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<

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/

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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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

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

Dump DoMA

from People for the American Way

Part of President-elect Obama's ambitious pro-equality platform is that he supports the repeal of DOMA (the Defense of Marriage Act). But already, the anti-gay Right has launched a campaign to "protect DOMA."

At this moment of change, which we've fought so hard to reach, it's time for the federal government to stop punishing loving same-sex couples. It's time to repeal DOMA.

Please take action right now to make sure Congress sends President-elect the legislation to sign.

While states across the country have different laws regarding marriage equality and civil unions, and far too many states currently have bans on same-sex marriage, repealing DOMA would be a huge step in the direction of equality.

• It would be a repudiation of the forces of hate and division who have long pushed to enshrine discrimination further in federal law.


• It would mean federal recognition of all marriages in states like Massachusetts and Connecticut which have full marriage equality for same-sex couples.


• Repealing DOMA would stop the government from selectively withholding the 1,300 or so legal protections that only legal civil marriage affords.


• It would remove a discriminatory blemish from federal law, sending a powerful moral message.

People For the American Way's campaign to Dump DOMA is a comprehensive effort to get repeal legislation on the President-elect Obama's desk for signature. This is a long-tem strategy that we know will be an uphill battle -- but, we must start now. Anti-equality groups are already pushing to keep DOMA in place, and we anticipate challenges with some red-state Democrats and the need to "flip" some representatives and senators who voted to pass DOMA in 1996. But we've seen just what effective national organizing can do in this last election cycle, and we're hopeful that this major step for LGBT equality can be part of the big change for our country in the next few years.

Sign the petition to Senate Majority Leader Reid and Speaker Pelosi now. We want to gather as many signatures as we can to deliver to congressional leadership to begin this battle when the 111th Congress convenes. We need to build up bi-partisan support to repeal DOMA and create an atmosphere of change on this issue in the halls of Congress.

Help get the ball rolling with your signature right now and then please ask your friends to sign it.Forward this e-mail or simply send them to DumpDOMA.com.

The Obama platform on LGBT rights is laid out on his Change.gov transition web site. While unfortunately falling short on full marriage equality, it shows a commitment to many of the values People For the American Way has been advocating for years and continues to fight for: protections against employment discrimination, the inclusion of sexual orientation and gender identity in federal hate crimes laws and allowing gays and lesbians to serve equally and openly in the military by eliminating "don't ask, don't tell." But perhaps the most aggressive part of the platform is Obama's support for repealing DOMA and ending federal discrimination against same-sex couples.

Now we need to gin up the grassroots pressure on House and Senate leaders to let them know it's time for the U.S. government to stop punishing families.

Please be among the first to get on board. We need your support now if the campaign is going to be successful.

A Plea from MN Senate Candidate & SNL Comic Al Franken

From MoveOn:

It's not enough to merely win this election. We've got to win big.

Great —- I can tell from your nodding head that you agree. Now, let's make it happen -— by helping three champs win tight, crucial races: Jeff Merkley of Oregon, Larry Kissell of North Carolina, and, ahem, Al Franken of Minnesota.

I'm not asking for $700 billion -— just $10, $25, or whatever you can spare. Donate by clicking below:


Here's why this is so important. When Republicans tried to privatize Social Security back in 2005, they ran both houses of Congress and the White House—but they lost. The same thing happened to us with health care reform in 1993.

Now, they were wrong on Social Security, and we were right on health care. But the fact is, big change -— for better or worse —- takes big majorities and big mandates.

In fact, in the last century, there have been just a couple of truly transformative elections: 1964, when a Democratic landslide paved the way for Medicare, and 1932, when a Democratic landslide opened the door for the New Deal (and enraged generations of right-wingers by creating Social Security in the first place).

That's what we need in 2008: Not just a majority, but a landslide.

But who, you may be asking, are these three specific candidates? I'll tell you, with help from my friends in the Bullet Point department:

• Jeff Merkley, running for the Senate in Oregon, led Habitat for Humanity in Oregon and then cracked down on predatory lenders, passed ethics reform, and cut taxes for working people in the State House.



• Larry Kissell, running in North Carolina's 8th district, worked in textiles for 27 years and taught high school civics. In 2006, he ran for Congress against Republican Robin Hayes, one of the oil industry's biggest cheerleaders—and lost by 329 votes. This year, the oil industry is gushing with cash for Hayes, but my money (and, I hope, your money) is on Kissell.



