ... Bud, Ellen, Kenny, William, Gloria, Tom and myself. Some of what was discussed ... Bill Perkins, Markowitz, Manhattan Borough President race, UFPJ convention held in February down in St Louis, DNC chair vote, Friends of Kucinich Committee reports, and a book by Paul Williams called "Osama's Revenge". After the meeting we had some light refreshment, of which I brought some of my homemade Hummus and Banana Nut bread. One of the items Gloria had out was a 100% vegan natural buttery spread called "Soy Garden" to utilize on fresh Italian bread. I loved it so much that I purchased it next time I went grocery shopping. Yum!
After work on February 1st I visited my friend Larry and he did my taxes for me. Took him out for a nice Chinese dinner as payment for helping me out. This year I'll get some money back from the State and owe the damn Federal Government. Greedy buggers!
On Wednesday, February 2nd, I attended my first official Democracy For America meetup in Manhattan. It was held at a nifty bar [private room in back] on 9th Avenue near 53rd Street. There were about 12 folk in attendance. Variety of backgrounds and all seem to have been Dean supporters during his presidential run last year. I was the only Kucitizen in attendance, which was cool, and they welcomed me graciously. One of those in attendance was 2005 NYC mayor candidate David Touchstone, who spoke at length towards the end of the meetup and answered questions. I was able to speak with him afterwards about the NYC Dept of Peace and he seemed most receptive. Other topics of discussion during the meetup ... Brennan Reforms, "Free Press" convention in May, Committee agenda, Westside Stadium and Howard Dean's run for DNC chair. To learn more about the DFNYC, go to their website at http://www.dfnyc.org
Friday, February 4th, was NYC DOPs first official ’"Strategy Committee", conference call at 5pm. [Which I conducted at work.] Karen, Coco, Carol and I are on this particular committee. Before I go any further, there is a National Dept of Peace conference call the first of every month at 9pm. Next one is on March 1st and to find out phone info, go to the website http://www.dopcampaign.org. Our conference call was very productive and covered many topics. I asked to be put in charge of gleaning info off of other Dept of Peace listserves and then send reports back to committees.
Visited my good friend Katherine up in CT on Sunday, February 6th. Was suppose to catch the 8:07am train out of Grand Central Station, but NYC subway system totally screwed me up with many delays on the G and 7 lines. [Goddamn MTA!] I'd purchased my ticket the day before, but that didn't help me much. Cause when I ran onto the platform the darn train had pulled out 30 seconds before I arrived. Didn't care who else was standing on that platform as I let out a loud string of foul language. Yeah, you bet I was pissed off. Decided to head to my office over in Times Square to utilize the phone and computer. Had to get in touch with Katherine and eventually connected with her hubby Maurice. We discussed the situation and I ended up taking the 11:07am to Stamford, where he picked me up and we drove on up to Shelton. After that the rest of the day turned out good. [Got back to NYC and home at 8:30pm.] Katherine and I finally got to exchange Xmas gifts, plus catch up on news and gossip. She is such a dear, sweet, down to earth person and it pains me to hear of how her grown daughters use/abuse their mother. Grrrrrrrrrrrrr Stick around ... more to follow.
QUOTE OF THE DAY ... Government is a broker in pillage, and every election is a sort of advance auction in stolen goods. HL Mencken
On Sunday, January 30th, the NYC Friends of Kucinich group held their second official general meeting. It was held in the home of fellow Kucitizens Gloria and William on the upper Eastside of Manhattan. Two wonderful, intelligent, charming, gracious individuals. The meeting would of been a better success if a particular man [disruptive loose cannon] wasn't in attendance. [He must be terminated from the group.] Speaking of those in attendance ... Bud, Ellen, Kenny, William, Gloria, Tom and myself. Some of what was discussed ... Bill Perkins, Markowitz, Manhattan Borough President race, UFPJ convention held in February down in St Louis, DNC chair vote, Friends of Kucinich Committee reports, and a book by Paul Williams called "Osama's Revenge". After the meeting we had some light refreshment, of which I brought some of my homemade Hummus and Banana Nut bread. One of the items Gloria had out was a 100% vegan natural buttery spread called "Soy Garden" to utilize on fresh Italian bread. I loved it so much that I purchased it next time I went grocery shopping. Yum!
After work on February 1st I visited my friend Larry and he did my taxes for me. Took him out for a nice Chinese dinner as payment for helping me out. This year I'll get some money back from the State and owe the damn Federal Government. Greedy buggers!
On Wednesday, February 2nd, I attended my first official Democracy For America meetup in Manhattan. It was held at a nifty bar [private room in back] on 9th Avenue near 53rd Street. There were about 12 folk in attendance. Variety of backgrounds and all seem to have been Dean supporters during his presidential run last year. I was the only Kucitizen in attendance, which was cool, and they welcomed me graciously. One of those in attendance was 2005 NYC mayor candidate David Touchstone, who spoke at length towards the end of the meetup and answered questions. I was able to speak with him afterwards about the NYC Dept of Peace and he seemed most receptive. Other topics of discussion during the meetup ... Brennan Reforms, "Free Press" convention in May, Committee agenda, Westside Stadium and Howard Dean's run for DNC chair. To learn more about the DFNYC, go to their website at http://www.dfnyc.org
Friday, February 4th, was NYC DOPs first official ’"Strategy Committee", conference call at 5pm. [Which I conducted at work.] Karen, Coco, Carol and I are on this particular committee. Before I go any further, there is a National Dept of Peace conference call the first of every month at 9pm. Next one is on March 1st and to find out phone info, go to the website http://www.dopcampaign.org. Our conference call was very productive and covered many topics. I asked to be put in charge of gleaning info off of other Dept of Peace listserves and then send reports back to committees.
Visited my good friend Katherine up in CT on Sunday, February 6th. Was suppose to catch the 8:07am train out of Grand Central Station, but NYC subway system totally screwed me up with many delays on the G and 7 lines. [Goddamn MTA!] I'd purchased my ticket the day before, but that didn't help me much. Cause when I ran onto the platform the darn train had pulled out 30 seconds before I arrived. Didn't care who else was standing on that platform as I let out a loud string of foul language. Yeah, you bet I was pissed off. Decided to head to my office over in Times Square to utilize the phone and computer. Had to get in touch with Katherine and eventually connected with her hubby Maurice. We discussed the situation and I ended up taking the 11:07am to Stamford, where he picked me up and we drove on up to Shelton. After that the rest of the day turned out good. [Got back to NYC and home at 8:30pm.] Katherine and I finally got to exchange Xmas gifts, plus catch up on news and gossip. She is such a dear, sweet, down to earth person and it pains me to hear of how her grown daughters use/abuse their mother. Grrrrrrrrrrrrr Stick around ... more to follow.
QUOTE OF THE DAY ... Government is a broker in pillage, and every election is a sort of advance auction in stolen goods. HL Mencken
Saturday, February 19, 2005
EXTREMELY IMPORTANT MESSAGE FROM THE FOLKS AT TRUEMAJORITY ... Bush's Budget Prioritizes Star Wars Above Programs Such As Head Start ... Tell Congress to Stand Up for What's Right
Beneath the incomprehensible federal budget numbers - a $2.57 trillion budget, a $427 billion deficit, $419 billion in military spending - the federal budget is a moment of truth. It's the checkbook of our country. And it, like the spending plan of a family or business, should reflect the stuff we care about. But Bush's proposed budget is out of step with Americans' true priorities. To bankroll more tax cuts for millionaires and a sell-off of Social Security to Wall Street, President Bush suggested record cuts to essential services that provide real benefits to the American people. The silver lining is that what the president proposes, Congress disposes. None of Bush's cuts will happen if Congress rejects his budget.
This is where we come in. Congress needs to hear loud and clear from the American people. The Bush budget should be dead on arrival. To send a free message to your senators and representatives, just click "reply" and"send." If this mail was forwarded to you and you aren't yet a member of TrueMajority, click here to send your message:
http://truemajority.kintera.org/2005budget
Below are ten misguided Bush budget decisions that particularly offend American values and squander our country's future. Tell Congress to reject Bush's indecent budget proposal. Tell your representatives that you don't want your government to. . . . . . . .
1] Undercut schools in need by reneging on the $12 billion in funding to schools promised by President Bush himself.
2] Eliminate child-care assistance for 300,000 children by 2009.
3] Keep college out of reach for qualified students by failing to raise the maximum Pell Grant as promised and by freezing work-study funding.
4] More than double the copay charged to many veterans for prescription drugs, in addition to requiring some vets to pay a new $250 yearly "user fee" for promised health-care services.
5] Eliminate Community Development Block Grants - life lines for cities around the country, used to build and maintain clinics, day-care facilities and housing developments.
6] Eliminate the Even Start literacy program that helps impoverished children and their illiterate or semiliterate parents learn to read.
7] Cut funds from Medicaid that would pay for health care for 1.8 million low-income children.
8] Cut food stamps benefits for up to 300,000 of the working poor, largely parents and children.
9] Force deeper cuts in basic domestic programs by adding new tax cuts that would cost $1.6 trillion over ten years. More than half of these cuts would go to households that earn more than a $1 million yearly, while virtually none target households earning less than $100,000 per year.
10] Balloon the federal deficit to $1.4 trillion by 2010, thanks to warspending and new tax cuts. Continue funding Pentagon waste. Bush's budget contains over $20 billion for Pentagon weapons systems such as super stealth fighter jets and the Star Wars program. These were designed to fight the Cold War, but are now unnecessary since the Soviet Union went out of business -- and they are unusable in the struggle against extremism.
Congress has the power to overrule Bush's grossly misguided spending priorities. Please contact your representatives today and demand that they reject the Bush budget and realign America's spending priorities to serve us all, not just aprivileged few. Click here to send your free message ... http://truemajority.kintera.org/2005budget
To see how Bush's proposed federal budget affects your community, check out the National Priorities Project's Web page ... http://www.nationalpriorities.org/impact05/budgetpub.html
Beneath the incomprehensible federal budget numbers - a $2.57 trillion budget, a $427 billion deficit, $419 billion in military spending - the federal budget is a moment of truth. It's the checkbook of our country. And it, like the spending plan of a family or business, should reflect the stuff we care about. But Bush's proposed budget is out of step with Americans' true priorities. To bankroll more tax cuts for millionaires and a sell-off of Social Security to Wall Street, President Bush suggested record cuts to essential services that provide real benefits to the American people. The silver lining is that what the president proposes, Congress disposes. None of Bush's cuts will happen if Congress rejects his budget.
This is where we come in. Congress needs to hear loud and clear from the American people. The Bush budget should be dead on arrival. To send a free message to your senators and representatives, just click "reply" and"send." If this mail was forwarded to you and you aren't yet a member of TrueMajority, click here to send your message:
http://truemajority.kintera.org/2005budget
Below are ten misguided Bush budget decisions that particularly offend American values and squander our country's future. Tell Congress to reject Bush's indecent budget proposal. Tell your representatives that you don't want your government to. . . . . . . .
