FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wednesday, November 7, 2007
Contact: Cres Vellucci, Vets for Peace, 916/996-9170

ATTN: News Desk

Rep. Matsui's call for end to Iraq war
rings hollow, charges veteran organization;
Vet cites Matsui's refusal to sign peace declaration

SACRAMENTO – Rep. Doris Matsui (D-Sacramento, CA5) on Tuesday issued a
statement calling for a "responsible" end to the war in Iraq – but the
words ring hollow to U.S. troops in Iraq, said a spokesperson for a
veterans organization here.

"We are about to mark another Veterans' Day on Nov. 11, but Rep. Matsui
still cannot bring herself to call for an immediate withdrawal of our
troops from Iraq, without qualifiers," said Cres Vellucci, of Veterans for
Peace, Chapter 87 (Sacramento).

I don't care if Dennis Kucinich isn't a Democratic front runner in the presidential campaign - I'm going to write him in regardless and I urge everybody else to do so. Not only is he against the war, for impeachment of Darth Cheney, and against weapons in space, but he's done the ultimate really cool thing - see a UFO! I just hope he comes out for full disclosure of the hundreds of thousands of pages of UFO documents that the U.S. national security state has covered up.

http://blog.cleveland.com/openers/2007/10/kucinich_see_ufo_new_book_clai.html

Kucinich sees UFO, new book claims
Posted by Mark Naymik October 22, 2007 16:25PM

Democratic presidential candidate Dennis Kucinich has seen a UFO, writes Shirley MacLaine in her new book, "Sage-Ing While Age-Ing."

Kucinich, she writes on page143-144 of the book, "had a close sighting over my home in Graham, Washington, when I lived there. Dennis found his encounter extremely moving. The smell of roses drew him out to my balcony where, when he looked up, he saw a gigantic triangular craft, silent, and observing him. It hovered, soundless, for ten minutes or so, and sped away with a speed he couldn't comprehend. He said he felt a connection in his heart and heard directions in his mind."

Calling the Question — In the House — on Impeaching Cheney
by John Nichols | Published on Friday, November 2, 2007 by The Nation

Broadcast media’s gate-keeping “stars” have done just about everything in their power to keep the matter of presidential accountability off the radar of the American people. That was evident during the most recent Democratic presidential debate, when NBC anchors Brian Williams and Tim Russert meticulously avoided following up on Congressman Dennis Kucinich’s three references to impeachment but somehow found time to grill the contenders on UFOs and what costume Barack Obama would be wearing on Halloween.

Pollsters are almost as bad. Rarely are questions about impeachment included in statewide or national surveys.

Despite the lack of media coverage, however, when citizens are asked what they think about holding members of the Bush administration to account, they respond with an enthusiasm far greater than that displayed for impeaching Richard Nixon at the height of the Watergate scandal. It is this reality — as opposed to the state of denial fostered by so much of the media and the political class — that Congressman Dennis Kucinich will act upon next week, when he offers a privileged resolution on the House floor to bring articles of impeachment against Vice President Dick Cheney.

Kucinich will face an uphill fight in a chamber led by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, the California Democrat who continues to say that impeachment is “off the table.”

DiFi:

The attorney general nominee's answers on torture are clear, and he will rise to the challenges of the job.

I'm going to focus on the sanctioned torture by this administration and our alleged Representatives and leave aside the other "qualifications" Mr. Mukasey is alleged to have in spades, if I get time later this week I'll get into his so-called national security qualifications. I've got a few videos for you Dianne

.

But first I think you should read the following because it calls into question his veracity and sincerity in his answers to the Judicial Committee in regard to how he'll run the Dept. of Justice ...

Yea, sure, his answers are clear in that he thinks the Fourth Amendment is merely precatory (advisory)

US Attorney General nominee Michael Mukasey has written a very lawyerly letter to the Senate Judiciary committee. The letter fails to use the word “waterboarding” although the acceptance of a cast-iron prohibition on “torture and cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment” might fairly be seen to cover banning it. The letter might be enough to peel off a few votes on the torture issue.

If you read the letter with any care, however, you will see that it very carefully refuses to say that — even in the face of the FISA legislation occupying the field

one Granny D. ... Whaddaya say?

RUN GRANNY RUN

Run Granny Run is the inspirational story of Doris “Granny D” Haddock’s road from political activist to the Democratic candidate for US Senate in New Hampshire. The documentary initially was to focus on campaign finance reform, but director Marlo Poras instead found himself surprised to be in the middle of one of the most unusual political campaigns to ever happen in this country where a 94 year old woman with few resources but a lot of guts was facing off against a two time incumbent Senator with a load of cash.

