Bono Wants Us to Make Poverty History

Forget Knighthood! I say Sainthood is in order!

U2's Bono Awarded Knighthood

U2's Bono was awarded knighthood for all his humanitarian works. Bono's son, thinking his Dad was about to become a Jedi knight, was a bit disappointed, but Bono hopes his new title will only open more doors which will help his humanitarian efforts. Bono, we will honor your Irish roots and not call you "Sir!"



read more | digg story

George Clooney's Video Diary from Sudan- Part 1

Ask your Senators to Support the Sudan Divestment Authorization Act!

The Sudan Divestment Authorization Act, introduced on March 8, provides federal protection for states that divest from foreign companies funding the genocide in Darfur, Sudan. Ask your senators to co-sponsor the Sudan Divestment Authorization Act -- call 1-800-GENOCIDE today!



read more | digg story

New UN aid chief issues warning on Sudan

According to the new UN humanitarian official, the deteriorating situation in Sudan could force aid workers to pull out. "The suffering there is unbearable," German Chancellor Angela Merkel said Sunday.



read more | digg story

Blair calls for tough UN action on Sudan

Britain and Germany demand tougher action against Sudan, since the situation there is deteriorating and the economic sanctions have been ineffective. Sudan has denied UN peacekeepers and one of the junior ministers is being tried in the International Criminal Court in The Hague for being connected with the atrocities in Darfur.



read more | digg story

Katie Couric on The Colbert Report

You gotta love Stephen Colbert for trying to help Katie Couric out with her ratings! He had her on his show as a guest Thursday night and she got a chance to show some personality. All right, Katie, you're the first woman to solo anchor a news show. I'll tune in and give you some support, but make it worth my while. Make the news meaty. Bring up serious, important issues. Ask probing questions. Be that great reporter you always wanted to be. Don't cook with Martha Stewart or focus on make up and diets like Fox does. I watch Stephen to be entertained! I'll watch you to be informed, but tune in to see if I stick with you...."Here....Kitty, kitty, kitty."

Since you can't get the Colbert Report on Youtube anymore, here's Katie on David Letterman a few months ago.

Forty Years Ago This Month...

Anti-war protests in NYC in March, 1967.

United for Peace and Justice Peace March - NYC, March 18, 2007

A view of the crowd at the Peace Rally in New York City on March 18, 2007. "What do we want? PEACE!"


More of the crowd. More chants. "What's Congress for?"


St. Patrick's for Peace! This is better than the St. Patrick's Day Parade!


"The Power of the People don't stop!"

Peace March = Family Affair

My brother and his girlfriend were visiting NYC this weekend for St. Patrick's Day. When trying to coordinate plans, I mentioned, "I was thinking of going into the city for the peace march."

"When's that?" my brother replied, "Maybe we'll join you. I believe in that."

And so, my tentative outing became a family affair. My mom, not wanting to miss out on the visit and the fun, also decided to join us. In truth, most of the march, we talked about things other than politics. We talked about what we did on Saint Patrick's Day; what it was like driving to New York in the snow on Friday. We joked about how hungover we were or weren't. We talked about our new niece's first birthday and how she can now crawl.

Occassionally, we'd join in the crowd's chants: "What do we want? Peace! When do we want it? Now!" Sometimes my brother would joke, "What do we want? Aspirin! When do we want it? Now!"

It's not that we didn't take the issue seriously. We cared. That's why we were there. But at that moment, it was being together, enjoying family, sharing a laugh, that was more important. Moments like that can be too easily taken for granted. All it takes is a shout for peace, a picture of a U.S. soldier, or the news of another dead Iraqi civilian, to remind us how, vulnerable these moments can be. So in honor of those lost, we cherish these moments, and work in our own small way to make them possible for all.

Former CIA officer Valerie Plame testified before the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee on Friday, March 16, 2007.

This segment features Dennis Kucinich asking Valerie Plame about links to the White House and other issues

Plame believes she was outed as retaliation against her husband, former Ambassador Joseph Wilson, who criticized the Bush administration's prewar intelligence on Iraq. (Source: Youtube.com).

Code Pink Protester Slips into Valerie Plame Hearings

A protester named MIDGE POTTS from Code Pink got inside the Valerie Plame Wilson hearings, appearing directly over Plame's right shoulder, wearing an IMPEACH BUSH NOW T-shirt. The protester was there for the nearly the entire hearing while Waxman presided.

Make Poverty a Priority in 2008 Presidential Campaign

Click here to sign the One Campaign's petition to make fighting poverty a priority in the 2008 Presidential Campaign.

Speak Out on Global Warming!

Click here to tell the Democrats what you want done about global warming.

Grammy nominee for best male pop vocal performance, John Mayer, explains in his song "Waiting for the World to Change," why his generation doesn't take more action on the injustices that they see.

Senator Schumer Asks for Gonzales's Resignation

Kudos to Senator Schumer for calling a spade a spade and saying that Gonzales is more loyal to President Bush than to the U.S. Constitution. Schumer said that its time for Gonzales to resign.

read more digg story

Bush in Bogota: It's been emotional

The Sydney Morning Herald reports that over 2,000 protesters went to the streets in Bogota to send President Bush a message, "Go Home."



read more | digg story

Tacoma Peace Activists Stage Blockade of Stryker Vehicles Headed for Iraq

Democracy Now reports that peace activists in Tacoma, Washington have launched a campaign to prevent the military from shipping 300 Stryker armored vehicles to Iraq. Continued protests and civil disobedience are expected throughout the weekend.



read more | digg story

Bush: Additional troops will serve support roles

President Bush said Sunday that at least 4,400 additional troops he is sending to Iraq - more than he had originally stated in January would be deployed - will serve in support roles only.



read more | digg story

Halliburton to Move its HQ to Dubai

Halliburton will moves its headquarters from Houston to Dubai. It will still leave an office in Houston.



read more digg story



Scene from Iraq for Sale: Former Halliburton employee explains how Halliburton's negligence resulted in troops bathing in contaminated water.

Question: If Haliburton moves its Headquarters to Dubai will it still be subject to U.S. law?

Upcoming Anti-War Protests

NYC Protests 3/18 - Click here for details.

Protests in Maine

Protesting at the Pentagon in DC

Other Protest Locations

Women's Health and Rights - A Business Investment

Recently, around the world, the framework of corporate responsibility has expanded to include not only a company's employees, but also surrounding communities.Investing in women's health and rights is a key mechanism for promotion of corporate accountability, as well as one of the best investments that businesses can make.



read more | digg story

Making Women's Health an International Priority

This story details the many ways that Women's Health is at risk around the world and what we can do about it.



read more | digg story

Walter Reed: What you can do about it

Paul Reichoff of the Iraq Afghanistan Veterans' Association writes about what you can do to help veterans get the support they need.



read more | digg story

War and Business: Patriotism of the Profit-Makers

Click here for an interesting analysis of the economic motivations for entering World War I by John Kenneth Turner, a muckraking journalist, in his 1922 book Shall it Be Again? Really makes you question the motives of war. Worth a read if you have the time. Will really make you think.

Former Halliburton executive tied to poor treatment of injured vets

A private military contractor headed by a former senior Halliburton executive is providing poor and decrepit hospital conditions for injured war veterans at the Walter Reed Army Medical Center, a congressional committee has found.



read more | digg story

Outsourcing at Walter Reed -- the Halliburton Connection

Could it possibly be that the biggest problem in the War in Iraq is also the biggest problem with the Walter Reed scandal? OK, there are lots of problems with the War in Iraq, but one big one has been about outsourcing. Halliurton, Kellog Brown and Root, and many other companies have been accused of shoddy work in Iraq -- now at Walter Reed.



read more | digg story

The Hole - video powered by Metacafe


Judy Woodruff reports on veterans not getting proper care for brain injuries.

(Video) US soldier revealed mistreatment & utter disrespect @ Walter Reed

A number of soldiers that were victims of the mistreatment and disrespect at Walter Reed testified before the House Committee on Government Reform. Staff Srg John Shannon, who was wounded in battle, describes how he was talked down to by the staff & Walter Reed.



read more | digg story

Pentagon Tries To Silence Walter Reed Patients

In response to the Walter Reed scandal, the Army has given strict guidlines to patients about their communications. The most significant is that they are not allowed to talk to reporters.In addition, patients at Walter Reed are now subject to daily inspections, which Army Times describes as unusual after basic training.



read more | digg story

Officials say outsourcing partly to blame for Walter Reed failures

Several lawmakers questioned whether it had been a mistake to outsource base operations support through a competition conducted under the Office of Management and Budget's Circular A-76 rules. The Walter Reed competition began in January 2000 and went through numerous protests and appeals. The contractor selected to perform the work, Cape Canaveral



read more | digg story

Interview with Max Cleland on the state of Veteran's Health Care

Max Cleland, former Viet Nam War Vet who received care in the Walter Reed Veterans' Hospital after he lost his legs in Viet Nam speaks out about the state of Veterans' Care in this interview with Newsweek.



read more | digg story

Panel: Army Hospital Woes Go Beyond Walter Reed

The problems at the Walter Reed Army Hospital may just be an example of what's typical in the system. Our soldiers deserve better!



read more | digg story

Father and Son Turn Back on VA Hospital

After his son's terrible experience at a VA hospital, a father fights to get his son out and vows never to use a VA hospital again.



read more | digg story

Is Bureaucracy to Blame for Walter Reed Shame?

