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<

Act Now: US House Failing Test on Climate Change

From Friends Committee on National Legislation

Leaders in the House plan to force a final vote next week on important but flawed climate change legislation. The American Clean Energy and Security Act (H.R. 2454) fails to ensure that U.S. greenhouse gas emissions will be cut quickly, deeply, and effectively. We at FCNL have been urging House committee members to strengthen H.R. 2454 by eliminating concessions that would allow polluters to increase their greenhouse gas emissions for well over a decade.

You can help strengthen this bill by writing your representative today: . Urge her or him to insist that the American Clean Energy and Security Act be strengthened to:

1.) Require quick, deep, and real cuts in greenhouse gas emissions before 2020;

2.) Eliminate provisions that allow polluters to continue polluting at current levels for over a decade;

3.) Remove free giveaways of pollution allowances to industry; and

4.) Ensure that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) retains authority to regulate greenhouse gases.

This will not be easy. Reps. Henry Waxman and Ed Markey, who sponsored this legislation, argue that their bill is already pushing the limits of what is currently politically possible in the House. But passing flawed legislation now could be worse than doing nothing, despite how hard congressional champions of the environment worked to craft a bill that can pass. It will leave the illusion that Congress has addressed climate change when in fact it has done very little.

*Take Action*

Write your representative today. Tell him or her that the American Clean Energy and Security Act (H.R. 2454) must be strengthened before it comes to a final vote on floor of the House next week. In our view at FCNL, it would be better to pass no legislation now, let the EPA begin to regulate greenhouse gases, and work harder to build support for a stronger bill in the future than to pass this legislation as is.

*Background*

Learn more about the strengths and weaknesses of this bill.

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

Will anyone call Specter on his flip-flop?

From: Liz Cattaneo, American Rights at Work


2005: Senator Arlen Specter of Pennsylvania co-sponsors the Employee Free Choice Act.

2007: Specter is one of the few courageous Republicans to vote for the bill.

2009: Specter says he'll vote against it. What happened?

Long story short: Specter bowed to pressure from the corporate lobbyists and right-wing groups desperate to block the Employee Free Choice Act. But you and I can put pressure on as well – we can show him his flip-flop has consequences.

We're launching a new TV ad that tells Specter to stand on the side of workers – not greedy CEOs. And at the same time, with your help, we're going to flood his office with calls.

Watch our new ad – then CALL Senator Specter's office and tell him not to sell out America's workers.


Video: Our new TV ad, "Right Thing."



For many years, Senator Specter was a strong supporter of the Employee Free Choice Act. But now that he's siding with anti-union groups, he's said he'll actively work to block the bill from even coming to a vote!

That's why it's so important that people all across the country keep the pressure on him.

Please make a QUICK phone call today (it takes under a minute!), then forward this to all your friends.

Call Senator Specter's office toll-free at (888) 890-4648.

One of Specter's interns will probably answer. Tell him or her you're calling to ask Senator Specter to vote YES on the Employee Free Choice Act. Most calls end right there, but you can add:

The Employee Free Choice Act is crucial to working families.
I'm disappointed in the Senator's reversal on this issue and hope he'll do the right thing after co-sponsoring the bill in 2005.
The recession has hit middle-class families the hardest, and this bill is a critical piece of our economic recovery.

IMPORTANT: Don't forget to tell us that you called.

President Obama, large majorities in both houses of Congress, and 73 percent of the public support the Employee Free Choice Act. Show Senator Specter that America wants this bill – make a one-minute call today.

Thanks for all that you do to support America's working families.

Bar Owners, Restaurants, Clubs, Etc.: A Way to Help Progressive Causes

From Baltimore Do-Gooders:

If you are a restaurant or music venue and are open to have a fundraiser to benefit a local/national progressive/GLBT organization or cause, PLEASE post your interest level.

For example:

What % of door or food/bar do you give to the cause?
How many people do you want the volunteer group to get?
What day of the week/hours would work best for you?

Just a thought, but in this economically hard time, community service groups need to do fundraisers and businesses financially benefit as well as creating a better image. Win Win.

