Friday, November 2, 2007
Mukasey should not be confirmed!
George W. Bush sees unfairness? It is incredible that every single time this President does not get what he wants he plays the terror card! What is truly terrifying is that, up to now it has worked like a charm for Mr. Bush. The Democrats cower in fear that they will be seen as weak on terror, and have allowed Mr. Bush to run roughshod over them in every case.
Justice Mukasey is probably the most qualified candidate for Attorney General the Bush administration has yet come up with. The problem is that because Mr. Bush broke the law by allowing prisoners and detainees to be tortured, Mr. Mukasey can not come out and say that he believes water-boarding and other obvious methods of torture are against the law, because it would put the President in an untenable situation. Mr. Bush is between a rock and a hard place. He must defend his nominee, but by keeping him quiet on the issue of torture he may be giving the Senate Judiciary Committee the backbone they need to deny Mr. Mukasey’s confirmation.
Henry A. Lowenstein
Thursday, November 1, 2007
Bush denies effects of global warming...again!
| Dear Sunny, The wildfires in California are a great tragedy. And unfortunately, as global warming increases the likelihood of extreme weather conditions -- hurricanes, droughts, floods, and others -- these kinds of disasters may become even more frequent. According to the San Francisco Chronicle, forestry experts believe rising global temperatures will result in an increased risk of fires. And news that the Bush Administration censored a climate change report by the Director of the Center for Disease Control (CDC) last week confirms -- again -- that the President refuses to face the dangers of global warming. Last week, the Director of the CDC, Dr. Julie Geberding, testified at a Senate Environment and Public Works Committee hearing that I chaired. Before the hearing, Dr. Geberding provided the White House with a copy of the testimony she was preparing to deliver about the health risks associated with global warming -- but Administration officials slashed her report in half. What information was included in the pages that were deleted from Dr. Gerberding's testimony? Many details that attributed potential public health problems to global warming -- as well as statements like, "Scientific evidence supports the view that the earth's climate is changing...CDC considers climate change a serious public health concern." A CDC official familiar with both versions of Dr. Gerberding's testimony said that the Director's findings were "eviscerated." President Bush cannot continue to muzzle scientists -- especially on one of the most critical environmental challenges that we have ever faced. We deserve a full accounting of what happened during this White House review process, and who was involved, to make sure that this kind of scientific censorship from the Bush Administration never happens again. This is just one more example of how the Bush Administration is hiding the truth from the American people -- changing scientific reports to fit their policy, rather than fitting their policy to science. Thank you for your help. In Friendship, Barbara Boxer P.S. We can't allow the Bush Administration to continue muzzling scientists. Forward an email to the President and demand that he tell the full truth about the CDC Director's testimony today! Email The President Now! | Visit BarbaraBoxer.com
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News from Nita:
Identifying and Stopping Waste, Fraud, and Abuse in Iraq Reconstruction Funds
Recent reports by the Government Accountability Office and the Special Inspector General for Iraq Reconstruction (SIGIR) have made it clear that the State Department is not fulfilling its responsibility to provide oversight over taxpayer money spent on reconstruction projects in Iraq. Congresswoman Lowey held a hearing this week, at which the SIGIR, Stuart Bowen, estimated that $7-9 billion in U.S. funds already spent on reconstruction in Iraq has been wasted.
For more information about Congresswoman Lowey's efforts to stop waste, fraud, and abuse, please click here.
Protecting Children From Choking Hazards
Parents need to know when their children's toys contain small parts that could cause a child to choke. Congresswoman Lowey introduced the Choking Hazard Awareness Act, which would require advertisements for such products to display warning labels about the hazards they may present. A Senate committee this week adopted this bill when debating broader legislation to overhaul and modernize the Consumer Product Safety Commission, which has been drastically under-funded and under-staffed in recent years.
To read Congresswoman Lowey's legislation, please click here.
Financial Security for Senior Citizens
The Social Security Administration (SSA) recently announced that this year's COLA will add 2.3 percent, or $24 per month, to seniors' monthly checks, the smallest increase in four years. This continues a trend since 2000 of expenses rising faster than benefits. It will not help millions of seniors faced with increased health, energy, transportation and food costs. Congresswoman Lowey is advocating for passage of legislation that would base COLAs on the spending activities of elderly Americans, taking into account especially the rising cost of health care.
From Hank reposted by Sunny!
To: 'letters@nytimes.com'
Subject: To The Editor
“Torture and the Attorneys General” – Editorial – November 1, 2007
What is truly “repugnant” about the nomination of Michael Mukasey to lead an already deeply damaged Justice Department, is the fact that George W. Bush has systematically destroyed the rule of law in America by appointing only those candidates he believes will unflinchingly allow him to continue doing so. This is not an issue over whether the practice of “water-boarding” is or is not torture. It is strictly about whether the American people and the Congress will continue to allow this President to be above the law.
Your editorial points out the real reason Mr. Mukasey won’t declare water-boarding torture. Mr. Bush broke the law when he, with the consent of his pal Gonzalez, approved the use of that practice for detainee’s suspected of terrorism. To admit that now that water-boarding is torture would be to admit that Bush broke the law. No nominee of George W. Bush would dare place the President in that position. The Senate Judiciary Committee must not let them get away with it.