1] Undercut schools in need by reneging on the $12 billion in funding to schools promised by President Bush himself.
2] Eliminate child-care assistance for 300,000 children by 2009.
3] Keep college out of reach for qualified students by failing to raise the maximum Pell Grant as promised and by freezing work-study funding.
4] More than double the copay charged to many veterans for prescription drugs, in addition to requiring some vets to pay a new $250 yearly "user fee" for promised health-care services.
5] Eliminate Community Development Block Grants - life lines for cities around the country, used to build and maintain clinics, day-care facilities and housing developments.
6] Eliminate the Even Start literacy program that helps impoverished children and their illiterate or semiliterate parents learn to read.
7] Cut funds from Medicaid that would pay for health care for 1.8 million low-income children.
8] Cut food stamps benefits for up to 300,000 of the working poor, largely parents and children.
9] Force deeper cuts in basic domestic programs by adding new tax cuts that would cost $1.6 trillion over ten years. More than half of these cuts would go to households that earn more than a $1 million yearly, while virtually none target households earning less than $100,000 per year.
10] Balloon the federal deficit to $1.4 trillion by 2010, thanks to warspending and new tax cuts. Continue funding Pentagon waste. Bush's budget contains over $20 billion for Pentagon weapons systems such as super stealth fighter jets and the Star Wars program. These were designed to fight the Cold War, but are now unnecessary since the Soviet Union went out of business -- and they are unusable in the struggle against extremism.
Congress has the power to overrule Bush's grossly misguided spending priorities. Please contact your representatives today and demand that they reject the Bush budget and realign America's spending priorities to serve us all, not just aprivileged few. Click here to send your free message ... http://truemajority.kintera.org/2005budget
To see how Bush's proposed federal budget affects your community, check out the National Priorities Project's Web page ... http://www.nationalpriorities.org/impact05/budgetpub.html
Friday, February 18, 2005
DUCHESS NOTE ... Everyone's either talking about or going to see those "gates" in Central Park. Personally, I think there hideous and not real art. But if it excites yah then go for it. A fellow Kucitizen share the following link with me [see below]. Its called "Somerville Gates" and somewhat similar to the Central Park thing. The difference is I find these "gates" more amusing than the junk in Central Park. Check it out.........http://www.not-rocket-science.com/door_gates.htm
QUOTE OF THE DAY ... Among the many misdeeds of the British rule in India, history will look upon the Act depriving a whole nation of arms as the blackest. Mahtma Gandhi
RESISTANCE CINEMA PRESENTS:
"ABOUT BAGHDAD"- a 90-minute documentary made in 2003 which traces the journey of Sinan Antoon, an Iraqi poet and journalist in exile who left Saddam's Iraq in 1991 and returned to Baghdad in July 2003 after 12 years of teaching and studying Iraqi literature in the U.S.
WHERE: Community Church (gallery) ... 28 East 35th St., between Park and Madison Avenues
WHEN: Sunday, February 27, at 1:15 p.m.
ADMISSION: Free and open to the public
INFORMATION: Call 212-777-5533
Produced by Incounter Productions, this film documents Sinan Antoon's interviews with a wide range of Iraqis, from cab drivers to writers. This unique documentary captures the voice of the Iraqi people in that cruvialinterval of time just three months after the fall of Baghdad, when there was still a "window of opportunity" for the US to gain the support of ordinary Iraqis. To his credit, Antoon, who opposed the US invasion, allows all voices to be heard, from those who supported the US to those who were already bitterly opposed. The Iraqis open up to him, and their concerns, their hopes, and their expectations take center stage. There will be a post-screen discussion of the film. RESISTANCE CINEMA is a collaborative project of the Education Committee of Not In Our Name and Action for Justice of the Community Church of New York.
THE WEEKEND IS UPON US ... ABIT OF NEWS TO GO WITH IT
SLUM POLITICS
James Westcott, AlterNet
The squalid mini-city states known as slums now house at least one billion people across the world, living outside normal regulations. As their ranks swell, some are saying that it's time to start thinking of them a little differently.
http://www.alternet.org/story/21297/
BUSTING THE SOCIAL SECURITY MYTHS
William E. Spriggs, The Black Commentator
The claims about Social Security are wrong: A privatized program would not serve African Americans better.
http://www.alternet.org/story/21295/
NEGROPONTE'S DARK PAST
David Corn, The Nation
Bush's appointee to the new post of Director of National Intelligence, John Negroponte, has skated through appointments in the past, and is likely to do so again.
http://www.alternet.org/story/21299/
SCREW THE CHILDREN
Molly Ivins, AlterNet
What's really sad about the budget is that all this damage is being done to real, living children -- to save what is, in Washington terms, pennies.
http://www.alternet.org/columnists/story/21294/
NOT YOUR PARENT'S DRUG TEST
Paul Armentano, Reason
A surge in the number of Americans peeing on demand has coincided with an explosion of alternative drug testing technology.
http://www.alternet.org/drugreporter/21267/
AL GORE'S MORAL LEADERSHIP LESSON
Kelpie Wilson, TruthOut.org
When it comes to global warming, Gore says that President Bush inhabits an 'un-reality bubble,' created by his advisers in the oil and coal industries, that will soon burst.
http://www.alternet.org/envirohealth/21293/
QUOTE OF THE DAY ... Among the many misdeeds of the British rule in India, history will look upon the Act depriving a whole nation of arms as the blackest. Mahtma Gandhi
RESISTANCE CINEMA PRESENTS:
"ABOUT BAGHDAD"- a 90-minute documentary made in 2003 which traces the journey of Sinan Antoon, an Iraqi poet and journalist in exile who left Saddam's Iraq in 1991 and returned to Baghdad in July 2003 after 12 years of teaching and studying Iraqi literature in the U.S.
WHERE: Community Church (gallery) ... 28 East 35th St., between Park and Madison Avenues
WHEN: Sunday, February 27, at 1:15 p.m.
ADMISSION: Free and open to the public
INFORMATION: Call 212-777-5533
Produced by Incounter Productions, this film documents Sinan Antoon's interviews with a wide range of Iraqis, from cab drivers to writers. This unique documentary captures the voice of the Iraqi people in that cruvialinterval of time just three months after the fall of Baghdad, when there was still a "window of opportunity" for the US to gain the support of ordinary Iraqis. To his credit, Antoon, who opposed the US invasion, allows all voices to be heard, from those who supported the US to those who were already bitterly opposed. The Iraqis open up to him, and their concerns, their hopes, and their expectations take center stage. There will be a post-screen discussion of the film. RESISTANCE CINEMA is a collaborative project of the Education Committee of Not In Our Name and Action for Justice of the Community Church of New York.
THE WEEKEND IS UPON US ... ABIT OF NEWS TO GO WITH IT
SLUM POLITICS
James Westcott, AlterNet
The squalid mini-city states known as slums now house at least one billion people across the world, living outside normal regulations. As their ranks swell, some are saying that it's time to start thinking of them a little differently.
http://www.alternet.org/story/21297/
BUSTING THE SOCIAL SECURITY MYTHS
William E. Spriggs, The Black Commentator
The claims about Social Security are wrong: A privatized program would not serve African Americans better.
http://www.alternet.org/story/21295/
NEGROPONTE'S DARK PAST
David Corn, The Nation
Bush's appointee to the new post of Director of National Intelligence, John Negroponte, has skated through appointments in the past, and is likely to do so again.
http://www.alternet.org/story/21299/
SCREW THE CHILDREN
Molly Ivins, AlterNet
What's really sad about the budget is that all this damage is being done to real, living children -- to save what is, in Washington terms, pennies.
http://www.alternet.org/columnists/story/21294/
NOT YOUR PARENT'S DRUG TEST
Paul Armentano, Reason
A surge in the number of Americans peeing on demand has coincided with an explosion of alternative drug testing technology.
http://www.alternet.org/drugreporter/21267/
AL GORE'S MORAL LEADERSHIP LESSON
Kelpie Wilson, TruthOut.org
When it comes to global warming, Gore says that President Bush inhabits an 'un-reality bubble,' created by his advisers in the oil and coal industries, that will soon burst.
http://www.alternet.org/envirohealth/21293/
Thursday, February 17, 2005
KUCINICH: PROPOSED SOCIAL SECURITY PRICE INDEXING WOULD SLASH BENEFITS
Bellaciao Website Report & Commentary
Social Security’s “Sleeper Issue”: Price Indexing Exposed By Kucinich. Congressman Dennis J. Kucinich (D-OH) today brought forth a new case against the Administration’s so-called Social Security reform plan by exposing the precipitous drop in future retiree benefits implicit in the Administration plan to switch from wage indexing to price indexing. For more check out link below and the chart. . . . http://bellaciao.org/en/article.php3?id_article=5277
DUCHESS NOTE ... Recently received the info below from a fellow NYC Kucitizen and wanted to share with you all.
With today's debut, the members of the Climate Crisis Coalition (CCC) stress that their campaign reflects values that transcend the goal of reducing carbon emissions. In its final paragraph, the petition declares that the very act of signing affirms "our allegiance to the democratic process, our fundamental and mortal relationship with this Earth, and our essential solidarity with every other member of the human family." Stand up and be counted! What else on earth is a person supposed to do? Sign the petition to save this planet at the following link: http://www.grist.org/comments/soapbox/2005/02/16/gelbspan/
QUOTE OF THE DAY ... Corporations have been enthroned. An era of corruption in high places will follow and the money power will endeavor to prolong its reign by working on the prejudices of the people. Until wealth is aggregated in a few hands and the Republic is destroyed. Abraham Lincoln
Bellaciao Website Report & Commentary
Social Security’s “Sleeper Issue”: Price Indexing Exposed By Kucinich. Congressman Dennis J. Kucinich (D-OH) today brought forth a new case against the Administration’s so-called Social Security reform plan by exposing the precipitous drop in future retiree benefits implicit in the Administration plan to switch from wage indexing to price indexing. For more check out link below and the chart. . . . http://bellaciao.org/en/article.php3?id_article=5277
DUCHESS NOTE ... Recently received the info below from a fellow NYC Kucitizen and wanted to share with you all.
With today's debut, the members of the Climate Crisis Coalition (CCC) stress that their campaign reflects values that transcend the goal of reducing carbon emissions. In its final paragraph, the petition declares that the very act of signing affirms "our allegiance to the democratic process, our fundamental and mortal relationship with this Earth, and our essential solidarity with every other member of the human family." Stand up and be counted! What else on earth is a person supposed to do? Sign the petition to save this planet at the following link: http://www.grist.org/comments/soapbox/2005/02/16/gelbspan/
QUOTE OF THE DAY ... Corporations have been enthroned. An era of corruption in high places will follow and the money power will endeavor to prolong its reign by working on the prejudices of the people. Until wealth is aggregated in a few hands and the Republic is destroyed. Abraham Lincoln
Wednesday, February 16, 2005
LIVE FROM NEW YORK CITY - ITS THE NEWS
A GAME AS OLD AS EMPIRE
Amy Goodman, Democracy Now!
