March for DC Voting Rights on April 16th
Fri Apr 06, 2007 at 10:59:40 AM PDT
Calling all DC/MD/VA Kossacks -- and anyone else who wants to come! Celebrate DC Emancipation Day, April 16th, by marching for DC Voting Rights.
The House will be considering HR 1433, the DC Voting Rights Act, as soon as they come back from recess -- the week of April 16th! The bill would give DC, the seat of Democracy, one fully voting representative in the House. What a concept!
The march:
WHERE: Gather at Freedom Plaza and March to the Capitol Reflecting Pool
Metro Stops: For Freedom Plaza — Metro Center or Federal Triangle
For the Capitol Reflecting Pool — Federal Center SW
WHEN: DC Emancipation Day, April 16, 2007
2:30 PM—Gather at Freedom Plaza, 13th St. & Penn. Ave., NW
4:00 PM—Rally at the Capitol Reflecting Pool, 3rd St. & Independence
more below the fold....
My Mother (R-FL) rips Rep Cliff Stearns a new one...
Tue Mar 20, 2007 at 04:36:14 PM PDT
My Mother, conservative Christian, traditional Republican, and passionate patriot (but apolitical) ripped Cliff Stearns (FL-6) (well, actually, it was Cliff Stearns' "director of something or other") a new one this afternoon when the aide informed her that Stearns did not support the DC Voting Rights Act, HR 1433.
I want to share with you her inspiring tirade against one of (too) many self-righteous politicians that wrap themselves in the flag, crow about Democracy and Freedom in Iraq, and proceed to spit on DC residents! My mom ROCKS!
*HR 1433 would give DC a real Representative in the House with actual voting privileges, and in return would give Utah (temporarily) an at-large Member. After the 2010 census, but DC would keep its representative, and the other seat would be reapportioned elsewhere. [Corrected as per KCinDC - thx]
Rant below the fold!
Donations for Amish Shooting Victims' Medical Expenses
Sat Oct 07, 2006 at 09:41:00 PM PDT
A couple of days ago, nom de plume posted a
diary letting people know how they can help the Amish families who have incurred huge medical expenses as a result of the
recent shootings. Many people commented and likely donated, but I wanted to bring this to people's attention once again.
You can donate to Mennonite Disaster Service online, by phone, or by check.
The Amish believe in self-sufficiency, so they do not have health insurance, do not pay (or collect) Social Security or any other type of public assistance. Five girls are dead, and five are in the hospital; one is expected to be taken off life support.
The Amish do not think it is right to ever ask for money, and won't do so. So I am asking for them: Please give what you can: $10? $20? $50? more?
Follow me...
Attention DC Kossacks: Party with DC for Democracy next Wednesday!
Wed Aug 16, 2006 at 08:48:01 PM PDT
Hey DC Kossacks, come one, come all to
DC for Democracy's fundraiser next Wednesday evening at Childe Harold. Mingle with candidates, have a few drinks, and conversate with cool progressives!
Additional enticement: Appetizers provided & free drinks for the first 50 attendees!
At our last MeetUp, we held our endorsement vote for local council candidates, shadow rep and senator, and Delegate Congressperson.
We endorsed:
* City Council - At Large: Phil Mendelsohn
* City Council - Ward 1: Jim Graham
* City Council - Ward 6: Tommy Wells
* Delegate to the U.S. House of Representatives: Eleanor Holmes Norton
* U.S. Representative ("Shadow Representative"): Mike Panetta
* U.S. Shadow Senator: Philip Pannell
So, come to DCFD's fundraiser to support our activity in upcoming local elections. RSVP here. And maybe even get involved :)
August 23, 2006
From: 07:00 PM until 09:00 PM
The Childe Harold
1610 20th Street N.W. - Second Floor
Dupont Circle
And, again, Appetizers provided & free drinks for the first 50 attendees!