From Obama Campaign:
Barack at the Democratic presidential debate in Philadelphia
AN UPDATE FROM IOWA
Women for Obama Host 29 Organizing Events Across Iowa
Last weekend, Women for Obama groups in 29 communities hosted Women for Change events across Iowa. At each organizing event, local women met with undecided friends and neighbors in their community to discuss why Senator Obama is the best candidate to transform our country and truly change the way we do politics in Washington, D.C.
While he was traveling in Iowa, Senator Barack Obama called into a conference call with the women attending the parties and spoke to them directly about his vision for challenging the status quo in Washington and making progress on the tough challenges women face. Women on the call discussed the need for accessible health care coverage, child care services, and education. Senator Obama talked about his plan to save the average American family up to $2500 a year in health care costs and his commitment to high-quality, affordable health care for all by the end of his first term as President.
Women for Obama meeting in Iowa
AN UPDATE FROM SOUTH CAROLINA
South Carolina Supporters March in Columbia
The South Carolina campaign "Ba-rocked the Ballot" on Tuesday by officially filing the paperwork to have Senator Obama's name placed on the primary ballot. More than 50 supporters gathered in front of the Statehouse in downtown Columbia to listen to Rep. Bakari Sellers speak on behalf of Sen. Obama and to "fire it up." From there the Columbia High School Marching Band led them the five blocks to the South Carolina Democratic Party Headquarters, where the papers were formally filed as supporters ate hot dogs and listened to a DJ, a cappella choir, and spoken word. Party Chair Carol Fowler told the crowd that she would work to change party rules so that all future candidates would have to arrive with a marching band to be placed on the ballot
Supporters march in Columbia, SC
Obama "Overwhelming" Winner of Tuesday's Debate
Barack shines in debate in Philadelphia
At last night's Democratic presidential candidates debate, Barack Obama demonstrated the real choice in this race. On issues from Social Security to Iran to being open with the America people about her record, Senator Clinton offered more of the same Washington calculation, ducking and dodging that won't bring the change America needs. Barack Obama demonstrated the kind of leadership that will bring change we can trust -- the ability to bring this country together, stand up to the special interests, and tell the American people not just what we think they want to hear, but what they need to know about the challenges we face. That's the kind of leadership Barack Obama has demonstrated through his two decades of service to America, and that's what he'll offer as President of the United States.
AN UPDATE FROM NEW HAMPSHIRE
New Hampshire Campaign -- An Aggressive Organizing Machine
Last Saturday, the campaign continued to build our unmatched and unprecedented grassroots movement, holding more than 90 organizational meetings throughout the state. With the primary drawing nearer, New Hampshire staff and supporters mapped out the steps we will take to ensure victory on primary day. The Manchester field team held an Organizational Summit with supporters from across the South Central region of New Hampshire, where supporters spent the afternoon with the campaign learning about how they can spread Barack's message through identifying and engaging their neighbors and communities to become more actively involved in the campaign.
New Hampshire students marching this past summer
AN UPDATE FROM NEVADA
Nevada Launches African Americans for Obama
On Wednesday night, more than 100 African American supporters and community leaders came together in Las Vegas to launch Nevada African Americans for Obama. Former Spinners backup singer Rachel Jackson and 15-year-old jazz prodigy Primrose Martin performed for the packed room. Their stirring and soulful performances energized the crowd at the Ice House Lounge in downtown Las Vegas. State Senator Steven Horsford, Assemblyman Kelvin Atkinson, and Rose McKinney-James, all members of the Nevada Steering Committee, joined senior Obama advisor Michael Strautmanis to kick off the group. Senator Horsford welcomed supporters and reaffirmed our commitment to reach out into African American communities across Nevada to make sure together we grow Barack's movement for change so we can put an end to divisive Washington politics and finally address the real issues families in all communities face.
African Americans for Obama
› Visit BarackObama.com for all the latest news
From "Dr." David from all who need help!
1. Go to http://progressivegovernment.blogspot.com
2. Go to the upper right corner and click on "Sign in".
3. You'll have to register on the blog. You can't submit open articles without that. Sorry. It's no big deal.
4. After you log in, you'll see a menu that says "+ New Post". Click there.
5. Give your post a title, and enter text in the box (you can edit the font, emphasis, etc. you can insert images and URLs). You can attach labels to your post to make it easier to search for. Then you "Publish Post".
Does this makes sense?
Mukasey unfit to be Attorney general!
What is truly “repugnant” about the nomination of Michael Mukasey to lead an already deeply damaged Justice Department, is the fact that George W. Bush has systematically destroyed the rule of law in America by appointing only those candidates he believes will unflinchingly allow him to continue doing so. This is not an issue over whether the practice of “water-boarding” is or is not torture. It is strictly about whether the American people and the Congress will continue to allow this President to be above the law.
Your editorial points out the real reason Mr. Mukasey won’t declare water-boarding torture. Mr. Bush broke the law when he, with the consent of his pal Gonzalez, approved the use of that practice for detainee’s suspected of terrorism. To admit that now that water-boarding is torture would be to admit that Bush broke the law. No nominee of George W. Bush would dare place the President in that position. The Senate Judiciary Committee must not let them get away with it.
Henry A. Lowenstein