“Perfectionism is a refusal to let yourself move ahead. It is a loop--an obsessive, debilitating closed system that causes you to get stuck in the details of what you are writing or painting or making and to lose sight of the whole. Instead of creating freely and allowing errors to reveal themselves later as insights, we often get mired in getting the details right. We correct our originality into a uniformity that lacks passion and spontaneity.”
Forgiving yourself means concentrating on the insights gained from mistakes, and to let go of the rest. Um. Good luck with that.
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
From Barbra
Protect Your Vote
Since voter fraud and voter suppression is still very much an issue in the upcoming election, I wanted to post a section on some of the best articles written by experts on this complex issue and provide information on who to contact if you experience voting problems. It’s so important that Americans are aware and educated so they can insure that their votes are properly counted.
VIDEO: “Protecting Your Vote” Mark Crispin Miller on Bill Moyers
http://www.pbs.org/
Transcript of Mark Crispin’s interview with Bill Moyers.
http://www.pbs.org/moyers
Thousands Face Mix-Ups In Voter Registrations In New Databases, Many
Are Wrongly Flagged as Ineligible
http://www.washingtonpost.com
Block the Vote - Will the GOP's campaign to deter new voters and
discard Democratic ballots determine the next president?
http://www.rollingstone.com/
USA Today cited "accusations of voter fraud and voter suppression" but
omitted examples of voter suppression
http://mediamatters.org/
States' Attempts to Clean up Voting Lists Result in Unlawful Voter
Purging and Suppression
http://www.civilrights.org/
Treasure Coast officials calling residents on 'no match, no vote' list
http://www.tcpalm.com/
Judge Rules Michigan Voter Purging Program Illegal
http://www.ombwatch.org/
Ohio GOP loses fight to contest new voters, The Supreme Court on
Friday threw out a lawsuit brought by the Ohio Republican Party that
could have made it easier to challenge tens of...
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/
The Real Issue Isn't Voter Fraud, Its Vote Suppression (Joe
Rothstein's Commentary)
http://uspolitics.einnews.com/
Here are some articles on voting machine glitches and the wise move away from electronic-ballot voting systems that are discernibly switching votes in West Virginia in early voting
Did Washington waste millions on faulty voting machines?
http://www.bnd.com/
Some early W.Va. voters angry over switched votes
Jackson County touch-screens switched votes, 3 residents say
http://wvgazette.com/
While flagging illegal practices, don't overlook machine error
http://www.pennlive.com/
Day before early voting, glitch found with machines
http://www.dailymail.com
Vote Count Error Caught in New Mexico Machines
By Kim Zetter EmailOctober 07, 2008
http://blog.wired.com/
Officials find, fix glitch in New Mexico voting machine
http://www.rep-am.com
Places to Report Any Voting Problems You Experience
Unfortunately most states do *not* yet require that local election
officials record or make public voting problems that occur and could
be used to evaluate and improve election systems
YouTube Asks Voters to Record Poll Problems
http://newteevee.com
Problems Voting in the General Election? Report Your Issue Here
http://popmartian.com
1-866-OUR-VOTE; 1-866-MY-VOTE1
GoVote.org Launches: Next Generation in Voter Support
http://www.marketwatch.com/
Since voter fraud and voter suppression is still very much an issue in the upcoming election, I wanted to post a section on some of the best articles written by experts on this complex issue and provide information on who to contact if you experience voting problems. It’s so important that Americans are aware and educated so they can insure that their votes are properly counted.
VIDEO: “Protecting Your Vote” Mark Crispin Miller on Bill Moyers
http://www.pbs.org/
Transcript of Mark Crispin’s interview with Bill Moyers.
http://www.pbs.org/moyers
Thousands Face Mix-Ups In Voter Registrations In New Databases, Many
Are Wrongly Flagged as Ineligible
http://www.washingtonpost.com
Block the Vote - Will the GOP's campaign to deter new voters and
discard Democratic ballots determine the next president?
http://www.rollingstone.com/
USA Today cited "accusations of voter fraud and voter suppression" but
omitted examples of voter suppression
http://mediamatters.org/
States' Attempts to Clean up Voting Lists Result in Unlawful Voter
Purging and Suppression
http://www.civilrights.org/
Treasure Coast officials calling residents on 'no match, no vote' list
http://www.tcpalm.com/
Judge Rules Michigan Voter Purging Program Illegal
http://www.ombwatch.org/
Ohio GOP loses fight to contest new voters, The Supreme Court on
Friday threw out a lawsuit brought by the Ohio Republican Party that
could have made it easier to challenge tens of...
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/
The Real Issue Isn't Voter Fraud, Its Vote Suppression (Joe
Rothstein's Commentary)
http://uspolitics.einnews.com/
Here are some articles on voting machine glitches and the wise move away from electronic-ballot voting systems that are discernibly switching votes in West Virginia in early voting
Did Washington waste millions on faulty voting machines?
http://www.bnd.com/
Some early W.Va. voters angry over switched votes
Jackson County touch-screens switched votes, 3 residents say
http://wvgazette.com/
While flagging illegal practices, don't overlook machine error
http://www.pennlive.com/
Day before early voting, glitch found with machines
http://www.dailymail.com
Vote Count Error Caught in New Mexico Machines
By Kim Zetter EmailOctober 07, 2008
http://blog.wired.com/
Officials find, fix glitch in New Mexico voting machine
http://www.rep-am.com
Places to Report Any Voting Problems You Experience
Unfortunately most states do *not* yet require that local election
officials record or make public voting problems that occur and could
be used to evaluate and improve election systems
YouTube Asks Voters to Record Poll Problems
http://newteevee.com
Problems Voting in the General Election? Report Your Issue Here
http://popmartian.com
1-866-OUR-VOTE; 1-866-MY-VOTE1
GoVote.org Launches: Next Generation in Voter Support
http://www.marketwatch.com/
This From Barbra
Americans can’t take anything for granted on Tues November 4th. In the 2000 and 2004 elections, voter fraud, voter suppression and voter intimidation were rampant, especially in the critical swing states Florida and Ohio. This year, we are likely to break voter turnout records. Hundreds of thousands of voters have lined up to vote early around the country, and we have already heard numerous accounts of electronic voting machine glitches, registration and ballot issues and long lines. The information posted below is from Michael Scherer’s Time Magazine cover story ”7 things that can go wrong on Election Day” explaining what voters can do to insure that their voices are heard and their votes are counted.
On Nov. 4, the overwhelming majority of Americans will cast ballots without a hitch. But for some, troubles will occur. Here are a few simple steps you can take to make sure your vote counts:
* Before going to the polls, check to make sure your registration is in proper order by contacting your local registrar or going to canivote.org. (There is still time to fix problems.)
* Polling places can change. Make certain you know your proper polling location and the ID requirements for your state, especially if you are a first-time voter.
* Once at the polls, don’t take no for an answer. You should not leave a polling place without casting some sort of ballot.
* If you encounter problems, request an emergency paper ballot or, as a last resort, a provisional ballot. (Provisional ballots should be avoided whenever possible because they are less likely to be counted. If you must cast a provisional ballot, ask polling officials what steps you can take to ensure your vote is counted.)
* If you still have questions about polling-place locations or ID requirements, or if you encounter any problems at the polls, call Election Protection (866-OUR-VOTE), the nation’s largest coalition of poll watchers and lawyers. The nonpartisan call center will be staffed through Election Day.
Here is the link to the whole article, which is also posted in the “Articles of Interest” section:
"7 Things That Could Go Wrong on Election Day" by Michael Scherer, TIME Magazine
Send to a friend
On Nov. 4, the overwhelming majority of Americans will cast ballots without a hitch. But for some, troubles will occur. Here are a few simple steps you can take to make sure your vote counts:
* Before going to the polls, check to make sure your registration is in proper order by contacting your local registrar or going to canivote.org. (There is still time to fix problems.)
* Polling places can change. Make certain you know your proper polling location and the ID requirements for your state, especially if you are a first-time voter.
* Once at the polls, don’t take no for an answer. You should not leave a polling place without casting some sort of ballot.
* If you encounter problems, request an emergency paper ballot or, as a last resort, a provisional ballot. (Provisional ballots should be avoided whenever possible because they are less likely to be counted. If you must cast a provisional ballot, ask polling officials what steps you can take to ensure your vote is counted.)
* If you still have questions about polling-place locations or ID requirements, or if you encounter any problems at the polls, call Election Protection (866-OUR-VOTE), the nation’s largest coalition of poll watchers and lawyers. The nonpartisan call center will be staffed through Election Day.
Here is the link to the whole article, which is also posted in the “Articles of Interest” section:
"7 Things That Could Go Wrong on Election Day" by Michael Scherer, TIME Magazine
Send to a friend
Monday, October 27, 2008
Saturday, October 25, 2008
Pretty Women/ Ladies Who Lunch
Barbra
Pretty women
Fascinating
Sippin coffee
Dancing, pretty women
Pretty women
Are a wonder, pretty women
Sitting in the window or
Standing on the stair
Something in them cheers the air
Pretty women
Silhouetted
Stay within you
Glancing stay forever
Breathing lightly, pretty women,
Pretty women
Blowing out their candles or
Combing out their hair
Even when they leave
They still are there
They're there
Sipping coffee
Here's to the ladies who lunch
Everybody Laugh
Lounging in their caftans and
Planning a brunch
On their own behalf
Off to the gym
Then to a fitting,
Claiming they're fat
And looking grim,
Cause they've been sitting
Choosing a hat
I'll drink to that!
Here's to the girls who just watch
Aren't they the best
When they get depressed,
It's a bottle of scotch
Plus a little jest!
Another chance to disapprove
Another brilliant zinger
Another reason not to move
Another vodka stinger
I'll drink to that!
Here's to the girls who play wife
Aren't they too much!
Keeping house but clutching a copy of "Life"
Just to keep in touch
The ones who follow the rules
And meet themselves at the schools
Too busy to know that they're fools
Aren't they a gem!
I'll drink to them!
Let's all drink to...
Pretty women, fascinating
How they make a man sing...