• Me. (Al Franken.) I'm running for Senate in my home state of Minnesota. It's not just that six years of Norm Coleman in the Senate is already six years too much. I'm running because it's time for change, and because change is going to take progressives —- like Jeff, Larry, and myself —- who are willing to stand up and fight.

We need you to vote, to knock on doors, and to make phone calls. And, right now, we need you to take out your credit card and donate some money.

This fall, the higher the stakes become, the nastier the Republicans are going to get —- so we need the resource to fight back with the truth. The election is just 37 days away.

DO SOMETHING! Donate now.


Thanks for all that you've done, and thanks for helping MoveOn rebuild the progressive movement in America over the last ten years. Thanks for your hard-earned money (did you forget to donate? No problem! Click here.)

And thanks in advance for working side by side with me, Larry, Jeff, Barack, and the new Democratic landslide to truly, day by day, take this country back.

–Al Franken

CA Alert: Urge Gov. to Sign Popular Vote Bill

from FairVote:

Once again, the presidential race is in full swing - and in many ways, 2008 looks sadly similar to prior presidential elections: a handful of voters in at most a dozen battleground states are getting all of the campaigns' attention, while most of the country sits on the sidelines -- spectators to election of our nation's highest office.
But the dynamics are changing in one important way...

State by state, elected officials are signing onto the National Popular Vote (NPV) plan. NPV would guarantee the Presidency to the presidential candidate who receives the most popular votes in all 50 states (and the District of Columbia). The bill would take effect only when enacted by states possessing a majority of the electoral votes—that is, enough electoral votes to elect a President (270 of 538).

Already, Hawaii, Illinois, Maryland, New Jersey have enacted the National Popular Vote Bill. This represents 19% (50) of the 270 electoral votes needed to activate the law. Meanwhile, 21 State Legislative Chambers (one-fifth) have passed the bill.

But this summer, the California Assembly passed SB 37, the state's National Popular Vote bill -- and now the bill is sitting on Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's desk. Gov. Schwarzenegger can singlehandedly transform debate about this critically important reform to make it about our nation's future, not its past

If you live in California, please contact the Governor and urge him to sign SB 37, the National Popular Vote bill. If you don't live in California, please forward this message to friends and family in the state. We have a short window of time to influence the Governor before he decides how he will act on the bill.

You can call, email, fax, or send a postal note. The most important thing is to do it immediately.
Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger
State Capitol Building
Sacramento, CA 95814
Fax: 916-445-4633
Phone: 916-445-2841
Email: visit http://gov.ca.gov/interact
Ways to Help: As a rule of thumb, legible handwritten letters are better than typed or computer printed ones. Letters (as long as they're legible) are better than faxes. Faxes are better than emails. Emails are better than phone messages. Phone messages are better than illegible handwritten letters. And all of these options are vastly preferable to doing nothing and then regretting it later. The most important thing is to take action immediately.

Resources:

Talking points, sample letters and more information on the National Popular Vote plan are available at: [NationalPopularVote.com].
Additional information -- including our groundbreaking Presidential Election Inequality Report and an excellent short video produced by our FairVote North Carolina team -- is also available at [FairVote.org/npv].

Once you have sent your letter, used your fax machine, and made your call, then please get ten (10) other friends, relatives, neighbors, or colleagues to do the same. Please spread the word and help us get as many people as possible to contact the Governor to urge his signature on the bill.

ALERT: Democracy Now's Amy Goodman Jailed at RNC - Speak up!

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:



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).

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 US. 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, including Grateful Dread Public Radio.

NY Event: 2007 Dellinger Lecture on Middle East Nonviolence

War Resisters League, AJ Muste Memorial Institute, and Judson Memorial Church invite you to the 2007 Dellinger Lecture on Nonviolence, "Nonviolent Action in the Middle East."

This event is also in celebration of the publication of the WRL 2008 Peace Calendar, Salaam, Shalom, Solh: Nonviolence and Resistance in the Middle East and Beyond (edited by Jim Haber; introduction by Kathy Kelly)

with

Kathy Kelly of Voices for Creative Nonviolence, author of Other Lands Have Dreams: From Baghdad to Pekin Prison

Hiba Dawood, Iraqi journalist, winner of 2007 Courage in Journalism Award from International Women's Media Foundation

plus Can Baskent on Turkish conscientious objectors and resistance,
and with poetry by David Smith-Ferri, author of Battlefield without Borders

Thurs., October 25 at 7 pm

Judson Memorial Church
55 Washington Square South, NYC

Free Admission (Donations Requested)

For more information, visit here or email dellinger@att.net, or call 718-768-7306. And spread the world!