President Bush's State Of The Union State of Denial

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Dear Friend,


Last night, President Bush was presented with an opportunity to offer new ideas and join Democrats in working to advance the people's agenda. Instead he offered more of the same empty rhetoric. With his poll numbers dipping to Nixonian lows, President Bush showed he isn't ready to listen to the American people in his first State of the Union address since the historic elections in November.



The time has come for President Bush to end his state of denial and join Democrats in working on the priorities of the American people. From the war in Iraq to health care to energy independence, Democrats are already delivering on their promises and are ready to work with the President to move America forward. Sadly, President Bush showed tonight that he still refuses to listen to the will of the American people.



Tired of the Bush Presidency? The road to the White House runs through Ohio. The Ohio Democratic Party is starting now to develop the grassroots and communications tools that will ensure that Ohio's electoral votes go to the Democratic Presidential candidate in 2008. There is no time to waste; we need your help TODAY! Please consider giving a donation.




Instead of joining Democrats in working to reduce the cost of health care, President Bush proposed a new health insurance tax hike that would penalize middle class American families who have health care, while doing nothing to help the thousands of Ohioans who have become uninsured under his watch. Instead of joining Democrats in working to put America on the path to energy independence, President Bush recycled last year's broken promises, promises he took less that a week to break. And, instead of offering a new direction in Iraq, President Bush stubbornly refused to back away from his plan to escalate the war in Iraq, a plan that has already been rejected by an overwhelming majority of the American people, military officials and foreign policy experts.



Americans expect more from their President. President Bush should join Democrats in working for a new direction in Iraq that gets our troops out of their sectarian civil war, for a real plan to put America on the path to energy independence, and to provide real solutions to America's health care crisis.



Tell President Bush to join the Democrats in working for a new direction for America. Sign our petition.



Thank you for your support,



Chris Redfern, Chair
The Ohio Democratic Party





The Real State Of The Union

THE ECONOMY: "First, we must balance the federal budget. We can do so without raising taxes. What we need to do is impose spending discipline in Washington, D.C." [President Bush, 1/23/07]



Bush Tax Cuts Created Federal Deficit. Congressional Budget Office figures show, however, that new tax cuts and spending increases approved by Congress since 2001 were a much bigger cause, accounting for nearly two-thirds of the budgetary deterioration that occurred over the 2001-2006 period. The tax cuts are single largest contributor to the emergence of deficits. The federal budget would have been balanced last year if not for the revenue loss caused by the tax cuts. [CBPP, 10/30/06]



The National Debt Continues to Climb. In 2001, the total national debt was exactly $5,726,968,823,821.55. In January of 2007, the total debt rose to $5,932,136,522,924.02 and soared up to $8,672,664,626,584.48as of January 17, 2007. [President Bush, State of the Union, 2/27/01; http://www.publicdebt.treas.gov/opd/opdpdodt.htm]





ESCALATION OF THE IRAQ WAR: "In order to make progress [in Iraq]...we are deploying reinforcements of more than 20,000 additional soldiers and Marines to Iraq." [President Bush, 1/23/07]



Michael Vickers, Former Special Forces Officer: "All The Forces In The World" Won't Change Security Situation In Iraq. Vickers said, "The security situation is inextricably linked to politics. If you can solve some of the Iraqi political problems, the security situation becomes manageable. If you can't...all the forces in the world aren't going to change that." [The Newshour With Jim Lehrer, PBS, 12/12/06]



IRAQ: "In the sixth year since our Nation was attacked, I wish I could report to you that the dangers have ended. They have not." [President Bush, 1/23/07]



National Intelligence Estimate: Iraq War Creating a New Generation of Terrorists. "We assess that the Iraq jihad is shaping a new generation of terrorist leaders and operatives; perceived jihadist success there would inspire more fighters to continue the struggle elsewhere. The Iraq conflict has become the 'cause celebre' for jihadists, breeding a deep resentment of US involvement in the Muslim world and cultivating supporters for the global jihadist movement." [National Intelligence Estimate, 4/06]





ENERGY: "... for too long our nation has been dependent on foreign oil." [President Bush, 1/23/07]

2006: Bush Pledged Renewable Energy Initiative - Then Gutted National Renewable Energy Lab. The day after President Bush pledged to end America's reliance on foreign oil by funding renewable energy initiatives, the Department of Energy announced that 40 researchers at the prestigious National Renewable Energy Laboratory were being laid off because Republican budget cuts had slashed $28 million from the lab's budget.