Congressional hearings begin today about the treatment of soldiers at Walter Reed Army Medical Center. Philip Carter, former Army officer and military affairs writer, blames the scandal on the bureaucratic culture of the United States Armed Forces. NPR broadcasts story.



read more | digg story

VA Head Acknowledges Mistakes at Hospital

NPR radio broadcasts summary of mistakes at veterans hospital.



read more | digg story

Minnesota Goes Green, Really Green

Minnesota takes steps toward becoming the U.S.'s most environmentally progressive place, after New York and Maine.



read more | digg story

A Welcome Recasting on Renewable Energy

Increasing political will to take action against global warming has resulting in new laws in Minnesota to reduce emissions and to invest in alternative energy sources such as wind, solar, and hydro-power. Maine and New York are also congratulated for their high standards.



read more | digg story

Worries over global warming to boost use of renewables

Governments around the world are trying to invest in alternative sources of energy.



read more | digg story

35 Point Action Plan Revealed to Congress to Reach 25x’25 Energy Goals

An Action Plan was presented to Congressional leaders on Capitol Hill this morning, containing 35 specific recommendations that would cost just five percent of what America spent on imported oil in 2006 and would result in a dramatic increase in new jobs and economic activity, along with significant reductions in oil consumption.



read more | digg story

An Inconvenient Truth - A Global Warming Cartoon

I Need to Wake Up! by Melissa Ethridge

Make a Call to Help Fight Global Warming

From USPIRG Legislative Director, Anna Aurilio

As you no doubt know by now, "An Inconvenient Truth," Al Gore's documentary about global warming, won two Academy Awards on Sunday, a fitting tribute for a film that has single-handedly shifted the national debate by educating millions of Americans about the science and dangers of global warming.But as the former vice president said in accepting the award, "We need to solve the climate crisis. We have everything we need to get started, with the possible exception of the will to act. That's a renewable resource--let's renew it."

You can get started by calling your representative in Congress and urging him or her to cosponsor the Safe Climate Act, legislation that would set the science-based pollution limits needed to prevent the worst effects of global warming. (Below is a list of representatives who have already cosponsored the bill.

If your representative is listed, be sure to call and thank them for their leadership.)If you don't know who your representative is, that's OK. Just call the Congressional switchboard at 202-224-3121, tell the operator where you live, and they will connect you.

Here's a sample message you can leave: "Hello, my name is ____ and I live in _____. I'm calling to urge Rep. _____ to cosponsor the Safe Climate Act, legislation that will prevent the worst effects of global warming by implementing solutions like renewable energy and energy efficiency."

Then, please report your call so we can keep track of how many are being made.

To report your call, please click here .

Background

Global warming is starting to change weather patterns. Scientists predict that these changes will accelerate in the future and say that we can expect:

* Extreme weather. Scientists expect hurricanes to become more intense and say that the hurricanes that hit the Gulf states in 2005 may be an indication of what's to come.

* Public health risks. Scientists also expect heat waves to become more dangerous, causing more people to suffer heat stress and stroke. Other impacts include the spread of infectious diseases.

* Less snow, less water. Many of the rivers and streams that we rely on for our water supply are fed by mountain snow. But warmer winters are starting to cause less precipitation to fall as snow, which may cause serious future water shortages.

Most global warming pollution comes from burning oil, coal, and natural gas in our power plants, cars, SUVs, and factories. Power plants are the single biggest source, responsible for about 40% of U.S. global warming pollution. Because there are no federal limits on global warming pollution, industry can pump unlimited amounts of the pollution into our skies.

The good news is we can reduce global warming pollution by using existing technology to make power plants and factories more efficient, make cars go farther on a gallon of gasoline, and shift to cleaner technologies, such as hybrids, biofuels, and wind and solar power.

These are win-win solutions because they also will reduce our dependence on oil, reduce air pollution, protect pristine places from oil drilling and mining, and bring many other benefits.Rep. Henry Waxman has introduced the first-ever science-based bill to stop the worst effects of global warming. The bill requires nation-wide reductions of global warming pollution of 15% by 2020 and 80% by 2050, the level of reductions the best science says are needed.

Current cosponsors of the bill are:

Raul Grijalva (AZ)
Howard Berman (CA)
Susan Davis (CA)
Jane Harman (CA)
Mike Honda (CA)
Tom Lantos (CA)
Barbara Lee (CA)
Doris O. Matsui (CA)
Adam Schiff (CA)
Brad Sherman (CA)
Pete Stark (CA)
Ellen Tauscher (CA)
Maxine Waters (CA)
Diane Watson (CA)
Lynn Woolsey (CA)
Christopher Shays (CT)
Robert Wexler (FL)
Neil Abercrombie (HI)
Luis V. Gutierrez (IL)
Jan Schakowsky (IL)
Ben Chandler (KY)
John Yarmuth (KY)
William Jefferson (LA)
Stephen F. Lynch (MA)
Ed Markey (MA)
Jim McGovern (MA)
Martin Meehan (MA)
John Olver (MA)
Tom Allen (ME)
Michael Michaud (ME)
Elijah Cummings (MD)
Chris Van Hollen (MD)
Keith Ellison (MN)
Betty McCollum (MN)
Russ Carnahan (MO)
William Lacy Clay (MO)
Emanuel Cleaver (MO)
Paul Hodes (NH)
Carol Shea-Porter (NH)
Frank Pallone (NJ)
Donald M. Payne (NJ)
Steve Rothman (NJ)
Albio Sires (NJ)
Maurice Hinchey (NY)
Carolyn B. Maloney (NY)
Mike McNulty (NY)
Jerrold Nadler (NY)
Anthony Weiner (NY)
Allyson Schwartz (PA)
Joseph Sestak (PA)
Earl Blumenauer (OR)
Steve Cohen (TN)
Lloyd Doggett (TX)
Jim Moran (VA)
Peter Welch (VT)
Jay Inslee (WA)
Adam Smith (WA)
Tammy Baldwin (WI)

You can help add more cosponsors by calling your representative in Congress and urging him or her to cosponsor the Safe Climate Act, legislation that would set the science-based pollution limits needed to prevent the worst effects of global warming.


http://www.USPIRG.org

Project Green: This eco-friendly house

In honor of An Inconvenient Truth winning the Oscar, I'd like to submit this story on how one newly married couple worked to make their home more environmentally friendly.



read more | digg story

How the U.S. is failing its War Veterans

The United States government is abandoning its Iraq War and Afghanistan War veterans when they come home after service.



read more | digg story

Iraq War Protests Greet Cheney's Australia Trip

Dick Cheney is greeted with protests during his visit to Australia. Thanks, Aussies!!!!!!



read more digg story

Genetically Altered Salmon

This morning I heard on CBS radio something about a company trying to get FDA approval to sell genetically altered salmon. I haven't been able to find any more updated information on the story, although I was able to find this article from The Union of Concerned Scientists which expresses concern about genetically altered fish. The idea of genetically altered food is very scary to me. If you want to read more about it read Harvest of Hope by Jane Goodall, which you can order via amazon.com on a link below. A documentary that is also really informative about the food industry is The Future of Food. It is important to remember that before the progressive era meat packing companies were mixing string and other crap into meat to reduced costs and increase profits. It is really important for the FDA to do its job and protect the public by making sure our food is safe. Unfortunately, government regulators under the Bush Administration seem to favor industry over the public and profits seem to win out over our safety, which is why we as the public need to continue to lobby, write, and call our government officials to advocate for safer food. To write against genetically altered fish, check out this link.



read more digg story

Maybe We Deserve to Be Ripped Off By Bush's Billionaires

Rolling Stone Columnist Matt Taibbi compares the winners and losers of Bush's budget: If the Estate Tax were to be repealed completely, the estimated savings to just one family -- the Walton family...would be about $32.7 billion dollars over the next 10 years. The proposed reductions to Medicaid over the same time frame? $28 Billion.



read more | digg story

Is Your Lipstick Safe?