**Here's to the girls on the go,
Everybody tries
Look into their eyes
And you'll see what they know,
Everybody dies
A toast to that invincible bunch
The dinosaurs surviving the crunch
Let's hear it for the ladies who lunch
Everybody rise
Everybody rise,
Pretty women at their mirrors
In their gardens
On committees, telephoning
Window shopping table hopping
Pretty women giving parties
Never stopping
Gossip swapping, capsule popping
Everybody rise, everybody rise,
Everybody rise, everybody rise-
Rise-rise-rise...
Pretty women rise!
Pretty women
Fascinating
Sippin coffee
Dancing, pretty women
Pretty women
Are a wonder, pretty women
Sitting in the window or
Standing on the stair
Something in them cheers the air
Pretty women
Silhouetted
Stay within you
Glancing stay forever
Breathing lightly, pretty women,
Pretty women
Blowing out their candles or
Combing out their hair
Even when they leave
They still are there
They're there
Sipping coffee
Here's to the ladies who lunch
Everybody Laugh
Lounging in their caftans and
Planning a brunch
On their own behalf
Off to the gym
Then to a fitting,
Claiming they're fat
And looking grim,
Cause they've been sitting
Choosing a hat
I'll drink to that!
Here's to the girls who just watch
Aren't they the best
When they get depressed,
It's a bottle of scotch
Plus a little jest!
Another chance to disapprove
Another brilliant zinger
Another reason not to move
Another vodka stinger
I'll drink to that!
Here's to the girls who play wife
Aren't they too much!
Keeping house but clutching a copy of "Life"
Just to keep in touch
The ones who follow the rules
And meet themselves at the schools
Too busy to know that they're fools
Aren't they a gem!
I'll drink to them!
Let's all drink to...
Pretty women, fascinating
How they make a man sing...
**Here's to the girls on the go,
Everybody tries
Look into their eyes
And you'll see what they know,
Everybody dies
A toast to that invincible bunch
The dinosaurs surviving the crunch
Let's hear it for the ladies who lunch
Everybody rise
Everybody rise,
Pretty women at their mirrors
In their gardens
On committees, telephoning
Window shopping table hopping
Pretty women giving parties
Never stopping
Gossip swapping, capsule popping
Everybody rise, everybody rise,
Everybody rise, everybody rise-
Rise-rise-rise...
Pretty women rise!
Friday, October 24, 2008
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
The Pretenders
Dont get me wrong
If Im looking kind of dazzled
I see neon lights
Whenever you walk by
Dont get me wrong
If you say hello and I take a ride
Upon a sea where the mystic moon
Is playing havoc with the tide
Dont get me wrong
Dont get me wrong
If Im acting so distracted
Im thinking about the fireworks
That go off when you smile
Dont get me wrong
If I split like light refracted
Im only off to wander
Across a moonlit mile
Once in awhile
Two people meet
Seemingly for no reason
They just pass on the street
Suddenly thunder, showers everywhere
Who can explain the thunder and rain
But theres something in the air
Dont get me wrong
If I come and go like fashion
I might be great tomorrow
But hopeless yesterday
Dont get me wrong
If I fall in the mode of passion
It might be unbelievable
But lets not say so long
It might just be fantastic
Dont get me wrong
If Im looking kind of dazzled
I see neon lights
Whenever you walk by
Dont get me wrong
If you say hello and I take a ride
Upon a sea where the mystic moon
Is playing havoc with the tide
Dont get me wrong
Dont get me wrong
If Im acting so distracted
Im thinking about the fireworks
That go off when you smile
Dont get me wrong
If I split like light refracted
Im only off to wander
Across a moonlit mile
Once in awhile
Two people meet
Seemingly for no reason
They just pass on the street
Suddenly thunder, showers everywhere
Who can explain the thunder and rain
But theres something in the air
Dont get me wrong
If I come and go like fashion
I might be great tomorrow
But hopeless yesterday
Dont get me wrong
If I fall in the mode of passion
It might be unbelievable
But lets not say so long
It might just be fantastic
Dont get me wrong
Monday, October 20, 2008
Coming Home
John Legend
A father waits upon a son
A mother prays for his return
I just called to see
If you still have a place for me
We know that like took us apart
But you're still within my heart
I go to sleep and feel your spirit next to me
I'll make it home again
I pray you'll fall in love again
Just say you'll entertain the possibility
I learned enough from my mistakes
Learned from all I didn't say
Won't you wait for me
It may be long to get me there
It feels like I've been everywhere
But someday I'll be coming home
Round and round the world will spin
Oh, the circle never ends
So you know that I'll be coming home
We fight to stay alive
But somebody's got to die
It's so strange to me
A new year, a new enemy
Another soldier gone to war
Another story told before
Now it's told again
It seems the wars will never end
But we'll make it home again
Back where we belong again
We're holding on to when
We used to dare to dream
We pray we live to see
Another day in history
Yes we still believe
It may be long to get me there
It feels like I've been everywhere
But someday I'll be coming home
Round and round the world will spin
Oh, the circle never ends
So you know that I'll be coming home
I'm coming, I'm coming, I'm coming?
You know that I'll be coming home
It may be long to get me there
It feels like I've been everywhere
But someday I'll be coming home
Round and round the world will spin
Oh, the circle never ends
So you know that I'll be coming home
A father waits upon a son
A mother prays for his return
I just called to see
If you still have a place for me
We know that like took us apart
But you're still within my heart
I go to sleep and feel your spirit next to me
I'll make it home again
I pray you'll fall in love again
Just say you'll entertain the possibility
I learned enough from my mistakes
Learned from all I didn't say
Won't you wait for me
It may be long to get me there
It feels like I've been everywhere
But someday I'll be coming home
Round and round the world will spin
Oh, the circle never ends
So you know that I'll be coming home
We fight to stay alive
But somebody's got to die
It's so strange to me
A new year, a new enemy
Another soldier gone to war
Another story told before
Now it's told again
It seems the wars will never end
But we'll make it home again
Back where we belong again
We're holding on to when
We used to dare to dream
We pray we live to see
Another day in history
Yes we still believe
It may be long to get me there
It feels like I've been everywhere
But someday I'll be coming home
Round and round the world will spin
Oh, the circle never ends
So you know that I'll be coming home
I'm coming, I'm coming, I'm coming?
You know that I'll be coming home
It may be long to get me there
It feels like I've been everywhere
But someday I'll be coming home
Round and round the world will spin
Oh, the circle never ends
So you know that I'll be coming home
Sunday, October 19, 2008
A Great Wiki Entry on Ann Dunham
I just read the wiki article on Ann Dunham-Barack Obama's mother. What a fabulous writeup and a great lady.
Friday, October 17, 2008
Republican Efforts to Supress Voting
Watch these people like hawks and make sure they honor your right to vote!
Thursday, October 16, 2008
Troy Anthony Davis
TROY DAVIS ACTIONS PLZ READ AND REPOST URGENT
Body: see the following actions. Wea re asking all organizations to do whatever they can and make contacts with whomever they can to bring more attention to the injustice of Troy Davis and the courts refusal to do anything in this case.
The gloves are off people , we are asking any and all organizations to do whatever they can, demonstrations, rallies, marches, sit-ins, all out media blitz, we need to condemn the US Supreme Court and the Georgia Supreme Court, we are want to go back to faxes letters to the US Attorney's office to investigate the prosecutor in Chatham County.
The ask Investigate prosecutorial misconduct of Spencer Lawton in Chatham County in the Troy Davis death penalty case. Spencer Lawton's record is riddled with prosecutorial misconduct and 4 exonerations, 2 death penalty exonerations. To open the case of Troy Davis.
1.
The United States Attorney's Office
DAVID E.
NAHMIAS US Attorney General
Richard B.
Russell Federal Building
75 Spring Street, S.W.
Suite 600
Atlanta, GA 30303-3309
Tel: 404.581.
6000
Fax: 404.581.
6181
2. The ask of the White House Presidential Pardon and ask they look into the case, demand the Parole Board Reconsider Clemency. We understand this is a state case but a federal law is what has hindered the new evidence from being heard. Anti-terrorism and Effective Death Penalty Act signed into law by Bill Clinton in 1996.
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20500
Phone Numbers
Comments: 202-456-1111
Switchboard: 202-456-1414
FAX: 202-456-2461
TTY/TDD
Comments: 202-456-6213
Visitors Office: 202-456-2121
E-Mail
Please send your comments to comments@whitehouse.gov. Due to the large volume of e-mail received, the White House cannot respond to every message. For further up-to-date information on Presidential initiatives, current events, and topics of interest to you, please continue to use the White House website.
Note: Please submit messages in text format only. This inbox is unable to receive e-mails that contain graphics or attachments. After it arrives, you will receive an e-mail confirmation indicating successful delivery.
Vice President Richard Cheney: vice_president@whitehouse.gov
The ask of the White House Presidential Pardon and ask they look into the case, suggest Clemency to Parole Board.
3. Fax Directly to the Georgia Parole Board Demand reconsideration based on 6 eyewitnesses and 2 additional witnesses.The Parole board is made of police and prosecutors, this case is about police and prosecutors.
4. Send op-eds to : Mrs. Cynthia Tucker at the Atlanta Journal Constitution is currently soliciting letters from the public about Troy. She can be reached at: cynthia@ajc.com
5. Ask the Ga.
Attorney General to ask the Parole Board to reconsider
Thurbert E.
Baker
Attorney General of Georgia
Phone: 404-656-3300
FAX: 404-657-8733
Thurber Baker Office of the Attorney General 40 Capitol Square, SW Atlanta, Ga 30334 Phone: (404) 656-3300 Fax: (404) 657-8733 tbaker@law.ga.gov
Martina
See below Amnesty Actions
An execution warrant has now been issued for Troy Davis - commencing on October 27. The exact date of his execution will be set shortly, but will likely the 27th (the warrant lasts for one week, and the date is generally set for the first day of the warrant period).
For those who didn't receive it, please see below for the email that went out to thousands of on-line activists yesterday regarding the recent updates on the Troy Davis case. Feel free to forward to your networks. There are currently 4 actions that people can take - 3 you see in the email below, plus a Global Day of Action on October 23rd.
Write the Georgia Board of Pardon and Paroles and ask them to reconsider their decision and grant clemency (the on-line action is still up on the website).
Help spread the word on Troy's case by forwarding this information to friends, family and fellow activists, as well as by text messaging TROY to 90999.