The author of the gripping new book, 'Confessions of an Economic Hit Man,'reveals how the U.S. became the world's largest superpower: by forcing developing countries into debt.
http://www.alternet.org/story/21245/
AMERICA'S NUCLEAR STEALTH WAR
Paul Rogers, Democracy.net
The United States denounces Tehran's development of nuclear weapons while quietly modernizing its own arsenal.
http://www.alternet.org/story/21272/
WHY WOMEN WILL LOSE
Heather Boushey, Women's eNews
Women live longer, earn less and fill more caretaking roles than men. For all these reasons, they stand to lose the most if Social Security is changed.
http://www.alternet.org/rights/21271/
A CULTURE OF SECRECY
Charles Lewis, The Center for Public Integrity
What happened to the principle that American democracy should be accessible and transparent? And what became of the investigative journalism that aided that process?http://www.alternet.org/mediaculture/21273/
WHAT WE DON'T KNOW ABOUT 9/11 HURTS US
Robert Scheer, AlterNet
The terrible fact is that the administration took none of the steps that would have put the protection of human life ahead of a diverse set of economic and political interests.
http://www.alternet.org/columnists/story/21269/
QUOTE OF THE DAY ... By giving us the opinions of the uneducated, [journalism] keeps us in touch with the ignorance of the community. Oscar Wilde
DUCHESS NOTE ... A fellow NYC Kucitizen shared the following with me. Check out the link, its so Orwellian. Stephanie says ... "While this will have you laughing, it's also a very good explanation of how much information about every aspect of our lives is being centralized." http://www.aclu.org/pizza/images/screen.swf
A GAME AS OLD AS EMPIRE
Amy Goodman, Democracy Now!
The author of the gripping new book, 'Confessions of an Economic Hit Man,'reveals how the U.S. became the world's largest superpower: by forcing developing countries into debt.
http://www.alternet.org/story/21245/
AMERICA'S NUCLEAR STEALTH WAR
Paul Rogers, Democracy.net
The United States denounces Tehran's development of nuclear weapons while quietly modernizing its own arsenal.
http://www.alternet.org/story/21272/
WHY WOMEN WILL LOSE
Heather Boushey, Women's eNews
Women live longer, earn less and fill more caretaking roles than men. For all these reasons, they stand to lose the most if Social Security is changed.
http://www.alternet.org/rights/21271/
A CULTURE OF SECRECY
Charles Lewis, The Center for Public Integrity
What happened to the principle that American democracy should be accessible and transparent? And what became of the investigative journalism that aided that process?http://www.alternet.org/mediaculture/21273/
WHAT WE DON'T KNOW ABOUT 9/11 HURTS US
Robert Scheer, AlterNet
The terrible fact is that the administration took none of the steps that would have put the protection of human life ahead of a diverse set of economic and political interests.
http://www.alternet.org/columnists/story/21269/
QUOTE OF THE DAY ... By giving us the opinions of the uneducated, [journalism] keeps us in touch with the ignorance of the community. Oscar Wilde
DUCHESS NOTE ... A fellow NYC Kucitizen shared the following with me. Check out the link, its so Orwellian. Stephanie says ... "While this will have you laughing, it's also a very good explanation of how much information about every aspect of our lives is being centralized." http://www.aclu.org/pizza/images/screen.swf
Monday, February 14, 2005
THE KUCINICH WEEKLY DIGEST
Week Ending February 12, 2005
(Cleveland Area Town Meeting on public transportation)
Wednesday, Feb. 9, 2005
Town hall meeting Thursday on possible NOMBL takeover. Congressman Kucinich has been active in opposing the NOMBL being taken over of the North Olmsted Municipal Bus Line by the Regional Transit Authority (RTA).
http://www.westlifenews.com/2005/02-09/busmeeting.html
(Cleveland)
Wednesday, Feb. 9, 2005
Bush budget shakes up region. Job cuts at NASA would hurt contractors. "Cleveland has a lot to lose here," said Democratic U.S. Rep. Dennis Kucinich, whose district includes the research center in Brook Park. "Indirectly, this is about thousands of jobs."
http://www.cleveland.com/news/plaindealer/index.ssf?/base/cuyahoga/110794511536262.xml
(Cleveland)
Saturday, February 12, 2005
NASA Glenn workers hoping to save jobs. "We are going to move very fast (to prevent the job cuts)," said Kucinich, a Cleveland Democrat.
http://www.cleveland.com/news/plaindealer/index.ssf?/base/cuyahoga/110820454538470.xml
Monday, Feb 7, 2005 Martinsburg Journal
Bush budget pumps up defense, slashes funding to other programs. Democrats, such as Rep. Dennis Kucinich of Cleveland, denounced the Bush budget as being "lean and mean.'' "Is this the thanks Ohio gets for putting the president over the top: Cuts in high tech jobs and the elimination of programs to help manufacturing?'' Kucinich said. President Bush defeated John Kerry by about 118,000 votes in Ohio, and the state's 20 electoral votes gave the Republican the 270 he needed to win re-election.
http://www.oweb.com/state/story/028202005_staOhio.asp
Wednesday, Feb. 9, 2005
Lee and Woolsey will lead caucus. Bay Area Democrats elected co-chairwomen of liberal congressional group, which Congressman Kucinich is a member and former co-chair of – The Congressional Progressive Caucus.
http://www.insidebayarea.com/oaklandtribune/ci_2559877
Week Ending February 12, 2005
(Cleveland Area Town Meeting on public transportation)
Wednesday, Feb. 9, 2005
Town hall meeting Thursday on possible NOMBL takeover. Congressman Kucinich has been active in opposing the NOMBL being taken over of the North Olmsted Municipal Bus Line by the Regional Transit Authority (RTA).
http://www.westlifenews.com/2005/02-09/busmeeting.html
(Cleveland)
Wednesday, Feb. 9, 2005
Bush budget shakes up region. Job cuts at NASA would hurt contractors. "Cleveland has a lot to lose here," said Democratic U.S. Rep. Dennis Kucinich, whose district includes the research center in Brook Park. "Indirectly, this is about thousands of jobs."
http://www.cleveland.com/news/plaindealer/index.ssf?/base/cuyahoga/110794511536262.xml
(Cleveland)
Saturday, February 12, 2005
NASA Glenn workers hoping to save jobs. "We are going to move very fast (to prevent the job cuts)," said Kucinich, a Cleveland Democrat.
http://www.cleveland.com/news/plaindealer/index.ssf?/base/cuyahoga/110820454538470.xml
Monday, Feb 7, 2005 Martinsburg Journal
Bush budget pumps up defense, slashes funding to other programs. Democrats, such as Rep. Dennis Kucinich of Cleveland, denounced the Bush budget as being "lean and mean.'' "Is this the thanks Ohio gets for putting the president over the top: Cuts in high tech jobs and the elimination of programs to help manufacturing?'' Kucinich said. President Bush defeated John Kerry by about 118,000 votes in Ohio, and the state's 20 electoral votes gave the Republican the 270 he needed to win re-election.
http://www.oweb.com/state/story/028202005_staOhio.asp
Wednesday, Feb. 9, 2005
Lee and Woolsey will lead caucus. Bay Area Democrats elected co-chairwomen of liberal congressional group, which Congressman Kucinich is a member and former co-chair of – The Congressional Progressive Caucus.
http://www.insidebayarea.com/oaklandtribune/ci_2559877
WEE BIT OF NEWS NOW THAT THE WEEKEND IS OVER
VOICE OF AMERICA
Evan Derkacz, AlterNet
An interview with Amy Goodman, host of Democracy Now! -- the only "daily, grassroots, un-embedded, international, independent news hour" in America today.
http://www.alternet.org/mediaculture/21250/
HOW TO TALK TO A CONSERVATIVE ABOUT SOCIAL SECURITY
Think Progress
Enough facts to defend against the onslaught of misinformation about social security.http://www.alternet.org/story/21244/
AMERICA OFFLINE AND ONLINE
Zephyr Teachout, Personal Democracy
Creating communities based on online connections but rooted in public places could be the key to reviving civic life and it's an important lesson for groups like the DNC and the ACLU.
http://www.alternet.org/mediaculture/21246/
THE REPUBLICAN DICTIONARY
Katrina vanden Heuvel, The Nation
While Republicans are busy remaking the nation, they're also remaking the English language.
http://www.alternet.org/story/21248/
QUOTE OF THE DAY ... Of liberty I would say that, in the whole plenitude of its extent, it is unobstructed action according to our will. But rightful liberty is unobstructed action according to our will within limits drawn around us by the equal rights of others. I do not add "within the limits of the law", because law is often but the tyrant's will, and always so when it violates the right of an individual. Thomas Jefferson
LORD OF THE RINGS - FILM FOOTAGE OF THE EXHIBIT DOWN IN SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA ... Soon to be coming to the USA ... click on link below: http://media.smh.com.au/?category=&rid=15440&sy=smh&source=int15442r&name=&t=445UG5&ie=1&player=wm7&rate=276&flash=1
TIME IS REAL CURRENCY
John de Graf [Co-authur of AFFLUENZA: THE ALL-CONSUMING EPIDEMIC]
(Duchess Note ... This tidbit was sent to me by fellow NYC Kucitizen Linda Z. Thanks!)
We've got the idea that more is always better. We fault Europeans for not having as high a gross domestic product (GDP), but that's because they've chosen to use a large portion of their productivity for leisure time, which isn't counted in GDP. We're working nearly nine weeks longer each year than Western Europeans. In terms of health rates, Europeans are doing much better than we are. We like to think of ourselves as a middle-class nation, but we have the smallest middle class (except Russia) of all industrialized countries. We have the most product, the widest choices, but is that what life is about? I think our priorities are out of whack.
We have the greatest gap among industrialized nations between rich and poor, and that seems to press everybody to compete to live like the people at the top. We focus on producing and consuming stuff, and we've forgotten that all of these other values are loosing out, friendships and family, health and civic participation, a future for our children. For me it all comes down to time. This is what you really want to give to others and what you want from them. We have to attack the mind-set that says spending a long time over dinner with your family, during which no money changes hands, is a waste.