A new California law promises women the truth about personal-care products

by Anuja Mendiratta
Ms. Magazine

That lipstick or nail polish you may be wearing—are they a danger to your health? How about your deodorant, toothpaste, body lotion, soap?
Seemingly innocuous personal-care products contain a host of largely unregulated chemicals and toxic ingredients. Some of those chemicals— phthalates, formaldehyde, petroleum, parabens, benzene and lead—have been variously linked to breast cancer, endometriosis, reproductive disorders, birth defects and developmental disabilities in children. Read more in Ms. On-line...

Tell OPI to Make Safe Nail Polish!

Tell OPI That One Is Not Enough! OPI Products, Inc. is the largest manufacturer of nail polish and nail treatment products in the world. In response to pressure from the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics in August 2006, OPI agreed to remove dibutyl phthalate (DBP), a known reproductive toxin from its nail products. However, several OPI products still contain toluene and formaldehyde—chemicals linked to cancer, nervous system disorders and liver and kidney damage.

Tell OPI to get serious about protecting women’s health and remove all harmful chemicals from its nail products! »

From: The Campaign for Safe Cosmetics

Looking at the Bottle and What's in It

New York Times
February 15, 2007

By Natasha Singer

Concerns about chemicals in cosmetics have prompted some consumer groups and researchers to conduct their own lab tests on beauty products.

Last month, Consumer Reports ShopSmart magazine published a report about eight consumer fragrances the company had tested for the presence of phthalates, a group of chemicals used as plasticizers in many consumer products. A few of these chemicals have been found to have a hormonal effect on lab animals; one chemical, DEHP, is banned from cosmetics in European Union nations. Read more...

Should You Trust Your Makeup?

New York Times
February 15, 2007

By Natasha Singer

For decades, companies that make everything from after-shave to lip gloss have conducted safety testing on grooming products and shipped the cosmetics to stores to be sold to consumers, all with very little government involvement. And over the years, there have been few health or safety problems associated with the myriad grooming products and cosmetics on the market.

Nonetheless, momentum has been building for greater oversight of the chemicals in everyday products, with the European Union and California taking the lead in imposing new rules for monitoring what is in the perfumes, creams, nail polish and hair sprays that are sold.
The California Safe Cosmetics Act, which took effect on Jan. 1, requires cosmetics companies to tell state health authorities if a product contains any chemical on several government lists covering possible cancer-causing agents or substances that may harm the reproductive system.
Read more...

Are Our Cosmetics Giving Us Cancer?

From MSNBC.MSN.COM:

An environmental oncologist argues that myriad tiny amounts of cancer-causing agents in our environment—and even in our shampoo—can make us sick...

Our chances of getting cancer reflect the full gamut of carcinogens we're exposed to each day—in air, water and food pollution and in cancerous ingredients or contaminants in household cleaners, clothing, furniture and the dozens of personal-care products many of us use daily.

Of the many cancer risks we face, shampoos and bubble baths should not be among them. The risks of para-dioxane in American baby soaps, for instance, could be completely eliminated through simple manufacturing changes—as they are in Europe. To remove such carcinogens, however, would require intervention by the federal government, but the federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act allows the industry to police itself. Europe has banned the use of para-dioxane in all personal-care products and recently initiated a recall of any contaminated products.

There’s a problem with the way the United States and other countries look at toxicity in commercial agents. Regulators nowadays often won’t take action until enough people have already complained of harm. This makes little sense. Scientists can seldom discern how the myriad substances, both good and bad, that we encounter in our lives precisely affect our health. We need to be smarter about using experimental evidence to predict and therefore prevent harm from happening.

A few decades ago, people accepted the fact that cigarette smoking was harmful, even though no scientist could explain precisely how this happened in any particular cancer patient. If we had insisted in having perfect proof of how smoking damaged the lungs before acting to discourage this unhealthy practice, we would still be questioning what to do.

By the same token, we now have to get used to the idea that scientists are unlikely to be able to say with certainty that a trace chemical in shampoo accounts for a specific disease in a given child. But if we're to reduce our cancer risk, we need to lower our exposures to those agents that can be avoided and find safer substitutes for those that can’t. Read more.

dixie chicks not ready to make nice

Thank God for artists who are willing to speak out for what they believe!

Congratulations to the Dixie Chix for their well earned and well deserved grammy!

Jane Fonda's speech at D.C. Peace rally - January 27, 2007

Jane thanks crowd and tells them that silence is no longer an option.

What a Beautiful Day for a Peaceful Revolution…

By Audra Volpi

A few years back, my vision for the future changed, as did my registered party of choice. I began to realize the importance of a nation of unity instead of a nation of discrimination. “One Nation under God, Indivisible, With Liberty and Justice for all”. Words that have been challenged in this country as of late by a President and his party who has a difficult time listening to its people. A party who stands for “justice” constantly disappoints us with mindless rhetoric.

January 27, 2007 was a day in history. Outdoors in the streets of Washington DC with my family and my peers, our day started out as a nice trip on the Blue Line Metro to find it full of demonstrators. Children being wheeled around in strollers displaying signs with anti-war messages. Teenagers holding signs ready to protest. Hippies, young and old ready to tell the world what they believe in. People coming from all walks of life to this one time, this one day and this one fight to regain our country. We exited at the Smithsonian stop walking up to the Mall. This was my first time at a demonstration such as this. I was not prepared to see the amount of people that waited before me, covering the Mall area with the Capital building in the background. Crowds of people, from what the conservative media said were only around 20,000 to what seems more like a few hundred thousand in person. Walking through these crowds towards the large speakers and a stage to where music was playing, speakers were talking of the plans for the day and how we need to get some semblance of sanity back in this country.

People everywhere displaying signs showing their individuality. "I have a Dream" was displayed on one person's backpack with a picture of Bush and Cheney behind bars. "I Don't Pay Taxes to Kill Civilians" was another. And then there was one that I thought was pretty powerful. "To our Soldiers, Thank you for your Blood, Sweat, Tears & Service – But It Is Time to Come Home. We Will Work to Bring You Home” You see, just because you are against the war, doesn’t mean you’re not patriotic and especially doesn’t mean that you don’t support our troops. I don’t believe our country is on the right track. I believe it is time to bring the men and women of this country home. I will support them while they are there, even though I don’t believe in the reason they are there. A similar feeling was displayed all over that Mall.

The feeling of patriotism was rampant. People who loved this country we live in. Proud to call ourselves Americans, even though we have fallen on hard and distrustful times. There was a semblance of hope. This administration is almost out and it was that hope of a new era to bring us out of the Dark ages that brought these few hundred thousand people to Washington DC this day. People came from all over the country. I was listening to this one woman who was on a bus for two days from California to come to this demonstration. It was a small sacrifice for her to make her voice heard. I saw children with their parents holding American Flags – waving them in the air. People holding signs from different towns in North Carolina, Colorado, New York, Florida, DC, New Jersey and so many other states representing the American Voice. Do I think it was heard by our president? No. Unfortunately, I don’t. I don’t think he’s capable of being as human as those that voted for him wished he would be.

Knowing that we are not being heard did not stop the few hundred thousand people this day from trying to be heard. As children, we try to persuade our parents to change their mind about making us go to bed early or not making us eat our vegetables. Where in our lifetime does it change, where as adults some just stand by and let the world pass them by without making their voice heard? Why do some just give up and not speak up. As Martin Luther King, Jr. once said, “There Comes a Time When Silence is Betrayal”. How true this statement is at this time of this country’s history.

Leaving the demonstration and back on the Metro, I had a conversation with a gentleman standing next to me. He was amazed that I was able to stand still on this train that was stopping and starting so suddenly and wondered what my skill was and how he could get it. “Years riding a New York Subway” I responded and we chuckled. We discussed the march and my family’s role in it. I asked about him and his role and he proceeded to tell me an interesting story. Here was a man who was a US Marshall for a number of years leaving the demonstration. He had the day off and wanted to go. Not for work, but just to go. I found that fascinating. It takes all people from all walks of life to make this country what it is – and what it isn’t. But here was someone who I would have never thought would make his way to that demonstration for any other purpose than to police it. But he was there right along with the rest of us. It made me proud at that very moment to be an American.

For me – this experience was very overwhelming. Everywhere I looked I saw thousands of people. It was powerful to think that in this march, there were people who lost loved ones in this war. People who had their children, siblings or partners shipped overseas not knowing on a daily basis if they were going to get a knock at the door from a man or woman in uniform to deliver the news of their loss. I can‘t even imagine as a parent getting that knock. I have hope, though. Hope that even though this country has reached the bottom, it will be not long before we start climbing out to reach where we ought to be. The Light of day is coming closer. If I give in and don’t believe that – I will be like the countless Americans who have given up and accepted things for what they are, and not what they could or even should be. Don’t let that American be you. Stand up and be the voice of freedom that helps bring out troops home where they belong.