Write a letter to the editor. A one page guide is attached, as well as linked to in the email below.
Participate in the Global Day of Action for Troy Davis on October 23. There will be a large rally at the state capitol in Atlanta, GA on this day, and we are encouraging supporters around the world to hold rallies, vigils or actions on this day in solidarity. A one page guide is attached, and more information will be up on the website shortly. Some groups are already planning events for days other than the 23rd, and that is just fine. Whatever people can do, whenever they can do it, is greatly encouraged.
IMPORTANT: Please be sure to keep me informed of anything being planed: jcohn@aiusa.org.
As I said, all of this information will soon be completely up to date on the website www. amnestyusa. org/troydavis.
*************************
Jessie Cohn
Death Penalty Abolition Campaign
Amnesty International USA
(202) 544-0200 ext.
244
Abolish it!
Body: see the following actions. Wea re asking all organizations to do whatever they can and make contacts with whomever they can to bring more attention to the injustice of Troy Davis and the courts refusal to do anything in this case.
The gloves are off people , we are asking any and all organizations to do whatever they can, demonstrations, rallies, marches, sit-ins, all out media blitz, we need to condemn the US Supreme Court and the Georgia Supreme Court, we are want to go back to faxes letters to the US Attorney's office to investigate the prosecutor in Chatham County.
The ask Investigate prosecutorial misconduct of Spencer Lawton in Chatham County in the Troy Davis death penalty case. Spencer Lawton's record is riddled with prosecutorial misconduct and 4 exonerations, 2 death penalty exonerations. To open the case of Troy Davis.
1.
The United States Attorney's Office
DAVID E.
NAHMIAS US Attorney General
Richard B.
Russell Federal Building
75 Spring Street, S.W.
Suite 600
Atlanta, GA 30303-3309
Tel: 404.581.
6000
Fax: 404.581.
6181
2. The ask of the White House Presidential Pardon and ask they look into the case, demand the Parole Board Reconsider Clemency. We understand this is a state case but a federal law is what has hindered the new evidence from being heard. Anti-terrorism and Effective Death Penalty Act signed into law by Bill Clinton in 1996.
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20500
Phone Numbers
Comments: 202-456-1111
Switchboard: 202-456-1414
FAX: 202-456-2461
TTY/TDD
Comments: 202-456-6213
Visitors Office: 202-456-2121
Please send your comments to comments@whitehouse.gov. Due to the large volume of e-mail received, the White House cannot respond to every message. For further up-to-date information on Presidential initiatives, current events, and topics of interest to you, please continue to use the White House website.
Note: Please submit messages in text format only. This inbox is unable to receive e-mails that contain graphics or attachments. After it arrives, you will receive an e-mail confirmation indicating successful delivery.
Vice President Richard Cheney: vice_president@whitehouse.gov
The ask of the White House Presidential Pardon and ask they look into the case, suggest Clemency to Parole Board.
3. Fax Directly to the Georgia Parole Board Demand reconsideration based on 6 eyewitnesses and 2 additional witnesses.The Parole board is made of police and prosecutors, this case is about police and prosecutors.
4. Send op-eds to : Mrs. Cynthia Tucker at the Atlanta Journal Constitution is currently soliciting letters from the public about Troy. She can be reached at: cynthia@ajc.com
5. Ask the Ga.
Attorney General to ask the Parole Board to reconsider
Thurbert E.
Baker
Attorney General of Georgia
Phone: 404-656-3300
FAX: 404-657-8733
Thurber Baker Office of the Attorney General 40 Capitol Square, SW Atlanta, Ga 30334 Phone: (404) 656-3300 Fax: (404) 657-8733 tbaker@law.ga.gov
Martina
See below Amnesty Actions
An execution warrant has now been issued for Troy Davis - commencing on October 27. The exact date of his execution will be set shortly, but will likely the 27th (the warrant lasts for one week, and the date is generally set for the first day of the warrant period).
For those who didn't receive it, please see below for the email that went out to thousands of on-line activists yesterday regarding the recent updates on the Troy Davis case. Feel free to forward to your networks. There are currently 4 actions that people can take - 3 you see in the email below, plus a Global Day of Action on October 23rd.
Write the Georgia Board of Pardon and Paroles and ask them to reconsider their decision and grant clemency (the on-line action is still up on the website).
Help spread the word on Troy's case by forwarding this information to friends, family and fellow activists, as well as by text messaging TROY to 90999.
Write a letter to the editor. A one page guide is attached, as well as linked to in the email below.
Participate in the Global Day of Action for Troy Davis on October 23. There will be a large rally at the state capitol in Atlanta, GA on this day, and we are encouraging supporters around the world to hold rallies, vigils or actions on this day in solidarity. A one page guide is attached, and more information will be up on the website shortly. Some groups are already planning events for days other than the 23rd, and that is just fine. Whatever people can do, whenever they can do it, is greatly encouraged.
IMPORTANT: Please be sure to keep me informed of anything being planed: jcohn@aiusa.org.
As I said, all of this information will soon be completely up to date on the website www. amnestyusa. org/troydavis.
*************************
Jessie Cohn
Death Penalty Abolition Campaign
Amnesty International USA
(202) 544-0200 ext.
244
Abolish it!
It was 2003 and I was soo excited. Rebecca and I gussied up and made our way to the Rosa Parks Museum to see Gloria Steinem speak and recieve the Women of Courage Award. At the after party I was standing three feet away from this demure, petite woman who resonated so much power and commanded the attention of the room. I was absolutely awed.
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
William F. Buckley is Turning In His Grave..Haha! Gore Vidal Won!
Not only did he outlive the son of a bitch-- but Christopher Buckley is backing Obama-- a liberal democrat!
Monday, October 13, 2008
Sunday, October 12, 2008
From Don Siegelman
Dear Brandon,
I am Don Siegelman, a Democrat and I served as the Governor of Alabama until Karl Rove targeted me in a political prosecution. My story, as described in CBS’s 60 Minutes is just one example of how Karl Rove subverted our Constitution and corrupted the integrity of the Justice Department.
I was convicted of something that The New York Times said,”… has never been a crime.” A former Republican Attorney General of Arizona said on CBS’s 60 Minutes, that “they couldn’t beat Siegelman fair and square so they targeted him with this prosecution.” I was THE blue dot in a red state that became Karl Rove’s target.
My investigation was started by Karl Rove’s client, the Alabama Attorney General, and I was brought to trial one month before the election, by a U S Attorney who was the wife of my Republican opponent’s campaign manager- a thirty year friend and political associate of Rove’s. After the trial, a Republican lawyer gave sworn testimony to the House Judiciary Committee that Karl Rove was directing the DOJ to prosecute me.
My sentence was enhanced for speaking out against the political nature of the prosecution. Handcuffed and shackled, I was immediately removed from the courtroom and taken to a maximum security prison where I was put into solitary confinement.
Nine months later, I was released in an extraordinary ruling of the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals saying there are “substantial questions of law and fact likely to result in reversal”.
Robert Wexler called for an investigation into my case, and has stood firm against those who prefer to run out the clock, and let those who committed the real crimes get off the hook. No one has fought harder for me or for bringing Karl Rove to justice than Robert Wexler.
But this fight is not about me, it’s about our country, restoring the law, and bringing Karl Rove to justice.
Robert Wexler has shown that strong Congressional leadership is our best insurance against the abuse of power that Karl Rove has waged against the American People.
Now it’s up to us to continue this fight for justice and to restore our democracy.
Now, we must fight for Robert Wexler. Please help me keep him in office by contributing to his campaign.
We must send a message that it is un-American to have US Attorneys targeting people because of their party affiliation. If they can bring a Governor down, they can do it to you or a member of your family.
We must also send a message to Robert Wexler's challengers: “We will not let you will not remove our allies in Congress who stand with us in this fight against the subversion of our democracy.”
Please help Robert Wexler push back against his self-funded challengers.
If you are angry at what this administration has done to America and if you share my disappointment at the passiveness of some Members of our Democratic Congress, then we must reward and defend those, like Robert Wexler, who has never quit fighting on our behalf.
Click here to show the rest of Congress we will support those who support our ideals.
The tough work is left to be done. We must continue to fight until Karl Rove and others have been held accountable. It is now time for Rove and the others who abused power and used the DOJ as a political weapon to be brought to justice.
With your help, we can be certain Robert Wexler will be standing with us when we win our victory and return America to its best ideals.
Now it’s time for us to take action. We have to ensure that Robert Wexler has the money to win re-election.
Please join me in donating now.
With every best wish, I am sincerely,
Don Siegelman
P.S. For more information on my case, go to www.donsiegelman.org
I am Don Siegelman, a Democrat and I served as the Governor of Alabama until Karl Rove targeted me in a political prosecution. My story, as described in CBS’s 60 Minutes is just one example of how Karl Rove subverted our Constitution and corrupted the integrity of the Justice Department.
I was convicted of something that The New York Times said,”… has never been a crime.” A former Republican Attorney General of Arizona said on CBS’s 60 Minutes, that “they couldn’t beat Siegelman fair and square so they targeted him with this prosecution.” I was THE blue dot in a red state that became Karl Rove’s target.
My investigation was started by Karl Rove’s client, the Alabama Attorney General, and I was brought to trial one month before the election, by a U S Attorney who was the wife of my Republican opponent’s campaign manager- a thirty year friend and political associate of Rove’s. After the trial, a Republican lawyer gave sworn testimony to the House Judiciary Committee that Karl Rove was directing the DOJ to prosecute me.
My sentence was enhanced for speaking out against the political nature of the prosecution. Handcuffed and shackled, I was immediately removed from the courtroom and taken to a maximum security prison where I was put into solitary confinement.
Nine months later, I was released in an extraordinary ruling of the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals saying there are “substantial questions of law and fact likely to result in reversal”.
Robert Wexler called for an investigation into my case, and has stood firm against those who prefer to run out the clock, and let those who committed the real crimes get off the hook. No one has fought harder for me or for bringing Karl Rove to justice than Robert Wexler.
But this fight is not about me, it’s about our country, restoring the law, and bringing Karl Rove to justice.
Robert Wexler has shown that strong Congressional leadership is our best insurance against the abuse of power that Karl Rove has waged against the American People.