Tired of the Bush Presidency? The road to the White House runs through Ohio. The Ohio Democratic Party is starting now to develop the grassroots and communications tools that will ensure that Ohio's electoral votes go to the Democratic Presidential candidate in 2008. There is no time to waste; we need your help TODAY! Please consider giving a donation.







The Department of Taxation allows all Ohioans to donate a dollar to the Ohio Political Party Fund on their individual income tax return. Monies from this fund are split between the two parties and can be used for administrative costs associated with the party organization. This is a very easy way for you to support the Ohio Democratic Party. Simply check yes in the Ohio Political Party Fund box (shown below) on your IT 1040 form and one dollar of your taxes will be designated to the fund. Please note that this does not increase your tax or decrease your refund, it just designates one dollar of taxes already paid towards the fund. The Ohio Democratic Party urges you to participate in this option. Thank you for your support.





Paid for and authorized by the Ohio Democratic Party,
Not authorized by any federal candidate or campaign committee,
Chris Redfern, Chair, 271 East State St, Columbus, Ohio 43215





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Study proves Bush tax cuts benefit the very rich

However, the article says that the cuts benefit the rich, but by and large the bottom half of the tax bracket (under 36,000) barely had to pay anything and sometimes even got money back. If I were in the top 1 percent of wage earners in the country, I might be a little jaded that my portion of America pays 36% of the bills. However, after mulling it over in my new pool on the second floor of my elaborate 3 story house, I might be able to feel just a bit better.

read more | digg story

The terrorist you've never heard of

Demetrius "Van" Crocker and Josa Padilla-- Tow men accused of suspected terrorist attempts, one accused and one tortured to the point of insanity. Yet, in terms of news coverage, most of America probably couldn't tell you anything about them. Hell, I wouldn't know about them if it wasn't for www.digg.com.

This article is an eye opener in many ways, and it begs the question, is our local television broadcast news worth the effort? No, then can we please change it?

read more digg story

Bush Illegally Silences Critic of Iran Policy

Flynt Leverett -- former CIA analyst, NSC member and established foreign policy expert -- has written an op-ed for the NYT bashing the Bush admin. for it's failed policies towards Iran...


Again...Americans...do not speak up against our administration...it is unpatriotic....please try to keep that in mind ok?

read more | digg story

new Jersey Legislature makes Civil Unions Legal in that State

In an effort to spark discussion, as I'm sure it will, I am posting the following which I received from the Ohio Democratic Party:
"Under pressure from New Jersey's highest court to offer marriage or its equivalent to gay couples, the Legislature voted Thursday to make New Jersey the
third state to allow civil unions. Democratic Gov. Jon Corzine said he would sign the measure, which would extend to same-sex couples all the rights and
privileges available under state law to married people. The bill passed the Assembly 56-19 and the Senate 23-12.

Massachusetts is the only state to allow gay marriage. Vermont and Connecticut have civil unions, and California has domestic partnerships that work similarly.

Among the benefits gay couples would get under New Jersey's civil unions bill are adoption rights, hospital visitation rights and inheritance rights.

Gay rights advocates welcomed the bill as a step forward but said they would continue to push for the right to marry.

The bill was drafted in response to a landmark New Jersey Supreme Court ruling in October that required the state to extend the rights and benefits of marriage
to gay couples within 180 days. The court, in its 4-3 ruling, left it up to the Legislature to decide whether to call such unions ''marriages'' or something
else.

Gay rights groups have argued that not calling the arrangement ''marriage'' creates a different, and inferior, institution. Some conservatives argued against
civil unions altogether, and Republican Sen. Robert Singer said Thursday he wanted to add a provision to the bill defining marriage as a union between
a man and a woman.

Citing recent state polls showing strong support for marriage equality, Steven Goldstein, director of the gay rights advocacy organization Garden State
Equality, said he expects gay couples to be able to get married in New Jersey within two years. (AP)"

10,000 US scientists protest against political interference in science

Researchers across the political spectrum, including 52 Nobel laureates, have signed a statement objecting to the Bush administration's censorship and misrepresentation of scientific data.

This article is a very important read for people. Partisan politics is bullshit. We need to work together scientists, ministers, teachers, politicians, students, and anyone else to make our country and citizen responsive to the need of all people. We need to wake up and realize that some people lie and distort findings in order to keep power or push their own personal agenda. Untill the masses wake up and work together, nothing will change.