Where are the Democrats?

Alan.J.Singer@hofstra.edu writes:

I did go to Washington. Spirit was strong. Speakers were disappointing.
No leading Democrats. Their focus was on opposition to escalation, not
on withdrawal. The marchers overwhelmingly demanded withdrawal from
Iraq. Estimates of crowd size varied widely. I don't think it was more
than 30,000. Only the first quad on the mall was full and the parking
lots were definitely not crowded. This was the start, not the finish, of
the campaign.

Join MoveOn's Virtual March

On Thursday, February 1st, 2007, MoveOn.org is aiming to send 1 million messages to Congress. They'll deliver petition signatures from hundreds of thousands of Americans all over the nation who are opposed to escalation in Iraq. Then, they'll call our senators all day to let them know that the Senate has to oppose the president's plan to escalate the war and that we're counting on them to block it.

Source: Moveon.org

I want to join the virtual march against the war.

Get your message out!

Adapted from United for Peace and Justice:

Now is also the time to get our message into the media!

This work is making a difference: We heard from a woman who planned to come to Saturday's mobilization in Washington because she saw a letter to the editor another individual in her community had written to her local paper.

Here's what you can do:

1) Send a letter to the editor today and explain why you disagree with the President's war in Iraq and why you support the protest this past weekend. If you couldn't make it to Washington, state why Saturday's march speaks for you.

Help Pass Resolution Against Escalation

From Matt Holland
Online Director
TrueMajorityACTION

Americans in every state are speaking out against the President's plan to escalate the war. And last Saturday, tens of thousands of us marched on Washington to make that perfectly clear (more about that tomorrow). Right now, we've got a unique opportunity to build state-by-state support to get Congress to really block escalation in Iraq.

A resolution against escalation is being introduced in New York. Tell your state legislators to make sure it passes.

http://www.truemajorityaction.org/resolution.php?state=NY

The resolution in New York will send a powerful message to Congress to block escalation in Iraq.

Tell your state legislators that you are against escalating Iraq and urge them to support this resolution.

This is not just happening in New York. Along with our friends at the Progressive States Network, the Women Legislators' Lobby, and other allies, we are asking state legislators across the country to introduce and pass resolutions opposing the escalation in Iraq. These resolutions will send a powerful message to Congress that America is overwhelmingly opposed to this policy.

United For Peace & Justice March on Washington

Susan Sarandon speaks out about more than 50,000 soldiers wounded and the fact that they are not getting the care that they deserve. (On the McLaughlin Group this week, the estimate of wounded was 70,000).

United for Peace and Justice Anti-War March

Unfortunately, demands at home and work kept me from going to the march, but here is some footage that I was able to get off of youtube. Luckily, we have our own special reporter "Urban Princess" who did attend with her family. I am very thankful to her for going and speaking out in our name. She will be reporting in later in the week. For those, like me, who couldn't make it. Call the Capitol Switchboard today to speak out against the escalation. (202-224-3121). All you have to do is give them the name of your Senators or Congresspeople and leave a message. Moveon.org is also organizing a "virtual march," so check out their website for more details.

What would Martin Luther King say, today?

After his success in the civil rights movement, Dr. King advocated for peace during the Viet Nam War. His words are hauntingly reflective of our situation today in Iraq.

3,000 Too Many

How many more???????????

United For Peace and Justice--Jan. 27--You're Invited

I will be taking time to go to Washington D.C. to protest Bush's escalation plan.
Care to join me?

Over 3,000 soldiers dead!

Honor them by reading their names.








Min.
53,372

Max.
58,978

See updated figures.







Estimated cost of rebuilding New Orleans $80 - 100 billion, equal to the cost of one year in Iraq.


Overwhelmed with work these days and don't have time to write more, but don't even think I need to. These numbers speak for themselves.

I will be taking the time, though, to go to Washington D.C. on January 27th to protest Bush's escalation plan. Care to join me? If so, check out details at

http://www.unitedforpeace.org/



If you, too, oppose President Bush's escalation plan, please write Congress and let them know.

Bette Midler Named "Suburban Princess of the Month"

Based on overwhelming reader response, I have decided to name Bette Midler "Suburban Princess of the Month." Readers overwhelmingly felt that Bette Midler's self-confidence, individual style, and positive public service made her a strong role model for women and men alike. Particularly impressive was Bette's work creating the New York Restoration Project, where she used her status to fulfill her dream of a more beautiful New York and to restore and revitalize parks in New York's underpriviledged areas. This is exactly what "Suburban Princesses" are all about - using their talents and resources to promote the public good. One reader also pointed out that Bette was one of the early entertainers to start speaking out about the issue of AIDS, so considering that December first was AIDS Awareness Day, I thought it was appropriate to choose Bette Midler as our very first "Suburban Princess of the Month."

Most readers also felt that Bette's song "From a Distance" was intended to be a positive message encouraging peace and inspiring us to live up to the ideals that a God who "is watching" would want from us.

Congratulations, Bette, for being our first "Suburban Princess of the Month!"

Readers, if you need a worthwhile charity to donate to this holiday season, New York Restoration Project may be one to consider!

Bette Midler - From A Distance

This is the original song, not the new revised Christmas version, but the words are basically the same.

Bette Midler's "From a Distance"-- What does it mean?

The other day I saw Bette Midler interviewed on CBS Morning News about her new Christmas album. Why would a funky, brazen, wonderful Jewish woman like Bette Midler put out a Christmas album? Well, she said, with 500 other Christmas albums out there, she thought her fans might like one, too. Now, isn’t that a display of a positive attitude if there ever was one. Watching and listening to Bette on CBS was an inspiration. Here is a woman bold enough to be herself, no apologies. She even likes dirty jokes and admitted it on national television!

The first time Bette was recognized for her singing was at a school contest singing “Silent Night.” She was a little nervous to tell her mother that she won the contest, though, because “Silent Night” was not in her family’s “repertoire of songs.” She did tell her mother, however, and what was her mom’s reaction? Pure pride! I was so impressed by the interview that I succumbed to commercialism and bought the CD within twenty- four hours. It is an enjoyable repertoire of Christmas songs with a special flair of Bette’s individualism. A spunky Jewish woman recording a Christmas CD reflects what is best about America – our freedom of religion and appreciation for one another’s cultures.

I was touched by the revised Christmas version of “From a Distance.” When I heard the words,
“From a distance you look like my friend
Even though we are at war
From a distance I can't comprehend
What all this war is for”

I interpreted it to be a message about our common humanity, a message for hope and peace. Now that I think more about it, though, I am wondering about that interpretation. Is the song also suggesting that if you get a little closer, it will be clear that you are not my friend and war makes sense? According to wikipedia, “Somewhat ironically, much of the song's popularity coincided with the first Persian Gulf War. It received a "Minute Man Award" from the United States Army for inspiring the troops and a "Seven Seals Award" from the Department of Defense.” So now, I’m wondering, is it “ironic” that it’s being released again during another war in the Persian Gulf? Is Bette being nostalgic? Capitalizing on an opportunity? Trying to support the troops? Participating in the propaganda machine? Or simply just being herself?

Rethinking Black Friday

On the biggest shopping day of the year, my husband and I bought only two bagels and two coffees. It was a trip down to the local bagel shop and back. They know us there. We’re regulars. And that was it. No traffic, no stress, just a nice chewy bagel baked perfectly and smothered with gooey cream cheese. Let me tell you. It felt great to be home, to be together, the idea of shopping, the furthest thing from our minds. We are very lucky to have everything we need. And the things we want, no one can buy us – good health, world peace, and more time with each other, our family and friends. Time – the most important gift of all -- and yet we spend so much of our time working to pay for all the stuff we accumulate: stuff we don’t need that begins to clutter up our home and add stress to our lives as we try to find better ways to organize it all.

A few years ago my sister decided to simplify her life and told us all to stop buying her stuff. She introduced a game at Christmas called “Recycled Santa.” At first, we couldn’t understand why she or anyone would want used things for Christmas, but little by little over the years, her decision has helped us think about the things we buy, who made them, and the effect each purchase has on the planet. It took some real impulse control to stop going crazy at all the holiday sales and “Recycled Santa” took a little getting used to, but now our holidays are more focused on being together and listening to each other’s hearts.

Of course, there is always something wonderful about giving that perfect gift to the person you love, and there is nothing wrong with buying someone a gift, but it is also important not to feel pressured by the media advertising to spend needlessly. It takes the average American three months to pay off their credit card debt after the holidays. We are not helping our families by taking on debt. Our spending habits can promote a better world, support injustice, or contribute to global warming, so it is important to think about where our money goes. Nothing can make a bigger statement than how we spend or don’t spend our money!