Now it’s up to us to continue this fight for justice and to restore our democracy.
Now, we must fight for Robert Wexler. Please help me keep him in office by contributing to his campaign.
We must send a message that it is un-American to have US Attorneys targeting people because of their party affiliation. If they can bring a Governor down, they can do it to you or a member of your family.
We must also send a message to Robert Wexler's challengers: “We will not let you will not remove our allies in Congress who stand with us in this fight against the subversion of our democracy.”
Please help Robert Wexler push back against his self-funded challengers.
If you are angry at what this administration has done to America and if you share my disappointment at the passiveness of some Members of our Democratic Congress, then we must reward and defend those, like Robert Wexler, who has never quit fighting on our behalf.
Click here to show the rest of Congress we will support those who support our ideals.
The tough work is left to be done. We must continue to fight until Karl Rove and others have been held accountable. It is now time for Rove and the others who abused power and used the DOJ as a political weapon to be brought to justice.
With your help, we can be certain Robert Wexler will be standing with us when we win our victory and return America to its best ideals.
Now it’s time for us to take action. We have to ensure that Robert Wexler has the money to win re-election.
Please join me in donating now.
With every best wish, I am sincerely,
Don Siegelman
P.S. For more information on my case, go to www.donsiegelman.org
The Greatest American
Eleanor Roosevelt: First Lady, author of the UN Declaration of Human Rights, Humanitarian, and champion of the people of the world. A citizen of the world.
Saturday, October 11, 2008
Depression Era Songs (For Your Entertainment)
It was a lucky April shower
It was the most convenient door
I found a million dollar baby in the five and ten cent store.
The rain continued for an hour
I hung around for three or four
Around a million dollar baby at the five and ten cent store.
She was selling china and when she made those eyes
I kept buying china til the crowd got wise.
Incident'lly, if you should run into a shower,
just step inside my cottage door
and meet the million dollar baby at the five and ten cent store.
It was the most convenient door
I found a million dollar baby in the five and ten cent store.
The rain continued for an hour
I hung around for three or four
Around a million dollar baby at the five and ten cent store.
She was selling china and when she made those eyes
I kept buying china til the crowd got wise.
Incident'lly, if you should run into a shower,
just step inside my cottage door
and meet the million dollar baby at the five and ten cent store.
Anti-Arabism on the McCain Trail
John McCain defended Barack Obama calling him a "decent person" after some woman called him an arab. Cleanse the temple jesus. Cleanse the temple.
Friday, October 10, 2008
Tuesday, October 07, 2008
Important Listening
Listen to Jimmy Baldwin this morning--especially his talk at Berekely High School in 1974.
Friday, October 03, 2008
Horrible Incident in Akron,Ohio
The case of the woman in Akron, Ohio who shot herself in the abdomen in order to keep from being evicted is atrocious and is a shameful blemish upon this country. I think it is absolutely horrific that a ninety-year-old woman has to shoot herself in order to live with dignity and in peace! Outrageous!
The Horrors of America's Mortgage Crisis
A ninety-year-old woman shot herself after being evicted. Read the story.
Thursday, October 02, 2008
To John McCain/Palin
Barbra From Funny Lady: " And I can get a laugh without a moose or a cow or a buffalo or whatever hell else you try to bring in here."
Wednesday, October 01, 2008
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
I Was Just Thinking About It
A couple of years ago I bought Erykah Badu's Worldwide Underground because I wanted "Love of My Life." I wanted to kick her ass.
Sunday, September 28, 2008
A Sad Look at the Times; Paulson Swoons
Saturday, September 27, 2008
Friday, September 26, 2008
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
The Wonderful Way It Works
S,o I am researching Mary Foster McDavid for an article I am writing and it has been a hellacious time trying to do so. Alas, I have called all over the country trying to find records of her--the National PTA-which had some record of her, the SEF, and Atlanta, Georgia. However, the biggest gold came today as I churned my brain for ways to find information on this woman who was married to my uncle and died so very long ago. So, I thought to call a very established person in the Montgomery community-indeed an institution in the community--and ask for his help. It was a great help indeed. His wife put me in touch with the man who had been principal of the Mary Foster McDavid Elementary School. Well, this man is indeed a blessing. Not only did he know who I was talking about, but he was a great friend to Fess McDavid and knew both Fess and M.F. McDavid(who my people called Dear) quite well. A well of information and a promise of more to come.
Thoughts
Firstly, did anyone see Charlie Crist the other day on The Today Show say that he couldn't guarantee fair and free elections in Florida? Now there are rumors that in certain parts of the country, the GOP has been sending absentee ballots to elderly democratic( and black) voters. We must watch these people!
Monday, September 22, 2008
Not like the brazen giant of Greek fame,
With conquering limbs astride from land to land;
Here at our sea-washed, sunset gates shall stand
A mighty woman with a torch, whose flame
Is the imprisoned lightning, and her name
Mother of Exiles. From her beacon-hand
Glows world-wide welcome; her mild eyes command
The air-bridged harbor that twin cities frame.
"Keep, ancient lands, your storied pomp!" cries she
With silent lips. "Give me your tired, your poor,
Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,
The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.
Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me,
I lift my lamp beside the golden door!"
Emma Lazarus, 1883
With conquering limbs astride from land to land;
Here at our sea-washed, sunset gates shall stand
A mighty woman with a torch, whose flame
Is the imprisoned lightning, and her name
Mother of Exiles. From her beacon-hand
Glows world-wide welcome; her mild eyes command
The air-bridged harbor that twin cities frame.
"Keep, ancient lands, your storied pomp!" cries she
With silent lips. "Give me your tired, your poor,
Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,
The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.
Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me,
I lift my lamp beside the golden door!"
Emma Lazarus, 1883
Saturday, September 20, 2008
From Barbra
The Country Can't Afford to Elect John McCain
We are in the worst financial crisis this country has faced in modern times. During these eight long years of Republican control, we have seen runaway greed, the deregulation of financial institutions and the mismanagement of the housing market resulting in the skyrocketing number of home foreclosures. This has led to a disastrous unraveling of the U.S. economy. We can’t continue with four more years of the irresponsible practices and policies of the Bush Administration.
The country can't afford to elect John McCain! In his own words he admitted that he didn't know much about the economy. The day the stock market plunged 504 points, McCain agreed with President Bush that "the fundamentals of the economy are strong." For 26 years in Washington, McCain has supported deregulation of the financial sector. He even chose Phil Gramm, a key player in the mortgage crisis, to be his chief economic adviser before the former Texas senator resigned in disgrace. With this type of judgment, who would be Treasury secretary in a McCain administration?
McCain has illustrated his lack of judgment time and time again. Not only did he pick an unqualified running mate, but he supported the Bush Doctrine, this preemptive, unnecessary war in Iraq, a war that Barack Obama was against from the beginning. Five years later, the war continues, costing the American public $435 million a day…money that is desperately needed here at home.
So, as the war wages on and the economy continues to falter, as the government spends billions bailing out companies from bankruptcy, who is left to pay the bill? The American taxpayers…the people who are working harder for less and are watching their 401K, pensions and life savings disappear. Barack Obama is fighting for these people.
We need a President Obama, a man of intelligence, integrity and vision, to end the war, to lift us out of this economic storm, and to lead this country back on the road to prosperity.
We are in the worst financial crisis this country has faced in modern times. During these eight long years of Republican control, we have seen runaway greed, the deregulation of financial institutions and the mismanagement of the housing market resulting in the skyrocketing number of home foreclosures. This has led to a disastrous unraveling of the U.S. economy. We can’t continue with four more years of the irresponsible practices and policies of the Bush Administration.
The country can't afford to elect John McCain! In his own words he admitted that he didn't know much about the economy. The day the stock market plunged 504 points, McCain agreed with President Bush that "the fundamentals of the economy are strong." For 26 years in Washington, McCain has supported deregulation of the financial sector. He even chose Phil Gramm, a key player in the mortgage crisis, to be his chief economic adviser before the former Texas senator resigned in disgrace. With this type of judgment, who would be Treasury secretary in a McCain administration?
McCain has illustrated his lack of judgment time and time again. Not only did he pick an unqualified running mate, but he supported the Bush Doctrine, this preemptive, unnecessary war in Iraq, a war that Barack Obama was against from the beginning. Five years later, the war continues, costing the American public $435 million a day…money that is desperately needed here at home.
So, as the war wages on and the economy continues to falter, as the government spends billions bailing out companies from bankruptcy, who is left to pay the bill? The American taxpayers…the people who are working harder for less and are watching their 401K, pensions and life savings disappear. Barack Obama is fighting for these people.
We need a President Obama, a man of intelligence, integrity and vision, to end the war, to lift us out of this economic storm, and to lead this country back on the road to prosperity.
Friday, September 19, 2008
Thursday, September 18, 2008
Republicans Plan to Disenfranchise--From Color of Change
It's the ugliest attack on voting rights we've seen in recent history --if you live in Michigan and you're in danger of losing your home to foreclosure, Republicans will try to take away your right to vote.1
McCain's response? Silence. Like Bush in 2000 and 2004, he's trying to keep a safe distance from these tactics, while benefiting from them. McCain could end this with a phone call. But he won't.
It's voter-suppression at its worst. They're taking advantage of folks falling on hard times and using it for political gain--kicking people while they're down. It's time to hold McCain publicly accountable for this strategy.
Will you join us in outing McCain for not denouncing these tactics and invite your friends and family to do the same? It just takes a moment:
http://colorofchange.org/michigan08/?id=1866-234260
For years, Republicans have engaged in "caging"--challenging the eligibility of voters on election day to suppress turnout and intimidate voters. 2 They'll often try to reject voters by claiming they don't live at the address where they're registered. This year, they've taken it to a new low--the chairman of the Republican Party in Macomb County, Michigan said last week, "We will have a list of foreclosed homes and will make sure people aren't voting from those addresses." 3
In other words, they'll target every voter whose house is on a foreclosure list, and challenge their voting rights on election day. But just because your name is on a list, it doesn't mean that you've lost your home or moved. In fact, many homeowners stay in their homes for months after the foreclosure process has begun, and some people are able to catch up on their payments and reverse the process.4
So why are Republicans illegally targeting homeowners who've had a tough time under Bush's economy? Because they know they're likely to vote for Democrats, and for Obama for President. In Michigan, over 60% of sub-prime loans were made to African-Americans. 5 And in general, people who've been hit hard by the economy are less likely to vote for Republicans. This tactic won't just affect struggling homeowners--it will cause longer lines and delays at the polls for everyone that lives in a neighborhood with a high number of foreclosures. And that's the point.
