A.G. Holder: Appoint a Prosecutor

from True Majority

Did you see the news? The CIA just ended a secret program created and overseen by Dick Cheney that might have been designed to assassinate people deemed a threat to the United States. But we're just hearing about it because Cheney and others kept the project a secret from Congress, the public and the Justice department. It's scary to think that about Cheney using his position with the Bush administration to torture, wiretap and break a number of US laws in pursuit of his personal interpretation of national security. But only an independent prosecutor appointed by the Attorney General, can investigate crimes committed by the Bush administration and bring Cheney to justice - and the Obama team is under intense pressure just to look the other way. Email Attorney General Eric Holder and urge him to appoint a special prosecutor to investigate torture and other crimes committed by the Bush administration. Please do it now. This web site makes it really simple:

http://act.truemajorityaction.org/p/7002/campaign?campaign_KEY=1600

Urgent: Support Kucinich State Single-Payer Amendment

from After Downing Street

Rep. Dennis Kucinich has proposed a crucial amendment for single-payer healthcare and we urgently need you to call one or more of the 26 Democrats on the House Education and Labor Committee. Our message is simple:

Please support Rep. Kucinich's Amendment today to let states create single-payer healthcare systems. The federal government should give states the freedom to fix our health care crisis.

You can call any time and leave a voicemail if no one answers. If you do speak with a staffer, please post their reply here:
http://tr.im/sJeO

You can also urge your Senators and Representatives to support the Single Payer Health Plan (H.R. 676) by signing our petition:
http://tr.im/sJfk

The Kucinich Amendment would let individual states create single-payer healthcare systems even if Congress fails to create a nationwide single-payer system.

That's exactly how Canada evolved towards single-payer: one province at a time. Given the corporate-funded resistance to single-payer in Congress, the U.S. may have to follow the Canadian path.

Progressive activists in California, Illinois and Pennsylvania are leading the way for single-payer systems and the Kucinich Amendment would remove the legal roadblocks they face.

The fate of the Kucinich Amendment rests in the hands of the 26 Democrats below. Please call as many as you can.

George Miller (CA-7) 202-225-2095
Dale Kildee (MI-5) 202-225-3611
Donald Payne (NJ-10) 202-225-3436
Robert Andrews (NJ-1) 202-225-6501
Bobby Scott (VA-3) 202-225-8351
Lynn Woolsey (CA-6) 202-225-5161
Ruben Hinojosa (TX-15) 202-225-2531
Carolyn McCarthy (NY-4) 202-225-5516
John Tierney (MA-6) 202-225-8020
David Wu (OR-1) 202-225-0855
Rush Holt (NJ-12) 202-225-5801
Susan Davis (CA-53) 202-225-2040
Raul Grijalva (AZ-7) 202-225-2435
Tim Bishop (NY-1) 202-225-3826
Joe Sestak (PA-7) 202-225-2011
David Loebsack (IA-2) 202-225-6576
Mazie Hirono (HI-2) 202-225-4906
Jason Altmire (PA-4) 202-225-2565
Phil Hare (IL-17) 202-225-5905
Yvette Clarke (NY-11) 202-225-6231
Joe Courtney (CT-2) 202-225-2076
Carol Shea-Porter (NH-1) 202-225-5456
Marcia Fudge (OH-11) 202-225-7032
Jared Polis (CO-2) 202-225-2161
Paul Tonko (NY-21) 202-225-5076
Dina Titus (NV-3) 202-225-3252<

Take Action for Equality

In 1996, Bob Barr wrote the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA). When the bill became law, the federal government and all federal agencies were prohibited from extending any federal marriage-based benefits, privileges and rights to same-sex couples.

Thirteen years later, Bob Barr came to admit that he made a mistake with DOMA.

Ask President Obama and Congress to overturn DOMA. »

Right now, same-sex couples are denied tax, pension, visitation, inheritance and legal standing rights granted to opposite-sex couples. Overturning DOMA would end these discriminatory practices and mitigate the damage caused by anti-gay ballot measures.

If the author of DOMA says he made a mistake, shouldn't Congress at least take a second look and consider repealing DOMA? Please act today to bring hope to LGBT couples and ask for DOMA's repeal. »

Take action link: http://www.care2.com/go/z/e/AFnDo/zJdj/YwmS

Lack of water leads to Indian suicides - HELP!

From Care2

There is terrible news out of the state of Chattisgarh in India -- more than 1,500 farmers have committed suicide. The reasopn: They rely on farming to survive. And there is no water for their crops.

