DJetteAporetics (![[info]](http://l-stat.livejournal.com/img/userinfo.gif){kind=small} djetteaporetics) wrote,@ 2005-06-16 16:40:00 |
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Today - June 16, 2005:
Something Positive Is Goin' Down
A note from me, Djette:
I'm not sure why i decided to do a blog. Maybe it was to begin creating a record of all the stories, issues, events, struggles and vicotries that come trhough my various inboxes and across my computer screen throughout the week. Not all are covered on the show - but i try. I hope, however, that as i enter the Blogosphere i can contribute the growing democratically spawned media sphere that has grown, i feel, as a result of the despressing irresponsibility of the corporate media.
****************************************
And now: The 14 SYMPTOMS OF FASCISM
****************************************
House Votes to Limit Patriot Act Rules
WASHINGTON – In a slap at President Bush, lawmakers voted Wednesday to block the Justice Department and the FBI from using the Patriot Act to peek at library records and bookstore sales slips. The House voted 238-187 despite a veto threat from Bush to block the part of the anti-terrorism law that allows the government to investigate the reading habits of terror suspects.The vote reversed a narrow loss last year by lawmakers concerned about the potential invasion of privacy of innocent library users. They narrowed the proposal this year to permit the government to continue to seek out records of Internet use at libraries.
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16,000 University of California Clerical Workers Go On Strike
In California, some 16,000 clerical workers at the University of California are in the midst of a three-day strike to demand higher pay. The strike is affecting the university's 10 campuses, five medical centers as well as the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory.
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State Democrats in Wisconsin Call For Impeachment of Bush
And in Wisconsin, the state's Democratic party has passed a resolution calling for the impeachment of President Bush as well as Vice President Dick Cheney and Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld. The resolution called on Congress to initiate impeachment proceedings against the three officials accusing them of misleading the country in the lead up to the war in Iraq. Last year the Democratic party in Nevada passed a similar resolution. The national Green Party as well as former presidential candidate Ralph Nader have also called for Bush's impeachment.
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Conviction Overturned for Death Row Inmate Thomas Miller-El
The Supreme Court has overturned the conviction of a death row inmate in Texas because prosecutors in Dallas County wrongfully kept African-Americans off the jury for his trial. When Thomas Miller-El was convicted of murder in 1986 only one member of the jury was African-American. During jury selection state prosecutors excluded 10 out of 11 eligible African-Americans. Writing for the court Justice David Souter wrote that "when the government's choice of jurors is tainted with racial bias," it jeopardizes "the very integrity of the courts" and "undermines public confidence in adjudication." Up until the 1980s, prosecutors in Dallas County were given a training manual that advised them to remove African-Americans and Jews from death penalty cases on the theory that those groups would be more sympathetic to criminal defendants. As part of its ruling, the Supreme Court court on Monday ordered a new trial for Miller-El.
****************************************
Urban Environmental Accords signed
Mayors from around the world signed the first Urban Environmental Accords Sunday to commit to improve public transportation, drastically reduce the volume of trash going into landfills, and expand access to clean drinking water. “Among the most pressing issues was a recommendation to increase the use of renewable energy to meet 10 percent of a city’s peak electric load within seven years,” Justin M. Norton reports. The signing follows the UN-sponsored World Environment Day in San Francisco, a summit that focused on green cities as the key to long-term survival in a highly urbanized human ecosystem.
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Senate Apologizes For Not Enacting Anti-Lynching Legislation
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Richest Nations Agree to Cancel Debt to World's Poorest
The world's richest nations have agreed to cancel debt owed by 18 of the world's poorest countries including many in sub-Saharan Africa. The announcement comes after years of protests by activist groups including the Jubilee Debt Campaign calling on the United States and other nations to cancel the tens of billions of debt that have economically crippled nations in Africa and Latin America. Mozambique's Prime Minister Luisa Diogo said "This is an important decision that means we can have more money saved from debt servicing being directed to education, health, infrastructure and social sectors." While the Jubilee debt campaign praised the move as a needed first step, it said there are more than 40 other nations that need total debt cancellation.
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A House panel has voted to eliminate all public funding for NPR and PBS
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From...
