Stop Iraqi Oil Theft - Start Clean Energy at home

I've just taken action to stop the passage of the Iraqi oil law. Please join me. Its important that we pressure the U.S. Congress NOW to support the rights of Iraqis.

Stop Iraqi Oil Theft - Start Clean Energy at home

A new oil law set to go before the Iraqi Parliament soon would, if passed, go a long way towards helping Anglo-American oil companies control and profit from Iraq's oil.

Meanwhile, Congress is considering legislation that will greatly increase our nation's commitment to clean energy. Congress should say yes to clean energy and no to the theft of Iraqi oil.

If you're in the U.S., please use this tool to send a letter to your Congressional Representatives. This letter will be automatically sent to your Congressional Representative, and both of your Senators. Feel free to edit or personalize it.

You can also use this letter and our background material as the basis for your own Op Ed, a Letter to the Editor, or to help you to call-in to your local radio stations.

Support Iraqi citizens in saying no to Big Oil! Support U.S. citizens in saying yes to clean energy!

Save Troy Davis

Good News! On Friday, August 3rd, the Georgia Supreme Court ruled 4-3 that they are willing to hear Troy Davis' appeal to present new evidence! But the possibility of Troy's execution has not yet gone away.

» Sign the Petition that FAIRNESS MATTERS»

Read AIUSA's press release

Background

Troy Davis was sentenced to death for the murder of Police Officer Mark Allen McPhail at a Burger King in Savannah, Georgia; a murder he maintains he did not commit. There was no physical evidence against him and the weapon used in the crime was never found. The case against him consisted entirely of witness testimony which contained inconsistencies even at the time of the trial. Since then, all but two of the state's non-police witnesses from the trial have recanted or contradicted their testimony. Many of these witnesses have stated in sworn affidavits that they were pressured or coerced by police into testifying or signing statements against Troy Davis.

Restrictions on Federal appeals have prevented Davis from having a hearing in federal court on the reliability of the witness testimony used against him, despite the fact that most of the witnesses have since recanted, many alleging they were pressured or coerced by police. Davis remains on Georgia death row, and may be scheduled for execution in the near future.

One of the two witnesses who has not recanted his testimony is Sylvester "Red" Coles – the principle alternative suspect, according to the defense, against whom there is new evidence implicating him as the gunman. Nine individuals have signed affidavits implicating Sylvester Coles.

Soap Opera indulgence: Susan Hayward not Lana Turner in I Want to Live

A totally non-political self-indulgent note to Carolyn Hinsey, author of the N.Y. Daily News' Soap Dish column.

I'm sure that in your Aug. 24 column you accurately quoted One Life to Live's Catherine Hickland correctly when she said, "You won't know why she [Lindsay Rappaport, Hickland's character] did it until the trial, which we have to protect because it's a Lana Turner 'I want to live!' moment." But it would be much better if it were a Susan Hayward 'I want to live' moment, since as your editors should have noted, Susan Hayward starred in I Want to Live not Lana Turner.

Your column is truly a lot of fun.

Aug. 28: National Take a Stand Day vigils

From MoveOn.org

Stand Up In September Vigil

On August 28--National Take a Stand Day--We're holding candlelight vigils and Town Hall meetings in cities all over the nation to remember the human cost of the war and urge our members of Congress to stand up in September and end this endless war.

This September, after hearing the White House‘s report on the "surge," Congress will decide whether we bring our troops home or spend another year fighting an unwinnable religious civil war. As Congress heads back to DC, we're here to tell them that it's time to take a stand.

Tuesday, 28 Aug 2007, 7:00 PM
OUT OF IRAQ CANDLELIGHT VIGIL
Union Square
14th Street and Park Avenue South
To let Congress know that it's time to get out of Iraq.
(Directions: R,W, N,4,5,6 trains to Union Square. We'll meet on the steps near 14th Street.)

