LATEST IN THE POLITICAL NEWS ARENA

Message from PFAW [People for the American Way] – Habeas Not Resurrected Yet, Thanks to Senate Republicans
Last week, 56 senators -- every Democrat, five Republicans and one independent -- voted to advance the proposed amendment to the DOD authorization bill to restore habeas corpus to foreign detainees and end indefinite, unilateral detentions. Unfortunately, it was four votes short of the 60 required to get cloture and move the amendment forward.

This filibuster, by 42 Republicans and Sen. Joe Lieberman, serves as an uncomfortable reminder that, with the margin as slim as it is in the Senate and the possibility of requiring cloture (60 votes) to move any bill or nomination forward, the Republican minority can still be an effective rubber stamp for the Bush administration. Yet there's still hope for habeas.

The chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, Rep. Ike Skelton (D-MO) is expected to mark up a bill (H.R. 2826) this week to restore habeas claims that were stripped by the Military Commissions Act. If the House passes Rep. Skelton's bill, there are several options for getting this measure to the president's desk to be signed into law -- hopefully still as part of another bill that the president would not veto. We'll keep you posted as the fate of habeas restoration unfolds, and of course, we'll let you know what you can do to help get the legislation passed.

Message From CODEPINK Regarding Yesterdays Protest Against Bush Regime at UN
This week, everyone is buzzing about Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's visit to New York. CODEPINK was outside both his talk at Columbia and his address to the UN General Assembly. While we don't agree with many of the things he said, we want to remind everyone that Ahmadinejad, doesn't represent the Iranian people just as President Bush doesn't represent us. So what do we as citizens do when our leadership fails us so miserably? We rise up. We take action. We show that citizen diplomacy can be the voice of reason that forces leaders to talk to each other and prevent war.

We urge you to call your Reps early and often (House and Senate, 202 224 3121) and tell them to vote NO on bombing Iran. There is some scary legislation on the table (especially the Kyl-Lieberman amendment) that could lead to an imminent attack; we need to quash it immediately.

Other actions on our Iran page include getting your town to pass a resolution encouraging diplomacy, not war, with Iran; inviting someone from our speakers bureau to speak about Iran in your community; going on a citizens' diplomacy trip to Iran; and signing our petitions to Congress and the UN Security Council.

Whichever actions you choose to take, be sure to educate yourself with Phyllis Bennis' talking points about why we shouldn't attack Iran. The more we understand the issue, the more we'll be able to reach people, to change minds and prevent war. Thank you for helping us Stop the Next War Now! Check out more at http://www.codepinkalert.org/ OR http://codepinkalert.org/article.php?id=3389

Global Majority Wants Action on Climate Change
http://www.commondreams.org/archive/2007/09/25/4089/

Pursue Diplomacy, Not War, With Iran
Marjorie Cohn
http://www.commondreams.org/archive/2007/09/25/4085

World’s Water Supply at Risk
Kevin Danaher, Shannon Biggs & Jason Mark / PoliPoint Press
http://www.alternet.org/environment/62950/

Message from 2008 Presidential Candidate Congressman Kucinich - ARE YOU OUTRAGED YET? AARP Will Profit Over 4.4 Billion Dollars while America's Seniors Suffer!
On September 21st, the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) sponsored a Presidential forum in Iowa focused on health care reform. I was conveniently left out of the debate. Why? Because I am the only candidate in this race proposing a national not-for-profit, single-payer health insurance plan. My plan would eliminate the obscene profit of 4.4 billion dollars AARP alone stands to gain over the next 7 years at the expense of the senior citizens they claim to represent. AARP's strategic partnership with healthcare giants United Health Care and Aetna are embraced by Senators Clinton, Obama, and former Senator Edwards who are pushing plans to keep the for-profit private insurers in business and in control of your life!

This is an outrage and you should be outraged!

It is clear they don't want me to upset their multi-billion dollar windfall. The health care plans of the invited candidates preserve and promote the interests of for-profit insurance and pharmaceutical companies at the expense of tens of millions of everyday Americans while the corporate media keeps America drugged with misinformation so you can't make an informed decision.

I have the prescription for a better healthcare system for America.

Under my plan, HR 676, every American would be covered! No premiums, no deductibles, and no co-payments. No one would be denied coverage and no one will be denied services and you choose your own physicians. It's the healthcare plan America deserves and it's the only plan that reduces expenses and puts your money back in your pocket. Just think for a moment what you could you do with the money that you are now paying in deductibles or other health expenses ... save for retirement ... save for education ... save for a vacation. The choice really is yours! It's a healthy windfall for the people ... not the corporations.

I need your help ... let your voice be heard!

Join me in bringing a healthy future for all of us. Together we can let the special interests and the other presidential candidates know that we will not be silenced and will not accept business as usual. Make a contribution today! Help me be your voice and reach our fundraising goal by September 30th. Together we can heal our nation with healthcare for all and together make a difference in the world with strength through peace.