SAN DIEGO - IMPERIAL COUNTIES
LABOR COUNCIL WEBSITE
In a shocking report this Sunday, the Los Angeles Times revealed that Governor Schwarzenegger’s top advisors announced a strategy to create a "phenomenon of anger" against union members. On a private phone line for corporate donors the Governor’s staff outlined a plan to persuade voters that public-worker unions – including firefighters, teachers and nurses – are the cause of our State’s problems.
The Governor will try to put his strategy into action in a November Special Election that he plans to call in the next few days.
Even worse, the Governor’s allies are pushing another anti-union initiative like Pete Wilson’s “Paycheck Deception” measure, which unions defeated in 1998. It is designed to silence the voices of working people and destroy unions’ ability to defend our members.
This special election would cost $80 million dollars – and our tax money will pay for it! If you don’t support the Governor’s Special Election please speak up now. CLICK HERE to send a message opposing the Special Election or to learn more about it.
****************************************
Special Election?!?! What does it Mean?
We're deeply alarmed by Governor Schwarzenegger's special election, and the impact it could have on our schools, on workers' rights, and on a woman's right to choose. The ballot measures scheduled for the special election would reduce funding for public schools, delay permanent employment status for teachers by three years, hamper the ability of unions to speak out during elections, and impose a parental notification requirement on girls seeking abortions.
Arnold is spending at least $45 million taxpayer dollars on an election specifically designed to circumvent the California legislature, an election that imperils our children's education and their civil rights, promotes the interests of big business over ordinary workers, and seeks a firmer foothold for the religious right in California. But we can make it go the other way!
Schwarzenegger is counting on low turnout from progressive voters to shove through a pro-business, anti-child, anti-choice agenda. With your help, we can turn the special election into a bold statement that Californians will never surrender to the politics of greed and religious fanaticism. Now through June 30, when you spend $10 (plus shipping & handling) on a ten-pack of Never Surrender bracelets, we'll put the whole ten bucks towards efforts to defeat the initiatives on the ballot for the November 8 special election.
****************************************
8 MORE YEARS?!?!?!
from - Craig B. Hulet
http://sandiego.indymedia.org/en/2005/0
I have spoken often that this President has no belief that the rule of law applies to him and his administration. Like intelligence data was used to “fix” the political objectives in Iraq to fit the already decided act of war, almost a full year before we went into Iraq, Bush and his Republican leadership in both Houses of Congress will fix the law of the land to fit their personal imperial power grab and despicable desires. Now comes the real war of corporate empire for America while American’s blissfully slumber, exhausted like children from a grueling electoral year and the Democratic Party’s choice turned out to be no choice at all: Kerry.
George Bush Senior and Barbara Bush, on Larry King live, stated their desire to see Jeb Bush run for the Presidency and their hope to see Hillary Clinton run on the Democratic ticket in the next presidential election; which would (of course) guarantee a Republican victory. Do recall Hitler was elected by 43 percent of the vote.
But this beast won’t rest until all power flows to the White House into the Bush Cabal’s hands. Earlier this year on February 17th, 2005 Mr. Hoyer, Berman, Sensbrenner, Sabo, and Mr. Pallone (Democrats and Republicans again showing bipartisan support for the “things that matter”) introduced the following resolution, which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, a Joint Resolution proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States to repeal the 22nd amendment to the Constitution, stating....
“Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled (two-thirds of each House concurring therein), That the following article is proposed as an amendment to the Constitution of the United States, which shall be valid to all intents and purposes as part of the Constitution when ratified by the legislatures of three-fourths of the several States within seven years after the date of its submission for ratification: Article `The twenty-second article of amendment to the Constitution of the United States is repealed.'”
Corporatism as ideology sees everything as possible, to corporate empire, the Constitution is merely a device whereby laws are manipulated like corporate governance in a boardroom full of deceit to fit their chosen ends. Bush, as our fourth president who represents nothing so much as this ideology of power and greed, has no intention of resting until all power resides in his and in his corporate minions’ hands.
--Craig B Hulet Quinault Rain Forest June 2005
________________________________________
109th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. J. RES. 24
Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States to repeal the 22nd amendment to the Constitution.
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
February 17, 2005
Mr. HOYER (for himself, Mr. BERMAN, Mr. SENSENBRENNER, Mr. SABO, and Mr. PALLONE) introduced the following joint resolution ; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary
JOINT RESOLUTION
Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States to repeal the 22nd amendment to the Constitution.
Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled (two-thirds of each House concurring therein), That the following article is proposed as an amendment to the Constitution of the United States, which shall be valid to all intents and purposes as part of the Constitution when ratified by the legislatures of three-fourths of the several States within seven years after the date of its submission for ratification:
`Article --
`The twenty-second article of amendment to the Constitution of the United States is repealed.'
________________________________________
Twenty-Second Amendment
Amendment Text:
Section 1. No person shall be elected to the office of the President more than twice, and no person who has held the office of President, or acted as President, for more than two years of a term to which some other person was elected President shall be elected to the office of the President more than once. But this Article shall not apply to any person holding the office of President when this Article was proposed by Congress, and shall not prevent any person who may be holding the office of President, or acting as President, during the term within which this Article becomes operative from holding the office of President or acting as President during the remainder of such term.
Section 2. This Article shall be inoperative unless it shall have been ratified as an amendment to the Constitution by the legislatures of three-fourths of the several States within seven years from the date of its submission to the States by the Congress.
________________________________________
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JOIN THE NEW GALLO BOYCOTT: SIGN THE PETITION TODAY!
Through this boycott, people of goodwill can have a say "No
Gallo!"
Please sign the petition informing the Gallos of your decision
to join the boycott. And pass it on to your friends.
For more information, visit:
http://www.unionvoice.org/ct/W7zAHuE1Nc
http://www.unionvoice.org/ct/I7zAHuE1Nc
SIGN THE PETITION TODAY!
Tell-A-Friend
Donate to say "NO" to Gallo and their high price lawyers
Boycott These Gallo Wine Products: To see a list of Gallo Labels
****************************************
The federal government is trying to intimidate future nonviolent protestors
The U.S. federal government is prosecuting four Catholic peace activists from Ithaca, N.Y., after a state court jury refused to convict them last year for their antiwar protest at a local U.S. military recruiting station. The federal charges made against the activists include “conspiracy to impede an officer of the United States,” a crime punishable by up to six years in prison and a fine of $250,000.
“The federal government is clearly trying to make an example of these people and to intimidate future nonviolent protestors by charging these folks with conspiracy,” said Bill Quigley, a law professor at Loyola University, New Orleans, and an advising attorney for the activists.
On March 17, 2003, in protest of the impending U.S. invasion of Iraq, Danny Burns, Peter DeMott, and sisters Clare and Teresa Grady poured small bottles of their own blood on the walls, floor and an American Flag in the foyer of a military recruiting center in Lansing, N.Y.
Charged with criminal mischief, the activists, who have been dubbed the St. Patrick’s Four, spent four days in jail and in April 2004 were tried at the Tompkins County Courthouse. During their weeklong trial, the defendants, all of whom have children, said they carried out their protest as Catholics and parents who wanted to warn members of the military and potential recruits about the illegality and immorality of the war in Iraq.
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Ag industry aims to strip local control of food supplies
Legislation aiming to prevent counties, towns and cities from making local decisions about our food supply is being introduced in states across the nation. Fifteen states recently have introduced legislation removing local control of plants and seeds. Eleven of these states have already passed the provisions into law.
These highly orchestrated industry actions are in response to recent local decisions to safeguard sustainable food systems. To date, initiatives in three California counties have restricted the cultivation of genetically modified crops, livestock, and other organisms and nearly 100 New England towns have passed various resolutions in support of limits on genetically engineered crops.
These laws are industry’s stealth response to a growing effort by people to protect their communities at the local level. Given the impacts of known ecological contamination from genetic modification, local governments absolutely should be given the power to protect the health, safety, and welfare of its citizens. Local restrictions against genetically modified crops have provided a positive and hopeful solution and allowed citizens to take meaningful action in their hometown or county.
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Statement of Joe Hansen, International President,
The United Food and Commercial Workers International Union,
at the "Change to Win" Coalition Meeting
WASHINGTON -- The following is a statement by Joe Hansen, International President of the United Food and Commercial Workers International Union, at the 'Change To Win' Coalition meeting:
Yesterday, the International Executive Board of the United Food and Commercial Workers International Union (UFCW) unanimously endorsed a reform proposal to restructure the AFL- CIO, and to revitalize the labor movement. Today, we join with some of the largest and most dynamic unions in the labor movement in a coalition for change.
