Ray Charles, American Legend, Dies At 73
NPR NEWS
http://www.npr.org/display_pages/features/feature_1947628.html

Ray Charles Was 'The Genius'
DEMOCRAT & CHRONICLE
by Jack Garner
http://www.democratandchronicle.com/news/0611754IFND_news.shtml

The Scene - This Week In Local Music - Neko Case
RICHMOND MUSIC
by Kate Bredimus
http://www.richmond.com/music/music_out.cfm?ID=3063372&vertical=music

12-year New York City Incumbent Faces Primary, Iraq War, Civil Liberties and Free Trade Expose Bush Democrats to Challenge

Robert Jereski Press Release - June 9, 2004 (New York, NY)

Businessman and activist Robert Jereski announced his candidacy in the Democratic Primary for the 14th Congressional District on Monday, June 7th. Surrounded by supporters, he chose to make his address in front of the statue of Mohandas Gandhi in Union Square Park in his District to illustrate how Gandhi's philosophy resonates with his constituents today, at a time when our nation is prosecuting two foreign wars while letting basic human needs of Americans go unmet.



Jereski's exciting campaign reflects a growing need to represent the District's keen interest in electing a representative who will vigorously challenge the radical agenda of the Bush Administration. As the crowd of supporters swelled with rush hour commuters curious to learn more about Jereski, a veteran in the crowd shook Jereski's hand and thanked him for having the courage to run.


[Robert Jereski with some of his supporters at Announcement on Monday, June 7th. I'm standing behind Robert with my auburn hair and sunglasses and flashing a peace sign. Right-on!]

"I am running because the incumbent has not been listening to the voters of this District, and has stood with George Bush on too many issues that are critically important to all of us. While we were organizing and marching against the Iraq war, Maloney sided with the White House. She also voted for the unconstitutional Patriot Act. I will work to make sure that our civil liberties are protected. The most important thing a representative can do is listen to his or her constituents. With your support, I will work tirelessly to make sure that Washington responds to our concerns," Jereski said.

The 14th Congressional District encompasses much of the East Side of Manhattan, Clinton and Astoria, Queens. It also includes all of Roosevelt Island and much of Long Island City, Sunnyside and parts of Woodside. For more information please contact Susan Mainzer on 213-840-0077 or press@jereskiforcongress.com. The official Robert Jereski for Congress website is at … http://www.jereskiforcongress.com

An Important Message From MoveOn.Org - Tell Bush To Prevent A Climate Crisis

When the new disaster movie, "The Day After Tomorrow", opened a week and half ago, over 8,000 MoveOn members were outside theaters in 622 cities, talking to moviegoers about the real danger of a climate crisis. The Senate will soon consider a bill sponsored by Senators John McCain and Joe Lieberman that would commit the United States to taking concrete actions to reduce global warming. You can help by signing our petition supporting the McCain-Lieberman Climate Stewardship Act, at: http://www.moveon.org/climatecrisis/index.html

The Senate is expected to vote on this bill within the next two weeks, and your Senators need to hear that you care. Our petition carries a powerful message to President Bush and members of Congress -- that we can't wait any longer to take action. We asked MoveOn members who passed out information about global warming outside the movie theaters to tell us about their experience. Here's what a few of you said were your favorite parts:

* "A mom walking out with her teenage daughter and just lighting up when I handed her the flyer, turning to her daughter and saying, 'See, we can do something about this.'"

* "When a 20-something said 'I didn't think anyone your age would care anymore' (I'm 60)."

* "When we all began to arrive and there were so many of us from MoveOn and we could connect from the heart about our concern for our world and the comfort that came from the sense of belonging to a kind of community!"

* "When a theatre security guard went in and explained to theatre management that we were not only promoting the movie, we were trying to save the world!"

Four years ago, candidate Bush promised to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. As president, he's broken that promise, consistently siding with his campaign contributors from the energy and automobile industries to block new policies that would help prevent a climate crisis. Scientists are now telling us that the earth is heating up faster than at any time in its history. Now is the time for our leaders to act, before it's too late. Please sign the petition today, and please ask your friends to sign as well, at: http://www.moveon.org/climatecrisis/index.html

Important Message From MoveOn.Org Regarding Halliburton

There are lots of reasons that things are going south in Iraq. President Bush alienated the international community, lied to the world about the threat of Iraqi weapons of mass destruction, failed to plan for reconstruction . . . and the list goes on. But there's another less talked-about reason that things are turning out so badly: President Bush and Vice President Cheney simply can't resist a chance to help their corporate friends make a buck, even when it undermines the troops. Today, we're launching a new ad to call the Bush Administration on its ties to the scandal-plagued company Halliburton. In just a year in Iraq, Halliburton employees have accepted $6 million in illegal kickbacks, the company overcharged taxpayers millions for gas, and charged hundreds of millions of dollars for meals for our troops that were never delivered. It's a perfect example of how Bush and Cheney's taste for corporate cronyism has weakened our country and cost taxpayers billions.

We know from polling that for many people the Halliburton debacle illustrates a core weakness in the Bush program, and helps convince independent voters to vote against Bush. That's why it's so important that we get this ad, which hammers that point home, in front of as many people as possible. If we can raise $1.1 million, we can run the ad deep for a week in a number of the key "battleground" states. Please contribute what you can to help us get it on the air today at: http://www.moveonpac.org/donate/halliburton.html?id=2927-2148547-zNRyaQIfvJQRbn0Q9yRaag

On that page, you can also read a full script of the ad and take a look at the story boards. Revelations regarding Halliburton's unethical and at times illegal behavior continue to pop up at a regular pace. But perhaps more worrisome are indications that the Bush administration isn't just turning a blind eye to Halliburton's corrupt business practices -- it's actively helping the company along. For example, Time Magazine exposed last week that newly disclosed internal Pentagon emails suggest that the office of Vice President Dick Cheney was instrumental in sealing an $18 BILLION no-bid contract for the Vice President's former company. Nor does Halliburton's track record end at fraud. In a Pentagon audit, Halliburton was warned that its food service facilities which serve our troops in Iraq were dangerously unsanitary, with "blood all over the floor" of its kitchens, "dirty pans," and "rotting meats ... and vegetables." As Representative Henry Waxman (D-CA) put it, Halliburton is ultimately "a company that arrogantly is overcharging when they can get away with it and not providing the quality of service that they agreed to do."

Vice President Dick Cheney still holds hundreds of thousands of dollars' worth of stock options in the company. So it's hardly surprising that the Administration's response has been anemic, even when faced with clear evidence that the company is bilking taxpayers. That's why we need to get this ad on the air. Can you contribute to make that happen? Go to: http://www.moveonpac.org/donate/halliburton.html?id=2927-2148547-zNRyaQIfvJQRbn0Q9yRaag

The Last Of This Years Primaries & Caucas Was Held Yesterday In New Jersey & Montana. Two States That Many Candidates Always Bypass - But Not Dennis Kucinich.
The outcome of yesterday's primary is as follows ... New Jersey which had a huge Democratic Party get out the vote for "Unity" program (which helps Kerry)...gave Kucinich around 5% of the vote. Montana is another one of those often overlooked western states which has the potential for Progressive candidates and it appears as though Kucinch will get around 12% of the vote there. [Cheers and congratulations to ALL Kucitizens on doing such wonderful volunteer work for DJKs campaign. Next up ... Democratic Convention in Boston next month. Let's rock this party and instill some new blood.]

I'm Protecting Kerry's Left Flank, Says Kucinich
THE HILL
by James Kirchick
http://www.thehill.com/news/060904/kucinich.aspx

Bush's Kiss Of Death
ALTERNET
by Molly Ivins
Just before Memorial Day, Veterans Affairs Secretary Anthony Principi said, "Our active military respond better to Republicans" because of "the tremendous support that President Bush has provided for our military and our veterans." The same day, the White House announced plans for massive cuts in veterans' health care for 2006. Last January, Bush praised veterans during a visit to Walter Reed Army Medical Center. The same day, 164,000 veterans were told the White House was "immediately cutting off their access to the VA health care system." To read the whole article: http://alternet.org/story.html?StoryID=18890

Reagan Played Decisive Role In Saddam Hussein's Survival In Iran-Iraq War
AGENCE FRANCE PRESSE
http://www.commondreams.org/headlines04/0609-01.htm

Brief Update On Jereski For Congress June 7th Announcement In Union Square
Rob Jereski made his "announcement" yesterday, shortly after 5:30pm, that he is running for Congress in the 14th Congressional District. He spoke in front of the Gandhi statue down in Union Square, as well as at the "Speakers Corner". All went well and the campaign signed on about 25 new volunteers. We reached many more via leftleting and will be continuing our grassroots efforts to create a buzz. A full report to follow, along with photos at "announcement". Stay tuned...........

Comedian David Cross Soundbite - Soldiers Must Pray For Bush
His humor is a wee bit harsh, but it'll move you to laugh and/or cry at the same time. Comedian David Cross new release "ITS NOT FUNNY" on Subpop records, heres a portion about US soldiers having to pray for Bushit. I thought it hilarious! Click on link and listen: http://radio.indymedia.org/uploads/david_cross2004_-soldirers_pray_for_bush.mp3

Galadriel If I were a character in The Lord of the Rings, I would be Galadriel, Elf, Queen of Lothlorien, wife of Celeborn and grandmother of Arwen. In the movie, I am played by Cate Blanchett. Who would you be? Zovakware Lord of the Rings Test with Perseus Web Survey Software

The lyrics to "INTO THE WEST" from LOTRs "Return of the King" and sung by Annie Lennox. Lovely song and it really touches the heart.