Help Dems Get a REAL Debate on Iraq: Boehner Is Trying to Screw Us
Wed Jun 14, 2006 at 12:17:03 PM PDT
On Monday, anglico posted a
diary about House Majority Leader Boehner's proposed "debate" on Iraq on Thursday. He quotes the
Christian Science Monitor piece, which says:
But it is the full-day debate on Iraq on the floor of the House of Representatives, scheduled for Thursday, that is the least predictable of the forums. The last time the House took to debating Iraq, last November, the scene deteriorated into recriminations over a resolution calling for immediate withdrawal that Democrats called a political stunt. House majority leader John Boehner (BONE-ER) (R) of Ohio, who has long planned for this week's debate, hopes to match the serious, dignified tone of deliberation that preceded the Gulf war, in 1991.
In the words of John Stewart, "Whaaaa???" This, my dear Kossacks, is pure BS, as usual. Follow me to the flip for more on what Dems are doing and how we can support them....
Open Letter to Nancy Pelosi
Sun May 14, 2006 at 07:40:13 PM PDT
As you may know if you have been following any of my diaries over the past few months, I am working with DC for Democracy in a campaign to get individual Members of Congress to sign H Res 543, which would force a debate on Iraq to the House floor.
Although we have had successes -- 112 signatures so far -- there have been many frustrations along the way, mostly in the form of Members staff saying the Member is "being cautious" or "hasn't made a decision yet." One of my co-campaigners finally felt the need to address our minority leader. Her letter follows...
May 13, 2006
Dear Congresswoman Pelosi,
Recent press reports say the Democratic Party leadership does not see a relationship between:
a) the failed administration policies (blindly supported by the Republican Party loyalists) for a "War WITHOUT END" and
b) winning elections.
This is so very unfortunate because even a blind person can see the very strong connection. .....
cont'd after the break...
OK, Guys, Where in the World is NC??!!
Wed Apr 12, 2006 at 10:48:35 AM PDT
This is an urgent, desperate plea to North Carolina Kossacks -- where are the Dem activist groups there??!! Help me, PLEASE.
Some of you may have seen my previous diaries about Change the Course, DC for Democracy's national initiative to lobby Congresspeople to sign H Res 543 -- which would force a 17-hour debate to the House floor, with all amendments considered, under "open rules." [Note on link: old diary, we're at 95 sigs now.]
I have been assigned to identify and mobilize North Carolina DFA groups and others to lobby their reps...
More below...
[Update] Action on HR 543 -- New Signers, and the Dems Who Haven't
Thu Apr 06, 2006 at 08:27:44 AM PDT
[95 signers! New signers as of COB today: Udall NM-03, Neal MA-02, Strickland OH-06, Miller NC-13, Wynn MD-04, Price NC04, Obey WI-07, Pallone NJ-06, Hinchey NY-22, Serrano NY-16.]
[Ed Correction: It was pointed out to me that it is not HR 543, it is H Res 543. Big difference. I've corrected in the text.]
Lots of interesting developments on the campaign for H Res 543, which would require 17 hours of debate on Iraq by the House of Representatives. Last night was DC for Democracy's monthly MeetUp (as it was for many DFA groups around the country). We devoted the MeetUp exclusively to
Change the Course.
The Good News
1) Yesterday at 11:00 am, 3 Republican Congressmen -- Walter B Jones of North Carolina, Ron Paul of Texas, and Wayne Gilchrest of Maryland - held a press conference and joined Hawaii Democrat Neil Abercrombie to sign on to H Res 543. DCFD's rep was there, along with other orgs, staffers, and major media. MTinMD blogged it here.
2) We are currently at 85 signers - in addition to the 3 above, Adam Smith and Mark Udall surprised us!
More news and Action items on the flip...
UPDATE: April 5 Is National Call-In Day -- Support HR 543!
Tue Apr 04, 2006 at 10:57:32 AM PDT
[Update: As of COB today, HR 543 gained 3 new signatures, bringing us to 80! New signers: Benjamin L Cardin (D-MD), Michael M Honda (D-CA), and Emanuel Cleaver (D-MO)!]
