PERSONAL NEWS – Part XXVII
On Wednesday, June 30th, I phoned up Bud [Kucinich & Jereski campaign volunteer] and we decided to meet up at 86th Street cinema around 6:30pm. Bud had the petitions and I brought many copies of the Jereski flyers/Queens article/Bio/etc. Bud focused on the cinema's box office ticket line and he worked it terrifically. By the time I left shortly after 8pm, he had about 4 petition pages filled up. Dude owned that line! I worked the other side of the cinema and got signatures, plus handed out lots of flyers et al. Ran into a variety of folk from the neighborhood, foreigners [ie: New Zealand, Australia, Germany, etc] and folk from other areas of NYC. I engaged in several long and in depth conversations; not only on the new Michael Moore film, but world events, Jereski campaign and naturally politics. The nice weather we had helped out a lot, compared to the down pour effect from last Friday. People were far more receptive this time around.
Thursday, July 1st, was the Kucinich Meetup and held at Skylight Diner on Westside of Manhattan. I arrived a few minutes after 7pm to find only one other person [Tom W] waiting and after a brief discussion, we decided to get a table for 6 people. [Tom had attended the previous meetup.] There was suppose to be 8 people attending the meetup, but in the end there was only 3 of us. After sitting down and getting glasses of ice water from a reluctant waiter, Tom and I talked about current events. Then a nice chap [George] showed up and asked if we were the meetup group. Naturally we both said “yes” and chatted for abit, before realizing he was there for a different meetup. Something to do with PDP, a computer program sort of like HTML. George went off in search of his “meetup”. [Later on I gave him my business card, as there was something about him I really liked.] Shortly afterwards a middle-age woman [Bernadette] arrived and the three of us ordered vegetarian chili to nosh on. I got the feeling that she wasn’t into the meetup and wanted to be elsewhere. We discussed what Kucinich was working on in conjunction with upcoming DNC, plus other political topics. Shortly after 8pm Bernadette left and it was just Tom and I. We talked on a number of topics before paying the bill. While up at the cashier I noticed that George was still there, but sadly the rest of his meetup group didn’t show up. Tom and I learned that he is new to NYC area and from VT. Told him about lots of cool, fun, free things to do in NYC in the summer; like going to see “Shakespeare in the Park” & a variety of events in Prospect Park. It wasn’t the greatest meetup, but then again it wasn’t a flop.
On the morning of July 2nd I headed up to my parents place in upstate NY for the long July 4th holiday. [E&Y gave us employees July 2nd & 5th off. Sweet!] The experience at Port Authority and bus ride up to Albany was part enjoyable, plus annoying. First bus left at 8:15am and then usually they bring another around right away for rest of passengers. This time they seemed to forget about us and didn’t have a damn bus until almost 8:50am. When we took off close to 9am, I realized our driver was abit incompetent. It became more obvious to the other passengers as the ride progressed up to Albany. Damn driver took us on a mini tour of northern NJ before getting to Route 87. Halfway up on the ride I got to chat with Dennis and Jennifer, who sat behind me. Jennifer is a young gal traveling from England to be a summer camp counselor in upstate NY and Dennis is a retired bus/truck driver. We had some good laughs on many a topic and it took my mind off the incompetent driver. As to him, the moron passed our exit into Albany. Unbelievable! Got off at next exit, hit lots of traffic and he asked for directions at the Toll Booth. By this time several of us passengers are yelling at him, plus giving him the correct directions. One chap yelled out “your fired”! A ride that should take no more than 2 ½ hours ended up being over 3 hours. I felt badly for those passengers who had to make connections in Albany, plus my parents had been waiting an hour. Mon dieu! Mom was waiting for me at the gate and watched my bags, so that I could lodge a formal complaint at the terminal office. I wasn’t the only one, another female passenger also bitched about the driver. Girl Power!
After dropping Dad off at the golf course, Mom and I had lunch out at a very charming country café. Then it was off to Saratoga Springs and a leisure tour of the delightful “Gardens at Yaddo”. [Located on Union Avenue (Route 9P) just west of Exit 14 off the Northway (I-87) in Saratoga Springs. The website URL is ... www.yaddo.org] The roses were in glorious bloom and there scent was divine. There are statues, a terrace, pergola, rock gardens, fountains, benches, sundial and it’s all free to the public. We had such a lovely time and I took lots of photos. Did some shopping afterwards and then home to relax.
Will have more “personal news” over next day or so. Stay tuned……………
Kucinich statement on the selection of John Edwards for VP
Upon hearing the news that Senator Kerry has chosen North Carolina Senator John Edwards as his running mate, Congressman Dennis Kucinich issued the following statement: "Today is a good day for the Democrats. John Edwards is a friend and a colleague. He is an excellent choice and will be a tremendous asset to Democrats from the top of the ticket on down."
California Governor Asking Opinion on Ferret Bill!
I recently heard that the Governor's office is asking the publics opinion on our ferret amnesty bill. I absolutely urge you all to call in your support for this bill as soon as possible. Follow the prompts and select the one that asks for you opinion on legislation. I just called but I want you all to listen carefully in case it changes. To respond to legislation, press #2, then listen for SB 89, press #3, then to support SB 89 press #1. Please have all of your friends and family call in. This is, I believe good news but we must answer this loud and clear! The Governor's number is: 916 445-2841. Don't let this unique opportunity to be heard by the Governor's Office go by!
Some folks from out of state have asked if they should call, and I don't see what's wrong with that. If you plan to move or visit CA this will affect you too someday. But, we absolutely MUST have Californians call so if you live in CA, or have friends and/or family in California, please have them call as soon as possible! If you have a web site please post this information. If you have an e-mail list, please forward this information. We need as much exposure as we can get!
IMPORTANT MESSAGE FROM TRUE MAJORITY - New York to Host 1 of 18 Rallies by National Coalition Representing 3 Million Americans
Come Out and Show Your Commitment to Verifiable Elections. The national attention to computer voting glitches and the need to ensure verifiable voting has really grown, and election officials are feeling the heat. TrueMajority is into the next phase of the "Computer Ate My Vote" campaign, bringing together a coalition including MoveOn, Howard Dean's Democracy for America, Common Cause, Working Assets, the Electronic Frontier Foundation, Computer Professionals for Social Responsibility, VerifiedVoting.org, and distinguished computer experts. We will hold a National Day of Action on TUESDAY, JULY 13. At coordinated news events across the country, citizens like you-representing over three million Americans-will present petitions to the chief election officials of eighteen states, including New York.
We'll ask the election officials to adopt the "Pledge of Ballot Integrity," which commits them to providing voters with verifiable paper ballots this coming Election Day. That paper backup will ensure that, even if computer glitches lose or change election data, the votes will be properly counted and recounts will be possible for contested outcomes. To add your name to the petition for presentation on July 13, click Reply and Send in your e-mail program (if you're a TrueMajority member) or, if this was forwarded to you, click here: http://action.truemajority.org/ctt.asp?u=380807&l=680action=10178&ms=doa1&ref=380807
Tuesday, July 06, 2004
Kerry Picks Edwards For US Race
BBC NEWS
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/3869925.stm
THE PATRIOT'S ACT - What's More American Than Asking Questions?
LOS ANGELES TIMES
by Michael Moore
http://www.commondreams.org/views04/0704-05.htm
Take Your Kids To FAHRENHEIT 9/11 Before The Government Takes Them To War
by Bill Conroy
http://www.commondreams.org/views04/0705-09.htm
President George Orwell
MADISON CAPITAL TIMES
Editorial
Today's George Orwell Award, given to the political figure whose actions most closely recollect those of the pioneering spin doctors portrayed in the British author's book "1984," goes to President Bush in recognition of the remarkable speech he delivered the other day in Istanbul. The president took as his topic the matter of democracy in the Middle East. To the assembled crowd of university students, he declared, "Democracy does not involve automatic agreement with other democracies. ... The future of freedom in the Islamic world will be determined by the citizens of Islamic nations, not by outsiders."
In fairness, the award does not go to Bush for his words. Rather, he merits recognition for his ability to utter them with a straight face at the same time that 135,000 U.S. troops occupy a predominantly Islamic country, and in the aftermath of his decision to reject international law and order the unilateral invasion of that country. If Bush was honest, he would have said: "The future of freedom in the Islamic world will not be determined by the citizens of Islamic nations, but rather by an outsider - namely, me." But, if Bush were honest, he wouldn't qualify for the George Orwell Award.
Conscience Of The Convention
BOSTON PHOENIX
by Adam Reilly
[Duchess Note: Despite the title, this article pretty much dismisses DJK's effect on the political process and paints him as a publicity-seeker out of touch with reality. Ho hum ... get real Mr Reilly! A quote from article: "When the battle for the Democratic nomination was still going strong and televised debates gave Kucinich regular access to a national audience, few voters saw his agenda – which includes immediate American withdrawal from Iraq and NAFTA, and the establishment of a cabinet-level Department of Peace – as viable." Regular access to a national audience?!?!? NO WAY ... corrupt corporate media did a 75% blackout of his campaign. It was horrible how the media treated DJK. It was only after wishy-washy Kerry locked up the nomination that the media finally give DJK a little bit more coverage.] Read article and form your own opinions: http://alternet.org/election04/19142/
Democrats Form Splinter Group
KENNEBEC JOURNAL
by Susan M. Cover
http://kennebecjournal.mainetoday.com/news/local/789802.shtml
Americans Increasingly Unwilling To Surrender Civil Liberties
PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER
by Cynthia Tucker
http://www.commondreams.org/views04/0705-06.htm
ACT FOR CHANGE ACTIVISM UPDATE
Support the Freedom to Read Amendment
Within the next few days, Congress will vote on a bipartisan proposal to protect the freedom to read threatened by the USA PATRIOT Act. Click here to take action! http://act.actforchange.com/cgi-bin7/DM/y/eZyR0FFlNw0LeL0oL10As
The proposed amendment would prohibit the Department of Justice from using any money in their budget to search a library or bookseller using the wide-sweeping powers granted under section 215 of the PATRIOT Act. The amendment would restore and protect the privacy and First Amendment rights of library and bookstore patrons which were in place before the USA PATRIOT Act. The vote on the Freedom to Read Amendment will happen as early as the afternoon of Wednesday, July 7. Please contact your representative immediately and ask them to support the Freedom to Read Amendment to protect American's civil rights and freedom to read.
Block Extremist Judicial Nominee J. Leon Holmes
Today, July 6, the Senate is scheduled to vote on the district judge nomination of J. Leon Holmes. Last year, the Senate Judiciary committee voted to send his nomination to the Senate floor without a recommendation -- the first time a nominee has been sent to the Senate without a recommendation in 52 years. Upon review of his record, it's easy to understand why he could not be passed out of committee with a recommendation. Mr. Holmes is an anti-abortion activist who has compared the abortion rights movement to Nazis, has written that abortion should not be available to rape victims because he believes "conceptions from rape occur with the same frequency as snow in Miami" (when in fact studies indicate that approximately 25,000-32,000 pregnancies occur each year in the U.S. as a result of rape), and has written that "the wife is to subordinate herself to her husband," among other disturbing and offensive comments. Urge your senators to vote "no" on the nomination of J. Leon Holmes for district judge. Click here to take action! http://act.actforchange.com/cgi-bin7/DM/y/eZyR0FFlNw0LeL0oL20At
BBC NEWS
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/3869925.stm
THE PATRIOT'S ACT - What's More American Than Asking Questions?
LOS ANGELES TIMES
by Michael Moore
http://www.commondreams.org/views04/0704-05.htm
Take Your Kids To FAHRENHEIT 9/11 Before The Government Takes Them To War
by Bill Conroy
http://www.commondreams.org/views04/0705-09.htm
President George Orwell
MADISON CAPITAL TIMES
Editorial
Today's George Orwell Award, given to the political figure whose actions most closely recollect those of the pioneering spin doctors portrayed in the British author's book "1984," goes to President Bush in recognition of the remarkable speech he delivered the other day in Istanbul. The president took as his topic the matter of democracy in the Middle East. To the assembled crowd of university students, he declared, "Democracy does not involve automatic agreement with other democracies. ... The future of freedom in the Islamic world will be determined by the citizens of Islamic nations, not by outsiders."
In fairness, the award does not go to Bush for his words. Rather, he merits recognition for his ability to utter them with a straight face at the same time that 135,000 U.S. troops occupy a predominantly Islamic country, and in the aftermath of his decision to reject international law and order the unilateral invasion of that country. If Bush was honest, he would have said: "The future of freedom in the Islamic world will not be determined by the citizens of Islamic nations, but rather by an outsider - namely, me." But, if Bush were honest, he wouldn't qualify for the George Orwell Award.
Conscience Of The Convention
BOSTON PHOENIX
by Adam Reilly
[Duchess Note: Despite the title, this article pretty much dismisses DJK's effect on the political process and paints him as a publicity-seeker out of touch with reality. Ho hum ... get real Mr Reilly! A quote from article: "When the battle for the Democratic nomination was still going strong and televised debates gave Kucinich regular access to a national audience, few voters saw his agenda – which includes immediate American withdrawal from Iraq and NAFTA, and the establishment of a cabinet-level Department of Peace – as viable." Regular access to a national audience?!?!? NO WAY ... corrupt corporate media did a 75% blackout of his campaign. It was horrible how the media treated DJK. It was only after wishy-washy Kerry locked up the nomination that the media finally give DJK a little bit more coverage.] Read article and form your own opinions: http://alternet.org/election04/19142/
Democrats Form Splinter Group
KENNEBEC JOURNAL
by Susan M. Cover
http://kennebecjournal.mainetoday.com/news/local/789802.shtml
Americans Increasingly Unwilling To Surrender Civil Liberties
PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER
by Cynthia Tucker
http://www.commondreams.org/views04/0705-06.htm
ACT FOR CHANGE ACTIVISM UPDATE
Support the Freedom to Read Amendment
Within the next few days, Congress will vote on a bipartisan proposal to protect the freedom to read threatened by the USA PATRIOT Act. Click here to take action! http://act.actforchange.com/cgi-bin7/DM/y/eZyR0FFlNw0LeL0oL10As
The proposed amendment would prohibit the Department of Justice from using any money in their budget to search a library or bookseller using the wide-sweeping powers granted under section 215 of the PATRIOT Act. The amendment would restore and protect the privacy and First Amendment rights of library and bookstore patrons which were in place before the USA PATRIOT Act. The vote on the Freedom to Read Amendment will happen as early as the afternoon of Wednesday, July 7. Please contact your representative immediately and ask them to support the Freedom to Read Amendment to protect American's civil rights and freedom to read.
Block Extremist Judicial Nominee J. Leon Holmes
Today, July 6, the Senate is scheduled to vote on the district judge nomination of J. Leon Holmes. Last year, the Senate Judiciary committee voted to send his nomination to the Senate floor without a recommendation -- the first time a nominee has been sent to the Senate without a recommendation in 52 years. Upon review of his record, it's easy to understand why he could not be passed out of committee with a recommendation. Mr. Holmes is an anti-abortion activist who has compared the abortion rights movement to Nazis, has written that abortion should not be available to rape victims because he believes "conceptions from rape occur with the same frequency as snow in Miami" (when in fact studies indicate that approximately 25,000-32,000 pregnancies occur each year in the U.S. as a result of rape), and has written that "the wife is to subordinate herself to her husband," among other disturbing and offensive comments. Urge your senators to vote "no" on the nomination of J. Leon Holmes for district judge. Click here to take action! http://act.actforchange.com/cgi-bin7/DM/y/eZyR0FFlNw0LeL0oL20At
Thursday, July 01, 2004
Important Message From MoveOn.Org - Taking On Fox News
For years, Fox News has been distorting the facts, covering for President Bush, and bashing groups like MoveOn. Now "Uncovered" director Robert Greenwald -- working with a group of Fox-monitoring MoveOn members -- has put together a documentary film that exposes Fox for what it is: partisan spin, not news. We're using this movie to launch an organizing campaign with Common Cause and other great groups to "out" Fox News -- making sure everyone in the country knows the network is stumping for the Republican agenda. Be among the first to see this new movie, help others see it, and take on Fox by hosting an "Outfoxed" house party on Sunday evening, July 18th. Sign up at: http://action.moveon.org/outfoxed/newmeeting.html
Fox News star Bill O'Reilly will stop at nothing in acting as a partisan flak for Bush. When the 9/11 Commission reported finding no evidence of a link between Iraq and al-Qaeda, O'Reilly lashed out at the nation's major newspapers for reporting it. In June alone, O'Reilly compared Bush critics Michael Moore and Al Franken to Nazi propagandists and journalist Bill Moyers to Mao Zedong. Unfortunately, parroting the Republican Party message is common in Fox's regular news reporting as well. "Outfoxed" features interviews with seven ex-Fox News employees who describe how, every day, highly partisan talking points are drawn up to influence newscasts.