Thursday, February 10, 2005
MESSAGE FROM PDA [Progressive Democrats of America] ... ASK YOUR REPRESENTATIVES TO SUPPORT VOTER RIGHTS TODAY
Progressive Democrats of America (PDA) was proud to join in the challenge of Ohio's electors and to protest the numerous voting irregularities which shamed our country in the 2004 presidential election. Now is the time to pass legislation to make certain such abuses do not happen and every vote is counted in future elections. Election outcomes must be determined by voters, not politicians. To achieve this goal, we call on every PDA activist to lobby their Congressional Representatives to support and/or co-sponsor the VOTER Act (H.R. 533), introduced by Congressman John Conyers, Jr. and Congresswoman Stephanie Tubbs-Jones. To send a letter to your representatives go to: http://capwiz.com/pdamerica/utr/1/DVVIEFYTMS/OKOHEFZITZ/
Let us inform Congress, with a unified voice, that the American people demand accessible and fair voting for everyone - not just for people who can spend a day waiting at the polls. To that end, let us demand passage of the VOTER Act. Like many of you, PDA will also be working with Congressman Jesse Jackson Jr. to pass the National Voting Rights Amendment during this session of Congress. Indeed, these two legislative actions -the VOTER Act and the National Voting Rights Amendment - will be the main focus of PDA's work on the Pro-Democracy voting campaign during the coming year.
PDA will work with many of our sister organizations and their affiliates in this effort as they too join the growing list of organizations working for the VOTER Act's passage. PDA is excited to be playing a role in this democratic movement. Please join us in these efforts and keep us informed of your activities and adventures in advancing the progressive dream. It is in sharing our labors and our vision that we are able to learn from one another and to grow. Working together, we will make history.
QUOTE OF THE DAY ... A man is either free or he is not. There cannot be any apprenticeship for freedom. Imamu Amiri Baraka
SOME COMMENTARY FROM JANE STILLWATER'S BLOG
If Bush keeps up his current policies, the same thing that happened to Germany will happen here -- the "front" will come to us. Does anybody else out there want to become a Hogan's Hero? Then join the freedom and democracy underground! There are places you can go on the web (Shhhh....Don't tell General Burkhalter!) and here is a random sampling:
Barbara Boxer's PAC at: http://www.changethecongress.com/about/
TruthOut at: http://www.truthout.org/docs_2005/020405A.shtml
CLG News at: http://legitgov.org
Dennis Kucinich's grassroots organizing team at: http://www.kucinich.us/VolunteerAction/index.php
Let's all stop being prisoners of war and band together to help send the Bush Gang to the Klink!Jane Stillwater has her own website: http://jpstillwater.blogspot.com
Progressive Democrats of America (PDA) was proud to join in the challenge of Ohio's electors and to protest the numerous voting irregularities which shamed our country in the 2004 presidential election. Now is the time to pass legislation to make certain such abuses do not happen and every vote is counted in future elections. Election outcomes must be determined by voters, not politicians. To achieve this goal, we call on every PDA activist to lobby their Congressional Representatives to support and/or co-sponsor the VOTER Act (H.R. 533), introduced by Congressman John Conyers, Jr. and Congresswoman Stephanie Tubbs-Jones. To send a letter to your representatives go to: http://capwiz.com/pdamerica/utr/1/DVVIEFYTMS/OKOHEFZITZ/
Let us inform Congress, with a unified voice, that the American people demand accessible and fair voting for everyone - not just for people who can spend a day waiting at the polls. To that end, let us demand passage of the VOTER Act. Like many of you, PDA will also be working with Congressman Jesse Jackson Jr. to pass the National Voting Rights Amendment during this session of Congress. Indeed, these two legislative actions -the VOTER Act and the National Voting Rights Amendment - will be the main focus of PDA's work on the Pro-Democracy voting campaign during the coming year.
PDA will work with many of our sister organizations and their affiliates in this effort as they too join the growing list of organizations working for the VOTER Act's passage. PDA is excited to be playing a role in this democratic movement. Please join us in these efforts and keep us informed of your activities and adventures in advancing the progressive dream. It is in sharing our labors and our vision that we are able to learn from one another and to grow. Working together, we will make history.
QUOTE OF THE DAY ... A man is either free or he is not. There cannot be any apprenticeship for freedom. Imamu Amiri Baraka
SOME COMMENTARY FROM JANE STILLWATER'S BLOG
If Bush keeps up his current policies, the same thing that happened to Germany will happen here -- the "front" will come to us. Does anybody else out there want to become a Hogan's Hero? Then join the freedom and democracy underground! There are places you can go on the web (Shhhh....Don't tell General Burkhalter!) and here is a random sampling:
Barbara Boxer's PAC at: http://www.changethecongress.com/about/
TruthOut at: http://www.truthout.org/docs_2005/020405A.shtml
CLG News at: http://legitgov.org
Dennis Kucinich's grassroots organizing team at: http://www.kucinich.us/VolunteerAction/index.php
Let's all stop being prisoners of war and band together to help send the Bush Gang to the Klink!Jane Stillwater has her own website: http://jpstillwater.blogspot.com
Wednesday, February 09, 2005
ANNOUNCEMENT FROM DNC ACTION ALERT ... BUSH'S DEFICIT DISASTER: ANOTHER BUDGET CUTS PRIORITIES, PUTS AMERICA FURTHER IN DEBT
The proposed 2006 federal budget President Bush released yesterday would drive America deeper into debt while making cuts that will hurt veterans, farmers, and other working Americans. Bush's budget leaves out the cost of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, currently running at $5 billion per month. It leaves out the cost of his Social Security privatization scheme and makes other unrealistic assumptions and ignores costs in an attempt to paint the rosiest picture possible. But his budget does nothing to decrease the deficit. Despite Bush's failure to re in in the deficit, his budget still includes cuts to programs that will hurt Americans who need the most help. Areas Bush wants to cut include:
* Medicaid*
Veterans' health benefits (forcing veterans to pay more for health care)
*College loans*
Education programs that help poor children
*Farm subsidies*
Community development grants
Bush's allies in Congress are already expressing their opposition to the cuts in his budget. One Wall Street economist called the numbers "not credible," saying they "haven't been for the last few years and they shouldn't be looked at with much seriousness now."
TAKE ACTION ... Sign our petition today and tell President Bush to take his budget back to the drawing board. America needs a responsible budget that meets our priorities while making serious reductions in the deficit.
http://www.democrats.org/action/200502080001.html?psc=action_alert
The proposed 2006 federal budget President Bush released yesterday would drive America deeper into debt while making cuts that will hurt veterans, farmers, and other working Americans. Bush's budget leaves out the cost of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, currently running at $5 billion per month. It leaves out the cost of his Social Security privatization scheme and makes other unrealistic assumptions and ignores costs in an attempt to paint the rosiest picture possible. But his budget does nothing to decrease the deficit. Despite Bush's failure to re in in the deficit, his budget still includes cuts to programs that will hurt Americans who need the most help. Areas Bush wants to cut include:
* Medicaid*
Veterans' health benefits (forcing veterans to pay more for health care)
*College loans*
Education programs that help poor children
*Farm subsidies*
Community development grants
Bush's allies in Congress are already expressing their opposition to the cuts in his budget. One Wall Street economist called the numbers "not credible," saying they "haven't been for the last few years and they shouldn't be looked at with much seriousness now."
TAKE ACTION ... Sign our petition today and tell President Bush to take his budget back to the drawing board. America needs a responsible budget that meets our priorities while making serious reductions in the deficit.
http://www.democrats.org/action/200502080001.html?psc=action_alert
Tuesday, February 08, 2005
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/
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/
Monday, February 07, 2005
KUCINICH WEEKLY DIGEST
Kucinich Demands Broad Investigation of Missing $9 Billion In Iraq; Ranking Member on National Security Oversight Committee Calls For Federal Grand Jury Investigation and Congressional Hearings (January 31, 2005) ... http://www.commondreams.org/news2005/0131-11.htm
LIES AND THEFT -- THE ATTACK ON SOCIAL SECURITY
Dennis Kucinich, in his presidential campaign, called for restoring the retirement age from 67 to 65 for future retirees. (Communist Party USA. 1/31/05) ...
http://cpusa.org/article/articleview/618/1/27/
Last week, West Wing took on the Iowa caucuses and got just about everything flat-out wrong. They could have shown a fiery populist hopping on a rickety folding chair to bark out war opposition like Dennis Kucinich did in Davenport in 2003 (2/1/05 – Quad City Times/East Central Iowa) ... http://www.qctimes.com/internal.php?story_id=1044769&t=Opinion&c=22,1044769
NOT BACKING BUSH
Democratic Rep. Dennis Kucinich says Social Security is an insurance program that's supposed to guarantee an income to those who have nothing else. (2/2/05 WTAP TV NEWS/Parkersburg, WV) ... http://www.wtap.com/news/headlines/1224537.html
Rep. Dennis Kucinich, a Cleveland Democrat, said Social Security isn't an investment program. It's an insurance program that's supposed to guarantee an income to those who have nothing else. "What Bush is talking about is going to put people into poverty," Kucinich said. (2/3/05) ...
http://www.newsnet5.com/news/4159585/detail.html
Cleveland Democratic Rep. Dennis Kucinich says sex-enhancing drugs should be added to the banned list and is co-sponsoring legislation that would do that. Congressman Steve King (R-Iowa) is expected to introduce the bill next week. Kucinich doesn't feel this is an appropriate use of Medicare money, said his spokesman Doug Gordon on Friday. (posted 2/5/05) ...
http://www.cleveland.com/medical/plaindealer/index.ssf?/base/news/1107608140300740.xml
Kucinich Demands Broad Investigation of Missing $9 Billion In Iraq; Ranking Member on National Security Oversight Committee Calls For Federal Grand Jury Investigation and Congressional Hearings (January 31, 2005) ... http://www.commondreams.org/news2005/0131-11.htm
LIES AND THEFT -- THE ATTACK ON SOCIAL SECURITY
Dennis Kucinich, in his presidential campaign, called for restoring the retirement age from 67 to 65 for future retirees. (Communist Party USA. 1/31/05) ...
http://cpusa.org/article/articleview/618/1/27/
Last week, West Wing took on the Iowa caucuses and got just about everything flat-out wrong. They could have shown a fiery populist hopping on a rickety folding chair to bark out war opposition like Dennis Kucinich did in Davenport in 2003 (2/1/05 – Quad City Times/East Central Iowa) ... http://www.qctimes.com/internal.php?story_id=1044769&t=Opinion&c=22,1044769
NOT BACKING BUSH
Democratic Rep. Dennis Kucinich says Social Security is an insurance program that's supposed to guarantee an income to those who have nothing else. (2/2/05 WTAP TV NEWS/Parkersburg, WV) ... http://www.wtap.com/news/headlines/1224537.html
Rep. Dennis Kucinich, a Cleveland Democrat, said Social Security isn't an investment program. It's an insurance program that's supposed to guarantee an income to those who have nothing else. "What Bush is talking about is going to put people into poverty," Kucinich said. (2/3/05) ...
http://www.newsnet5.com/news/4159585/detail.html
Cleveland Democratic Rep. Dennis Kucinich says sex-enhancing drugs should be added to the banned list and is co-sponsoring legislation that would do that. Congressman Steve King (R-Iowa) is expected to introduce the bill next week. Kucinich doesn't feel this is an appropriate use of Medicare money, said his spokesman Doug Gordon on Friday. (posted 2/5/05) ...
http://www.cleveland.com/medical/plaindealer/index.ssf?/base/news/1107608140300740.xml
ABIT OF NEWS AFTER A SHORT WEEKEND
THE FOOD DETECTIVE
Russell Schoch, Tomdispatch.com
Michael Pollan discusses food chains, ecological dead zones, and the amazing power of corn.
http://www.alternet.org/envirohealth/21185/
PARANOIA GRIPS THE US CAPITAL
Eric Margolis, Toronto Sun
http://www.commondreams.org/views05/0206-25.htm
A PATH PAVED WITH BAD INTENTIONS
Joshua L. Dratel, AlterNet
The message that the torture memos convey is unmistakable: these policy makers do not like our system of justice, with its checks and balances, that they have been sworn to uphold.
http://www.alternet.org/rights/21189/
IRAQIS VOTED BECAUSE THEY WANT US TROOPS OUT
Linda McQuaig, Toronto Star
http://www.commondreams.org/views05/0206-27.htm
MEDIA MANGLES IRAQ VOTE
Greg Mitchell, Editor & Publisher
Are the turnout numbers routinely cited by the press -- 8 million and 57% -- supported by reality? And was the outpouring of voters in Sunni areas really "surprisingly strong"?
http://www.alternet.org/mediaculture/21180/
WHAT'S UP WITH EVERYONE BESIDES BARBARA BOXER?