(For background on HR 543 developments, see
here,
here, and
here.)
Tomorrow
Tomorrow, Wednesday, April 5 is National Call-In Day, when DC for Democracy and other groups are asking you to call your Representatives to ask them to sign HR 543. HR 543 is Discharge Petition to bring 17 hours of debate to the floor of the House of Representatives, under Open Rules, which means that any and all amendments introduced must be debated and voted upon.
Also tomorrow, at 11:00 am, there will be a press conference on the Hill, where 3 Republicans will join 3 Democrats, adding 3 new Republican signatures to the DP.
Where will your Representatives be? Have THEY signed?
If you are in the DC area, come to DC for Democracy's MeetUp at Ben's Chili Bowl on U Street, where we will be discussing ways to take action locally. If you are elsewhere, contact your local DFA group and see what efforts they are working on for "Change the Course".
Yesterday (read on)...
UPDATE!! HR 543 Mo-Jo: We're up to 77 signatures!
Thu Mar 30, 2006 at 01:05:31 PM PDT
[UPDATE: We are now up to 77!!! James Leach (Iowa) just signed! If he's yours, tell him thanks, guys and gals! Woo-hoo!]
Yesterday I posted a diary about HR 543, a bill that would allow the consideration of H J Res 55 and 17 hours of debate on Iraq.
DC for Democracy recently started a nationwide, grassroots campaign called "Change the Course" -- and with the blessing of DFA we have just expanded from 3 pilot states to 30 states. We have been lobbying Reps here in DC (since we have no reps who can sign on, we're helping you!), and local DFA groups in other states, like MD, CA, NY, PA, CT, MN, and NJ, are lobbying in their home districts.
There are now 76 signatories -- up from 72 yesterday.
More on the flipside...
UPDATED: HR 543: Debate Iraq on the House Floor
Wed Mar 29, 2006 at 12:44:04 PM PDT
Today I posting not for myself, but on behalf of
DC for Democracy, of which I am a member. DCFD is calling on all Kossacks to help "Change the Course" and urge their Representatives to do their jobs and actually hold a 17-hour debate on what we are going to do about the situation in Iraq for the
first time since 2002.
On Monday, wmtriallawyer posted a great diary about H Res 543, a bill that would allow the consideration of H J Res 55 17 hours of debate on Iraq.
DC for Democracy recently started a nationwide, grassroots campaign called "Change the Course" - and with the blessing of DFA we have just expanded from 3 pilot states to 30 states. We have been lobbying Reps here, and local DFA groups in other states, like MD, CA, NY, PA, and NJ, have been lobbying in their home districts. There are 72 signatories so far - we need 218 according to House rules.
We need your help! Read on for the nitty-gritty, go here for info on how to take action, or e-mail ChangetheCourseinIraq@yahoo.com.
If nothing else, please recommend so this will get max exposure....
More on the flip...
Just for Obama
Sat Oct 01, 2005 at 11:08:14 AM PDT
I know many of you are sick of replies to Obama already, but this is mainly meant for the Senator to read. So, read if you like, if not, I won't be offended. But id you recommend better chance he may read it.
Senator, I want to say first and foremost that your post is very thoughtful and very relevant to the current political atmosphere. It's also very non-DC, non-typical Senator/Congressperson.
Therein lies the problem. Because, while I agree with much of what you post, I completely feel the pain in RenaRF's post and plea. While you seem to be at odds, you are both articulating the same problem: in a nice, polite way, you are castigating other Dems who are NOT standing up and saying this:
more...
ATTN Illinois Kossacks!
Thu Sep 22, 2005 at 09:46:17 PM PDT
Hey all,
vawolf posted for
synesthete and I
earlier, but this needs to get out there so I'm reposting. Synesthete is from Chicago, I met her here with Code Pink.