Granny D narrates much of the movie, and in her own words: “When I was younger, I always tried to be active in my community but really, who has the time?…… And then when I turned 89, death came. Death took my husband and then my best friend and I thought I was next. I needed a reason to live. And I found that reason. It was my country.”

You Spoke – We Listened!

We’ve responded to feedback we received regarding the movie we chose for our November meeting. Since most people have already seen "An Inconvenient Truth" (and Al Gore has not yet thrown his hat into the Presidential race), we’ve decided to show another film this month. A great film recently became available, and so we’re going to take this opportunity to bring you No End In Sight!

Please RSVP Here: http://www.dfalink.com/event.php?id=24756

No End In Sight, winner of the 2007 Sundance Film Festival Special Jury Prize: Documentary, has received incredible reviews. Time Magazine has called the film "Without a doubt the most important film you are likely to see this year," and it is possibly the best reviewed film of the entire year, as you can see from the selection of critic quotes below.

Join us this Wednesday to see for yourself - This film makes a case against Bush’s Iraq policy, even by some of those who helped put those policies into place.

We’ll provide the popcorn and sodas (and coffee, tea and snacks); you provide opinions and discussion!

What: Sacramento For Democracy Nov. Meeting
When: Wednesday, Nov. 7th, 7:00 - 9:00 PM
Where: Arden Dimick Library
891 Watt Ave., Sacramento 95864
Corner of Watt & Northrop

Also on the agenda:

Time: Wednesday, November 7, 2007 - 8:00pm PST

"Blackwater Special Edition" Pistol

You can't call yourself a gun-for-hire if you don't have the right gun. Which is why mercenaries are fired up about Sig Sauer's "Blackwater Special Edition" pistol.

[...]





One problem: The Blackwater logo on the Special Edition pistol
is the old, pre-corporate-makeover design -- sooo last month.
We all know those guns would look hotter with one of these
DANGER ROOM designs instead. Anyone wanna do a Photoshop mock-up?
Send it in here.

Cheney Visits Hunting Lodge That Hangs The Confederate Flag

Last week, the Poughkeepsie Journal reported that Vice President Dick Cheney was planning to go hunting in upstate New York over the weekend. The paper reported that Cheney would “head to the Clove Valley Rod & Gun Club in LaGrangeville” on Monday morning.

Yesterday, Cheney spent eight hours hunting at the “secluded Hudson Valley gun club where well-heeled enthusiasts shoot ducks and pheasants.” It was his second visit to the club; the previous trip was in fall 2001.

Although Cheney did not shoot anyone on this hunting excursion, the New York Daily News reports that the trip still managed to stir up problems for the Vice President:

Nobody got shot, but Vice President Cheney still fired up controversy Monday when he went hunting at a private club that hangs the Confederate flag.

A Daily News photographer captured the 3-by-5 foot Dixie flag affixed to a door in the garage of the Clove Valley Gun and Rod Club in upstate Union Vale, N.Y.

DNC Calls for 'Immediate Firing' of DoJ Voting Chief in Wake of 'Outrageous Comments', 'Outright Attack on Voting Rights'
Says John 'Minorities Die First' Tanner's Recent Remarks 'Underscore the GOP's Utter Disregard for the Integrity of our Nation's Election System'
Statement Issued in Advance of Tomorrow's U.S. House Judicary Hearings Featuring Testimony from Embattled DoJ Voting Rights Chief...
http://www.bradblog.com/?p=5219

In advance of tomorrow morning's House Judiciary Committee hearing to feature testimony by DoJ Civil Rights Division Voting Section chief, John "Minorities Die First" Tanner, DNC Chair Howard Dean and Donna Brazile of the DNC Voting Rights Institute have issued a statement calling for Tanner to be "immediately fired."

"In their latest scheme, the Republican Administration has manipulated the mission of the Department of Justice, firing US Attorneys who were unwilling to pursue phony 'voter fraud' cases, and politicized the Civil Rights Division," the statement (posted in full at the end of this article) reads.

The release goes on to decry the politicization of the Bush Department of Justice, and what is described as their "outright assault" on the right to vote.

Live Blogging from the APAPA Voter Education Forum

2:47
I had to go backstage to line up to receive an award of appreciation for SFD's involvement in helping with this event. I missed the taped video from Dan Lungren. Pamela Wu (KCRA Ch. 3) just thanked myself, John Tjaden and Randy Bayne for live-blogging this event (unfortunately, none of us were up on the stage at the time ;o)). Went up on stage to receive my plaque. Now I'm back on stage at my computer.