Lay down
Your sweet and weary head
The night is falling
You have come to journey's end
Sleep now
And dream of the ones who came before
They are calling
From across the distant shore

Why do you weep?
What are these tears upon your face?
Soon you will see
All of your fears will pass away
Safe in my arms
You're only sleeping

What can you see
On the horizon?
Why do the white gulls call?
Across the sea
A pale moon rises
The ships have come to carry you home

And all will turn
To silver glass
A light on the water
All Souls pass

Hope fades
Into the world of night
Through shadows falling
Out of memory and time
Don't say
We have come now to the end
White shores are calling
You and I will meet again
And you'll be here in my arms
Just sleeping

Chorus

And all will turn
To silver glass
A light on the water
Grey ships pass
Into the West

The Last Noble Defender Of The American Republic
DEMOCRACY NOW!
by J.Gonzalez & A.Goodman
http://alternet.org/story.html?StoryID=18888

Planet Reagan
TRUTHOUT
by William Rivers Pitt
http://www.truthout.org/docs_04/060704A.shtml

For Also-Ran Kucinich, The Campaign Goes On In Last Primaries
BUCKS COUNTY COURIER TIMES
by Associated Press
http://www.phillyburbs.com/pb-dyn/news/104-06042004-311575.html

Rating Reagan: A Bogus Legacy
CONSORTIUM NEWS
by Robert Parry
http://www.consortiumnews.com/2004/060704.html

No-Frills Kucinich Show Hits NJ
THE STAR LEDGER
by Mike Frassinelli
http://www.nj.com/news/ledger/jersey/index.ssf?/base/news-6/1086497727226680.xml

IMMEDIATE PRESS RELEASE & IMPORTANT MEDIA ALERT! -- Robert Jereski Announces Run In New York City's 14th US Congressional District Primary

WHO: Activist Robert Jereski
WHAT: Announces run in New York's 14th US Congressional District Primary
WHEM: Monday June 7th, 5:30 pm
WHERE: Gandhi statue in the southwest part of Union Square Park, Manhattan
CONTACT: Susan Mainzer, 213-840-0077, press@jereskiforcongress.com
WEBSITE: http://www.jereskiforcongress.com

New York City - Activist Robert Jereski will give a press conference on Monday afternoon to officially announce his candidacy for the Democratic Party nomination for U.S. Congress from New York's 14th Congressional District. Jereski will be going up against conservative Democratic incumbent Carolyn Maloney. This district encompasses much of the East Side of Manhattan and Astoria, Queens. It also includes all of Roosevelt Island and much of Long Island City, Sunnyside and parts of Woodside. The press conference will take place at the Gandhi statue in the Southwest part of Union Square at 5:30 p.m. Jereski will give a brief presentation and will then answer questions from the press and public.

The significance of the date and location of the announcement is that 111 years ago on June 7th, Gandhi engaged in his first act of civil disobedience. In an event that would have dramatic repercussions still being felt today worldwide, Mohandas K. Gandhi, a young Indian lawyer working in South Africa, refused to comply with racial segregation rules on a South African train and was forcibly ejected. Gandhi once said: "Power is of two kinds. One is obtained by the fear of punishment and the other by acts of love. Power based on love is a thousand times more effective and permanent then the one derived from fear of punishment."

Jereski notes, "Today our great country has determined to invest our considerable yet limited resources on a form of power based on fear. Young men and women are killing and being killed, the entire Middle East region threatens to descend into long-term instability, and the incumbent continues to stand behind this failure in calling for us to 'stay the course'". The 36 year old activist turned politician says "NO! We must turn our disastrous Middle East policy around, focus our attention on increasing employment in the U.S., and educating our children to become builders of a shared future, not soldiers of a long-term occupation."

"I am a Democrat who stands firmly in challenging the Bush Agenda. I am going to help clean the House by winning our District's seat from a 12 year incumbent who supported Bush's War and other aspects of his right-wing program. If elected, I will first and foremost listen to my constituents. I am dedicated to helping bring jobs and a healthy economic future to the communities of our District and working hard for peace in the Middle East and in Iraq."

PLEASE PASS ON THIS IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT TO OTHERS THAT YOU MAY KNOW IN THE NYC AREA. THANK YOU ... PEACE & SOLIDARITY!

For more information please contact Susan Mainzer at 213-840-0077 or press@jereskiforcongress.com


http://www.notobush.com/



IMPORTANT MESSAGE FROM MOVEON.ORG ON BUSHIT'S INCOMPETENCE

House Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi recently offered something all too rare in Washington these days -- straight talk about President Bush's Iraq policy and his questionable leadership. Immediately President Bush's attack dogs went into action, seeking to intimidate her and other like-minded Representatives into silence. But straight talk should never be silenced or shamed. We've got to let our Representatives know we support Congresswoman Pelosi, and we must encourage them to follow her lead.

There are two important things that you can do to help. Please take a few minutes today to write a letter to the editor of your local paper applauding Nancy Pelosi and encouraging your Representative, Nydia M. Velazquez, to offer honest criticism of the Bush administration whenever it is merited. We've added some tips and some talking points below. Once you've written, please let us know at:

http://www.moveon.org/pelosiltes.html?id=2913-2148547-Jvqs2dWRJyNGYy1UhRb5fw

If you live in NYC, please also call Rep. Velazquez's office. Tell the staffers you support Congresswoman Pelosi and that you'd like to see the same kind of leadership from your Representative.

Representative Nydia M. Velazquez
DC Phone: 202-225-2361
Local Phone: 718-599-3658

President Bush and his surrogates in Congress have been trying to bully the American people into silence over his failed policies in Iraq and elsewhere. They're saying it's somewhow unpatriotic and even dangerous to criticize the President during wartime. [Duchess Note - You good people are being very much the patriotic American by questioning the system, as well as participating in rallies/protests. It is the Bush Empire who has been incredibly UN-PATRIOTIC over the last 2 to 4 years.] After President Bush came to Capitol Hill for a pep rally before Republican members of Congress (where he refused to acknowledge any questions about Iraq), Congresswoman Pelosi said that his handling of the war in Iraq shows "an incompetence in terms of knowledge, judgment and experience, in making the decisions that would have been necessary to truly accomplish the mission without the deaths to our troops and the cost to our taxpayers."

House Majority leader Tom DeLay responded that "her words are putting American lives at risk," and that she has "a responsibility to the troops and to this nation to show unity in this time of war." [Duchess Note - That bastard DeLay is one of those insane, right wing politicians putting us Americans at risk. Especially with this illegal and totally unjust war/occupation. Politicians like HIM would rather dominate and destroy our beloved country & the world. Don't let them bully us into thinking otherwise.] In 1918, Theodore Roosevelt said, "To announce that there must be no criticism of the President, or that we are to stand by the President, right or wrong, is not only unpatriotic and servile, but is morally treasonable to the American public." Tom DeLay has it backwards. We've seen that unquestioning acceptance by too many in Congress and in the media can lead the country down a dangerous pathway. Let's support leaders like Nancy Pelosi who are willing to tell it like it is.



RONALD REAGAN IS DEAD
by Trapper John [Brought To Duchess Readers From "Daily KOS" Blog]

Ronald Reagan died today at the age of 93. He earned the enmity of many of us on the left through his dismantling of the New Deal and enabling of a culture of greed -- but we should not forget that he was once one of us, an FDR Democrat. His journey to the far right mirrored a similar, if less dramatic, shift that occured in the general American psyche. And while Reagan cannot be excused for his utter failure as president, we must never see him solely as a symbol of a shameful era -- because his rise was attributable in part to an inertia and lack of vision that gripped our predecessors on the left. It was in part our inability to satisfy the hunger of Americans for positive leadership that caused Reagan and other former liberals to embrace a radical ideology that was before only espoused by crackpots and the prophets of selfishness.

So while we rightly condemned Reagan for his extremism and hostility to the egalitarian ideals of his youth, perhaps we should take this occasion not only to remember Reagan's failings, but also to reflect upon the failings of the left that allowed the ascension of the extreme right. We've learned a lot about how to talk with the American people over the past few years, and we've reclaimed the fighting spirit that has characterized the best of the left through American history -- let's never again allow ourselves to become so self-satisfied that we allow another Reagan to capture the hearts of everyday Americans. And let us remember that in spite of his many faults, he was a human being, and his family is entitled to an appropriate level of decorum in their time of loss.

UPDATE: And let's ensure that the same Republican machine that cried about supposedly untoward politicization of the Paul Wellstone memorial service doesn't use Reagan's passing as an excuse to play politics. I mean, we know that they'd never do that, but . . . .

Personal News – Part XXIV

On Wednesday, June 2nd, I attended the general meeting of the “NYC Friends of Kucinich” over by the UN. [Work was abit hectic that afternoon, along with making numerous arrangements for bosses/partners to attend a Washington DC conference. So had to take a taxi to UN area, so as to be on time for the function.] Our meeting had a nice turnout, though slightly smaller than last two general meetings. Those in attendance were Mike, Paul, Cielito, Ellen, Bill, Efram, Linda, Stephanie, Kim, Thomas, Steve, Marlene, Linda, myself and a few other Kucitizens who’s names I didn’t catch. [my bad] While waiting for other Kucitizens to arrive, I took the time to pass out copies of recent interesting articles, plus chat with Paul and Mike. The main topics on the agenda were discussions regarding “Candlelight Vigil” and “Candidate Forum”, of which I belong to the latter subcommittee.

Regarding “Candlelight Vigil” … Kim announced that UFPJ & Kucinich Campaign has something organized for late July in Boston [ie: Democratic Convention]. As to here in NYC during Republican Convention in late August, there are problems obtaining permits via regular channels. [Thwarted by damn Imperial and Fascist organizations.] So we are seriously considering holding it at either Riverside Church, St John the Divine or St Mary’s. As soon as I hear more “definite” news, I will post it hear for all my readers and if you live near NYC, I hope you can attend. Next on the agenda was intense discussions/ debate regarding “Candidate Forum”. Bill D announced that Bill Moyer’s is out as possible Moderator and Amy Goodman is practically confirmed. The “proposal” for the forum has been farmed out to many possible guest speakers and sponsors. Thomas’ comment of possibly doing the forum down in Washington DC through “Pacifica” was discussed and Stephanie made some interesting comments. All there at meeting contributed and I felt it was overall a productive evening. In brief, other items discussed, were “travel plans” to the DNC in Boston. The Hip Hop Convention in Newark, NJ is being held weekend of June 19th and finally our next “general meeting” are slated for June 22nd.