Tuesday, 28 Aug 2007, 7:30 PM
Stand Up VIGIL
Madison Square Garden
7th avenue Outside Borders Books
(Directions: Trains 1 2 3 N R A E to Penn Station. Walk to 33rd and seventh ave.
The space outside Borders Book Store is handicap accessible}

Tuesday, 28 Aug 2007, 6:00 PM
Peace Vigil at Ground Zero
Church street between Vesey and Fulton streets, in front of the graveyard of St. Paul Chapel
To tell congress to stop this war. We have been holding our Peace Vigil at Ground Zero every Sunday and Monday from 5:30-6:30 PM since the war began. Join us, Lower Manhattan Peace Coalition, and Move On at 6 on Tuesday the 28th to send a loud message to congress.

Tuesday, 28 Aug 2007, 7:00 PM
Stand Up in September Candelight Vigil
112th & Amsterdam (in front of St. John the Divine)
To bring attention to the United States Congress that this constituency feels the time has come to end the war in Irag and bring the troops home.
(Directions: Subway: take the 1 to 110th, walk two blocks north to 112th, turn right and walk one long block to Amsterdam where you will see the Cathedral. The vigil will take place on the sidewalk in front of the church.)

Tuesday, 28 Aug 2007, 7:30 PM
Upper West Siders - Three Parks Independent Democratic Club - for bringing our troops home from Iraq and send a message to Sens. Clinton & Schumer to commit to this. Let's keep the pressure on our elected officials.
Strauss Park: 106th St + Broadway
(Directions: #104 bus to 106th St & Broadway or the IRT #1 or #9 subway and exit at 110th or 103rd Street. Strauss Park is a triangulur park between Broadway & West End Ave at 106 - 107th Streets.)

Tuesday, 28 Aug 2007, 6:00 PM
Stand Up in September Vigil
A candlelight vigil on--National Take a Stand Day--to remember the human cost of the war and urge our members of Congress to stand up in September and end this endless war
Borough Hall
Joralemon & Court Street
Brooklyn, NY 11201
(Directions: N,R,2,3,4,5 to Borough Hall)

Bush finally admits Iraq is a new Vietnam

As we have seen over the last few years President Bush will say anything to maintain support for his failed Iraq policy.

As anyone who has followed his various statements about the "mission accomplished" in Iraq will realize that his latest nonsense comparing Iraq with Vietnam contradicts many of his and his Iraq groupies previous statements about that comparison. As the Democrats have wasted no time in pointing out.

As the failure of the invasion and occupation of Iraq becomes more and more obvious and a September deadline gets closer the administration rhetoric will get wilder and wilder.

However, despite the very real differences, there is a hidden truth in the comparison of the two most disastrous foreign policy adventures in U.S. history. When ideology trumps sanity in U.S. policy, disaster inevitably follows. Among the reasons for the invasion of Iraq, an obsession with overcoming the so-called "Vietnam syndrome" shaped the Bush administration policy (particularly on the part of the vice-presidential Dick and the "Neo-Cons") so that they would be free to shape the Middle East after their own image and avail themselves and their energy-policy partners (read: Anglo-American oil companies) of Middle Eastern oil.

Fox Attacks Iran

FOX ATTACKS IRAN, we must stop this craziness

Sign the Open Letter
Tell the networks not to follow FOX down the road to war
24673 signers

Dear ABC, CBS, NBC, MSNBC, and CNN,

"My station was intimidated by the administration and its foot soldiers at FOX News."

That is CNN's Christiane Amanpour explaining why the major television networks failed to accurately inform the public in the lead-up to the Iraq war, choosing instead to follow FOX's lead.

Now, FOX is beating the drums for war with Iran. Robert Greenwald's short film, "FOX Attacks: Iran", outlines the evidence from the station's own broadcasts, comparing their reporting before the Iraq war with what they are saying now about Iran.

You have a sacred responsibility to the American people to provide accurate and reliable information so we can best make the decisions which affect our lives. We urge you to accurately and thoroughly report all sides of this important story.

Please do not blindly follow FOX down the road to another war.

Sincerely,

Sign the Petition: Filibuster for Peace

From: Filibuster For Peace

Report to signers of the Filibuster Petition.

"Great news / bad news

"First the bad news: The deadly Iraqi occupation keeps dragging on and on and on.