Amy Tong (2007 Forum Chair) just thanked everyone for helping out. Amy has proved to be quite an incredible organizer. It's been great working with her over the last couple of months.

2:50
C.C. Yin (Founder and Chair of APAPA) is speaking now. More certificates of appreciation for the sponsors of this event. They get plaques and Hawaiian Leis!! C.C. just received a deeeluxe lei from one of the sponsors.

2:59
Comcast brought a giant check that shows they contributed $150K to the event. Wal-Mart is the next sponsor. The Bakersfield store is actually a member of APAPA. The big sponsors are receiving real Chinese swords. They are apparently the swords of democracy. C.C.'s wife is introduced. She's the one that writes the checks! "It's alright to participate in the political process and vote!"

Miss Asian America, Louise Wu, just walked past us as she was going off stage. Wow, nice ... tiara! ;o))

3:05
The candidates are now being introduced. They also get leis. Oops, they started walking off the stage before they could all receive them.


(I was able to take a few pictures from the side where we were sitting)

More below the fold...

Looks like it's time to hit the phones again. We should be ok with Matsui & Thompson (but you can still call them to let them know how you feel about this issue). It's the usual Doolittle, Lungren & Herger phone calls that need to be made.

Vote YES on SCHIP

District 2 - Rep. Wally Herger, R-Marysville (202) 225-3076
District 3 - Rep. Dan Lungren, R-Gold River (202) 225-5716
District 4 - Rep. John Doolittle, R-Roseville (202) 225-2511

As always, other contact info can be found here:
http://sacramentofordemocracy.org/?q=node/view/3130

Thanks,
Bill

“Tomorrow (Thursday), we will be taking up the SCHIP bill. The legislation will provide health care for 10 million of America’s children. It’s another historic opportunity for this Congress to declare itself ‘the children’s Congress.’

If you missed Jeremy Scahill on Bill Moyers Journal, you can watch it here:

http://www.pbs.org/moyers/journal/10192007/watch.html

October 19, 2007

On September 16, 2007, Blackwater contractors, during a complex confrontation in downtown Baghdad, shot and killed Iraqis in the crowded Nisour Square.

The FBI and State Department are currently investigating the incident, yet it further sheds light upon a growing private sector security force in Iraq and elsewhere, that many fear has not been held accountable to the same degree as have US military officials.

Jeremy Scahill has been covering Blackwater for THE NATION and other publications for more than three years. He is a Puffin Foundation Writing Fellow at The Nation Institute, and is the author of BLACKWATER: THE RISE OF THE WORLD'S MOST POWERFUL MERCENARY ARMY, published by Nation Books. He is also an award-winning investigative journalist and correspondent for DEMOCRACY NOW!.

The Republicans are worried that we can't pay to insure an additional 10 million children, they sure don't care about finding $200 billion dollars to fight the illegal war in Iraq. Where you going to get that money? You going to tell us lies, like you're telling us today? Is that how you're going to fund the war? You don't have money to fund the war or children, but you're going to spend it to blow up innocent people ... if we can get enough kids to grow old enough for you to send to Iraq to get their heads blown off for the President's amusement.

Here's the Mp3 of Colonel Ann Wright's address to Sacramento City College from 12-1pm on 10/16/07.

AWright10-16-07.mp3 link here. (55:30)

AWright10-16-07.ra link here. (55:30)

Please call Lungren, Doolittle and Herger and ask them to override Bush's veto of SCHIP (HR 976). Please read the editorial below to find out how many children in our area are affected by the SCHIP program.
--Bill

SCHIP by the numbers - and key ones to call
Here is what's at stake for region's kids as vote nears on overriding Bush's veto
-
Published 12:00 am PDT Monday, October 15, 2007

California has a huge stake in the outcome of a Thursday vote in the House of Representatives.

That's the day that the House will attempt to override President Bush's veto of a bill (HR976) that would continue and expand the State Children's Health Insurance Program. That successful program already provides coverage for 6.6 million children in working families who cannot afford health insurance on their own -- and this bill would add 4 million more.

California has the largest program in the nation (called Healthy Families), covering more than 800,000 kids, plus 8,400 pregnant women.

To see just how important this program is to our region, The Bee asked Peter Harbage, a consultant for the California Healthcare Foundation, to crunch some numbers.

Vigil to Save Children's Health Care

To check for the latest listing of events click this link:
Attend a vigil in your hometown for the millions of kids denied healthcare by the President

Please come! We must stand up for our children. If WE do not stand up for them, we've failed them. We would have lost our souls!