These actions reflect the UFCW's commitment to build a 21st century labor movement that can bring hope, and a plan of action for a better life, to a new generation of workers. We recognize that today's realities-a new global economy, unrestrained corporate power, hostile government-present a formidable challenge to our movement. But, we must always remember that from our greatest challenges come our greatest accomplishments.
Labor in the 20th century stood at its lowest point in the 1930s. But, at our lowest point, we also stood on the verge of our greatest growth, our greatest strength and our greatest impact on the economy and society. From the depths of economic depression in 1935, we rose, within 20 years, to our largest percentage of the workforce, and we created the working middle class.
Today's workers face the steady erosion of their power in the workplace, in the economy and in the political process. Rising profits, increasing productivity and a growing economy have not brought rising wages, better benefits, or economic security. There is a power imbalance between workers and the giant corporations that dominate the world economy.
The UFCW and our coalition partners are committed to redressing this imbalance, and to rebuilding worker power.
The current AFL-CIO administration asserts that there is little difference between our reform agenda and their AFL-CIO Officers' Proposal.
There are profound differences in our visions for the future for America's workers. We believe in organizing, not simply for more members, but in organizing to build worker power. The foundation of worker power is in increasing the number of union workers in an industry or occupation. Our proposals specifically direct resources to organizing in a union's core industries. Our proposal provides for a leadership structure that promotes diversity and full participation and gives authority to the affiliates representing the majority of members.
Rebuilding worker power will give workers the hope for a better future. Workers with hope will organize, they will stand up, they will act in solidarity at work, in the community and in the political process. The starting point for our new movement to rebuild worker power is here, and it starts with us. This is the beginning.
We are going forward to bring a platform for change to the AFL-CIO convention. We will engage all other unions in a dialogue for change. Our purpose is not to divide, but to unite unions in a dynamic new movement for today's workers.
The unions you see here are the unions representing the emerging 21st century workforce -- young people, women, minorities, new immigrants and older workers forced to extend their work lives. From hospitality to retail to services, and from health care to transportation to construction, our unions are fighting the battles, confronting the employers and organizing the workers that are the future in America.
Yesterday, the UFCW Board also authorized the executive officers to disaffiliate from the AFL-CIO. This action was not taken lightly. We are committed to a united, reformed labor movement. But, the status quo will not stand. We will not be chained to the past, our obligation is to the future of our members.
As I said, in the 1930s, we were at our lowest point, but also on the verge of our greatest accomplishments. When the CIO left the AFL in the 1930s, it did not set us back, it propelled the movement forward. The CIO was committed to organizing the workforce of the day -- mass production workers -- and it changed the labor movement.
I believe today we are taking the steps that will change the labor movement and change the future for workers.
Something Positive Is Goin' Down
A note from me, Djette:
I'm not sure why i decided to do a blog. Maybe it was to begin creating a record of all the stories, issues, events, struggles and vicotries that come trhough my various inboxes and across my computer screen throughout the week. Not all are covered on the show - but i try. I hope, however, that as i enter the Blogosphere i can contribute the growing democratically spawned media sphere that has grown, i feel, as a result of the despressing irresponsibility of the corporate media.
****************************************
And now: The 14 SYMPTOMS OF FASCISM
****************************************
House Votes to Limit Patriot Act Rules
WASHINGTON – In a slap at President Bush, lawmakers voted Wednesday to block the Justice Department and the FBI from using the Patriot Act to peek at library records and bookstore sales slips. The House voted 238-187 despite a veto threat from Bush to block the part of the anti-terrorism law that allows the government to investigate the reading habits of terror suspects.The vote reversed a narrow loss last year by lawmakers concerned about the potential invasion of privacy of innocent library users. They narrowed the proposal this year to permit the government to continue to seek out records of Internet use at libraries.
****************************************
16,000 University of California Clerical Workers Go On Strike
In California, some 16,000 clerical workers at the University of California are in the midst of a three-day strike to demand higher pay. The strike is affecting the university's 10 campuses, five medical centers as well as the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory.
****************************************
State Democrats in Wisconsin Call For Impeachment of Bush
And in Wisconsin, the state's Democratic party has passed a resolution calling for the impeachment of President Bush as well as Vice President Dick Cheney and Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld. The resolution called on Congress to initiate impeachment proceedings against the three officials accusing them of misleading the country in the lead up to the war in Iraq. Last year the Democratic party in Nevada passed a similar resolution. The national Green Party as well as former presidential candidate Ralph Nader have also called for Bush's impeachment.