When Michael Moore was asked what surprised him most during the making of "Fahrenheit 9/11", he described his discovery of archived news footage the networks had edited or not aired at all in order to protect President Bush's image. His comments highlight the media's recent failure to independently evaluate Bush's claims before the war -- and no network failed more completely than Fox. In addition to Common Cause, our partners on this campaign include the Center for American Progress, Free Press, Media Matters for America, and Fairness and Accuracy in Reporting (FAIR). On Sunday, July 18th, we'll get together to see the compelling evidence of Fox's partisanship presented in the "Outfoxed" film. Then we'll all join an interactive coast-to-coast conference call with Al Franken and director Robert Greenwald, to plan out how we'll take on Fox and take back our media. Can you host a party on Sunday evening, July 18th? Sign up now at: http://action.moveon.org/outfoxed/newmeeting.html
Inviting friends, family, and co-workers who have concerns about the media is a great way to get them involved. As a host, you have the option of just inviting people you know, or allowing MoveOn and Common Cause members in your area to join you. We'll provide you with a simple step-by-step guide to putting on a house party. We'll also ask some others to bring snacks and drinks, and to stay late to help clean up. After you sign up to host a house party, you can get a DVD or VHS copy of "Outfoxed" for a $10 contribution. Together, we will make a tremendous difference in this campaign.
Teresa Heinz Kerry Stops In Des Moines For Table Discussion
IOWA STATE DAILY
by Josh Nelson
[Heinz Kerry even quotes Dennis Kucinich!]
http://www.iowastatedaily.com/vnews/display.v/ART/2004/07/01/40e378ca22a75
http://www.notobush.com/
Important Message From The Kucinich Campaign
There's still time to have an impact on the Democratic Party platform, but the clock is ticking. The 186 members of the Democratic Platform Committee will be meeting in Miami on July 9 and 10 to finalize a document that will lay out the Democratic Party's official position and plans on dozens of important domestic and international issues. That document will then be voted on by the delegates at the Democratic National Convention in Boston. There are four principal ways in which we can still influence the platform: continue circulating petitions, contact the Democratic National Committee, write letters to the editor to your local paper, and most importantly, contact the Chairperson of the Platform Committee, U.S. Rep. Stephanie Tubbs Jones.
But time is of the essence. At this very moment, the platform document is being drafted by representatives of the DNC based, to some extent, on testimony and comments submitted at two public hearings held earlier this month. That draft of the platform document is not expected to be available for review until a day or two before the Miami meeting. The petitions that Kucinich supporters and friends have been circulating across the country for the past few months will be formally presented to the Platform Committee in Miami at the beginning of their public deliberations to persuade them of the strong public sentiment for positions that are unlikely to be part of the draft platform, including:
* An exit strategy and end date for the occupation of Iraq
* A Department of Peace
* Universal, single payer health care
* Jobs & Fair trade policies
* Equal Marriage Rights
* Civil Liberties & Repeal of the PATRIOT Act
It is our hope that sympathetic members of the Platform Committee in Miami will propose amendments to the draft document to more closely reflect our positions on those and other issues. If some of those positions do no receive enough votes to be adopted, but do receive support from at least 20 percent of the members, they become "minority planks" in the platform -- a formalized "dissent" expressing a specifically worded alternative position on the issues. Those minority planks will be formally presented and publicly read at the National Convention. Again, time is running out to have our voices heard. If you want to contact the DNC directly, their web site provides that opportunity. If you want to send a message to Congresswoman Tubbs Jones, feel free to let her know, firmly but politely, how you feel about the issues. You can email her at stjcampaign@aol.com, fax her at 216-751-8241, or send mail to her office, 3645 Warrensville Center Road, Suite 323, Shaker Heights, OH 44122.
http://www.jereskiforcongress.com
Important Message From Congressman Dennis Kucinich -- Rainbow/PUSH, Oregon, Boston Convention & More
We had a very good weekend at the Rainbow/PUSH Coalition. I joined Jesse Jackson on a panel with Governor Howard Dean and many members of Congress. The whole idea is to get ready for the 2004 election in a powerful way and begin with strategies to mobilize the vote. And I'll be telling you at a later date in detail some of the things that we discussed at the Rainbow Push meeting in Chicago. After that I went to meet with our organization in Oregon - it's a strong state organization - and we're getting ready to participate in a number of projects, including helping a number of members of Congress get re-elected in Oregon. Our organization is certainly on the move and it is getting ready for a strong showing at Boston. And your efforts have enabled us to take this organization from where it was a year and a half ago to where we can confidently go to almost any place in the country and get people to participate in our efforts of grassroots activism and fundraising.
The plans for Boston are coming along - less than a month to go before the Convention (http://www.kucinich.us/convention/). We still need your help in raising funds so that we can have a full presence at the convention, not only with our delegates, but also with all the volunteers who are coming to join us around the country. So with a few more days left in our fundraising cycle for this quarter, I'm asking you to participate, to help us with our plans to have a strong presence at the Convention and to have a strong presence with the platform. I mean, keep in mind that the message of this campaign - and it has been a message oriented campaign - has been one of peace and health care for all, of jobs, of fair trade, of civil liberties and more, and you've made it possible for us to advance that message. We're doing everything we can to make sure the Democratic Platform is relevant to this country.
So, help us keep it going, and please, before the end of this month, go to the web site and make a contribution. You know we have a goal of raising another $300,000 before we get to Boston to cover all our expenses. So enable us to do that. You deliver and you know that I will, too. So I look forward to speaking with you again and giving you an update as the result of what happened out of the Rainbow/PUSH Coalition, which I think will prove to be quite significant. And I want to thank Jesse Jackson, by the way, for all of his work that he has done to help keep hope alive, which has always been his message. So let's talk again soon, and I will look forward to speaking with you.
For years, Fox News has been distorting the facts, covering for President Bush, and bashing groups like MoveOn. Now "Uncovered" director Robert Greenwald -- working with a group of Fox-monitoring MoveOn members -- has put together a documentary film that exposes Fox for what it is: partisan spin, not news. We're using this movie to launch an organizing campaign with Common Cause and other great groups to "out" Fox News -- making sure everyone in the country knows the network is stumping for the Republican agenda. Be among the first to see this new movie, help others see it, and take on Fox by hosting an "Outfoxed" house party on Sunday evening, July 18th. Sign up at: http://action.moveon.org/outfoxed/newmeeting.html
Fox News star Bill O'Reilly will stop at nothing in acting as a partisan flak for Bush. When the 9/11 Commission reported finding no evidence of a link between Iraq and al-Qaeda, O'Reilly lashed out at the nation's major newspapers for reporting it. In June alone, O'Reilly compared Bush critics Michael Moore and Al Franken to Nazi propagandists and journalist Bill Moyers to Mao Zedong. Unfortunately, parroting the Republican Party message is common in Fox's regular news reporting as well. "Outfoxed" features interviews with seven ex-Fox News employees who describe how, every day, highly partisan talking points are drawn up to influence newscasts.
When Michael Moore was asked what surprised him most during the making of "Fahrenheit 9/11", he described his discovery of archived news footage the networks had edited or not aired at all in order to protect President Bush's image. His comments highlight the media's recent failure to independently evaluate Bush's claims before the war -- and no network failed more completely than Fox. In addition to Common Cause, our partners on this campaign include the Center for American Progress, Free Press, Media Matters for America, and Fairness and Accuracy in Reporting (FAIR). On Sunday, July 18th, we'll get together to see the compelling evidence of Fox's partisanship presented in the "Outfoxed" film. Then we'll all join an interactive coast-to-coast conference call with Al Franken and director Robert Greenwald, to plan out how we'll take on Fox and take back our media. Can you host a party on Sunday evening, July 18th? Sign up now at: http://action.moveon.org/outfoxed/newmeeting.html
Inviting friends, family, and co-workers who have concerns about the media is a great way to get them involved. As a host, you have the option of just inviting people you know, or allowing MoveOn and Common Cause members in your area to join you. We'll provide you with a simple step-by-step guide to putting on a house party. We'll also ask some others to bring snacks and drinks, and to stay late to help clean up. After you sign up to host a house party, you can get a DVD or VHS copy of "Outfoxed" for a $10 contribution. Together, we will make a tremendous difference in this campaign.
Teresa Heinz Kerry Stops In Des Moines For Table Discussion
IOWA STATE DAILY
by Josh Nelson
[Heinz Kerry even quotes Dennis Kucinich!]
http://www.iowastatedaily.com/vnews/display.v/ART/2004/07/01/40e378ca22a75
http://www.notobush.com/
Important Message From The Kucinich Campaign
There's still time to have an impact on the Democratic Party platform, but the clock is ticking. The 186 members of the Democratic Platform Committee will be meeting in Miami on July 9 and 10 to finalize a document that will lay out the Democratic Party's official position and plans on dozens of important domestic and international issues. That document will then be voted on by the delegates at the Democratic National Convention in Boston. There are four principal ways in which we can still influence the platform: continue circulating petitions, contact the Democratic National Committee, write letters to the editor to your local paper, and most importantly, contact the Chairperson of the Platform Committee, U.S. Rep. Stephanie Tubbs Jones.
But time is of the essence. At this very moment, the platform document is being drafted by representatives of the DNC based, to some extent, on testimony and comments submitted at two public hearings held earlier this month. That draft of the platform document is not expected to be available for review until a day or two before the Miami meeting. The petitions that Kucinich supporters and friends have been circulating across the country for the past few months will be formally presented to the Platform Committee in Miami at the beginning of their public deliberations to persuade them of the strong public sentiment for positions that are unlikely to be part of the draft platform, including:
* An exit strategy and end date for the occupation of Iraq
* A Department of Peace
* Universal, single payer health care
* Jobs & Fair trade policies
* Equal Marriage Rights
* Civil Liberties & Repeal of the PATRIOT Act
It is our hope that sympathetic members of the Platform Committee in Miami will propose amendments to the draft document to more closely reflect our positions on those and other issues. If some of those positions do no receive enough votes to be adopted, but do receive support from at least 20 percent of the members, they become "minority planks" in the platform -- a formalized "dissent" expressing a specifically worded alternative position on the issues. Those minority planks will be formally presented and publicly read at the National Convention. Again, time is running out to have our voices heard. If you want to contact the DNC directly, their web site provides that opportunity. If you want to send a message to Congresswoman Tubbs Jones, feel free to let her know, firmly but politely, how you feel about the issues. You can email her at stjcampaign@aol.com, fax her at 216-751-8241, or send mail to her office, 3645 Warrensville Center Road, Suite 323, Shaker Heights, OH 44122.
http://www.jereskiforcongress.com
Important Message From Congressman Dennis Kucinich -- Rainbow/PUSH, Oregon, Boston Convention & More
We had a very good weekend at the Rainbow/PUSH Coalition. I joined Jesse Jackson on a panel with Governor Howard Dean and many members of Congress. The whole idea is to get ready for the 2004 election in a powerful way and begin with strategies to mobilize the vote. And I'll be telling you at a later date in detail some of the things that we discussed at the Rainbow Push meeting in Chicago. After that I went to meet with our organization in Oregon - it's a strong state organization - and we're getting ready to participate in a number of projects, including helping a number of members of Congress get re-elected in Oregon. Our organization is certainly on the move and it is getting ready for a strong showing at Boston. And your efforts have enabled us to take this organization from where it was a year and a half ago to where we can confidently go to almost any place in the country and get people to participate in our efforts of grassroots activism and fundraising.
The plans for Boston are coming along - less than a month to go before the Convention (http://www.kucinich.us/convention/). We still need your help in raising funds so that we can have a full presence at the convention, not only with our delegates, but also with all the volunteers who are coming to join us around the country. So with a few more days left in our fundraising cycle for this quarter, I'm asking you to participate, to help us with our plans to have a strong presence at the Convention and to have a strong presence with the platform. I mean, keep in mind that the message of this campaign - and it has been a message oriented campaign - has been one of peace and health care for all, of jobs, of fair trade, of civil liberties and more, and you've made it possible for us to advance that message. We're doing everything we can to make sure the Democratic Platform is relevant to this country.
So, help us keep it going, and please, before the end of this month, go to the web site and make a contribution. You know we have a goal of raising another $300,000 before we get to Boston to cover all our expenses. So enable us to do that. You deliver and you know that I will, too. So I look forward to speaking with you again and giving you an update as the result of what happened out of the Rainbow/PUSH Coalition, which I think will prove to be quite significant. And I want to thank Jesse Jackson, by the way, for all of his work that he has done to help keep hope alive, which has always been his message. So let's talk again soon, and I will look forward to speaking with you.
Tuesday, June 29, 2004
The Latest "Photos From Opening Weekend" Of FAHRENHEIT 911 On Michael Moore's Website - Check Out The Link
http://www.michaelmoore.com/words/latestnews/breakingnews/index.php?id=39
CAME ACROSS THE NEWS BLIP & COMMENTS BELOW FROM "THE LIQUID LIST" BLOG
[Duchess Note - Reason I find this "news blip" of interest, is that yesterday during a phone call with my Mom, she told me that my cousin Christopher has been called up. Geez, not the kind of news one wants to hear. (sigh!) He served in the first Gulf War and is part of this "Individual Ready Reserve Pool" and gets sent to California on July 5th. Will be seeing him and other family members at my Aunt's BBQ on July 3rd. My cousin is also married with three children and the oldest turns 10 on July 2nd. This is happening to so many other families across the US. Goddamn Bush & his band of insane neocons!!]
No, it's not what you think. Charlie Rangel doesn't have that much pull. But the U.S. Army actually has instituted a mini-draft of former military personnel.
"The Army is preparing to notify about 5,600 retired and discharged soldiers who are not members of the National Guard or Reserve that they will be involuntarily recalled to active duty for possible service in Iraq or Afghanistan, Army officials said Tuesday. Unlike members of the National Guard and Reserve, the individual reservists do not perform regularly scheduled training. Any former enlisted soldier who did not serve at least eight years on active duty is in the Individual Ready Reserve pool, as are all officers who have not resigned their commission. The Army has been reviewing its list of 118,000 eligible individual reservists for several weeks in search of qualified people in certain high-priority skill areas like civil affairs."
Boy, if that isn't an end around! I'm sure those folks will be thrilled to learn they must head out to a combat zone.
LATEST NEWS ON FERRETS -- View And/Or Order The NEW 2005 Ferret Calendar
When you're ready, take a peek at the new images on Ferret Company website: http://www.ferretcompany.com/content/main01index.html
Click on the 2005 calendar icon, then just put your mouse on each month, you don't need to click, and each months image will come up. Order one for yourself, friends and family. Enjoy!
The Ferret Company
P.O. Box 7161
Redwood City, CA 94063-7161
Tel/Fax (650) 851-5775
http://www.ferretcompany.com
http://www.michaelmoore.com/words/latestnews/breakingnews/index.php?id=39
CAME ACROSS THE NEWS BLIP & COMMENTS BELOW FROM "THE LIQUID LIST" BLOG
[Duchess Note - Reason I find this "news blip" of interest, is that yesterday during a phone call with my Mom, she told me that my cousin Christopher has been called up. Geez, not the kind of news one wants to hear. (sigh!) He served in the first Gulf War and is part of this "Individual Ready Reserve Pool" and gets sent to California on July 5th. Will be seeing him and other family members at my Aunt's BBQ on July 3rd. My cousin is also married with three children and the oldest turns 10 on July 2nd. This is happening to so many other families across the US. Goddamn Bush & his band of insane neocons!!]
No, it's not what you think. Charlie Rangel doesn't have that much pull. But the U.S. Army actually has instituted a mini-draft of former military personnel.
"The Army is preparing to notify about 5,600 retired and discharged soldiers who are not members of the National Guard or Reserve that they will be involuntarily recalled to active duty for possible service in Iraq or Afghanistan, Army officials said Tuesday. Unlike members of the National Guard and Reserve, the individual reservists do not perform regularly scheduled training. Any former enlisted soldier who did not serve at least eight years on active duty is in the Individual Ready Reserve pool, as are all officers who have not resigned their commission. The Army has been reviewing its list of 118,000 eligible individual reservists for several weeks in search of qualified people in certain high-priority skill areas like civil affairs."
Boy, if that isn't an end around! I'm sure those folks will be thrilled to learn they must head out to a combat zone.