Please take action: Support access to clean water around the world.

The crop failures are causing farmers to fall into ever deepening levels of debt until there's no escape except via death. This is dramatic evidence of what researchers have been saying for years: access to clean water is one of the simplest and best ways to help poor communities. Not only do you help people avoid the terrible health problems associated with dirty water, but you also help ensure the livelihood for those who depend on agriculture to survive. 

Too many are held back by dirty water -- please act today. »

Take action link: http://www.care2.com/go/z/e/AFLv8/zj4L/YwmS 

Earth Day w/o Al Gore? No way!

From: Al Gore, Repower America <info@wecansolveit.org>
Date: Wed, Apr 22, 2009 at 1:59 PM
Subject: Earth Day

In order to solve the climate crisis, we can't just change light bulbs -- we need to change laws.

We're closer today than ever before. Right now, Congress is debating clean energy legislation that will jumpstart our economy and help solve the climate crisis.

On this Earth Day, can I depend on you to support this crucial legislation?

Yes. I'll get 10 people to sign the petition in support of clean energy legislation within the next week. 

This is the historic comprehensive energy legislation that we've been waiting for. It will create millions of jobs and help solve the climate crisis by closing the carbon pollution loophole.

After so many years of inaction and obstruction, it's incredible that we have finally reached this point. But the legislative process is never easy. With powerful forces fighting hard to maintain the status quo, it will take all of us working together to seize this moment.

Today, you are one of more than two million Repower America members, and tens of millions of Americans, who want to take positive action for our planet. This is it -- a chance to demonstrate nationwide support for clean energy to our leaders in Congress, and help to bring about a new economic era based on clean energy.

So please, talk to your friends. Talk to your parents or grandparents. Start a conversation with a co-worker. And ask them to join with you and the millions of other Americans who want Congress to support clean energy jobs by closing the carbon pollution loophole.

Yes. I'll get 10 people to support this historic clean energy legislation in Congress.

I support clean energy but I'd like to help in other ways.

Your efforts have brought us this far. I hope you take this opportunity to make this a historic Earth Day.

Thank you,

Al Gore
RepowerAmerica.org

AFL CIO: Goin' Green for Earth Day

'Greening' Our Headquarters The AFL-CIO just announced a plan to reduce energy consumption, cut down on waste and reduce the carbon footprint of its national headquarters. The steps include conducting a comprehensive energy audit to identify waste, lower energy use and set the stage for green building certification of our national headquarters and phasing out the use of Styrofoam in its dining operation and moving to union-made, 100 percent biodegradable containers. —Jeff Rickert, Director, AFL-CIO Center for Green Jobs   To celebrate Earth Day, we're going green. How about you? Trust us, it's not that hard. We spent a lot of time thinking about our efforts to go green, and we realized that we don't have to make a choice between the environment and the economy. Union workers will implement our energy-savings measures and environmental-protection initiatives, and they will lead to financial savings for us over the long term. Not bad, eh? So how can we help you go green this Earth Day? How about starting by sending your family and friends cards on recycled paper? At The Union Shop Online, we have lots of great green cards to choose from that are printed by union labor, with inspirational messages like the following from Margaret Mead: Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful committed citizens can change the world. Indeed it's the only thing that ever has. — Margaret Mead Here are just a few of the other great, green inspirational cards in stock now: Sending notes on recycled cards is a fun and easy way to start going green. Check out our full collection of cards online. In solidarity, Working Families e-Activist Network, AFL-CIO P.S. Don't forget all the other great stuff at The Union Shop Online. From umbrellas to shirts, books and more, if you're looking for a union-friendly gift for someone in your life, we're sure you can find something with us.

TODAY: Live Earth Day Chat

Today we celebrate Earth Day and the hope of a clean energy economy for America.

With President Obama in the White House, we can begin to reverse the trends that have damaged our environment and weakened our economy. We'll end our dependence on foreign oil, tackle global warming, and create millions of new jobs to achieve those goals.

We'll need your support and involvement to bring the President's plan to life. That's why we're hosting a live online chat with prominent environmentalist Majora Carter today, April 22nd, to answer your questions about the President's plan and how you can make a difference in your own community.

Visit our blog at 1:00 p.m. Eastern today to make your voice heard by participating in this special Earth Day chat with Majora Carter.

Majora has been at the forefront of promoting sustainable communities and clean energy jobs in New York City for years -- she understands the severity of the energy challenges we face and knows how crucial it is for us to address them with a bold plan of action.

