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Week of January 09 2006
Women Say No To War The group Code Pink has launched a campaign mobilizing women peace activists (and men in solidarity) throughout the world calling for an end to the violence in Iraq. The demands of the Women Say No To War campaign include withdrawal of all foreign occupation troops as well as foreign fighters, no foreign military bases, nullification of privatization laws and a massive reconstruction plan. They plan to deliver the statement with at least 100,000 signatures to leaders in Washington D.C. as well as U.S. embassies around the globe on March 8, 2006, International Women's Day. In their first week, over 10,000 signatures were collected. They are also organizing events in Washington D.C. on March 8 and urge local groups to organize in front of U.S. embassies.
More on Illegal Spying and Impeachment A recent Associated Press/Ipsos poll revealed that 56% of Americans believe the Bush administration should be required to have a court warrant before spying on people in the U.S., even if suspected terrorists are involved.
The news on illegal spying, in addition to other numerous examples of disregard for the U.S. Constitution as well as international law, has led the Green Party of the U.S. to renew their call for impeachment. And the city of Arcata, California recently passed a resolution calling for impeachment or resignation of Bush and Cheney.
A suggested disclaimer to add to your email communications:
NOTICE: Due to Presidential Executive Orders, the National Security Agency may have read this email without warning, warrant, or notice. They may do this without any judicial or legislative oversight. You have no recourse nor protection save to call for the impeachment of the current President.
Take Action:January 9 is National Call for Accountability Day. See the Progressive Democrats of America web site for information on contacting your representatives and urging them to sponsor resolutions to investigate and censure Bush and Cheney.
Bush Makes 17 Recess Appointments With the Senate on holiday, President Bush was busy at work last week, making 17 recess appointments and thus avoiding the Senate confirmation process. Appointments fill posts at a number of agencies including Homeland Security, the Defense Dept, the State Dept, the Federal Election Commission and the National Labor Relations Board. See the White House web site for the full list.
Recess appointments are intended to be short term, however Bush is claiming these appointments are valid until the end of 2007 since the Senate held a pro forma session last Tuesday. With "Brownie" of FEMA a fresh memory for many, the appointments have led to protests of cronyism. Read an editorial on the Washington Post and an article on Tom Paine.
Abramoff and Lobbying in Washington Washington lobbyist Jack Abramoff has decided to cooperate with the federal investigation into corruption. His testimony doesn't bode well for the dozens of congress members implicated in the case.
For more information on Jack Abramoff, see the Jack in the House web site by Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington as well as Working for Change's Abramoff Primer.
Take Action:Public Citizen, Working for Change and Texans for Public Justice are calling for Bush to disclose all campaign contributions received from Abramoff for his 2004 reelection campaign. And as Common Cause and Public Citizen both point out, it's not just Abramoff, it's the system. See the sites above for legislation that your representatives should support and urge them to do so.