LATEST NEWS ON FERRETS -- View And/Or Order The NEW 2005 Ferret Calendar
When you're ready, take a peek at the new images on Ferret Company website: http://www.ferretcompany.com/content/main01index.html
Click on the 2005 calendar icon, then just put your mouse on each month, you don't need to click, and each months image will come up. Order one for yourself, friends and family. Enjoy!
The Ferret Company
P.O. Box 7161
Redwood City, CA 94063-7161
Tel/Fax (650) 851-5775
http://www.ferretcompany.com
Sunday, June 27, 2004
Kucinich Has State Support
DENVER POST
by Susan Greene
http://www.denverpost.com/Stories/0,1413,36~29805~2233614,00.html
Kucinich Pushing Peace Plank
THE WASHINGTON TIMES
by Stephen Dinan
http://washingtontimes.com/national/20040627-123450-8676r.htm
PERSONAL NEWS – Part XXVI
Where does the time go these days? Hum?!? Damn, before you know it November and Election Day will be here. Time to oust the corrupt and totally destructive Bush regime. Lets elect a whole bunch of Democrats back into White House, Congress, and Senate & House of Representatives. Remember to take your country back and away from corrupt Corporations & Media. Well then … time to catch up on my news.
The week of June 14th was busy at work with many projects relating to an upcoming conference in early July. Plus advertising on the Net for the “Jereski for Congress” campaign. Many thanks to those wonderful Bloggers who’ve posted the banner and Jereski website link. Greatly appreciate it. On Saturday, June 19th, I participated and also did volunteer work for the “Healthcare Day of Action” march/rally. It started in Brooklyn Heights [Cadman Plaza] and ended in lower Manhattan near City Hall in Foley Square. Great weather day for this important event and make politicians more aware of the plight of millions of uninsured Americans, many of which are children. Got to Cadman Plaza at 8am Saturday morning to help with setup and distribution of flags, banners & t-shirts. Worked with Annabelle, Thomas & Lauren from “Jobs with Justice”. Some of the other volunteers were Ashley, Jerry, Alex, Joan, Mark, Manuel, etc and we all worked well as a team. Thousands of union workers showed up and the march started around 10:45am going over the Brooklyn Bridge. Walking over the bridge with flags and banners flickering lightly in the breeze … many people in cars and taxi’s honked in accord with us. This brought loud cheering from us marchers. At the rally in Foley Square thousands gather to hear many speakers, and the biggest cheers was when they shouted “Bush Regime Out In November”.
At about 1pm I took my leave of the rally to find lunch and a bathroom. Before that I passed out lots of “Jereski for Congress” flyers and even chatted with some of the “Billionaires for Bush” group. One of who is a Kucinich supporter. I ended up at Starbucks on Broadway and took my time noshing on refreshment, plus reading the latest FERRET magazine. Occasionally some folk would come into Starbucks with either a Samsung or Coke-Cola flag. Wasn’t sure what that was about but found out shortly after leaving Starbucks. I walked down Broadway to find a subway for uptown service and instead saw hundreds of people lining the street behind City Hall. Found out they were waiting for the Olympic Torch to be brought thru by TV personality and newsperson Paula Zahn. The difference between the Rally & Olympic Torch crowds was very noticeable, plus different mentality too. Had a difficult time trying to hand out Jereski flyers to the latter crowd and just gave up to watch the Olympic Torch procession. Which finally showed up at 2:15pm. A Jamie Gong passed the torch to Paula Zahn a 100 feet or so from where I stood and then she slowly ran by waving at the crowds. On one side of the street a small marching band performed and on my side were a bunch of dudes wailing on bagpipes. As Paula Zahn ran by me I held up the Jereski Flyers, since the “media” were all around her. Headed towards uptown subway to Jereski’s place to pick up more ballot petitions and then over to E&Y office to do work on computer. By the time I got home at 6pm I was beat and abit drained from too much sun exposure. Good thing I had sunscreen on this time around. Whew!
On Sunday, June 20th, I took care of many chores/errands around my neighborhood and also repotted all my darling houseplants, many of which are varieties of lavender. The week of June 21st was another busy one at work in finalizing projects for this upcoming conference.
On Tuesday, June 22nd, was the “NYC Friends of Kucinich” general meeting and it turned out to be quite interesting, as well as pretty intense. Had heard the day before that certain Maloney “agents”, who are also “fake” Kucinich supporters, would be infiltrating the meeting to trash Rob Jereski campaign. Bastards! More on that in abit, but first news on the general meeting and agenda. The following Kucitizens showed up … Harry, George [Maloney agent], Ken, Ellen, Mary, Marc, Nadette, Thomas, Bill, Hugh [Maloney agent], Omar and myself. We started off the meeting discussing the latest news on “Candlelight Vigil” and its progress. Kim is no longer part of the subcommittee and now Beth, Ellen and Nadette’ll front it. Nadette tied in the Vigil with her “Bike for Peace” rally and connecting it to the Boston Convention. Flyers were handed out. Next up is the subcommittee I’m affiliated with, which has to do with “Candidate Forum”. Much discussion back and forth on this topic. Bill heard from Taa at The Nation Institute. She was meeting with her people next day to discuss the possibility of sponsoring the forum. We pretty much have an affordable venue lined up and Nader is seriously considering on certain dates. No definite news yet from Dean and Sharpton camps. Other agenda news touched on Nader’s choice for running mate, which is Camejo from CA. The Green Party will announce their candidate by June 27th. The NY primary is slated for Sept 14th and our next Kucinich general meeting is for July 13th.
Throughout discussion on Kucinich topics, George [Maloney agent] kept on trying to rudely interject on Maloney/Jereski campaigns. George hadn’t been to a Kucinich meeting in ages, nor had Hugh, and they’re both among the same shallow caliber as Bob Ginsberg. That was quite apparent in Hugh after a February 2004 fundraiser. I call them fake Kucitizens, because quite honestly I feel they never ever truly believed in Dennis. They are the type of people who “flip flop” and jump on any political bandwagon. Those three basically abandoned ship after the NY Presidential primary back in early March. During the “heated” discussions I did try to speak my 2 cents worth, but was abit riled up and also PMSing. When I’m in a calmer state of mind I do speak more eloquently. I was so very thankful that both Harry and Thomas were there that evening. Harry was so eloquent and to the point in his responses to George, as were Thomas on behalf of Jereski. BRAVO!! What was obvious to all at the meeting was that these two “fakes” were there to attack Jereski’s political aspirations, promote Maloney and NOT interested in anything relating to Kucinich. They were foul and disgusting! Grant you one is entitled to speak on issues, but these people didn’t show up at a meeting to convey an opinion or contribute … but to be belligerent and aggressive. Bastards!
The following evening [June 23rd] was the annual Corporate Challenge. A 3.5-mile run/walk race held in Central Park, with proceeds going to upkeep of the park. It’s been a few years since I’ve done this particular event and hoped the weather would be suitable for it. It was and I pulled off a 55-minute time doing power walking. That’s not too bad, but would like to get it back to 45 minutes for next year. There were about 100 E&Y staff participating in the event and the quickest time for our group was 23 minutes. Awesome! Many different companies and corporations joined in this year [ie: 16,500+ participants]. Got two free t-shirts that day … a pretty light blue one from E&Y and a dark blue one from Corporate Challenge, plus there was the free red/black tee given out at Healthcare rally. WooHoo! Freebees!
On Friday evening, June 25th, I was to help out the Jereski campaign with petitioning at City Cinema on East 86th Street. Got there at 5:30pm, before it started pouring rain at 6pm, to meet up with Daniel/Matthew/Janice. None of them showed up while I waited until 7pm, so I handed out campaign flyers to registered Democrats. [Interesting replies from some of them & many folk from different neighborhoods. Hell, I even recognized folk from my own ‘hood.] Later on via email I learned from Rob that these people did show up, but not while I was at cinema. Friday was also the opening of the Michael Moore film “Fahrenheit 911”. The box-office at this particular cinema was sold out and folk were buying tix for next two days. WOW!
While all these “events” are going on I learned that my Personal Trainer broke his arm at a kick-boxing tournament last weekend. So we had to cancel our training session again. The week before he’d chipped a tooth and could only get a dental visit same time as our session. Soooooo ….. He’s off in the UK getting his arm taken care of. Why go back to the UK, well, he doesn’t have healthcare coverage here and it’s cheaper for him to visit there and get treatment. If he had treatment here it’d cost him over $7,000. We need universal healthcare coverage here in the States, just like what they have in the UK and Europe. But NOOOOO, not here, damn insurance companies and pharmaceuticals would bitch they’re losing money. Bullshit! They don’t give a damn about American peoples health … just filling up their greedy, fat wallets.
And finally … that’s if you all haven’t fallen asleep yet … wake up cause there’s just a tiny bit more. The last bit of personal news before I load and update the ole Blog. Yesterday I met up with Rob Jereski in Manhattan around 2:30pm to help him get signatures for ballot petitions. We started with his neighborhood in Tudor City and then walked down to a cinema on 2nd Avenue. Yep, we were catching folk as they were entering and exiting to see the Michael Moore film “Fahrenheit 911”. Lots of folk out there whom HATE Bush. There was also a street fair going on nearby and everyone seemed to be out and about enjoying the nice weather. Rob and I did very well on obtaining signatures, plus chatting with folk on current issues and the movie itself. At about 6:30pm we called it a day. That evening I watched a new DVD I purchased recently called RONIN, which is set in France and stars Robert Deniro and Jean Reno. Good film … definitely recommend it.
DEMOCRATIC PARTY ALERT -- Take Action: Bush Ad Puts Hitler Alongside John Kerry
It isn't often that we'd ask you to go to George W. Bush's campaign website. But every single American should go to georgewbush.com immediately and watch the disgusting ad the Bush/Cheney campaign has featured on the front page. Titled "The Faces of John Kerry's Democratic Party," the ad features Adolf Hitler alongside Democrats, including John Kerry. President Bush's campaign has relied on negative attacks against Kerry, but this is a new low. We've always said the Bush campaign would do anything to win, but even we are shocked that they've sunk this low. It's bizarre. It's outrageous. And we're not going to stand for it. If President Bush has any decency at all, he'll remove this hateful ad from his website immediately. Please sign the petition ... Take action today and sign our petition to Bush demanding that he repudiate this disgusting ad putting Hitler alongside Democrats and remove it from his website.
http://www.democrats.org/action/200406260001.html?psc=actionalert
DENVER POST
by Susan Greene
http://www.denverpost.com/Stories/0,1413,36~29805~2233614,00.html
Kucinich Pushing Peace Plank
THE WASHINGTON TIMES
by Stephen Dinan
http://washingtontimes.com/national/20040627-123450-8676r.htm
PERSONAL NEWS – Part XXVI
Where does the time go these days? Hum?!? Damn, before you know it November and Election Day will be here. Time to oust the corrupt and totally destructive Bush regime. Lets elect a whole bunch of Democrats back into White House, Congress, and Senate & House of Representatives. Remember to take your country back and away from corrupt Corporations & Media. Well then … time to catch up on my news.
The week of June 14th was busy at work with many projects relating to an upcoming conference in early July. Plus advertising on the Net for the “Jereski for Congress” campaign. Many thanks to those wonderful Bloggers who’ve posted the banner and Jereski website link. Greatly appreciate it. On Saturday, June 19th, I participated and also did volunteer work for the “Healthcare Day of Action” march/rally. It started in Brooklyn Heights [Cadman Plaza] and ended in lower Manhattan near City Hall in Foley Square. Great weather day for this important event and make politicians more aware of the plight of millions of uninsured Americans, many of which are children. Got to Cadman Plaza at 8am Saturday morning to help with setup and distribution of flags, banners & t-shirts. Worked with Annabelle, Thomas & Lauren from “Jobs with Justice”. Some of the other volunteers were Ashley, Jerry, Alex, Joan, Mark, Manuel, etc and we all worked well as a team. Thousands of union workers showed up and the march started around 10:45am going over the Brooklyn Bridge. Walking over the bridge with flags and banners flickering lightly in the breeze … many people in cars and taxi’s honked in accord with us. This brought loud cheering from us marchers. At the rally in Foley Square thousands gather to hear many speakers, and the biggest cheers was when they shouted “Bush Regime Out In November”.
At about 1pm I took my leave of the rally to find lunch and a bathroom. Before that I passed out lots of “Jereski for Congress” flyers and even chatted with some of the “Billionaires for Bush” group. One of who is a Kucinich supporter. I ended up at Starbucks on Broadway and took my time noshing on refreshment, plus reading the latest FERRET magazine. Occasionally some folk would come into Starbucks with either a Samsung or Coke-Cola flag. Wasn’t sure what that was about but found out shortly after leaving Starbucks. I walked down Broadway to find a subway for uptown service and instead saw hundreds of people lining the street behind City Hall. Found out they were waiting for the Olympic Torch to be brought thru by TV personality and newsperson Paula Zahn. The difference between the Rally & Olympic Torch crowds was very noticeable, plus different mentality too. Had a difficult time trying to hand out Jereski flyers to the latter crowd and just gave up to watch the Olympic Torch procession. Which finally showed up at 2:15pm. A Jamie Gong passed the torch to Paula Zahn a 100 feet or so from where I stood and then she slowly ran by waving at the crowds. On one side of the street a small marching band performed and on my side were a bunch of dudes wailing on bagpipes. As Paula Zahn ran by me I held up the Jereski Flyers, since the “media” were all around her. Headed towards uptown subway to Jereski’s place to pick up more ballot petitions and then over to E&Y office to do work on computer. By the time I got home at 6pm I was beat and abit drained from too much sun exposure. Good thing I had sunscreen on this time around. Whew!
On Sunday, June 20th, I took care of many chores/errands around my neighborhood and also repotted all my darling houseplants, many of which are varieties of lavender. The week of June 21st was another busy one at work in finalizing projects for this upcoming conference.
On Tuesday, June 22nd, was the “NYC Friends of Kucinich” general meeting and it turned out to be quite interesting, as well as pretty intense. Had heard the day before that certain Maloney “agents”, who are also “fake” Kucinich supporters, would be infiltrating the meeting to trash Rob Jereski campaign. Bastards! More on that in abit, but first news on the general meeting and agenda. The following Kucitizens showed up … Harry, George [Maloney agent], Ken, Ellen, Mary, Marc, Nadette, Thomas, Bill, Hugh [Maloney agent], Omar and myself. We started off the meeting discussing the latest news on “Candlelight Vigil” and its progress. Kim is no longer part of the subcommittee and now Beth, Ellen and Nadette’ll front it. Nadette tied in the Vigil with her “Bike for Peace” rally and connecting it to the Boston Convention. Flyers were handed out. Next up is the subcommittee I’m affiliated with, which has to do with “Candidate Forum”. Much discussion back and forth on this topic. Bill heard from Taa at The Nation Institute. She was meeting with her people next day to discuss the possibility of sponsoring the forum. We pretty much have an affordable venue lined up and Nader is seriously considering on certain dates. No definite news yet from Dean and Sharpton camps. Other agenda news touched on Nader’s choice for running mate, which is Camejo from CA. The Green Party will announce their candidate by June 27th. The NY primary is slated for Sept 14th and our next Kucinich general meeting is for July 13th.
Throughout discussion on Kucinich topics, George [Maloney agent] kept on trying to rudely interject on Maloney/Jereski campaigns. George hadn’t been to a Kucinich meeting in ages, nor had Hugh, and they’re both among the same shallow caliber as Bob Ginsberg. That was quite apparent in Hugh after a February 2004 fundraiser. I call them fake Kucitizens, because quite honestly I feel they never ever truly believed in Dennis. They are the type of people who “flip flop” and jump on any political bandwagon. Those three basically abandoned ship after the NY Presidential primary back in early March. During the “heated” discussions I did try to speak my 2 cents worth, but was abit riled up and also PMSing. When I’m in a calmer state of mind I do speak more eloquently. I was so very thankful that both Harry and Thomas were there that evening. Harry was so eloquent and to the point in his responses to George, as were Thomas on behalf of Jereski. BRAVO!! What was obvious to all at the meeting was that these two “fakes” were there to attack Jereski’s political aspirations, promote Maloney and NOT interested in anything relating to Kucinich. They were foul and disgusting! Grant you one is entitled to speak on issues, but these people didn’t show up at a meeting to convey an opinion or contribute … but to be belligerent and aggressive. Bastards!
