Progressive Democrats for Congress & Update On Exploratory Committee to Elect Robert Jereski

Weekly Meeting Wednesday - Our Committee and other volunteers will hold our weekly district-wide meeting on Wednesday, April 14th at 6:30 p.m. The meeting will be held at 2 Tudor City Place, 9AS on 41st street between 1st and 2nd Avenue. Please feel free to bring something healthy for folks to share while we continue to work on our outreach efforts for the months ahead. Contact Rob Jereski at mutualaid@earthlink.net to confirm attendence. Thank you. Peace & Solidarity!

Glorifying the Fight for Slavery in Texas -- Forget the Alamo!
COUNTER PUNCH
By Don Santina
April 8, 2004
http://counterpunch.org/santina04092004.html

Actress & Kucinich Supporter Mimi Kennedy With A Wonderful Message From The Progressive Democrats Campaign Trail -- Please Share It With Others -- Remember What Kucinich Said "Fear Ends & Hope Begins

I was lucky enough to catch up with Dennis and the campaign in Colorado. It was a surprise - I had been there so my daughter could see Colorado College, but there was Dennis speaking at the IBEW Union Hall in a very, very moving gathering because it included a lot of military personnel and retired military. A General Lentz introduced Dennis and spoke of how he has seen young soldiers coming to his church food donation program looking for free food so their families can make it through the month. This general absolutely endorsed Dennis' Department of Peace idea and truly understands that support for the troops means the things Dennis Kucinich is talking about. A decent wage for those who put their lives on the line for their country, and support for them meaning that political negotiations must be part of this nation's plan to live in the international community and be worthy of the sacrifice that we call upon our young people and military personnel to stand ready to make.

When Dennis spoke, you could see the room embracing him, embracing his ideas. In Colorado Springs it's very well known, it's a very conservative community, living cheek-by-jowl with progressive people. And at the end during the question period, a young man with a shaved head, Dennis called on him and he stepped forward, and in kind of a trembling but strong voice, he thanked Dennis. He said he had just returned from fighting in Iraq. And he thanked Dennis for himself and on behalf of all of his buddies that were still over there fighting, because Dennis was keeping the message of peace alive in the campaign and bringing it to the Democratic party.

I saw a lot of heads nodding around that hall and I almost wept when at the end, this young man put his hand on his heart and nodded his head. Because I read somewhere that the soldiers in Iraq are beginning to adopt this gesture, which is part of Muslim greeting, which says "My greeting comes not just in my words from my lips, but I greet you with my heart." So Dennis is keeping this message alive. The national media is relegating a lot of the debate, a lot of what the nominee John Kerry is saying to the back pages, even as the guns of war blaze on the front pages. It's easy to feel helpless. DON'T! We can help by supporting Dennis' message. He's campaigning in 16 states where voters are debating the issue of this war, where the local media is debating this issue of the war, because the primary is still to come. And we can send a message to the Democratic Party and really make this party come alive and make it be the hope of the world from July into November.

From 2002 the Democrats stood for this war with the leadership and for not much of anything else that the voters could make out. And that resulted in tremendous losses for the Democratic Party. Dennis' campaign is bringing to the Democratic Party the new life and the new blood of the peace movement and even of the military personnel who understand that there needs to be a political component to their sacrifice. And it belongs in the Democratic Party and it belongs especially with our nominee Vietnam Veteran John Kerry.

Thank God Dennis' campaign is still alive. Make the media cover it - we heard him on Bob Edwards this morning [http://www.npr.org/rundowns/segment.php?wfId=1833332] - and Bob, who hadn't shown a lot of respect for Dennis' candidacy, understands it now. Because as Dennis reminded us all, men and women are dying in the field. For some this war will never be over, they've already lost someone. But it can be over, we can redirect our national wealth to health care, to education, to the environment, to jobs. That's the message Dennis is bringing. Help him bring it between now and July at Democratic convention in Boston.

Manufacturing job loss has been one of the biggest disasters of the failed Bush economic policies. The Bush administration continues to praise companies for sending jobs overseas while millions of Americans are unemployed or underemployed.




Kucinich Rails Against Bush's Iraq Policies
Democratic congressman says he's still in presidential race to address hot issues.
DENVER POST
by Mike McPhee
http://www.denverpost.com/Stories/0,1413,36%7E29805%7E2074746,00.html?search=filter

PEARL JAM AT IMPACT AWARDS SHOW ON APRIL 9th IN SEATTLE

Commentary by L.Hester From BUGSNEWS
Three people introduced Pearl Jam … Ajan Brown & Jazmin Williams-Kelly [students] whom Pearl Jam gave scholarships too and also Robert Glaser, CEO of RealNetworks. Robert Glaser of RealNetworks said, "Since the head of ticket master couldn't be here, I'm standing in for corporate America.” All of the Pearl Jam band members had suits on. They did an electric set with Last Soldier, Down & Half Full. Mike McCready sang backup on Last Soldier and Stone Gossard rocking in his suit. Lots of charities mentioned that they have contributed to that the public are not aware of. Jeff Ament very tanned. Stone Gossard gave the acceptance speech. Lots of Pearl Jam fans at Impact Awards, with 2 to 4 at every table. Ms Hester sat at first row of tables, on Stone Gossards side with unobstructed view. She saw Kris Novoselic, Mark Arm and Kim Thayil. Tribute to Pearl Jam, with Neil and Pegi Young, and people from many different kinds of organizations, which they've benefited over the years. No cameras allowed, so no pictures, but there was an official photographer taking pictures and we have a code to access all the pictures taken that night to purchase. Look for them soon on the Synergy or here on the Duchess blogger.


[Mike McCready & Eddie Vedder At IMPACT Awards Show]

Further Commentary From Red Mosquito Forum
Well, the whole ceremony was great! I just have to tell yah the important stuff right now. Stone Gossard accepted the award and everyone got a Grammy. Boom Gaspar was not there. The speech Stone gave was so sweet and he was the only one who wanted to talk. Mike McCready was the only one in a tie, although they all clean up nice & wore suits. Within 3 minutes of them getting the award they returned to the stage to play. DOWN is my all time fav track from 2003, so I was thrilled to hear it, and Mike rocked. The guys had a good time and the room was mellow. Eddie Vedder said they're really enjoying the freedom they have now, but I can honestly tell you ... there is no record in the works. Ed especially needs a break from recording right now for personal reasons. But Mike is getting back into the studio soon to record some new material with Rockford’s! Jeff Ament will not be doing anything with “Three Fish”. He just got back from climbing 'some big ass mountain!', and Matt Cameron is going to stay creative and busy with WWC. They are always (individually) working on PJ material for the next LP, but there is no recording planned as of now, or even plans to track for at least 6 months or longer.

Dressed-up Pearl Jam Honored With NW Impact Award
THE SEATTLE TIMES
By Charles Cross
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/artsentertainment/2001901162_impact12.html

Pearl Jam! Live At The Westin Hotel Grand Ballroom!
SEATTLE POST-INTELLIGENCER
By Gene Stout
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/pop/168617_pearljam10ww.html

[Duchess Note: Special thanks to Josee L for providing some of the Pearl Jam info.]

From The VOTE TO IMPEACH BUSH Website - More News

Click here: http://www.VoteToImpeach.org

1] More Death in Iraq; Bush Vacations
2] Lying for the President: C. Rice and J. Dean

1] Having sent thousands of people to their death in Iraq, it is a disgrace that George W. Bush can retreat in the face of the growing conflagration to the safety and privilege of his expansive ranch in Crawford, TX. Here is a leader who opted for war, with all of its attendant misery and suffering, not as a last resort, but as a first choice. Throughout history such leaders have been held accountable by those whose lives were treated as nothing other than cannon fodder.

April 9th is the first anniversary of the fall of Baghdad. Bush, Cheney and Rumsfeld know they were lying about weapons of mass destruction and about Saddam Hussein's purported links to September 11 and to Al Qaida when they launched their blitzkrieg-type invasion. They were betting on the fact that they could roll over Iraq, proclaim victory and create a functional U.S dictatorship in Iraq -- one that would quickly be able to find an Iraqi face as a diplomatic cover. One year later, the number of people being killed in Iraq has not subsided but on the contrary is growing at an alarming rate. Tens of thousands of Iraqis have been killed. Soon there will be 700 young men and women in the U.S. armed forces who will have died in Iraq as a consequence of this criminal endeavor.

The crimes of the Bush administration and their long term repercussions make Watergate seem like a very minor episode in comparison. In fact, John Dean, the White House counsel to Nixon, has stated in his new book "Worse than Watergate: the Secret Presidency of George W. Bush," that Bush must be impeached. Dean served prison time for his role in the Watergate affair in the early 1970s. Dean agreed to testify that Nixon was guilty of lying to Congress about Watergate, even though he knew that testimony would lead to his own imprisonment.

2] This past week we have all witnessed the performance of Condoleezza Rice embracing her role as the voice of the administration, openly carrying forward the lies and recalcitrance of the Bush administration as she testified before the September 11 Commission. But even the Commission is looking the other way regarding the Bush administration's lies about the war in Iraq and its ongoing campaign of deceit designed to mislead and convince the U.S. public that Iraq had something to do with September 11. In advance of the war, Rice filled the airwaves warning of the impending "mushroom cloud" that would be unleashed by Iraq if the U.S. government did not immediately attack and bomb that hobbled and impoverished country. What can be done about an administration that is this criminal in its nature and conduct? It is clear that the force for change will not come from appointed commissions, nor from looking away and swapping in alternate "leadership" that backs the same policies. The real force for true accountability is coming from people demanding the one Constitutional mechanism for dealing with criminal conduct committed by those who obtain the highest offices in the U.S. -- demanding impeachment.

News On Kucinich From Official Campaign Headquarters In Ohio

KUCINICH TUGGING DEMOCRATS IN THE DIRECTION OF PEACE
This past week, Congressman Dennis Kucinich could be seen on national TV debating Republican leaders on the war in Iraq. Since last fall, Kucinich has been the leading voice among Democrats in offering a plan to get U.S. troops out of Iraq, bring in U.N. peacekeepers and begin on a path towards peace.

