1. Disbarring 12 Torture Lawyers
On Monday, May 18, 2009, a broad coalition of organizations dedicated to accountable government, and representing over one million members, filed disciplinary complaints with state bar licensing boards against twelve attorneys who advocated the torture of detainees during the Bush Administration.
These detailed complaints with over 500 pages of supporting exhibits have been filed against John Yoo, Jay Bybee, Stephen Bradbury, Alberto Gonzales, John Ashcroft, Michael Chertoff, Alice Fisher, William Haynes II, Douglas Feith, Michael Mukasey, Timothy Flanigan, and David Addington.
The complaints, filed with the state bars in the District of Columbia, New York, California, Texas, and Pennsylvania, seek disciplinary action and disbarment. Copies of the complaints and exhibits are available at http://www.disbartorturelawyers.com
2. There Are Now 206 Organizations Calling for a Special Prosecutor
206 organizations have signed our call for a special prosecutor for torture.
Please send this link to every organization that you'd like to see listed:
http://www.specialprosecutor.us
Will your organization sign on? Will organizations you are a member of sign on?
http://www.specialprosecutor.us
3. Financial Fiasco Teach-Ins on June 10th
How did we get here? What has the government done so far? What should our economy look like?
A New Way Forward is encouraging people to hold "teach ins", video screenings on June 10th! Go here!
http://www.anewwayforward.org/demonstrations
Here's a terrific 35 minute video to download and show at home (or at the public library or other event location).
4. Torture Accountability Action Day June 25
A day of demonstration everywhere, including in Washington, D.C., aimed at ending torture by holding those responsible accountable.
On June 25, we'll hold a rally in Washington, D.C., and then march to the Department of Justice to demand a special prosecutor for torture. If our demand is not met, some may choose to engage in nonviolent civil resistance, risking arrest.
The rally is sponsored by: After Downing Street, Amnesty International, CODE PINK: Women for Peace, Democrats.com, Indict Bush Now, National Campaign for Nonviolent Resistance, Progressive Democrats of America, Torture Abolition and Survivors Support Coalition, Veterans for Peace, Washington Peace Center, Witness Against Torture, World Can't Wait. The march and nonviolent resistance are sponsored by: After Downing Street, CODE PINK: Women for Peace, Democrats.com, Indict Bush Now, National Campaign for Nonviolent Resistance, Progressive Democrats of America, Torture Abolition and Survivors Support Coalition, Veterans for Peace, Washington Peace Center, Witness Against Torture, World Can't Wait.
Create and find events: http://democrats.com/events
5. George and the Water Board
George W. Bush has been compared to Curious George the monkey for many years, but the comparison didn't quite fit until now. Every Curious George story must include these plot elements:
1. The man with the yellow hat shows George something irresistible, asks him to leave it alone, and then wanders off.
2. George resists everything except temptation and causes all kinds of trouble.
3. Someone makes the bizarre claim that George has done more good than harm, gives him a prize.
Find out how the George W. Bush monkey story ends here:
http://afterdowningstreet.org/node/42687
Then join us in working to change the ending!
6. Daybreak: Undoing the Imperial Presidency and Forming a More Perfect Union
You can order it now!
http://tinyurl.com/daybreakbook
Tour begins in September:
Book Tour 2009:
Sept. 1 Charlotte, NC
Sept. 2-6 unavailable.
Sept. 7 Kent, OH Need more Ohio events Sept 8-9 Sept. 10 Toledo, OH
Sept. 11-17 unavailable
Three dates with United Progressives:
Sept. 18 Tulsa, OK
Sept. 19 Oklahoma City, OK
Sept. 20 Stillwater, OK
Sept. 21 to Oct. 8 unavailable.
NM Tour with Ann Wright, Ray McGovern, Cindy Sheehan, Elliott Adams: Oct. 9, 10, 11 Albuquerque, Santa Fe, & Taos.
Oct. 12, 13 Tampa / St. Petersburg, FL
Oct. 14 Miami, FL at 8 p.m. at Books and Books.
Oct. 15 Orlando, FL
Oct. 16 to Nov. 1 unavailable.
Nov. 2, Philadelphia PA
Need an event November 3rd!
Nov. 4 Kutztown, PA
Nov. 5 Bangor, ME
Nov. 6 Portland, ME
Nov. 7-18 unavailable.
Nov. 19 Davis, CA
Nov. 20, Nevada City, CA
Nov. 21, Fresno, CA
Nov. 22, Bay Area, CA and Marin, CA
Nov. 23, Los Angeles, CA
Nov. 24, Orange County, CA
Nov. 25 to Dec. 31 unavailable.
More Speakers Available.
*****
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Conservatives Gearing Up for Supreme Battle
There's no need for conservatives to hear President Obama's nominee for the Supreme Court. They object already. The New York Times reports:
"Preparing to oppose the confirmation of Mr. Obama's eventual choice to succeed Justice David H. Souter, who is retiring, conservative groups are working together to stockpile ammunition. Ten memorandums summarizing their research ... dissect possible nominees' records, noting statements the groups find objectionable on issues like abortion, same-sex marriage, the separation of church and state and the propriety of citing foreign law in interpreting the Constitution. While conservatives say they know they have little chance of defeating Mr. Obama's choice because Democrats control the Senate, they say they hope to mount a fight that could help refill depleted coffers and galvanize a movement demoralized by Republican electoral defeats."