****************************************
Conviction Overturned for Death Row Inmate Thomas Miller-El
The Supreme Court has overturned the conviction of a death row inmate in Texas because prosecutors in Dallas County wrongfully kept African-Americans off the jury for his trial. When Thomas Miller-El was convicted of murder in 1986 only one member of the jury was African-American. During jury selection state prosecutors excluded 10 out of 11 eligible African-Americans. Writing for the court Justice David Souter wrote that "when the government's choice of jurors is tainted with racial bias," it jeopardizes "the very integrity of the courts" and "undermines public confidence in adjudication." Up until the 1980s, prosecutors in Dallas County were given a training manual that advised them to remove African-Americans and Jews from death penalty cases on the theory that those groups would be more sympathetic to criminal defendants. As part of its ruling, the Supreme Court court on Monday ordered a new trial for Miller-El.
****************************************
Urban Environmental Accords signed
Mayors from around the world signed the first Urban Environmental Accords Sunday to commit to improve public transportation, drastically reduce the volume of trash going into landfills, and expand access to clean drinking water. “Among the most pressing issues was a recommendation to increase the use of renewable energy to meet 10 percent of a city’s peak electric load within seven years,” Justin M. Norton reports. The signing follows the UN-sponsored World Environment Day in San Francisco, a summit that focused on green cities as the key to long-term survival in a highly urbanized human ecosystem.
****************************************
Senate Apologizes For Not Enacting Anti-Lynching Legislation
The U.S. Senate last night approved a resolution apologizing for its failure to enact federal anti-lynching legislation decades ago, marking the first time the body has apologized for the nation's treatment of African Americans.
One-hundred and five years after the first anti-lynching bill was proposed by a black congressman, senators approved by a voice vote Resolution 39, which called for the lawmakers to apologize to lynching victims, survivors and their descendants, several of whom watched from the gallery.
"There may be no other injustice in American history for which the Senate so uniquely bears responsibility," Sen. Mary Landrieu (D-La.) said before the vote.
Sen. George Allen (R-Va.), who with Landrieu led the resolution effort, said the vote finally put the Senate "on the record condemning the brutal atrocity that plagued our great nation."
The moment lacked the drama of the fiery Senate filibusters that blocked the legislation three times in the past century. There were few senators on the floor last night and no roll call, no accounting for each vote. But 80 of the Senate's 100 members signed on as co-sponsors, signaling their support.
Missing from that list were senators from the state that reported the most lynching incidents: Mississippi Republicans Trent Lott and Thad Cochran.
****************************************
Richest Nations Agree to Cancel Debt to World's Poorest
The world's richest nations have agreed to cancel debt owed by 18 of the world's poorest countries including many in sub-Saharan Africa. The announcement comes after years of protests by activist groups including the Jubilee Debt Campaign calling on the United States and other nations to cancel the tens of billions of debt that have economically crippled nations in Africa and Latin America. Mozambique's Prime Minister Luisa Diogo said "This is an important decision that means we can have more money saved from debt servicing being directed to education, health, infrastructure and social sectors." While the Jubilee debt campaign praised the move as a needed first step, it said there are more than 40 other nations that need total debt cancellation.
****************************************
A House panel has voted to eliminate all public funding for NPR and PBS
starting with "Sesame Street," "Reading Rainbow," and other
commercial-free children's shows. If approved, this would be the most
severe cut in the history of public broadcasting, threatening to pull
the plug on Big Bird, Cookie Monster and Oscar the Grouch.
The cuts would slash 25% of the federal funding this year -- $100
million -- and end funding altogether within two years [1]. In
particular, the loss could kill beloved children's shows like "Sesame
Street," "Clifford the Big Red Dog," "Arthur" and "Postcards from
Buster." Rural stations and those serving low-income communities might
not survive. Other stations would have to increase corporate
sponsorships.
This shameful vote is only the latest partisan assault on public TV and
radio. The Corporation for Public Broadcasting, which exists to shield
public TV and radio from political pressure, is now chaired by Kenneth
Tomlinson, a staunch Republican close to the White House. Tomlinson has
already forced one-sided conservative programs on the air, even though
Tomlinson's own surveys show that most people consider NPR "fair and
balanced" and they actually trust public broadcasting more than
commercial network news [2].