On Wednesday, Kucinich debated Republican Deputy Majority Whip Mark Foley on CNN's Wolf Blitzer Reports. Kucinich warned that the arguments used for keeping American troops in Iraq are the same kind of arguments used to keep us in Vietnam. "We're getting into this deeper when we should be constructing a plan to bring the United Nations peacekeeping forces in because the UN is the only way out. We could be in a war which could last ten or twelve years. The Democrats should be taking a position challenging this administration for taking this country into this war!"

Earlier this week Kucinich debated California Republican Congressman Dana Rohrabacher on MSNBC urging the Democratic Party to take a stand against the continued occupation of Iraq. "My position in this race; I'm like a little tugboat that's trying to pull a big liner called the Democratic Party to get it out to sea so it can sail successfully to victory. I don't think it can do that if it's staying in the harbor quibbling about whether to take a position on the war or not."

The Democratic Party leadership seems to be feeling the pull. In the last week, presumptive nominee John Kerry has made more and more statements advocating internationalizing the Iraq effort, calling for the US-led Coalition Provisional Authority to hand over responsibility for reconstruction and establishing a new government to "a legitimate international entity." To read Press Release, go to: http://www.kucinich.us/pressreleases/pr_040804.php

To Sign Kucinich petition to "Bring the U.N. in and get the U.S. out", go to: http://www.kucinich.us/petition_iraq1.php

I STAND WITH DENNIS
Do you stand with Dennis on the issues? Then by all means state why you do ... click here: http://kucinich.us/standsfor_form.php Then read why others stand with Dennis, click here: http://resources.kucinich.us/tiki-view_forum_thread.php?comments_parentId=1367&forumId=7

Latest News From Democratic Party Website

* The Bush record -- exposed! Learn Bush's top 10 lies, his disastrous economic record, and everything you need to know about how President Bush's policies hurt your family and the nation. Click here: http://mailer.democrats.org/rdr/002PP00gRu0001G

* Check out political cartoons and graphs that tell the story of why it's so important to win. Click here: http://mailer.democrats.org/rdr/002PP00gRu0001H and also here: http://mailer.democrats.org/rdr/002PP00gRu0001I

TAKE ACTION ON THE NEW DEMOCRATS.ORG: STOP THE BUSH 9/11 STONEWALL

Today, we heard the public testimony of Bush's national security adviser, Condoleezza Rice, in front of the commission investigating the attacks of September 11. As we've come to expect from this White House, the main themes of Rice's testimony were assigning blame and avoiding responsibility. According to Rice, the administrations of the last 20 years all bear the responsibility of the September 11 attacks, while the Bush administration is in the clear. But in a shocking revelation, we learned that on August 6, 2001, President Bush received a briefing titled, "Bin Laden Determined to Attack Inside the United States." But Bush spent the month of August on vacation at his ranch. No wonder this administration has done everything to delay, obstruct, and dismiss the work of the 9/11 commission.

WRITE A LETTER TO THE EDITOR
So put our new grassroots tools to use right now. You can help stop the Bush 9/11 stonewall. Send a letter to the editor of your local paper demanding that President Bush and his administration cooperate fully with the commission and answer the questions that all Americans deserve to have answered. Click the link to take action now! http://mailer.democrats.org/rdr/002PP00gRu0001N

Kucinich In His Own Words
THE MOUNTAIN TIMES
by Kathleen McFadden
http://www.mountaintimes.com/mtweekly/2004/0408/kucinichwords.php3

Thinking Unthinkable Thoughts
Theologian Charges White House Complicity In 9/11 Attack
SANTA BARBARA INDEPENDENT
by Nick Welsh
http://independent.com/news/news906.htm

Personal News - Part XIII

Happy Easter Everyone! Hope your able to spend it with family and friends. My parents and I just finished a nice dinner at my brother and sister-in-laws home, plus we colored eggs for Easter morning consumption. Quick report on weather before I go into other news ... yesterday and today was sunny, 50 degrees, some clouds and lots of wind.

Okay, here now the news ... back on April 6th was the third Exploratory Committee meeting for Rob Jereski's congressional campaign in NYC. I arrived at 6:30pm to find out not only was I on time, but the first to show up. That's novel! The others [ie: Rob, Michael, BC, Andrew, Carol & Ed] showed up and we commenced with the meeting at 7pm. [I also provided some homemade cookies & they were warmly received. Hadn't seen BC since early March Kucinich Meetup. We caught up on news.] Getting down to business ... we reviewed the Agenda, discussed what had been accomplished since the previous meeting [ie: endorsements from Dorsey & Donovan] and we worked on items that need to be accomplished [ie: logo, postcards & website]. Much discussion on several items, especially postcards for handing out to congressional district constituents. Key roles were discussed within committee, plus upcoming opportunities [ie: Dean Meetups] and the first official fundraiser is April 23rd [7pm] at Rob's place. If you or someone you know would be interested in attending, contact Rob at mutualaid@earthlink.net. We also learned that the congressional NYC primaries is set for September 17th. After several folk left around 9pm ... Michael, Rob and I discussed other topics like the endorsement database, etc. Stay tuned for news on next meeting........

Brief Note ... Well, so much for picking up and continuing to read THE GUNS OF AUGUST by B.Tuchman. [I will finish it sometime this year.] Yesterday I purchased a book I'd been looking for called "Mark Twain - On the Damned Human Race" edited by Janet Smith and originally released back in early 1960s. My interest was peaked again regarding Twain after seeing Bill Moyer's interview actor Hal Holbrook on NOW [PBS station - Friday nights]. Holbrook has been doing a one-man show on the famous American writer for last 40 to 50 years.

W's Second Term: If You Think The First Is Bad......
AMERICAN PROSPECT
by Robert Reich
Musings about a second Bush term typically assume another four years of the same right-wing policies we've had to date. But it'd likely be far worse. So far, the Bush administration has had to govern with the expectation of facing American voters again in 2004. But suppose George W. Bush wins a second term. The constraint of a re-election contest will be gone. Knowing that voters can no longer turn them out, and that this will be their last shot at remaking America, the radical conservatives will be unleashed. A friend who specializes in foreign policy and hobnobs with subcabinet officials in the Defense and State departments told me that the only thing that's stopped the Bushies from storming into Iran and North Korea is the upcoming election. If Bush is re-elected, "[Dick] Cheney and [Donald] Rumsfeld are out of the box," he said. "They'll take Bush's re-election as a mandate to wage the 'war on terror' everywhere and anywhere." Click on Link to Read More: http://www.commondreams.org/views04/0407-12.htm

[Duchess Note ... The thought of this possibly happening is so damn scary. Those bastards in the Bush Regime are totally insane and will destroy ALL in their path. More of our sons and daughters [ie: army, marines, etc] will lose their lives and for what. Oil? Power? Destruction? Not In My Name! WE THE PEOPLE cannot let this happen to our country or what it'll do to the rest of the world. Please, I beg of you dear Americans, vote out this corrupt Imperial/Fascist regime and go Democrat. DO THE RIGHT THING IN NOVEMBER & BRING FRIENDS WITH YOU TO INCREASE THE VOTE FOR DEMOCRAT. Eventually we need to bring true democracy back to our beloved land and we're making progress. What's been happening via grassroots efforts over past year is a heart-warming sign. Keep the movement going and remove Shrub the Lesser. Do it for the sake of your childrens future or they won't have a future. Peace & Solidarity!]

Latest News From "Political Alerts"
1. Abortion ban is in the courts: Protect choice
2. Keep cars and trucks out of our forests!
3. Bush packs courts with anti-environment judges
4. Doctor: Abortion ban would have broad impact

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1. Abortion ban is in the courts: Protect choice ... sign the petition: http://www.care2.com/go/z/13073

The first lawsuits challenging the constitutionality of the late term abortion ban began last week. But the Bush administration has been slowly chipping away at the right to choose for the past three years. We can't keep depending on the courts to preserve our increasingly limited rights. Sign this petition to ask your Senators to support the Freedom of Choice Act - your rights depend on it!

_______________________________________
2. Keep cars and trucks out of our forests! Sign the Petition: http://www.care2.com/go/z/13069

We as a nation submitted over 2.5 million public comments to ensure that our last wild forests will continue to provide clean drinking water for millions of Americans, wildlife habitat, and endless recreational opportunities. These protections could be lost forever. Bush administration officials are planning to allow governors in the Lower 48 states to seek exemptions for national forests in their states, paving the way, quite literally, for opening pristine wilderness to logging and habitat fragmentation. It's already started - on Dec. 23, at the behest of powerful timber companies, the Bush administration exempted our largest national forest, Alaska's Tongass Rainforest, from the Roadless Area Conservation Rule.

_______________________________________
3. Bush packs courts with anti-environment judges ... Read Article: http://www.care2.com/go/z/13077

Litigation has become an essential tool for environmentalists, and the past 30 years have produced a number of landmark regulations and laws protecting the environment, from the Clean Air Act to the Endangered Species Act and more. That could all change. When the Bush administration took office in 2001, there were more than 100 federal court vacancies.

_______________________________________
4. Doctor: Abortion ban would have broad impact ... Read Article: http://www.care2.com/go/z/13079

Dr. Leroy Carhart led the fight in 2000 to strike down Nebraska's ban on a controversial late-term abortion procedure. Testifying before a U.S. District Judge this week, Dr. Carhart stated that the similar federal law being debated now would affect nearly all abortions performed after the first trimester. This ban could have a dramatic impact on genetic testing, which is mostly performed in the second trimester.

Dennis Kucinich Will Be Interviewed On AIR AMERICA's "Majority Report" Friday, April 9th, at 10pm. So Tune In All You Groovy Kucitizens!