After making the plan public, Michigan Republicans are backtracking and claiming they were misquoted.6 But everything indicates that these are exactly the kinds of tactics they'll use,7 and they're just trying to squash an embarrassing story.8
Similar tactics are being used across the country, but the McCain campaign simply sits in the background, quietly benefiting from voter suppression. The Obama campaign is fighting against this plan in the courts, 9 but they need our help to expose these dishonorable tactics and make this a national story.
If enough of us step up and connect the dots, we'll give the press a reason to make the connection between McCain and what's happening in Michigan. And as we've seen in our other campaigns,10 when we stand together behind a clear message, the press covers it and moves our message forward.
Calling on McCain to publicly reject these tactics is just the first step in our campaign to shame the Republican Party for attacking the voting rights of struggling homeowners.
Please join us:
http://colorofchange.org/michigan08/?id=1866-234260
Thanks and Peace,
-- James, Gabriel, Clarissa, Andre, Kai, and the rest of the ColorOfChange.org team
September 17th, 2008
1. "Lose your house, lose your vote," Michigan Messenger, 9/10/08
http://colorofchange.org/link/?cat=mich&?id=1866-234260&link=1
2. "Caging list," Wikipedia
http://colorofchange.org/link/?cat=mich&?id=1866-234260&link=2
3. See reference 1.
4. "Obama campaign files suit over "voter-foreclosure" plans," Michigan Messenger, 9/16/08
http://colorofchange.org/link/?cat=mich&?id=1866-234260&link=4
5. See reference 1.
6. "Flap over foreclosure challenges in Michigan grows," Chicago Tribune, 9/16/08
http://colorofchange.org/link/?cat=mich&?id=1866-234260&link=6
7. "Former GOP operative explains why Republicans will use foreclosure lists to block voters," Michigan Messenger, 9/15/08
http://colorofchange.org/link/?cat=mich&?id=1866-234260&link=7
8. "Messenger rejects GOP plea for retraction," Michigan Messenger, 9/12/08
http://colorofchange.org/link/?cat=mich&?id=1866-234260&link=8
9. See reference 4.
10. ColorOfChange.org campaign against Congressional Black Caucus debate on Fox News
http://colorofchange.org/link/?cat=mich&?id=1866-234260&link=10
11. "D.N.C. Shuns Fox in Debate Schedule," The Caucus (New York Times blog), 4/5/07
http://colorofchange.org/link/?cat=mich&?id=1866-234260&link=11
McCain's response? Silence. Like Bush in 2000 and 2004, he's trying to keep a safe distance from these tactics, while benefiting from them. McCain could end this with a phone call. But he won't.
It's voter-suppression at its worst. They're taking advantage of folks falling on hard times and using it for political gain--kicking people while they're down. It's time to hold McCain publicly accountable for this strategy.
Will you join us in outing McCain for not denouncing these tactics and invite your friends and family to do the same? It just takes a moment:
http://colorofchange.org/michigan08/?id=1866-234260
For years, Republicans have engaged in "caging"--challenging the eligibility of voters on election day to suppress turnout and intimidate voters. 2 They'll often try to reject voters by claiming they don't live at the address where they're registered. This year, they've taken it to a new low--the chairman of the Republican Party in Macomb County, Michigan said last week, "We will have a list of foreclosed homes and will make sure people aren't voting from those addresses." 3
In other words, they'll target every voter whose house is on a foreclosure list, and challenge their voting rights on election day. But just because your name is on a list, it doesn't mean that you've lost your home or moved. In fact, many homeowners stay in their homes for months after the foreclosure process has begun, and some people are able to catch up on their payments and reverse the process.4
So why are Republicans illegally targeting homeowners who've had a tough time under Bush's economy? Because they know they're likely to vote for Democrats, and for Obama for President. In Michigan, over 60% of sub-prime loans were made to African-Americans. 5 And in general, people who've been hit hard by the economy are less likely to vote for Republicans. This tactic won't just affect struggling homeowners--it will cause longer lines and delays at the polls for everyone that lives in a neighborhood with a high number of foreclosures. And that's the point.
After making the plan public, Michigan Republicans are backtracking and claiming they were misquoted.6 But everything indicates that these are exactly the kinds of tactics they'll use,7 and they're just trying to squash an embarrassing story.8
Similar tactics are being used across the country, but the McCain campaign simply sits in the background, quietly benefiting from voter suppression. The Obama campaign is fighting against this plan in the courts, 9 but they need our help to expose these dishonorable tactics and make this a national story.
If enough of us step up and connect the dots, we'll give the press a reason to make the connection between McCain and what's happening in Michigan. And as we've seen in our other campaigns,10 when we stand together behind a clear message, the press covers it and moves our message forward.
Calling on McCain to publicly reject these tactics is just the first step in our campaign to shame the Republican Party for attacking the voting rights of struggling homeowners.
Please join us:
http://colorofchange.org/michigan08/?id=1866-234260
Thanks and Peace,
-- James, Gabriel, Clarissa, Andre, Kai, and the rest of the ColorOfChange.org team
September 17th, 2008
1. "Lose your house, lose your vote," Michigan Messenger, 9/10/08
http://colorofchange.org/link/?cat=mich&?id=1866-234260&link=1
2. "Caging list," Wikipedia
http://colorofchange.org/link/?cat=mich&?id=1866-234260&link=2
3. See reference 1.
4. "Obama campaign files suit over "voter-foreclosure" plans," Michigan Messenger, 9/16/08
http://colorofchange.org/link/?cat=mich&?id=1866-234260&link=4
5. See reference 1.
6. "Flap over foreclosure challenges in Michigan grows," Chicago Tribune, 9/16/08
http://colorofchange.org/link/?cat=mich&?id=1866-234260&link=6
7. "Former GOP operative explains why Republicans will use foreclosure lists to block voters," Michigan Messenger, 9/15/08
http://colorofchange.org/link/?cat=mich&?id=1866-234260&link=7
8. "Messenger rejects GOP plea for retraction," Michigan Messenger, 9/12/08
http://colorofchange.org/link/?cat=mich&?id=1866-234260&link=8
9. See reference 4.
10. ColorOfChange.org campaign against Congressional Black Caucus debate on Fox News
http://colorofchange.org/link/?cat=mich&?id=1866-234260&link=10
11. "D.N.C. Shuns Fox in Debate Schedule," The Caucus (New York Times blog), 4/5/07
http://colorofchange.org/link/?cat=mich&?id=1866-234260&link=11
Foreclosure Disenfranchisement
How can they disenfranchise people because their homes are in foreclosure?
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
Monday, September 15, 2008
Good Lovin'
Patti Labelle
I sure don't mind givin you good lovin' baby
You know I don't mind givin you good lovin' baby
You love me unlike any love I've ever known
I really do appreciate it baby
The way you call my name sweet baby
Ev'ry little touch, every little kiss
I never felt as good as this
So anytime you call me baby
I'll be there to give you what you need
[Chorus:]
I sure don't mind givin you good lovin' baby
Anytime you want me baby
I'll be there to give you what you need
You know I don't mind givin you good lovin' baby
Anytime you need me sugar
Satisfaction guaranteed
I'm feelin you, and I really wanna let you know
You can have what you want anytime you want me
No matter what it is anything just ask me
Everytime we touch, everytime we kiss
Wanna give you more of this
So just call me baby
I'll be there to give you what you need boy
[Chorus]
[Bridge:]
I won't hesitate no,
You know that I'm here for you baby
Cause the love you give to me
Makes it so easy to return
That's why I don't mind
I sure don't mind givin you good lovin' everyday
I sure don't mind givin you good lovin' baby
I sure don't mind givin you good lovin' baby
No matter what you want, any time you want me
No matter what it is, anything just ask me
You know I don't mind givin you goood lovin' baby
No matter what you want, any time you want me
No matter what it is, anything just ask me...
I sure don't mind givin you good lovin' baby
You know I don't mind givin you good lovin' baby
You love me unlike any love I've ever known
I really do appreciate it baby
The way you call my name sweet baby
Ev'ry little touch, every little kiss
I never felt as good as this
So anytime you call me baby
I'll be there to give you what you need
[Chorus:]
I sure don't mind givin you good lovin' baby
Anytime you want me baby
I'll be there to give you what you need
You know I don't mind givin you good lovin' baby
Anytime you need me sugar
Satisfaction guaranteed
I'm feelin you, and I really wanna let you know
You can have what you want anytime you want me
No matter what it is anything just ask me
Everytime we touch, everytime we kiss
Wanna give you more of this
So just call me baby
I'll be there to give you what you need boy
[Chorus]
[Bridge:]
I won't hesitate no,
You know that I'm here for you baby
Cause the love you give to me
Makes it so easy to return
That's why I don't mind
I sure don't mind givin you good lovin' everyday
I sure don't mind givin you good lovin' baby
I sure don't mind givin you good lovin' baby
No matter what you want, any time you want me
No matter what it is, anything just ask me
You know I don't mind givin you goood lovin' baby
No matter what you want, any time you want me
No matter what it is, anything just ask me...
Sunday, September 14, 2008
Saturday, September 13, 2008
Subject: Bolivia: Deaths in the Amazon
Written by Franz Chávez
Saturday, 13 September 2008
(IPS) - The Bolivian government declared martial law in the northern province of Pando after as many as 15 indigenous supporters of President Evo Morales were killed by rightwing protesters near the town of Cobija.
A group of public employees of the provincial government of Pando, in the hands of the rightwing opposition, intercepted the victims as they were heading to a meeting of Morales supporters from Amazon jungle communities, where they planned to organise resistance against the pro-autonomy demonstrators who have been occupying public offices and holding protests over the past few days.
The killings occurred in the context of a wave of demonstrations that broke out on Tuesday, when members of the rightwing Santa Cruz Youth Union (UCJ) took control of public offices in the central Bolivian city of Santa Cruz, after breaking past the military and police cordons protecting the buildings.