"Now the great news: With a starting base of nearly 6,000 filibuster signers, we finally have an opportunity to end this terrible quagmire.

"The purpose of this message is to ask you to please locate another signer (e.g., a friend, coworker, brother, cousin, mom, etc.) to help expose the filibuster option to the voting public. Generate as many new signers as you can, and do it this week.

"Why now?

"Because next month the Congress will be debating war appropriations again, and the Senate - as the Republicans have routinely demonstrated - has the power to filibuster appropriations. A filibuster in the Senate next month would effectively force an end to the war. So if each of us does our part in exposing the filibuster option, then we can apply tremendous pressure on our senators, the likes of which they haven't felt in decades!

"We absolutely must send a loud and clear message to the majority Democrats: We now know about your filibuster option. And therefore you will not be fooling us again!"

ANSWER Coalition heavily fined for putting up posters: Take Action

From The A.N.S.W.E.R. Coalition:

"We will not pay one penny for our First Amendment rights"

"We want to thank the thousands of people who have called or e-mailed -- and are still calling and e-mailing -- government authorities in support of the ANSWER Coalition which was hit with $10,000 in fines on Monday. The government has said it is sanctioning us for putting up political posters calling for the September 15 March on Washington to end the war in Iraq. By mounting a political and legal challenge, we can succeed in defending our First Amendment rights and overcome all the obstacles that are being used to try to disrupt the organizing for the September 15 Mass March on Washington, which will be led by Iraq war veterans and their families.

The ANSWER Coalition will not pay one penny to the government for our First Amendment rights or to stave off their threats against us. We are working with the expert constitutional rights attorneys at the Partnership for Civil Justice to determine our next steps for legal action against this government harassment and attempted repression. With the help of thousands of individuals and other organizations around the country who value free speech rights, we are continuing and intensifying the political struggle. We need every one who has not written or called the government to do so, and if you have done so already please get a friend to do so as well.

We do not own the radio and television airwaves or the big newspapers which are the corporate propaganda outlets for the war machine. All we have is our constitutional and fundamental right to express our point of view individually and collectively, with our words, our writings and in mass assembly. We will not let the government infringe on these rights that are important to all of us. Perhaps Bush and Cheney and the Pentagon brass don't want to have to see posters calling for the end to the criminal war in Iraq when they are driven in their limousines around Washington, D.C. But people are making sure that they can't hide from the demands of the anti-war movement which is the majority sentiment in the United States. Maybe they don't want to see thousands of people marching in the streets led by Iraq War Veterans and their families coming together with the Arab and Muslim community, students and labor in a powerful and united showing of opposition, but people are making sure that on September 15, the demand to end the war rocks Washington.

Take Action!

"The best way to take action is to call the Director of Department of Public Works, William O. Howland, Jr. at 202-673-6833, and the Mayor of DC, Adrian Fenty, at 202-724-8876. You can also send a letter or fax by clicking this link."

What happened to Dennis Kucinich?

On Sunday, Jeff Zeleny & Mark Santoro wrote in the NYT:

"Even as they call for an end to the war and pledge to bring the troops home, the Democratic presidential candidates are setting out positions that could leave the United States engaged in Iraq for years."

For Zeleny and Santoro, the Democratic presidential candidates include Clinton, Edwards, Obama, Richardson and Biden. All except Richardson fall into the "leave the United States engaged in Iraq for years" category. Only Richardson, according to Zeleny and Santoro (and the New York Times) differs from the group. They quote Richardson saying to the annual Kos conference last week,

"I have a one-point plan to get out of Iraq: Get out! Get out!".

The question arises: What happened to Ohio Rep. Dennis Kucinich? Are his views on this issue no longer of con sequence to the Times?

In 2006, he said:

"Hussein is in jail. Zarqawi is dead. Now we should leave Iraq.

"Zarqawi represented a small portion of a large and growing anti-American insurgency in Iraq, a sliver of the non-Baathist insurgency, while Baathists make up the majority of armed insurgents. So his killing is unlikely to end the violence in Iraq.