Tomlinson also spent taxpayer dollars on a witch hunt to root out
"liberal bias," including a secret investigation of Bill Moyers and PBS'
popular investigative show, "NOW." Even though the public paid for the
investigation, Tomlinson has refused to release the findings [3].
The lawmakers who proposed the cuts aren't just trying to save money in
the budget -- they're trying to decimate any news outlets who question
those in power. This is an ideological attack on our free press.
Talk about bad timing. Every day brings another story about media
consolidation. Radio, TV stations and newspapers are increasingly
controlled by a few massive corporate conglomerates trying to maximize
profits at the expense of quality journalism. Now more than ever, we
need publicly funded media who will ask hard questions and focus on
stories that affect real people, instead of Michael Jackson and the
runaway bride.
****************************************
From...
SAN DIEGO - IMPERIAL COUNTIES
LABOR COUNCIL WEBSITE
In a shocking report this Sunday, the Los Angeles Times revealed that Governor Schwarzenegger’s top advisors announced a strategy to create a "phenomenon of anger" against union members. On a private phone line for corporate donors the Governor’s staff outlined a plan to persuade voters that public-worker unions – including firefighters, teachers and nurses – are the cause of our State’s problems.
The Governor will try to put his strategy into action in a November Special Election that he plans to call in the next few days.
Even worse, the Governor’s allies are pushing another anti-union initiative like Pete Wilson’s “Paycheck Deception” measure, which unions defeated in 1998. It is designed to silence the voices of working people and destroy unions’ ability to defend our members.
This special election would cost $80 million dollars – and our tax money will pay for it! If you don’t support the Governor’s Special Election please speak up now. CLICK HERE to send a message opposing the Special Election or to learn more about it.
****************************************
Special Election?!?! What does it Mean?
We're deeply alarmed by Governor Schwarzenegger's special election, and the impact it could have on our schools, on workers' rights, and on a woman's right to choose. The ballot measures scheduled for the special election would reduce funding for public schools, delay permanent employment status for teachers by three years, hamper the ability of unions to speak out during elections, and impose a parental notification requirement on girls seeking abortions.
Arnold is spending at least $45 million taxpayer dollars on an election specifically designed to circumvent the California legislature, an election that imperils our children's education and their civil rights, promotes the interests of big business over ordinary workers, and seeks a firmer foothold for the religious right in California. But we can make it go the other way!
Schwarzenegger is counting on low turnout from progressive voters to shove through a pro-business, anti-child, anti-choice agenda. With your help, we can turn the special election into a bold statement that Californians will never surrender to the politics of greed and religious fanaticism. Now through June 30, when you spend $10 (plus shipping & handling) on a ten-pack of Never Surrender bracelets, we'll put the whole ten bucks towards efforts to defeat the initiatives on the ballot for the November 8 special election.
****************************************
8 MORE YEARS?!?!?!
from - Craig B. Hulet
http://sandiego.indymedia.org/en/2005/0
I have spoken often that this President has no belief that the rule of law applies to him and his administration. Like intelligence data was used to “fix” the political objectives in Iraq to fit the already decided act of war, almost a full year before we went into Iraq, Bush and his Republican leadership in both Houses of Congress will fix the law of the land to fit their personal imperial power grab and despicable desires. Now comes the real war of corporate empire for America while American’s blissfully slumber, exhausted like children from a grueling electoral year and the Democratic Party’s choice turned out to be no choice at all: Kerry.
George Bush Senior and Barbara Bush, on Larry King live, stated their desire to see Jeb Bush run for the Presidency and their hope to see Hillary Clinton run on the Democratic ticket in the next presidential election; which would (of course) guarantee a Republican victory. Do recall Hitler was elected by 43 percent of the vote.
But this beast won’t rest until all power flows to the White House into the Bush Cabal’s hands. Earlier this year on February 17th, 2005 Mr. Hoyer, Berman, Sensbrenner, Sabo, and Mr. Pallone (Democrats and Republicans again showing bipartisan support for the “things that matter”) introduced the following resolution, which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, a Joint Resolution proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States to repeal the 22nd amendment to the Constitution, stating....
“Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled (two-thirds of each House concurring therein), That the following article is proposed as an amendment to the Constitution of the United States, which shall be valid to all intents and purposes as part of the Constitution when ratified by the legislatures of three-fourths of the several States within seven years after the date of its submission for ratification: Article `The twenty-second article of amendment to the Constitution of the United States is repealed.'”
Corporatism as ideology sees everything as possible, to corporate empire, the Constitution is merely a device whereby laws are manipulated like corporate governance in a boardroom full of deceit to fit their chosen ends. Bush, as our fourth president who represents nothing so much as this ideology of power and greed, has no intention of resting until all power resides in his and in his corporate minions’ hands.
--Craig B Hulet Quinault Rain Forest June 2005
________________________________________
109th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. J. RES. 24
Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States to repeal the 22nd amendment to the Constitution.
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
February 17, 2005
Mr. HOYER (for himself, Mr. BERMAN, Mr. SENSENBRENNER, Mr. SABO, and Mr. PALLONE) introduced the following joint resolution ; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary
JOINT RESOLUTION
Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States to repeal the 22nd amendment to the Constitution.
Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled (two-thirds of each House concurring therein), That the following article is proposed as an amendment to the Constitution of the United States, which shall be valid to all intents and purposes as part of the Constitution when ratified by the legislatures of three-fourths of the several States within seven years after the date of its submission for ratification:
`Article --
`The twenty-second article of amendment to the Constitution of the United States is repealed.'
________________________________________
Twenty-Second Amendment
Amendment Text:
Section 1. No person shall be elected to the office of the President more than twice, and no person who has held the office of President, or acted as President, for more than two years of a term to which some other person was elected President shall be elected to the office of the President more than once. But this Article shall not apply to any person holding the office of President when this Article was proposed by Congress, and shall not prevent any person who may be holding the office of President, or acting as President, during the term within which this Article becomes operative from holding the office of President or acting as President during the remainder of such term.
Section 2. This Article shall be inoperative unless it shall have been ratified as an amendment to the Constitution by the legislatures of three-fourths of the several States within seven years from the date of its submission to the States by the Congress.
________________________________________
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JOIN THE NEW GALLO BOYCOTT: SIGN THE PETITION TODAY!
The United Farm Workers invites people of goodwill to join our
second boycott of Gallo wine in 32 years. Hundreds of farm
workers and supporters are kicking off the new international
boycott of Gallo wine today on the steps of San Francisco City
Hall.
Together we will convince America's wealthiest wine making
family to do the responsible thing by stopping the exploitation
of their workers.
The Gallos deny the majority of their farm workers benefits and
grievance rights. The Gallos abuse, cheat and deny these workers
benefits, job protections and humane living conditions in the
heart of California's fabled wine country.
The Gallos say they have no responsibility for the miserable
conditions endured by their vineyard employees because they are
"temporary workers"
Through this boycott, people of goodwill can have a say "No
Gallo!"
Please sign the petition informing the Gallos of your decision
to join the boycott. And pass it on to your friends.
For more information, visit:
http://www.unionvoice.org/ct/W7zAHuE1Nc
http://www.unionvoice.org/ct/I7zAHuE1Nc
SIGN THE PETITION TODAY!
Tell-A-Friend
Donate to say "NO" to Gallo and their high price lawyers
Boycott These Gallo Wine Products: To see a list of Gallo Labels
****************************************
The federal government is trying to intimidate future nonviolent protestors
The U.S. federal government is prosecuting four Catholic peace activists from Ithaca, N.Y., after a state court jury refused to convict them last year for their antiwar protest at a local U.S. military recruiting station. The federal charges made against the activists include “conspiracy to impede an officer of the United States,” a crime punishable by up to six years in prison and a fine of $250,000.
“The federal government is clearly trying to make an example of these people and to intimidate future nonviolent protestors by charging these folks with conspiracy,” said Bill Quigley, a law professor at Loyola University, New Orleans, and an advising attorney for the activists.
On March 17, 2003, in protest of the impending U.S. invasion of Iraq, Danny Burns, Peter DeMott, and sisters Clare and Teresa Grady poured small bottles of their own blood on the walls, floor and an American Flag in the foyer of a military recruiting center in Lansing, N.Y.
Charged with criminal mischief, the activists, who have been dubbed the St. Patrick’s Four, spent four days in jail and in April 2004 were tried at the Tompkins County Courthouse. During their weeklong trial, the defendants, all of whom have children, said they carried out their protest as Catholics and parents who wanted to warn members of the military and potential recruits about the illegality and immorality of the war in Iraq.