It won't be easy, but with your support and involvement, we can jump-start the kind of innovation and creativity we'll need if we're going to make America competitive in the 21st century global economy.

Join Majora today to learn more about President Obama's plan and how you can help make it a reality:

http://my.barackobama.com/EarthDay09

Thank you,

Mitch

Mitch Stewart
Director
Organizing for America




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ALL FACTS & OPINIONS - http://gratefuldread.net
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Ban Nuclear Weapons - Petition Your Senators

From Friends Committee for National Legislation:

Yesterday, in Prague, addressing Europe and the world, Barack Obama became the first U.S. president to declare that the U.S. will seek peace and security in "a world without nuclear weapons." The president, in his Palm Sunday speech, said that the building blocks of nuclear disarmament will include a new national security strategy free of nuclear weapons, a new agreement with Russia to cut the size of U.S. and Russian nuclear arsenals, and ratification of the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty (CTBT).

President Obama needs your support; he cannot do this alone. Please sign a petition urging your senators to speak out in favor of nuclear disarmament.

Although many prominent analysts of both major political parties have embraced Obama's call for nuclear disarmament, already some in Congress are saying that total nuclear disarmament is unrealistic. FCNL's lobbyists have learned that some senators are moving to block ratification of the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty (CTBT) and other components of the president's nuclear disarmament goal.

TAKE ACTION: Ask your senators to speak out publicly in support of President Obama's call for a world free of nuclear weapons. Ask three friends to sign as well.

Take Marriage Equality Action in IA & VT

From Stonewall Democrats:

Dear Pro-Equality Citizen,

We need your help - just for a moment.

You already know that last week the Iowa Supreme Court extended the freedom to marry to all Iowans. And just last week, the Vermont legislature voted overwhelmingly to do the same thing.

Anti-equality activists are now slamming Democrats in both states for their positions. Take a moment to hold our Democrats accountable and help them stand their ground. Click the following link to a) help thank Iowa Democrats for standing for equality following the court ruling and b) urge the 11 Vermont Democrats who voted against the marriage bill to support the Democratic Majority's motion to override the veto of Republican Governor Jim Douglas.

- Click here to pledge to take action -

Once you make your pledge, you will receive information on how to contact the appropriate officials in Iowa and Vermont. We can keep the freedom to marry in Iowa and enact it in Vermont. However, we need your help. This is an urgent plea, but we firmly believe that by holding these Democrats accountable we can secure victory.

Jon Hoadley
Executive Director

P.S. Remember to pledge to take action at: stonewalldemocrats.org/iowavermont

Day Without a Gay

Gay people and our allies are compassionate, sensitive, caring, mobilized, and programmed for success. A day without gays would be tragic because it would be a day without love.


On December 10, 2008 the gay community will take a historic stance against hatred by donating love to a variety of different causes.


On December 10, you are encouraged not to call in sick to work. You are encouraged to call in "gay"--and donate your time to service!

http://www.daywithoutagay.org/

Condemn Expanded US War On Syria and Pakistan

From the International Action Center:

Sign the online petition at: http://www.iacenter.org/syriapakistan

All who want to stop the Bush White House from starting another war should immediately protest the unilateral, unjustifiable and criminal October 26 US assaults on Syrian and Pakistani sovereignty. Don’t let Bush get away with expanded war crimes in the Middle East. Condemn his efforts to hand a wider war to the next administration.

Make your opposition heard NOW! Sign the online petition (text below) and send a strong, clear message to the White House, Congress, the media and the UN.
You can also help by donating now to help circulate anti-war material in an urgent national campaign - donate online at http://iacenter.org/donate.

Online petition text:

To: U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, Security Council President Wang Guangya, President Bush, Secretary Rice, Secretary Gates, Senators Obama and McCain, and Congressional leaders
cc: members of the media

The criminal acts of war on October 26 against both Syria and Pakistan by U.S. armed forces violates the sovereignty of both countries and must be roundly condemned. The attempt by the Bush administration to justify them by invoking an expanded theory of a right to carry out acts of war on any country's territory without permission or even consultation with the country's government is a complete repudiation of the principle of national sovereignty on which the UN charter is based.

These acts of war are unjustified and illegal, and can lead to wider US wars in the Middle East and South Asia. The US wars in Iraq and Afghanistan have already cost hundreds of thousands of deaths and over $1 trillion. At the same time, the entire world is in the grip of the largest economic catastrophe since the great depression. It is more urgent than ever that all the US troops be brought home now and money be used for human needs, not newly expanded wars of aggression whether in Syria or Pakistan or Iran.

