Friday, July 27, 2007

Impeachment Actions! Wear Orange today & Add Your Name to the Congressional Record

Put Your Name in the Congressional Record in Support of Impeachment
Rep. Dennis Kucinich wants to put the name of everyone who supports Dick Cheney's impeachment in the Congressional Record!

The Congressional Record is the official record of the proceedings and debates of the United States Congress. It is published daily when Congress is in session and is fully searchable.

Every day that Congress is in session, Rep. Kucinich will submit 5 single-spaced pages of names with states, which is the daily limit under House rules. To be included, all you need to do is submit this petition.
http://www.democrats.com/impeach-cheney-congressional-record

This proposal came about on Thursday when representatives of Democrats.com and ImpeachforPeace.org spent the day on Capitol Hill meeting with Congress Members and their staffers. ImpeachforPeace.org has collected hand-written memorials in support of impeachment, following a precedent detailed in the Jefferson Manual. The individuals who have submitted these memorials will also have their names entered into the Congressional Record.

Our lobbying efforts found Congress edging closer and closer to impeachment. Congressional offices expressed growing awareness of citizen demand for impeachment - and citizen dissatisfaction with steps short of impeachment, such as issuing more disregarded subpoenas or passing meaningless censure resolutions.

Let Congress know you want nothing short of Impeachment. Be a part of history:
http://www.democrats.com/impeach-cheney-congressional-record

_______________

Friday July 27: Declare It Now - Wear Orange!

We launched our "Orange Revolution" on Monday with the march from Arlington Cemetary to the office of Rep. John Conyers led by Cindy Sheehan.

Friday July 27 is the start of "Orange Fridays" when we urge impeachment supporters to wear orange and gather in public places, including Honk to Impeach events:
http://communitywalk.com/impeach

Impeachment supporters are wearing bright orange shirts, bandanas, ribbons and buttons, wrapping trees and cars in orange tape, and holding bright orange signs.

Kickoff events on July 27 are being held across the country in Washington DC, Philadelphia, New York City, Charlotte, Atlanta, Detroit, Kalamazoo, Chicago, Houston, Reno, Walla Walla, Seattle, Bakersfield, San Francisco, and Los Angeles. Details here:
http://tinyurl.com/36r7o3

Speakers at Friday’s rally in New York City include Cindy Sheehan, Colonel Ann Wright, Jonathan Tasini, Victor Toro, Rev. Billy, and Elaine Brower.

Wednesday, July 25, 2007

Tuesday, July 24, 2007

Fwd from R! - RE: Mississippi's Insurance Commissioner

Dear Radine,


Support Gary
Anderson for
Mississippi
Insurance
Commissioner
The fight to bring health care to every American is not just a national issue. It is a local one too. Governors, state legislators, and insurance commissioners are taking the lead on health care, often making a difference when no one else will.

Gary Anderson is taking the lead in his state. That's why he's our candidate for Mississippi Insurance Commissioner.

Contribute $20.07 today to put Gary over the top:

www.democracyforamerica.com/anderson

As you might imagine, insurance is a big deal in Mississippi. Almost two years after Katrina, many residents are still waiting for insurance payments to begin rebuilding their lives.

As a key member of the State Health Insurance Board and the sole insurance rate-setting authority in the state, Gary will find ways to help pay for annual physical exams, periodic screenings, and preventative education and care.

When we win, Gary will be the first African American elected to statewide office in Mississippi in over a hundred years. Gary's victory on August 7th will prove a Democrat can win in the Deep South and set the national stage for Democrats to win so-called red states across the country. Please contribute $20.07 and help Gary make history:

www.democracyforamerica.com/anderson

Democracy for America is not waiting for 2008 to make change happen. Gary's race is happening right now; victory in 2007 is ours to win!

Thank you for moving America forward.

Sincerely,

Jim Dean
Chair


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More Sizzling Gonzales

To watch on C-Span now reshowing the Hearing Testimony http://www.c-span.org/watch/cs_cspan3_wm.asp?Cat=TV&Code=CS3

... see Firedoglake.com for liveblogging reports

Thursday, July 19, 2007

House hearing testimony on FEMA trailer toxicity now!

Thursday, July 19, 2007Hurricane Katrina Response

Committee Probes FEMA's Response to Reports of Toxic Trailers

On Thursday, July 19, the Committee will hold a hearing investigating formaldehyde levels in FEMA trailers provided for victims of the Gulf Coast hurricanes and FEMA’s response to these reports. The Committee will hear from current residents occupying FEMA trailers, experts who are familiar with the health impact of formaldehyde, and from FEMA Administrator Paulison.

Formaldehyde is a chemical used in paint and adhesives, and is classified as a “known carcinogen” by the International Agency for Research on Cancer. Reports of high formaldehyde levels found in FEMA issued trailers and FEMA’s response raise serious public health concerns.