Then on Thursday, June 3rd, I had a good workout session with my Personal Trainer [Jamie] at Lift Gym on upper eastside. Then headed over to Skylight Diner on West 34th Street for Kucinich Meetup. Which turned out very well. Ellen and I were at the diner to "host" the June meetup and about 8 to 10 new Kucitizens came onboard. I sent around a "sign up" sheet to obtain name/phone#/email from those attending and forward it onto “NYC Friends of Kucinich” office. Ellen and I told them about the "General Meetings", two subcommittees, leafleting for upcoming NJ primary, etc. Everyone sounded enthusiastic and very much interested in lending his or her support. Awesome! I felt it important to pass around a copy of the "Pre-Convention Candidate Forum Proposal" and told them Bill D will email them a copy. Much discussion commenced on the forum topic and it was predominately positive. Many of the attendees expressed interest in helping out this coming Monday to leaflet down at NJ PATH trains. [The NJ primary is June 8th.] While we ate our meals [ie: I had a veggie burger] we basically broke off into separate groups to discuss world events, Travel, other meetups, Kucinich and politics. Overall Ellen and I felt it a good, productive meetup.



Important Message From The "Frank Barbaro For Congress" Campaign & Kickoff Rallies

It's time for Vito Fossella to start checking the Want Ads! Frank Barbaro is kicking off his campaign to boot the far-right Congressman from his seat in the 13th Congressional District (representing Staten Island and parts of Brooklyn.) Frank Barbaro will fight for working families and the issues that average Staten Islanders and Brooklynites care about. But we need your help to do it! Next week, Barbaro For Congress is holding Campaign Kickoff Rallies in Staten Island and Brooklyn to celebrate the beginning of our fight to unseat Fossella, and we'd like to invite you to attend and show your support.

The Staten Island Meeting is on Monday, June 7th at 7 PM, at the Corner House on 102 North Railroad & Lincoln Avenue. The Brooklyn Meeting is on Wednesday, June 9th at 6:30 PM, at the Stars and Stripes Democratic Club at 8411 15th Avenue (between 84th and 85th Streets.) We look forward to seeing you at one of these events to mark the start of our fight to replace Bush's Rubber Stamp in Congress with someone who really represents the values which we all hold dear. For more information, or to confirm your attendance, call (718) 442-4448. For more information about Frank Barbaro and his positions, or to Donate or Volunteer for the campaign, visit the campaign website at: http://www.Barbaro4Congress.com

LOTS OF NEWS TO CATCH UP ON ... SO SIT BACK AND ENJOY THE FIREWORKS

Iraqi Leaders Call Bremer 'A Dictator'
THE NATIONAL
http://www.thenational.com.pg/0602/region4.htm

CIA Chief George Tenet Quits
BBC NEWS
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/3774089.stm

Shakespeare Turns A Spotlight On Bush And Iraq
COMMON DREAMS
by Arianna Huffington
http://www.commondreams.org/views04/0603-12.htm

Kucinich Advocates Department Of Peace
THE BIRMINGHAM NEWS
by Tom Gordon
http://www.al.com/news/birminghamnews/index.ssf?/base/news/1085750242317750.xml

Oil Prices Drop After OPEC Deal
BBC NEWS
The decision by the oil producers' cartel Opec to raise output has had the desired effect of cooling high oil prices. To read more: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/3771939.stm

Hold Up On E-Voting
DAILY CAMERA
by Howard Dean
http://www.commondreams.org/views04/0603-05.htm

The Great Escape
NEW YORK TIMES
by Craig Unger
http://www.commondreams.org/views04/0601-06.htm

It's Time For Regime Change At The New York Times
ALTERNET
by BuzzFlash
http://alternet.org/story.html?StoryID=18842

Those Who Hate "Liberals" Really Hate A Free America
FREE PRESS
by Harvey Wasserman
http://www.commondreams.org/views04/0601-01.htm

Personal Foul
WIRETAP
by Jared Jacang Maher
http://alternet.org/story.html?StoryID=18820

Delusional Bush Cynically Uses Fear As A Weapon In Sinking Re-Election Bid
NIAGARA FALLS REPORTER
by Bill Gallagher
http://www.commondreams.org/views04/0601-12.htm

Public Broadcasting Veers To The Right
ALTERNET
by Chellie Pingree
http://alternet.org/story.html?StoryID=18831

Turkey 'Fails To Protect Women'
BBC NEWS
Amnesty International has severly criticised the Turkish government and judiciary for their failure to act over violence against women. To read more: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/3768847.stm

US Spy Coup 'Leaked' By Chalabi
BBC NEWS
A former ally of the US in Iraq, Ahmed Chalabi, told Iran that Washington had cracked codes used by Tehran's spy network, US media reports say. To check out full story: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/3768529.stm

http://www.jereskiforcongress.com

JERESKI FOR CONGRESS UPDATE
We've accomplished a lot just running on our passion for ending this disastrous war, for social and economic justice, and our commitment to the American way of life based on the U.S. Constitution. We have established a website, assembled a core team of organizers for the campaign staff, and raised the concerns of the lukewarm incumbent that our campaign and our platform will need to be reckoned with. To continue this fight, we will need your dedication, energy, and participation.

WHAT YOU CAN DO
Visit our website for more information: http://www.jereskiforcongress.com And spread the word about our campaign. Jereski For Congress accepts donations from U.S. citizens anywhere and in any amount (up to $2000). Send checks (payable to "Friends of Robert Jereski") to 2 Tudor City Pl, Apt. 9AS, New York, NY 10017. We Need Volunteers ... If you live in NYC, we need your help from June 8th to July 15th to gather signatures in the district. We also welcome concerned individuals from outside of NYC.

VERY IMPORTANT ... Join us for a Petition Picnic Workshop!

Where: Central Park [Enter @ 69th St and 5th. Walk straight to lawn 30 yards from entrance of the park]
Date: Saturday, June 5th, 2004
Time: 1 pm until 4 pm

Come and learn how to petition and pick up petitioning materials. Bring your favorite healthy dish to share. Spend a fun-filled afternoon playing frisbee and enjoy a potluck picnic!!! If you get lost, please call (646) 206-5288 to find us. And if you can’t make this workshop but can help petition, let us know! NOW IS THE MOMENT!

IMPORTANT MESSAGE FROM MoveOn.Org -- Protect Our Votes & Insist on a Paper Ballot

We all remember the election of 2000. Because of faulty and mismanaged election systems, George W. Bush won Florida's electoral votes and the presidency. And now look at the mess we're in. People demanded improvements, and now states are spending millions to buy new voting machines. So far, so good. But many key states, including Florida, Ohio and other battlegrounds, are installing "black box" voting machines -- computer voting terminals that don't produce a paper ballot.

Without a paper ballot, there's no way to know if our votes are counted correctly. Also, computers are vulnerable to malfunction -- how often does yours freeze up? It's time to take action to protect our votes. Join our call for Voter-Verified Paper Ballots, at: http://www.moveon.org/protectourvotes/

If ATMs and gas pumps can print receipts, then voting terminals can print paper ballots. Every voter should be able to make sure that his or her vote will count as it was cast, by verifying a paper ballot that can be audited and re-counted. And wherever electronic voting terminals are used, backup paper ballots should also be available, so no voters will be turned away from the polling place if the terminals aren't working. Over the past few weeks, MoveOn members have been calling legislators and officials in many states to demand Voter-Verified Paper Ballots. And along with other citizen's groups, large and small, we have won important victories.

A month ago, our side won its biggest victory yet. California Secretary of State Kevin Shelley decertified 14,000 black box voting terminals made by Diebold Inc., and said that this November, every California voter will be able to vote on a paper ballot. Every voter in every state should have the same right -- to verify that his or her vote was recorded correctly, with full confidence that it will be counted correctly. We shouldn't have to hand our elections over to manufacturers like Diebold and blindly trust them with the results. This is not about partisan politics. It's about the foundation of our democracy: our votes. There's no reason Americans should have anything less than the most accessible, secure and reliable voting system possible.

PEARL JAM LOOKS AHEAD
BILLBOARD
by Jonathan Cohen
May 28, 2004

After a long break, activity is slowly brewing in the Pearl Jam camp. The group's official Web site hints at a handful of future releases and live performances by the fall. "There could be some shows -- maybe acoustic, maybe not, a possible CD of some sort, and it's possible the band may head back to the studio towards the end of the year to begin work on their eighth album," the site says. "As far as new music from side projects goes, some releases are possible but not definite," the post continues, referring to such affiliated acts as Brad and the Rockfords. In addition, frontman Eddie Vedder is confirmed to appear on former Pearl Jam drummer Jack Irons' upcoming solo album, but will not make a rumored guest spot on the Who's in-progress studio release.

The prospective fall shows may be held in swing states in the run-up toward the U.S. presidential election. And while Pearl Jam actively campaigned for Ralph Nader in the 2000 election, the site says the group will not play any fundraisers on his behalf this year. Bassist Jeff Ament and guitarist Stone Gossard will be seen in the upcoming documentary "Malfunksun: The Andrew Wood Story," which chronicles the life of the late Mother Love Bone vocalist. Former Soundgarden members Chris Cornell and Kim Thayil have also participated in the film. Finally, the site confirms that Sony Music is working on a Pearl Jam greatest hits album, with details to be announced. The band exited Sony's Epic Records last year after spending its entire career on the label. Pearl Jam says it is "still leaving options open" for a new record deal.