"Those who say we must prevail until victory are not themselves paying the price. Nearly 2,500 Americans are dead. Over 10,000 innocent Iraqis are dead. Our national honor is tainted by a false case for war, Abu Ghraib, Guantanamo, Haditha. When will we understand that, as Michael Franti wrote, 'you can bomb the world to pieces but, you can't bomb the world to peace'."

In June, he told Tucker Carlson that "the U.S. needs to leave Iraq, the sooner, the better. But we can only do so with an international peace-keeping and security force replacing our troops. We have the money right now it's in the pipeline not only to bring the troops home but to carry out the plan I have been recommending for years now, which is embodied in HR 1234."

The question is, why did Zeleny and Santoro (and the N.Y. Times) leave Mr. Kucinich out of their article? It would seem that his position just doesn't fit their agenda. By blacking-out Mr. Kucinich and his ideas, The Times is narrowing the breadth of the Democratic debate and depriving its readers of a real choice in the upcoming primaries.

In a post to his blog several days ago, Dave Lindorf also asked "What's going on here?" He said:

"Apparently, given the Times’ famously inflated slogan 'All the News that’s Fit to Print,' news about Rep. Kucinich (D-OH), including about his carefully laid out plan to end the Iraq War and about his bill to impeach the vice president, are somehow not 'fit' to print.

"The self-referential nature of Times reporting would be laughable if it were not so damaging to public knowledge and discourse and to the democratic process. It would also garner an F in any decent journalism class."

We all know that a truly democratic process requires an informed collective. The disappearance of certain ideas (and candidates) because they don't fit the Times editors and reporters preconceived categories is destructive to this process.

Speakout/Rally: Stop the War Against Women at Home & Abroad

From: Women’s Fightback Network

Stop the War Against Women at Home and Abroad

Speak Out and
Rally

Monday, AUG 27, 5-7pm
Union Square

Unite against sexism, racism, homophobia, transphobia
Unite against economic exploitation
Unite to win everything we need

"The U.S. claims 'liberation of women' as it bombs and kills women, men, children, and the people of Iraq, Afghanistan, and the world. But U.N. studies show women surviving in Iraq and Afghanistan are far worse off since the Pentagon assaults began.

"Inside the U.S. women–most notably Katrina survivors–are losing jobs, housing, health care, day care;
are rounded up in immigrant raids & locked up in prison for acts of survival, self-defense and drug addiction;
are denied reproductive and economic justice; forced into debt to get an education; raped and battered as domestic shelters are closed down;
are losing their loved ones, children and families through police brutality, to the military 'poverty draft,' to racist attacks, gender-phobic attacks, attacks on lesbian, bisexual, transgender and transsexual women.

"Poor women and women of color are most at risk. And the U.S. is spending $140,000 a minute on its wars. A Nobel prize-winning economist, Joseph Stiglitz, says the total cost of the Iraq war alone may ultimately be $2 trillion."

Aug. 20: Action in support of Khalil Gibran Int'l Academy

From Brooklyn for Peace:

Communities in Support of the Khalil Gibran International Academy

Monday, August 20, 6pm
NYC Department of Education
Tweed Courthouse, 52 Chambers Street
(Bet. Broadway & Centre St. in Manhattan)
(Subways: 4, 5, 6, N, R, W, M, J, 2, 3, A, C)

"As New Yorkers and others in support of quality public education for all of our communities, we stand in solidarity with the Khalil Gibran International Academy, which has sustained hateful and false attacks by anti-Arab media and extremists. In the post-9/11 world, a school educating our children about Arab history, culture, and language is not only crucial for the next generation to become informed leaders for positive change in our communities; it is also an extraordinary place of hope for peace, understanding, and justice for our embattled world. We regret that Debbie Almontaser was unfairly pressured to resign from her position as principal due to the attacks, and we applaud her work to establish this school and promote intercultural exchange in this diverse global city.

"Those who seek to equate the study of Arabic language, culture, and history with religious fanaticism and violence are irresponsibly aggravating a present moment of hysteria against Arab and Muslim communities, and are using this moment to promote hatred in a time of war. We urge our public officials to reject these racist and inaccurate attacks, and continue to work towards building a lasting educational institution that promises to bring our communities together, rather than divide and pit them against each other. We call on all communities who want to see peace on our streets and in our world to stand with us in support of the Khalil Gibran International Academy."