The pro-autonomy movement led by Santa Cruz Governor Rubén Costas and backed by the regional governments of Beni, Pando, Tarija and Chuquisaca, which with Santa Cruz make up Bolivia's relatively wealthy "eastern crescent," has in practice put an economic stranglehold on the country by blocking the main highways and partially cutting off supplies of natural gas to Brazil and Argentina.
On Thursday, leftwing President Morales, the first indigenous president in the history of Bolivia, accused groups of landowners in the eastern lowlands provinces of "financing a criminal mentality," and warned that "patience also has a limit."
The Roberto Galindo hospital in Cobija presented a dramatic scene as emergency room personnel tended those injured in the attack. They had deep slash cuts from machetes and axes, as well as bullet wounds from shotguns and rifles.
Some of the dead had bullet wounds from firearms used in the "ambush" of the government supporters, which took place in the early hours of Thursday morning with the goal of preventing a meeting in the small town of Filadelfia, 50 kilometres south of Cobija, according to the local representative on the Comité de Vigilancia (Citizen's Watch committee), Leyla Tudela.
Former Mayor of Cobija and leader of the Movimiento Amazónico de Renovación Democrática (MAR, Amazon Movement for Democratic Renewal) Miguel Becerra told a local radio station that it was "a massacre of the campesinos (indigenous peasants), some of whom were run over by a truck belonging to the governor's office."
For their part, supporters of the governor of Pando, Leopoldo Fernández, accused Becerra of instigating the violence.
The Deputy Minister of Social Movements, Sacha Llorenti, a close Morales adviser, said the victims were shot in an armed attack by "hired killers" in what he described as "an outright massacre" in Cobija.
Llorenti blamed the incident on Governor Fernández, a rightwing landowner with a long track record in Bolivian politics.
On Friday, the executive branch asked Congress to take action against Governor Fernández for the Porvenir massacre, according to the government news agency Agencia Boliviana de Información (ABI).
Violence continued Thursday in the slum neighbourhood of Plan Tres Mil on the outskirts of Santa Cruz, which is basically populated by Aymara and Quechua Indians from Bolivia's impoverished western highlands provinces.
UJC groups attacked a neighbourhood market where indigenous people sell their wares, and local residents showed up to protect the vendors.
Native people who have settled in the neighbourhood, originally from the western provinces of La Paz, Oruro and PotosÃ, are in fear of being attacked by the radical rightwing youth groups.
Meanwhile, in the town of Yacuiba, on the border with Argentina, a group of demonstrators swarmed a natural gas facility that exports fuel to Buenos Aires, and managed to cut off supplies.
Bolivia exports six million cubic metres a day of natural gas to Argentina, Bolivia's second largest gas export market after Brazil.
An attack on the gas pipeline to Brazil Wednesday reduced the volume of gas flow from 26 to 23 million cubic metres per day, creating concern among diplomats at the Brazilian embassy in La Paz.
--------------------
Written by Franz Chávez
Saturday, 13 September 2008
(IPS) - The Bolivian government declared martial law in the northern province of Pando after as many as 15 indigenous supporters of President Evo Morales were killed by rightwing protesters near the town of Cobija.
A group of public employees of the provincial government of Pando, in the hands of the rightwing opposition, intercepted the victims as they were heading to a meeting of Morales supporters from Amazon jungle communities, where they planned to organise resistance against the pro-autonomy demonstrators who have been occupying public offices and holding protests over the past few days.
The killings occurred in the context of a wave of demonstrations that broke out on Tuesday, when members of the rightwing Santa Cruz Youth Union (UCJ) took control of public offices in the central Bolivian city of Santa Cruz, after breaking past the military and police cordons protecting the buildings.
The pro-autonomy movement led by Santa Cruz Governor Rubén Costas and backed by the regional governments of Beni, Pando, Tarija and Chuquisaca, which with Santa Cruz make up Bolivia's relatively wealthy "eastern crescent," has in practice put an economic stranglehold on the country by blocking the main highways and partially cutting off supplies of natural gas to Brazil and Argentina.
On Thursday, leftwing President Morales, the first indigenous president in the history of Bolivia, accused groups of landowners in the eastern lowlands provinces of "financing a criminal mentality," and warned that "patience also has a limit."
The Roberto Galindo hospital in Cobija presented a dramatic scene as emergency room personnel tended those injured in the attack. They had deep slash cuts from machetes and axes, as well as bullet wounds from shotguns and rifles.
Some of the dead had bullet wounds from firearms used in the "ambush" of the government supporters, which took place in the early hours of Thursday morning with the goal of preventing a meeting in the small town of Filadelfia, 50 kilometres south of Cobija, according to the local representative on the Comité de Vigilancia (Citizen's Watch committee), Leyla Tudela.
Former Mayor of Cobija and leader of the Movimiento Amazónico de Renovación Democrática (MAR, Amazon Movement for Democratic Renewal) Miguel Becerra told a local radio station that it was "a massacre of the campesinos (indigenous peasants), some of whom were run over by a truck belonging to the governor's office."
For their part, supporters of the governor of Pando, Leopoldo Fernández, accused Becerra of instigating the violence.
The Deputy Minister of Social Movements, Sacha Llorenti, a close Morales adviser, said the victims were shot in an armed attack by "hired killers" in what he described as "an outright massacre" in Cobija.
Llorenti blamed the incident on Governor Fernández, a rightwing landowner with a long track record in Bolivian politics.
On Friday, the executive branch asked Congress to take action against Governor Fernández for the Porvenir massacre, according to the government news agency Agencia Boliviana de Información (ABI).
Violence continued Thursday in the slum neighbourhood of Plan Tres Mil on the outskirts of Santa Cruz, which is basically populated by Aymara and Quechua Indians from Bolivia's impoverished western highlands provinces.
UJC groups attacked a neighbourhood market where indigenous people sell their wares, and local residents showed up to protect the vendors.
Native people who have settled in the neighbourhood, originally from the western provinces of La Paz, Oruro and PotosÃ, are in fear of being attacked by the radical rightwing youth groups.
Meanwhile, in the town of Yacuiba, on the border with Argentina, a group of demonstrators swarmed a natural gas facility that exports fuel to Buenos Aires, and managed to cut off supplies.
Bolivia exports six million cubic metres a day of natural gas to Argentina, Bolivia's second largest gas export market after Brazil.
An attack on the gas pipeline to Brazil Wednesday reduced the volume of gas flow from 26 to 23 million cubic metres per day, creating concern among diplomats at the Brazilian embassy in La Paz.
--------------------
Thursday, September 11, 2008
Bolivia: Violent Groups Take Over Human Rights Organization
Print E-mail
Written by Center for Juridical Studies and Social Investigation
Thursday, 11 September 2008
Translated by Andrew Lyubarsky
On September 9th a group of approximately 50 vandals entered by force, completely sacked and set on fire the offices of the Center for Juridical Studies and Social Investigation (CEJIS) in Santa Cruz de la Sierra, Eastern Bolivia.
At 6 PM, three 4x4 vehicles and other motor vehicles arrived at the doors of the institution, from which descended youth armed with sticks, knives, torches and stones. They used one of the vehicles to knock down the entrance gate. The four police officers that were guarding the building fled for fear of reprisals. Once inside, the attackers robbed and destroyed what was in the interior. They broke displays, windows, doors, furniture, computer equipment, files, and documentation. They made a big fire in the street, before the violated doors of the institution and set other fires inside the office. Extremely important documentation on the progress of titling of indigenous land and other studies has been lost. Also destroyed and burned on the street was at least a third of the library, renowned nationally for its important specialization in indigenous and agrarian issues. There were no injuries to the personnel due to the fact that they were evacuated slightly before the attack. The CEJIS offices in Trinidad and Riberalta, both in the state of Beni, are both under threat, where similar actions of violence are ongoing.
The offices of CEJIS, along with its personnel, were attacked more than 15 times in the last five years. In the last months the institution suffered two attacks with molotov cocktails (in November 2007 and last August). In its 30 years of work, CEJIS has provided legal assistance to indigenous, landless and peasant organizations in the process of titling their lands and territories. It has been a permanent ally of the social movements in the legal codification of their rights in national legislation, and advised and accompanied the progress of social organizations in the Constituent Assembly. This work has implied a permanent risk on the personnel and offices of CEJIS, threatened by the sectors of power that have historically controlled the region of Eastern Bolivia, who now feel menaced by the advance of the rights of the most marginalized sectors of our society.
Yesterday [September 9th] in the city of Santa Cruz, in addition to CEJIS, the regional offices of National Taxation, the national telecommunications company (ENTEL), the National Institute of Agrarian Reform (INRA), the Migration offices, the offices of state channel 7, the radio of the New Country Network were also assaulted and sacked. This chain of aggressions forms part of a plan that is in action and continues today with the attack on the national and regional indigenous organizations of Santa Cruz and the peasants rooted in the city, the popular radios – like Alternative Radio, which works out of the Women’s House – and other human rights organizations, by the same groups that threw themselves against CEJIS.
The worsening of the violence in all of the Bolivian East, which started today under the slogan of a “better redistribution of oil income for the regions” has changed by a de facto coup in the states of this part of the country and a wave of intolerant and racist persecution to all that are considered its enemies, now with the demand that the Government of Evo Morales recognize a regional autonomy with separatist stripes, unacceptable for the majority of the population.
Because of all that stated:
1. We denounce the assualt and sacking of our offices in the city of Santa Cruz by a crowd organized by the people that are devastating the city.
2. We denounce that the lives and the security of our personnel is at risk, before the retreat of our office police guard and the total lack of security in the city for certain officials, now that the National Police and the Armed Forces are not acting.
3. We denounce before the closing of the main alternative media sources and the deterioration of the telephone lines of the Entel business, that freedom of expression and opinion in the state are restrcited and that the offices of CEJIS will remain temporarily closed.
4. We demand that the Local Police of the District of Santa Cruz and the National Police conduct an investigation and punish those responsibly, materially and intellectually of these deplorable acts, who are openly identified by the media,
5. We demand that the Bolivian state grant a guarantee of life and personal safety to the officials of CEJIS in Santa Cruz, Trinidad, and Riberalta and appeal to the international conventions on Human Rights to which it is subscribed.