She says that at Barack Obama's weekly constituent breakfast someone asked the Senator whether he planned to attend the anti-war march this Saturday. Obama's response (and apparently this is a direct quote): "What march? Is it in DC?"
We know Obama's pretty busy, but we can't believe that he was completely unaware until today that the biggest anti-war march in a long time is happening this Saturday in DC.
Let's make sure he knows! Please call Senator Obama at his DC and Chicago offices to make sure he knows where YOU'LL be on Saturday.
DC office: 202-224-2854;
Chicago office: 312-816-3506.
We're especially looking for calls from Illinois, so if you're an IL Kossack, please call!
Peace, all!
Action Alert: Codex, Big Pharma, and Vitamins
Sat Jul 02, 2005 at 12:21:34 PM PDT
Codex Alimentarius is meeting on Monday, July 4th, Independence Day, to vote on limiting the freedom of the whole world to grow, own, or buy health supplements. Our delegation issued a statement yesterday saying that they will endorse the Codex recommendations.
This includes Vitamin C, iron, folic acid, and every other ordinary vitamin currently sold over-the-counter.
Before someone replies with a "this was already diaried," yes, it was diaried yesterday and a few months ago, but it hasn't gotten much play and it's VERY important.
More below...
ATTN DC Residents: Support DC Public Schools
Tue May 03, 2005 at 04:34:09 PM PDT
Hey, everyone, this is a plea for DC residents (or others from elsewhere if you feel so inclined) to
donate -- or and/or volunteer -- to DC for Democracy to sponsor a school for Hands On DC.
I'm a member of DC for Democracy. Every year, the District has "Hands On DC", a day where droves of residents turn out to clean, paint, fertilize lawns, and various other jobs to fix up DC schools. Of course this shouldn't HAVE to be done but that's not the point right now.
We're trying to get to $500, the minimum to raise to sponsor a school. The money goes towards paint, mulch, brooms, mops, whatever. NOTE: You can donate directly to Hands On DC, BUT then it doesn't go towards our sponsorship.
more below...
Colin Powell Is a Coward
Thu Apr 21, 2005 at 09:49:33 PM PDT
I'm a night-owl, so I just read this (Fri) morning's
WaPo article on Powell's views of Bolton.
Powell doesn't like Bolton:
Powell spoke in recent days with Sens. Lincoln D. Chafee (R.I.) and Chuck Hagel (Neb.), two of three GOP senators on the Foreign Relations Committee who have raised concerns about Bolton's confirmation, the sources said. Powell did not advise the senators to oppose Bolton, but offered a frank assessment of the nominee as a man who was challenging to work with on personnel and policy matters, according to two people familiar with the conversations.
More on the flip.
April 15 is Taxed Without Representation Day!!!
Thu Apr 07, 2005 at 09:56:35 PM PDT
Okay, everybody here should already know that the citizens of the District of Columbia have no real representation on Capitol Hill. First, a primer, then, what you can do, both serious and symbolic.
If, in fact, you are not aware:
- DC residents were not able to vote for President until 1964.
- Our Budget (taxes raised by the District itself) must be approved by the Senate! (For history, see here) Which means not only is it disadvantageous to running a city, but they get to to say "Hey, we won't approve your budget without attaching X ridiculous rider to it." States rights, anyone?
- We have no Senator, no official Congressperson, we have a "non-voting delegate." She can vote on some things, but not many. We have the same power as Puerto Rico or Guam.
If you already know this and want to get to the guts, skip to the flip...
Link to Defense Contractors OR Conserv Spin Doctor?
Mon Jan 31, 2005 at 08:07:20 PM PDT
There are so many diaries on this, so my apologies if someone already got this. I don't have any more on Gannon himself than you all have, but I decided to follow the money, and then follow the diva.
Gannon works for Talon and writes for GOPUSA. On GOPUSA, one of the members of the board of directors is Steve Findley.
see below the fold...