Some considerations for this holiday season….

1. Really listen to what our loved ones want and need. When someone’s heart has been heard, the price of the gift is irrelevant.
2. Buy local if possible. Buying local keeps the money in the community, helps local retailers in business, and reduces fuel use.
3. Buy products that support your values. If it’s important to you that workers get healthcare or have the right to organize, you may not want to shop at Wal-mart.
4. Consider donating to a charity as a gift.
5. Museums, PBS, and NPR have great gift shops and purchases help support those institutions.

Sometimes we want to shop our values, but it can be challenging! Below are some links that might make it easier.

Shopunionmade.org will help you find products made by union workers.
Powells.com is a great independent bookstore that employees union workers. A great alternative to amazon.com
Justice Clothing sells clothing made by union workers in U.S.A. and Canada.
The Certified Jean Company sells jeans made with organic cotton and by workers who earn a living wage.
Through Oxfam, you can buy a family in the developing world an animal that will help them be self-sufficient.
Dean's Beans sells fair trade coffee and you can design your own blend with your own label for the holidays.
Baby clothes made with organic cotton and adorned with inspirational sayings can be found at littlelefties.com.
Christmas Wreaths and Maine Crafts can be purchased at homecoop.net to help lower income people in Maine.
Hams, cheeses, organic foods, and Appalachian handicrafts can be purchased at supermarketcoop.com to support the rural community.
Coopamerica.org provides a list of green businesses.
Care2.com has a list of well known retailers that will donate to environmental causes if you purchase from them through this site.
Fair trade imported goods such as handicrafts, jewelry, linens, toys, musical instruments can be found at Tenthousandvillages.com and agreatergift.org and Greatergift.org also has wonderful gift baskets.
Divine chocolate is fair trade, delicious and makes a nice hostess gift.
Organicbouquet.com sells beautiful organic flowers and gift baskets.
Equal Exchange sells fair trade coffee, tea, and chocolate.
Shoppbs.org sells great dvds and videos and the purchases support public broadcasting.
National Public Radio’s online-shop also sells interesting music, CDs, and other gifts. These purchases also support their programming.
The on-line store for the Metropolitan Museum of Art sells jewelry, scarfs, books, and more. Expensive, but beautiful.
Buying for Equality Guide helps you support businesses that support equal rights for gay people.

Wishing you a wonderful holiday season! Enjoy the preparations!

Black Friday Shopping Experience

Howard Dean on the Daily Show

Howard Dean says, "Boo Yah!"

Why I'm Not Celebrating Democratic Victory

Because I remember October 11, 2002, I am not celebrating. It was early evening and I was driving home from work. My car shuffled ahead slowly in heavy traffic; I put the radio on. It seemed like each time I put my foot on the brake, another Democrat was voting to support House Joint Resolution 114, the joint resolution to use the U.S. armed forces against Iraq. It was a confusing and aggravating drive home. Senator after Senator would list reservations about the war, but then vote “Yea.” I remember it well. It was the day I lost faith in the Democratic Party. So, excuse me, if this Democratic victory doesn’t have me shouting, “Boo ya!” A Democratic victory doesn’t bring back the 2,842 dead American soldiers or the 150,000 dead Iraqi civilians. A Democratic majority in Congress doesn’t give one of the 21,000 wounded soldiers a new limb. I just hope it gives the party some spine.

Here is the list of Democratic Senators who voted to support Resolution 114. Notice the names. Many of them are still leaders in the party: Bayh, Biden, Clinton, Edwards, Feinstein, Kerry, Schumer. And, of course, don’t forget, the former Democrat Lieberman.

Baucus (D-MT)
Bayh (D-IN)
Biden (D-DE)
Breaux (D-LA)
Cantwell (D-WA)
Carnahan (D-MO)
Carper (D-DE)
Cleland (D-GA)
Clinton (D-NY)
Daschle (D-SD)
Dodd (D-CT))
Dorgan (D-ND
Edwards (D-NC)
Feinstein (D-CA)
Harkin (D-IA)
Hollings (D-SC)
Johnson (D-SD)
Kerry (D-MA)
Kohl (D-WI)
Landrieu (D-LA)
Lieberman (D-CT)
Lincoln (D-AR)
Miller (D-GA)
Nelson (D-FL)
Nelson (D-NE)
Reid (D-NV)
Rockefeller (D-WV)
Schumer (D-NY))
Torricelli (D-NJ)

According to NPR’s morning edition on October 11, 2002, New York Democrat Hillary Clinton said she was voting for the resolution even though it did not place enough emphasis on diplomacy and weapons inspections.

In her own words,

“A vote for it is not a vote to rush to war. It is a vote that puts awesome responsibility in the hands of our president and we say to him, `Use these powers wisely and as a last resort.”

Senator Biden argued that the President hadn’t made a strong enough case for war, yet he still voted for the resolution.

According to NPR’s broadcast, Biden said,

“He (Bush) has not yet made the case to the American people that the United States may have to solve this problem alone or with relatively few people or has he told us of the sacrifices that such a course of action will involve.”

Biden said the president assured him that if it came to using military force against Iraq, he would tell Americans what they‘d be in for (NPR).

Would voting against the resolution have been political suicide for the Dems, given the context of the recent September 11th tragedy and a presidential election looming in 2004? Without a majority in either house, would “Nay” votes have been futile? Apparently, 23 Senators and 133 members of the House didn’t think so and had the courage to vote, “Nay!” One of the most outspoken of these was West Virginia's Senator Robert Byrd who called the Senate vote one horrible mistake.

According to NPR, Byrd stated,

“This is my 50th year in Congress and I never would have thought that I'd find a Senate which would lack the backbone to stand up against the stampede, this rush to war, this rush to give to the president of the United States, to let him determine alone when he will send the sons and daughters of the American people into war.”

Byrd was rebuffed in two attempts to amend the resolution and set limits on its duration (NPR).

These courageous “Nay” sayers were joined by hundreds and thousands of citizens in the U.S. and around the world who spoke out by peacefully protesting the war in demonstrations.

CNN reported:

LONDON, England (CNN) -- Millions took to the streets of Europe to protest against a war with Iraq in huge demonstrations later repeated in the United States.

In London on Saturday, police said the turnout was 750,000, the largest demonstration ever in the British capital. The organizers put the figure at 2 million. Half a million protested in Germany, and 300,000 in 60 towns and cities across France.

CNN's Alessio Vinci said that the turnout in Rome, Italy -- where Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi has publicly backed the stance of U.S. President George W. Bush -- was also said by the organizers to be 1 million. It was certainly in the high hundreds of thousands, he said, with many marchers trapped in traffic on the city outskirts.

The scenes were repeated in the United States, with crowds of anti-war demonstrators jamming into downtown New York and other cities.

While I do have hope for the first time since 2002 that perhaps our country will truly live out the values it professes in the Constitution and head in a new direction, I’m not celebrating just yet. As far as I’m concerned, this Democratic Congress has a lot to prove.


Here is a list of the members of the House and Senate who had the courage to vote against the use of the U.S. military in Iraq. I wish them a long career in U.S. government. Notice that Nancy Pelosi, the new Speaker of the House, is on the list (Perhaps, just perhaps, that is cause for celebration)!