Head here: http://www.facebook.com/topic.php?uid=52432656169&topic=9347

(If you aren't on Facebook, why not? It's a superb tool for active citizens -- and YOU control your privacy.)

The special meetup/discussion space on Facebook is a place to make it easier for both community endeavors and businesses can meet up and create some awesome events! When created, let me know and I will put them on the Baltimore Do-Gooders wall to offer more promotion.

Thanks for participating!!!!

ACT NOW: Right to Travel to Cuba bills introduced in Congress

From International ANSWER :

Thousands of people are writing to tell Congress: End the travel ban to Cuba. A "Right to Travel to Cuba" bill has been introduced in both the House of Representatives and the Senate. The bill is simple and self-explanatory: it would end all restrictions on travel from the United States to Cuba. The bill has received bipartisan support, and already has 123 co-sponsors in the House, and 20 in the Senate.

President Obama has proposed lifting travel restrictions on Cuban-Americans. These bills call for the lifting of travel restrictions for all people in the United States. The travel restrictions are part of the larger economic blockade of Cuba. The blockade, which uses food and medicine as a weapon against the Cuban people, must be brought to an end as well.

Please take a moment right now to write members and Congress and tell them you support these important bills.

Write to your US House Representative 

Write to your US Senator

Is Health Care Working for You?

From: Marc Laitin, AFL-CIO <peoplepower@aflcio.org>

Congress is back in session, and it's looking more and more like real health care reform is on the way. The insurance company lobby is making lots of noise here in D.C., and it's critical that your voice is heard in this process. Take the 2009 Health Care for America Survey today, tell us your story and help shape health care reform this year. Together, we can help bring real health care reform to America.

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 

GET BUSY: Help hold the architects of torture accountable

From MoveOn.org:

President Obama released memos that describe, in horrific detail, the torture techniques authorized by the Bush administration. 

So far there HAs been no accountability for the architects of Bush's torture program. We need a full investigation and real consequences for those responsible - it's the only way to keep this from happening again.

I signed a petition urging Attorney General Holder to appoint a special prosecutor to investigate and prosecute those responsible for the Bush-era torture program. Can you join me at the link below?

http://pol.moveon.org/torture/

FIGHT HATE: Tell Congress to pass the Matthew Shepard Act

From Human Rights Campaign

A law protecting all of our citizens against senseless hate violence is long overdue. Two years ago, radical right-wing groups and George W. Bush's veto threat blocked the Matthew Shepard Act, which would outlaw hate crimes based on both sexual orientation and gender identity. But now the bill is back.

Tell Congress we need the Matthew Shepard Act to help ensure safety and security for ALL people.



TAKE ACTION NOW!

ACT: Torture Memo Author Should Not Be a Federal Judge, Impeach Bybee

From: Voters for Peace <action@votersforpeace.org>

 

Voters for Peace is joining in the call for impeachment of Judge Jay Bybee of the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals. Bybee was the primary author of legal memoranda justifying torture during the Bush administration. When he was confirmed for the federal bench this information was not known, in fact it was denied by many. But now that it is known, how can he remain a judge in the U.S. federal courts? His lifetime appointment will continue the legacy of torture under President Bush, rather than put it behind us.

Please write your representative in Congress urging his impeachment. Click here  to take action now. 

Torture violates U.S. law: Section 2340A of title 18 of the U.S. Code says this: "Whoever outside the United States commits or attempts to commit torture shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than 20 years, or both, and if death results to any person from conduct prohibited by this subsection, shall be punished by death or imprisoned for any term of years or for life."

And, torture violates international treaties to which the U.S. has agreed to follow. The Convention Against Torture requires criminal prosecution of "an act by any person which constitutes complicity or participation in torture" or in "cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment." And the Geneva Conventions ban "violence to life and person, in particular murder of all kinds, mutilation, cruel treatment and torture," as well as "outrages upon personal dignity, in particular humiliating and degrading treatment."