DEFYING CONVENTION
BOSTON PHOENIX
by Steven Stycos

Will Americans be able to exercise their fundamental right to protest at the major-party conventions in Boston and New York this summer? For more: http://www.alternet.org/story.html?StoryID=18798

IRAQ 'SUPERMAX' PRISON WON'T WIPE AWAY ABU GHRAIB STAIN
PACIFIC NEWS SERVICE
by Earl Ofari Hutchinson

The horror of America's own supermaxes mocks Bush's claim that supermax prisons will fix the problem in Iraq. Read more: http://www.alternet.org/story.html?StoryID=18819

WAL-MART WELFARE
THE PROGRESS REPORT
by David Sirota, Christy Harvey and Judd Legum

Wal-Mart has received more than $1 billion in economic development subsidies from states while many states are making tough budget decisions because of White House tax cuts and reductions in federal grants. Click here full story: http://www.alternet.org/story.html?StoryID=18816

COUNTER CULTURAL PROGRAMMING
IN THESE TIMES
by Michael Atkinson

Finally, a movie list to combat the numbing media avalanche; the best 'lefty' films ever made are sure to keep the flags of discontent flying. In Movie Mix: http://www.alternet.org/movies/

GET INVOLVED TONIGHT, June 1st, At The IAC Activist Meeting - Location: 7 pm - 39 W. 14th St. #206

WHAT'S IT ALL ABOUT? March From The White House To Rumsfeld's House On Saturday, June 5th, In Washington DC. Gather At 12 Noon In Lafayette Park (H and 16th Sts. NW)

BRING THE TROOPS HOME NOW! Stop Bush's torture and murder in Haiti, Iraq, and Afghanistan! U.S. hands off Venezuela, Cuba, and Korea! End the Colonial Occupation of Palestine! U.S. Out of Colombia, Puerto Rico, and the Philippines! Stop the Racist War at Home Against People of Color and Immigrants! We Want Jobs, Schools, and Health Care, Not War!

ATTEND THE ORGANIZING MEETING AT IAC AND GET INVOLVED! HELP GET THE WORD OUT!

Tuesday, June 1, 7 pm
39 W. 14th St. #206
(212) 633-6646

ATTEND IAC WORK SESSIONS!

Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday
11 am - 7 pm
Please come and help make banners, assemble placards, and pack materials for the march. Call 212-633-6646 for more details.

Get Your Bus Ticket Today

Call 212-633-6646 for more information. (also 718-434-8100 for Brooklyn buses) Buses leaving from Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, Jersey City, and Long Island. http://www.iacenter.org

Personal News - Part XXIII

While visiting the family in upstate NY over the long Memorial Day holiday weekend, Mom and I checked out many tag/yard/lawn/garage sales. Mostly along the Route 22 area. We both did quite well and picked up many groovy bargains. [One person's rubbish is another person's treasure.]

A list of some of the goodies I acquired:

Ceramic Pumpkin Pie Baking Dish
Soup Bowl
Xmas Theme Placemats
Halloween Theme Turtleneck
Watermelon Theme Kitchen Magnets
Watermelon Theme Wooden Art
Needlepoint Design Tissue Holder
Glass Canning Jar
Four Books [ie: "Life on the Mississippi" by Mark Twain, "Disraeli" by Andre Maurois, "A History of Private Life - From Pagan Rome to Byzantium" by P.Aries/G.Duby/P.Veyne, and "The Frugal Gourmet Cooks Three Ancient Cuisines" by Jeff Smith]

I also picked up a golfing pin for Dad and two Easter bunny figurines for Mom. Well, as stated above, I was visiting the family in upstate NY for the long holiday weekend. [The homestead is situated on or near the NY/VT border.] The corporation I work for gave us employees the Friday and Monday off [fully paid, of course] and I took Thursday off as a vacation day. Ahhhh sweet ... five day weekend! The weather was nice most of the time, except for early Friday with nasty Thunderstorms and loss of electricity for several hours. We also went out to lunch a few times. Good eating, but on the lite, healthy, small portion side which suits me fine. Caught up on Cable TV stuff ... many channels and 60% of which is brainless crap. I don't have Cable TV at my home in NYC for two reasons ... 1] Landlady refuses to have it installed in building and .... 2] I just cannot afford the monthly cost. Local stations work just fine for me. I also caught up on reading my magazine subscription of THE NATION. I'm four weeks behind. Plus helped out my parents with yard work [ie: plant flowers, mow lawn, etc] and even had a hairdresser appointment. Its lovely enjoying the luxury of sleeping late and lounging on the porch eating breakfast, while the warm sun filters in through the trees.

The only sad note ... while driving back from golf course Sunday evening with Dad ... we accidentially hit a cat. Very upsetting! There wasn't much we could do to avert the collision. Along the road is very tall grass and the yellowish color cat just zipped out like a bolt of lightening, then slammed with a thud on passenger side of car. Dad didn't see the cat, as he was driving, but I did. So sad that someone's family has lost their beloved cat. I'm so sorry ... my condolences to that family. Sigh!!

An Interesting Comment From Robin To Alligator At Yahoo Group "kucinich4president" Regarding Kerry & Kucinich

"Alligator Jones" said: Because we can pressure Kerry to change course. With Bush, there will be no change, only more fronts opened.

"Robin's" reply: Actually, Alligator, it has already been made clear by leaders of the Kerry campaign that 'Kerry will NOT be persuaded to change his positions on any issues'. This was a response given by Kerry's campaign spokesperson to a Kucinich supporter talking of trying to persuade Kerry to adopt a more "progressive" platform. In fact, from what I've been seeing from Kerry recently, he seems to be moving yet further to the right! Our pressure will do NOTHING to move Kerry!! He's stuck in the mudd and digging his heels in deeper!!

Pearl Jam To Release Greatest Hits

Pearl Jam will release their first ever greatest hits album before Christmas. The band's official info site tenclub.net has confirmed that Sony is working on a compilation but no release date has been confirmed. At this stage there is no definite tracklisting but a Pearl Jam best of would easily fill a CD with non-stop hits.

To date, the band has released seven studio albums. Their first album 'Ten' in 1991 featured the hits 'Even Flow', 'Animal', 'Alive' and 'Go'. Their singles include 'Spin The Black Circle', 'Jeremy', 'Dissident', 'Jeremy', 'Not For You', 'Immortality', 'Who You Are', 'Given To Fly', 'Wish List', 'Off He Goes', 'Last Kiss', 'Hail Hail', 'Nothing As It Seems', 'Light Years', 'I Am Mine' and 'Love Boat Captain'.

They also released the mini-album Merkinball with Neil Young. It was a companion to his Mirrorball album which featured Pearl Jam as his band. Pearl Jam announced last year that they were parting ways with Sony. The release of a greatest hits album by a major record album often coincides with a departure from the roster. Pearl Jam's last studio album was 'Riot Act' in 2002. Sony also released the rarities album 'Lost Dogs' last year.

"We are not victims of the world we see, we are victims of the way we see the world!" -Dennis Kucinich

"You must be the change that you wish to see in the world." -Gandhi

Last Lefty Standing
MISSOULA INDEPENDENT
by Brad Tyer
http://www.everyweek.com/News/News.asp?no=4075

OIL MONEY AND A SMART ENERGY POLICY DON'T MIX
May 26, 2004
By Arianna Huffington

Drivers, start your engines — and empty your wallets! As we gear up for the biggest driving weekend of the year, vacationers all across America are coming face to face with the highest average gas prices in history — up 42 cents a gallon since 2001 — and a bad case of "pump panic," a new malady in which your heart rate instantly matches the price of full-service high-test. Where I live, there are lots of folks palpitating at 325 beats a minute. At the same time car owners are having to consider taking out a second mortgage in order to fill up their tanks, oil companies are raking in record profits. ConocoPhillips, for example, the United States' largest oil refiner, recently reported its largest first quarter profits ever. And Exxon Mobil just posted its highest first quarter refining earnings in 13 years. Coincidentally, these companies and their oil and gas industry brethren have a highly profitable habit of greasing the receptive palms of their friend George Bush — doling out over $3.5 million to his 2000 and 2004 presidential runs.

So for American consumers, payback is a bitch. And over two bucks a gallon at the gas pump. Indeed, since taking office, the Bush administration has turned the White House into a veritable full service fueling station for Big Oil. And we're the ones being forced to pick up the tab. How has Bush responded to Big Oil's call to "fill 'er up"? Let me count the ways:

1.5: the meager miles per gallon Bush has proposed increasing fuel efficiency standards for light trucks and SUVs, which are allowed to average 7 miles per gallon less than regular cars.

33: the number of oil refinery mergers the Bush administration has allowed, while refusing to block a single oily takeover. Who needs all that messy free market competition, anyway?

41: the number of top-level Bush administration officials with ties to the oil industry, including Bush, Dick Cheney, Don Evans, Gale Norton and Condoleezza Rice — the only national security adviser in history to have an oil tanker named after her.

100,000: the amount, in dollars, that buyers of extra large — and extra gas-guzzling — SUVs are able to write off in taxes thanks to a scandalous loophole the president signed into law.

23 billion: the number of dollars in tax incentives, tax credits and tax deductions earmarked for the president's energy industry chums in the Bush-backed energy bill passed by the House and awaiting a vote in the Senate.

Infinite (or does it only seem so?): the number of times the president has resurrected the idea that drilling in Alaska's pristine Arctic National Wildlife Refuge would make us less dependent on foreign oil — even though such drilling would, at best, produce enough oil to meet only six months of America's energy needs. And it would take 10 years to do even that. Add to all this the administration's downright contemptuous and
contemptible attitude toward conservation — the only surefire way to reduce the need for more oil — and it becomes unmistakably clear that when it comes to Bush's energy policy, special-interest money has once again trumped the public interest.

It should be the first lesson in Political Chemistry 101: Oil money and good government don't mix. Not in Saudi Arabia, and not in the United States. Of course, our nation's untreated addiction to oil is costing us more than just at the gas pump — it's putting our very security at risk by leaving us beholden to the whims of any number of oil-rich and terrorist-friendly nations. This continued dependence on foreign oil is why Prince Bandar was more in the loop about plans to invade Iraq than our own secretary of state, why the administration's much touted passion for human rights doesn't extend to oil-rich — and brutal — Kazakhstan, why we're spending close to $100 million in taxpayer money to arm and train troops to defend an Occidental Petroleum pipeline in Colombia, and, at least partly, why young Americans continue to arrive home from Iraq (secretly, of course) in body bags.