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Interesting News Clippings-related to the Iraq War and George bush

The following was taken from the ODP Daily Talking Points from December 11, 2006.

Bush’s Failed Iraq Policies And The Iraq Study Group



According to the final report from the bipartisan Iraq Study Group, President Bush’s current strategy in Iraq is “not working” and the situation in the country is “grave and deteriorating.” At the same time, the latest AP-Ipsos poll found that that only 27 percent of Americans approve of President Bush’s handling of Iraq, “down from his previous low of 31 percent in November.” [AP, 12/8/06] It is clear that the American people want a new direction in Iraq, yet President Bush has already “moved quickly to distance himself … from the central recommendations” of the study group. [New York Times, 12/8/06] Editorial boards across the country highlighted the importance of the commission’s report to addressing President Bush’s failed policy in Iraq.



Los Angeles Times: Bush’s Performance “Depressing.” “If the Iraq Study Group is worried that its recommendations will not be taken seriously, then Thursday's news conference with President Bush and British Prime Minister Tony Blair is cause for concern. … Semantics aside, Bush's performance Thursday was depressing. He turned truculent when pressed to describe the situation on the ground (“It's bad in Iraq. Does that help?”) and was irritatingly simplistic explaining his rationale for staying there (“I wouldn’t have our troops in harm's way if I didn't believe that, one, it was important, and, two, we'll succeed”). His opening remarks included the usual airy rhetoric about creating a beacon of democracy in the Middle East and ominous yet vague references to ‘the forces of terror and extremism.’ For minutes at a time, the conference sounded like it could have been taking place in 2003. … Bush is right: The U.S. needs to confront terrorists, and democracy is a worthy goal. But declaring a goal is separate from achieving it. No one will argue that these goals aren't important (that word again). Yet they will remain unattainable until a host of other issues, many of them outlined by the Iraq Study Group, are addressed. Maybe Bush realizes this but can't bring himself to say so publicly. Or maybe he just doesn't believe it. After Thursday's news conference, it's still hard to tell.” [Los Angeles Times, Editorial, 12/8/06]



Los Angeles Times: Bush Administration Must Not Abandon Commission’s Suggestion Of Diplomacy. “If there was an important message lost in the rollout of the Iraq Study Group’s report on Wednesday, it was this: New diplomatic initiatives, even at this 11th hour, are essential not just for ending the Iraq war but also to put the United States in the optimum position after it is over. … Should Iraq's shaky government fail, the United States' ability to control the country's violent disintegration militarily will be minimal. The Bush administration — stubbornly fixated on an improbable victory — is poorly positioned to cope with this, much less to restore a U.S. leadership role so badly undercut by differences over Iraq. Diplomacy is the only alternative. … Critics might dismiss the group's proposals as little more than a nostalgic revival of the unworkable methods of a bygone era. But dialogue and negotiation move opponents toward agreements — in everything from labor disputes to deciding in a family who will prepare dinner. They are the foundation of centuries of diplomacy. Bush's rigidity is particularly dangerous right now as the United States searches for an exit strategy from Iraq that won't make Americans more vulnerable.” [USA Today, Editorial, 12/8/06]



Dallas Morning News: “Flawed and depressing though it is, the Iraq Study Group report has the virtue of being a shot of realism more bracing than the Kool-Aid that much of official Washington has been quaffing for some time. The report's most politically significant thrust is to recommend a withdrawal of U.S. combat troops by early 2008, barring unforeseen circumstances, and deliberate moves to force the Iraqis to take control of their own destiny. The Iraq Study Group correctly recognizes that an open-ended U.S. commitment permits the Iraqis to put off a political settlement. It also recognizes that the American people are running out of patience. Despite President Bush's recent claim that there is ‘no realism’ to talk of a graceful exit from Iraq, that's precisely what this bipartisan panel calls for. … The report is not holy writ, of course, but it does recast the Iraq debate going forward. One year ago, the National Security Council issued a report titled ‘Victory in Iraq.’ Few serious people outside the White House talk that way anymore. Now, as the Iraq Study Group report makes clear, the mission is all about how to get out of Iraq as soon as is feasible and leave the country reasonably stable. This is progress, in that it is better to deal with the world as we find it than as we wish it to be. It's imperative that President Bush get this message.” [Dallas Morning News, Editorial, 12/7/06]