We ask all human rights and civil society organization to declare themselves in solidarity with the situation in which Bolivia is living in.
Santa Cruz de la Sierra – BOLIVIA September 10th 2008
Written by Center for Juridical Studies and Social Investigation
Thursday, 11 September 2008
Translated by Andrew Lyubarsky
On September 9th a group of approximately 50 vandals entered by force, completely sacked and set on fire the offices of the Center for Juridical Studies and Social Investigation (CEJIS) in Santa Cruz de la Sierra, Eastern Bolivia.
At 6 PM, three 4x4 vehicles and other motor vehicles arrived at the doors of the institution, from which descended youth armed with sticks, knives, torches and stones. They used one of the vehicles to knock down the entrance gate. The four police officers that were guarding the building fled for fear of reprisals. Once inside, the attackers robbed and destroyed what was in the interior. They broke displays, windows, doors, furniture, computer equipment, files, and documentation. They made a big fire in the street, before the violated doors of the institution and set other fires inside the office. Extremely important documentation on the progress of titling of indigenous land and other studies has been lost. Also destroyed and burned on the street was at least a third of the library, renowned nationally for its important specialization in indigenous and agrarian issues. There were no injuries to the personnel due to the fact that they were evacuated slightly before the attack. The CEJIS offices in Trinidad and Riberalta, both in the state of Beni, are both under threat, where similar actions of violence are ongoing.
The offices of CEJIS, along with its personnel, were attacked more than 15 times in the last five years. In the last months the institution suffered two attacks with molotov cocktails (in November 2007 and last August). In its 30 years of work, CEJIS has provided legal assistance to indigenous, landless and peasant organizations in the process of titling their lands and territories. It has been a permanent ally of the social movements in the legal codification of their rights in national legislation, and advised and accompanied the progress of social organizations in the Constituent Assembly. This work has implied a permanent risk on the personnel and offices of CEJIS, threatened by the sectors of power that have historically controlled the region of Eastern Bolivia, who now feel menaced by the advance of the rights of the most marginalized sectors of our society.
Yesterday [September 9th] in the city of Santa Cruz, in addition to CEJIS, the regional offices of National Taxation, the national telecommunications company (ENTEL), the National Institute of Agrarian Reform (INRA), the Migration offices, the offices of state channel 7, the radio of the New Country Network were also assaulted and sacked. This chain of aggressions forms part of a plan that is in action and continues today with the attack on the national and regional indigenous organizations of Santa Cruz and the peasants rooted in the city, the popular radios – like Alternative Radio, which works out of the Women’s House – and other human rights organizations, by the same groups that threw themselves against CEJIS.
The worsening of the violence in all of the Bolivian East, which started today under the slogan of a “better redistribution of oil income for the regions” has changed by a de facto coup in the states of this part of the country and a wave of intolerant and racist persecution to all that are considered its enemies, now with the demand that the Government of Evo Morales recognize a regional autonomy with separatist stripes, unacceptable for the majority of the population.
Because of all that stated:
1. We denounce the assualt and sacking of our offices in the city of Santa Cruz by a crowd organized by the people that are devastating the city.
2. We denounce that the lives and the security of our personnel is at risk, before the retreat of our office police guard and the total lack of security in the city for certain officials, now that the National Police and the Armed Forces are not acting.
3. We denounce before the closing of the main alternative media sources and the deterioration of the telephone lines of the Entel business, that freedom of expression and opinion in the state are restrcited and that the offices of CEJIS will remain temporarily closed.
4. We demand that the Local Police of the District of Santa Cruz and the National Police conduct an investigation and punish those responsibly, materially and intellectually of these deplorable acts, who are openly identified by the media,
5. We demand that the Bolivian state grant a guarantee of life and personal safety to the officials of CEJIS in Santa Cruz, Trinidad, and Riberalta and appeal to the international conventions on Human Rights to which it is subscribed.
We ask all human rights and civil society organization to declare themselves in solidarity with the situation in which Bolivia is living in.
Santa Cruz de la Sierra – BOLIVIA September 10th 2008
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
Stop the Forces Attempting to Divide Bolivia!
The process of changes in favor of the Bolivian majority is at risk of being brutally restrained. The rise to power of an Indigenous president with unprecedented support in that country and his programs of popular benefits and recovery of the natural resources have had to face the conspiracies of the oligarchy and United States interference from the very beginning.
In recent days the increase in conspiracy has reached its climax. The subversive and unconstitutional actions of the oligarchic groups to try to divide the Bolivian nation reflect the racist and elitist minds of these sectors and constitute a very dangerous precedent not only for the country’s integrity, but for other countries in our region.
History shows with ample eloquence, the terrible consequences that the divisionary and separatist processes supported and induced by foreign interests have had for humanity.
we reject the so-called Santa Cruz Autonomy Statute due to its unconstitutionality and the attempt against the unity of a nation of our America.
In recent days the increase in conspiracy has reached its climax. The subversive and unconstitutional actions of the oligarchic groups to try to divide the Bolivian nation reflect the racist and elitist minds of these sectors and constitute a very dangerous precedent not only for the country’s integrity, but for other countries in our region.
History shows with ample eloquence, the terrible consequences that the divisionary and separatist processes supported and induced by foreign interests have had for humanity.
we reject the so-called Santa Cruz Autonomy Statute due to its unconstitutionality and the attempt against the unity of a nation of our America.
Sunday, September 07, 2008
Saturday, September 06, 2008
High Fructose Corn Syrup
I just saw a commercial touting how good and natural High Fructose Corn syrup is. Don't eat that shit! Here are two excellent articles on the health hazards caused by HFCS:
http://www.westonaprice.org/motherlinda/cornsyrup.html
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/high-fructose-corn-syrup/AN01588
http://www.westonaprice.org/motherlinda/cornsyrup.html
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/high-fructose-corn-syrup/AN01588
Friday, September 05, 2008
Thursday, September 04, 2008
From Barack Obama
"Community organizing is how ordinary people respond to out-of-touch politicians and their failed policies."
Wednesday, September 03, 2008
Republican National Convention
That crowd listening to Sarah Palin is so old and white I thought someone had taken a great big fan and just blown powder over the entire room. Otherwise, boring and I wasn't impressed. What will she do when the questions come?
From: Leslie Cagan, UFPJ National Coordinator [mailto:webmaster@ unitedforpeace.org ]
We are sending you this message because the situation in St. Paul is very grave and we're concerned that the real story is not being told by the mainstream media.
Over the past few days, the heavily armed and extremely large police presence in St. Paul has intimidated, harrassed and provoked people; and, in a number of instances, the police have escalated situations when they used excessive force. They have used pepper spray, including spraying at least one person just inches from her face as she was held down on the ground by several police officers. They have freely swung their extra long night sticks, pushed people around, rode horses and bicycles up against peacefully gathered groups, and surrounded people simply walking down the streets. On Tuesday evening, they used tear gas on a small group of protesters in downtown St. Paul.
The massive police presence and the uncalled-for actions by the police on the streets has not been the only problem. The police raided a convergence center and several locations where people are staying over the weekend and they have stopped and searched vehicles for no clear reason. http://www.counterp unch.org/cohn09022008. html
We are sending you this message because the situation in St. Paul is very grave and we're concerned that the real story is not being told by the mainstream media.
Over the past few days, the heavily armed and extremely large police presence in St. Paul has intimidated, harrassed and provoked people; and, in a number of instances, the police have escalated situations when they used excessive force. They have used pepper spray, including spraying at least one person just inches from her face as she was held down on the ground by several police officers. They have freely swung their extra long night sticks, pushed people around, rode horses and bicycles up against peacefully gathered groups, and surrounded people simply walking down the streets. On Tuesday evening, they used tear gas on a small group of protesters in downtown St. Paul.
The massive police presence and the uncalled-for actions by the police on the streets has not been the only problem. The police raided a convergence center and several locations where people are staying over the weekend and they have stopped and searched vehicles for no clear reason. http://www.counterp unch.org/cohn09022008. html
Randy Rowland, from PepperSpray Productions, here. Instead of sending you an announcement about a screening, this email is unusual for us, it is a call for help.
Two PepperSpray collective members, Lambert Rochfort and Joe LaSac, on assignment in St Paul covering the protests associated with the Republican National Convention, were both arrested on Sunday while covering the story. Both are still being held without charges or an opportunity to go before a judge.
Lambert was swept up in a mass arrest of peaceful citizens who were surrounded by cops and all arrested. Joe was arrested about the same time as Amy Goodman and two other journalists from "Democracy Now!" were arrested. In fact if you watch the footage of Amy Goodman standing in handcuffs, the fellow sitting on the ground at her feet is Joe.
Lambert and Joe had covered the DNC in Denver, and were in St Paul to cover the protests. They both had their cameras with them when arrested and were clearly doing nothing illegal, just trying to get the story that corporate media tends to overlook. There have been several other attacks on journalists there, including a raid on an indymedia hospitality center, and a raid on the house of a group that documents police brutality. It goes without saying that there is no freedom of the press if reporters are jailed for covering the story.
We want our people released without charges, and we want our equipment back. If you value indymedia and the role of independent journalists- -and I know you do, or you wouldn't be on our announcement list--then please take some or all of the following actions to secure the timely release of these PepperSpray videographers.
If you are in the St Paul area or can ask those you know who are in that area, please join the 24 hour vigil at the Ramsey County Jail, 425 Grove St., St Paul (24 hour vigil)
Please call some or all of the following numbers, demanding that our reporters be freed:
Chris Coleman, St. Paul Mayor: 651.266.8510
or Chris Rider from Mayor Coleman's office at 651-266-8535
Ramsey County Jail at 651-266-9350 (press extension 0)
Ramsey County Sheriff: 651.487.5149
Here are the names and numbers of St Paul City Council people to call as well:
Melvin Carter - Ward 1 - 651- 266-8610
Dan Thune - Ward 2 - 651-266-8620
Pat Harris - Ward 3 - 651-266-8630
Russ Stark - Ward 4 - 651-26-8640
Lee Helgen - Ward 5 - 651-266-8520
Dan Bostrom - Ward 6 - 651-266-8660
Cathy Lantree - Ward 7 - 651-266-8670
PepperSpray Productions is an all-volunteer independent media collective based in Seattle, WA. Among other things, we produce a weekly access TV show called "Indymedia Presents" which airs on 20 channels, from Seattle to New York, including in St. Paul and Minneapolis.