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Ag industry aims to strip local control of food supplies
Legislation aiming to prevent counties, towns and cities from making local decisions about our food supply is being introduced in states across the nation. Fifteen states recently have introduced legislation removing local control of plants and seeds. Eleven of these states have already passed the provisions into law.
These highly orchestrated industry actions are in response to recent local decisions to safeguard sustainable food systems. To date, initiatives in three California counties have restricted the cultivation of genetically modified crops, livestock, and other organisms and nearly 100 New England towns have passed various resolutions in support of limits on genetically engineered crops.
These laws are industry’s stealth response to a growing effort by people to protect their communities at the local level. Given the impacts of known ecological contamination from genetic modification, local governments absolutely should be given the power to protect the health, safety, and welfare of its citizens. Local restrictions against genetically modified crops have provided a positive and hopeful solution and allowed citizens to take meaningful action in their hometown or county.
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Statement of Joe Hansen, International President,
The United Food and Commercial Workers International Union,
at the "Change to Win" Coalition Meeting
WASHINGTON -- The following is a statement by Joe Hansen, International President of the United Food and Commercial Workers International Union, at the 'Change To Win' Coalition meeting:
Yesterday, the International Executive Board of the United Food and Commercial Workers International Union (UFCW) unanimously endorsed a reform proposal to restructure the AFL- CIO, and to revitalize the labor movement. Today, we join with some of the largest and most dynamic unions in the labor movement in a coalition for change.
These actions reflect the UFCW's commitment to build a 21st century labor movement that can bring hope, and a plan of action for a better life, to a new generation of workers. We recognize that today's realities-a new global economy, unrestrained corporate power, hostile government-present a formidable challenge to our movement. But, we must always remember that from our greatest challenges come our greatest accomplishments.
Labor in the 20th century stood at its lowest point in the 1930s. But, at our lowest point, we also stood on the verge of our greatest growth, our greatest strength and our greatest impact on the economy and society. From the depths of economic depression in 1935, we rose, within 20 years, to our largest percentage of the workforce, and we created the working middle class.
Today's workers face the steady erosion of their power in the workplace, in the economy and in the political process. Rising profits, increasing productivity and a growing economy have not brought rising wages, better benefits, or economic security. There is a power imbalance between workers and the giant corporations that dominate the world economy.
The UFCW and our coalition partners are committed to redressing this imbalance, and to rebuilding worker power.
The current AFL-CIO administration asserts that there is little difference between our reform agenda and their AFL-CIO Officers' Proposal.
There are profound differences in our visions for the future for America's workers. We believe in organizing, not simply for more members, but in organizing to build worker power. The foundation of worker power is in increasing the number of union workers in an industry or occupation. Our proposals specifically direct resources to organizing in a union's core industries. Our proposal provides for a leadership structure that promotes diversity and full participation and gives authority to the affiliates representing the majority of members.
Rebuilding worker power will give workers the hope for a better future. Workers with hope will organize, they will stand up, they will act in solidarity at work, in the community and in the political process. The starting point for our new movement to rebuild worker power is here, and it starts with us. This is the beginning.
We are going forward to bring a platform for change to the AFL-CIO convention. We will engage all other unions in a dialogue for change. Our purpose is not to divide, but to unite unions in a dynamic new movement for today's workers.
The unions you see here are the unions representing the emerging 21st century workforce -- young people, women, minorities, new immigrants and older workers forced to extend their work lives. From hospitality to retail to services, and from health care to transportation to construction, our unions are fighting the battles, confronting the employers and organizing the workers that are the future in America.
Yesterday, the UFCW Board also authorized the executive officers to disaffiliate from the AFL-CIO. This action was not taken lightly. We are committed to a united, reformed labor movement. But, the status quo will not stand. We will not be chained to the past, our obligation is to the future of our members.
As I said, in the 1930s, we were at our lowest point, but also on the verge of our greatest accomplishments. When the CIO left the AFL in the 1930s, it did not set us back, it propelled the movement forward. The CIO was committed to organizing the workforce of the day -- mass production workers -- and it changed the labor movement.
I believe today we are taking the steps that will change the labor movement and change the future for workers.