It's time for Washington to dole out some tough love to the energy and auto industry lobbies and help set them on the path of reform, starting with increasing fuel efficiency standards for all cars, light trucks and SUVs — the single biggest step we can take to conserve energy. Raising standards from the current 27.5 miles per gallon to 36 mpg would save us roughly 2 million barrels a day — about the same amount we currently import from the Persian Gulf. Washington must also push Detroit to radically increase its production of hybrid cars and SUVs, and lead the way in teaming with corporate America to rapidly accelerate investment in energy efficiency, hydrogen-based
technology, and renewable sources of energy like solar and wind. A great model for this is the new Apollo Project, a $300 billion program proposed by unions and environmental groups to create 3 million new jobs while helping America achieve energy independence over the next 10 years.

And, oh yeah, there's one more number ... 2: the date in November when we must make sure to vote Bush out of office and replace him with someone whose judgment hasn't been polluted by all that oil money spilling into his campaign coffers and then leaking into our energy policy. Don't let the skyrocketing numbers on the gas pump fool you: America isn't confronting a shortage of fuel; it's confronting a shortage of leadership.

Important Campaign Message From Congressman Dennis Kucinich On May 29th

I have just concluded three days of campaigning in Alabama, and all of the mythologies about the deep South and the inability of the Democratic Party to register victories in the deep South ought to be challenged because what I saw and heard was an effort by so many people, Democrats and Independents alike, to demonstrate a connection with the highest vision of this country. The south has been through some of the earliest turmoil in America dealing with the challenges of race, and yet when you see the tremendous strides that have been made, and also the awareness and the consciousness to try to heal the wounds of the institution of slavery and the desire to try to truly unite America, you realize that the south is a very special place. And so I'm grateful to all those who helped put the campaign together there.

We need your help so that we can be empowerd as we go through the final campaign to be able to communicate the urgency of the Democratic Party taking a strong stand on getting out of Iraq, a strong stand on ending the PATRIOT Act, a strong stand on fair trade and on universal, single-payer health care. So please, once again, help us in these closing primaries close strongly. Help us get our message out. Help us do everything we can to make sure that when the final totals are in in the last primaries that we're going to be able to demonstrate not only real staying power as part of our effort to change things in the Democratic process, but we're going to be able to demonstrate an emerging awareness and consciousness which is going to transform this nation and the world.

So thank you, once again, for everything you're doing. This is Dennis, wishing each and every one of you an important Memorial day holiday and with a fond rememberance of all of those who have either served our country and have passed on or who are in service of our country today, and all the other ones who are near and dear to our hearts who have
gone on before us.

MoveOn.org Presents Comments & Tidbits On Al Gore's May 26th Speech Regarding Bush's Policy Of Domination

Yesterday, we sponsored a powerful speech by former Vice President Al Gore on the fallout from the war in Iraq. In the speech, Mr. Gore took on the Bush administration, arguing that the "abuse of the prisoners at Abu Ghraib flowed directly from the abuse of the truth that characterized the Administration's march to war and the abuse of the trust that had been placed in President Bush by the American people in the aftermath of September 11th." To sustained applause, he then called for the architects of the Bush foreign policy – Donald Rumsfeld, Condoleezza Rice, George Tenet, Paul Wolfowitz, and others -- to resign, arguing that "the current team is making things worse with each passing day."

You can read a full transcript of the speech and watch a great five-minute video of the highlights at: http://www.moveonpac.org/gore/

Mr. Gore began the speech by focusing on the policy of domination which pervades the Bush Administration:

"An American policy of dominance is as repugnant to the rest of the world as the ugly dominance of the helpless, naked Iraqi prisoners has been to the American people. Dominance is as dominance does."

"Dominance is not really a strategic policy or political philosophy at all. It is a seductive illusion that tempts the powerful to satiate their hunger for more power still by striking a Faustian bargain. And as always happens -- sooner or later -- to those who shake hands with the devil, they find out too late that what they have given up in the bargain is their soul."

This policy, he explained, is making us less safe as a country:

"The unpleasant truth is that President Bush's utter incompetence has made the world a far more dangerous place and dramatically increased the threat of terrorism against the United States. Just yesterday, the International Institute of Strategic Studies reported that the Iraq conflict " has arguable focused the energies and resources of Al Qaeda and its followers while diluting those of the global counterterrorism coalition." The ISS said that in the wake of the war in Iraq Al Qaeda now has more than 18,000
potential terrorists scattered around the world and the war in Iraq is swelling its ranks."

To sustained applause, he then called for the resignation of the Bush foreign policy team:

"One of the strengths of democracy is the ability of the people to regularly demand changes in leadership and to fire a failing leader and hire a new one with the promise of hopeful change. That is the real solution to America's quagmire in Iraq. But, I am keenly aware that we have seven months and twenty five days remaining in this president's current term of office and that represents a time of dangerous vulnerability for our country because of the demonstrated incompetence and recklessness of the current administration."

"It is therefore essential that even as we focus on the fateful choice, the voters must make this November that we simultaneously search for ways to sharply reduce the extraordinary danger that we face with the current leadership team in place. It is for that reason that I am calling today for Republicans as well as Democrats to join me in asking for the immediate resignations of those immediately below George Bush and Dick Cheney who are most responsible for creating the catastrophe that we are facing in Iraq."

"We desperately need a national security team with at least minimal competence because the current team is making things worse with each passing day. They are endangering the lives of our soldiers, and sharply increasing the danger faced by American citizens everywhere in the world, including here at home. They are enraging hundreds of millions of people and embittering an entire generation of anti-Americans whose rage is already near the boiling point."

"We simply cannot afford to further increase the risk to our country with more blunders by this team. Donald Rumsfeld, as the chief architect of the war plan, should resign today. His deputies Paul Wolfowitz, Douglas Feith and his intelligence chief Stephen Cambone should also resign. The nation is especially at risk every single day that Rumsfeld remains as Secretary of Defense. Condoleezza Rice, who has badly mishandled the coordination of national security policy, should also resign immediately."

And, at the end, he called for us to hold Bush accountable in November:

"I want to speak on behalf of those Americans who feel that President Bush has betrayed our nation's trust, those who are horrified at what has been done in our name, and all those who want the rest of the world to know that we Americans see the abuses that occurred in the prisons of Iraq, Afghanistan, Guantanamo and secret locations as yet undisclosed as completely out of keeping with the character and basic nature of the
American people and at odds with the principles on which America stands."

"I believe we have a duty to hold President Bush accountable -- and I believe we will. As Lincoln said at our time of greatest trial, 'We -- even we here -- hold the power, and bear the responsibility.'"

HERE NOW ... THE LATEST NEWS THAT'S FIT TO PRINT & IF NOT ... WELL THEN ... I'M PRINTING IT ANYWAY.

Blair Dismisses Iraq 'Divisions'
BBC NEWS
Tony Blair has tried to stamp out reports of UK-US splits over the handover of power in Iraq. To read more: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/politics/3748647.stm

Building The Countermovement
ALTERNET
by Laurie Spivak
http://alternet.org/story.html?StoryID=18786

Bush Speech Alarms Even War Enthusiasts
SAN FRANCISCO CHRONICLE
by Carolyn Lochhead
http://www.commondreams.org/headlines04/0526-01.htm

Bush Speech Widens The Reality Gap
ALTERNET
by D.Sirota, C.Harvey & J.Legum
http://alternet.org/story.html?StoryID=18783

It's Time Americans Meet Dick And Learn The Truth About Republican Policies
ACT FOR VICTORY
http://actforvictory.org/act.php/incoming/lp03/68256

An Eye On Power
PROGRESSIVE TRAIL
by Bill Moyers
http://progressivetrail.org/articles/040524Moyers.shtml

The Big Lie
ALTERNET
by Nicholas von Hoffman
http://alternet.org/story.html?StoryID=18765

You Can't Mock The President Or Say "Balls" ... The Most Important Thing I Learned In School This Year
COUNTER PUNCH
by Billy Wilson
http://counterpunch.org/wilson05202004.html

Personal News – Part XXII

Greetings to all! Sincere apologies for the long delay in getting out updated “personal news”. [Been busy with work, commitments, research, home repairs, etc.] I actually had one typed up over the past weekend and silly me accidentally deleted it. Duh! Now there is abit more news, so I’ll lump it all together. Ah yes, I can hear all my avid, devoted Duchess Blog readers saying “happy happy joy joy”. [smiling] So, without much further ado, lets get on with it.

Back on Tuesday, May 18th, I participated in my second “Tea Meetup” down in Greenwich Village. [Near West 4th subway stop.] I’d gone to the previous one in April and met Jill at the Saints Alp Teahouse on Bleeker Street. I highly recommend this place to all. [Delicious food, decent prices, good service & a wide range of cold/hot tea concoctions.] This time around it was again held at the teahouse on Bleeker Street. Unfortunately Jill couldn’t make it this time … I met Toija and Rodney. Two really cool, fun, groovy people. Arrived shortly after 7pm and sat down with the other two at a table near the big, open windows facing the sidewalk. The weather was warm, abit humid and a slight breeze. Typical of the funky Greenwich Village scene, there is always something going on and people milling about. Back at the teahouse I had a refreshing Passion Fruit Black Tea drink on ice. Then for the meal I noshed on Tea Eggs and Vegetarian Dumplings. Both items are yummers. The three of us hung out for about two hours talking about a number of topics. Everything from politics, meetups, 9/11, 2003 blackout, relationships, etc and we all had a delightful time. While walking to the subways in East Village we discussed relationships and politics. Their both Democrats and looking to become more involved [ie: volunteering]. I made a strong pitch on the Jereski For Congress campaign. Both expressed interest, we exchanged email addresses and I sent them info on Jereski that very evening. I’ve since exchanged emails with Toija and she’d sent Jereski info to a Progressive Democrat friend of hers. Awesome news!