Simon Floth Commentary
http://www.commondreams.org/views05/0206-20.htm
ABOUT A BOOK
Nicholas Taylor, PopMatters
The new book by the author of 'High Fidelity' and 'About a Boy' is about...books.
http://www.alternet.org/mediaculture/21179/
A PROGRESSIVE 12-STEP PROGRAM
Bob Burnett, AlterNet
Are progressives collectively stuck in an abusive relationship with the administration? If so, a 12-step program could be the answer.
http://www.alternet.org/story/21181/
ALL IN HER HEAD
Jessica Lyons, Monterey County Weekly
Anorexia -- the most deadly mental illness -- is definitely not just about looking thin.
http://www.alternet.org/envirohealth/21182/
QUOTE OF THE DAY ... A newspaper is a device for making the ignorant more ignorant and the crazy crazier. H.L. Mencken [US journalist & critic]
THE FOOD DETECTIVE
Russell Schoch, Tomdispatch.com
Michael Pollan discusses food chains, ecological dead zones, and the amazing power of corn.
http://www.alternet.org/envirohealth/21185/
PARANOIA GRIPS THE US CAPITAL
Eric Margolis, Toronto Sun
http://www.commondreams.org/views05/0206-25.htm
A PATH PAVED WITH BAD INTENTIONS
Joshua L. Dratel, AlterNet
The message that the torture memos convey is unmistakable: these policy makers do not like our system of justice, with its checks and balances, that they have been sworn to uphold.
http://www.alternet.org/rights/21189/
IRAQIS VOTED BECAUSE THEY WANT US TROOPS OUT
Linda McQuaig, Toronto Star
http://www.commondreams.org/views05/0206-27.htm
MEDIA MANGLES IRAQ VOTE
Greg Mitchell, Editor & Publisher
Are the turnout numbers routinely cited by the press -- 8 million and 57% -- supported by reality? And was the outpouring of voters in Sunni areas really "surprisingly strong"?
http://www.alternet.org/mediaculture/21180/
WHAT'S UP WITH EVERYONE BESIDES BARBARA BOXER?
Simon Floth Commentary
http://www.commondreams.org/views05/0206-20.htm
ABOUT A BOOK
Nicholas Taylor, PopMatters
The new book by the author of 'High Fidelity' and 'About a Boy' is about...books.
http://www.alternet.org/mediaculture/21179/
A PROGRESSIVE 12-STEP PROGRAM
Bob Burnett, AlterNet
Are progressives collectively stuck in an abusive relationship with the administration? If so, a 12-step program could be the answer.
http://www.alternet.org/story/21181/
ALL IN HER HEAD
Jessica Lyons, Monterey County Weekly
Anorexia -- the most deadly mental illness -- is definitely not just about looking thin.
http://www.alternet.org/envirohealth/21182/
QUOTE OF THE DAY ... A newspaper is a device for making the ignorant more ignorant and the crazy crazier. H.L. Mencken [US journalist & critic]
Sunday, February 06, 2005
PERSONAL NEWS #46
Due to being busy with work and commitments, as well as a combination of a pinch of laziness and procrastination, is the true reason for delay of my "news". So, without much further adieu, here is the latest.
On Tuesday, January 18th, I joined a few fellow Kucitizens [Pete/Nadine] in attending a meeting/workshop for "Democracy for NYC". [Held in the east village area of Manhattan & a large turnout.] These meetings are an offshoot of Howard Dean's "Democracy for America". Some of the topics discussed during the 2 hour plus workshop were: Dean campaign for seat at DNC, how the Republicans have utilized "framing" over last 30 years, Rock Ridge Institute [Democrat think tank] and discussion on Social Security. At one point we broke up into smaller groups [I with Pete & Nadine] to work on a sample "framing" exercise for the word "Education". Our threesome had to come up with a slogan for "education & community service" and we arrived at "Nurturing Opportunities for Knowledge & Growth". It was a fascinating evening.
On Wednesday, January 19th, I joined fellow Kucitizen BC for drinks and dinner at Mustang Harry's down on 7th Avenue. Drank martini's and noshed on yummy finger food. BC told me all about her recent visit to the UK with her hubby, plus gave me some silk scarves she no longer wanted. One of which I wore the next day at work with an outfit and received several nice compliments. It was a fun evening and we always share lots of good laughs.
On January 20th, Linda and I took part in the Secession Rally at 6pm down in Union Square. [Earlier in the day many protesters were out in full force in Washington DC during the Dictatorship Parade.] It was bitter cold and we barely lasted an hour. Started out with about 30+ people protesting and holding up banners/posters for passing cars and pedestrians to see. We received many beeping of horns from passing taxi's and vans, giving us the "thumbs up" to our small enthusiastic rally. All the while NY1 newspeople were a short ways off watching us from the comfort of their warm news van. They finally "tried" to set up their camera just as Linda and I were leaving, due to fingers/toes bordering on numbness from cold. Plus there
were only 10 protestors left out of the 30+. It was that cold out. Pardon my french, but the majority of the media are just a damn bunch of brainless, overpaid, un-journalistic lame cows. Days later I learned that many of my fellow Kucitizens went down to DC to protest at the Dictatorship parade of evil, corrupt gorilla's. Plus they attended the PDA conference, which they said was informative and very inspirational. You can read about Jessica's thoughts on the events over at "Friends of Friday Forum".
First blizzard of the 2005 winter season hit NYC on Saturday and Sunday [Jan 22nd/23rd] and dumped over 16 inches of the white stuff. I got home from Manhattan [ie: errands] around 3:30pm and stayed indoors rest of the day. Opened up my livingroom curtains to watch the snowfall, sipped some herbal tea, nosh on crackers/hummus and read "Sharpes Rifles" by Bernard Cornwell.
On Sunday, January 23rd, I attended an event at St Bart's Church/Café on Park Avenue, where Marianne Williamson spoke. [Good turnout despite the mounds of snow.] She is a co-founder of The Peace Alliance and an activist, plus she recently joined with "One Spirit Interfaith" to create a dynamic spiritual experience here in NYC. Info on their website can be found at http://www.onespiritinterfaith.org
A quote from Marianne's new book, called THE GIFT OF CHANGE is "A supportive smile, an e-mail, the smallest gesture can make the difference in helping another person believe in himself or herself." The highlights of Marianne's "talk" and then "Q&A" session were as follows:
* She talked about her new book and tour
* Mentioned the need for everyone to ask important questions. So as to get the right/
correct answers back from the media, politians and even people you deal with at work environment.
* Talked about 9/11, NYC and Spirituality connection
* One of her comments ... "Hatred has a perverse kind of courage".
* Manhattan Center for Living
* Hope from spiritual prespective
* Made many references to a book called "The Course of Miracles"
After almost 2 1/2 months it was time again to head up to Yonkers and do volunteer work at the Ferret Shelter on January 29th. Joanne and I caught up on news and gossip before starting shelter routine. Several new furkids were at the shelter and waiting to be adopted by a loving family. [If you live near NYC/Yonkers and would like to adopt an adorable furkid ... contact Joanne at toomanyferrets@aol.com]
And added to knowledge of ferret grooming, Joanne showed me how to clip their paw nails. This required special ferret clippers, ferretone, soft towel and me wearing my reading glasses. I did okay in this new task and safely clipped many a furkids little paw nails. Also took care of my other duties ... such as: cleaning ears, brushing fur, socializing with the fuzzies, clean/fill water bottles, change poopy papers, etc. A busy afternoon and I so enjoyed being with the furkids.
Stick around ... more "personal news" will be on its way soon. Peace!
QUOTE OF THE DAY ... The rich require an abundant supply of the poor. Voltaire
Due to being busy with work and commitments, as well as a combination of a pinch of laziness and procrastination, is the true reason for delay of my "news". So, without much further adieu, here is the latest.
On Tuesday, January 18th, I joined a few fellow Kucitizens [Pete/Nadine] in attending a meeting/workshop for "Democracy for NYC". [Held in the east village area of Manhattan & a large turnout.] These meetings are an offshoot of Howard Dean's "Democracy for America". Some of the topics discussed during the 2 hour plus workshop were: Dean campaign for seat at DNC, how the Republicans have utilized "framing" over last 30 years, Rock Ridge Institute [Democrat think tank] and discussion on Social Security. At one point we broke up into smaller groups [I with Pete & Nadine] to work on a sample "framing" exercise for the word "Education". Our threesome had to come up with a slogan for "education & community service" and we arrived at "Nurturing Opportunities for Knowledge & Growth". It was a fascinating evening.
On Wednesday, January 19th, I joined fellow Kucitizen BC for drinks and dinner at Mustang Harry's down on 7th Avenue. Drank martini's and noshed on yummy finger food. BC told me all about her recent visit to the UK with her hubby, plus gave me some silk scarves she no longer wanted. One of which I wore the next day at work with an outfit and received several nice compliments. It was a fun evening and we always share lots of good laughs.