For further information and a full list of sponsors and endorsers AWAAM (Arab Women Active in the Arts and Media)

Don't Give Alberto Gonzales the Power to Speed Up Executions

It seems that the Bush administration has concluded that it hasn't killed enough young Americans in Iraq, so it needs to kill more here.

From Act for Change

"Don't Give Alberto Gonzales the Power to Speed Up Executions."

"When Congress re-authorized the Patriot Act in 2005, death penalty supporters slipped in a provision intended to speed up appeals in federal death penalty cases. Under the proposed new system, individual states could apply directly to the U.S. Attorney General -- rather than to the courts, as is current law -- for fast-track procedures. These procedures would limit review of death penalty cases in federal court, and give the Attorney General the sole power to decide whether individual states are providing adequate counsel for defendants in death penalty cases."

Aug. 25: The People's March for Peace, Equality, Jobs & Justice in Newark.

The People's March for Peace, Equality, Jobs & Justice in Newark.

August 25, at 12:00 Noon

March down Broad Street beginning at Lincoln Park,

The march, from Lincoln Park up Broad Street to Military Park and back, will be followed by a festival in Lincoln Park, with speakers, entertainment, information tables, and exhibitis.


Join Representative John Conyers and others as The Peace & Justice Coalition demands:

* Troops home now!

* Stop the violence in our communities

* Respect human rights

* Fund human needs

* Health care for all (Passage of H.R. 676, the U.S. Health Insurance Act)

* Justice for Katrina victims

* Money for jobs

* Environmental justice

* House the homeless (Passage of H.R. 4347)

Contact: email: peacejusticecoalition@gmail.org
or call 801-457-9448

Peace Trains will be coming from Northwest New Jersey, New York City, as well as other parts of New Jersey. Check our Feeder and Meet-up page for info about feeder marches and where to meet up with different groups. If you want to let folks know where your group is meeting, please contact us and we'll post it to the site. Check for updates to the Transportation page.

Sat. Aug. 18: Washington Heights says No to War

Washington Heights Says No To War!
Saturday, August 18, 2007, 12pm

The antiwar march "Washington Heights Says No to War" will depart from Bennett Park on 184th St./Fort Washington Heights.
(The closest public transportation is the 181st St. stop on the A train, and the M4 bus.)

The exact trajectory is still being decided, but will probably involve crossing 181st St. and walking downtown on St. Nicholas or Broadway. The closing
rally will be at Highbridge Park.

The points of unity of the march are "Bring the Troops Home" and "Money for Healthcare, Housing and Education".

War trumps sex in Bush's U.S.

According to Bob Greenblatt, Showtime's entertainment chief, "Male genitalia has always been the last taboo [on TV], and I think for good reason." (TV Guide, August 20-26, 2007).

It's a very strange society where many people are more disturbed by a penis on TV (heaven forfend, an erect one) than with sending thousands of young American men and women, not to mention the many thousands of Iraqis, to their deaths in a country that never did anything to us.

I can't help but wonder what it is about penises that scares them so much.

Saturdays: Palestine Action at Union Square East

From Palestine Action at Union Square East (PAUSE)...

"You are invited, begged, beseeched to come out and stand with us Saturdays from 3:00 to 6:00 PM. Come for 10 minutes or come for an hour. Come every Saturday or come once a month, but COME!

"We [PAUSE] stand every Saturday at 14th Street and Broadway NE corner across from Virgin Records. Celebrating more than five years, we are the longest ongoing Palestinian demonstration in the U. S.. We have "FREE PALESTINE" banners, posters, and leaflets.

"We need the support of the community every Saturday. WE NEED YOU! We need more people who support Palestine because there is a counter demonstration, which is encroaching on our permitted space.

"We suggest that you stand in silence and do not engage the counter demonstrators. Please feel free to speak with all the interesting people who are standing in the vigil! We have a permit."