In other words, howl about wedge issues in the hopes of ginning up the base and raising money. If we were social conservatives, we'd feel used.
This is a great reminder of how important it is to give President Obama a strong Democratic Senate in 2010. The Senate approves Supreme Court nominees, and we can't let Republicans get away with their usual tricks: delay, deny and derail.
Prejudice: A Traditional Value?
Note to Republican state Sen. Kim Hendren of Arkansas: Sen. Chuck Schumer has a name. How about you use it next time?
The state senator - who plans to challenge Democratic U.S. Sen. Blanche Lincoln in 2010 - said he regrets referring to Schumer as "that Jew" during a GOP meeting earlier this month. As reported May 14 in the Arkansas News:
"I don't speak with a TelePrompTer, and if I had, that reference would have never made it in there," Hendren said. "I know I referred to him as Jew or Jewish, and I should not have done that. I got my foot in my mouth."
Then, according to the New York Daily News, he went up to his knee.
"I was attempting to explain that unlike Sen. Schumer, I believe in traditional values, like we used to see on 'The Andy Griffith Show.'"
Golly gee, Opie. We didn't know prejudice was a traditional value.
Hendren spouted off after Schumer had described conservative Republicans as "hard right" on MSNBC's "The Rachel Maddow Show," the Daily News said.
But Hendren denied being prejudiced. He told the Arkansas News that "I don't have any issue with Jews or Jewish people or whatever the politically correct term they wish to be identified as."
We're not sure what's most offensive, the comment itself or Hendren's lack of apology?
We Like Our Name Just Fine, Thanks
Evidently the Republican Party has decided there's no hope and is giving up its rebranding effort. According to Roger Simon of Politico, now they're working on us:
"A member of the Republican National Committee told me [April 12] that when the RNC meets in an extraordinary special session next week, it will approve a resolution rebranding Democrats as the 'Democrat Socialist Party.'"
Politico added that RNC chairman Michael Steele agreed that Democrats "are indeed marching America toward European-style socialism," but he worried that officially referring to us as the "Democrat Socialist Party" might "mischaracterize" Republicans.
As this goofy idea proves, there's no need for us to "mischaracterize" Republicans. They do a perfectly good job making fools of themselves on a regular basis.
This might help explain why only 21 percent of respondents in a recent Washington Post/ABC poll self-identified as Republicans. They're totally out of touch with average Americans, 69 percent of whom are happy with the job President Barack Obama is doing, according to the poll. It doesn't seem to us that insulting the 69 million people who voted for the "Democrat Socialist" in the past presidential election is a particularly effective way to boost your own popularity.
Polling Update
SHOW ME SOME GOOD NEWS
There's good polling news from Missouri. Secretary of State and Democratic Senate candidate Robin Carnahan has a big lead over the top Republicans for Sen. Kit Bond's seat. The poll shows Carnahan with a 53 percent to 44 percent lead over U.S. Rep. Roy Blunt, R-Mo., and a 54-42 lead over former state Treasurer Sarah Steelman. Former U.S. Sen. Jack Danforth is so concerned about Blunt's ability to win that he's backing Thomas Schweich, a law professor and former member of the Bush administration, for the seat. "I think Tom offers a positive alternative to losing," Danforth told Congress Daily. How's that for optimism?
HODES HOLDING STRONG
The Senate race in New Hampshire is close, but promising, a new poll shows. Democratic Congressman Paul Hodes is slightly favored, 38 percent to 35 percent, over one of the most well-known names in the state, former Republican Sen. John Sununu. The most surprising finding? 27 percent of respondents were undecided. That doesn't bode well for Sununu. The people know him, and many don't seem to like him very much.
GO HOME, NORM
In Minnesota, most of the state's residents are ready to embrace their new U.S. Senator, Democrat Al Franken. A Survey USA poll found that 70 percent of Minnesotans said if the state Supreme Court rules that Franken is the winner, then Republican Sen. Norm Coleman should concede. We've said before: It's way past time to give it up, Norm.
Meet President Obama (And Get a Picture)!
If you've ever dreamed of meeting the president, and having a photo of the event as a keepsake, here's your chance: The Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee is holding a one-of-a-kind dinner in June to celebrate our president and his agenda for change, and one lucky supporter will win a trip to Washington, D.C., to attend. The winner of our contest, along with a friend, will be flown to Washington, where they will be provided hotel accommodations and will attend the Democratic dinner featuring our guest of honor, President Barack Obama. The winner will even get his or her photo taken with the president, which would be a really cool addition to anyone's bookshelf.
Sound good? Great! All you have to do is click here and make a contribution of $5 or more to the DSCC and you will be automatically entered to win. Each time you donate, your name will be entered for another chance at this opportunity of a lifetime.