Kucinich Decries Violence, US Policy In Iraq
THE OREGONIAN
by Dan Hortsch
The Democrat remains in the presidental race and will speak and attend fund-raisers in Portland yesterday.
http://www.oregonlive.com/news/oregonian/index.ssf?/base/news/1081252861257210.xml



TODAY'S POST FROM "Upper Left" BLOGGER ON NEW [?] JOBS

Lies, Damn Lies And Bushco Employment Statistics
In a long post with a lot of worthwhile discussion of the relative merits of Democratic and Republican communication styles, The Left Coaster's pessimist points out that "... the increase in jobs was not due to 300,000 citizens getting full time jobs, but because 300,000 citizens took part time jobs because they could not get full time jobs. The number of people who worked part time for economic reasons rose to 4.7 million in March, up from 4.4 million the previous month (According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics)." So, by the time you take out the statistical inflation they got from including the returning grocery strikers in California, and the seasonal bump in construction employment, it looks like the big March job numbers actually conceal a significant drop in full time, year round employment. You know, real jobs. That's why they call people like me Discouraged Workers, I guess...time to bring out the beggar's bowl again...

LATEST NEWS FROM GREEN PARTY ALERTS

1. Ralph Nader to meet with John Kerry this month
2. 50,000 public comments needed to end SUV loopholes
3. Who really spoiled the 2000 election?
_____________________________________________
1. Ralph Nader to meet with John Kerry this month

Ralph Nader has announced that he will be meeting with John Kerry sometime this month to discuss their "common objective" of defeating George Bush in 2004. Read more: http://www.care2.com/go/z/13007

_____________________________________________
2. 50,000 public comments needed to end SUV loopholes

Are you concerned about global warming, foreign oil dependence, and rising gas prices? Then take a moment to be part of the solution! The technology exists to put safer, more fuel-efficient SUVs on our roads today, but instead we're given gas-guzzlers, foreign oil dependence, and global warming pollution. Find out how SUVs could be helping to solve today's oil security and environmental problems instead of causing them and send a letter for cleaner cars and a healthier planet!
http://www.care2.com/go/z/13005

_____________________________________________
3. Who Really Spoiled the 2000 Election?

Find out what really happened, according to the Green Party: http://www.care2.com/go/z/13009

AND NOW FOR SOMETHING COMPLETELY DIFFERENT ... IT'S ... MONTY PYTHONS FLYING CIRCUS ... BUT SERIOUSLY ... HERE NOW THE NEWS!!

Wal-Mart's Power Begins To Frighten America
LE MONDE
by Eric Leser
http://truthout.org/docs_04/040604H.shtml

China Fears Bachelor Future
BBC NEWS
By Louisa Lim
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/3601281.stm

Kucinich Makes Boone Stop
WATAUGA DEMOCRAT
by Scott Nicholson
http://www.wataugademocrat.com/topic.php?tid=7&sid=3861

U.S. Could've Stopped 9/11 Attacks, Panel Chief Says
NEW YORK TIMES
by Kirk Semple
http://www.truthout.org/docs_04/040504A.shtml

Taking On The Shi'ites: How America Is Creating A Powerful New Enemy
COMMON DREAMS
by Lawrence Pintak
http://www.commondreams.org/views04/0405-11.htm

Kucinich Has His Day
THE DAILY TAR HEEL
by Sarah Hancox
http://www.dailytarheel.com/vnews/display.v/ART/2004/04/05/40715dedf1341

Hiding In The White House
SAN FRANCISCO CHRONICLE
by Leon Wofsy
http://www.commondreams.org/views04/0405-04.htm

Carrboro Celebrates Dennis Kucinich Day
NEWS OBSERVER
by Ann Kim
http://newsobserver.com/news/story/3478874p-3090617c.html

Bush & Blair Made Secret Pact For Iraq War 9 Days After 9/11
THE OBSERVER
by David Rose
http://truthout.org/docs_04/040604B.shtml

Nader Fails To Make Oregon Ballot
ASSOCIATED PRESS
by Brad Cain
http://news_yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/ap/20040406/ap_on_el_pr/nader

Cheney Tax Plan From 1986 Would Have Raised Gas Prices
NEW YORK TIMES
by Richard Oppel Jr.
http://www.nytimes.com/2004/04/06/politics/06CHEN.html

In Face Of New Wave Of Iraqi Violence, Kucinich Challenges Democratic Party To Save American Lives, Bring Our Troops Home
Press Release for Monday, April 5th
http://www.kucinich.us/pressreleases/pr_040404.php

THE WHO!!
Rolling Stone April 15th Issue
by Eddie Vedder of Pearl Jam

The WHO began as spectacle. They became spectacular. Early on, the band was in pure demolition mode; later, on albums like Tommy and Quadrophenia, they coupled that raw energy with precision and desire to complete musical experiments on a grand scale. They asked, “What were the limits of rock & roll? Could the power of music actually change the way you feel?” Pete Townsend allowed that there be spiritual value in music. They were an incredible band whose main songwriter happened to be on a quest for reason and harmony in his life. He shared that journey with the listener, becoming an inspiration for others to seek out their own path - this while being in the Guinness book of world records as the worlds loudest band.

Presumptuously I speak for all WHO fans when I say being a fan of the WHO has incalculably enriched my life. What disturbs me about the WHO is the way they smashed through every door of rock & roll, leaving rubble and not much else for the rest of us to lay claim to. In the beginning they took on an arrogance when, as Pete says, “We were actually a very ordinary group.” As they became accomplished, this attitude stuck. Therein lies the thread to future punks. They wanted to be louder, so they had Jim Marshall invent the 100-watt amp. Needed more volume, so they began stacking them. It is said that the first guitar feedback ever to make it to record was on “Anyway, Anyhow, Anywhere,” in 1965. The WHO told stories within the confines of a song and, over the course of an entire album, pushed boundaries. How big of a story could be told? And how would it transmit (pre-video screens, etc.) to a large crowd? Smash the instruments? Keith Moon said they wanted to grab the audience by the balls. Pete countered that like the German autodestruct movement, where they made sculpture that would collapse and buildings that would explode, it was high art.

I was around nine when a babysitter snuck WHO’s Next onto the turntable. The >parents were gone. The windows shook. The shelves were rattling. Rock & roll. That began an exploration into music that had soul, rebellion, aggression, and affection. Destruction. And this was all WHO music. There was the mid-Sixties maximum R&B period: mini-operas, Woodstock, solo records. Imagine, as a kid, stumbling upon the locomotive that is Live at Leeds. “Hi, my name is Eddie. I’m ten years old and I’m getting my fucking mind blown!” The WHO on record were dynamic. Roger Daltrey’s delivery allowed vulnerability without weakness; doubt and confusion, but no plea for sympathy. (You should hear Roger’s vocal on a song called Lubie [Come Back Home],” a bonus track from the My Generation re-issue. It’s top-gear.)

The WHO quite possibly remain the greatest live band ever. Even the list-driven punk legend and music historian Johnny Ramone agrees with me on this. You can’t explain Keith Moon or his playing. John Entwhistle was an enigma unto himself, another virtuoso musical oddity. Roger turned his mike into a weapon, seemingly in self-defense. All the while, Pete was leaping into the rafters wielding a Seventies Gibson Les Paul, which happens to be a stunningly heavy guitar. As a live group, they created momentum, and they seemed to be released by the ritual of their playing. (Check out “A Quick One,” from The Rolling Stones Rock and Roll Circus.”)

In Chicago recently, I saw Pete wring notes out of his guitar like a mechanic squeezing oil from a rag. I watched as the guitar became a living being, one getting its body bashed and its neck strangled. As Pete set it down, I swear I sensed relief coming from that guitar. A Stratocaster with sweat on it … the guitar’s sweat. John and Keith made the WHO what they were. Now they’re different, but still the WHO. Roger’s a rock. And at this point Pete has been through and survived more than anyone in rock royalty. Perhaps even beyond Keith Richards, WHO was actually guilty of most things he was accused of. Drummer Zak Starkey played me a new song a while back, “Real Good Looking Boy.” It was beyond moving.

The songwriter-listener relationship grows deeper after all the years. Pete saw that “a celebrity in rock is charged by the audience with a function, like, ‘You stand there and we will know ourselves.’ Not ‘You stand there and we will pay you loads of money to keep us entertained as we eat our oysters.’ “ He saw the connection could be profound. He also realized the audience may say, “When we’re finished with you, we’ll replace you with somebody else.” For myself and so many others (including shopkeepers, foremen, professionals, bellboys, gravediggers, directors, musicians), they won’t be replaced. Yes, Pete, music can change you.

Personal News - Part XII

Sincere apologies to all on delay ... this gal has been busy with work and becoming [quite content] abit more involved in politics and volunteering. I finally finished reading the whole "Forsyte Saga" by John Galsworthy and its damn good. After watching the "Masterpiece Theater" series via PBS a few months ago, I knew I had to read the book. Glad I did and I highly recommend it to all. While going through the "Forsyte Saga" ... I endeavored to keep up-to-date on my weekly subscription to THE NATION ... plus listen to WBAI and Air America. After completing Mr Galsworthy's book I'll take up Ms Tuchman's book on WW1 [1/2 way] and then get back to that bio on Teddy Roosevelt. But then after seeing "Bill Moyers NOW" program Friday night [excellent, as always] ... I'd very much like to purchase and read John Dean's new book called "Worse Than Watergate".

As John Cleese used to say on the "Monty Python's Flying Circus" TV series . . . . . . . "And now for something completely different". [THE LARCH]

Back on Wednesday, March 31st, was the Second Exploratory Committee Meeting for Rob Jereski's CD 14th Congressional campaign held in Tudor City Place. Not as many people as last time, but it was still a productive inspiring meeting. Those that attended [along with myself] were ... Harry, Michael, Barry, Aditi, Ahmad, Ed, Jesse and of course Rob. I was abit late for the meeting as I had to run home first from work to attend some errands, so I missed the Agenda Review. [Later that evening, after returning home from meeting, I listened to new Liberal radio station AIR AMERICA until 11:30pm. Loved it!] Okay, back to the meeting at Rob's. We all discussed what we'd done for the campaign over the past week. Highlights of which were by Michael [endorsers], Rob [bank acct, lawyers, etc] and Ed [expenditure & district 14 stats]. As to that latter bit ... Congressional District 14 has over 66% white, 11% Asian and around 5% African-American, plus the income varies from 57K to 150K. Rob's campaign is in need of a Campaign Manager, so if you live in NYC and read this and want to become involved, please write to Rob at: mutualaid@earthlink.net. [Or if you know someone who'd be interested, please contact Rob.] Other areas of discussion was campaign management, administration, materials, outreach, fundraising [ie: event planning], endorsements, upcoming events and future meetings. Most likely future meetings will be held outside of Rob's home and nothing is concrete yet. Stay tuned on that. Evening ended close to 9pm, as a few of them wanted to go tap into a Dean Meetup downtown and spread the word.