PAUSE email address is  pausenyc @ yahoo.com

August 17: Film Showing: Iraq For Sale: The War Profiteers

A.N.S.W.E.R. Monthly Film Showing

Friday, August 17th, 7pm

Iraq For Sale: The War Profiteers

2295 Adam Clayton Powell Blvd
(at the corner of 135th St.)
(2/3 or B/C to 135th Street)

$7 donation requested

Iraq For Sale: The War Profiteers is the story of what happens to everyday workers when corporations go to war.

"Acclaimed director, Robert Greenwald (Wal-Mart: The High Cost of Low Price, Outfoxed and Uncovered), takes you inside the lives of soldiers, truck drivers, widows and children who have been changed forever as a result of profiteering in the occupation of Iraq. Iraq For Sale uncovers the connections between those private corporations making a killing in Iraq and the Pentagon decision makers who brought them in."

"Join A.N.S.W.E.R. for a night of discussion of this ground-breaking film. There will also be a discussion how we can build for the Sept. 15 March on Washington to end of the war now!"

The vice-presidential Dick is up to his old tricks

Here we go again! The drumbeat for military action against Iran is being heard across the land. Just like in the lead up to the invasion of Iraq, the vice-presidential Dick is leading the invasion chorus.

It's hard to believe. We go across the world to invade Iraq (on the basis of a pack of lies) and then we indict its next door neighbor for aiding their comrades in Iraq. I keep asking myself, what would we do if someone invaded Canada or Mexico? Would we sit back and let the invasion play out its course or would we do everything in our power to expel the invaders?

This Bush-league administration needed the 2003 invasion to stay in power, now they are counting on a subservient Congress and media to allow them to use military action against Iran to set the stage for 2008.

Here's the latest on Iran by Warren P. Strobel, John Walcott and Nancy A. Youssef from the McClatchy Newspapers:

"WASHINGTON — President Bush charged Thursday that Iran continues to arm and train insurgents who are killing U.S. soldiers in Iraq, and he threatened action if that continues.

"At a news conference Thursday, Bush said Iran had been warned of unspecified consequences if it continued its alleged support for anti-American forces in Iraq. U.S. Ambassador to Iraq Ryan Crocker had conveyed the warning in meetings with his Iranian counterpart in Baghdad, the president said.

"Bush wasn't specific, and a State Department official refused to elaborate on the warning.

"Behind the scenes, however, the president's top aides have been engaged in an intensive internal debate over how to respond to Iran's support for Shiite Muslim groups in Iraq and its nuclear program. Vice President Dick Cheney several weeks ago proposed launching airstrikes at suspected training camps in Iraq run by the Quds force, a special unit of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps, according to two U.S. officials who are involved in Iran policy.

"The debate has been accompanied by a growing drumbeat of allegations about Iranian meddling in Iraq from U.S. military officers, administration officials and administration allies outside government and in the news media. It isn't clear whether the media campaign is intended to build support for limited military action against Iran, to pressure the Iranians to curb their support for Shiite groups in Iraq or both."

Meanwhile, if this scares you as much as it does me, check out CODEPINK's campaign to deter military action against Iran.

This summer, CODEPINK is also launching its first ever book club. They have chosen My Sister, Guard Your Veil; My Brother, Guard Your Eyes: Uncensored Iranian Voices edited by Lila Azam Zanganeh as the first book club pick.

Monday (8/13) at the Brecht Forum

Monday, August 13, 7:30 pm

Waiting 'til The Midnight Hour

A Narrative History of Black Power

Peniel Joseph

"The Black Power Movement transformed America's racial, social, and political landscape. Come learn about this movement's heritage and legacy from activist and scholar Dr. Peniel E. Joseph, who will be reading from his book Waiting 'Til the Midnight Hour: A Narrative History of Black Power in America."

$6/$10/$15
(Free for Brecht Forum Subscribers)

The BRECHT FORUM
451 West Street (Between Bank & Bethune)
New York, NY 10014
(212) 242- 4201
www.brechtforum.org

(Transportation:
1, 2, 3 A, C, E to 14th Street,
14A, 11, 20 buses to Abingdon Square (where 8th Avenue meets Hudson Street)
8 bus to 10th & West Streets
L to 8th Ave @14th Street.)