Sincerely,
(Your signature here)
To sign, edit and send the above statement to the UN, administration officials, congressional leaders and the media, go to http://www.iacenter.org/syriapakistan.

Tell Mormon Church President-Prophet to stop funding Prop 8

From Courage Campaign:

Fight back against the lies and protect the fundamental rights of Californians

Leaders of the campaign to outlaw same-sex marriage in California made an offer to businesses that have given money to the state's largest gay-rights group: 'Give us money or we'll publicly identify you as opponents of traditional unions.'" -- Lisa Leff, Associated Press, October 23

This is extortion!

It's time for people to fight back against the dishonest attacks of the pro-Proposition 8 campaign funded by the Mormon Church. On Tuesday, we will deliver a letter to President-Prophet Thomas Monson at the Los Angeles Mormon Temple, demanding that his church stop funding the blatant lies of the Proposition 8 campaign that seeks to codify religious, hateful, discriminatory anti-gay doctrine into state law.

ProtectMarriage, the organization leading the anti-marriage-equality campaign -- is now embroiled in a shocking new scandal involving a blackmail letter to California businesses that donated to Equality for All, the organization leading the "No on 8" campaign. Mark Jansson, opposition leader and self-described member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, was one of four signers to this blackmail letter. This episode is yet another example of intimidation by the Mormon Church to pass Prop 8 and dictate public policy to Californians.

We need to stop the Mormon Church from pushing their marriage views on Californians through the ballot box and stop the extortion. Please sign our letter now to President-Prophet Thomas Monson demanding that his church cease funding the Mormon's un-American campaign

Stop the State-Sanctioned Killing of Troy Davis

On Monday, October 27, Troy Davis, now on death row in Georgia, is scheduled to be legally lynched by the state of Georgia. Davis was convicted in the 1989 killing of a police officer despite what Amnesty International calls "overwhelming doubts about his guilt." No physical forensic evidence was presented at Davis' trial, and 7 of the 9 witnesses have recanted their testimony, with at least two saying they were pressured by police to finger Davis as the killer. Yet on October 14 the Supreme Court refused to allow a new hearing in his case. TAKE ACTION NOW to let the Georgia Parole Board, Governor, Legislature, and congressional delegation as well as President Bush, Senators Obama and McCain, U.N. Secretary-General Ban, Congressional leaders and members of the media know you demand No Execution of Troy Davis!

Get more information.

Burn Baby Burn, Spill Baby Spill, Melt Baby Melt...

from Greenpeace USA:

Let's face it, our country is addicted to oil. Even George W. Bush, a former oil peddler, has admitted this addiction. And like any sickness, our addiction to oil has serious consequences: higher temperatures, melting glaciers, more violent storms and $4 a gallon gasoline to name just a few.

Now, in search of another quick fix, Congress and President Bush have lifted the moratorium on offshore oil drilling that has protected most of our nation's coasts for thirty years.

The U.S. burns 25 percent of the world's oil, but we only have three percent of the world's proven oil reserves. Offshore drilling won't even deliver a drop of oil for ten years, according to the Bush Administration's own numbers. That means we'll never be able to drill our way to lower gas prices or energy independence.

Drilling for offshore oil is like giving an addict a bigger dose - it doesn't solve the problem, it just makes it worse - for all of us.

Politicians talk a good game about the war on drugs. But it's time they learned to kick a habit that threatens our entire planet. It's time to quit oil, get clean, and make a permanent switch to renewable energy.

TAKE ACTION! Tell our next President to just say no to offshore drilling.

Chanting "drill, baby, drill" is like a drug dealer saying, "come on, it'll make you feel good." It's being sold as a temporary fix, but the effects on the planet's health will last more than a lifetime.

Our addiction is making the planet sick while Big Oil is getting rich. Global warming threatens us all, and if we don't break our addiction, we'll ALL suffer the consequences.

The cycle of addiction must end now - and it's our generation that must stand up and make the change.

Fight for CA Equality, Wherever You Are!

Think of it this way, if bigots succeed in taking away thousands of legal marriages through the Nov. 4 vote, it puts a target on every legally married gay couple in the nation... and ensures that the rest of us will continue to be second-class citizens in America. This is not a California issue -- this directly involves ALL interested in justice for all under civil law.

From Mass Equality, but pay attention and help even if you are from outside of Massachusetts:

In just three weeks, voters in California will make a historic decision -- whether or not to take away gay marriage. And the polls are not looking good: if the vote were held today, we'd lose 47 percent to 42 percent.