Back during the weekend of May 15th it got abit warm, sunny and humid here in NYC. You know … summertime air conditioner weather and wouldn’t you know it my 14-year-old A/C unit died on me. The air conditioner unit was abit old when given to me by some NJ pals in 1990. It wracked up the electric bill every year, but when funds are tight, it’s not easy to purchase a new one. Well, this time, I had no choice. On Wednesday, May 19th, I ran into my neighbor John as we were heading into the apartment building. As he’s done every year for the last 4 years John starts lecturing me on air conditioners. Well, this year I surprised him and asked where can I purchase a small, inexpensive one. Told me one of the appliance stores in our neighborhood was having a sale [$79 for a 5000 bt unit]. Whoa! Sweet deal! Later that evening, before my power walk at local track, I stopped by the store he mentioned and checked out the unit. Then I had to figure out my finances, see if I had enough to swing the deal [I DID] and then stopped by on May 20th [after session with Personal Trainer] to purchase it. For a small fee or tip the store delivered it to my apartment that evening. John helped me take out that big, dirty old unit and helped me install the new one. It works perfectly! As a thank you to John for his help, I baked him a yummy batch of Oatmeal Raisin cookies on Sunday.

On Friday, May 21st, around 6pm I had a conference call with Cielito and Bill about the “forum” our committee is working on. Which will hopefully involve Kucinich, Nader, Dean and Sharpton as the main speakers before the Democratic Convention in July. If all comes together it’ll be an exciting project/achievement. Over the weekend I did much research on the office computer Internet relating to projects for “NYC Friends of Kucinich” and the “Jereski for Congress”. [And for those who read my Blog regularly, I also did much updating on that. Hope to have more interesting links listed in sidebar. Stay tuned…] Also during the weekend my landlady had work done on my bathroom ceiling, plus tub area.

On Monday, May 24th, I briefly attended a Campaign Petitioning Workshop down on 14th Street. Rob Jereski was there as well, so before the workshop started we discussed items relating to his campaign. Last evening I joined fellow Kucitizen BC for a drink and fun, interesting chatter down at a Union Square area bar. And finally … the Duchess Blog will be abit “quiet” over next few days … as I’m heading out of town for the LONG holiday weekend. For those of you who live in the US, I hope you all have a fun/happy/safe Memorial Day holiday weekend. May the sun’s warmth shine down on you. Peace & Solidarity!

Kerry Really Could Produce 10 Million New Jobs [So Could Bush]
ANNENBERG POLITICAL FACT CHECK
http://www.factcheck.org/SpecialReports.aspx?docID=178

Dean, Kucinich Delegates Hope Kerry Gets Message
BANGOR DAILY NEWS
by Jeff Tuttle
http://www.bangornews.com/editorialnews/article.cfm?ID=423202

Presidential Candidate Kucinich Spreads His Message To enthusiastic Supporters In Missoula
MISSOULIAN NEWS
by Ericka Schenck Smith
http://www.missoulian.com/articles/2004/05/25/news/local/news02.txt

Message From MoveOn.Org Asking "What Do You Think About Iraq"

Yesterday, President Bush tried to respond to mounting criticism of his management of the crisis in Iraq. The American people were looking for a sign that Bush understands the situation and is adapting American policy to the realities on the ground. But in this speech, the administration just repackaged failed U.S. policy as a five-step plan. They obviously don't get it. We've got to do better. First, of course, we're demanding accountability from the Bush administration. We're demanding a change in leadership at the Pentagon. Without this change, nothing in U.S. policy will change. But the problem remains: even with new leadership, how do we get out of this disastrous situation?

Most of the people we've talked with share two conflicting instincts: (1) that the U.S. occupation must end before Iraq can move forward but (2) that we have a responsibility to the Iraqi people to protect them from a descent into civil war. The Bush administration has failed to project any plan ending the U.S. occupation, and instead is focusing on an almost meaningless June 30th turn over of "soveriegnty." Recently, two mainstream policy analysts, James Steinberg and Michael O'Hanlon, made an interesting proposal in a Washington Post Op Ed, a call to "set the date" for the end to the U.S. occupation. What do you think? We'd like to know where people stand, so that we can craft our campaigns going forward. Let us know what you think at: http://www.moveon.org/iraqsurvey.html

Do you support immediate withdrawal? Do you support setting a date certain to end the military occupation? Or do you support President Bush's call to "stay the course"? Or do you see a better way to proceed? Steinberg and O'Hanlon make the case that setting a date to pull out would (1) dampen the popular support for insurgency by demonstrating good American intentions, and (2) allow the establishment of indigenous Iraqi security forces, with international support, to avoid civil war between Shiites and Sunnis, which could grow into a broader Middle East crisis. The importance of a timetable is even more important now that it has become clear to everyone, and especially the Iraqis, that Bush's June 30th turnover of "sovereignty" is a sham.

The Bush administration's lack of a credible plan is almost shocking. Deputy Secretary of Defense Paul Wolfowitz recently told the Senate Foreign Relations Committee: "We don't know what it will be," he said. "We've had changes, as you know, month by month. We've had several different plans." Setting a real date for pulling out, and sticking to it, will almost certainly be opposed by the neoconservatives who have gotten us into this mess. Although they say that the occupation is about establishing freedom and democracy, their geopolitical calculus is far more cynical. Their agendas include long-term military bases, significant influence over Iraqi oil policy, and unrestricted foreign investment in Iraq. They still haven't faced the reality of the situation they've created.

An Important Message From Ohio Congressman & Presidential Candidate Dennis Kucinich

I just got off the phone with an ABC reporter from Anchorage, Alaska, who informed me that we took 50% of the vote in the Alaska state caucus. That is tremendous news for a campaign that has been growing with strength across this country, and now we've achieved a first place tie in a state, and I'm so excited about it! As you know in the last week we've had a lot of success. We started off the last week with 17% in Oregon. We went to 25% in the Maine state caucus. We went to 30% in the state convention in Colorado. And now we've received word of 50% in the state of Alaska. I'm in Montana now. I've been campaigning across this state for the primary, which is on June the 8th.

In the last 10 days, we've had stories in the LA Times, in the New York Times, in USA Today. I've been on Meet the Press, on Crossfire, on the Wolf Blitzer show, and on MSNBC. And there's more attention being given to our message. And our stand for peace and for civil liberties and health care for all and fair trade is finally beginning to resonate! Now, it's true, the direction of the nomination appears to be more or less decided. However, we're having an impact on the direction of our Party, and YOU'RE having an impact on the direction America's going to take for the next four years. So, it's not too late. And it's not too late to give us even more energy in the remaining primaries and caucuses. Our peace plan is finally getting the kind of national attention not only that it deserves, but that will serve to help spur a resolution of what's going on. And our call for universal, single-payer, not-for-profit healthcare is resounding from sea to shining sea because Americans are increasingly being driven into poverty because of this bad health care system. And so this is something that has been not just my accomplishment, but yours as well.

So let's get ready to take the next step for the next strong showing, and perhaps the next victory. Let's get ready to march into Boston, not only 2000 strong with our supporters coming from all over the country, but also with even more delegates. How to Join Dennis at the Convention: http://www.kucinich.us/convention/housing.php

So what an exciting windup as we move towards the stretch of this campaign and head towards the finish line! How exciting it is that we are finding an opportunity to at last make the country aware of the power of our campaign and the power of our message. So thank you! So help us keep it going! This is up to you! Let's continue our efforts and I couldn't be more proud of the campaign team that we put together in places like Oregon and Maine and Colorado and Alaska and all the other states where we gained delegates and all the other states where we have strong support! We're putting something together that's gonna change this country. You know it and I know it. So let's keep moving ahead. I look forward to seeing you soon! This is Dennis. Thank you!

Bush's Iraq Plans An 'Illusion' Guaranteed To Make Situation Worse
May 24th PRESS RELEASE FROM KUCINICH

Plans being announced today by the Bush Administration regarding Iraq “are an attempt to create the illusion that somehow things are different and getting better, when just the opposite it true,” said Democratic Presidential candidate Dennis Kucinich today. The resolution “guarantees that our troops will remain there and continue to be targets for violence that promises to increase,” Kucinich said. “Trying to fool everyone by calling it a ‘multi-national security force’ instead of an ‘occupying army’ isn’t going to fool anyone.” “Playing word games with the lives of Americans and the lives of innocent Iraqis only adds insult to the arrogance, the dishonesty, and the total futility of this war,” said Kucinich, who is campaigning in Montana today. Bush’s planned address tonight to spell out a “new” Iraq policy, “will be a further attempt to trick America and the world into believing that progress is being made,” Kucinich predicted. “Putting in place an interim ‘puppet government’ will only fuel the resentment and the hostility and make it more difficult to establish a truly sovereign government in Iraq," Kucinich said. The only way to achieve true progress is to ask the United Nations to bring in peacekeepers, bring our troops home, and allow the interim Iraqi government, with the assistance of the U.N., to assume full responsibility for the management of assets and reconstruction contracts, Kucinich said. “Anything short of that will further contribute to the instability and the violence.”

America's Brutal Culture Of Unseen Oppression
INDEPENDENT/UK
by Robert Chesshyre
http://www.commondreams.org/views04/0525-04.htm

Iraqi Shia Holy Shrine 'Damaged'BBC NEWS
One of Iraq's holiest Shia Islamic shrines has reportedly been damaged in clashes between US troops and the forces of militant cleric Moqtada Sadr. For more on this story, check out: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/3744841.stm

LIVE FROM NYC ... ITS THE LATEST NEWS TO SHOCK & AWE

Permit Or Not, Protesters Prepare For Republicans In New York
NEW YORK TIMES
by Randal Archibold
http://www.commondreams.org/headlines04/0524-01.html

EXPOSED - THE CARLYLE GROUP
Shocking documentary uncovers the subversion of America's democracy. Click on the following link ... http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article3995.htm ... to view the 40-minute (approx.) streaming video and then please forward widely. Thank you all ... peace & solidarity!