The purpose of the Bybee Memos was to provide legal cover for American torturers. To allow the "just following orders defense" and to be able to point to these absurd memos to demonstrate the orders were lawful. Everyone involved knew they were torturing, knew they were inflicting pain, knew they were violating the law. Rather than first focusing on those at the bottom of the torture totem poll, removing Bybee from the bench would be a good first step.

Click here to write your representative to urge impeachment of Judge Bybee .

As David Swanson, a Project Board Member of Voters for Peace wrote:

"Just take a look at the memos officially attributed to Bybee, and consider whether we can maintain any sort of legitimate government without impeaching him, and whether we want him overruling decent honest judges for the next 30 years. Bybee gave President Bush, upon request, "legal opinions" that a president can ignore international laws, that laws do not apply to various groups of people, that a president can kidnap, detain, and ship off to other lands human beings with no due process, and that Congress has no power to interfere with anything a president does."

How can the United States put this torture history behind us if we do not take the essential action of removing Judge Bybee from the bench? His actions constitute war crimes. Please act now and urge Congress to impeach Judge Bybee. Click here to write your representative to urge impeachment of Judge Bybee.

Sincerely,

Kevin Zeese

Executive Director

More information:

The Torture Memos, Pro Publico

New York Times Calls for Impeachment of Judge Bybee

Impeach Jay Bybee, Bruce Ackerman, Slate

Waterboarding Used 266 Times on 2 Suspects

Eric Holder v. America's legal obligations

A Dark Day for Justice, Jeremy Scahill, Rebel Reports

No charges against CIA officials for waterboarding, Devlin Barrett, Associated Press

Subscribe to Voters For Peace Perspectives by email - News and analysis, campaign stats, activist tips, quotes and facts

Help Secure Marriage Equality in the Northeast!

 Please email and/ or phone legislators in Maine, New Hampshire, New York, New Jersey, Delaware, and Rhode Island TODAY! Urge them to vote YES for marriage equality. Separate email addresses with commas in order to send a message out to multiple legislators.

Maine House

http://www.maine.gov/legis/house/e_mail.htm

Maine Senate

http://www.maine.gov/legis/senate/senators/email/maillst.htm

http://www4.egov.nh.gov/governor/goveforms/comments.asp



New Hampshire House

http://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/house/members/housemembersemail.aspx

New Hampshire Senate

http://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/senate/senatemembers.asp



New York Senate

http://www.senate.state.ny.us/Senatorbio.nsf/Public_MemberEmail?openform

New York Assembly

http://www.assembly.state.ny.us/mem/?sh=email



Rhode Island Senate

http://www.rilin.state.ri.us/Email/SenEmailListDistrict.asp

Rhode Island House

http://www.rilin.state.ri.us/Email/RepEmailListDistrict.asp 

ACTION: Demand Accountability

From Faithful America:

The Department of Justice "torture memos" released yesterday are horrific.  They define in graphic detail how the U.S. tortured and how it was justified. They are proof the U.S. government authorized torture.

So now...what are you going to do about it?

Click here to demand accountability.

Concerned citizens, many of them people of faith, have been shocked by the brutality and twisted logic flowing through the "torture memos."  While the Obama administration did the right thing by releasing these memos, it's not enough.  We need accountability.  To get it, we need to show politicians we demand it.  Let's reach them through sources they pay attention to: the papers in their home states and districts.

Tell your local paper: endorse an investigation today.

This is a moral issue.  As the National Religious Campaign Against Torture says, "nothing less than the soul of our nation is at stake."

To make sure we never torture again, we need more than an anti-torture president.  At a minimum, we need a Commission of Inquiry to uncover ALL the facts, so we can institute the right safeguards.  The Attorney General should also appoint a special prosecutor to investigate whether criminal charges are warranted.

President Obama has not ruled out investigations and prosecutions for the Department of Justice lawyers who created this policy, and neither should we.
Tell your newspaper: people of faith demand accountability, so should you.

It's going to be a tough fight. Politicians who take a stand for justice may face accusations of partisanship and divisiveness.  But the truth is not partisan. Our political leaders will need to know they'll have backup if they join our cause for truth and accountability.  An editorial endorsing accountability from their local paper can give them the support, or the prodding, they need to do the right thing.