[Kucinich & Jereski at Peace Rally on March 20, 2004]
The Exploratory Committee [congressional district 14] for Rob Jereski is a thoughtful pro-peace, pro-civil liberties and pro-fair trade progressive campaign (among other issues) and against a pro-Iraq war, pro-Patriot Act, and pro-free trade Congresswoman.

The following evening [April 1st] ... after a really good one-hour session with Personal Trainer at the gym. I headed down to Carroll Gardens in Brooklyn for the Kucinich Meetup at Village 247 restaurant/bar on Smith Street. [About 5 blocks south of Carroll Street "F" train stop.] Its a really cool joint and Paul mentioned he had dinner there before meetup. Said the food and service were pretty decent. Due to my session at gym and a slight mess-up with trains, I arrived about 20 minutes late. Even tho the turnout was small [ie: Paul, Bill, Ellen, Linda, Seth, myself & a new chap] we had a enthusiastic, productive and inspiring meetup. Many ideas were generated that will be brought to attention of our fellow Kucitizens for upcoming April 19th general meeting. Paul hosted the meetup [he did a fine job] until he left at 9pm. He also brought to our attention the Democratic congressional campaign of Frank Borbora in Brooklyn and I also pitched Rob's Progressive campaign. Both were received with enthusiasm. Much discussion on world and political topics ... plus reflections on 9/11 ... as well as our long term commitment to Dennis Kucinich. It was great discussing and/or listening to my fellow Kucitizens, when before I knew it, it was 10pm. Whoa! Came home and listened to AIR AMERICA on the radio before going to bed around midnight.






Several days ago, my good friends Josee and Michelle told me about a photography exhibit opening up here in NYC at a place called "The PowerHouse Gallery" down in the Greenwich Village/Tribeca area. The photographer is Charles Peterson and he has a new book out called "Touch Me I'm Sick". Its photographs of the famous Seattle Grunge scene, which took place from late 1980s to mid 1990s. Two well-known bands from that era are Nirvana and my beloved Pearl Jam. I checked out the exhibit yesterday afternoon down at the gallery on Charlton Street. [Take 1 or 9 train to Houston Street stop & walk 2 blocks south.] Only 25 photos on display, but they were really wicked B&W shots and many of them of the late Kurt Cobain. Damn, its been 10 years since he took his own life [April 5, 1994]. Anyhow, the PowerHouse Gallery shows new exhibits all the time and this current one is on display until May 1st. Definitely check it out, then walk east on Charlton Street [which becomes Prince Street] into the heart of SoHo. Awesome funky area and full of people, shops, galleries, street vendors, cafes, etc.

MoveOn.Org Message & Al Franken Contest

Al Franken and others are launching a major new progressive radio network this week. It's a big and exciting development, so before we get to a message from him, we want to share the details. If you're in LA, Portland, New York, or Chicago, you'll be able to hear Air America programming starting this minute. (The station codes are at the bottom of this email.) And the daily lineup is pretty juicy: three hours of Al Franken on "The O'Franken Factor," plus Janeane Garofalo, Chuck D, Daily Show co-creator Lizz Winstead, and Robert F. Kennedy Jr. on the weekends. Air America's got big plans for expansion, but for now if you're not in one of those areas, you can listen in on the web at: http://www.airamericaradio.com

One of the big aims of this new radio network is to counter the claims of right-wing politicians and media figures. When a major right-wing figure says something misleading or something so full of holes it can only be described as dumb, Al Franken and other Air America hosts will call them out on it. A great example is Donald Rumsfeld claiming that he never used the phrase "immediate threat" to describe Iraq -- and then getting caught on national television. That footage is online at: http://www.moveon.org/censure/caughtonvideo/

We can help them out. We're teaming up with Franken on a contest to find the stupidest or most clearly false (or preferably both) statement by a major right-wing figure or Bush administration official. Over the next week, any stupid or misleading comment you hear on the radio or see on TV is fair game as an entry. If your comment is selected by Al Franken as the winner, you'll receive a personalized and autographed copy of Al Franken's book "Lies and the Lying Liars that Tell Them," and you'll be recognized on-air. You can read the complete rules and submit as many quotes as you like at: http://www.moveon.org/franken/

But enough details. Here's Al:

"It's my honor to team up with MoveOn.org, which I am told has made use of the Internet to great effect. While I myself do not have an Internet, my son does, and he says you guys are terrific. Here's the deal. My job is rhetorical jiu-jitsu: I take the words of right-wing jerks, and I use those words to heap scorn and ridicule upon them. It's what I do. And I need your help. These guys say so many stupid and dishonest things every day that no one man possibly can sift through all of them. I need you to be my eyes and ears, so that no right-wing ideologue can ever again safely traffic in distortion and calumny. Yea, I say unto thee. Let the flaming sword of justice rain down blows upon them, that they may rue the day when this contest was announced. The future of our nation rests in your hands. Good luck! Al Franken

You can hear Air America on the air at:

New York, NY: WLIB (AM 1190)
Chicago, IL: WNTD (AM 950)
Los Angeles, CA: KBLA (AM 1580)
Portland, OR: KPOJ (AM 620)
Inland Empire, CA: KCAA (AM 1050)
Minneapolis, MN: WMNN (AM 1330)
San Francisco: TBA (SF call letters will be announced 4/7 and the station will begin broadcasting 4/15)
XM Satellite Radio: Channel 167

BROUGHT TO LIVE FROM NYC ... ITS THE NEWS!

This National Park Is Brought To You By...............
ALTERNET
by Bill Berkowitz
http://alternet.org/story.html?StoryID=18302

"I Saw Papers That Show US Knew al-Qa'ida Would Attack Cities With Airplanes"
Whistleblower the White House wants to silence speaks to The Independent
THE INDEPENDENT [UK]
by Andrew Buncombe
http://www.commondreams.org/headlines04/0402-01.htm

Duped By Wal-Mart
LA WEEKLY
by Erin Aubry
http://alernet.org/story.html?StoryID=18304

A Redundant, Abundant America
COMMON DREAMS
by Joyce Marcel
http://www.commondreams.org/views04/0401-12.htm

Why Kucinich Came
THE REGISTER GUARD
Editorial
http://www.registerguard.com/news/2004/03/31/ed.edit.kucinich.0331.html

Smoking Dope With Thomas Pynchon: A Sixties Memoir
by Andrew Gordon
http://web.clas.ufl.edu/users/agordon/pynchon.htm

ACT FOR CHANGE ACTIVISM BULLETIN

*FEATURED ACTION: Draft the Bush Twins First!
*ACTIVISM OPPORTUNITY: Appoint Mayor McCheese Assistant Secretary of Manufacturing
*ACTIVISM OPPORTUNITY: Starbucks, "Tall" is not Small

Draft the Bush Twins First!
Would our elected representatives be so quick to go to war if there was a legitimate chance their own children would be the Americans to pay the ultimate price? The Pentagon recently requested that the Selective Service System draw up plans for a targeted military draft of Americans with "special skills" such as computer programming or knowledge of certain foreign languages. It's time to stand up to the Bush administration and chickenhawks in Congress and call for a targeted draft of Americans with "special skills" for avoiding sacrifice in a time of war: the children of warmongering politicians. Tell your senators and representatives: Draft the Bush twins first! If politicians are going to conscript Americans and put their lives on the line for the Bush administration's foolhardy foreign policy, they must start by sending their own sons and daughters to Iraq. Click here to take action! http://act.actforchange.com/cgi-bin7/DM/y/eYMt0FFlNw0KbH0lb50Aw

Appoint Mayor McCheese as Assistant Secretary of Manufacturing
Now that the Bush administration wants to reclassify fast-food restaurant jobs from service to manufacturing jobs, it's time to let the expert take control and shift us into a recovery filled with new jobs for the more than 8 million Americans currently unemployed. Thankfully, there is a great candidate for the newly created Assistant Secretary of Manufacturing position who knows all about creating "manufacturing" jobs -- at least as newly defined by the Bush administration -- The Honorable Mayor McCheese. Mayor McCheese has overseen an empire that creates jobs in 25 different manufacturing positions, from manufacturing fries to burgers to nuggets to salads. Urge President Bush to immediately appoint Mayor McCheese as Assistant Secretary of Manufacturing. Click here to take action! http://act.actforchange.com/cgi-bin7/DM/y/eYMt0FFlNw0KbH0lb60Ax

Starbucks, "Tall" is Not Small
Activists have successfully pressured Starbucks to offer fair trade coffee via a powerful grassroots campaign, but we can't stop the pressure just yet. There is another battle to be won -- ending the abusive practice of forcing customers to use pretentious pseudo euro-speak when ordering a simple cup of coffee. Don't let Starbucks be the boss of you. Tell them to stop using the pretentious "tall, grande and venti" labels for the sizes of their drinks and use "small, medium and large." Click here to take action! http://act.actforchange.com/cgi-bin7/DM/y/eYMt0FFlNw0KbH0lb70Ay

A MESSAGE FROM DENNIS KUCINICH RECORDED ON THE MORNING OF MARCH 31, 2004
Hi everyone, this is Dennis. Well, we're at the end of another fundraising quarter, and what's been remarkable about this quarter is that even though there's 8 candidates who have left the presidential race, I stand alone to carry the message that the Democratic Party has to stand for something. We know the direction of the nomination is pretty much concluded. But what remains to be determined: what's the direction of our Party? We need to stand for peace. It's time that we continue to insist to get out of Iraq, to bring in U.N. Peacekeepers, to bring our troops home. I'm keeping that message alive with your help. We must continue to insist on a health care plan that covers all Americans. A universal, not-for-profit plan. With your help, I'm keeping that message alive.