Denver Post: President Bush Needs To “Consider All Options Before Iraq Slides Into Irreversible Chaos.” “The Iraq war report unveiled Wednesday by a bipartisan commission was a bleak rebuke of President Bush's policies and a sobering, high-profile reminder of the challenges the U.S. faces. The Iraq Study Group's report called the situation in Iraq "grave and deteriorating" and predicted severe consequences unless the U.S. military refocuses its mission and aggressive regional diplomatic efforts are undertaken. Of course, the widely anticipated report could not answer one key question: Will a stubborn president heed recommendations that contradict his entrenched Iraq policies? … The situation in Iraq is deteriorating daily - 10 U.S. troops were killed on Wednesday alone - and the nation is in urgent need of new policies and plans. The president needs to thoughtfully but expeditiously consider all options before Iraq slides into irreversible chaos.” [Denver Post, Editorial, 12/7/06]


Baltimore Sun: “Iraq Has Been A Disastrous Blunder”; President Bush Must “Endorse The Report’s Conclusions.” “Members of Congress are calling on the president to endorse the report's conclusions, as he should. If he doesn't, it will call into question his ability to be an effective commander-in-chief. But no one should imagine that the U.S. can extricate itself from Iraq without causing a considerable amount of pain, both theoretical and actual, and opening the way to a distressing escalation of bloodshed, possibly involving other countries. Intelligent policies can help to keep those negatives within bounds; clearly, delay for the sake of delay is pointless. The report of the Iraq Study Group makes for sad reading. The painfully obvious implication is that the war in Iraq has been a disastrous blunder in just about every way imaginable. And the consequences are still mounting.” [Baltimore Sun, Editorial, 12/7/06]

Alert: Catch Nancy Pelosi on TV tonight

From the DCCC:
We wanted to let you know that Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi, soon to be America's first woman Speaker of the House, will appear on Barbara Walters' ABC special, "The 10 Most Fascinating People of 2006."

The special will air tonight, Tuesday, December 12, at 10 p.m. Eastern Time. Check your local listings for exact times and station details in your area. The special will also announce the "Most Fascinating Person of 2006."

We hope you enjoy it.

DCCC Press

90 Million Americans Believe Government Behind 9/11- DO YOU?

CBS News: According to a July poll conducted by Scripps News Service, one-third of Americans think the government either carried out the 9/11 attacks or intentionally allowed them to happen in order to provide a pretext for war in the Middle East. This is at once alarming and unsurprising. Alarming, because...


This is an interesting article reprinted from The Nation. I doubt that 90 million people actually believe that 9-11 was an inside job, but I am sure 90 million people are dissatisfied with the state of our Nation. Let me know if the digg.com option works. You actually have to click on the "read more" button at the bottom for the actual article.

Also let us know your thoughts on the article, conspiracy theorists, and other political mumbo jumbo.

read more | digg story

The war on Drugs: The other war we can't win

The ironic truth is that humans have used drugs - psychoactive substances ranging from opium and coca to alcohol, hemp, tobacco and coffee - since the dawn of history. Problems get triggered when substances are associated with despised or feared subgroups, according to a careful study by the King County, Wash., Bar Association.


This is an autoblog from digg.com. I just think that there is a better way to handle drugs in our country. We have mentioned the topic before and we will revisit the issue whenever anyone speaks out about drug policy in this country and its need for revisions.

read more | digg story

The Iraq Study Report-Update from Joe Biden on 12/7/06

I received the following email and thought it might start some discussion on the Iraq Report. Please let us know your thoughts.


A brief update on the the final Iraq Study Group report, which was released today. The Iraq Study Group's report is important, necessary, but not sufficient to achieve the objective most Americans want: to leave Iraq without leaving chaos behind.
The report's most valuable contribution is to make clear that staying the course in Iraq is not an option. Thanks to the Iraq Study Group's efforts, the central question is no longer whether to stay in Iraq, but when and how, to responsibly leave. What is missing from the report, however, is a strategy for sustaining a political settlement among Iraqis so they stand together instead of falling apart.

I plan to hold intensive and extensive hearings on Iraq to shine a light on what options remain for America in Iraq, and will send further updates when those hearings begin.