The following evening [June 23rd] was the annual Corporate Challenge. A 3.5-mile run/walk race held in Central Park, with proceeds going to upkeep of the park. It’s been a few years since I’ve done this particular event and hoped the weather would be suitable for it. It was and I pulled off a 55-minute time doing power walking. That’s not too bad, but would like to get it back to 45 minutes for next year. There were about 100 E&Y staff participating in the event and the quickest time for our group was 23 minutes. Awesome! Many different companies and corporations joined in this year [ie: 16,500+ participants]. Got two free t-shirts that day … a pretty light blue one from E&Y and a dark blue one from Corporate Challenge, plus there was the free red/black tee given out at Healthcare rally. WooHoo! Freebees!
On Friday evening, June 25th, I was to help out the Jereski campaign with petitioning at City Cinema on East 86th Street. Got there at 5:30pm, before it started pouring rain at 6pm, to meet up with Daniel/Matthew/Janice. None of them showed up while I waited until 7pm, so I handed out campaign flyers to registered Democrats. [Interesting replies from some of them & many folk from different neighborhoods. Hell, I even recognized folk from my own ‘hood.] Later on via email I learned from Rob that these people did show up, but not while I was at cinema. Friday was also the opening of the Michael Moore film “Fahrenheit 911”. The box-office at this particular cinema was sold out and folk were buying tix for next two days. WOW!
While all these “events” are going on I learned that my Personal Trainer broke his arm at a kick-boxing tournament last weekend. So we had to cancel our training session again. The week before he’d chipped a tooth and could only get a dental visit same time as our session. Soooooo ….. He’s off in the UK getting his arm taken care of. Why go back to the UK, well, he doesn’t have healthcare coverage here and it’s cheaper for him to visit there and get treatment. If he had treatment here it’d cost him over $7,000. We need universal healthcare coverage here in the States, just like what they have in the UK and Europe. But NOOOOO, not here, damn insurance companies and pharmaceuticals would bitch they’re losing money. Bullshit! They don’t give a damn about American peoples health … just filling up their greedy, fat wallets.
And finally … that’s if you all haven’t fallen asleep yet … wake up cause there’s just a tiny bit more. The last bit of personal news before I load and update the ole Blog. Yesterday I met up with Rob Jereski in Manhattan around 2:30pm to help him get signatures for ballot petitions. We started with his neighborhood in Tudor City and then walked down to a cinema on 2nd Avenue. Yep, we were catching folk as they were entering and exiting to see the Michael Moore film “Fahrenheit 911”. Lots of folk out there whom HATE Bush. There was also a street fair going on nearby and everyone seemed to be out and about enjoying the nice weather. Rob and I did very well on obtaining signatures, plus chatting with folk on current issues and the movie itself. At about 6:30pm we called it a day. That evening I watched a new DVD I purchased recently called RONIN, which is set in France and stars Robert Deniro and Jean Reno. Good film … definitely recommend it.
DEMOCRATIC PARTY ALERT -- Take Action: Bush Ad Puts Hitler Alongside John Kerry
It isn't often that we'd ask you to go to George W. Bush's campaign website. But every single American should go to georgewbush.com immediately and watch the disgusting ad the Bush/Cheney campaign has featured on the front page. Titled "The Faces of John Kerry's Democratic Party," the ad features Adolf Hitler alongside Democrats, including John Kerry. President Bush's campaign has relied on negative attacks against Kerry, but this is a new low. We've always said the Bush campaign would do anything to win, but even we are shocked that they've sunk this low. It's bizarre. It's outrageous. And we're not going to stand for it. If President Bush has any decency at all, he'll remove this hateful ad from his website immediately. Please sign the petition ... Take action today and sign our petition to Bush demanding that he repudiate this disgusting ad putting Hitler alongside Democrats and remove it from his website.
http://www.democrats.org/action/200406260001.html?psc=actionalert
Friday, June 25, 2004
Jack Irons Drafts Pearl Jam Pals For Solo Debut
http://www.billboard.com/bb/daily/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1000550563
Former Pearl Jam/Red Hot Chili Peppers drummer Jack Irons gets a lift from a host of his ex-bandmates on his solo debut, "Attention Dimension," due in August. Pearl Jam vocalist Eddie Vedder takes the mic on a cover of Pink Floyd's "Shine On, You Crazy Diamond," featuring Primus' Les Claypool on bass. Chili Peppers bassist Flea guests on "Suluhiana" and "Water Song," the latter boasting Pearl Jam's Stone Gossard on guitar. Irons left Pearl Jam for health reasons in early 1998, following the release of the album "Yield" and an Australian tour. "I had to dedicate myself to living a life that would promote healing and a right way of life for me and my family," he says. "The music on these recordings [is] what was creatively inspired along the way. I could not tour at that point but I still needed to create."
"Making this music was a way for me to work through all the changes and growing I had to do to become healthy again," he continues. "This music also helped me reconnect with some old friends and former bandmates, who I am very happy and thankful to say have performed as guest artists." Irons is abetted throughout "Attention Dimension" by his Eleven colleague Alain Johannes, who plays an array of instruments on seven tracks. Eleven's Natasha Shneider offers vocals on "Hearing It Doubled," while Pearl Jam bassist Jeff Ament augments the groove on "Dunes." The cut "Breaking Sea" includes a sample of Spectrasonics' "Heart of Africa." Irons joined Pearl Jam for two songs during an all-star concert last October in Santa Barbara, Calif. It was just the second time he had played with the group since he left. Here is the track list for "Attention Dimension":
"Jackie Groove" featuring Alain Johannes
"Suluhiana" featuring Flea, Johannes
"Ocean's Light"
"Hearing It Doubled" featuring Johannes, Natasha Shneider
"Shine On, You Crazy Diamond" featuring Eddie Vedder, Les Claypool, Johanne, Shneider
"Underwater Circus Music"
"Dunes" featuring Jeff Ament, Johannes
"Come Running" featuring Johannes
"Water Song" featuring Flea, Stone Gossard
"Breaking Sea" featuring Johannes
"Aquaman's Electric Band" featuring Johannes"
Message From Kucinich - Platform Persistence Produces Results
One month from today we are going to be in Boston for the Democratic National Convention. I am so excited because from all over the country people are getting ready to converge on Boston for a week of rallies and workshops and a discussion about the direction of this country and what we can do to put America back on the right path. Now for your part. We need your help--helping us to organize for a minority report on the platform. We're going to be making an effort to have the Democrats stand for taking a new direction in Iraq, a new direction in health care with universal single payer not-for-profit health care http://www.kucinich.us/issues/#key01 and to take a stand for including the Department of Peace http://www.kucinich.us/issues/departmentpeace.php in the platform.
When you see what happened in Texas http://www.kucinich.us/messages/062204-dennis.php last week where the Texas State Democratic Party put in the Party platform the Department of Peace, you see the potential we have for this powerful issue that will change the direction of this country. This campaign has kept its promise. I promised you right from the beginning that I would carry the campaign all the way through to the convention. We have a month to go right now, so help me keep my promise, and help us advance a minority plank in the platform that will enable us to let America know that we can take steps toward peace, we can take steps toward having health care for all. Thank you so much. I'm in Washington [DC] right now (I'm going back to Capitol Hill), but I just want to let you know that with a month to go we're still going strong. Keep us strong right to the conclusion at the convention. Thank you! Thank you so much for everything. My enthusiasm always remains very high because of your participation.
http://www.billboard.com/bb/daily/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1000550563
Former Pearl Jam/Red Hot Chili Peppers drummer Jack Irons gets a lift from a host of his ex-bandmates on his solo debut, "Attention Dimension," due in August. Pearl Jam vocalist Eddie Vedder takes the mic on a cover of Pink Floyd's "Shine On, You Crazy Diamond," featuring Primus' Les Claypool on bass. Chili Peppers bassist Flea guests on "Suluhiana" and "Water Song," the latter boasting Pearl Jam's Stone Gossard on guitar. Irons left Pearl Jam for health reasons in early 1998, following the release of the album "Yield" and an Australian tour. "I had to dedicate myself to living a life that would promote healing and a right way of life for me and my family," he says. "The music on these recordings [is] what was creatively inspired along the way. I could not tour at that point but I still needed to create."
"Making this music was a way for me to work through all the changes and growing I had to do to become healthy again," he continues. "This music also helped me reconnect with some old friends and former bandmates, who I am very happy and thankful to say have performed as guest artists." Irons is abetted throughout "Attention Dimension" by his Eleven colleague Alain Johannes, who plays an array of instruments on seven tracks. Eleven's Natasha Shneider offers vocals on "Hearing It Doubled," while Pearl Jam bassist Jeff Ament augments the groove on "Dunes." The cut "Breaking Sea" includes a sample of Spectrasonics' "Heart of Africa." Irons joined Pearl Jam for two songs during an all-star concert last October in Santa Barbara, Calif. It was just the second time he had played with the group since he left. Here is the track list for "Attention Dimension":
"Jackie Groove" featuring Alain Johannes
"Suluhiana" featuring Flea, Johannes
"Ocean's Light"
"Hearing It Doubled" featuring Johannes, Natasha Shneider
"Shine On, You Crazy Diamond" featuring Eddie Vedder, Les Claypool, Johanne, Shneider
"Underwater Circus Music"
"Dunes" featuring Jeff Ament, Johannes
"Come Running" featuring Johannes
"Water Song" featuring Flea, Stone Gossard
"Breaking Sea" featuring Johannes
"Aquaman's Electric Band" featuring Johannes"
Message From Kucinich - Platform Persistence Produces Results
One month from today we are going to be in Boston for the Democratic National Convention. I am so excited because from all over the country people are getting ready to converge on Boston for a week of rallies and workshops and a discussion about the direction of this country and what we can do to put America back on the right path. Now for your part. We need your help--helping us to organize for a minority report on the platform. We're going to be making an effort to have the Democrats stand for taking a new direction in Iraq, a new direction in health care with universal single payer not-for-profit health care http://www.kucinich.us/issues/#key01 and to take a stand for including the Department of Peace http://www.kucinich.us/issues/departmentpeace.php in the platform.
When you see what happened in Texas http://www.kucinich.us/messages/062204-dennis.php last week where the Texas State Democratic Party put in the Party platform the Department of Peace, you see the potential we have for this powerful issue that will change the direction of this country. This campaign has kept its promise. I promised you right from the beginning that I would carry the campaign all the way through to the convention. We have a month to go right now, so help me keep my promise, and help us advance a minority plank in the platform that will enable us to let America know that we can take steps toward peace, we can take steps toward having health care for all. Thank you so much. I'm in Washington [DC] right now (I'm going back to Capitol Hill), but I just want to let you know that with a month to go we're still going strong. Keep us strong right to the conclusion at the convention. Thank you! Thank you so much for everything. My enthusiasm always remains very high because of your participation.
Thursday, June 24, 2004
HOT OFF THE PRESS AND LIVE FROM NYC!
By Way Of Deception
THE NATION
by Stuart Klawans
http://alternet.org/movies/19027/
High Court Sides With Cheney On Energy Papers
ASSOCIATED PRESS
by Gina Holland
http://www.commondreams.org/headlines04/0624-02.htm
The Elephant In The Room
ALTERNET
by Laurie Spivak
http://alternet.org/stories/19029/
Released Britons To Leave Iran
BBC NEWS
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/3837943.stm
Democracy Itself Is In Grave Danger
COMMON DREAMS
by Al Gore [American Constitution Society in Georgetown University Law Center]
http://www.commondreams.org/views04/0624-15.htm
You, Sir, Are NO Kennedy, Reagan Or Clinton
INTERNATIONAL HERALD TRIBUNE
by Nuala O'Faolain
http://www.commondreams.org/views04/0624-08.htm
Free The Debates From Party Tyranny
SEATTLE POST-INTELLIGENCER
Editorial
http://www.commondreams.org/views04/0624-05.htm
TWO NEW IMPORTANT MESSAGES FROM "ACT FOR CHANGE" ACTIVISM
Tell Cheney: Prove It or Resign
Vice President Dick Cheney is at it again. From the earliest moments after the tragedy of 9/11, Mr. Cheney has sought to convince the American public that Saddam Hussein's Iraq was linked to Al Qaida. So far, all the evidence demonstrates otherwise, yet Mr. Cheney keeps pushing his tall tale. And now he indicates that he has evidence not previously revealed to the 9/11 Commission. If he does, he should reveal it immediately and let the experts and the public judge it. Frankly, in other times, withholding such evidence would be grounds for impeachment. If he does not have such evidence, he should stop making it up and resign. Click here to take action! http://act.actforchange.com/cgi-bin7/DM/y/eZoO0FFlNw0LYT0n4f0A4
Never Again: Act Now to Stop Genocide in Sudan -- Contributed by Africa Action
Ten years ago, the international community stood by as the Rwandan Genocide claimed 800,000 lives. Today, as world leaders remember that unprecedented human catastrophe with empty expressions of "Never Again," the people of Sudan face a similar fate. Act now by calling on Colin Powell to recognize immediately the genocide occurring in the Darfur region of Sudan and move aggressively to bring it to an end -- an action that could save more than 1,000,000 lives. Click here for more information and to take action! http://act.actforchange.com/cgi-bin7/DM/y/eZoO0FFlNw0LYT0n4g0A5
By Way Of Deception
THE NATION
by Stuart Klawans
http://alternet.org/movies/19027/
High Court Sides With Cheney On Energy Papers
ASSOCIATED PRESS
by Gina Holland
http://www.commondreams.org/headlines04/0624-02.htm
The Elephant In The Room
ALTERNET
by Laurie Spivak
http://alternet.org/stories/19029/
Released Britons To Leave Iran
BBC NEWS
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/3837943.stm
Democracy Itself Is In Grave Danger
COMMON DREAMS
by Al Gore [American Constitution Society in Georgetown University Law Center]
http://www.commondreams.org/views04/0624-15.htm
You, Sir, Are NO Kennedy, Reagan Or Clinton
INTERNATIONAL HERALD TRIBUNE
by Nuala O'Faolain
http://www.commondreams.org/views04/0624-08.htm
Free The Debates From Party Tyranny
SEATTLE POST-INTELLIGENCER
Editorial
http://www.commondreams.org/views04/0624-05.htm
TWO NEW IMPORTANT MESSAGES FROM "ACT FOR CHANGE" ACTIVISM
Tell Cheney: Prove It or Resign
Vice President Dick Cheney is at it again. From the earliest moments after the tragedy of 9/11, Mr. Cheney has sought to convince the American public that Saddam Hussein's Iraq was linked to Al Qaida. So far, all the evidence demonstrates otherwise, yet Mr. Cheney keeps pushing his tall tale. And now he indicates that he has evidence not previously revealed to the 9/11 Commission. If he does, he should reveal it immediately and let the experts and the public judge it. Frankly, in other times, withholding such evidence would be grounds for impeachment. If he does not have such evidence, he should stop making it up and resign. Click here to take action! http://act.actforchange.com/cgi-bin7/DM/y/eZoO0FFlNw0LYT0n4f0A4
Never Again: Act Now to Stop Genocide in Sudan -- Contributed by Africa Action
Ten years ago, the international community stood by as the Rwandan Genocide claimed 800,000 lives. Today, as world leaders remember that unprecedented human catastrophe with empty expressions of "Never Again," the people of Sudan face a similar fate. Act now by calling on Colin Powell to recognize immediately the genocide occurring in the Darfur region of Sudan and move aggressively to bring it to an end -- an action that could save more than 1,000,000 lives. Click here for more information and to take action! http://act.actforchange.com/cgi-bin7/DM/y/eZoO0FFlNw0LYT0n4g0A5
Wednesday, June 23, 2004
HOT OFF THE PRESS ... Anti-Bush Candidate Hits Front Page!
Anti-war candidate running against the Bush agenda made a splash on the front page of an influential local newspaper [ie: Queens Chronicle]. Activist & Democrat Robert Jereski's exciting campaign has been attracting young and older voters fed up with the Bush agenda. Click on the following link to read more & spread the news: http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?BRD=1865&dept_id=152944&newsid=11993310&PAG=461&rfi=9
Challenge the Bush Agenda! Brought to you by friends & supporters of Robert Jereski, Democrat for Congress. Endorse Rob online with MoveOn PAC ... click on following link: http://www.moveon.org/pac/news/nominate.html Get involved today to TURN THINGS AROUND! Thank you ... Peace & Solidarity!