And, we have to insist on fair trade. I mean, haven't we lost enough jobs, millions of jobs, before someone questions it? When will the Democratic Party take a stand for fair trade? So we can stop the loss of jobs, repeal NAFTA and the WTO, and go back to trade conditioned on workers' rights, human rights, and environmental quality principles. With your help, I'm keeping that message alive. And finally on civil liberties, wherever I go in this country there's a great deal of concern about what we've lost with regards to civil liberties. A good example is the Patriot Act, and how we need to repeal it. You are helping me keep that message alive on the campaign trail.

Oh yes, the direction of the nomination is pretty much decided. But the direction of our party will be decided in the next few months. With your help, we're going to take the Democratic Party in the direction of peace, of health care, of fair trade, and of respect for and protection of civil liberties. So I want to thank you for everything that you've done for us. And so as we face the next 16 primaries and caucuses, we can continue to get this message out - a message of determination, a message of hope, and a message of confidence that Democrats can win in November if we demonstrate the capacity to stand for something. So thank you once again for everything you've been doing, for everything you will do, and let's move on throughout the next few months so that it's not just about victory being in sight, but a new America and a new world.

Message From MoveOn.Org Regarding "March For Women's Lives On April 25th"
In 2000, when candidate Bush stated that he would unite us, we had no idea how effective he'd be. Progressives are united as never before. On April 25th, MORE THAN A THOUSAND groups are co-sponsoring the biggest women's march in more than a decade -- the March for Women's Lives. Will you join us at the march? To participate, or show your support, go to: https://www.marchforwomen.org/users/userinfomo.php?source=8

See the note below from the organizers for more details:

Dear Friend,

The months ahead will be a pivotal time for our nation as we speak out for democracy and against intolerance and discrimination. On April 25, over 1,000 women's rights, civil rights, and health care organizations are leading an historic "March for Women's Lives" in Washington, DC. Women -- not the government -- should have the right to make the most deeply personal decisions about their health and their lives. Government's role should be to ensure -- not deny -- women's access to the full range of reproductive health services. Yet all these rights are under unrelenting attack. Help us Make History! Join the hundreds of thousands who will march to protect our right to birth control, emergency contraception, abortion, and all reproductive health services as well as our right to have children and plan our own families according to our own personal, religious and moral beliefs not those of a tyrannical minority. We will never go back to the days before Roe v. Wade when women died from illegal abortions or were forcibly sterilized. The March is not just for girls and women who have the option of choice, but also for those who live with the fears and devastation of poverty, war, intolerance and sexual violence that threatens their very being and for the men who care about us.

Thank you for speaking out and taking action! The March is being organized jointly by seven organizations: American Civil Liberties Union, Black Women's Health Imperative, Feminist Majority Foundation, NARAL Pro-Choice America, National Latina Institute for Reproductive Health, National Organization for Women and Planned Parenthood Federation of America. More than 1000 organizations have signed on as co-sponsors.

Pearl Jam To Perform At IMPACT Awards AND Honored For Philanthropy

It gives me great pleasure to announce that Pearl Jam will be performing at the Pacific Northwest Chapter of the National Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences Impact Awards show on April 9th. Please visit N.A.R.A.S. Click on this link for more information: http://www.grammy.com/pacificnw.aspx

Bio On My Beloved Pearl Jam Via N.A.R.A.S.
Pearl Jam’s 13-year history reveals a unique tale of success coupled with a passionate dedication to music, politics, and philanthropy. With nearly 56 million records sold worldwide and numerous awards and accolades, Pearl Jam continues to break new ground musically and to lead the way with countless innovative business and technology “firsts.” Known as much for their integrity and generosity as for their musical success, Pearl Jam has been dubbed Rock’s Robin Hoods. From the beginning, they sought to make sure the world’s quieter voices were heard through the chatter in their notorious efforts to support the “Davids” in their fights against the “Goliaths.” While many words could be spent describing the nature of Pearl Jam’s philanthropy, the simplest way to convey the band’s activism and commitment lies in a partial list of organizations to which they have lent their support, both in the form of service and monetary contributions: scholarships for economically disadvantaged at the Northwest School, Spruce Street School, Seattle public school libraries, Bailey Boushay House, Chicken Soup Brigade, NW Aids Alliance, Home Alive, Red Feather Development Group, Bridge School Benefit, Sweet Relief, Apache Survival Coalition, Rock for Choice, Voters for Choice, Choice USA, Tibetan Freedom Concert, Murder Victims’ Families for Reconciliation, Hope House, CARE, Doctors Without Borders, Musician’s Assistance Program, Green Party, West Memphis Three Defense Fund, Teenage Cancer Trust, Arts Corps, Major League Baseball charities, United Nations’ FAO TeleFood, Artscorps, Seattle Center Arts Academy, September 11 Fund, Recording Artists Coalition, Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation of America, Louis Warschaw Prostate Cancer Center at Cedars-Sinai, YouthCare, Rock & Roll Camp for Girls, Seattle and Montana Skateboard Parks, Conservation International … the list goes on. Through their music and their actions, the members of Pearl Jam have consistently used their opportunities and successes to better the lives of others, and there’s no sign of them slowing down on either front.

Passionate Democrat
Dennis Kucinich visits Roseburg: Presidential nomination is clinched, but former Cleveland mayor still pressing ideas.
THE NEWS-REVIEW
by John Sowell
http://www.newsreview.info/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20040329/NEWS/103290033

Commentary From Blogger Site BUTTERMILK & MOLASSES - "The Four Women Of September"
If you think you should thank your President or Senator for investigating the events that allowed terrorist to attack the United States on September 11, 2001, think again. You should really be thanking four women whose husbands never came home from work that day, and other family members of September 11 victims. Below is an excerpt from NY TIMES article about these four amazing women:

Three of them were married to men who worked for Cantor Fitzgerald, but the women were strangers until after the attacks. Ms. Breitweiser, 33, and Ms. Casazza, 43, voted for Mr. Bush in 2000. Ms. Van Auken, 49, and Ms. Kleinberg, 42, voted for Al Gore. All insist they had no political agenda, then or now. But they had a burning question. "We simply wanted to know why our husbands were killed," Ms. Breitweiser said, "why they went to work one day and didn't come back.

The full NY TIMES article [9/11 Widows Skillfully Applied The Power Of A Question: Why?] can be viewed here: http://www.nytimes.com/2004/04/01/national/01FAMI.html?hp

Second Organizing Meeting & Platform for Progressive Congressional District 14 Candidate Rob Jereski Against Carolyn Maloney

I'm writing to you because you have expressed interest in being kept up to date on our efforts here in New York City to elect a Progressive Democrat to Congress and thereby provide better representation to the people of our city in Congress. We are working to replace a pro-war, pro-Patriot Act, anti-fair trade and anti-Universal Health Care Democrat with a progressive Democrat representative of the values of our District (CD 14). We hope to make at least one of our unaccountable politicians pay for their betrayal of the public trust. Please forward this invitation/announcement to Progressives you know in Long Island City, Astoria, and the east side of Manhattan from 100th Street down to the Grand Street Projects in east Chinatown.

"My name is Robert Jereski and I'm running for Congress. Answering the call by Dean and Kucinich to become part of a House of Representatives which will deliver on their hopeful vision of a world working together to address the most urgent domestic and foreign crisis of the day. Against Carolyn Maloney, I will present a platform (website to be launched soon) to hold her accountable for her undemocratic vote in support of the war on Iraq, the Patriot Act, and more recently the redrawing of the CIA Charter to allow it to deploy in local and state law enforcement agencies. I am offering an alternative vision and platform for a domestic and foreign policy to provide economic opportunity for all (not just the few and the wealthy and multinational corporations), peace (through arms control and disarmament and multilateral cooperation), and participatory democracy (through nurturing human security and respect for civil and economic rights). I propose health care for all, jobs for all who are looking for them (a public works project akin to that our government created in the 30s), cutting the bloated military budget to provide universal child care, investments in affordable housing, and the protection of our Constitution.

I support Congressman Kucinich's proposal for a Department of Peace and, as your Representative, I will sign the bill to create one, support legislation for a Universal Single Payer Health Care system, and aggressively promote investment in truly renewable energy technology which will help address the crisis of global climate change, create millions of jobs, reduce air pollution, and nurture democracy around the world. I agree with Governor Dean's reminder to us that, in a democracy, We the People, have the power. I am ready to work hard on Capitol Hill to address the major obstacles to meaningful participation in our political system, including the barriers presented by the concentration of media ownership, the increase in government secrecy, the low turnout of voters in sound-bite dominated electoral cycles and the inadequate attention given to educating young people in the important duties and critical thinking skills necessary to exercise their roles as active citizens. I support public financing of elections and other reforms to address the corruption of our political system by special interests.

I look forward to this challenge and hope you will join our exploratory committee and field operation (or point your friends in the city towards us). Please consider pledging a donation by sending the amount pledged, your contact information, and your name to Susan Mainzer, Campaign Press Secretary at smainzer@kucinich.us. If you live in the NYC area, please see the invitation below to our next (second) Exploratory Committee meeting."

Invitation: On September 17, 2004 we can elect Robert Jereski [Democrat for Congress - 14th District]. A candidate for Peace, Prosperity, and a Revitalization of Our Democracy. Take part in a campaign to reclaim a Congressional seat from Rep. Carolyn Maloney, who supported the war on Iraq, the Patriot Act, and trade and economic policies favoring corporations at the expense of our national well-being. Come to our second organizing meeting at 2 Tudor City Place on March 31st at 7 pm. [Future meetings will be listed here at Duchess website.] Email for directions: mutualaid@earthlink.net. Together we can help deliver a Congress with integrity which reflects our principles and values.