On January 20th, Linda and I took part in the Secession Rally at 6pm down in Union Square. [Earlier in the day many protesters were out in full force in Washington DC during the Dictatorship Parade.] It was bitter cold and we barely lasted an hour. Started out with about 30+ people protesting and holding up banners/posters for passing cars and pedestrians to see. We received many beeping of horns from passing taxi's and vans, giving us the "thumbs up" to our small enthusiastic rally. All the while NY1 newspeople were a short ways off watching us from the comfort of their warm news van. They finally "tried" to set up their camera just as Linda and I were leaving, due to fingers/toes bordering on numbness from cold. Plus there
were only 10 protestors left out of the 30+. It was that cold out. Pardon my french, but the majority of the media are just a damn bunch of brainless, overpaid, un-journalistic lame cows. Days later I learned that many of my fellow Kucitizens went down to DC to protest at the Dictatorship parade of evil, corrupt gorilla's. Plus they attended the PDA conference, which they said was informative and very inspirational. You can read about Jessica's thoughts on the events over at "Friends of Friday Forum".
First blizzard of the 2005 winter season hit NYC on Saturday and Sunday [Jan 22nd/23rd] and dumped over 16 inches of the white stuff. I got home from Manhattan [ie: errands] around 3:30pm and stayed indoors rest of the day. Opened up my livingroom curtains to watch the snowfall, sipped some herbal tea, nosh on crackers/hummus and read "Sharpes Rifles" by Bernard Cornwell.
On Sunday, January 23rd, I attended an event at St Bart's Church/Café on Park Avenue, where Marianne Williamson spoke. [Good turnout despite the mounds of snow.] She is a co-founder of The Peace Alliance and an activist, plus she recently joined with "One Spirit Interfaith" to create a dynamic spiritual experience here in NYC. Info on their website can be found at http://www.onespiritinterfaith.org
A quote from Marianne's new book, called THE GIFT OF CHANGE is "A supportive smile, an e-mail, the smallest gesture can make the difference in helping another person believe in himself or herself." The highlights of Marianne's "talk" and then "Q&A" session were as follows:
* She talked about her new book and tour
* Mentioned the need for everyone to ask important questions. So as to get the right/
correct answers back from the media, politians and even people you deal with at work environment.
* Talked about 9/11, NYC and Spirituality connection
* One of her comments ... "Hatred has a perverse kind of courage".
* Manhattan Center for Living
* Hope from spiritual prespective
* Made many references to a book called "The Course of Miracles"
After almost 2 1/2 months it was time again to head up to Yonkers and do volunteer work at the Ferret Shelter on January 29th. Joanne and I caught up on news and gossip before starting shelter routine. Several new furkids were at the shelter and waiting to be adopted by a loving family. [If you live near NYC/Yonkers and would like to adopt an adorable furkid ... contact Joanne at toomanyferrets@aol.com]
And added to knowledge of ferret grooming, Joanne showed me how to clip their paw nails. This required special ferret clippers, ferretone, soft towel and me wearing my reading glasses. I did okay in this new task and safely clipped many a furkids little paw nails. Also took care of my other duties ... such as: cleaning ears, brushing fur, socializing with the fuzzies, clean/fill water bottles, change poopy papers, etc. A busy afternoon and I so enjoyed being with the furkids.
Stick around ... more "personal news" will be on its way soon. Peace!
QUOTE OF THE DAY ... The rich require an abundant supply of the poor. Voltaire
Saturday, February 05, 2005
Expose the "Social Security Crisis" Lies! Join the Progressive Democrats of America Local Media Blitz!
Take Action! Visit this page: http://capwiz.com/pdamerica/utr/1/CANNEFPJHP/HGUWEFOTYL/ George Bush is not curing a "crisis" - he's creating one! But we can fight back. Use the talking points we provide to alert your local media to the President's false and misleading claims about Social Security and the impact of his plan.
[DUCHESS NOTE ... The tidbits below are from Jude, over at Iddybud Blog, who speaks with such clarity every time. Is it any wonder her blog is one of my top favs. Right on girl!]
Democrat Senators Who Voted "Yes" For Gonzales ... Here are your Democratic senators who voted 'yes' to the confirmation of Alberto Gonzales:
(1) Senator Ken Salazar (Colorado)
(2) Senator Joseph Lieberman (Conn.)
(3) Senator Ben Nelson (Neb.)
(4) Senator Mary Landrieu (La.)
(5) Senator Pryor (Ark)
(6) Senator Bill Nelson (Fla.)
I thought you'd like to know which of your Senators compromised on their party's long-held values of respect for the Rule of Law and Human Rights, when political circumstances were such that they never even had to compromise. If they could have voted for this supporter of torture, they would more than likely sell you out in the blink of an eye. [Amen sistah!]
Take Action! Visit this page: http://capwiz.com/pdamerica/utr/1/CANNEFPJHP/HGUWEFOTYL/ George Bush is not curing a "crisis" - he's creating one! But we can fight back. Use the talking points we provide to alert your local media to the President's false and misleading claims about Social Security and the impact of his plan.
[DUCHESS NOTE ... The tidbits below are from Jude, over at Iddybud Blog, who speaks with such clarity every time. Is it any wonder her blog is one of my top favs. Right on girl!]
Democrat Senators Who Voted "Yes" For Gonzales ... Here are your Democratic senators who voted 'yes' to the confirmation of Alberto Gonzales:
(1) Senator Ken Salazar (Colorado)
(2) Senator Joseph Lieberman (Conn.)
(3) Senator Ben Nelson (Neb.)
(4) Senator Mary Landrieu (La.)
(5) Senator Pryor (Ark)
(6) Senator Bill Nelson (Fla.)
I thought you'd like to know which of your Senators compromised on their party's long-held values of respect for the Rule of Law and Human Rights, when political circumstances were such that they never even had to compromise. If they could have voted for this supporter of torture, they would more than likely sell you out in the blink of an eye. [Amen sistah!]
Commentary by Jude from Iddybud
Lies are spread too easily by media. When I went to the Google News headlines page, this headline was the top (World) story: "Rice says Europe ready to move beyond difference with U-S". I went to the article, and found that, for all the hype in the headline, the article was a big "nothing". This is how Americans get fooled into thinking all is well, when in reality, they are being given bad information.
The article with the 'major-headline' (if you can even call it an article) says ... Rice says she's hearing "a desire to move on to the next chapter." Relations were strained over the war -- partly because of comments from Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld. He referred to France and Germany -- which opposed the war -- as "old Europe." What an incomplete piece of shite. An almost total absence of factual investigation. And it's a "top story"! A "big headline"! After reading it, I thought about how Condoleeza Rice has lied through the gap in her teeth about the reasons we went to Iraq. I thought about how she scared Americans about the threat of mushroom clouds coming at Saddam's willing and capable hands (another lie). I thought about how Condoleeza Rice has betrayed America. I thought about how she lied for President Bush, who has betrayed America's trust.
I wondered, why the hell would Europeans trust the America that is governed by the Bush administration when most of America no longer trusts them? We tend to forget that our "national interest" is truly interdependent. The Iraq war has severely damaged our own national interest because a Constitutionally sacred trust has been broken by the Bush administration. You really have to think about what you're being fed by the media these days. I wonder if they know they are perpetuating lies, or if they are simply in need of far better journalistic training and guidance?
Friday, February 04, 2005
[DUCHESS NOTE ... A new update at "Friends of Friday Forum" now online. Check it out at ... http://friendsoffridayforum.blogspot.com ... Had some "personal news" updates this week, but more will follow within the week. Stay tuned.]
ANOTHER GREAT MESSAGE FROM THE GOOD PEOPLE AT TRUEMAJORITY ... How to Put Our Moral Values to Work ... TrueMajority's Vision Versus Bush's
Wednesday night, President Bush said a lot of nice things, but one phrase that struck us as among the most true and important was this: he said that America should not let poor nations become "recruiting grounds for terror." We must act, he said, to address the poverty and political corruption that breed terrorism. We could not agree more.
If only his actions backed up his words. For example, if Bush were serious about fighting the conditions that spawn terrorism, he would present a budget to actually do something about it. But Bush's budget, which he will submit to Congress on Monday, is expected to allocate about $15 billion to humanitarian foreign aid-versus over $400 billion earmarked for the Pentagon, which won't even cover the $80 billion or more he'll need this year for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. By making an additional $15 billion available to help poor nations-which could easily be secured by eliminating idiot weapons systems such as Star Wars, our nation could save the lives of millions of kids who die of starvation each year. Then the president could begin to say, without lying, that our nation is trying to wipe out the desperation that provides such fertile soil for terrorist recruiters.
Bush's mixed-up budget priorities really show the gap between his professed moral values and his actions. So, one of our goals for the coming year is to spotlight how our country's values translate, or don't translate, into our national budget and the debate about issues in Congress. When Bush talks about how much he cares about kids, we will point out that millions of kids in America lack health insurance, Head Start, and other basics. And we will fight for more funding for those programs. When Bush talks about the Social Security "crisis," we will join others in pointing out that THERE IS NO CRISIS.
Any potential problems can be addressed quickly and easily by Congress and a president whose real agenda is to improve the lives of our nation's seniors, not to dismantle the federal government and line the pockets of Wall Street executives. And we will stand up for freedom, not just by asserting that we support it, but by, among other things, pressing forward with our campaign for honest elections at home and our efforts to end the war in Iraq. This is our plan for the coming year.
Wednesday night, President Bush said a lot of nice things, but one phrase that struck us as among the most true and important was this: he said that America should not let poor nations become "recruiting grounds for terror." We must act, he said, to address the poverty and political corruption that breed terrorism. We could not agree more.
If only his actions backed up his words. For example, if Bush were serious about fighting the conditions that spawn terrorism, he would present a budget to actually do something about it. But Bush's budget, which he will submit to Congress on Monday, is expected to allocate about $15 billion to humanitarian foreign aid-versus over $400 billion earmarked for the Pentagon, which won't even cover the $80 billion or more he'll need this year for the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. By making an additional $15 billion available to help poor nations-which could easily be secured by eliminating idiot weapons systems such as Star Wars, our nation could save the lives of millions of kids who die of starvation each year. Then the president could begin to say, without lying, that our nation is trying to wipe out the desperation that provides such fertile soil for terrorist recruiters.
Bush's mixed-up budget priorities really show the gap between his professed moral values and his actions. So, one of our goals for the coming year is to spotlight how our country's values translate, or don't translate, into our national budget and the debate about issues in Congress. When Bush talks about how much he cares about kids, we will point out that millions of kids in America lack health insurance, Head Start, and other basics. And we will fight for more funding for those programs. When Bush talks about the Social Security "crisis," we will join others in pointing out that THERE IS NO CRISIS.
Any potential problems can be addressed quickly and easily by Congress and a president whose real agenda is to improve the lives of our nation's seniors, not to dismantle the federal government and line the pockets of Wall Street executives. And we will stand up for freedom, not just by asserting that we support it, but by, among other things, pressing forward with our campaign for honest elections at home and our efforts to end the war in Iraq. This is our plan for the coming year.