Working Families e-Activist Network - The Cavalry Has Arrived
The cavalry has arrived. Reports from key battleground states across the country confirm that thousands of people like you are showing up and volunteering for the June door-to-door mobilization. In Minneapolis, more than 400 people showed up to go door to door last week--many more than organizers had planned for. More than 500 people in Cleveland gave up part of their Saturday. Volunteer centers in St. Louis were swamped with more than 600 volunteers on just one day! Excitement is building, yet there is a risk: The first wave of volunteers is the most enthusiastic, but what happens if they can't show up every time? That is why we need your help recruiting volunteers in the 16 battleground states. Please click below to get started. http://www.unionvoice.org/ct/HpakW641d7Vu/
This is just the start. In most elections, this level of activity doesn't start until October. We're cranking it up right now. All it takes is a couple of hours on a Saturday. Please help us recruit volunteers in key states. The June walk mobilization is going on in more than 108 different communities in the 16 states where the election will be closest. Just three hours of your time will make a huge difference. So what happens when somebody volunteers? Well, they're contacted by a local volunteer coordinator with information about how they can help. They're asked to show up on a Saturday morning or after work during the week--there are lots of different shifts--and make phone calls or go door to door talking to union voters about the issues and the candidates. You'll meet some great people and feel better knowing you did your part. Nobody wants to wake up the day after the election and say, "Gee, I could've helped a little more." Do your part America and sign up today.
RECENT TEXAS DEMOCRATIC CONVENTION - One Of Feature Speakers Was Kucinich - Message From Sherry Monarko
Hello my fellow Kucinich supporters! This is Sherry Monarko [TX State Kucinich Delegate] from Austin Texas, just back from the Texas Democratic Convention and WOW! It was great putting faces to those of you I only knew as online handles before and have y'all read the news headlines yet? We did it! We did it!
Those of you who were with me at the convention heard all sorts of folks - and not just the Kucinich supporters either - saying the same thing. "When is someone going to mention the war?" "Why won't anyone mention the Patriot Act?" "When is anyone going to call for an End to NAFTA and stop the outsourcing of our jobs?" We did it! When Dennis took that stage, we did it by resoundingly being the voice these estranged people were waiting for. We gave them a reason to hope. I talked to several women later who said they were CRYING they were so happy someone finally had, without any fear, brought up the issues that mattered most to them and made them front and
center of the convention.
The passion, energy, and commitment to truth of Dennis Kucinich and folks like you and it was an infection that spread through the room so fast, we were able to translate those words into action. We did it. We successfully passed, in it's entirety, the resolution for the Dept of Peace, previously butchered by the resolutions committee, by gathering over 2,000 signatures for it on the floor so we could present it to the Chair. The Texas Convention gave PROOF that Dennis's message is what Americans are crying to hear if the Democrats are to win in November. That's why he's still in the race. And it's why we're not done yet. And one more thing. If anyone still thinks Texas is a Republican state, so why even try, they're gonna have another thing coming in November. I don't want to go on and on, so please check out [the forum on] Dennis's website... where I'll personally probably be posting all day: http://us.denniskucinich.us/phpBB2/viewforum.php?f=75 And thank you, each and every one of you, for your amazing support.
Anti-war candidate running against the Bush agenda made a splash on the front page of an influential local newspaper [ie: Queens Chronicle]. Activist & Democrat Robert Jereski's exciting campaign has been attracting young and older voters fed up with the Bush agenda. Click on the following link to read more & spread the news: http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?BRD=1865&dept_id=152944&newsid=11993310&PAG=461&rfi=9
Challenge the Bush Agenda! Brought to you by friends & supporters of Robert Jereski, Democrat for Congress. Endorse Rob online with MoveOn PAC ... click on following link: http://www.moveon.org/pac/news/nominate.html Get involved today to TURN THINGS AROUND! Thank you ... Peace & Solidarity!
Working Families e-Activist Network - The Cavalry Has Arrived
The cavalry has arrived. Reports from key battleground states across the country confirm that thousands of people like you are showing up and volunteering for the June door-to-door mobilization. In Minneapolis, more than 400 people showed up to go door to door last week--many more than organizers had planned for. More than 500 people in Cleveland gave up part of their Saturday. Volunteer centers in St. Louis were swamped with more than 600 volunteers on just one day! Excitement is building, yet there is a risk: The first wave of volunteers is the most enthusiastic, but what happens if they can't show up every time? That is why we need your help recruiting volunteers in the 16 battleground states. Please click below to get started. http://www.unionvoice.org/ct/HpakW641d7Vu/
This is just the start. In most elections, this level of activity doesn't start until October. We're cranking it up right now. All it takes is a couple of hours on a Saturday. Please help us recruit volunteers in key states. The June walk mobilization is going on in more than 108 different communities in the 16 states where the election will be closest. Just three hours of your time will make a huge difference. So what happens when somebody volunteers? Well, they're contacted by a local volunteer coordinator with information about how they can help. They're asked to show up on a Saturday morning or after work during the week--there are lots of different shifts--and make phone calls or go door to door talking to union voters about the issues and the candidates. You'll meet some great people and feel better knowing you did your part. Nobody wants to wake up the day after the election and say, "Gee, I could've helped a little more." Do your part America and sign up today.
RECENT TEXAS DEMOCRATIC CONVENTION - One Of Feature Speakers Was Kucinich - Message From Sherry Monarko
Hello my fellow Kucinich supporters! This is Sherry Monarko [TX State Kucinich Delegate] from Austin Texas, just back from the Texas Democratic Convention and WOW! It was great putting faces to those of you I only knew as online handles before and have y'all read the news headlines yet? We did it! We did it!
Those of you who were with me at the convention heard all sorts of folks - and not just the Kucinich supporters either - saying the same thing. "When is someone going to mention the war?" "Why won't anyone mention the Patriot Act?" "When is anyone going to call for an End to NAFTA and stop the outsourcing of our jobs?" We did it! When Dennis took that stage, we did it by resoundingly being the voice these estranged people were waiting for. We gave them a reason to hope. I talked to several women later who said they were CRYING they were so happy someone finally had, without any fear, brought up the issues that mattered most to them and made them front and
center of the convention.
The passion, energy, and commitment to truth of Dennis Kucinich and folks like you and it was an infection that spread through the room so fast, we were able to translate those words into action. We did it. We successfully passed, in it's entirety, the resolution for the Dept of Peace, previously butchered by the resolutions committee, by gathering over 2,000 signatures for it on the floor so we could present it to the Chair. The Texas Convention gave PROOF that Dennis's message is what Americans are crying to hear if the Democrats are to win in November. That's why he's still in the race. And it's why we're not done yet. And one more thing. If anyone still thinks Texas is a Republican state, so why even try, they're gonna have another thing coming in November. I don't want to go on and on, so please check out [the forum on] Dennis's website... where I'll personally probably be posting all day: http://us.denniskucinich.us/phpBB2/viewforum.php?f=75 And thank you, each and every one of you, for your amazing support.
Tuesday, June 22, 2004
Fresh News From DAILY KOS -- More Bush lies courtesy of the Center for American Progress
** NY Times, 6/21/04; Center for Responsive Politics
There's no place where Bush has been more dishonest than with this issue. He opposes the Texas Patients' Bill of Rights, but it is passed by a veto-proof majority in the Texas legislature, so Bush lets it pass into law without a signature. Yet in a debate with Gore, Bush blatantly lies claiming he signed it. (The media was too busy calling Gore a liar to write about Bush's REAL lies.) Then, after Bush gets into office, he orders his Justice Department to fight the Texas law. Yesterday, Bush won. The Supreme Court has invalidated all state Patients' Bill of Right laws saying federal law supercedes it.
Gas Prices Got Your Attention - An Important Message From TrueMajority & Ben Cohen
Energy Bills Are Down to the Wire. There's a More Secure, Cheaper, Environmentally Sensitive Way. While working alongside Greenpeace, Natural Resources Defense Council, Sierra Club, MoveOn, Working Assets, and others, TrueMajority members have succeeded in preventing passage of the Bush Administration's energy bill. Rather than see sky-high gas prices and yet another American war in the Middle East as the perfect occasion to enact sustainable energy policies, those who support the oil and coal industries in the White House and in Congress are using current events to launch another push for the same old stuff: relax environmental laws, drill the wilderness, and burn more fuel.
Of course, it doesn't have to be this way. Our country currently lags behind the rest of the world in energy conservation and renewable supplies; just look at the effects on America's health, the environment, and national security. There are three things TrueMajority members can do:
1) Tell Congress to reject any new energy legislation that doesn't get serious about renewable supplies and energy conservation. (They'll try to sneak these bills through over the coming months, so now is a good time to send a clear message.)
2) Write a letter to the editor to educate your neighbors and to further pressure your members of Congress.
3) Help our friends at the Apollo Alliance promote their detailed plan for sustainable and secure energy, and to run the TV ad that lays bare the Bush energy policies.
TELL CONGRESS. Tell your senators and representative to vote against any bill that does more to help keep us hooked on fossil fuels than it does to help us break the habit. Just hit 'Reply' and 'Send' in your e-mail program. If this message was forwarded to you or you would like to edit the message, just click this link: http://action.truemajority.org/ctt.asp?u=380807&l=663
IndyBoston Interview With Dennis Kucinich
BOSTON INDEPENDENT
by Pete Stidman
http://boston.indymedia.org/feature/display/22280/index.php
THEN ... "I signed into law some of the toughest patient-protection laws in the nation [and] I support a patient bill of rights for all patients, similar to those already enacted in Texas."
- George W. Bush, USA Today op-ed entitled "I Will Build On My Record," 8/17/00 (FYI - Bush didn't sign the law - he let it pass without his signature after the legislature forced him to acceptit.)
NOW ... "Before the Supreme Court, the Bush administration opposed the Texas law, instead joining two managed-care companies, Aetna Health Inc. and Cigna HealthCare of Texas Inc." Those two companies alone have given President Bush and the Republican Party more than $1.7 million since 2000.
** NY Times, 6/21/04; Center for Responsive Politics
There's no place where Bush has been more dishonest than with this issue. He opposes the Texas Patients' Bill of Rights, but it is passed by a veto-proof majority in the Texas legislature, so Bush lets it pass into law without a signature. Yet in a debate with Gore, Bush blatantly lies claiming he signed it. (The media was too busy calling Gore a liar to write about Bush's REAL lies.) Then, after Bush gets into office, he orders his Justice Department to fight the Texas law. Yesterday, Bush won. The Supreme Court has invalidated all state Patients' Bill of Right laws saying federal law supercedes it.
Gas Prices Got Your Attention - An Important Message From TrueMajority & Ben Cohen
Energy Bills Are Down to the Wire. There's a More Secure, Cheaper, Environmentally Sensitive Way. While working alongside Greenpeace, Natural Resources Defense Council, Sierra Club, MoveOn, Working Assets, and others, TrueMajority members have succeeded in preventing passage of the Bush Administration's energy bill. Rather than see sky-high gas prices and yet another American war in the Middle East as the perfect occasion to enact sustainable energy policies, those who support the oil and coal industries in the White House and in Congress are using current events to launch another push for the same old stuff: relax environmental laws, drill the wilderness, and burn more fuel.
Of course, it doesn't have to be this way. Our country currently lags behind the rest of the world in energy conservation and renewable supplies; just look at the effects on America's health, the environment, and national security. There are three things TrueMajority members can do:
1) Tell Congress to reject any new energy legislation that doesn't get serious about renewable supplies and energy conservation. (They'll try to sneak these bills through over the coming months, so now is a good time to send a clear message.)
2) Write a letter to the editor to educate your neighbors and to further pressure your members of Congress.
3) Help our friends at the Apollo Alliance promote their detailed plan for sustainable and secure energy, and to run the TV ad that lays bare the Bush energy policies.
TELL CONGRESS. Tell your senators and representative to vote against any bill that does more to help keep us hooked on fossil fuels than it does to help us break the habit. Just hit 'Reply' and 'Send' in your e-mail program. If this message was forwarded to you or you would like to edit the message, just click this link: http://action.truemajority.org/ctt.asp?u=380807&l=663
IndyBoston Interview With Dennis Kucinich
BOSTON INDEPENDENT
by Pete Stidman
http://boston.indymedia.org/feature/display/22280/index.php
Sunday, June 20, 2004
KUCINICH 2008 CAMPAIGN
If you are interested, please sign-up to assist with the Kucinich 2008 campaign at the following link: http://www.civicactions.org/cgi-bin/wiki.pl?Kucinich2008
Please forward this e-mail to anyone you think may be interested. I know 2008 seems like a long time away but I think there are a LOT of things that people could be doing right now as far as analyzing the 2004 campaign and keeping track of information to make sure that the 2008 campaign is a HUGE success. In the next few days, a new website, www.draftkucinich2008.com should be up and running.
[Duchess Note: This dudette has already signed on. Will you become part of the movement?]
Important Message From ACTION CENTER -- Protest On June 30th -- No to fake sovereignty/No permits, no peace! WE WILL NOT BE SILENCED!
Defend your right to protest at the Republican National Convention (RNC) NO PERMITS, NO PEACE!
Wednesday, June 30th, 5 p.m.
In front of Madison Square Garden
Eighth Ave. & 32nd Street in Manhattan
On June 30, there will be demonstrations in many cities and countries on the day of the so-called "turnover of sovereignty" in Iraq. The only real turnover of power on June 30 will be from outgoing U.S. dictator L. Paul Bremer to incoming U.S. dictator John Negroponte, the new U.S. "ambassador" to Iraq. In reality, more than 175,000 U.S. and U.S.-led troops will continue to occupy Iraq. U.S. troop levels will be maintained at 138,000 until at least the end of 2005, and my be increased according to Bush and the generals. The occupying forces will continue to kill and die for the sake of a war based entirely on lies. The only solution to the crisis in Iraq is to BRING THE TROOPS HOME NOW! Money for jobs and human needs -- not war & occupation.
Republican billionaire Mayor Michael Bloomberg has welcomed George Bush and his wealthy friends to exploit New York City for their right-wing, racist agenda during the RNC in August. At the same time, Bloomberg and the police are trying to deny the people of the New York the right to voice their opinions during the RNC.
* We demand the right to protest at the site of the Republican National Convention
* We will not be denied the right to protest
* We will not be penned in like cattle
* We will not tolerate police violence and repression
* The streets of New York belong to the people!
Called by NY ANSWER
39 W. 14 St., Room 206, New York, NY 10011 * (212) 633-6646
Get involved! Help fight war and racism in Iraq, NYC and everywhere!
Volunteer Meetings
Tuesday nights at 7 p.m.
39 W. 14 St., Room 206
Manhattan
For info call (212) 633-6646
http://www.iacenter.org
iacenter@iacenter.org
If you are interested, please sign-up to assist with the Kucinich 2008 campaign at the following link: http://www.civicactions.org/cgi-bin/wiki.pl?Kucinich2008
Please forward this e-mail to anyone you think may be interested. I know 2008 seems like a long time away but I think there are a LOT of things that people could be doing right now as far as analyzing the 2004 campaign and keeping track of information to make sure that the 2008 campaign is a HUGE success. In the next few days, a new website, www.draftkucinich2008.com should be up and running.
[Duchess Note: This dudette has already signed on. Will you become part of the movement?]
Important Message From ACTION CENTER -- Protest On June 30th -- No to fake sovereignty/No permits, no peace! WE WILL NOT BE SILENCED!
Defend your right to protest at the Republican National Convention (RNC) NO PERMITS, NO PEACE!
Wednesday, June 30th, 5 p.m.
In front of Madison Square Garden
Eighth Ave. & 32nd Street in Manhattan
On June 30, there will be demonstrations in many cities and countries on the day of the so-called "turnover of sovereignty" in Iraq. The only real turnover of power on June 30 will be from outgoing U.S. dictator L. Paul Bremer to incoming U.S. dictator John Negroponte, the new U.S. "ambassador" to Iraq. In reality, more than 175,000 U.S. and U.S.-led troops will continue to occupy Iraq. U.S. troop levels will be maintained at 138,000 until at least the end of 2005, and my be increased according to Bush and the generals. The occupying forces will continue to kill and die for the sake of a war based entirely on lies. The only solution to the crisis in Iraq is to BRING THE TROOPS HOME NOW! Money for jobs and human needs -- not war & occupation.
Republican billionaire Mayor Michael Bloomberg has welcomed George Bush and his wealthy friends to exploit New York City for their right-wing, racist agenda during the RNC in August. At the same time, Bloomberg and the police are trying to deny the people of the New York the right to voice their opinions during the RNC.
* We demand the right to protest at the site of the Republican National Convention
* We will not be denied the right to protest
* We will not be penned in like cattle
* We will not tolerate police violence and repression
* The streets of New York belong to the people!
Called by NY ANSWER
39 W. 14 St., Room 206, New York, NY 10011 * (212) 633-6646
Get involved! Help fight war and racism in Iraq, NYC and everywhere!
