civic responsibilities // Current

senator barbara boxers statement yesterday about the new fisa bill

and in her words we can and MUST do better

Hey There --

We can cut global warming and save money on gas -- if the federal government tells Detroit to make gas-saving cars sooner. We have until July 1 to tell them we don't want to wait until 2020 when we have the technology today:

http://action.sierraclub.org/nhtsa

Thanks! Hey There -- ... more

somefamilylove

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2 months ago

major general smedley d butler speaks from the grave on iraq!

i was given this book while attending a bluegrass music gathering in northern california by the veterans for peace. it was amazing! it restored much of my faith in our great country at a time in my life when i felt despondent and betrayed by my government. his convictions and honor helped me to reconsile the turmoil i felt within. i.e. my patriotism and love of nation vs. my sense of betrayal by a government ran wild. between this gentleman and good ol' thomas jefferson you can see patriotism and love of nation can be responsible and humane.
please anyone reading this take the time to read this short online book. it wont take long.
and it just may be interesting reading for you! i was given this book while attending a bluegrass music gathering in northern california by the veterans for peace. it was amazing! it... more

somefamilylove

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1 month ago

telecom immunity not "off the table"

two emails i received of great importance to our nation.

Here we go again.

Rep. Steny Hoyer is leading a "compromise" on the FISA reauthorization bill that would ultimately let the Bush administration and their friends at AT&T and Verizon off the hook for illegally spying on innocent Americans.

Last night, this so-called compromise was voted out of committee and as early as this morning the bill may be brought to the House floor for a full vote.

Speaker Pelosi can still stop this bill.

As Speaker of the House, Nancy Pelosi can pull the bill from the floor and refuse to call a vote.

Call Speaker Pelosi right now and demand she stand up to President Bush and stop telecom immunity.

Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi
(202) 225-0100

Suggested Script:
"I'm calling to tell Speaker Pelosi I am depending on her to pull any bill from the floor that will ultimately grant immunity to telecommunications companies who illegally spied on Americans. Can I count on Speaker Pelosi to stand up to President Bush?"

PLEASE REPORT YOUR CALL BY CLICKING HERE

Speaker Pelosi has stood up to the President's fear mongering on illegal spying before, she can do it again. But she needs to hear from you to know where you stand.

Here is what Senator Russ Fiengold said about this bill last night:

"The proposed FISA deal is not a compromise; it is a capitulation. The House and Senate should not be taking up this bill, which effectively guarantees immunity for telecom companies alleged to have participated in the President's illegal program, and which fails to protect the privacy of law-abiding Americans at home."

Senator Leahy also made his position clear:

"I will oppose this new FISA bill when the Senate votes on it next week. We must do everything we can to protect Americans from the Bush-Cheney Administration's erosion of our civil liberties and callous disregard for the rule of law -- and this new FISA bill fails that test."

You and I remember that the Senate has passed retroactive immunity before. But working together, we can make sure that the Senate never has a chance to pass this bill by stopping it in the House today. Call Speaker Pelosi right now.

Thank you for taking action.

-Charles

Charles Chamberlain, Political Director
Democracy for America
FRIDAY: House Vote on Warrantless Wiretapping two emails i received of great importance to our nation. Here we go again. ... more

somefamilylove

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2 months ago

on impeachment.

here is a letter i wrote to one of my representatives when she responded to my signature for impeachment with wrong time platitudes in a well written form letter.
dear senator Feinstein,
i also appreciate your time in corresponding with me. but there are a few points i would respectively like to make.
1.the united state constitution article 1 section 3 provides among other things an outline for the steps our nation takes in impeachment proceedings.notice this is at the beginning of this document? i feel that is indicative of it's importance in government. if the people feel that they cannot trust their leaders integrity and honor, they should have recourse in a representative democracy. to me this seems self evident. the fact that you feel this would further divide the country shows me the exact wrong attitude. if on one hand you can admit to the current administrations wrong doings but on the other hand say, " At this time, however, I believe that impeachment proceedings against President Bush will only divide the country even further, frustrating our hopes for a meaningful change in direction, while having little chance of success." shows me a conflict of interests. sometime as a parent i am put into situations where it would be easier to ignore my child's action for the sake of not rocking the boat and dealing with the strife correction would entail. but as a parent it is my responsibility. you swore to uphold the constitution just as mr.bush did. he has done alot of damage to this document that protects my children's future. you are their defender just as i am. shame on you for choosing the easy path. you and most of our representatives are trying to be reasonable in some very scary, trying times. and i understand (as much as an average American dad can) in many ways it is very scary to even admit to oneself the extent of mr.bush's crimes. but being reasonable about violating human rights and dealing dishonestly (blatantly at that) with the American people is unforgivable. don't fool yourself, legal precedence is being set to suspend constitutional rights at a whim, start wars for private profit at the expense of national security and honor, and to re-write the rules at will. i shouldn't have to tell you how bad it is, i mean how many of your constitutionally appointed duties and rights as a senator have been unscrupulously abridged by mr.bush's heavy handed politics?
2. us constitution article 2 section 1 states;
before he enters on the execution of his office, he shall take the following oath or affirmation:- "i do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States." do you honestly feel that our leader has lived up to this mandatory oath?
3. us constitution article 2 section 4 states ;
the president,vice president,and all civil officers of the united states,shall be removed from office on impeachment for, and conviction of, treason,bribery,or other high crimes and misdemeanors. history will show just as the present times have, that mr. bush has committed more than enough crimes to qualify for impeachment thrice over. treason? how about an illegal war. that we, the American people where tricked into supporting, with lies that came out of his mouth directly? bribery well i don't know if appointments or lack thereof could be construed as bribery but..i feel they should be. notice that this says "shall be removed from office"? in their minds (our founding fathers) there should be no question. if the president is guilty of breaking trust with the people he should face impeachment hearings.
4.us constitution article 6 says that you shall be bound by oath to protect my children's rights. i trust that you take this responsibility seriously. here is a letter i wrote to one of my representatives when she responded to my signature for impeachment with wrong time platitudes in... more