Thursday, February 03, 2005
[DUCHESS NOTE ... The tidbit below was forwarded to me by an acquaintance from NYC Friends of Kucinich & Democracy for NYC. What's happening in Iraq now is a repeat of Vietnam. Has been all along. Only now its the corrupt Republicans shoveling lying crap at us and not Johnson's Democrats. Yep, history does repeat itself. Why can't people learn and not make the same mistakes?!? We need peace, not death and war. We The People must come together to make peace a reality.]
"United States officials were surprised and heartened today at the size of turnout in South Vietnam's presidential election despite a Vietcong terrorist campaign to disrupt the voting. According to reports from Saigon, 83 percent of the 5.85 million registered voters cast their ballots yesterday. Many of them risked reprisals threatened by the Vietcong. A successful election has long been seen as the keystone in President Johnson's policy of encouraging the growth of constitutional processes in South Vietnam." ... Peter Grose, in a page 2 New York Times article titled, 'U.S. Encouraged by Vietnam Vote,' September 4, 1967
QUOTE OF THE DAY ... Why does a slight tax increase cost you $200 and a substantial tax cut saves you 30 cents?!? Peg Bracken
WHISPERS OF AN UPCOMING PEARL JAM TOUR ARE CIRCULATING ROUND AND ROUND ...First from Pearl Jam bassman, Jeff [Mr Awesome] Ament, in recent Ten Club newsletter AND an excerpt from the Wall Street Journal regarding U2's recent ticketing "disaster". Read on. . . . .
Jeff Ament Comment From Recent Ten Club Newsletter ... "It's a sunny cold winter day in Seattle and it's time to hit the gears with some wd-40. We have a nice little batch of 20 some songs, mostly co-written, everyone brought in some riffs and cool parts and we pushed and pulled, added and subtracted, discussed, distressed, cut the fat and sometimes, we stretched it out, looking for our jazz odyssey. 7's + 5's, turned in to 3's + 4's and back again. In between, we drank coffee and ate donuts and we also talked about playing these new songs live. Going to Europe, some new spots in Canada, going somewhere warm next winter. It's exciting to still be excited to getting and playing music. Thanks for your energy. Can't wait to play you the new songs."
Now, add to that this excerpt from the Wall Street Journal in an article about U2's recent ticketing "disaster". . . . .Pearl Jam's fan organization, known as Ten Club, long has used a lower-technology method to allocate tickets for its members, precisely to avoid the kind of problem that occurred with the U2 tour. The band issues a number to each Ten Club member, in the order in which they join. It then allocates the best seats at each venue to members who order them, in order of their membership numbers. The band plans to execute the same system, by hand, for a nine-month world tour kicking off sometime this summer.
ABIT OF NEWS - JUST A WEE BIT
A BATTLE PROGRESSIVES CAN WIN
Roger Hickey, The American Prospect
Bush's social security privatization splinters Republicans and unites Democrats.
http://www.alternet.org/story/21158/
THE STATE OF GEORGE W. BUSH
David Corn, The Nation
Whether speaking about the Iraq war, gay marriage or Social Security, the president re-affirmed that he does not reside in a reality-based community.
http://www.alternet.org/story/21166/
WHY IRAQ IS STILL A DEBACLE
Arianna Huffington, AlterNet
The Iraqi election's Kodak moment, however moving, should not be allowed to erase all that came before it, leaving us unprepared for all that may come after it.
http://www.alternet.org/columnists/story/21159/
S'MORES AND DRUMSTICKS
Ann Farmer, Women's eNews
Rock 'n' roll camps for girls are spreading across the country, encouraging fledgling female rockers to turn up amplifiers, bang on drum sets, make raucous music and feel good about themselves.
http://www.alternet.org/story/21160/
"United States officials were surprised and heartened today at the size of turnout in South Vietnam's presidential election despite a Vietcong terrorist campaign to disrupt the voting. According to reports from Saigon, 83 percent of the 5.85 million registered voters cast their ballots yesterday. Many of them risked reprisals threatened by the Vietcong. A successful election has long been seen as the keystone in President Johnson's policy of encouraging the growth of constitutional processes in South Vietnam." ... Peter Grose, in a page 2 New York Times article titled, 'U.S. Encouraged by Vietnam Vote,' September 4, 1967
QUOTE OF THE DAY ... Why does a slight tax increase cost you $200 and a substantial tax cut saves you 30 cents?!? Peg Bracken
WHISPERS OF AN UPCOMING PEARL JAM TOUR ARE CIRCULATING ROUND AND ROUND ...First from Pearl Jam bassman, Jeff [Mr Awesome] Ament, in recent Ten Club newsletter AND an excerpt from the Wall Street Journal regarding U2's recent ticketing "disaster". Read on. . . . .
Jeff Ament Comment From Recent Ten Club Newsletter ... "It's a sunny cold winter day in Seattle and it's time to hit the gears with some wd-40. We have a nice little batch of 20 some songs, mostly co-written, everyone brought in some riffs and cool parts and we pushed and pulled, added and subtracted, discussed, distressed, cut the fat and sometimes, we stretched it out, looking for our jazz odyssey. 7's + 5's, turned in to 3's + 4's and back again. In between, we drank coffee and ate donuts and we also talked about playing these new songs live. Going to Europe, some new spots in Canada, going somewhere warm next winter. It's exciting to still be excited to getting and playing music. Thanks for your energy. Can't wait to play you the new songs."
Now, add to that this excerpt from the Wall Street Journal in an article about U2's recent ticketing "disaster". . . . .Pearl Jam's fan organization, known as Ten Club, long has used a lower-technology method to allocate tickets for its members, precisely to avoid the kind of problem that occurred with the U2 tour. The band issues a number to each Ten Club member, in the order in which they join. It then allocates the best seats at each venue to members who order them, in order of their membership numbers. The band plans to execute the same system, by hand, for a nine-month world tour kicking off sometime this summer.
ABIT OF NEWS - JUST A WEE BIT
A BATTLE PROGRESSIVES CAN WIN
Roger Hickey, The American Prospect
Bush's social security privatization splinters Republicans and unites Democrats.
http://www.alternet.org/story/21158/
THE STATE OF GEORGE W. BUSH
David Corn, The Nation
Whether speaking about the Iraq war, gay marriage or Social Security, the president re-affirmed that he does not reside in a reality-based community.
http://www.alternet.org/story/21166/
WHY IRAQ IS STILL A DEBACLE
Arianna Huffington, AlterNet
The Iraqi election's Kodak moment, however moving, should not be allowed to erase all that came before it, leaving us unprepared for all that may come after it.
http://www.alternet.org/columnists/story/21159/
S'MORES AND DRUMSTICKS
Ann Farmer, Women's eNews
Rock 'n' roll camps for girls are spreading across the country, encouraging fledgling female rockers to turn up amplifiers, bang on drum sets, make raucous music and feel good about themselves.
http://www.alternet.org/story/21160/
Wednesday, February 02, 2005
[DUCHESS NOTE ... A Pearl Jam friend of mine in Finland sent me the following link ... http://www.juancole.com/2005/01/speech-bush-should-have-given-this-is.html ... which is the website by Professor Juan Cole [University of Michigan] and called INFORMED COMMENT. The commentary ... "The Speech Bush Should Have Given" ... is abit long and well worth the read. ALSO ... a new Blog has been added to my fav list and created by fellow NYC Kucitizen Cielito. Its called SPROUTING THE ACORN ... check it out today. Also, learn aobut how to get farm fresh organic produce in the South Bronx by clicking on the following link ... http://www.friendsofbrookpark.org/sbcsa.html ... or check out other 'hoods at this link ... http://www.justfood.org ... Peace & Solidarity]
QUOTE OF THE DAY ... If a nation expects to be ignorant and free, it expects what never was and never will be. The people cannot be safe without information. When the press is free, and every man is able to read, all is safe. Thomas Jefferson
PERSONAL NEWS #45
Oh dear, me late again with “news” and I have no excuses, except laziness.
On Tuesday, January 4th, participated in NYC Dept of Peace board member meeting at Carol & Gary’s charming upper Westside apartment. Those in attendance, other than me and Carol, were Liz and Coco, plus Kevin joined us via conference call. Topics of discussion … Jeanette Rankin [Congresswoman], writer Henry David Thoreau, committees, PR packet by Joe, possibly connecting with LL Cool J, and folk at UN Ethics & Spiritual Committee are interested. Productive evening noshed on yummy take-out and met Carol’s hubby Gary, who’s Blog I have listed on this Blog.
On Thursday evening, January 6th, showed up for the monthly Kucinich Meetup at Bonobo’s vegetarian restaurant. Vegetarian/Vegan food is quite good, tho abit pricey at this establishment. Those in attendance were Nick, Ellen, Tom and I. Much of the 90 minute discussion that evening centered on … Ohio Vote Recount, Kucinich appearance at an event in Long Island [April], upcoming Iraq elections, Diebold machines, Tsunami Aid and the March/Rally for Affordable Housing on February 2nd at City Hall.
During the month of January, at E&Y, I’m took several classes to learn the Microsoft 2003 software upgrades [ie: Excel & Word]. Plus, after the holidays, I’m trying to get to the gym more, as I really need to get into the groove again.
On Saturday, January 15th, I joined some Kucitizens [ie: Linda, Stephanie & Paulette] in attending a “Funeral Procession through Union Square” at 2pm. Weather was very cold and abit windy. The March was styled in the form of a funeral, [so everyone was dressed in various black garb] to mourn the blow akin to death that has been dealt to a lot of entities with the re-installation of Dictator Bush. Entities such as the occupation in Iraq, US civil liberties, women’s rights, gay rights, etc. The procession was organized by Theaters Against War [THAW] and the National Mourning Project. At one point I was carrying a world peace flag in the procession and Stephanie was one of the pallbearers of a lightweight makeshift coffin. Then we switched roles and I was a pallbearer.
The Ladies of Liberty group [above photo] sang songs and a eulogy was given over the coffin. Naturally NYPD was there to view the proceedings and try to intimidate the crowd. Screw those pigs! Afterwards we four ladies made a beeline for the Zen Palate restaurant to get some good, warm food in us. We were that cold. Discussion centered on a number of topics … usually world events, politics and the upcoming Dictatorship [farce] parade on January 20th. Then it was off to Kmart to do abit of shopping and then I headed back to Brooklyn with Linda. I had finally received the extended version of LOTRs “Return of the King” from my DVD Club a few days before. Linda phoned up Max, told him to meet us at her home at 7pm, so we settled down to watch the movie. Noshed on salad, tea and other goodies while enjoying the four hour plus film. Other DVDs I’d picked up or ordered recently were TROY, Harry Potter & the Prisoner of Azkaban, The Big Empty. I’ll write up some movie reviews soon. Peace!