Volunteer Meetings
Tuesday nights at 7 p.m.
39 W. 14 St., Room 206
Manhattan
For info call (212) 633-6646
http://www.iacenter.org
iacenter@iacenter.org
Saturday, June 19, 2004
Blog Search Engine
HOT OFF THE PRESS -- LASTEST NEWS ON JERESKI FOR CONGRESS CAMPAIGN -- GET INVOLVED -- TELL YOUR FRIENDS IN THE NYC AREA -- SEND A COPY OF THIS ANNOUNCEMENT TO THEM OR BETTER YET FORWARD LINK OF BLOG -- PEACE & SOLIDARITY!
Please forward to your contacts nationwide. The Jereski for Congress campaign has received support and donations from people in Wyoming, California and Washington D.C. Plus the many coming in from New York. This campaign has national implications! And now a message from Robert Jereski:
Dear friends:
Our campaign is growing thanks to people like you! We are going to make Bush Democrats pay for their support for George's war! Robert Jereski is standing up to the Bush Agenda. Join our exciting campaign. Here's how you can help:
Endorse ... Nominate Robert Jereski for the MoveOn.org endorsement by clicking here: http://www.moveonpac.org/nominate.html?id=2954-145901-dVxaOB67Cxdo28.sYwudtQ Thanks for two minutes of your time for Robert Jereski, 14th Congressional District.
Campaign office: 2 Tudor City Place, New York, NY 10017
Campaign telephone: 212.973.1782
Here's some of the information they'll ask for: www.jereskiforcongress.com
=================================
You can endorse us and be featured on the campaign website. Send your personal endorsing statement, short biographical statement, and a picture to us at: jereskiforcongress3@yahoo.com.
Petition ... Our team of petitioners have collected nearly a thousand signatures already, but we need more help. We are facing high priced electoral lawyers of a millionaire, conservative incumbent. These corporate mercenaries will do everything they can to prevent the voters from having a choice by trying to keep us off the ballot on technicalities. We'll need more signatures to get on the ballot. THIS IS A REAL AND DIRECT WAY YOU CAN ACTIVELY CHALLENGE THE BUSH AGENDA LOCALLY. If you're a registered Democrat you can gather signatures individually, with friends, or you might be able to share time with Robert on the campaign trail and help him gather signatures at the same time. Call us at 1.212.973.1782 to let us know when you have 2 or 3 hours. It's easy, fun and very important.
We must get Robert Jereski on the primary ballot, so that voters will have a choice for fair trade, peace and the protection of our civil liberties.
Raise Or Donate Funds ... We're running against a millionaire, conservative incumbent. But we're running an innovative and exciting grassroots campaign. A modest donation goes a long way with us! We've already created a buzz in the district and have already had an impact on the incumbent. We challenged her position on health care in a public forum and two and a half weeks later, she signed onto the Universal Health Care bill in Congress! We can do a lot more, on Pentagon Spending, the War in Iraq, the creation of decent jobs and more. We need your support to change her positions on these important issues!
Donate online here: http://www.jereskiforcongress.com/Donate.php
Or send a check to:
"Friends of Robert Jereski"
2 Tudor City Place, 9AS
New York, NY 10017
Tell your friends about this important race. Ask them to volunteer and/or donate too! No corporate checks accepted. Not more than $2,000 allowed.
Update ... Over two dozen people carrying petitions for us in the District! Reports back show that people are eager to have their views represented. The latest featured endorsement: Edmund McWilliams, a thirty year veteran of the foreign service at the State Department's Human Rights, Democracy and Labor Department and a Vietnam Veteran. Here's what he had to say about our efforts:
"I believe Robert Jereski is one of a new band of progressive young leaders who not only reject the failed policies of the past but are pursuing promising new approaches, particularly with regard to the disastrous course charted by the Bush Administration in Iraq and elsewhere abroad. As a foreign policy specialist, with 30 years of Government service, I believe that Jereski offers new thinking regarding complex foreign policy problems which is creative and responsible."
See more about Robert Jereski's background at: http://www.jereskiforcongress.com and see for yourself why so many civic leaders throughout the district are endorsing the campaign.
Robert Jereski testifies for our First Amendment Rights on June 16th:
"I am testifying today to emphasis my commitment to the right to assemble peacefully and to petition our government for grievances as ensured by our Constitution and the legacy of civil rights and other activists who have fought to maintain our democracy. . . ."
Read his entire testimony before the Government Operations Committee of the City Council defending our first amendment right to protest during the Republican National Convention to be posted soon on the Jereski website.
Why This Race Is Very Important
The incumbent enabled the Bush Agenda, supporting his war in Iraq. She did this despite the fact that calls to her office by her constituents were one thousand to one against authorizing Bush to go to war! And despite the fact that hundreds of thousands of people marched against the war in her district. She also supported Bush's erosion of our civil liberties, his corporate trade agenda, and his fiscally reckless Pentagon spending, including the Star Wars missile shield and new nuclear weapons! We need to send a message loud and clear to this "Democrat" that she can not take our vote for granted when she ignores our wishes on the most pressing issues of the day! Consider also that the headquarters of the major corporate media outfits in the country are in our district. The executives of these companies are residents of the district. Our district includes the wealthiest zip code in the country. We can have a major effect on the future of the district, of our country, and of our Democratic Party by winning this election!
Thanks for all your good efforts to help get the Democratic Party back on track and help Clean the House!
In peace and solidarity,
Robert Jereski
Candidate
U.S. Congress
www.jereskiforcongress.com
212.973.1782
Thursday, June 17, 2004
Be There On Saturday, June 19th, To Cross The Brooklyn Bridge For HEALTH CARE NATIONAL DAY OF ACTION
Today, 8 out of 10 people who don't have health care are members of working families. They are in our communities; they are our neighbors, family and friends. Did you know that more than 3 million New Yorkers – 300,000 of whom are children – have no health care?!? It is time to demand a solution to the growing health care crisis in America and "bridge the gap" between those who have health care and the 44+ million American's who don't. Between those who can afford good health care and those of us who can't. BE PART OF THE ACTION! On June 19th, all across America, communities will be holding "bridgewalks" to show their support for health care for all. Join thousands of New Yorkers [or those in your own communities] - working families, local leaders, health care workers, small business owners, seniors, students and others – as we walk and march across the Brooklyn Bridge to “bridge the gap” in health care. The day kicks off at Cadman Plaza in Brooklyn at 11:00 am, followed by the Brooklyn Bridge Walk and rally. From the Golden Gate Bridge to the Brooklyn Bridge, we are taking to the streets to send the message that every man, woman and child in America must have quality, affordable health care we can all count on. Check out the following site: http://www.imahealthcarevoter.org
KUCINICH RECEIVES THANK YOU FROM LA CROWD
Mimi Kennedy hosted a reception for Dennis Kucinich at the critically-acclaimed Tamarin restaurant in Los Angeles Sunday night to thank him for continuing to influence the Democratic Party on key issues. James Cromwell (HBO’s Six Feet Under), Lila Garrett (KPFK – All in the Family), and Shelley Morrison (Will & Grace) were among a private crowd of 75 who greeted Kucinich. Tamarin owner Uma Singh turned down numerous reservations requests in favor of the Kucinich event. "President Bush will be a formidable opponent," Kucinich warned fellow Democrats at the gathering. "We need to go to the Democratic Convention in Boston next month and adopt a winning platform if we are to take the White House," he urged. Many of the attendees will be off to the convention next month.
http://www.notobush.com/
Message From NARAL Pro-Choice - Its Time To Party & Volunteer
You've been invited to a party in the park! All of the New York City organizations who collaborated on the March for Women's Lives will be together again on June 26th in Union Square Park, 11am to 3PM, to host a summer informational event. NARAL Pro-Choice New York is in need of volunteers to staff the info table during two shifts: 11-1pm and 1-3pm. Please contact Christina Tenuta, ctenuta@prochoiceny.org or 212-343-0114 ext 25, to sign-up for this event. And thank you for your help!
http://www.jereskiforcongress.com
Should President Bush Be Impeached?
DEMOCRACY NOW
by Amy Goodman
http://www.democracynow.org/article.pl?sid=04/06/16/151222
911 Commission Findings Support What Kucinich Has Been Saying All Along
In September and early October 2002, when members of the U.S. House and Senate were debating a resolution granting the President the authority to go to war against Iraq, Congressman Dennis Kucinich repeatedly and vigorously argued that there was no credible evidence linking Iraq with al-Qaida or with the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. Today, the staff of the 911 Commission, which has been independently investigating matters related to those attacks, issued the following statement: "We have no credible evidence that Iraq and al-Qaida cooperated on attacks against the United States." The staff report states that there had been some contacts between Iraqi officials and al-Qaida before and after Osama bin Laden established his base in Afghanistan in 1996.
"Bin Laden is said to have requested space to establish training camps, as well as assistance in procuring weapons, but Iraq apparently never responded," the report said. "There have been reports that contacts between Iraq and al-Qaida also occurred" after bin Laden moved his operations to Afghanistan in 1996, "but they do not appear to have resulted in a collaborative relationship," it said. Kucinich led the fight in the U.S. House to oppose the war resolution and eventually persuaded 133 other Congressmen to vote with him against the resolution. His opposition to the war and his call for a withdrawal of U.S. forces from Iraq have been a cornerstone of his Democratic Presidential campaign.
Clinton Says He Never Considered Quitting
YAHOO NEWS - AP
[Duchess Note ... Bravo! I say we should put either Carter or Clinton back in the White House and kick out the insane, corrupt crap thats illegally there now. Would we be going through the current crap today if either of those men were in charge ... HELL NO! Bring back a solid Democrat government and White House. Clean out the crap that doesn't give a damn about 75% Americans, the environment or the world. We want democracy now ... down with Imperialism!] Read the whole article on Clinton here: http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/ap/20040617/ap_on_en_tv/60_minutes_clinton&cid=496&ncid=716
Message From Eli Pariser At MoveOn.Org Regarding "Fahrenheit 9/11"
Last night, I got a chance to see a sneak preview of Michael Moore's new film Fahrenheit 9/11. It is an incredibly powerful movie that lays bare the cynicism and greed behind Bush's war policy. And the astonishing and revealing footage in it has the power to change the course of the 2004 election. Given how devastating the movie is to President Bush's carefully crafted facade, it's hardly surprising that right-wing groups who call Moore a "domestic enemy" are using censorship and intimidation tactics to try to get it pulled from theaters. That's why we've got to do everything we can to make the opening a huge success. Today, we're asking MoveOn members to pledge to see the film on the opening night - Friday, June 25th. (If you can't make it on Friday, pledging to go on Saturday or Sunday is fine, too). It'll be fun, of course - you'll be watching the movie with lots of other MoveOn members. It'll also send an unmistakable message to the media and theater owners that the public is behind this movie. To see the Fahrenheit 9/11 trailer and pledge to see the movie on the opening weekend, go to: http://www.moveonpac.org/f911/?id=2949-2148547-PXSmiHAwO2D85IRKO3jqbg
Then please pass this message on to your friends, family, and co-workers. Fahrenheit 9/11 isn't just the most powerful and complete indictment of the Bush administration that I've ever seen - it's one of the best movies I've ever seen. It's a knockout blow: a poignant, darkly funny film that deftly interweaves footage of the President, his allies, and the Americans his policies betrayed. As Fox News' reviewer put it, the movie "is a tribute to patriotism, to the American sense of duty - and at the same time an indictment of stupidity and avarice." Full story here: http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,122680,00.html
Despite years of television coverage on Iraq and the war on terror, most of the movie consists of footage you'd never see on TV. There are heart-breaking interviews with troops in Iraq, chilling scenes of the civilian consequences of that war, and footage of Bush so candid and revealing that it's hard to imagine how Moore got his hands on it. In one unforgettable scene from the morning of September 11th, Bush blithely reads a children's book to a classroom of kids for seven long minutes after his chief of staff quietly informs him that the second plane has hit the World Trade Center and "we're under attack." The film is filled with this stuff, and it's hard to imagine seeing it and not being moved, shocked, and outraged. Fahrenheit 9/11 opens with footage of Bush administration officials putting on their TV makeup. Paul Wolfowitz sticks his comb in his mouth, slathers it with spit, brushes it through his hair, and grins a toothy grin. Colin Powell eyes the camera nervously as a makeup artist dusts his face. And, moments before President Bush goes on TV to somberly announce the beginning of the Iraq war, we see him goofing around, making funny faces at the folks behind the camera. These candid portraits encapsulate the genius of Moore's documentary. Compared to his other films, there's little pranking or moralizing. Moore basically stays out of the picture: he doesn't have to indict the Bush administration, because with powerful and indisputable video, Bush and the rest indict themselves.
As Moore unravels Bush's story, he joins it with the stories of the real Americans who have shouldered the burden of the post-9/11 war policy. In Flint, Michigan, we hear from a group of inner-city kids whose only option for education and a better life is to enlist in the Army - and then, in a scene that's both humorous and deeply creepy, join two Marine recruiters as they case a local mall for possible enlistees. We watch a California peace group that was infiltrated by the local police department under the Patriot Act. And, in the final heartbreaking scenes, we witness the pain of a mother who lost her son in Iraq. In the hands of other directors, the content could easily feel exploitative. But Moore is grounded by a patriotism that rings through
every frame of the film. Compassion and love of country give the film its striking authenticity: it's clear that what stings most about the President's behavior, for the subjects of the film, is Bush's betrayal of our country's soul. Fahrenheit 9/11 is a film with the power to change hearts and minds. It's brilliant, funny, moving, and authentic. And together, we can make it a huge success. Watch the trailer and pledge to see the film opening night at: http://www.moveonpac.org/f911/?id=2949-2148547-PXSmiHAwO2D85IRKO3jqbg
Today, 8 out of 10 people who don't have health care are members of working families. They are in our communities; they are our neighbors, family and friends. Did you know that more than 3 million New Yorkers – 300,000 of whom are children – have no health care?!? It is time to demand a solution to the growing health care crisis in America and "bridge the gap" between those who have health care and the 44+ million American's who don't. Between those who can afford good health care and those of us who can't. BE PART OF THE ACTION! On June 19th, all across America, communities will be holding "bridgewalks" to show their support for health care for all. Join thousands of New Yorkers [or those in your own communities] - working families, local leaders, health care workers, small business owners, seniors, students and others – as we walk and march across the Brooklyn Bridge to “bridge the gap” in health care. The day kicks off at Cadman Plaza in Brooklyn at 11:00 am, followed by the Brooklyn Bridge Walk and rally. From the Golden Gate Bridge to the Brooklyn Bridge, we are taking to the streets to send the message that every man, woman and child in America must have quality, affordable health care we can all count on. Check out the following site: http://www.imahealthcarevoter.org
KUCINICH RECEIVES THANK YOU FROM LA CROWD
Mimi Kennedy hosted a reception for Dennis Kucinich at the critically-acclaimed Tamarin restaurant in Los Angeles Sunday night to thank him for continuing to influence the Democratic Party on key issues. James Cromwell (HBO’s Six Feet Under), Lila Garrett (KPFK – All in the Family), and Shelley Morrison (Will & Grace) were among a private crowd of 75 who greeted Kucinich. Tamarin owner Uma Singh turned down numerous reservations requests in favor of the Kucinich event. "President Bush will be a formidable opponent," Kucinich warned fellow Democrats at the gathering. "We need to go to the Democratic Convention in Boston next month and adopt a winning platform if we are to take the White House," he urged. Many of the attendees will be off to the convention next month.
http://www.notobush.com/
Message From NARAL Pro-Choice - Its Time To Party & Volunteer
You've been invited to a party in the park! All of the New York City organizations who collaborated on the March for Women's Lives will be together again on June 26th in Union Square Park, 11am to 3PM, to host a summer informational event. NARAL Pro-Choice New York is in need of volunteers to staff the info table during two shifts: 11-1pm and 1-3pm. Please contact Christina Tenuta, ctenuta@prochoiceny.org or 212-343-0114 ext 25, to sign-up for this event. And thank you for your help!
http://www.jereskiforcongress.com
Should President Bush Be Impeached?
DEMOCRACY NOW
by Amy Goodman
http://www.democracynow.org/article.pl?sid=04/06/16/151222
911 Commission Findings Support What Kucinich Has Been Saying All Along
In September and early October 2002, when members of the U.S. House and Senate were debating a resolution granting the President the authority to go to war against Iraq, Congressman Dennis Kucinich repeatedly and vigorously argued that there was no credible evidence linking Iraq with al-Qaida or with the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. Today, the staff of the 911 Commission, which has been independently investigating matters related to those attacks, issued the following statement: "We have no credible evidence that Iraq and al-Qaida cooperated on attacks against the United States." The staff report states that there had been some contacts between Iraqi officials and al-Qaida before and after Osama bin Laden established his base in Afghanistan in 1996.