Alabama Rep Earl Hilliard
Arizona Rep Ed Pastor
Arkansas Rep Vic Snyder

California Sen Barbara Boxer- Rep Joe Baca- Rep Xavier Becerra- Rep Lois Capps- Rep Gary Condit- Rep Susan Davis- Rep Anna Eshoo- Rep Sam Farr- Rep Bob Filner- Rep Mike Honda- Rep Barbara Lee- Rep Zoe Lofgren- the late Rep Robert Matsui- Rep Juanita Millender-McDonald- Rep George Miller- Rep Grace Napolitano- Rep Nancy Pelosi- Rep Lucille Roybal-Allard- Rep Loretta Sanchez- Rep Hilda Solis- Rep Pete Stark- Rep Mike Thompson- Rep Maxine Waters- Rep Diane Watson- Rep Lynn Woolsey

Colorado Rep Diana DeGette- Rep Mark Udall
Connecticut Rep Rosa DeLaura- Rep John Larson- Rep James Maloney
Florida Sen Bob Graham- Rep Corinne Brown- Rep Alice Hastings- Rep Carrie Meek
Georgia Rep John Lewis- Rep Cynthia McKinney
Hawaii Sen Daniel Akaka- Sen Daniel Inouye- Rep Neil Abercrombie

Illinois Sen Dick Durbin- Rep Jerry Costello- Rep Danny Davis- Rep Lane Evans- Rep Luis Gutierrez Rep Jesse Jackson, Jr- Rep Bill Lipinski- Sen Bobby Rush- Rep Jan Schakowsky

Indiana Rep Julia Carson- Rep John Hostettler- Rep Pete Viscloskey
Iowa Rep Jim Leach

Maine Rep Tom Allen- Rep John Baldacci

Maryland Sen Barbara Mikulski- Sen Paul Sarbanes- Rep Benjamin Cardin- Rep Elijah Cummings- Rep Connie Morella

Massachusetts Sen Ted Kennedy- Rep Michael Capuano- Rep Bill Delahunt- Rep Barney Frank- Rep Jim McGovern- Rep Richard Neal- Rep John Olver- Rep John Tierney

Michigan Sen Carl Levin- Sen Debbie Stabenow- Rep David Bonior- Rep John Conyers, Jr- Rep John Dingell- Rep Dale Kildee- Rep Carolyn Cheeks Kilpatrick- Rep Sandy Levin- Rep Lynn Rivers- Rep Burt Stupak

Minnesota Sen Mark Dayton- the late Sen Paul Wellstone- Rep Betty McCollum- Rep Jim Oberstar- Rep Martin Olav Sabo

Mississippi Rep Bennie Thompson
Missouri Rep William Clay, Jr- Rep Karen McCarthy

New Jersey Sen Jon Corzine- Rep Rush Holt- Rep Robert Menendez- Rep Frank Pallone, Jr- Rep Donald Payne

New Mexico Sen Jeff Bingaman- Rep Tom Udall

New York Rep Maurice Hinchey- Rep Amo Houghton- Rep John LaFalce- Rep Gregory Meeks- Rep Jerrold Nadler- Rep Major Owens- Rep Charles Rangel- Rep Jose Serrano- Rep Louise Slaughter- Rep Edolphus Towns- Rep Nydia Velaquez

North Carolina Rep Eva Clayton- Rep David Price- Rep Melvin Watt
North Dakota Sen Kent Conrad

Ohio Rep Sharrod Brown- Rep Stephanie Tubbs Jones- Rep Marcy Kaptur- Rep Dennis Kucinich- Rep Thomas Sawyer- Rep Ted Strickland

Oregon Sen Ron Wyden- Rep Earl Blumenauer- Rep Peter DeFazio- Rep Darlene Hooley- Rep David Wu

Pennsylvania Rep Robert Brady- Rep William Coyne- Rep Mike Doyle- Rep Chaka Fattah
Rhode Island Sen Lincoln Chaffee- Sen Jack Reed- Rep James Langevin
South Carolina Rep Gresham Barrett- Rep James Clyburn
Tennessee Rep John Duncan, Jr

Texas Rep Lloyd Doggett- Rep Charles Gonzalez- Rep Ruben Hinojosa- Rep Sheila Jackson-Lee- Rep Eddie Bernice Johnson- Rep Ron Paul- Rep Silvestre Reyes- Rep Ciro Rodriguez

Vermont Sen Jim Jeffords- Sen Patrick Leahy- Rep Bernie Sanders
Virginia Rep Jim Moran- Rep Bobby Scott
Washington Sen Patty Murray- Rep Jay Inslee- Rep Rick Larsen- Rep Jim McDermott
Washington DC Rep Brian Baird
West Virginia Sen Robert Byrd- Rep Alan Mollohan- Rep Nick Rahall
Wisconsin Sen Russ Feingold- Rep Tammy Baldwin- Rep Jerry Kleczka- Rep David Obey

Ding Dong!

Yes, the Democrats are celebrating victory (watch and enjoy), but with this victory comes responsibility and they better live up to it.

Katrina ad

Another powerful video that hit home for me in light of my summer experience in New Orleans.

Be Heard: Vote Now - Nov. 7, 2006

This was a pretty powerful video I saw on You tube that reminded me of why it's so important to vote on Tuesday.

Celebrate Election Day: VOTE!

It’s been a while since I’ve written. Overwhelmed with the demands of a new job, I haven’t had time to be too politically active, to blog, or even to cook for that matter. For the last two months, I’ve been surviving on coffee and take out. (The guy who made “Supersize Me” is onto something. My health is slipping, but I’ve managed to fight off two colds.) Nevertheless, I’m taking a brief respite from my basement of books to celebrate what I hope will one day be a national holiday – ELECTION DAY!!!!!!

Tuesday is the big day!!!!! Sometimes voter participation slips in a non-presidential election, but I hope the fight over control in Congress will get people to the polls. So this is just a friendly reminder (not that you need it – it just gives me something to say), that Tuesday is election day, so get out there and vote your conscience, and if you can bring your children and make it a big deal for them, you are doing your part to create an active citizen and to preserve our democracy. Studies show that young people who vote at 18 are more likely to continue to vote throughout their lives. People who do not vote at the age of 18 are less like to ever vote. Taking young children to the polls can help make voting fun and show them the importance of voting when they are 18.

I heard that HBO is showing this month an insightful documentary on electronic voting machines called “Hacking Democracy.” Try to catch it if you can. Click here to read more about it.
If, like me, you have been too busy to read up on the candidates, (especially the more local ones), don’t despair, there are some on-line sources that try to make it easier to find out more about the candidates. Here are some that I have found.

Vote411
Vote-smart.org
League of Women Voters

The Eleanor Roosevelt Legacy Committee is trying to encourage women to participate more in the political process through voting and running for office.

If you feel strongly about a particular candidate, but don’t really have time to get involved, just tell everyone you know to go out and vote and tell them why you are choosing to vote for that particular candidate. Studies show that personal contact is the number one influencing factor, when people consider for whom to cast their ballot.

Of course, if you do have time, it is not too late to help. The last few days before an election are a critical time to convince the undecided voter and to get people to the polls. Leaflet dropping or phone banking can be very effective. Some organizations like MoveOn.Org have on-line systems that even allow you to phone bank from your own home. Click here if you are interested in participating.


If you have no idea who to vote for (which I know is unlikely since you are an intelligent person and up on current events) or don’t really care all that much, you can do me a favor and vote for a Democratic Congressional candidate, so that we can restore the vital checks and balances to our national government.

I value education, the environment, healthcare and fair working conditions for all, so I tend to vote for candidates endorsed by teachers’ unions, other unions, and environmental organizations like the Sierra Club. I have listed the endorsements below. Good luck making your very important voting decision and remember to encourage everyone you know to get out there and vote!

New York State United Teachers/United Federation of Teachers Endorsements

GOVERNOR
Eliot Spitzer
LT. GOVERNOR
David Paterson
U.S. SENATE
Hillary Rodham Clinton
ATTORNEY GENERAL
Andrew Cuomo
U.S. CONGRESS
CD 03: Dave Mejias
CD 05: Gary L. Ackerman
CD 06: Gregory Meeks
CD 07: Joseph Crowley
CD 08: Jerrold Nadler
CD 09: Anthony Weiner
CD 10: Edolphus Towns
CD 11: Carl Andrews
CD 12: Nydia Velazquez
CD 13: Steve Harrison
CD 14: Carolyn Maloney
CD 15: Charles Rangel
CD 16: Jose E. Serrano
CD 17: Eliot L. Engel
CD 18: Nita M. Lowey

STATE SENATE
SD 10: Ada L. Smith
SD 11: Frank Padavan
SD 12: George Onorato
SD 13: John Sabini
SD 14: Malcolm A. Smith
SD 15: No Endorsement
SD 16: Toby Ann Stavisky
SD 17: Martin Malave Dilan
SD 18: Velmanette Montgomery
SD 19: John L. Sampson
SD 20: Eric Adams
SD 21: Kevin S. Parker
SD 22: No Endorsement
SD 23: Diane J. Savino
SD 24: No Endorsement
SD 25: Martin Connor
SD 26: Elizabeth Krueger
SD 27: Carl Kruger
SD 28: Jose Serrano
SD 29: Tom K. Duane
SD 30: Bill Perkins
SD 31: Eric T. Schneiderman
SD 32: Ruben Diaz
SD 33: Efrain Gonzalez, Jr.
SD 34: Jeffrey D. Klein
SD 35: Nicholas A. Spano
SD 36: Ruth Hassell-Thompson