Liberal Voices Get New Home On Radio Dial
NEW YORK TIMES
by Jacques Steinberg
http://www.nytimes.com/2004/03/31/arts/31AIR.html?ex=1396069200&en=b7e26277dd2af7fc&ei=5007&partner=USERLAND

Exporting America: False Choices
CNN MONEY
by Lou Dobbs
In none of the attacks on my position on outsourcing has a news organization addressed the facts.
http://money.cnn.com/2004/03/09/commentary/dobbs/dobbs/index.htm


Ferret Webcam Cafe From The UK
http://www.storm.ca/%7Epephick/cam.htm

Great News From Two Of My Fav Bloggers ... anonyMoses & iddybud ... Regarding The O'Franken Factor ... Liberal Radio Starting March 31st
Website: http://airamericaradio.com/
Current stations: WLIB (NYC, AM 1190am), WNTD (Chicago, AM 950), KBLA (Los Angeles, AM 1580).
Will also be streamed online at http://airamericaradio.com/
The O'Franken Factor: 12:00-3:00pm

Legendary Broadcaster Alistair Cooke Dead At 95
YAHOO NEWS
http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=514&e=7&u=/ap/20040330/ap_on_en_ot/obit_cooke_8

Surf Rocker Jan Berry Dead At 62
YAHOO NEWS
http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=796&ncid=787&e=8&u=/eo/20040330/en_celeb_eo/13806

Oscar Winner Sir Peter Ustinov Dead At 82
YAHOO NEWS
http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=492&ncid=787&e=10&u=/ap/20040330/ap_en_ce/obit_ustinov



Oregon Trail Is HOT! Kucinich Is On A Roll!
A standing room only crowd turned out last night at Lane Community College in Eugene, Oregon. Kucinich spent the weekend in Oregon and drew maximum capacity or overflow crowds at events throughout the state, proving that even though the nominee seems to be determined, many Oregon voters agree with Kucinich on issues such as peace, universal health care, civil liberties and fair trade. "The issues which are going to frame the debate in 2004 are going to be decided here because you happen to be at the end of the primary cycle," Kucinich told the Oregon crowd. "The Democratic Party needs to represent the broad-based concerns of the American people if it has any chance or hope to win the White House." Oregon field operative Clint Raulsten, thrilled by the enthusiasm shown for Kucinich, said: "The response to his visit has been incredible. If you saw the crowds packing in to hear Kucinich speak event after event, you’d think he was the presumptive nominee. The energy here demonstrates that the issues Kucinich is talking about resonate. These people are craving for a candidate who speaks for them."

THE LATEST NEWS THAT'S FIT TO PRINT & EVEN IF ITS NOT, WELL, I'M PUTTING IT HERE ANYWAY

"Embedded With The Enemy
ALTERNET
by Don Hazen
http://alternet.org/story.html?StoryID=18246

Kucinich Preaches Message
STATESMAN JOURNAL
by Shawn Day
http://news.statesmanjournal.com/article.cfm?i=77756

Clarke's View Of Terrorism Unclouded
ATLANTA JOURNAL CONSTITUTION
by Jay Bookman
http://www.commondreams.org/views04/0329-05.htm

Kucinich Speaks At LCC
OREGON DAILY EMERALD
by Chelsea Duncan
http://www.dailyemerald.com/vnews/display.v/ART/2004/03/29/406839ed79d62

The Casualties Of Iraq Include GI Suicides
NY NEWSDAY
by Sheryl McCarthy
http://www.commondreams.org/views04/0329-09.htm

Condi's Credibility Gap
THE PROGRESS REPORT
by D.J.Sirota, C.Harvey & J.Legum
http://alternet.org/story.html?StoryID=18262

[Seen Recently On Bumper Stickers] BIPARTISANSHIP: I'll hug your elephant if you kiss my ass.


[Easter Sunday is only 13 days away. Have you purchased your lovely colored eggs or chocolate bunnies yet. Hum?!?]

PLEDGE TO BOYCOTT PROCTER & GAMBLE PRODUCTS UNTIL THEY CEASE TESTING ON ANIMALS
To sign the petition, click on the following link: http://www.ethical-business.com/?sect=detail&pet=111 And to learn more about this and other petitions, click on the following link: http://www.ethical-business.com/ Thank You So Much

A Wonderful Story From Dave K at Yahoo Group "kucinich4president"
Butterfly Attacks!

Walking down a path through some woods in Georgia in 1977, I saw a water puddle ahead on the path. I angled my direction to go around it on the part of the path that wasn't covered by water and mud. As I reached the puddle, I was suddenly attacked! Yet, I did nothing, for the attack was so unpredictable and from a source so totally unexpected. I was startled as well as unhurt, despite having been struck four or five times already. I backed up a foot and my attacker stopped attacking me. Instead of attacking more, he hovered in the air on graceful butterfly wings in front of me.

Had I been hurt I wouldn't have found it amusing, but I was unhurt, it was funny, and I was laughing. After all, I was being attacked by a butterfly! Having stopped laughing, I took a step forward. My attacker rushed me again. He rammed me in the chest with his head and body, striking me over and over again with all his might, still to no avail.

For a second time, I retreated a step while my attacker relented in his attack. Yet again, I tried moving forward. My attacker charged me again. I was rammed in the chest over and over again. I wasn't sure what to do, other than to retreat a third time. After all, it's just not everyday that one is attacked by a butterfly. This time, though, I stepped back several paces to look the situation over. My attacker moved back as well to land on the ground. That's when I discovered why my attacker was charging me only moments earlier.

He had a mate and she was dying. She was beside the puddle where he landed. Sitting close beside her, he opened and closed his wings as if to fan her. I could only admire the love and courage of that butterfly in his concern for his mate. He had taken it upon himself to attack me for his mate's sake, even though she was clearly dying and I was so large. He did so just to give her those extra few precious moments of life, should I have been careless enough to step on her. Now I knew why and what he was fighting for.

There was really only one option left for me. I carefully made my way around the puddle to the other side of the path, though it was only inches wide and extremely muddy. His courage in attacking something thousands of times larger and heavier than himself just for his mate's safety justified it. I couldn't do anything other than reward him by walking on the more difficult side of the puddle. He had truly earned those moments to be with her, undisturbed.

I left them in peace for those last few moments, cleaning the mud from my boots when I later reached my car. Since then, I've always tried to remember the courage of that butterfly whenever I see huge obstacles facing me. I use that butterfly's courage as an inspiration and to remind myself that good things are worth fighting for.

Personal News - Part XI

Another busy, productive week is at an end. What new Duchess?!? Hum ... lets see ... several topics on display for perusal. Where to begin ... well ... at the beginning ... naturally.

On Tuesday evening, March 23rd, I attended the first Exploratory Committee meeting for Robert J's 14th Congressional District campaign at his apartment in Tudor City [7pm]. There was a good turnout of folk who are quite interested. Some of whom are from the "NYC Friends of Kucinich", of which yours truly is still a proud volunteer and member. On hand were the following who want to help Rob in his campaign ... Danielle, Robert, Harry, Evelyn, Brian, Aditi, Barry, Stephanie, Julianne, Michael, Edward, Brett, Tensi, myself and of course Rob. ["Milk" the cat was also present.]

Rob J is up against the Republican incumbent, Carol Maloney. Whom I gather from the meeting portrays herself one way in public and behind the scenes is dealing her constituants a raw deal. Not good ... where as Rob would be an honest, progressive Democrat. [Plus Working Families ballot.] During the first part of the meeting Rob talked briefly about his life, career[s], travels, activism and political leanings. Which I found to be impressive. Much work needs to be done over the upcoming months as we look for more volunteers to handle certain tasks and get endorsements. [One does not need to live in NYC area to endorse this important grassroots campaign. We're looking to raise over $500,000. If you wish too make an endorsement, contact Rob J at ... mutualaid@earthlink.net] Throughout the long evening, which ended for us around 10:30pm, we discussed issues and strategies, plus come up with a questionnaire for the constituants in the district. That last bit I was mostly working on and lending my secretarial expertise. It was also strongly suggested that we join Democratic Clubs in our neighborhoods, as well as check out other political meetups. Next meeting is slated for Wednesday, March 31st, at 7pm. If you live in the NYC area and would like to get involved, contact Rob J at mutualaid@earthlink.net. For me its a continuation of being involved in some form of politics and with others trying to make a difference. Keep democracy alive! Peace & Solidarity!

The following evening, March 24th, I attended the "NYC Friends of Kucinich" general meeting in offices near the UN. We had a good turnout for this meeting ... which included ... Stephanie, Mike, Paul, Laurie, Judy, Kim, Carl, Jane, Nick, Bud, Ann, Linda, Bob, Maureen, Steve, David, Beth, Ellen, myself and Efram. We learned that as of March 23rd Kucinich has 25+ delegates that will be going to the July Democratic Convention in Boston. There are still several more primaries and hopefully DJK will pull in a few more delegates. We need to keep the issues in the forefront and not buried in the backyard. Much was discussed during the two hour meeting, as well as listening to one [Bob Ginsberg] who turned on us and has been involved in Kerry campaign for over a month. The asshole was there trying to get us to convert, look for donations and ALL of us present looked at him like he was a demented fruitcake. [Applause to Stephanie in giving him a setdown.] The NYC primary results were passed out and discussed at length. For our next meeting we'll be setting up a forum and invite other supporters [ie: Dean, Kerry, Sharpton, etc] to come and debate Democratic Issues. Another topic raised was should the DJK organization continue here in NYC up to Election Day and 80% agreed. Some statistics brought up at the meeting, which I found of interest, are as follows:

* 34% of the American people are not affiliated with either party in the US.

* About 800,000 voted during recent NY State primary.

* A little over a million voters turned out for the Ohio primary.

One final note, the morning of 24th, I picked up the photos and CD of pix I'd taken at Peace Rally last weekend and most of them came out pretty good. Showed them to a few Kucitizens that evening, as well as email some to others. I'm in the process of setting up another Blogger that will display my pix, as well as those of fellow Kucitizen Bud Plautz. Hope to have it completed soon and a link will be available on this Blogger. Stay tuned.............