"Bin Laden is said to have requested space to establish training camps, as well as assistance in procuring weapons, but Iraq apparently never responded," the report said. "There have been reports that contacts between Iraq and al-Qaida also occurred" after bin Laden moved his operations to Afghanistan in 1996, "but they do not appear to have resulted in a collaborative relationship," it said. Kucinich led the fight in the U.S. House to oppose the war resolution and eventually persuaded 133 other Congressmen to vote with him against the resolution. His opposition to the war and his call for a withdrawal of U.S. forces from Iraq have been a cornerstone of his Democratic Presidential campaign.
Clinton Says He Never Considered Quitting
YAHOO NEWS - AP
[Duchess Note ... Bravo! I say we should put either Carter or Clinton back in the White House and kick out the insane, corrupt crap thats illegally there now. Would we be going through the current crap today if either of those men were in charge ... HELL NO! Bring back a solid Democrat government and White House. Clean out the crap that doesn't give a damn about 75% Americans, the environment or the world. We want democracy now ... down with Imperialism!] Read the whole article on Clinton here: http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/ap/20040617/ap_on_en_tv/60_minutes_clinton&cid=496&ncid=716
Message From Eli Pariser At MoveOn.Org Regarding "Fahrenheit 9/11"
Last night, I got a chance to see a sneak preview of Michael Moore's new film Fahrenheit 9/11. It is an incredibly powerful movie that lays bare the cynicism and greed behind Bush's war policy. And the astonishing and revealing footage in it has the power to change the course of the 2004 election. Given how devastating the movie is to President Bush's carefully crafted facade, it's hardly surprising that right-wing groups who call Moore a "domestic enemy" are using censorship and intimidation tactics to try to get it pulled from theaters. That's why we've got to do everything we can to make the opening a huge success. Today, we're asking MoveOn members to pledge to see the film on the opening night - Friday, June 25th. (If you can't make it on Friday, pledging to go on Saturday or Sunday is fine, too). It'll be fun, of course - you'll be watching the movie with lots of other MoveOn members. It'll also send an unmistakable message to the media and theater owners that the public is behind this movie. To see the Fahrenheit 9/11 trailer and pledge to see the movie on the opening weekend, go to: http://www.moveonpac.org/f911/?id=2949-2148547-PXSmiHAwO2D85IRKO3jqbg
Then please pass this message on to your friends, family, and co-workers. Fahrenheit 9/11 isn't just the most powerful and complete indictment of the Bush administration that I've ever seen - it's one of the best movies I've ever seen. It's a knockout blow: a poignant, darkly funny film that deftly interweaves footage of the President, his allies, and the Americans his policies betrayed. As Fox News' reviewer put it, the movie "is a tribute to patriotism, to the American sense of duty - and at the same time an indictment of stupidity and avarice." Full story here: http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,122680,00.html
Despite years of television coverage on Iraq and the war on terror, most of the movie consists of footage you'd never see on TV. There are heart-breaking interviews with troops in Iraq, chilling scenes of the civilian consequences of that war, and footage of Bush so candid and revealing that it's hard to imagine how Moore got his hands on it. In one unforgettable scene from the morning of September 11th, Bush blithely reads a children's book to a classroom of kids for seven long minutes after his chief of staff quietly informs him that the second plane has hit the World Trade Center and "we're under attack." The film is filled with this stuff, and it's hard to imagine seeing it and not being moved, shocked, and outraged. Fahrenheit 9/11 opens with footage of Bush administration officials putting on their TV makeup. Paul Wolfowitz sticks his comb in his mouth, slathers it with spit, brushes it through his hair, and grins a toothy grin. Colin Powell eyes the camera nervously as a makeup artist dusts his face. And, moments before President Bush goes on TV to somberly announce the beginning of the Iraq war, we see him goofing around, making funny faces at the folks behind the camera. These candid portraits encapsulate the genius of Moore's documentary. Compared to his other films, there's little pranking or moralizing. Moore basically stays out of the picture: he doesn't have to indict the Bush administration, because with powerful and indisputable video, Bush and the rest indict themselves.
As Moore unravels Bush's story, he joins it with the stories of the real Americans who have shouldered the burden of the post-9/11 war policy. In Flint, Michigan, we hear from a group of inner-city kids whose only option for education and a better life is to enlist in the Army - and then, in a scene that's both humorous and deeply creepy, join two Marine recruiters as they case a local mall for possible enlistees. We watch a California peace group that was infiltrated by the local police department under the Patriot Act. And, in the final heartbreaking scenes, we witness the pain of a mother who lost her son in Iraq. In the hands of other directors, the content could easily feel exploitative. But Moore is grounded by a patriotism that rings through
every frame of the film. Compassion and love of country give the film its striking authenticity: it's clear that what stings most about the President's behavior, for the subjects of the film, is Bush's betrayal of our country's soul. Fahrenheit 9/11 is a film with the power to change hearts and minds. It's brilliant, funny, moving, and authentic. And together, we can make it a huge success. Watch the trailer and pledge to see the film opening night at: http://www.moveonpac.org/f911/?id=2949-2148547-PXSmiHAwO2D85IRKO3jqbg
Wednesday, June 16, 2004
[Please say prayers for my dear London friend Caroline, who suffered a stroke yesterday and is in hospital. I learned the news yesterday when I got home and received a brief voicemail from Caroline's Mum. Very upsetting news! She only turned 50 two weeks ago! Dear lord, help my friend get well soon, very soon. Amen!]
[Back on June 5th Nicholas Cage & Sean Bean were down in front of Trinity Church (near Wall Street) finishing work on the film "National Treasure". This movie is due out later this year and is a drama/thriller. These gents are two of my fav actors ... two very sexy men. The photo below was taken at recent Cannes Film Festival. Sean Bean, Eric Bana & Orlando Bloom are starring in the film TROY.]
The Fight Of Our Lives
ALTERNET
by Bill Moyers
http://alternet.org/stories/18954/
PEARL JAM To Release - Live At Benaroya Hall October 22, 2004 - First-Ever Full Length Acoustic Performance Album To Be Released At Retail July 27th
Pre-Orders Available at www.pearljam.com Beginning June 21 With Band Poster for $13. Twelve years ago, Pearl Jam performed a rare acoustic show for MTV as part of the "Unplugged" series. Although the performance was never officially released, it continues to be one of the band's most bootlegged shows. On July 27th, 2004, Pearl Jam fans can satiate their acoustic appetites with the band's first ever full-length, mostly acoustic live show on a double disc CD entitled Live at Benaroya Hall October 22, 2003.
"Live at Benaroya Hall October 22, 2003 will feature the band's 2+ hour, sold-out performance on October 22, 2003 at the intimate 2,500-seat venue which marked the first live performance of Pearl Jams Golden Globe nominated song MAN OF THE HOUR, as well as acoustic covers of Bob Dylans MASTERS OF WAR, the Ramones’ I BELIEVE IN MIRACLES and Johnny Cashs 25 MINUTES TO GO. The full set list from the evening follows:
DISC 1
OF THE GIRL
LOWLIGHT
THUMBING MY WAY
THIN AIR
FATAL
NOTHING AS IT SEEMS
MAN OF THE HOUR
IMMORTALITY
OFF HE GOES
AROUND THE BEND
I BELIEVE IN MIRACLES
SLEIGHT OF HAND
ALL OR NONE
LUKIN
DISC 2
PARTING WAYS
DOWN
CAN'T KEEP
DEAD MAN
MASTERS OF WAR
BLACK
CRAZY MARY
25 MINUTES TO GO
DAUGHTER
YELLOW LEDBETTER
Pre-orders for the CD will be available at www.pearljam.com beginning June 21 for $13. Only CDs ordered through the Pearl Jam Ten Club will include a special poster featuring a photo of the band taken at the Benaroya show by renowned photographer Charles Peterson. A special limited edition vinyl box set will also be available through the band's website only and will also include the poster. The Benaroya Hall show was a benefit for YouthCare, a non profit organization providing a range of comprehensive services for Seattle's homeless and at-risk youth for the past 30 years. A portion of the proceeds from the sale of the CD will also benefit YouthCare. For more information on YouthCare, please visit: youthcare.org.
"This was one of those special shows, but because it was not part of the 2003 tour bootleg series and fans were asking for it, and because of the unique nature of the performance itself- it being the band's first full length acoustic show- it felt like a show we should give fans the chance to own", said band manager Kelly Curtis.
Reviews from the Benaroya show were glowing:
"The concert brought especially stirring performances from Vedder and guitarist McCready, who received several ovations." Gene Stout, Seattle Post Intelligencer.
"With or without juice, Pearl Jam puts on an electrifying show." The encore provided some of the finest moments of the evening, from a bone-tingling version of Victoria Williams CRAZY MARY, to the plaintive and plainly beautifully BLACK. For the latter, Vedder turned the mike toward the audience, and with some 2,500 people singing along, it was dramatic and moving." Tina Potterf, The Seattle Times
"Things didn't quite go as advertised: McCready and Ament plugged in for a few select numbers, and [Boom] Gaspar's organ was juiced throughout. That's not to mention the full-blown, electric delivery on the night's feel good finale, YELLOW LEDBETTER. [Vedder's] solo delivery of DEAD MAN was one of the nights highlights, promptly topped, upon the band's return, with a chilling delivery of Dylan's war protest song [MASTERS OF WAR]." Ernest Jasmine, Morning News Tribune
Kucinich Progressive Values Being Widely Embraced Recognizing Campaign Achievements
The Dennis Kucinich presidential campaign has changed the American political landscape. Even though the Democratic Party appears headed to selecting its presumptive nominee, Dennis Kucinich, with the help of dedicated and determined supporters, has kept the debate on the issues alive long after others bowed out. And if you look closely at platform resolutions adopted at state conventions currently underway across the country, the progressive values of the Kucinich campaign are loudly and clearly being embraced and advanced by Democrats around the nation. The resolutions are essentially endorsements by the state Democratic parties of specific ideas and policies. With the primary season coming to an end, let's take a moment to acknowledge the hard work of our grassroots in getting these resolutions passed. Thank you to...
Massachusetts Democrats:
-clean and publicly funded elections
-universal pre-kindergarten care
-and universal single-payer healthcare!
Colorado Democrats:
-stronger regulation and labeling of organic and genetically modified organisms
-LGBT civil marriage rights
-universal pre-kindergarten care
-the use of medical cannabis as prescribed by a doctor
-U.N. in, U.S. out of Iraq
-universal single-payer healthcare
-a cabinet-level Department of Peace
-the elimination of the use of depleted uranium in the U.S. arsenal and the repeal of sections of the Patriot Act
Minnesota Democrats:
-U.N. in, U.S. out
-repeal of the Patriot Act
-LGBT civil marriage rights
-universal single-payer healthcare and opposition to a military draft!
Washington Democrats:
-canceling NAFTA and the WTO
-repealing sections of the Patriot Act
-universal single-payer healthcare
-U.N. in, U.S. out
-stronger regulation and labeling of organic and genetically modified organisms
-the use of medical cannabis as prescribed by a doctor
-affirming a minimum living-wage
-LGBT civil marriage rights
-a Department of Peace and publicly financed political campaigns
Maine Democrats:
-instant runoff voting
-affirming a minimum living wage
-universal single-payer healthcare
-repeal of the Patriot Act
-universal pre-kindergarten care
-U.N. in, U.S. out and canceling NAFTA and the WTO!
Oregon info:
-canceling NAFTA and the WTO
-repealing segments of the Patriot Act
-universal single-payer healthcare
-U.N. in, U.S. out
-stronger regulation and labeling of organic and genetically modified organisms
-LGBT civil marriage rights
-the creation of a Department of Peace
-publicly financing political campaigns
-the elimination of the use of depleted uranium in the U.S. arsenal and opposition to a military draft
We've had a strong and positive impact on the policies of the Democratic Party at the local and state levels, and now it is time to take it to the national level. With the June 8th end to the primary season behind us, the focus and energy of the Kucinich Campaign is turning towards Boston and the Democratic Convention. We are currently the only organized group lobbying the DNC on platform issues. So, thanks to everyone for all of their hard work and passionate energy over the past year. We have made so much progress, but that is only the beginning. Our long-shot campaign has evolved into a powerful movement! Please join us during this exciting phase of our work together.
Update From The Frank Barbaro Campaign Here In NYC
Bush's Rubber Stamp, Vito Fossella, is sweating bullets, and it's not because of the weather! Frank Barbaro's campaign for the 13th Congressional District seat had another great week, canvassing events throughout the district as part of our petition drive, as well as our general efforts to raise awareness of the Barbaro campaign. This week, we're going to be continuing in both those efforts, and we like your help in doing so. We need to spread the message that Frank Barbaro is ready and willing to fight for the issues Staten Islanders and Brooklynites care about: quality, affordable health care; an increase in the minimum wage; preserving Social Security and Medicare; giving our police, firefighters, and other first responders the support they need and deserve; and many other issues that Vito Fossella has ignored during his terms in Congress.
We have a constant need for people to attend events throughout the week, handing out literature and getting people to sign petitions. If you're interested in helping us out, our office is at 36 Richmond Terrace, Suite 215 (right across from Richmond County Bank Ballpark, home of the SI Yankees, and just a few blocks from the ferry.) Our office is open from 9:30AM to 8PM every day. The petition drive is especially important at this point in the campaign; we really need volunteers willing to come in, pick up petitions and walksheets, and canvas areas to ensure that we're on the ballot in November. We're having a special major mobilization event this Saturday, June 19th, so we really need people to come to either our Brooklyn or Staten Island offices, any time after 10AM. We also need volunteers to help out around the office, so if you want to help out, but would prefer to stay somewhere with a semblance of air conditioning, we can accommodate you. We had a great response to our last e-mail call for volunteers, and our thanks go out to those of you who came in to help out over the weekend. But unseating Vito is going to be a long, hard fight, and we're going to need your help if we want to put somebody in Congress who cares about the average person, rather than the huge corporations. We look forward to seeing you at the office. Our Brooklyn office is now open! It's located at the Starts and Stripes Democratic Club at 8411 15th Avenue.
Tuesday, June 15, 2004
A Message From MOVEON.ORG Regarding Cheney's Corruption & Halliburton
Yesterday morning the L.A. Times released a new Halliburton bombshell: it's now clear that over the protests of an Army official, Vice President Cheney's office helped ensure that Cheney's old company Halliburton would receive a $7 billion no-bid contract for rebuilding Iraq. Faced with a choice between serving our troops and helping out his corporate buddies, Cheney chose the latter. The timing for our new ad exposing how Halliburton and Bush administration officials took taxpayers for a ride couldn’t be better. And starting tomorrow, Congress will be holding hearings on whether Halliburton used its close ties to administration officials to get sweetheart deals, shortchanging both our troops and U.S. taxpayers. Since Thursday afternoon, we've already raised about $420,000 to air the ad. But in order to get the ad in front of swing-state voters
>for a week starting tomorrow, we’ll need to raise about $1.1 million. Together, if we all pitch in what we can, we can make it happen. Take a look at the finished ad and help get it on the air at:
https://www.moveonpac.org/donate/halliburton.html?id=2940-2148547-VD_8RklqKbs__Vcwir1Jaw
The list of governmental investigations against Halliburton just keeps on growing. Just last Friday, Halliburton disclosed yet another one -- the SEC is investigating one of its subsidiaries for foreign corruption. Halliburton's unethical behavior is in the news this week, and with your help we can get it in front of key voters in battleground states as well.
Yesterday morning the L.A. Times released a new Halliburton bombshell: it's now clear that over the protests of an Army official, Vice President Cheney's office helped ensure that Cheney's old company Halliburton would receive a $7 billion no-bid contract for rebuilding Iraq. Faced with a choice between serving our troops and helping out his corporate buddies, Cheney chose the latter. The timing for our new ad exposing how Halliburton and Bush administration officials took taxpayers for a ride couldn’t be better. And starting tomorrow, Congress will be holding hearings on whether Halliburton used its close ties to administration officials to get sweetheart deals, shortchanging both our troops and U.S. taxpayers. Since Thursday afternoon, we've already raised about $420,000 to air the ad. But in order to get the ad in front of swing-state voters
>for a week starting tomorrow, we’ll need to raise about $1.1 million. Together, if we all pitch in what we can, we can make it happen. Take a look at the finished ad and help get it on the air at:
https://www.moveonpac.org/donate/halliburton.html?id=2940-2148547-VD_8RklqKbs__Vcwir1Jaw
The list of governmental investigations against Halliburton just keeps on growing. Just last Friday, Halliburton disclosed yet another one -- the SEC is investigating one of its subsidiaries for foreign corruption. Halliburton's unethical behavior is in the news this week, and with your help we can get it in front of key voters in battleground states as well.