Chairman Henry Waxman gives opening remarks:


Chairman Waxman:
“Another FEMA official wrote, the office of general counsel has advised ‘We do not do testing, because it would imply FEMA’s ownership of this issue.’ Early in the process, due to the perseverance of a pregnant mother with a four month old child, FEMA did test one occupied trailer. The results showed that their trailer had formaldehyde levels 75 times higher than the maximum workplace exposure levels recommended by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. The mother evacuated the trailer. FEMA then stopped testing other trailers.”

Mary DeVany, an industrial hygienist, explains the danger of formaldehyde and the need for action:


Mary DeVany:
“The elevated exposures to this toxic, irritating, and cancer-causing gas in FEMA-issued travel trailers has developed into a major public health concern. Now that we have recognized the problem, Americans need to take prompt, effective action to help these disaster victims and safeguard their health. We have the tools. We now need Congress to take decisive action. We owe this to our fellow Americans who have been victimized again through no fault of their own.”

Paul Stewart, a travel trailer occupant from December 2005 to March 2006, gives opening testimony:


Paul Stewart:
“One morning I found our pet cockatiel was very lethargic, unable to move, he was regurgitating, unable to keep his balance. I immediately called a veterinarian who told us to get him out of the camper immediately… The veterinarian told us that the camper was probably making him sick. He said there are many chemicals inside the camper, especially a new one. He said that formaldehyde was the likely cause. He said if we don’t get the bird out of there, the bird will probably die. He explained to us that birds, much like children, breathe much more rapidly than adults, and they take in much more of the toxins that are inside the camper, and that he’s going to show symptoms before we do, but that we should also get out.”

James Harris, Jr., travel trailer occupant from April 2006 to the present, gives opening testimony:


James Harris, Jr.:
“We noticed a pungent, and overpowering odor that permeated through the whole FEMA travel trailer…Our eyes burned and watered as we tried to inhabit the trailer facility. We were told by the person who gave us the keys to the trailer initially, that if we opened the doors and windows of the trailer and allowed the trailer to air out for a couple of hours, that all the odors and the burning sensations of our eyes would pass and not come back. Over a period of time and to this day, we have found that this remedy did not remove the strong odors that we now know to be formaldehyde.”

Rep. John Yarmuth (KY-03) questions travel trailer occupant Paul Stewart and other witnesses on how prevalent the formaldehyde was:


Paul Stewart:
“And I’ll tell you two things that were shocking. Number one was the number of trailers that tested excessively high formaldehyde — 88% of all the campers that were tested had formaldehyde levels that were deemed unhealthy. And the second, and almost as scary thing, is that when we walked in and asked these people, you know, this is who we are, this is who I am, I tested my camper, my camper was high, can we hang a test kit in your camper to make sure that what you’re living in is safe. And almost unanimously the first response was ‘as long as it’s OK with FEMA, because I don’t want to lose this house because if I lose it I’m going to be living back on my slab.’”

Rep. Elijah Cummings (MD-07) questions witnesses:


Rep. Cummings:
“I think it was you Mr. Stewart, said ‘I’ve lost my faith in government.’ And then you said something that really kind of struck me, you said ‘in the real world you’re on your own.’ Well that’s not the way the United States is supposed to be. When our people get in trouble just like you just said, the nation is supposed to come to their rescue. You should not be treated like you’re not a citizen of this country, and I’d say we all have to straighten that out.”

Chairman Henry Waxman questions FEMA Administrator David Paulison :


Chairman Waxman:
“Mr. Paulison, where your staff said a year and a half ago said you should be testing the occupied trailers. The testing didn’t take place. Your lawyer sent an email saying if you test them you may take ownership of it. You said you didn’t follow the advice of your lawyers, you said you followed what EPA had to say. EPA’s statement is that the levels that they were seeing were too high for human health. Now there may be other problems, but you don’t think even at this date that the formaldehyde levels were too high and might have endangered public health? Is that your testimony?”

Tuesday, July 17, 2007

Good News! ...more time to fix 'Net Radio rates...

Net Broadcasters Win More Time Before Fees Due

From PC World, July 16, 2007
By Tom Spring

In a last-minute attempt to avoid crippling royalty fees that would have gone into effect on Sunday, Net broadcasters won more time to negotiate lower fees to be paid to the music industry, according to legislative and industry sources.

In a closed door meeting that took place Thursday night, after a federal appeals court refused to halt the royalty increase, representatives from SoundExchange and the Web broadcasting industry agreed to negotiate further on compromise fees. According to Web radio broadcaster Pandora’s Tim Westergren one of those compromises includes “more realistic” caps on how much Web broadcasters will have to pay in royalty fees.

The meetings were organized by Rep. Ed Markey, D-Mass., chairman of the House Commerce Committee’s telecommunications and Internet subcommittee.