Build the political will for accountability: write your paper today.

Thanks for all you do,
Beth, Katie, Dan, Kristin and Jennifer
The Faithful America Team
All content © 2008 Faithful America
1101 Vermont Avenue, 9th Floor Washington, DC 20005

Protect Marriage Equality - Answer the Lies

From Equality for All - Facebook Group:

The National Organization for Marriage, an anti-LGBT rights group opposed to marriage equality, has launched a nationwide campaign featuring misleading and false claims related to the religious implications of same-sex marriage legislation. The group has created anti-marriage equality radio ads and hopes to raise money to begin airing television ads. Described as the “Religious Liberty Ad Campaign,” the ads falsely and outlandishly warns that “religious groups may be denied the use of parks and other public facilities, unless they endorse gay marriage.”

One of the advertisements features an individual who says, “I’m a California doctor who must choose between my faith and my job.” Here is the misleading and irresponsible ad:



This same group is currently targeting key members of the Iowa House of Representatives – activating its members nationwide – encouraging them to introduce legislation to put a constitutional amendment banning marriage by same-sex couples on the ballot to be voted on by Iowans.

We are asking you to contact these same individuals and counter these messages. As health professionals, you can counter the distorted facts and misinformation with evidence firmly rooted in science.

You can include the following message:

I am writing to urge you to oppose HJR 6, also know as the Iowa Marriage Amendment.

This measure seeks to place a constitutional amendment that would seek to restrict marriage rights for same-sex couples. I believe in public policy driven by science, not ideology. As a health professional, I can tell you that the science is unambiguous in this regard -- denial of marriage rights to gay men and lesbians can negatively impact their health as well as the well-being of their children.

I encourage you to review the scientific research on this matter. You can go to www.glma.org/marriageequality to download a report, Same-Sex Marriage and Health, which includes detailed citations to published research on the issue.

Sincerely,

Please send this information to the following members of the Iowa House of Representatives:

Quirk, Brian (D) - Assistant Minority Leader

Bukta, Polly (D) - Speaker Pro Tempore of the House

Murphy, Patrick (D) - Speaker of the House

Abdul-Samad, Ako (D) - House Assistant Majority Leader

McCarthy, Kevin (D) - House Majority Leader

Mascher, Mary (D) - Minority Whip

Gayman, Elesha (D) - House Assistant Majority Leader

Whitaker, John (D) - House Assistant Majority Leader

Reasoner, Michael (D) - House Assistant Majority Leader

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

Misleading NYT ad on Prop 8 - fight back!

from the Human Rights Campaign

I opened The New York Times last Friday to find a full-page ad that is the ultimate demonstration of what our community is going to face moving forward.

The Becket Fund for Religious Liberty purchased the ad to blame supporters of equality for "violence and intimidation" directed towards the Mormon Church and its members in the aftermath of Prop. 8's passage. We all know these claims are, at the very least, exaggerations, and at worst, outright falsehoods.

We're going to see this as we work toward marriage equality and fight to enact federal hate crimes legislation: the other side can only win by telling lies about us.

It's time for us to stand up for the truth. Join members of the HRC Religion Council in forcefully responding to this despicable ad.

HRC has gathered the voices of clergy members from all faiths to respond to the false suggestion that there is an organized attempt to foment mob intimidation and violence toward the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in response to their support for Prop. 8.

When did the LDS Church become the victim?

This is the same church that conducted a national broadcast to every temple, calling on members to organize and write checks to the Prop. 8 campaign. The same church whose members donated more than half of the $40 million behind Prop. 8, even though California Mormons represent just 2 percent of the state's population. The same church that continues to spend exorbitant sums to mislead the public and attempt to transform its image. Yes, it's the same church.

Anti-LGBT groups have spread mistruths to defeat us and it's what they are going to keep doing. And I think we've all had enough of it.

Send your message to The New York Times – we'll also forward a copy to the Becket Fund to make sure they know we're fighting back against their lies.