Now for the final bit of news ... this is from Thursday, March 25th, when I took a personal day from work and visit my good friend Katherine in CT. Hadn't seen Katherine since her wedding back on December 26th to her dear Maurice. It was also her day off from pesky Wal-Mart and she was up in Danbury where her daughter is taking Nurses Aide classes. So I took an early train up to Danbury and arrived at 10am. Weather was crappy that day which was overcast, cool and abit rainy. As I type this on 27th the weather outside is warm and sunny at times. [Don't worry, I got out earlier to enjoy it.] Anyhow ... we hungout while her daughter was in classes. [She related the latest news which wasn't all good & some of it upsetting.] We went shopping at a few places and had lunch at Bennigans. We noshed on appettisers ... spinach/artichoke dip with flatbread & some mexican goodies. Picked up her daughter, drove back to Norwalk, dropped Aimee at the house and then me to train station for ride to NYC. Got into Manhattan in plenty of time to haul my butt to gym for one hour session with personal trainer. Katherine and I also exchanged our Xmas gifts. As for work, its been a nice steady busy and not at all hectic. I'm now working for 10 from 3 different departments. Never a dull moment [[smiling]

"I STAND WITH DENNIS"
Recently a web video crew spent the afternoon in the Kucinich for President national headquarters in Cleveland, Ohio. Watch and listen as these employees and volunteers tell you why they continue to stand with Dennis Kucinich. This one-minute video stars members of the Kucinich for President campaign crew and features National Campaign Manager Dot Maver. Watch the video or hear the audio - "I Stand With Dennis": http://kucinich.us/standwithdennis1.php

Speak Out about why you stand with Dennis:
http://kucinich.us/standsfor_form.php

ALASKANS STAND WITH DENNIS
Results are not yet final from the recent Alaska primary, but with 85% of precincts reporting, Kucinich is expected to draw 5 delegates from the state. Kucinich received overwhelming support in several of Alaska's 41 caucus voting districts, notably in the Juneau area and the Kenai Peninsula. In one district, the margin was Kucinich 83% - Kerry 17%. In several others, he received more than 60% of the vote, compared with votes for Kerry ranging from 19% to 37%. And, in the Fairbanks area, Kucinich captured about 50%, while Kerry received about 36%. Kerry received his best results in and around Anchorage, the state's most heavily populated area. Alaskans responded to Kucinich's positions on civil liberties, medical marijuana, jobs, and health care.

OREGONIANS STAND WITH DENNIS
The Oregonian newspaper ran a story on March 25th on the enthusiasm for Kucinich in Oregon despite what some would call a finished race. "We have a candidate who is not going to be elected," said Barry Marks, a retired lawyer who is Kucinich's local campaign spokesman, "but we're gung-ho." Why? Because Kucinich is offering to the millions of voters in the remaining Democratic primaries and caucuses in 16 states and U.S. territories a chance to influence the direction of the Democratic Party by registering their concerns about peace, universal health care, the Patriot Act, and trade policies. Read article from The Oregonian: http://www.oregonlive.com/news/oregonian/index.ssf?/base/news/1080219666314051.xml

Read press release about remaining states: http://www.kucinich.us/pressreleases/pr_032504a.php

Senate Action On Overtime Pay/Jobs Tour Highlights - From Working Families
There's been a step forward in the fight to protect overtime pay on Wednesday when Senate Democrats successfully held their ground against a Republican effort to stop progress on a measure to block President Bush's overtime pay take-away. The Senate could finalize that measure to stop the Bush administration from gutting overtime pay protections next week. At the same time, Bush's Labor Department is expected to issue the rules taking away overtime pay any day now.

We need to really get the word out and let America's leaders know we won't stand for having overtime pay taken away. Please reach out to your friends, family and co-workers right now and urge them to sign the petition at the link below to stop Bush's overtime pay take-away. http://www.saveovertimepay.org/

Show Us the Jobs Tour The Show Us the Jobs tour is in Wisconsin today after visits to Missouri, Iowa and Minnesota earlier in the week. Fifty-one people--one from every state and the District of Columbia--are traveling the country by bus to tell the personal stories of how America's jobs crisis has affected them, their families and their communities. The bus riders are heroic workers caught in a jobless crisis that affects us all. After a round-table discussion with media in Des Moines, Iowa, the riders took up a collection for two jobless Iowans who joined them at the table. In the parking lot, away from the view of TV cameras and reporters, these 51 jobless and struggling workers pulled together more than $800 for these two jobless moms with small children. You can be part of the tour by visiting the Show Us the Jobs website by clicking on the link below. http://www.showusthejobs.com/

Some of the bus riders are posting "blogs"--online journals. Read these inside details about the tour--some are serious, some are silly, some are heart-warming and some are heart-wrenching--by clicking on this link: http://blog.showusthejobs.com/

ACTION: Sign the petition calling for good jobs, overtime pay and good benefits. Click here: http://www.showusthejobs.com/

Kucinich Congratulates Maine Lawmakers For Challenging Patriot Act

Ohio Congressman and Democratic Presidential candidate Dennis Kucinich today congratulated the Maine Legislature for voting yesterday to ask Congress to reconsider the controversial law known as the Patriot Act. Maine became the fourth state to take a stand against the Patriot Act, joining Alaska, Hawaii and Vermont. An estimated 300 communities around the country have taken a similar stand. "I would like to congratulate the members of the House and the Senate in Maine for adding their voices to those of leaders in Alaska, Hawaii and Vermont, as well as millions of other citizens who see the dangers that this law poses to our basic American freedoms,” Kucinich said. He said he hopes Maine's action sends a message to the Democratic Party, potential Party nominee Sen. John Kerry, who voted for the Patriot Act in 2001, and all other members of the U.S. Congress.

"It's not enough for candidates to say that the law is flawed or its implementation by the Bush Administration poses threats to our civil liberties," Kucinich said. "It's time to stand up for our rights as Americans and demand that unconstitutional laws be repealed, as I have." Kucinich is the only Presidential candidate who voted against the act. He, along with 20 other members of Congress, has introduced the Benjamin Franklin True Patriot Act, which would repeal several major sections of the existing law. It would eliminate the Patriot Act's subjective search-and-seizure provision, unwarranted incarcerations, and the authority of federal officials to search private records without probable cause. The proposed law would restore the fundamental right of attorney-client privilege, revoke various Department of Justice secrecy orders, and repeal provisions harmful to the rights of immigrants. In addition, it would restore transparency to Department of Justice and Department of Homeland Security administrative procedures by revoking Freedom of Information Act secrecy orders.

Bush's Iraq WMDs Joke Backfires
BBC NEWS
The joke about the fruitless search for Iraqi WMDs, so far, Washington's prime justification for the US-led invasion, has been branded as tasteless and ill-judged.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/3570845.stm
[Duchess Note ... War and occupation is NOT a laughing matter. The loss of OVER 500 American soldier lives, plus thousands wounded and Iraqi brutally slaughter is NOT some damn joke. Yo, Shrub the Lesser, shame on you!!! Just goes to show how little this administration values Americans. They don't give a damn about Americans unless your millionaire or billionaire, then they love you, but the average citizen on the street ... NOTHING, NADA, ZIPPO!! This administration enjoys greedily taking from middle/poor classes and giving generously to the filthy rich. This has got to stop people ... vote them OUT of office in November. Take back your country!!]

SPECIAL MESSAGE FROM DENNIS KUCINICH
Hi, this is Dennis with a special message. We've been informed by our Alaska campaign managers that we picked up as many as five new delegates to the national convention as a result of the personal campaign we took to Democrats in Alaska last week. It is instructive the returns in the City of Fairbanks, where I spoke, were as follows: Dean 6%, Uncommitted 20%, Kerry, 22%, Kucinich 51%.

What was that message in Fairbanks? The message was that if you want to keep alive the hopes that the Democratic party will stand for peace, for health care for all, for civil liberties (repeal the Patriot Act) and for fair trade, then support our campaign so we can continue to speak for those principles and so we can take this message all the way to the convention in Boston. Our campaign stands alone in providing Democrats with an opportunity to let the Party know that while the direction of the nomination may be decided, the direction of the Democratic Party has yet to be determined. Sixteen Caucuses or Primaries remain ahead, including Colorado, North Carolina, the Virgin Islands, Guam, Pennsylvania, Indiana, Nebraska, West Virginia, Arkansas, Kentucky, Oregon, Alabama, South Dakota, Puerto Rico, Montana, and New Jersey.

Even though the nomination may be decided, why should millions of Democrats in these sixteen voting areas be denied a chance to affect the direction of our party? The fact is there are sixteen more opportunities for you to have an impact on the future of the Democratic Party. Sixteen chances to register your concerns about peace, about universal health care, about the Patriot Act, about our trade policies which are costing us millions of jobs while diminishing workers rights and environmental protections everywhere. This weekend I am headed to Oregon to continue to press forward with a message of hope and the possibilities of an expanded meaning for the Democratic party. I am dedicated to taking this race right through to the convention.

Even though eight other presidential campaigns have conceded, you've helped us make a difference over the past year. You have brought us a great distance. Help us arrive at the convention with the message of hope, of peace, of social and economic justice. The convention is only a few months away. We need you now more than ever. Now is the time for us to make a renewed commitment while there still is a chance to influence the debate within the party. You've been generous with your time and your money. We need your continued support and the support of your loved ones and friends. Help us raise the money to cover the next few months! Help us carry the message, your message. Help us carry the hopes, your hopes and those of millions of Americans, help us demonstrate that courage of commitment brings with it the possibility of creating new outcomes which others may have missed because they quit trying. Forward, with your help. This is Dennis with such gratitude for all that you've done and will do for this common effort. Thank you.