“We are very relieved we have more time to straighten this matter out,” Westergren says. He said if Pandora was forced to comply with fees that would have gone into effect Sunday his company would of had to consider shutting down or possibly owing millions of dollars in fees.

“There was an understanding between all parties present that enforcement of the fees would not be made until more time had been spent negotiating a settlement,” according to Christine Hanson, spokesperson for U.S. Rep. Jay Inslee (D-Wash.). Inslee introduced Senate bill—called the Internet Radio Equality Act of 2007.

Progress has already been made. Hanson says SoundExchange, the music-industry organization that collects the Internet royalties, has already agreed to a $2500 cap on royalties paid by small Web broadcasters. Pandora’s Westergren said negations yielded a $50,000 cap on royalties paid by the largest Web broadcasters.

“We feel better than we did yesterday, but we’re still not out of the woods,” Westergren says.

This article is from PC World. If you found it informative and valuable, we strongly encourage you to visit their Web site and register an account, if necessary, to view all their articles on the Web. Support quality journalism.

Thursday, July 12, 2007

Net Rescued? Support This NOW!!!!!!!!!!!

Rescue Internet Radio

Internet Radio Equality Act of 2007 S. 1353

A quote from a letter written by Senator Ron Wyden: “You may be pleased to learn that I have introduced the The Internet Radio Equality Act of 2007, S. 1353. This legislation would nullify the CRB music royalties decision with respect to webcasting and modify the basis for making ruling in the future. Currently, [...]


Web DJs Silenced by Royalty Fees
The Internet is losing much of its musical variety as hundreds of free Internet radio stations have shut down with the prospect of huge increases in royalty fees. Most other webcasters say they will stop when the rates kick in Sunday.
Jim Puzzanghera, Los Angeles Times
Distress Signal for Webcasters
Time is running out for Internet radio webcasters. Small webcasters have been very successful in getting their stories out to the public. And now it is time for Sound Exchange to listen or for Congress to act.
Dawn Morgan, Creative Loafing Tampa


Tuesday, July 10, 2007

***Call&Email Rep's re: MedicalMarijuana PLEASE!


Marijuana Policy Project Alert

Please call Congress about medical marijuana

Would you please take one minute to call your member of Congress and ask him or her to vote in favor of the medical marijuana amendment that the U.S. House of Representatives will be voting on next week?

It's easy: Just call the Capitol switchboard operator at (202) 224-3121. Give the operator your zip code and ask to be connected to your U.S. House member; you don't even need to know your congressperson’s name to do this.

When the receptionist for the congressperson — not the Capitol switchboard operator — answers, say something like: "Hi, this is [name]. I live in [city], and I'm calling to ask that my representative vote for Rep. Maurice Hinchey's [HIN-chee's] medical marijuana amendment to the Justice Department's spending bill, which I understand will be considered on the House floor next week. The amendment would prohibit the Justice Department from spending taxpayer money to arrest medical marijuana patients in the 12 states where medical marijuana is legal."

Please call now: (202) 224-3121

Then, please follow up by using MPP's easy online legislative system to e-mail your member of Congress. Calling and e-mailing take only one minute each.

The House of Representatives has voted on this amendment the last four consecutive summers, but — since last November’s midterm elections provided the most favorable conditions for passing federal medical marijuana legislation since MPP was founded 12 years ago — this year the amendment has the best chance it has ever had of passing.

If you agree that sick and suffering patients should not have to live in fear of armed federal agents breaking down their doors, this is your chance to do something about it. Please call your member of Congress now.

And if you haven’t donated to MPP this year, please consider making a donation today in support of our lobbying efforts. MPP's staff is working around the clock, making our final push on Capitol Hill. Our lobbying and grassroots teams are fully deployed, connecting constituents with their members of Congress and sending the message loud and clear: Americans want Congress to stop the DEA from arresting seriously ill patients who are using medical marijuana in compliance with state law.

Would you please take one minute to call your congressperson today? Doing so could have a huge impact on the outcome of next week's medical marijuana vote.

Sincerely,

Aaron Houston
Director of Government Relations
Marijuana Policy Project
Washington, D.C.

P.S. As has been mentioned in previous alerts, a major philanthropist has committed to match the first $3.0 million that MPP can raise from the rest of the planet in 2007. This means that your donation today will be doubled.

P.P.S. You can opt out of receiving fundraising mentions in the e-mail alerts MPP sends you in 2007 by visiting www.mpp.org/2007optoutpreference at your convenience.


Monday, July 09, 2007

ImpeachCheney.org #1 youtube video 7/7-8 !!!
Please sign the petition to IMPEACH!!!!!
Impeach Cheney

Friday, July 06, 2007

LIVE Earth! Replays on Demand Now Available!

Live Earth 7-7-7
Don't miss Melissa Etheridge's "Imagine" from the NYC show!!! and from London "This IS Spinal Tap!"
http://liveearth.msn.com