Thank you,



Joe Biden

Net Neutrality -- the longstanding principle that prevents Internet providers from discriminating between Web sites

Here is a website for an online letter to be sent to your Congress and Senate representatives and the FCC. To warn them about rubber stamping the merger between AT&T and Bell South and maintain net neutrality. If you do not know the issues of net neutrality please do a little research and decide if this is really an issue that you stand behind.

The online letter is provided by "Free Press dot Net" a nonpartisan organization who works in media reform and advocacy.

A Letter from the President of Iran--To Americans

http://www.irna.ir/en/news/view/line-17/0611293757222213.htm ; http://www.irna.ir/en/news/view/line-17/0611291758221428.htm ; http://www.irna.ir/en/news/view/line-17/0611293081220728.htm ---These three links go to the Islamic Republic News Agency , and cover a full text version of an open letter sent to the citizens of the United States from President Ahmadinejad of Iran. I do not think the letter is finished although I combined the text of these links for this blog post. You will have to check out their site for the rest of the letter. I have not read the letter in full, but I will. I would welcome any comments at this site that:

1. Resond to all or certain parts of the letter
2. Respond with your opinions in the War in Iraq
3. Responses from people about possible solutions to the civil war in Iraq



In the name of God, the Compassionate, the Merciful "O, Almighty God, bestow upon humanity the perfect human being promised to all by You, and make us among his followers." Noble Americans! Were we not faced with the activities of the US administration in this part of the world and the negative ramifications of those activities on the daily lives of our peoples, coupled with the many wars and calamities caused by the US administration as well as the tragic consequences of US interference in other countries; Were the American people not God-fearing, truth-loving, and justice-seeking, while the US administration actively conceals the truth and impedes any objective portrayal of current realities; And if we did not share a common responsibility to promote and protect freedom and human dignity and integrity; Then, there would have been little urgency to have a dialogue with you.
While Divine providence has placed Iran and the United States geographically far apart, we should be cognizant that human values and our common human spirit, which proclaim the dignity and exalted worth of all human beings, have brought our two great nations of Iran and the United States closer together.
Both our nations are God-fearing, truth-loving and justice-seeking, and both seek dignity, respect and perfection.
Both greatly value and readily embrace the promotion of human ideals such as compassion, empathy, respect for the rights of human beings, securing justice and equity, and defending the innocent and the weak against oppressors and bullies.
We are all inclined towards the good, and towards extending a helping hand to one another, particularly to those in need.
We all deplore injustice, the trampling of peoples' rights and the intimidation and humiliation of human beings.
We all detest darkness, deceit, lies and distortion, and seek and admire salvation, enlightenment, sincerity and honesty.
The pure human essence of the two great nations of Iran and the United States testify to the veracity of these statements.
Noble Americans! Our nation has always extended its hand of friendship to all other nations of the world.
Hundreds of thousands of my Iranian compatriots are living amongst you in friendship and peace, and are contributing positively to your society. Our people have been in contact with you over the past many years and have maintained these contacts despite the unnecessary restrictions of US authorities.
As mentioned, we have common concerns, face similar challenges, and are pained by the sufferings and afflictions in the world.
We, like you, are aggrieved by the ever-worsening pain and misery of the Palestinian people. Persistent aggressions by the Zionists are making life more and more difficult for the rightful owners of the land of Palestine. In broad day-light, in front of cameras and before the eyes of the world, they are bombarding innocent defenseless civilians, bulldozing houses, firing machine guns at students in the streets and alleys, and subjecting their families to endless grief.
No day goes by without a new crime.
Palestinian mothers, just like Iranian and American mothers, love their children, and are painfully bereaved by the imprisonment, wounding and murder of their children. What mother wouldn't? For 60 years, the Zionist regime has driven millions of the inhabitants of Palestine out of their homes. Many of these refugees have died in the Diaspora and in refugee camps. Their children have spent their youth in these camps and are aging while still in the hope of returning to homeland.
You know well that the US administration has persistently provided blind and blanket support to the Zionist regime, has emboldened it to continue its crimes, and has prevented the UN Security Council from condemning it.
Who can deny such broken promises and grave injustices towards humanity by the US administration? Governments are there to serve their own people. No people wants to side with or support any oppressors. But regrettably, the US administration disregards even its own public opinion and remains in the forefront of supporting the trampling of the rights of the Palestinian people.