The event details are:

Money for War, Not for Children Health Care: Shame!!
Park Drive & Sunset Avenue in Rocklin
Park Drive and Sunset Blvd
Rocklin, CA 95765
Tuesday, 16 Oct 2007, 5:00 PM

To sign up for this event, click here:
http://political.moveon.org/event/kidshealthvigil/41560

There is also one in Sacramento:

Can you attend a local Vigil to Save Children's Health Care in Sacramento this Tuesday at 6:00 PM? Here are the details and a link to RSVP:

WHAT: Vigil to Save Children's Health Care in Sacramento
WHERE: Southwest corner of Southside Park
WHEN: Tuesday, Oct 16 2007, 6:00 PM
RSVP—Click here:
http://political.moveon.org/event/kidshealthvigil/?event_id=41351&id=11394-4304237-HBypNx&t=3
Time: Tuesday, October 16, 2007 - 6:00pm PST

The Alarming Parallels Between 1929 and 2007

Has deregulation left the economy at risk of another 1929-scale crash? Should the Fed keep bailing out speculators? Robert Kuttner testified yesterday before the House Financial Services Committee.

Robert Kuttner | October 2, 2007

Mr. Chairman and members of the Committee:

Thank you for this opportunity. My name is Robert Kuttner. I am an economics and financial journalist, author of several books about the economy, co-editor of The American Prospect, and former investigator for the Senate Banking Committee. I have a book appearing in a few weeks that addresses the systemic risks of financial innovation coupled with deregulation and the moral hazard of periodic bailouts.

In researching the book, I devoted a lot of effort to reviewing the abuses of the 1920s, the effort in the 1930s to create a financial system that would prevent repetition of those abuses, and the steady dismantling of the safeguards over the last three decades in the name of free markets and financial innovation.

Your predecessors on the Senate Banking Committee, in the celebrated Pecora Hearings of 1933 and 1934, laid the groundwork for the modern edifice of financial regulation. I suspect that they would be appalled at the parallels between the systemic risks of the 1920s and many of the modern practices that have been permitted to seep back in to our financial markets.

Although the particulars are different, my reading of financial history suggests that the abuses and risks are all too similar and enduring. When you strip them down to their essence, they are variations on a few hardy perennials -- excessive leveraging, misrepresentation, insider conflicts of interest, non-transparency, and the triumph of engineered euphoria over evidence.

Jacqueline Cabasso & Andrew Lichterman Will Discuss "U.S. Weapons of Terror"

(Sacramento) Is Iran a nuclear threat? Who is threatening whom? Two speakers will discuss these questions at a program, "U.S. Weapons of Terror, the Global Proliferation Crisis, and Paths to Peace," at 10 AM, Saturday, Nov. 3, at the Hart Senior Center, 915 27th St. in Sacramento.

Jacqueline Cabasso and Andrew Lichterman of Western States Legal Foundation, contributing authors of the new book, “Nuclear Disorder or Cooperative Security?,” have participated in United Nations disarmament and nonproliferation deliberations, including reviews of implementation of the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty.

The event is free and open to the public; donations to WSLF are requested. The foundation, now celebrating its 25th year, seeks to abolish nuclear weapons as an essential step in making possible a more secure, just, and environmentally sustainable world.
Time: Saturday, November 3, 2007 - 11:00am PST

From Dan Bacher...

Give a true hero's welcome to William Rodriguez, the last man out of the World Trade Center #1 on September 11, 2001, when he speaks in Sacramento at the Coloma Community Center on Saturday, November 3, at 7 p.m. Rodriguez will recount his chilling, provocative story and discuss his lingering questions about the 911 attacks.



"Last Man Out" of World Trade Center Tower #1 on September 11th
Recounts his Chilling, Provocative Story and Discusses His Lingering Questions

William Rodriguez, the last man out of the World Trade Center #1, will speak in Sacramento on Saturday, November 3, 2007 at 7:00 pm at the Coloma Community Center, 4623 "T" Street, Sacramento 95819.

September 11th, 2001 started out like any normal day for Rodriguez, who had been working as a janitor in the North Tower when disaster struck. Rodriguez was the only person with a master key to the tower stairwells. The “Key Master” led the firefighters up dozens of stories, unlocking doors along the way, and saving many lives.

Rodriguez was also the last person to exit the North Tower before its collapse and survived the collapse of the building by jumping under a nearby fire truck. Since 9/11, William has been honored five times at the Whitehouse and around the world. Now William travels the globe, sharing his personal story of bravery, conviction, and patriotism.
Time: Saturday, November 3, 2007 - 8:00pm PST

I got this picture from Amnesty International. We should all make a display like this in our front yards for Halloween.