Aug. 8: Impeach the Dick and the Bush

From: After Downing St.

DEMONSTRATE FOR CONGRESSIONAL ACTION TO IMPEACH BUSH & CHENEY

Wednesday, August 8, 6PM
Tavern on the Green
(Central Park West & W.67th st}

This Wednesday evening, most likely the entire N.Y. Congressional Delegation will attend a fund-raiser birthday party for Congressman Charlie Rangel.

Senator Hillary Clinton will be a "special guest", and even national treasure Aretha Franklin will be attending.

It's time for us to demand R-E-S-P-E-C-T from our Congressional Representatives.

Approval ratings for Congress are even lower than for Bush, yet Congress refuses to end the Iraq war funding or move forward on the impeachment of Bush & Cheney.

Demand that our N.Y. representatives represent the people of N.Y. and take action!

Join members of PDANY14CD and other activists.

PLEASE COME!

Democrats cave to Bush again

"The House handed President Bush a victory Saturday, voting to expand the government's abilities to eavesdrop without warrants on foreign suspects whose communications pass through the United States.

"The 227-183 vote, which followed the Senate's approval Friday, sends the bill to Bush for his signature." [41 Democrats voted with the Republicans to enable the Bush victory. For a breakdown of the House vote see]

The Congress seems to be the only place in the U.S.- outside the pages of the N.Y.Post - where anyone still believes that the president has even a clue about how best to overcome terrorism. No other institution in the U.S. would give this totally incompetent administration greater power. That's what last November's elections were all about. Clearly the Democrats still don't get it. Protecting our civil liberties doesn't seem to be on the their agenda. Working the strings of the puppets in Congress seems to be the only mission Bush can actually accomplish.

"Many congressional Democrats wanted tighter restrictions on government surveillance, but yielded in the face of Bush's veto threats and the impending August recess.

"'This bill would grant the attorney general the ability to wiretap anybody, any place, any time without court review, without any checks and balances,' said Rep. Zoe Lofgren, D-Calif., during the debate preceding the vote. 'I think this unwarranted, unprecedented measure would simply eviscerate the 4th Amendment,' which prohibits unreasonable searches and seizures."

(quotes from AP)

Aug.5 & Aug. 9: Peace events to commemorate Hiroshima & Nagasaki

The best way we can commemorate the bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki is to fight for peace NOW:

Here's a message from Code Pink:

Stay cool this summer while keeping your inner activist warm and inspired. Join us this Sunday and this Thursday for two important and inspiring events.

SUNDAY, AUGUST 5th, 1 PM
"A Vision for Peace or Endless War? 62 Years After Hiroshima and Nagasaki"
Unitarian Church of All Souls, 1157 Lexington Avenue (at East 80th Street)

with Bruce Gagnon, Coordinator of the Global Network Against Weapons and Nuclear Power in Space. An eloquent speaker on nuclear disarmament and the weaponization of space. He inspires thoughtful, hopeful discussion about bringing anti-war, social justice, labor and environmental groups together to abolish militarism and transform our economy for a peaceful and sustainable future.

Sponsored by: CODEPINK NYC, Peace Action New York State and the All Souls Adult Education, Peace Task Force, and Nuclear Disarmament groups at the Unitarian Church of All Souls.

THURSDAY, AUGUST 9th, 4-7:30PM
"Peace Boat's 3rd Annual People Building Peace Concert"
Dag Hammarskjold Plaza, East 47th Street between 1st and 2nd Avenue (across from the United Nations)


A celebration of initiatives for a nuclear-free world in remembrance of Nagasaki Day. Come check out the FREE outdoor, live world music and dance, testimonies from A-bomb survivors and leaders of the anti-nuclear movement and booths from civil society organizations and initiatives calling against nuclear weapons! The Third Annual People Building Peace Concert, coinciding with the arrival of Peace Boat's ship to New York City, will bring the rhythms of the world to the United Nations and highlight the initiatives people everywhere are making to build peace and say NO to Nukes and War! CODEPINK will have a table there with LOTS OF NEW MERCHANDISE!