It's Not Just The Emperor Who Is Naked, But The Whole Empire
COMMON DREAMS
by Robert Jensen
A few years ago, anyone who described the United States as an empire was branded part of the loony left. But since 9/11, even conservative pundits talk of empire, albeit in perversely positive terms, exhorting U.S. leaders to seize the opportunity to remake the world. But that project didn't begin with 9/11. Whatever point in U.S. history one claims as the beginning of the imperial project (the genocide of indigenous people in North America? the Monroe Doctrine? the conquest of the Philippines after the Spanish-American War?), there is no doubt that U.S. empire building went into high gear after World War II. The fact that the United States doesn't acquire colonies in the same fashion as past empires, preferring instead to install compliant governments that will do its bidding, doesn't make us less an empire. The modalities of control change, but the game remains the same; set the terms for the world economy and derail the possibility of independent development by any means necessary, with a gargantuan military on call when violence is required. To read more of this article, click on the following link: http://www.commondreams.org/views04/0524-05.htm

"When Advocates Become Regulators" ... President Bush has installed more than 100 top officials who were once lobbyists, attorneys or spokespeople for the industries they oversee.
DENVER POST
by Anne C. Mulkern
http://www.commondreams.org/headlines04/0523-02.htm

Our Darkest Days Are Here
60 MINUTES
by Andy Rooney
http://www.commondreams.org/views04/0524-12.htm

'Wedding Video' Clouds US Denials
BBC NEWS
A videotape has been broadcast which purports to show before-and-after footage of a wedding which Iraqis say the US bombed, killing about 40. Read the whole story at: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/3741223.stm

Bill Clinton Attacks Bush Over Iraq
INDEPENDENT/UK
by Tom Murphy & Angus MacSwan
http://truthout.org/docs_04/052404F.shtml

Pearl Jam Goes To The Movies
TWO FEET THICK
by Jessica Letkemann & John Reynolds
http://www.twofeetthick.com/articleread.do?id=23

For Those Of You Who Remember And Enjoy Anything To Do With MONTY PYTHON ... Please Read On ... Eric Idle Presents "The FCC Song"
[Comments from Monty Python Direct & Eric Idle ... "Here's a little song I wrote the other day while I was out duck hunting with a judge. It's a new song, it's dedicated to the FCC and if they broadcast it, it will cost a quarter of a million dollars."] Click on the following link and listen to this delightful little song:

http://homepage.mac.com/njenson/mp3/fcc.mp3

If you wish to check out Monty Python Direct, with items related to Eric Idle, click on the following link:

http://www.pythonline.com/plugs/idel/index.shtml

BIG WEEK & BIG DAY FOR KUCINICH
It was the biggest single week of the primary campaign season for Democratic Presidential candidate Dennis Kucinich. Before Tuesday’s primary election in Oregon, Kucinich had won 40 delegates to the Democratic National Convention in Boston in late July. With a final tally of almost 17 percent of the vote in Oregon, Kucinich had picked up at least eight more. State conventions in Maine, Colorado and Alaska added another 17 national delegates.

Kucinich Makes Major Gains In Maine
Democratic Presidential candidate Dennis Kucinich went into the Maine state Democratic convention on Saturday with 14 percent of the February caucus votes and zero national convention delegates. After delivering a speech described as "electrifying" by former Maine House of Representatives Speaker Michael Saxl, Kucinich ended the day with 25 percent of Maine’s Democratic vote and six national delegates. The speech drew huge and frequent bursts of approval and standing ovations from the entire statewide delegation, many of whom had previously pledged to support other candidates that have dropped out since the winter caucuses. According to an Associated Press account of the event "Rep. Dennis Kucinich temporarily made the Democratic State Convention his own with a highly charged attack on the first-term record of Republican President George W. Bush."

Colorado Delegates For Kucinich Nearly Triple
The national delegate count for Democratic Presidential candidate Dennis Kucinich nearly tripled Saturday at the Colorado state Democratic convention – from five in last month’s caucuses to a total of 14 after final balloting today. Kucinich’s percentage of the statewide vote also went from about 13 percent in April to almost 30 percent when delegates were done voting today. Even his strongest support in the state got stronger. Boulder County Democrats, who had earlier given him a 51 percent majority, today boosted that percentage to more than 55 percent, according to county Kucinich co-chairman Walt Kramarz. The state convention also adopted as part of its platform Kucinich’s proposal to establish a federal Department of Peace.

Kucinich Collects Close To Half Of Alaska's Committed Delegates
In Alaska, Kucinich previously received about 26.5 percent of the vote and five national delegates from the precinct-level caucuses. At Alaska’s state Democratic Convention today, Kucinich picked up two additional delegates. Out of a total 18 possible delegates in Alaska, Kucinich garnered seven delegates to Senator Kerry’s eight. Alaska has three uncommitted super delegates.

THE NEXT NYC FRIENDS OF KUCINICH GENERAL MEETING IS BEING HELD ON Wednesday, June 2nd, At 7:00pm and the location is (tentative, confirmation will follow) ... United Nations Church Center, 777 UN Plaza, Boss Room on 8th Floor, East 44th Street and 1st Avenue. Please join us ... all are welcome!


Dennis Kucinich & Robert Jereski at March 20, 2004 Rally/Protest in NYC


To check out the website, click on the following link: http://www.jereskiforcongress.com

Important Message From MoveOn.Org Regarding The Biggest Progressive Conference of the Year

On June 2nd, 3rd and 4th, we're co-sponsoring the biggest progressive conference of the year -- the Take Back America Conference in Washington D.C. So that every MoveOn member has a chance to be part of this amazing gathering, we're supporting a deep discount on conference registration for MoveOn members only -- $89.00 for three days, including meals during the day -- nearly a 50% discount. This will be the last time for all of us to get together before the November election, and plan the future of our growing movement to Take Back America. Come and join us by registering at: https://secure.ctsg.com/ourfuture/moveonregister2004/

There are only a limited number of tickets available, and it's filling up fast. We want to make sure as many MoveOn members as possible can be part of this event. Special prices are also available for one-day passes and for students. In addition to Joan, Peter, Eli and Wes ... featured speakers will include: Gov. Howard Dean, Senator John Edwards (D-NC); House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-CA); George Soros, Elaine Jones, President of the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund; Eliot Spitzer, New York State Attorney General; Rev. James Forbes of the Riverside Church, Former Labor Secretary Robert Reich, Author Arianna Huffington; National Organization for Women President Kim Gandy; and many more. The conference will also include practical skills training for citizen leaders, organizers, and candidates.

Kucinich Outlines Plan For 'Peace With Honor' In Iraq
NEWPORT NEWS TIMES
by Terry Dillman
http://www.newportnewstimes.com/articles/2004/05/21/news/news27.txt

OREGON AND NATIONAL MEDIA RECOGNIZE STRONG SHOWING IN OREGON FOR KUCINICH
Likewise, a strong showing of 16.6% in Oregon-despite having a presumptive nominee-has demonstrated the strength of Kucinich's message. Both the Oregon and National media have taken notice. Here are a few examples:

NBC affiliate KGW reported while Senator John Kerry won Oregon's primary "Ohio Rep. Dennis Kucinich came away with a handful of Oregon delegates that will help him carry his anti-war message at the Democratic National Convention this summer." Full story at: http://www.kgw.com/sharedcontent/APStories/stories/D82LHN9O0.html

The Los Angeles Times reported today in an article on potential worries in the Kerry camp about the impact of antiwar voters should they go to Nader: "Tuesday's showing by Rep. Dennis J. Kucinich (D-Ohio) in Oregon's presidential primary may have added to those worries. Kerry easily won, with 81% of the vote. But Kucinich, who has continued to campaign in part to stress an antiwar message, got 17% - by far his best showing in any of this year's primaries."

KUCINICH OP-ED PUBLISHED IN USA TODAY
In an op-ed published in yesterday's edition of USA TODAY, Kucinich reiterated the need for the U.S. to get out of Iraq. Kucinich expressed concern that if the United States insists on staying the course in Iraq, "it will damage America's security and lead to a longer war, more troop losses and civilian casualties, hundreds of billions of tax dollars wasted and, inevitably, a draft." Kucinich stressed "this is the time for a peace plan for Iraq and an exit strategy for the U.S. The world community will not make a commitment absent a change of direction in U.S. policy." Hear Dennis Read it at: http://resources.kucinich.us//video/video/usa_today_thing/5_20_04.mp3

America Hardly Seems Like America Any More
GUARDIAN/UK
by Terry Jones [ie: writer, film director, actor & Python]
http://www.commondreams.org/views04/0522-03.htm

DENNIS TO APPEAR ON MEET THE PRESS
NBC's Meet the Press has invited Kucinich to discuss the US role in Iraq this Sunday, May 23rd, with Chairman of the Armed Services Committee, Duncan Hunter. While Meet the Press is aired live in most cities, there is a varied schedule across the country. Click here for local listings: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3080248/

Pleading The First
[New Book ... "Freethinkers: A History Of American Secularism" by Susan Jacoby]
NEWSDAY
by Scott Mclemee
http://www.newsday.com/features/booksmags/ny-bkjacoby0516,0,2943544.story

Kucinich Defies Expectations
PORTLAND STATE UNIVERSITY VANGUARD
by Matt Petrie
http://www.dailyvanguard.com/vnews/display.v/ART/2004/05/20/40ac5033f3884

On The Spot: Rallying Girl Power
ALTERNET
by Darci Andresen
http://alternet.org/story.html?StoryID=18751