FOX BULLY IS CRYBABY ON CANADA ... O'Reilly Wailing about CBC "vicious attack"
Antonia Zerbisias, The Toronto Sun
Among the untruths allowed to stand on Fox on Friday night ... Fox is seen "in about seven million or eight million homes" in Canada, said O'Reilly. Not true. Not even close. There are 7.2 million homes total in Canada with basic cable. Rogers boasts about 675,000 digital households. Many cable and satellite services don't even carry Fox.
http://www.commondreams.org/views05/0201-28.htm
QUOTE OF THE DAY ... If a nation expects to be ignorant and free, it expects what never was and never will be. The people cannot be safe without information. When the press is free, and every man is able to read, all is safe. Thomas Jefferson
PERSONAL NEWS #45
Oh dear, me late again with “news” and I have no excuses, except laziness.
On Tuesday, January 4th, participated in NYC Dept of Peace board member meeting at Carol & Gary’s charming upper Westside apartment. Those in attendance, other than me and Carol, were Liz and Coco, plus Kevin joined us via conference call. Topics of discussion … Jeanette Rankin [Congresswoman], writer Henry David Thoreau, committees, PR packet by Joe, possibly connecting with LL Cool J, and folk at UN Ethics & Spiritual Committee are interested. Productive evening noshed on yummy take-out and met Carol’s hubby Gary, who’s Blog I have listed on this Blog.
On Thursday evening, January 6th, showed up for the monthly Kucinich Meetup at Bonobo’s vegetarian restaurant. Vegetarian/Vegan food is quite good, tho abit pricey at this establishment. Those in attendance were Nick, Ellen, Tom and I. Much of the 90 minute discussion that evening centered on … Ohio Vote Recount, Kucinich appearance at an event in Long Island [April], upcoming Iraq elections, Diebold machines, Tsunami Aid and the March/Rally for Affordable Housing on February 2nd at City Hall.
During the month of January, at E&Y, I’m took several classes to learn the Microsoft 2003 software upgrades [ie: Excel & Word]. Plus, after the holidays, I’m trying to get to the gym more, as I really need to get into the groove again.
On Saturday, January 15th, I joined some Kucitizens [ie: Linda, Stephanie & Paulette] in attending a “Funeral Procession through Union Square” at 2pm. Weather was very cold and abit windy. The March was styled in the form of a funeral, [so everyone was dressed in various black garb] to mourn the blow akin to death that has been dealt to a lot of entities with the re-installation of Dictator Bush. Entities such as the occupation in Iraq, US civil liberties, women’s rights, gay rights, etc. The procession was organized by Theaters Against War [THAW] and the National Mourning Project. At one point I was carrying a world peace flag in the procession and Stephanie was one of the pallbearers of a lightweight makeshift coffin. Then we switched roles and I was a pallbearer.
The Ladies of Liberty group [above photo] sang songs and a eulogy was given over the coffin. Naturally NYPD was there to view the proceedings and try to intimidate the crowd. Screw those pigs! Afterwards we four ladies made a beeline for the Zen Palate restaurant to get some good, warm food in us. We were that cold. Discussion centered on a number of topics … usually world events, politics and the upcoming Dictatorship [farce] parade on January 20th. Then it was off to Kmart to do abit of shopping and then I headed back to Brooklyn with Linda. I had finally received the extended version of LOTRs “Return of the King” from my DVD Club a few days before. Linda phoned up Max, told him to meet us at her home at 7pm, so we settled down to watch the movie. Noshed on salad, tea and other goodies while enjoying the four hour plus film. Other DVDs I’d picked up or ordered recently were TROY, Harry Potter & the Prisoner of Azkaban, The Big Empty. I’ll write up some movie reviews soon. Peace!
FOX BULLY IS CRYBABY ON CANADA ... O'Reilly Wailing about CBC "vicious attack"
Antonia Zerbisias, The Toronto Sun
Among the untruths allowed to stand on Fox on Friday night ... Fox is seen "in about seven million or eight million homes" in Canada, said O'Reilly. Not true. Not even close. There are 7.2 million homes total in Canada with basic cable. Rogers boasts about 675,000 digital households. Many cable and satellite services don't even carry Fox.
http://www.commondreams.org/views05/0201-28.htm
Tuesday, February 01, 2005
JANUARY 31, 2005 PRESS RELEASE
http://www.commondreams.org/news2005/0131-11.htm
CONTACT: Congressman Dennis J. Kucinich (D-OH)
Doug Gordon, 202-225-5871(o) 202-494-5141 (c)
Kucinich Demands Broad Investigation Of Missing $9 Billion In Iraq Ranking Member on National Security Oversight Committee Calls For Federal Grand Jury Investigation and Congressional Hearings
WASHINGTON -- Congressman Dennis J. Kucinich (D-OH), the Ranking Member on the House Government Reform Subcommittee on National Security, Emerging Threats and International Relations, today demanded abroad investigation of the $9 billion in missing reconstruction funds in Iraq, including a criminal investigation and Congressional hearings. Kucinich will send two letters today calling for a full investigation into the missing $9 billion in funds in Iraq. One letter will be sent to Congressman Christopher Shays (R-CT), Chairman of the House Government Reform Subcommittee on National Security, Emerging Threats and International Relations, requesting an immediate Congressional hearing. The second letter will be sent to United States Attorney General-designate Alberto Gonzales demanding a criminal investigation, including a grand jury, by the United States Department of Justice.
"In view of this Administration's tendency for covert or secret operations, there is no assurance that these funds were not misused for illegal or unauthorized activities," stated Kucinich. "The Administration, the Department of Defense, and Coalition Provisional Authority must be held directly responsible for this staggering lack of accountability of $9 billion. If ever there was a reason for a grand jury to start asking questions of high ranking federal government officials, this is it." Kucinich's actions followed a report issued yesterday, by the special inspector general (IG) for Iraq, Stuart Bowen Jr., which stated the U.S. occupation authority in Iraq was unable to keep track of nearly $9 billion in funds it transferred to government ministries between October 2003 and June 2004. "It is simply not believable that the Administration lost track of every dime of the funds. The Administration willfully turned a blind eye and allowed the misuse of funds, and now must be held accountable," continued Kucinich.
QUOTE OF THE DAY ... Freedom rings resoundingly in a democracy when people speak freely. It stirs the human heart while fear stills it. Congressman Dennis Kucinich [D-OH]
[Duchess Note ... A new feature to this Blog will be the "Weekly Kucinich Digest". Which is being created by fellow NY/TX Kucitizen Linda Z. Hope all my Blog readers enjoy it. The first installment is below. Peace!]
"Collaborationist Democrats Face Deepening Quagmire" from GAY CITY NEWS (NYC) mentions Rep. Kucinich and Kucitizens have worked with other groups to create a non-partisan force for peace and justice.
http://www.gaycitynews.com/gcn_355/collaborationistdemocrats.html
(Jan. 26, 2005) Rep. Kucinich cites a total absence of international election monitors in Iraq for Sundays elections. From the website of Congressman Kucinich. http://www.house.gov/kucinich/
(Jan. 28, 2005) Now Appearing on Local Stages: Willie Nelson and Austin Bio-fuels. Rep. Kucinich plans to reintroduce the bio-diesel bill. Willie Nelson recently lobbied with Congressman Dennis Kucinich, contacting dozens of Congress members to elicit support.
http://www.austinchronicle.com/issues/dispatch/2005-01-28/pols_feature5.html
NOTE: Twenty young supporters of Dennis Kucinich for President toured the country for the "Democreation Project", a youth-founded effort to unite young artists and political progressives behind Dennis Kucinich. TheDemocreation Project traveled in a bio-diesel bus.
http://www.commondreams.org/news2005/0131-11.htm
CONTACT: Congressman Dennis J. Kucinich (D-OH)
Doug Gordon, 202-225-5871(o) 202-494-5141 (c)
Kucinich Demands Broad Investigation Of Missing $9 Billion In Iraq Ranking Member on National Security Oversight Committee Calls For Federal Grand Jury Investigation and Congressional Hearings
WASHINGTON -- Congressman Dennis J. Kucinich (D-OH), the Ranking Member on the House Government Reform Subcommittee on National Security, Emerging Threats and International Relations, today demanded abroad investigation of the $9 billion in missing reconstruction funds in Iraq, including a criminal investigation and Congressional hearings. Kucinich will send two letters today calling for a full investigation into the missing $9 billion in funds in Iraq. One letter will be sent to Congressman Christopher Shays (R-CT), Chairman of the House Government Reform Subcommittee on National Security, Emerging Threats and International Relations, requesting an immediate Congressional hearing. The second letter will be sent to United States Attorney General-designate Alberto Gonzales demanding a criminal investigation, including a grand jury, by the United States Department of Justice.
"In view of this Administration's tendency for covert or secret operations, there is no assurance that these funds were not misused for illegal or unauthorized activities," stated Kucinich. "The Administration, the Department of Defense, and Coalition Provisional Authority must be held directly responsible for this staggering lack of accountability of $9 billion. If ever there was a reason for a grand jury to start asking questions of high ranking federal government officials, this is it." Kucinich's actions followed a report issued yesterday, by the special inspector general (IG) for Iraq, Stuart Bowen Jr., which stated the U.S. occupation authority in Iraq was unable to keep track of nearly $9 billion in funds it transferred to government ministries between October 2003 and June 2004. "It is simply not believable that the Administration lost track of every dime of the funds. The Administration willfully turned a blind eye and allowed the misuse of funds, and now must be held accountable," continued Kucinich.
QUOTE OF THE DAY ... Freedom rings resoundingly in a democracy when people speak freely. It stirs the human heart while fear stills it. Congressman Dennis Kucinich [D-OH]
[Duchess Note ... A new feature to this Blog will be the "Weekly Kucinich Digest". Which is being created by fellow NY/TX Kucitizen Linda Z. Hope all my Blog readers enjoy it. The first installment is below. Peace!]
"Collaborationist Democrats Face Deepening Quagmire" from GAY CITY NEWS (NYC) mentions Rep. Kucinich and Kucitizens have worked with other groups to create a non-partisan force for peace and justice.
http://www.gaycitynews.com/gcn_355/collaborationistdemocrats.html
(Jan. 26, 2005) Rep. Kucinich cites a total absence of international election monitors in Iraq for Sundays elections. From the website of Congressman Kucinich. http://www.house.gov/kucinich/
(Jan. 28, 2005) Now Appearing on Local Stages: Willie Nelson and Austin Bio-fuels. Rep. Kucinich plans to reintroduce the bio-diesel bill. Willie Nelson recently lobbied with Congressman Dennis Kucinich, contacting dozens of Congress members to elicit support.
http://www.austinchronicle.com/issues/dispatch/2005-01-28/pols_feature5.html
NOTE: Twenty young supporters of Dennis Kucinich for President toured the country for the "Democreation Project", a youth-founded effort to unite young artists and political progressives behind Dennis Kucinich. TheDemocreation Project traveled in a bio-diesel bus.