Monday, June 14, 2004
Reagan's Destructive Revolution
SEATTLE TIMES
by Walter Williams
Yet, it is best labeled the "Stealth Revolution" because pundits and the public, after nearly a quarter century, still appear to be unaware of its existence, much less the damage already done. The deleterious changes have stayed under the radar. Be that as it may, a revolution is in full swing. President Reagan's two terms put it on course; Reaganism sustained it for the next 12 years; George W. Bush, Reagan's disciple, re-energized it with a vengeance. Following the tenets of Reaganism, Bush has led the most undemocratic American government in the post-World War II era. It well may be the least democratic government since 1789. Read the whole article: http://www.commondreams.org/views04/0611-08.htm
How Green Was The Gipper?
GRIST MAGAZINE
by Amanda Griscom
With all due respect to President Reagan, who was a very nice man, the Republican mythmaking machine is puffing so hard I'm amazed they aren't having a funeral train stop in the 17 swing states," said Phil Clapp, president of National Environmental Trust. "They are rewriting history to make a political icon out of a flawed president." For more on this story: http://alternet.org/envirohealth/18924/
The Wal-Mart Effect
IN THESE TIMES
by David Moberg
http://alternet.org/stories/18926/
Miami's Pallbearers: A Dying Breed
BBC NEWS
by Daniel Lak
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/3791697.stm
Is US Like Germany Of The 1930s?
CHICAGO SUN TIMES
by Andrew Greeley
http://www.commondreams.org/views04/0611-10.htm
SEATTLE TIMES
by Walter Williams
Yet, it is best labeled the "Stealth Revolution" because pundits and the public, after nearly a quarter century, still appear to be unaware of its existence, much less the damage already done. The deleterious changes have stayed under the radar. Be that as it may, a revolution is in full swing. President Reagan's two terms put it on course; Reaganism sustained it for the next 12 years; George W. Bush, Reagan's disciple, re-energized it with a vengeance. Following the tenets of Reaganism, Bush has led the most undemocratic American government in the post-World War II era. It well may be the least democratic government since 1789. Read the whole article: http://www.commondreams.org/views04/0611-08.htm
How Green Was The Gipper?
GRIST MAGAZINE
by Amanda Griscom
With all due respect to President Reagan, who was a very nice man, the Republican mythmaking machine is puffing so hard I'm amazed they aren't having a funeral train stop in the 17 swing states," said Phil Clapp, president of National Environmental Trust. "They are rewriting history to make a political icon out of a flawed president." For more on this story: http://alternet.org/envirohealth/18924/
The Wal-Mart Effect
IN THESE TIMES
by David Moberg
http://alternet.org/stories/18926/
Miami's Pallbearers: A Dying Breed
BBC NEWS
by Daniel Lak
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/3791697.stm
Is US Like Germany Of The 1930s?
CHICAGO SUN TIMES
by Andrew Greeley
http://www.commondreams.org/views04/0611-10.htm
Sunday, June 13, 2004
Blue Collar Defines Life Of Kucinich
THE ENQUIRER
by John Eckberg
For more than two decades, Kucinich's message has been constant, ever since he was mayor of Cleveland and was blamed for letting his city slide into bankruptcy. That isn't exactly what happened, however. Blame for the default belongs with Cleveland-area bankers, who refused to roll over city notes because Kucinich had, in turn, refused to sell a public electric distribution system to an investor-owned utility company. That's the same company that years later would bring us the blackout of the summer of 2003 and a near meltdown the year before that at the Davis-Besse nuclear power plant. In the ensuing years, residents of Cleveland saved some $250 million because Kucinich held his ground against the power brokers who wanted to profit from a public system. For more on this story: http://www.enquirer.com/editions/2004/06/13/biz_biz1eckberg.html
Personal News - Part XXV
A happy, sunny, warm Sunday to you all! Weather wise we here in NYC had wonderful Springtime temps and loads of sunshine this weekend. Yesterday was truly glorious and I even got abit of a sunburn on neck and arms. But I'm getting ahead of myself and not relating the whole week of newsie tidbits.
As I related earlier this week on my blog ... Rob Jereski made his "announcement" in running for Congress in the 14th district on Monday, June 7th, down in Union Square. That event went well, of which I made abit of a report [w/photos] here on the Duchess Blog. The following evening of June 8th, I joined Rob Jereski in his neighborhood at Tudor City [eastside of midtown Manhattan] to help him get signatures on a petition. [People running for congress, in a particular district, need 1250 signatures to get on ballot.] The two of us were out and about for 1 1/2 hours meeting folk on his street. It was an interesting experience, as not all are registered Democrats. Some are Republicans [they were not civil & the Democrats were], others were open-minded Independents and since Tudor City is near the UN, many were non US citizens and not eligible to vote. We got about 30+ signatures from a variety of individuals and that's not bad for a first day of canvassing/petitioning. The deadline is July 14th or there abouts. Many folk were coming home and then out again to walk their dogs. One was the most sweet tempered little dog a white, fluffy Pompoo ... which I was told by the owner is a mix of Pomeranian & Poodle. They are so adorable!
Work has been very productive this past week and getting things organized for another all day conference in early July. This coming week may be abit quiet ... as most of upper management in Insurance Tax dept will be at a 4 day conference down in Baltimore. This will afford me some "time" to work on and research for Rob's campaign and Kucinich committee items. On the home front ... work was done this week on indoor and outdoor gas pipes. Not by me ... no way ... by my landlady and outside contractors. I've also been trying to catch up on my reading of THE NATION subscription. Plus reading on the internet true reporting on the late President Reagan and not that spin crap broadcasted on stations like CNN or Fox News. [That man should of been impeached for the Iran-Contra scandal. It cost the lives of thousands of individuals and brought on troubles that we're still dealing with today. Clintons scandal with Monica didn't kill anyone. Worthy of impeachment? HELL NO! It was just an embarrassment, nothing else, but what Reagan Administration did over 8 years is horrible.] They did put on a decent funeral at that DC cathedral last Friday, with many world dignitaries in attendance. Hard to believe its been since the early 1970s when we last had a big presidential funeral.
Yesterday was a glorious weather day and also very productive for yours truly. Started off joining Rob and other Jereski supporters [ie: John & Bud] out at Roosevelt Island [situated between Manhattan and Queens in East River]. It was their annual Roosevelt Island Day celebrations and the island is part of the 14th Congressional District. So we were out there for at least 2 1/2 hours getting signatures on petitions. Plus it was my first time in visiting the island and I found it to be quite charming. One gets the feeling that it is its own separate and unique community or village, which is predominately Democrat. Hurray! We did very well in obtaining signatures and many of the locals really dislike Carolyn Maloney. She is the conservative, right wing Democrat incumbent of the 14th district. She really comes across as Republican lite these days, especially with voting for the Iraq occupation. Maloney was there at "event" with her three 20-something preppie minions [total dorks] trying to obtain signatures. Maloney even checked out what we were doing and tried to hand out her flyers. [The damn cow even snubbed Rob!] She approached me and attempted to give me a flyer, but I gave her a hard look and said "I want nothing to do with you". Enough on that ... we wrapped things up around 2:30pm and I headed back into Manhattan.
[Rob Jereski Out At Roosevelt Island Festival Day On June 12th]
Got some late lunch, briefly stopped by the office and then headed up to Lincoln Center for the annual Art & Craft Show. Lots of booths with different artisans selling their lovely items. I enjoy chatting with some about their unique bits of work. So many pretty things and me with little or no funds in my pocket. I did purchase a cute pin with my name on it and before heading home enjoyed a delicious ice cream cone. Last night I watched "Patriot Games" on DVD [ie: Harrison Ford & Sean Bean].
On Saturday, June 19th, Help Bridge the Gap in Healthcare
MoveOn.Org hopes you can join tens of thousands of people in a powerful action in support of health care for all Americans. The event, called "Bridging the Gap", is organized by our friends at SEIU, the Service Employees International Union. Details are below. We hope you can make it -- please sign up today to take part. Here are the details, from SEIU:
On Saturday, June 19th, tens of thousands of people -- those who have health insurance and those who don't, those who fear losing coverage and those who have too little -- will join together across the country to "bridge the gap" in health care. Bridging the Gap events generate local visibility and media coverage about the urgent need for health care reform. They range from local rallies or marches through town to "honk-and-wave" visibility events to walks across local bridges. To join in, go to: http://www.bridgingthegapforhealthcare.org?rID=14
If there isn't detailed information about where to go for your event on the website, just RSVP and the event organizers will email you shortly with directions. One goal of Bridging the Gap is to put a human face on the health care crisis by sharing personal stories. Online and at the events, Bridging the Gap participants will be talking about how lack of access to comprehensive health care insurance has effected them. You can share your own story by clicking on the link above. The story of Janelle Scott is a heart-wrenching illustration of the need for health care reform:
Lisa's daughter Janelle was 18 years old when she began experiencing chest pains and blackouts. She went to the doctor several times over a period of months, paying out of her own pocket because she didn't have any health coverage despite working two jobs. A week before she died, Janelle asked the practitioner to please do a chest x-ray because she was in so much pain. They turned her down because they said an x-ray would be too expensive without insurance. One week later, Janelle died. "If Janelle had had health insurance, her doctor would have run every test possible until they found out what was wrong with her. What happened to my daughter should not happen to anyone, especially in a country like the United States."
This situation is a crisis; 44 million Americans are uninsured and millions more are underinsured. In the time it will take you to read this e-mail, 5 more people will lose their health care coverage. In the next week, nearly 50,000 mothers, fathers, sons, daughters and grandparents will lose access to afford quality health care. On June 19th we will demand action by our elected officials.
THE ENQUIRER
by John Eckberg
For more than two decades, Kucinich's message has been constant, ever since he was mayor of Cleveland and was blamed for letting his city slide into bankruptcy. That isn't exactly what happened, however. Blame for the default belongs with Cleveland-area bankers, who refused to roll over city notes because Kucinich had, in turn, refused to sell a public electric distribution system to an investor-owned utility company. That's the same company that years later would bring us the blackout of the summer of 2003 and a near meltdown the year before that at the Davis-Besse nuclear power plant. In the ensuing years, residents of Cleveland saved some $250 million because Kucinich held his ground against the power brokers who wanted to profit from a public system. For more on this story: http://www.enquirer.com/editions/2004/06/13/biz_biz1eckberg.html
Personal News - Part XXV
A happy, sunny, warm Sunday to you all! Weather wise we here in NYC had wonderful Springtime temps and loads of sunshine this weekend. Yesterday was truly glorious and I even got abit of a sunburn on neck and arms. But I'm getting ahead of myself and not relating the whole week of newsie tidbits.
As I related earlier this week on my blog ... Rob Jereski made his "announcement" in running for Congress in the 14th district on Monday, June 7th, down in Union Square. That event went well, of which I made abit of a report [w/photos] here on the Duchess Blog. The following evening of June 8th, I joined Rob Jereski in his neighborhood at Tudor City [eastside of midtown Manhattan] to help him get signatures on a petition. [People running for congress, in a particular district, need 1250 signatures to get on ballot.] The two of us were out and about for 1 1/2 hours meeting folk on his street. It was an interesting experience, as not all are registered Democrats. Some are Republicans [they were not civil & the Democrats were], others were open-minded Independents and since Tudor City is near the UN, many were non US citizens and not eligible to vote. We got about 30+ signatures from a variety of individuals and that's not bad for a first day of canvassing/petitioning. The deadline is July 14th or there abouts. Many folk were coming home and then out again to walk their dogs. One was the most sweet tempered little dog a white, fluffy Pompoo ... which I was told by the owner is a mix of Pomeranian & Poodle. They are so adorable!
Work has been very productive this past week and getting things organized for another all day conference in early July. This coming week may be abit quiet ... as most of upper management in Insurance Tax dept will be at a 4 day conference down in Baltimore. This will afford me some "time" to work on and research for Rob's campaign and Kucinich committee items. On the home front ... work was done this week on indoor and outdoor gas pipes. Not by me ... no way ... by my landlady and outside contractors. I've also been trying to catch up on my reading of THE NATION subscription. Plus reading on the internet true reporting on the late President Reagan and not that spin crap broadcasted on stations like CNN or Fox News. [That man should of been impeached for the Iran-Contra scandal. It cost the lives of thousands of individuals and brought on troubles that we're still dealing with today. Clintons scandal with Monica didn't kill anyone. Worthy of impeachment? HELL NO! It was just an embarrassment, nothing else, but what Reagan Administration did over 8 years is horrible.] They did put on a decent funeral at that DC cathedral last Friday, with many world dignitaries in attendance. Hard to believe its been since the early 1970s when we last had a big presidential funeral.
Yesterday was a glorious weather day and also very productive for yours truly. Started off joining Rob and other Jereski supporters [ie: John & Bud] out at Roosevelt Island [situated between Manhattan and Queens in East River]. It was their annual Roosevelt Island Day celebrations and the island is part of the 14th Congressional District. So we were out there for at least 2 1/2 hours getting signatures on petitions. Plus it was my first time in visiting the island and I found it to be quite charming. One gets the feeling that it is its own separate and unique community or village, which is predominately Democrat. Hurray! We did very well in obtaining signatures and many of the locals really dislike Carolyn Maloney. She is the conservative, right wing Democrat incumbent of the 14th district. She really comes across as Republican lite these days, especially with voting for the Iraq occupation. Maloney was there at "event" with her three 20-something preppie minions [total dorks] trying to obtain signatures. Maloney even checked out what we were doing and tried to hand out her flyers. [The damn cow even snubbed Rob!] She approached me and attempted to give me a flyer, but I gave her a hard look and said "I want nothing to do with you". Enough on that ... we wrapped things up around 2:30pm and I headed back into Manhattan.
[Rob Jereski Out At Roosevelt Island Festival Day On June 12th]
Got some late lunch, briefly stopped by the office and then headed up to Lincoln Center for the annual Art & Craft Show. Lots of booths with different artisans selling their lovely items. I enjoy chatting with some about their unique bits of work. So many pretty things and me with little or no funds in my pocket. I did purchase a cute pin with my name on it and before heading home enjoyed a delicious ice cream cone. Last night I watched "Patriot Games" on DVD [ie: Harrison Ford & Sean Bean].
On Saturday, June 19th, Help Bridge the Gap in Healthcare
MoveOn.Org hopes you can join tens of thousands of people in a powerful action in support of health care for all Americans. The event, called "Bridging the Gap", is organized by our friends at SEIU, the Service Employees International Union. Details are below. We hope you can make it -- please sign up today to take part. Here are the details, from SEIU:
On Saturday, June 19th, tens of thousands of people -- those who have health insurance and those who don't, those who fear losing coverage and those who have too little -- will join together across the country to "bridge the gap" in health care. Bridging the Gap events generate local visibility and media coverage about the urgent need for health care reform. They range from local rallies or marches through town to "honk-and-wave" visibility events to walks across local bridges. To join in, go to: http://www.bridgingthegapforhealthcare.org?rID=14
If there isn't detailed information about where to go for your event on the website, just RSVP and the event organizers will email you shortly with directions. One goal of Bridging the Gap is to put a human face on the health care crisis by sharing personal stories. Online and at the events, Bridging the Gap participants will be talking about how lack of access to comprehensive health care insurance has effected them. You can share your own story by clicking on the link above. The story of Janelle Scott is a heart-wrenching illustration of the need for health care reform:
Lisa's daughter Janelle was 18 years old when she began experiencing chest pains and blackouts. She went to the doctor several times over a period of months, paying out of her own pocket because she didn't have any health coverage despite working two jobs. A week before she died, Janelle asked the practitioner to please do a chest x-ray because she was in so much pain. They turned her down because they said an x-ray would be too expensive without insurance. One week later, Janelle died. "If Janelle had had health insurance, her doctor would have run every test possible until they found out what was wrong with her. What happened to my daughter should not happen to anyone, especially in a country like the United States."
This situation is a crisis; 44 million Americans are uninsured and millions more are underinsured. In the time it will take you to read this e-mail, 5 more people will lose their health care coverage. In the next week, nearly 50,000 mothers, fathers, sons, daughters and grandparents will lose access to afford quality health care. On June 19th we will demand action by our elected officials.