I am asking you today to join me in helping our friends in California with your money and with your volunteer time.

Make no mistake: California is ground zero in the struggle for marriage equality. Losing this vote would be a monumental setback.

Why are we losing? Because the anti-gay right has raised $25.4 million - that's 10 million dollars more than our side. They are using this advantage to broadcast lies 24/7 up and down the state of California.

When I saw their newest ad, I was outraged. They point directly at Massachusetts, saying that schools will be forced to teach second-graders that "boys can marry boys." It's the worst kind of fear-mongering...and it works.

With less than a month before the election, our side must get on the air now to respond and swing votes back to our side.

When we were in the heart of our battles here, donors from California contributed hundreds of thousands of dollars. Now it is our turn. Give here, and our friends in California will know that it came from us in Massachusetts. I just stretched and gave more than I thought I ever would. Can you join me and do the same?

We also need your time.You can make a difference in California without leaving Massachusetts or even your own home. We can train you to make phone calls to California voters from home, using call sheets or computer enabled dialing programs. Even an hour or two can make a difference.

Why phonebank? Because voters are more influenced by personal, unique conversations than by any other form of voter contact. From your own home, you can have the conversations with California voters that will make the difference on November 4th. It's that simple.

For more information or to sign up to make calls from home to defeat Prop 8, contact Ryan Brown or call 617-878-2309.

Without help combating our opponents lies, California will lose. But together, we can make the difference. There's only three weeks left. Please take action today.

URGENT: Marriage equality losing in CA

From Human Rights Campaign:

Marriage equality in California is now losing by 5 points, according to the latest poll numbers.

Until that poll, we were leading in California. What happened? Anti-LGBT groups are winning the fundraising battle by more than $10 million – and their vicious, untrue ads are everywhere.

Our lead has slipped, but victory is still within reach. We need to get on the air quickly to counter their lies and we need your help to do it.

Generous donors Tom Bombardier and John Fowler, along with the Human Rights Campaign, will double every online contribution TODAY, up to $120,000.

Donate now to the HRC California Marriage PAC – No on Proposition 8 and your gift for marriage equality will be DOUBLED.

Can you imagine a loving, committed, married couple watching their marriage rights evaporate against their will? I don't think there's any precedent for that in modern civilization.

Well, that's what could happen across California if Proposition 8 passes and the decision of the state Supreme Court is reversed.

Anti-LGBT forces are organizing and mobilizing furiously, raising money hand over fist, ginning up fear and resentment. Groups like Focus on the Family, members of the Mormon Church, and even the national Knights of Columbus have provided significant funding. And it appears their tactics are working – the recent polls show that California voters now favor the Amendment to ban marriage equality, 47 to 42 percent.

It's up to us to make sure the truth gets out, but we can only do that if we raise more money. Right now, their war chest is $10 million deeper than ours – and that gap is growing.

The Human Rights Campaign has been on the ground in California from the beginning of this fight, contributing time and resources, and we're not ready to give up now. In fact, we have already contributed more than $2 million to this fight. I'm guessing you aren't ready to give up either, NR.

For those of us deeply committed to equality and dignity for LGBT Americans, the time is now – especially now that generous donors Tom Bombardier and John Fowler and HRC will double your gift and make it go twice as far.

Will you stand shoulder-to-shoulder with us today? Every dollar you give right now will be DOUBLED and sent straight to California.

Wake up on November 5th knowing you did everything you could. We have equality, basic human decency and the truth on our side. Now we need you.

ACTION NEEDED: Make Calls for Obama/Biden

from MoveOn:

It's a scary time. The stock market's in free-fall, and no one knows what's going to happen.

It all feels very much out of our control. But here's one thing we all can do: Take 20 minutes to make sure John McCain and Sarah Palin don't end up in charge of our economy exactly when we most need leaders we can trust.

Our goal is to make 40,000 calls this week to recruit swing-state volunteers for Obama. We've got two days left to get these done, and we're almost there!

Can you take 20 minutes today to make a few calls?

These are quick, simple calls that you can make from home. You'll be calling fellow MoveOn members in battleground states to ask them to volunteer at their local Obama campaign offices. They work: We've heard from many new volunteers that the recruitment call from another MoveOn member was the nudge they needed to get them to sign up.

And they're really easy to make; you just need to be able to be online and on the phone at the same time. You can even make a practice call before you get started.

We can't afford to leave this election to chance. DO SOMETHING - help.

Declare Independence from Big Oil!

from ShameOnBigOil:



Tell your friends to join you and declare their independence from Big Oil!