We need look no further than the key victories we achieved during the elections to know that when we band together, we can win.

Nike turns a blind eye

from American Rights at Work

When it comes to protecting workers' rights, it's time for Nike to stop talking about it and just do it.

Nike is one of the world's largest retailers – raking in billions in profits – but the truckers who haul all their sneakers to JCPenney say they have faced unfair working conditions including intimidation during contract negotiations and rising healthcare premiums.

Nike won't join other leading retailers in defending these workers, but you can.

Stand up for the drivers who ship for Nike – demand fairness TODAY!

Over 500 employees of Oak Harbor Freight Lines – the company that ships merchandise for Nike and Ralph Lauren to JCPenney – are on strike.

They're taking a stand against on-the-job abuses, including an outrageous proposal to cancel health coverage for retired employees, cut paid sick days and overtime pay for current employees, and reduce pension benefits.

But rather than negotiate in good faith, this shipping company has hired a notorious strike-breaking firm to strong-arm workers into giving up. What's more, the subcontractor reportedly recruited disadvantaged drivers from the south as replacement workers, promising them high wages and stable employment, then fired them when local employees became available.

Nike pretends to be an advocate for workers' rights – working hard to shed its association with sweatshops abroad – but hasn't stood up for these American drivers.

Show Nike that protecting America's workers is the right thing to do this holiday season. Take action today!

Thank Pepsico and Counteract the Right Wing

from The Armchair Activist (Join this great activist community!)

The American Family Association, a right-wing political group that seeks to shame US companies into treating their GLBT customers badly to promote its "traditional values" (read anti-GLBT, anti-diversity) agenda, has its sights set on Pepsico. The AFA is angry that the company reportedly donated half a million dollars to Parents, Friends and Family of Lesbians and Gays. As many of you know, PFLAG is an organization of GLBT allies that promotes a message of love, tolerance and equality for all people. Apparently, this is bad news for the AFA: The right-wing group wants Pepsico to remain neutral on the issue of GLBT equality. Note that in the AFA's worldview, a neutral position is consistent with theirs -- even giving partner benefits to employees is seen as a non-neutral move.

On its web site, the Religious Wrong organization presents an action alert telling its Christian faithful followers to bombard the company with emails criticizing their support of PFLAG. It even provides a handy email form allowing you to reach a company executive to castigate her.

TAKE ACTION! Let's use their nasty move for good: Go to the alert and send Pepsico Chair Indra K. Nooyi an email, but delete the given text and instead thank her and Pepsico for their positive efforts that respect diversity, align with true American values of justice, and show that they value their GLBT employees.

Here is the letter we sent via the AFA interface:

Dear Ms. Nooyi:

Thank you for Pepsico's support of PFLAG. You have my deepest gratitude for not giving in to the hate-filled, divisive maneuvers of the American Family Association. Your company realizes that all Americans deserve support and respect, and I, a second-class citizen of the US, will continue to be and encourage my associates to be loyal users of Pepsico products like Quaker Oats and Gatorade.

Thank you SO much!

Truly, the neutral position is one that doesn't discriminate against anyone. However, given the system under which we live, GLBT people need special protections that we can't get under law, thanks to the work of AFA and the right wing. So the neutral position is to level the playing field -- Pepsico does this by giving its GLBT employees parity with heterosexual workers and by supporting the equality efforts by groups like PFLAG, which promote the real values that decent Americans embrace -- an appreciation of diversity and respect and equality for all.

Come on, counteract the right wing while having the fun of using their own tools.

A warning: By using their tools, you will receive AFA alert emails. You can cancel that as soon as the first one arrives if you wish (or accept them and use them for opposition research, an important component of activism). If you would prefer not to receive anything from AFA, instead contact Ms. Nooyi by snail mail or phone to say thanks:

Ms. Indra K. Nooyi, Chairman
Pepsico, Inc.
700 Anderson Hill Rd.
Purchase, NY 10577-1444
Phone: 1-800-433-2652
or: (914) 253-2000