STATE ASSEMBLY
AD 22: Ellen Young
AD 23: Audrey Pheffer
AD 24: Mark Weprin
AD 25: Rory Lancman
AD 26: Ann Margaret Carrozza
AD 27: Nettie Mayersohn
AD 28: Andrew Hevesi
AD 29: William Scarborough
AD 30: Margaret Markey
AD 31: Michele Titus
AD 32: Vivian Cook
AD 33: Barbara Clark
AD 34: Ivan Lafayette
AD 35: Jeffrion Aubry
AD 36: Michael Gianaris
AD 37: Catherine Nolan
AD 38: Anthony Seminerio
AD 39: Jose Peralta
AD 40: Diane Gordon
AD 41: Helene Weinstein
AD 42: Rhoda Jacobs
AD 43: Karim Camara
AD 44: James Brennan
AD 45: Steven Cymbrowitz
AD 46: Alec Brook-Krasny
AD 47: William ColtonAD
48: Dov Hikind
AD 49: Peter Abbate, Jr.
AD 50: Joseph Lentol
AD 51: Felix Ortiz
AD 52: Joan Millman
AD 53: No Endorsement
AD 54: Darryl Towns
AD 55: William Boyland, Jr.
AD 56: Annette Robinson
AD 57: Hakeem Jeffries
* AD 58: N. Nick Perry
AD 59: Alan Maisel
AD 60: Janele Hyer-Spencer
AD 61: John Lavelle
AD 62: Vincent Ignizio
AD 63: Michael Cusick
AD 64: Sheldon Silver
AD 65: Alexander B. “Pete” Grannis
AD 66: Deborah Glick
AD 67: Linda Rosenthal
AD 68: Adam Clayton Powell
AD 69: Daniel O’Donnell
AD 70: Keith Wright
AD 71: Herman D. Farrell, Jr.
AD 72: Adriano Espaillat
AD 73: Jonathan Bing
AD 74: Sylvia Friedman
AD 75: Richard Gottfried
AD 76: Peter Rivera
AD 77: Aurelia Greene
AD 78: Jose Rivera
AD 79: Michael Benjamin
AD 80: Naomi Rivera
AD 81: Jeffrey Dinowitz
AD 82: Michael Benedetto
AD 83: Carl E. Heastie
AD 84: Carmen Arroyo
AD 85: Rubin Diaz, Jr.
AD 86: Luis M. Diaz
*NYSUT ENDORSEMENT

Communications Workers Endorsements
Key District 1 Races
Senate Races
New Jersey
Bob Menendez
Rhode Island
Sheldon Whitehouse

Congressional Races
New York

Candidates

David Mejias 3rd District (Long Island)
John Hall 18th (mid-Hudson)
Kirsten Gillibrand 20th (Capitol Region)
Mike Arcuri 24th (Utica Area)
Dan Maffei 25th (Syracuse)
Jack Davis 26th (Western NY)
Eric Massa 29th (Southern Tier)

Connecticut

Joe Courtney 2nd (eastern CT)
Diane Farrell 4th(southwestern CT)
Chris Murphy 5th(central/western CT)

New Hampshire

Paul Hodes 2nd (western NH)

New Jersey

Linda Stender 7th (north-central NJ)


Sierra Club Endorsements

Congressional Voting Records

Hurricane Katrina: The Drive: New Orleans Lower 9th Ward

Ironically, today is New Orleans's birthday. If you have fifteen minutes to pay tribute to the residents of the Lower Ninth Ward, watch this moving video. Let's help New Orleans Rebuild!

Stories from New Orleans and Spike Lee's "When the Levees Broke: A Requiem in Four Acts"

I think when we look back on this many years from now, I'm confident that people are gonna see what happened in New Orleans as a defining moment in American history. Whether that's pro or con is yet to be determined. And that's one of the reasons why I wanted to do this film.

-Spike Lee

When my husband and I were ambling through the Satchmo Jazz Festival, we met a a very nice man from East New Orleans. We got talking and we asked him about his experience during Hurricane Katrina. He told us his story. He got his family out, but couldn't afford to get out himself. He was home and the storm was over. The sun was shining and suddenly he heard water outside. He looked out the front window and saw water coming, ran to the back to shut the door, and when he returned to the front of the house, he was standing chest high in water. When he tried to open the front door to get out, he couldn't because of the water pressure. This all happened in less than five minutes. Worried for his dog, he somehow managed to get his dog and a backpack to transport his dog as his house filled with water. Twenty five feet of water inundated his house.

He told us how the water knocked his friend's home off its foundation; the house turned sideways and the water rose thirty feet. This friend had to swim out of his house to a highway overhang where he used the guard rail to pull himself out of the water. He told us that some people couldn't swim. Others got so tired treading water that they gave up. He told us of a family he knew, and a wife who couldn't tread water anymore and told her husband, "Don't try to save me, just keep our child alive."

He told us how rescuers didn't take the information of children they saved to record where they brought them and how they transported family members to different locations, separating them. He said there are still 2,000 missing children. Later, on the news in our hotel room, my husband and I saw a child reunited with his family after almost a year.

The personal ads in the Times-Picayune search for missing persons. He told us how DNA tests don't work after a body has been decayed by water and how hundreds of bodies still lied unidentified in the morgue.

Finally, he said, "Somebody should really come and do a documentary of survivor stories. No one would ever believe what people went through. It's worse than anything you saw on tv." And so, I am thankful to Spike Lee for getting the story out there, for giving the people in New Orleans a chance to tell their story in their own words, so perhaps they can finally get the empathy, compassion, respect, admiration, and support they so deserve.

If you didn't catch Spike Lee's "When the Levees Broke: A Requiem in Four Parts" Monday night, you can still catch the final two parts Tuesday on HBO at 9p.m. EST. The documentary will be reaired in its entirety on August 29th at 9p.m. I highly recommend it. It will change you and the way you view our country.

Personals
""Anyone knowing the whereabouts of ANITA ANN FLEURY or MICHELLE NICOLE FLEURY, please contact Melissa A. Miley, Attorney at Law, 3211 Monterrey Drive, Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70814, (225) 926-9415''. Published in Times-Picayune on 08/18

Anyone knowing the whereabouts of DEMETRIA POINTS GADDIES or ADRIAN GADDIES, please contact: Atty. Lisa Matthews, at Stephenson, Matthews, Chavarri and Lambert, LLC., 2305 World Trade Center, #2 Canal St., NOLA 70130. 504-523-6496. Published in Times-Picayune on 08/20

Anyone knowing the whereabouts of Heidi Lee Molero Flores, please contact Attorney, Elaine Appleberry, (504) 362-7800 or 2245 Manhattan Blvd., Ste. 108, Harvey, Louisiana 70058. Published in Times-Picayune on 08/21

Anyone knowing the whereabouts of John S. Scott, please contact Andrew H. Wiebelt, II, Attorney 504-821-2669 Published in Times-Picayune on 08/18

Anyone knowing the whereabouts of Lisa Lentz. Please contact J. Wagner at 225-667-9268. Published in Times-Picayune on 08/20

Anyone knowing the where abouts of Marilyn Elizabeth Jones or Leonard Parker contact Warren Montgomery, Attorney at Law, 321 N. Vermont, Suite 210, Covington, LA 70433; 985-893-6585 Published in Times-Picayune on 08/20

ANYONE Knowing the whereabouts of Martha Elaine Werner, wife of/and Francis C. Immich, and/or Joanne Genzale, and/or their heirs, if they or any of them are dead, their surviving spouses, if any, and their heirs, if they are also dead, please notify Jeff Bratton, Attorney at Law, P.O. Box 323, Covington, Louisiana 70434. Published in Times-Picayune on 08/17

Anyone knowing the whereabouts of Mary Davis widow of Joseph Daigs, please contact Derrick Shepherd, Atty, 504-349-3535 Published in Times-Picayune on 08/18

Anyone knowing the whereabouts of MELISSA JAMES please contact: Cleveland R. Coon Attorney (225) 615-8001 Published in Times-Picayune on 08/21

Anyone knowing the whereabouts of Melvin Wilson, please contact Atty. Aaron F. Broussard, 3329 Florida Ave. Kenner, LA 70065. 504-469-6699 Published in Times-Picayune on 08/21

Anyone knowing the whereabouts of Mickey Malone, please contact Vivian V. Neumann, 730 Jefferson Street, Lafayette, Louisiana 70501 at (337) 237-1113. Published in Times-Picayune on 08/16

Anyone knowing the whereabouts of Mr. Ripoll Robert and Mrs. Mary Cost Robert and any heirs, please contact Kim Glass, Atty. (504) 883-8334 Published in Times-Picayune on 08/18

Anyone knowing the whereabouts of Peggy Thomas or anyone associated with PT-MS, Inc. please contact Candice L. Jenkins, Attorney at Law, 422 East Lockwood, Suite 102, Covington, Louisiana 70433 (985) 246-3998. Published in Times-Picayune on 08/20