'US Soldiers Started To Shoot Us, One By One'
GUARDIAN/UK
by Rory McCarthy in Ramadi
"The bombing started at 3am," she said yesterday from her bed in the emergency ward at Ramadi general hospital, 60 miles west of Baghdad. "We went out of the house and the American soldiers started to shoot us. They were shooting low on the ground and targeting us one by one," she said. She ran with her youngest child in her arms and her two young boys, Ali and Hamza, close behind. As she crossed the fields a shell exploded close to her, fracturing her legs and knocking her to the ground. She lay there and a second round hit her on the right arm. By then her two boys lay dead. "I left them because they were dead," she said. One, she saw, had been decapitated by a shell. "I fell into the mud and an American soldier came and kicked me. I pretended to be dead so he wouldn't kill me. My youngest child was alive next to me." Mrs Shibab's description, backed by other witnesses, of an attack on a sleeping village is at odds with the American claim that they came under fire while targeting a suspected foreign fighter safe house. She described how in the hours before dawn she watched as American troops destroyed the Rakat villa and the house next door, reducing the buildings to rubble. Another relative carried Mrs Shihab and her surviving child to hospital. There she was told her husband Mohammed, the eldest of the Rakat sons, had also died. For rest of story, click on the following link: http://www.commondreams.org/headlines04/0521-01.htm

The Diseases Of A Troubled Nation
THE AGE/AUSTRALIA
by Julian Ninio
http://www.commondreams.org/views04/0520-12.htm

Important Message From NARAL Pro-Choice - Three Of Bush's Nominees Stopped, But The Worst Is Yet To Come

Senate leaders stood up to President Bush's court packing scheme, winning a victory for the pro-choice movement by securing a promise that Bush will not appoint more judicial nominees while the Senate is in recess. The Senate's agreement effectively closes a chapter on several of Bush's most radical nominees: Carolyn Kuhl, Priscilla Owen, and Janice Rogers Brown. The deal means that Bush will not sneak these nominees onto the federal bench during a Senate recess - a trick that Bush has used twice in recent months. Thank you to the CAN activists who wrote 236,123 letters to Senators about Kuhl, Owen, and Brown! You helped convince pro-choice Senators to stand strong against Bush's attempt to take over the federal courts. We could not have won this fight without you!

There is still one nominee to watch - and he's one of the worst of Bush's bunch. James Leon Holmes has written that the role of "the wife is to subordinate herself to her husband." He has compared pro-choice activists to "Nazis," said that rape victims don't get pregnant, and compared abortion to slavery. We must stop this out-of-step nominee from winning a lifetime appointment that will give him the power to make decisions about women's rights for the rest of his life. Help us reach our goal of sending 50,000 letters to the Senate this week by taking action today - click here: http://prochoiceaction.org/campaign/holmes_sen_052004/b7e33u4fjdn5kb

The fight against Holmes may be a dress rehearsal for a bigger fight looming on the horizon: the Supreme Court. Chief Justice Rehnquist has been dropping hints about retiring. Send a signal to President Bush now that pro-choice activists will not let him appoint another anti-choice ideologue to our nation's top court.

Important Message From Peter Schurman & MoveOn.Org About Getting Rid Of Rumsfeld

It's time to raise the stakes in our demand that Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld be fired. We need your help today to put a powerful new TV ad on the air. We now know Rumsfeld personally approved a policy that "encouraged physical coercion and sexual humiliation of Iraqi prisoners," violating their fundamental human rights under the Geneva convention. Our new ad will help make sure everyone in the country knows about Rumsfeld’s direct responsibility for the prisoner debacle, but to air it we need your help. Here's the script:

The screen pans slowly up the Statue of Liberty, ultimately revealing that her head is hooded. The narrator says:

"They said we were going to Iraq to bring American values: democracy, liberty, justice. But something has gone terribly wrong." "It's been reported that Donald Rumsfeld initiated a plan that encouraged the physical coercion and sexual humiliation of prisoners, violations of international law. Rumsfeld has placed the men under his command in even more danger." "Why hasn't George Bush fired this man?"

Click here to help us put this ad on the air:

https://www.moveon.org/hooded/

New evidence of Rumsfeld's responsibility for the torture at Abu Ghraib prison is surfacing daily, and on Tuesday his top deputy admitted seriously miscalculating the Iraqis' willingness to put up with the American occupation. Yet President Bush still refuses to remove Rumsfeld from his post. Although Bush has apologized to the world for the torture, every day Rumsfeld keeps his job sends the opposite message -- that Americans don't mind all that much. Every day Rumsfeld stays, Iraq grows more volatile, increasing the danger to our troops. Every day he stays, Iraqis who work with us are killed, recently including the president of the Iraqi Governing Council. And every day Rumsfeld stays, potential terrorists harden in their anger toward America. Yet, in the face of this snowballing disaster, Bush's posture boils down to an arrogant "so what?".

It's time to make our demand for accountability impossible for Bush to ignore. We're taking our campaign to the next level, beginning with this TV ad. We'll also run radio and print ads soon, and next week we'll hold constituent meetings with dozens of key Senate and House offices, calling for Rumsfeld's ouster. Michael Berg, whose son Nicholas was recently beheaded in Iraq, said: "I can't stand even more than those murderers who took my son's life, those who sit and make policies to end lives and break the lives of the still living." We need your help today to jump-start our campaign to fire Rumsfeld. Every time we ask for your help, you step up. Thank you, more than we can say.

Greenpeace Cleared In U.S. Ship-Boarding Case
REUTERS
by Jim Loney
http://www.commondreams.org/headlines04/0519-11.htm

From Ancient Greece To Iraq, The Power Of Words In Wartime
NEW YORK TIMES
by Robin Tolmach Lakoff
http://www.nytimes.com/2004/05/18/science/18LANG.html



Kerry Wins, But Kucinich Snags Nine Delegates
THE REGISTER GUARD
by D.Steves & R.Bjornstad

Should Kucinich's distant second-place finish of 16 percent hold, it will only marginally add to the about three dozen delegates he'd previously won - a fraction of the more than 4,300 delegates headed for the Democratic National Conven- tion in July. Despite the monthlong campaigning binge, Kucinich's Oregon finish wasn't as strong as in March, when he won about 26 percent of the votes in the Hawaii and Alaska caucuses. Leandra Bell-Matson, Kucinich's coordinator in Eugene, said Democratic voters' preoccupation with "electability" led them to support Kerry, even if they found more appeal in Kucinich's more liberal proposals for the environment, education, global trade and other issues. "When people come from that place of fear, then your thinking is clouded," she said. "If you step out of that and really get a picture of how America can be, then that's where America's strength really is." Check out the whole story at the following link: http://www.registerguard.com/news/2004/05/19/a1.prezprimwrap.0519.html

IF A DEMOCRAT WERE DOING THIS......
Common Dreams
by Guy Reel

The release of disgusting photos showing abuse of Iraqi prisoners was followed by the horrifying beheading of a prisoner in retaliation for the prisoner abuses. Over and over again we heard from the right, "How are those parallel? A beheading versus some humiliation - which is worse?" They argued, again and again, that the beheading shows we were right to fight this horror which is terrorism, and that it showed we must stay the course in Iraq.

They don't even have it halfway right. We should be fighting terrorism, but we have lost our way. The beheading, perhaps above all images we've seen, shows the mistake of the war. Many have missed the obvious - the beheading was done by a group affiliated with Al-Qaeda. It was not the Iraqi people who did this. Rather, the Iraqis have been remarkably restrained in their reaction to the prisoner abuse scandal, when you consider what has happened to them. They lost a dictator but gained a military presence that is responsible for holding innocent people, then humiliating them.

But the beheading - that is another matter. It illustrates why, in response to an attack by Al-Qaeda terrorists, we should have gone after the Al-Qaeda terrorists. This might seem elementary, but it is a point lost on about half of Americans. This half of the populace is strangely oblivious to facts - it's as if they live in a world divorced from the one the rest of us are in. They will support their leader no matter the depths of the disaster we are facing.

This is a sad state of affairs because one can easily imagine that if a Democrat were in charge of the White House now, and we were in exactly the same position we are now in - disastrous deficits, an untenable war, ecological carelessness, soaring gas prices, payoffs to cronies, arrogant foreign policies, trillions in unfunded obligations that threaten Social Security, education and Medicare while we go deeper and deeper into debt every day - he would be lucky to have 20 percent support now. A Democrat in exactly the same position that President Bush is in now would be looking at losing the fall election in a record landslide. Why? Because Democrats are willing to abandon their leaders and vote for the other guy if the policies their leaders are pursuing aren't working. Many Republicans, however, have apparently decided they will stick with a disaster all the way to the bitter end.

Any time you are faced with a Republican making arguments about politics today, ask him or her to imagine that a Democrat was in charge right at this moment - that this Democrat has pursued exactly the policies that have put us where we are now. Then ask the Republican if he would support that Democratic president. The honest answer for most is no. And neither would the vast majority of Democrats. Yet while some support for Bush has dropped, he is still hanging on to much of it. Given where this nation is, his support is, in fact, incredible.

One reason for this disparity in electoral reasoning, a disparity that has grown worse over the last 10 or 15 years, is that there is a vast apparatus fixed to spread right-wing falsehoods. If Rush Limbaugh, Fox News and the hundreds of local rightist radio zealots began telling the truth, Bush wouldn't be polling 20 percent. That is because of their relentless mischaracterizations of Bush policies and Democratic responses - their willingness to lie to achieve their aims, to portray Democrats as un-American, or to claim they are unwholesome, or lustful for your tax money. These are ridiculous but appealing arguments, and to refute them gives them currency.

After the beheading, those on the right kept asking, "Where is the outrage?" Here it is - we should hunt down and kill those who beheaded Nick Berg. By the way, these criminals are the same people who used airplanes to kill innocent people on our soil. We should be fighting them tooth and claw, with every method - economic, military, diplomatic - at our disposal. So why aren't we?

Because of this president, we're letting the bad guys get away. We're fighting the wrong war while screaming about the terrorist threat. This president has hamstrung the United States. We're locked in a bloody, Israeli-like aggression against a people who had no cause against us. That's where the true outrage should be directed - at the president who has led us into one of the worst messes in our history. It's costing not only thousands of lives but billions of dollars that threaten the economic security of the United States - and this president not only refuses to pay for it, he is actually is giving MORE money to his millionaire friends who, in turn, contribute millions of that former tax money to his re-election campaign. Just think if a Democrat were doing this. He'd be finished.