From MoveOn.Org - Richard Clarke's Revelations On Bush Empire
As you may have heard, Richard Clarke, a former counter-terrorism advisor to Bush, and a registered Republican who has worked in every administration since Reagan, has exposed Bush's mishandling of 9/11 and the war on Iraq. In his book "Against All Enemies," Clarke does an amazing job of presenting the facts and connecting the dots. Instead of refuting Clarke's claims, the Bush Administration has launched a campaign of character assassination, hoping that the story will just go away. We're committed to stopping that from happening by making sure that the American public hears Clarke's extraordinary comments. If we can raise $300,000 in the next few days, we can run a hard-hitting ad nationally that highlights his message. You can see a rough story board of the ad and donate to get it on the air at:
https://www.moveonpac.org/clarkead.html?id=2487-2148547-VUszb7bU9Np0BgGVriFQXg

When the World Trade Center was hit on the morning of 9/11, National Security Advisor Condoleezza Rice dubbed Richard Clarke, the administration's top counter-terrorism official, "crisis manager." As the White House, which was thought to be the next target, was evacuated, Clarke heroically stayed on, coordinating the government's response from the Situation Room in the West Wing. Clarke is viewed by colleagues as a hawk, a "true believer" who doesn't play partisan politics. So the shocking facts he revealed about the Bush administration's approach to terrorism before 9/11 and its response after must be taken seriously. On Sunday, Clarke told reporters that the President and Defense Secretary downgraded counter-terrorism and ignored repeated warnings about an al Qaeda attack prior to 9/11. And, perhaps even more explosive, Clarke revealed that President Bush and senior administration officials wanted to bomb Iraq after 9/11 even though they knew that it had no connection to al Qaeda, and that al Qaeda was responsible for the attacks.

Already, the White House spin machine is in overdrive. Since they can't rebut Clarke's facts -- which independent witnesses have confirmed -- they're trying to paint him as an angry partisan, even though he's a Republican. But Clarke's words remain a searing indictment of the Bush Administration's campaign against terrorism. Together, if we act today, we can beat back the spin by widely airing a TV ad which gets these uniquely credible comments directly to TV viewers. Richard Clarke had an intimate view -- perhaps the best view -- of how the Bush Administration responded to terrorism. So we should all listen carefully when he says: "Frankly, I find it outrageous that the president is running for re-election on the grounds that he's done such great things about terrorism. He ignored it. He ignored terrorism for months, when maybe we could have done something to stop 9/11. Maybe. We'll never know. . . I think the way he has responded to al-Qaeda, both before 9/11 by doing nothing, and by what he's done after 9/11 has made us less safe, absolutely. I think he's done a terrible job on the war against terrorism." Together, we can make sure every American knows what President Bush's true record on terrorism really is.

Here's a National Security Plan That Can Work ... Peace through Justice ... Not Violence

Working for social change often means focusing on what's wrong and what needs fixing. Some folks even measure success by slowing the rate at which things get worse. We're committed to taking on tough struggles. But we also need to focus on what's possible and strive toward those ideals too. Here's such an opportunity. Lynn Woolsey, Congresswoman from California, has introduced legislation providing a positive vision for America's national security. It's a thoughtful and comprehensive view of how to make us safe here at home and throughout the family of nations across the world, calling for the United States to, for example:

1] Work with the U.N. and NATO to root out terrorist networks and lead international efforts to cut off financing for terrorist organizations;

2] Pursue diplomacy, enhanced inspection regimes and regional security arrangements;

3] Integrate peace building and conflict prevention into developmental programs;

4] Reduce dependence on foreign oil and promote long-term energy security through greater investment in sustainable and renewable alternatives.

If you want to send a fax (see text below) to your member of Congress urging him or her to cosponsor Rep. Lynn Woolsey's resolution for real security, and you're a TrueMajority member, just click "reply" and "send" in your email program to send your free message. If this was forwarded to you or you'd like to customize the message to your Representative, click here: http://action.truemajority.org/ctt.asp?u=380807&l=412

The issues that Rep. Woolsey raises are dear to our hearts at TrueMajority. But, of course, these ideas spring not just from the heart. Our heads tell us too that, without justice, there can be no lasting peace. This rational analysis is backed up by the distinguished folks who advise TrueMajority through two advisory boards of business people and retired military brass. Check out http://www.truemajority.org/who/

Successful business executives supporting sensible federal priorities serve on our business advisory board, including the present or former CEOs of Eastman Kodak, Black Entertainment Network, Goldman Sachs, Men's Warehouse, Calvert Funds and CNN. Our military advisory board includes Lawrence Korb, Assistant Defense Secretary under Ronald Reagan; Admiral Stansfield Turner, former CIA Director; and Vice Admiral Jack Shanahan (Ret.), former commander of the Navy's North Atlantic Fleet. So, Congressmember Lynn Woolsey's plan is not just rooted in our shared values of compassion, justice and sustainability, but is also supported by rational analysis of what works best.

PERSONAL NEWS - Part X
Sunday evening I was talking on the phone with a good friend of mine down in southern FL. Sheila lives in a retired Jewish community not far from West Palm Beach, which is a heavily Democrat area and very few Republicans. We got talking about politics since she mentioned that she is joining a Democrat meeting group to do something about upcoming presidential election. [Trust me, Sheila hates the Bush Empire as much as I do & voted Gore in 2000, tho I went with Nader. I was in Green Party at the time & not a Democrat.] She also wondered if I was still majorily involved in DJK campaign and I said YES. Anyhow ... she told me about what happened in her area during the FL primaries. Which, as you know, was quite recent. What she told me damn near floored me. Sheila mentioned how the voting booths were "set up" inside after closing the curtain. Can you guess? You won't believe it. I'm still flabbergasted! She told me they were only given two options or choices. I asked which Democrat candidates did they list. No names she said ... the two options were Republican and/or Democrat. NO NAMES ... just Republican & Democrat?!?!? [Naturally she flicked the Democrat switch.] I was like ... "what the hell is this country coming to"?!? Fascism?!? Sounds like Jeb [evil, demented, greedy bastard] Bush is at it again. When I explained how the booths should of looked, naturally my friend was terribly upset and horrified. And that furthered her resolve in becoming more involved in the Democratic groups in her area. Just wanted to share this news with all my readers. We need to come together as one and take back our beloved country from the greedy bastards. NOW!

In yesterdays postal delivery, I received a short note and signed photo from actor Scott Patterson of the GILMORE GIRLS TV show. [One of the main reasons I watch this show is so I can gaze at Luke.] One could tell it was all personally done by Scott [ie: Luke] himself. No agents office handled this, which floored me even more. At first, receiving this in the mail totally perplexed me, until I remembered that I sent a very nice long fan letter to him about 5 to 6 months ago. Not only is the man very handsome; but he's into baseball, politics AND Pearl Jam. Hell yeah! Also, in his brief note, he mentioned he spent a day back in 1998 surfing in Malibu with Eddie Vedder. That is so cool!

Lifting The Shroud
NEW YORK TIMES EDITORIALS
by Paul Krugman
http://www.nytimes.com/2004/03/23/opinion/23KRUG.html?ex=1081029877&ei=1&en=7402f8a2197b54fd

Personal Voices: In Defense Of Liberalism
ALTERNET
by Walter Cronkite
http://alternet.org/story.html?StoryID=18196

DENNIS KUCINICH PULLS SECOND-PLACE SHOWING IN ALASKA CAUCUS
Although the final count is not yet in, with more than 85 percent of its precincts reporting, Dennis is showing a strong second-place in the Alaska Democratic caucus. Unofficial tallies to date show John Kerry with 47.75%, Dennis with 25.83%, uncommitted with 12.31%, Howard Dean with 11.41 percent and John Edwards with 2.7%. Dennis is expected to pick up possibly five delegates to the national Democratic Convention from Alaska. [ Video of Dennis speaking in Alaska last week: http://www.kucinich.us/fearinamerica-talksabout.php In the Wyoming primary, Dennis picked up approximately seven percent of total votes cast. The primary in Guam has been postponed.

KUCINICH STILL IN RACE, REPORTS THE AP
"One by one, all of John Kerry's rivals for the Democratic presidential nomination have fallen by the wayside," reports the Associated Press, "except for Dennis Kucinich." The article notes that "The Ohio congressman said in a statement Sunday, a day after his second-place finish to Kerry in Alaska's presidential caucuses, that he intends to campaign through the remaining primaries and caucuses in early June." Read the complete article at: http://www.usatoday.com/news/politicselections/nation/president/2004-03-21-kucinich_x.htm

LATEST NEWS FROM MOVEON.ORG
Several weeks ago, Tom Cole, a Republican Congressman in Oklahoma spoke to supporters about the upcoming election. "If George Bush loses the election, Osama bin Laden wins the election," he told them. Later, he said that a vote against Bush was like a vote for Adolf Hitler.

These hateful and outrageous remarks –- which neither the RNC nor the Bush/Cheney campaign will repudiate -- are representative of the negative campaign being rolled out against John Kerry. Bush is now airing the first negative ads of the season, which according to nonpartisan monitors seriously misled viewers about Kerry's record. In response, Senator Kerry is taking the high road. He's asked President Bush to engage in a series of monthly debates on the country's future -- debates on the real substance of the issues that face us. It's a simple proposal that could elevate the campaign and truly educate the country about the positions and records of each candidate. But President Bush's campaign brushed off the suggestion with a snide remark. Today, we're asking President Bush to stand up and face a real debate. You can join our petition asking President Bush to debate Kerry on the future of our country at: http://www.moveonpac.org/debate/?id=2476-2148547-m3lFgxqJ.dOTFA20affTFw

We'll send your comment on to the Bush/Cheney campaign and highlight this issue in the media. The negative tenor of the campaign so far even has Republicans worried. Senator John McCain reprimanded the President for the negative campaign, saying, "Already, I'm hearing from people here that are saying, 'Look, I'm not even going to vote if this is the way the campaign's going to be conducted.'" Here's a summary of some of the attacks that have unfolded just in the first two weeks:

1] In the first negative ad of the general election, President Bush claimed that Kerry would raise taxes by $900 billion. The figure turned out to be entirely made up -- John Kerry promised to lower taxes on working families, not raise them.

2] President Bush personally accused Kerry of attempting to "gut" the intelligence budget in a "deeply irresponsible" move: Yet, as independent media monitor factcheck.org pointed out, "the proposal Bush criticized would have amounted to a reduction of roughly 1%. And senior congressional Republicans supported a cut two-thirds as large at the time."

3] Vice President Cheney told reporters that he believed Kerry does not have "an impressive record for someone who aspires to be commander in chief in this time of testing for our country."

By any standard, the campaign is already one of the most negative in political history. But by engaging in a forward-looking debate, President Bush could turn things around. It's much easier to make misleading claims in TV ads than to someone's face, and both Kerry and Bush would have hours -- not seconds -- to make their case to the public.