Anyone knowing the whereabouts of RICHARD WARREN COOPER, please contact: William J. Scheffler, III, Atty-At-Law. 620 Adee Lane, Gretna, LA 70056. 504-433-8770. Published in Times-Picayune on 08/17

Anyone knowing the whereabouts of ROOSEVELT HARRIS, III, please contact: Atty. Bryan K. Jefferson, 228 St. Charles Ave., Suite 1110, NOLA 70130. 504-586-9395. Published in Times-Picayune on 08/21

Anyone knowing the whereabouts of the Heirs of JOSEPH LEE MILLER, please contact: William J. Scheffler, III, Atty-At-Law. 620 Adee Lane, Gretna, LA 70056. 504-433-8770. Published in Times-Picayune on 08/17

Anyone knowing the whereabouts of Thomas C. Dufrene, Jr. and Judy Robichaux Dufrene should contact Joel Levy, 7577 Westbank Expressway, Marrero, LA. 70072; (504) 340-2993. Published in Times-Picayune on 08/19

Anyone knowing the whereabouts of Tywana J. Wilson and/or Roger Burkette, please contact Andrew H. Wiebelt, II, Attorney 504-821-2669 Published in Times-Picayune on 08/18

Reflecting on New Orleans

I arrived in New Orleans on July 31st. The airport glistened, people smiled. Things seemed more in order than I had imagined. As I drove away from the airport, I saw a picture postcard. Bright sun and palmetto trees guided my path. “Beautiful,” I thought. Cruising route I-10 to Slidell, I slowly noticed the abandoned buildings, on and on, mile after mile: apartment complexes without people, windows without glass, strip malls without working businesses, parking lots without cars. Driving fast, you could mistake this for normalcy, but on closer inspection it was clear, Hurricane Katrina transformed these places into shells. It went on like this sporadically for over thirty miles. The Habitat volunteers on my site agreed, we had no idea how widespread the devastation was. It’s a year after Hurricane Katrina and so little had been done.

Slidell, to the contrary, was in better condition than I expected. Slidell is a suburb about thirty miles outside of New Orleans. Apparently only the southern part of Slidell by Lake Pontchartrain was hit hard. Where we stayed reminded me of Sunrise Highway on Long Island – a busy road lined with strip malls, gas stations, and chain restaurants. There was a Shonee’s, a Cracker Barrel, The Outback, and, of course the fast food hamburger joints. Not too many local restaurants, though. We were looking for some of that Cajun, Creole cooking and finally found Copeland’s of Louisiana, which was a Louisiana chain like TGI Fridays. It had good catfish and was the closest we could get to authentic Louisiana cuisine. They had just opened a month ago after being closed most of the year to renovate after Hurricane Katrina.

The convenient stores at the gas stations in Slidell sold a proportionally high amount of liquor and cigarettes. I couldn’t find yogurt or cheese or some of the usual things I buy in my 7-11 in New York. I searched three convenient stores before I finally found anything remotely nutritious for breakfast the next day. The gas station convenient stores showcased beer, wine, and all sorts of hard liquor. My friend said, “Wow, they’re really trying to push the liquor on these people. Sometimes I think they do that to keep people down.” We see a sign: “Drive thru – daiquiris.”

Slidell’s population has increased from about 35,000 last year to over 100,000 today at least according to our Habitat for Humanity hosts. I can’t imagine how the schools are coping with such a sudden increase in population. The East Tammany Habitat for Humanity’s goal is to build 100 houses by June 2007. Prior to Hurricane Katrina, they averaged two to three houses a year.

We, the Habitat volunteers, were housed in a Church facility together with Americorps volunteers. Americorps managed the Habitat projects together with a few permanent Habitat employees. It struck me as strange that government employees were being housed by a church. To me it raised some church-state issues even though I do support Habitat for Humanity’s valiant effort to build new homes for people in New Orleans and surrounding areas. “Americorps” is like a peace corps for the United States. Young 18-24 year olds get assigned community service projects throughout the country where there is high need. This group thought that they would be traveling the mid-west, but after Katrina hit they were all sent to the Gulf Coast. The group of Americorps kids was impressive -- mature, responsible. They knew their jobs and did them well. Two young women in their twenties were in charge of teaching 25 or so volunteers with little experience how to build frames for concrete foundations. They taught us a whole new vocabulary, as well as, new skills. Our frames needed to be “flush” and “plumb.” They taught us how to use a level, how to sledge a stake, how to hammer in “kickers.” They demonstrated great management techniques, motivating everybody, making sure everyone was included, correcting mistakes in a kindly manner, and encouraging good work. They were detail oriented and expected the job done right. If it wasn’t, it had to be done over. Another “Americorp” kid sawed all the wood for us. (I was grateful because the suburban princess does not use power tools ...yet!). These young people work five to six days a week, eight hours a day in the hot Louisiana sun. In addition to their work week, they are expected to do a certain number of volunteer hours. When we, Habitat volunteers, were celebrating the completion of our work week, we learned that our Americorp manager would have to spend her Saturday picking up garbage. For all this, each member of the Americorp brigade gets paid $150 a week. They get housed in the church dorm and get lunch daily. For breakfast and dinner, they are on their own. One kid wanted to leave the Gulf, “I can’t do anything fun here,” he said, “I go into New Orleans once and that’s half my paycheck.” I told them they need a union bad. Everyone laughed, but I was serious. One day I asked my Americorp manager, “Are you guys pretty much in charge of rebuilding New Orleans or are other government agencies doing stuff, too?” “I don’t know,” she said,”I only know what Americorp is doing. I think FEMA might be doing some building, but I’m not sure.”

Working together to align frame.

Starting on our third house.

We also hammered together the boards for the frame.

This corner took all morning to do.

This is what the frame looks like when complete.

Happy future home owners worked hard with us.

The trouble with working with an all volunteer staff is that they are often inexperienced and as soon as they learn the job they have to leave. Also, sometimes there are mistakes as one group takes over where the previous group left off. We had to redo two of our wall frames because of these types of errors. The Habitat people told us that it generally takes about fifteen weeks to build a house from beginning to end if you have enough volunteers. Not bad, at all, I thought, knowing that it took almost that for my husband and I to get our house painted. One fellow who lived in Atlanta and volunteered with the Atlanta Habitat for Humanity said that the Atlanta group has more money than volunteers so they sub-contract out a lot of the work. The East Tammany Habitat has volunteers, but no money. Fifteen weeks with volunteers and you have a house. Imagine how much faster it would be with professionals – with the Army Corps of Engineers or with work programs like the ones FDR created to get us out of The Depression. It’s been a year since Hurricane Katrina. Why has so little been done?

The French Quarter, because it is above sea level, is fine. It is beautiful and I was surprised, jaded traveler that I am, how much I feel in love with it. Spanish and French architecture, iron trim balconies, and gas lanterns decorate narrow streets. I became smothered by the sounds of zydeco, jazz, blues, rock and raptured by the Cajun and Creole spices. It is an aura unmatched anywhere in the United States.

My husband and I were lucky to catch the annual Satchmo Jazz Festival with live bands scattered throughout the French market area. The crowds were small, but intimate, bonded by their love of the New Orleans culture. Even in the rain, people stayed to dance and sing.






The festival resisted what many perceive to be an attack on or threat to the New Orleans culture. The anger at our government is evident. Signs hang from balconies, “Thanks to global volunteers. No thanks to federal government.” T-shirts in souvenir stands express anger at FEMA’s response: “FEMA: Fix Everything My Ass” is just one example. Signs for condos hang on almost every street throughout the French Quarter and some worry that high priced condos could lock locals out of their own housing market.








Yet, there is also of hope and determination that the culture of New Orleans will survive. “New Orleans Renaissance” banners flutter from lampposts throughout the Quarter. Other t-shirts emblazon inspirational sayings, “Rebuild New Orleans” and “Hope.” Restaurants and businesses with “Open” signs in their windows take on new meaning in New Orleans. Other signs announce, “We’re coming back!” The people in New Orleans are survivors and each in his or her own individual way is fighting for the survival of the home and culture that each knows and loves. A female singer at the jazz festival sings Aretha Franklin, “Think! Think about what you’re trying to do to me.” The drummer sings Marvin Gaye, “What’s going on? What’s been going on?” A jazz parade honoring Louie Armstrong plays, “Stand by Me.” One of the musicians in the parade, a member of the Dumaine “Street Gang,” tells me, “This is natural New Orleans. Katrina can’t stop nothin.’ ” These heroes need our support. They need more than smattering of good hearted volunteers.

Please watch the videos. They are amateurish, but will touch your heart.


What's going on?

Think about what you're trying to do to me.

Community sings "Stand by Me."

Stand by Me with awesome dancing.

Katrina can't stop nothin'