For more info about our work, we invite you to visit our website: www.peppersprayprod uctions.org
Thanks,
Randy Rowland
PepperSpray Productions
Two PepperSpray collective members, Lambert Rochfort and Joe LaSac, on assignment in St Paul covering the protests associated with the Republican National Convention, were both arrested on Sunday while covering the story. Both are still being held without charges or an opportunity to go before a judge.
Lambert was swept up in a mass arrest of peaceful citizens who were surrounded by cops and all arrested. Joe was arrested about the same time as Amy Goodman and two other journalists from "Democracy Now!" were arrested. In fact if you watch the footage of Amy Goodman standing in handcuffs, the fellow sitting on the ground at her feet is Joe.
Lambert and Joe had covered the DNC in Denver, and were in St Paul to cover the protests. They both had their cameras with them when arrested and were clearly doing nothing illegal, just trying to get the story that corporate media tends to overlook. There have been several other attacks on journalists there, including a raid on an indymedia hospitality center, and a raid on the house of a group that documents police brutality. It goes without saying that there is no freedom of the press if reporters are jailed for covering the story.
We want our people released without charges, and we want our equipment back. If you value indymedia and the role of independent journalists- -and I know you do, or you wouldn't be on our announcement list--then please take some or all of the following actions to secure the timely release of these PepperSpray videographers.
If you are in the St Paul area or can ask those you know who are in that area, please join the 24 hour vigil at the Ramsey County Jail, 425 Grove St., St Paul (24 hour vigil)
Please call some or all of the following numbers, demanding that our reporters be freed:
Chris Coleman, St. Paul Mayor: 651.266.8510
or Chris Rider from Mayor Coleman's office at 651-266-8535
Ramsey County Jail at 651-266-9350 (press extension 0)
Ramsey County Sheriff: 651.487.5149
Here are the names and numbers of St Paul City Council people to call as well:
Melvin Carter - Ward 1 - 651- 266-8610
Dan Thune - Ward 2 - 651-266-8620
Pat Harris - Ward 3 - 651-266-8630
Russ Stark - Ward 4 - 651-26-8640
Lee Helgen - Ward 5 - 651-266-8520
Dan Bostrom - Ward 6 - 651-266-8660
Cathy Lantree - Ward 7 - 651-266-8670
PepperSpray Productions is an all-volunteer independent media collective based in Seattle, WA. Among other things, we produce a weekly access TV show called "Indymedia Presents" which airs on 20 channels, from Seattle to New York, including in St. Paul and Minneapolis.
For more info about our work, we invite you to visit our website: www.peppersprayprod uctions.org
Thanks,
Randy Rowland
PepperSpray Productions
Poem I just started to write-in Part
...and I'm carrying all my shit and we have 3 minutes to get to class.
I told you to move--asked you nicely, but you thought it was your
god-given privilege to stand in the in the middle of the hallway-
Did my french horn case hurt your chin?--Oops, Im sorry-
next time you'll get the hell out my way.
-did I step on your toe? My pardon,
I didn't realize you were standing their talking to your friends....
I told you to move--asked you nicely, but you thought it was your
god-given privilege to stand in the in the middle of the hallway-
Did my french horn case hurt your chin?--Oops, Im sorry-
next time you'll get the hell out my way.
-did I step on your toe? My pardon,
I didn't realize you were standing their talking to your friends....
Tuesday, September 02, 2008
Republican Family Values-Sing Along
Oh, lets hear it for those Republican family values! Shack up when you're not even eighteen, pass off your baby as your mama's kid. But as long as you don't use condoms and talk about SEX who cares?! We're moral, righteous, and worthy!
Monday, September 01, 2008
Amy Goodman and Other Democracy Now Journalists Arrested at RNC
Amy Goodman and Two Democracy Now! Producers Unlawfully Arrested at the RNC
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
www.democracynow. org
September 1, 2008
Contact:
Denis Moynihan 917-549-5000
Mike Burke 646-552-5107, mike@democracynow.org
ST. PAUL, MN—Democracy Now! host Amy Goodman was unlawfully arrested in downtown St. Paul, Minnesota at approximately 5 p.m. local time. Police violently manhandled Goodman, yanking her arm, as they arrested her. Video of her arrest can be seen here: http://www.youtube. com/watch?v=oYjyvkR0bGQ
Goodman was arrested while attempting to free two Democracy Now! producers who were being unlawfully detained. They are Sharif Abdel Kouddous and Nicole Salazar. Kouddous and Salazar were arrested while they carried out their journalistic duties in covering street demonstrations at the Republican National Convention. Goodman's crime appears to have been defending her colleagues and the freedom of the press.
Ramsey County Sheriff Bob Fletcher told Democracy Now! that Kouddous and Salazar were being arrested on suspicion of rioting. They are currently being held at the Ramsey County jail in St. Paul.
Democracy Now! is calling on all journalists and concerned citizens to call the office of Mayor Chris Coleman and the Ramsey County Jail and demand the immediate release of Goodman, Kouddous and Salazar. These calls can be directed to: Chris Rider from Mayor Coleman's office at 651-266-8535 and the Ramsey County Jail at 651-266-9350 (press extension 0). First # in-box full, holding the line results in busy signal; pressing # also results in busy signal - Diane
Democracy Now! stands by Goodman, Kouddous and Salazar and condemns this action by Twin Cities law enforcement as a clear violation of the freedom of the press and the First Amendment rights of these journalists.
During the demonstration in which they were arrested law enforcement officers used pepper spray, rubber bullets, concussion grenades and excessive force. Several dozen others were also arrested during this action.
Amy Goodman is one of the most well-known and well-respected journalists in the United States. She has received journalism's top honors for her reporting and has a distinguished reputation of bravery and courage. The arrest of Goodman, Kouddous and Salazar is a transparent attempt to intimidate journalists from the nation's leading independent news outlet.
Democracy Now! is a nationally syndicated public TV and radio program that airs on over 700 radio and TV stations across the US and the globe.
Video of Amy Goodman's Arrest: http://www.youtube.com/watch? v=oYjyvkR0bGQ
##
= = = = = = = = =
ABOUT DEMOCRACY NOW!
Democracy Now! airs on over 650 radio and TV stations, including
Pacifica, NPR, community, and college radio stations; on public
access, PBS, satellite TV stations (DISH network: Free Speech TV
ch. 9415 and Link TV ch. 9410; DIRECTV: Link TV ch. 375); on the World
Radio Network's European Service and on the Community Broacasting
Association of Australia service; as a "podcast", automatically
downloaded to your computer or portable audio player; and streams live
M-F at 8am EST at www.democracynow.org
= = = = = = = = =
Now real-time CLOSED CAPTIONED on TV!
You can also view/listen/read all Democracy Now! shows online:
http://www.democracynow.org
To bring Democracy Now! to your community, go to:
http://www.democrac ynow.org/get_involved/ bring_to_station
= = = = = = = = =
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
www.democracynow. org
September 1, 2008
Contact:
Denis Moynihan 917-549-5000
Mike Burke 646-552-5107, mike@democracynow.org
ST. PAUL, MN—Democracy Now! host Amy Goodman was unlawfully arrested in downtown St. Paul, Minnesota at approximately 5 p.m. local time. Police violently manhandled Goodman, yanking her arm, as they arrested her. Video of her arrest can be seen here: http://www.youtube. com/watch?v=oYjyvkR0bGQ
Goodman was arrested while attempting to free two Democracy Now! producers who were being unlawfully detained. They are Sharif Abdel Kouddous and Nicole Salazar. Kouddous and Salazar were arrested while they carried out their journalistic duties in covering street demonstrations at the Republican National Convention. Goodman's crime appears to have been defending her colleagues and the freedom of the press.
Ramsey County Sheriff Bob Fletcher told Democracy Now! that Kouddous and Salazar were being arrested on suspicion of rioting. They are currently being held at the Ramsey County jail in St. Paul.
Democracy Now! is calling on all journalists and concerned citizens to call the office of Mayor Chris Coleman and the Ramsey County Jail and demand the immediate release of Goodman, Kouddous and Salazar. These calls can be directed to: Chris Rider from Mayor Coleman's office at 651-266-8535 and the Ramsey County Jail at 651-266-9350 (press extension 0). First # in-box full, holding the line results in busy signal; pressing # also results in busy signal - Diane
Democracy Now! stands by Goodman, Kouddous and Salazar and condemns this action by Twin Cities law enforcement as a clear violation of the freedom of the press and the First Amendment rights of these journalists.
During the demonstration in which they were arrested law enforcement officers used pepper spray, rubber bullets, concussion grenades and excessive force. Several dozen others were also arrested during this action.
Amy Goodman is one of the most well-known and well-respected journalists in the United States. She has received journalism's top honors for her reporting and has a distinguished reputation of bravery and courage. The arrest of Goodman, Kouddous and Salazar is a transparent attempt to intimidate journalists from the nation's leading independent news outlet.
Democracy Now! is a nationally syndicated public TV and radio program that airs on over 700 radio and TV stations across the US and the globe.
Video of Amy Goodman's Arrest: http://www.youtube.com/watch? v=oYjyvkR0bGQ
##
= = = = = = = = =
ABOUT DEMOCRACY NOW!
Democracy Now! airs on over 650 radio and TV stations, including
Pacifica, NPR, community, and college radio stations; on public
access, PBS, satellite TV stations (DISH network: Free Speech TV
ch. 9415 and Link TV ch. 9410; DIRECTV: Link TV ch. 375); on the World
Radio Network's European Service and on the Community Broacasting
Association of Australia service; as a "podcast", automatically
downloaded to your computer or portable audio player; and streams live
M-F at 8am EST at www.democracynow.org
= = = = = = = = =
Now real-time CLOSED CAPTIONED on TV!
You can also view/listen/read all Democracy Now! shows online:
http://www.democracynow.org
To bring Democracy Now! to your community, go to:
http://www.democrac ynow.org/get_involved/ bring_to_station
= = = = = = = = =
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