Contact: Peace Boat by phone at 212.687.7214 or by email at info@peaceboat-us.org

Creating peace,
CODEPINK NYC

Aug. 5: Remember Hiroshima and Nagasaki

This year more than ever as the U.S. prepares for the bombing of Iran we need to

Share the Vision of Peace

UNIVERSAL PEACE DAY

Sunday, August 5th, 2007
THE ANNIVERSARY OF THE BOMBING OF HIROSHIMA & NAGASAKI

universalpeaceday
or Contact: univpeaceday@aol.com

Join a day-long FREE event beginning at the Central Park Bandshell, and continuing at the NY Buddhist Church & The Riverside Church
featuring Kathleen Chalfant, Iron Chef Morimoto and Koji Kobayashi, a Hiroshima survivor

Noon - 5 pm,
Peace Concert at Central Park Bandshell* – (entrance 72nd Street)

Music, Poetry, Dance with performers from Japan & the U.S.
with Kathleen Chalfant, Shinji Harada, Ray Korona Band, Laraaji, Robin Greenstein, Moogy Klingman & others.
*if rain, the event will be at 1PM at the NY Buddhist Church

Hiroshima & Nagasaki Commemoration Ceremony
The New York Buddhist Church
331-332 Riverside Drive at 105th St

5:30 pm - Film: “The Lost Generation”
6:00 pm - Interfaith Peace Memorial Gathering
7:15 pm - Candle Lighting & Peace Bell Ceremony (at exact moment of the bombing)
7:20 pm - Silent Peace Walk to Interfaith Peace Ceremony & Concert

Hosted by Randi Rhodes of Air-America Radio
Keynote address by Iron Chef Masaharu Morimoto

The Riverside Church
490 Riverside Drive (bet. 120 -122 Sts)
(Take the #1 Train to 116th, walk north to 120th Street and make a left to Riverside Drive)

8:00 pm - Interfaith Service, Music, Dance and Hiroshima Survivor with Iron Chef Morimoto, Hiroshima Survivor Koji Kobayashi and David Amram

Dear Friends,

I am delighted to invite you to join us for an inspiring day of remembrance and Peace. On Sunday August 5th, Universal Peace Day, we will be commemorating the anniversary of the dropping of the first atomic bomb. Our vision is to transform a tragic memory into a rededication to life, and a peaceful sustainable world where such tragedies are unthinkable.

We, The World is a Co-Sponsor of this event

This year, we are blessed to have hibakshua (survivor), Koji Kobayashi, who was 9 years old when the bomb dropped. In addition, musicians from Hiroshima and Nagasaki will be performing at this NYC day-long FREE event.

If you or your friends are in New York, I hope to see you there. If you will not be in NYC Sunday, please create Universal Peace Day wherever you are!

Rick Ulfik
Director
We, The World

September Days of Action against the War

September 15
Mass March in Washington DC

As you know September is a key date in the process to end this illegal and immoral war. Come to Washington DC on September 15 for a massive antiwar protest timed to coincide with the report by General Petraeus on the "Surge" [escalation] in Iraq.

Schedule of September Days of Action:

Friday, September 14 , 7:00 Doors open, 8:30 Show Time

Release Show/Party of Line in the Sand benefit CD for Iraq Veterans Against the War

At Jammin Java, 227 Maple Ave E., Vienna, VA (right outside DC);

$10 cover (includes $2 coupon off CD purchase),
$6 cover with military ID

Saturday, September 15
Mass March & Die-In led by Iraq war veterans

Sunday, September 16
National Training Session for the other Days of Action

Monday, September 17
Peoples March Inside Congress (lead group: Code Pink)

National Truth in Recruiting Day (lead group: Iraq Veterans Against the War - IVAW)

Tuesday, September 18
Congressional Challenge Day (lead group: Grassroots America)

Wednesday, September 19
Direct Action (details coming soon)

Thursday, September 20
Veterans lobbying day (lead group: Iraq Veterans Against the War - IVAW)

Friday, September 21
National Moratorium Day with actions around the country
(Information: IraqMoratorium.org)