Let's take a look at Iraq. Since the commencement of the US military presence in Iraq, hundreds of thousands of Iraqis have been killed, maimed or displaced. Terrorism in Iraq has grown exponentially. With the presence of the US military in Iraq, nothing has been done to rebuild the ruins, to restore the infrastructure or to alleviate poverty. The US Government used the pretext of the existence of weapons of mass destruction in Iraq, but later it became clear that that was just a lie and a deception.
Although Saddam was overthrown and people are happy about his departure, the pain and suffering of the Iraqi people has persisted and has even been aggravated.
In Iraq, about one hundred and fifty thousand American soldiers, separated from their families and loved ones, are operating under the command of the current US administration. A substantial number of them have been killed or wounded and their presence in Iraq has tarnished the image of the American people and government.
Their mothers and relatives have, on numerous occasions, displayed their discontent with the presence of their sons and daughters in a land thousands of miles away from US shores. American soldiers often wonder why they have been sent to Iraq.
I consider it extremely unlikely that you, the American people, consent to the billions of dollars of annual expenditure from your treasury for this military misadventure.
You have heard that the US administration is kidnapping its presumed opponents from across the globe and arbitrarily holding them without trial or any international supervision in horrendous prisons that it has established in various parts of the world. God knows who these detainees actually are, and what terrible fate awaits them.
You have certainly heard the sad stories of the Guantanamo and Abu-Ghraib prisons. The US administration attempts to justify them through its proclaimed "war on terror." But everyone knows that such behavior, in fact, offends global public opinion, exacerbates resentment and thereby spreads terrorism, and tarnishes the US image and its credibility among nations.
The US administration's illegal and immoral behavior is not even confined to outside its borders. You are witnessing daily that under the pretext of "the war on terror," civil liberties in the United States are being increasingly curtailed. Even the privacy of individuals is fast losing its meaning. Judicial due process and fundamental rights are trampled upon. Private phones are tapped, suspects are arbitrarily arrested, sometimes beaten in the streets, or even shot to death.
I have no doubt that the American people do not approve of this behavior and indeed deplore it.
The US administration does not accept accountability before any organization, institution or council. The US administration has undermined the credibility of international organizations, particularly the United Nations and its Security Council. But, I do not intend to address all the challenges and calamities in this message.
The legitimacy, power and influence of a government do not emanate from its arsenals of tanks, fighter aircraft, missiles or nuclear weapons. Legitimacy and influence reside in sound logic, quest for justice and compassion and empathy for all humanity. The global position of the United States is in all probability weakened because the administration has continued to resort to force, to conceal the truth, and to mislead the American people about its policies and practices.
Undoubtedly, the American people are not satisfied with this behavior and they showed their discontent in the recent elections. I hope that in the wake of the mid-term elections, the administration of President Bush will have heard and will heed the message of the American people.
My questions are the following: Is there not a better approach to governance? Is it not possible to put wealth and power in the service of peace, stability, prosperity and the happiness of all peoples through a commitment to justice and respect for the rights of all nations, instead of aggression and war? We all condemn terrorism, because its victims are the innocent.
But, can terrorism be contained and eradicated through war, destruction and the killing of hundreds of thousands of innocents? If that were possible, then why has the problem not been resolved? The sad experience of invading Iraq is before us all.

Send a Christmas Card To a Soldier

Click on the title link to visit the Let's Say Thanks website, sponsored by Xerox and send a Christmas Card to a serviceperson overseas.

Regardless of your views on the war, we all can show them that we appericiate their efforts during this holiday season. We hope all of them swiftness in dealing with the Iraq Civil War and a safe return home.

An Inconvenient Truth Squeezed from Classrooms

An Inconvenient Truth Squeezed from Classrooms

This was an interesting read that I came across. Just thought I would pass the infomation on. Any comments are welcome.

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Browns Win--Donate to the Cleveland Food Bank

The Browns beat the Falcons today. Here is a cool fundraiser for football fans. Hopefully, Cleveland will move up in the rankings.

Go Browns

Rumsfeld Out; Gates In

The White House just announced that Donald Rumsfeld will resign from his position as Secretary of Defense and Robert Gates(wiki link) will take his place.

A Few Snippets that we took from the Press Conference with Mr. President today,

When Mr. Bush was asked about the timing of the decision he said that "they made the decision yeterday (election day)"

Is this administration prepared to deal with the oversight and investigation that could come from the Democrats. "The Democrats are going to have to make up their mind about how they handle their affairs..."

When asked about Nancy Pelosi, which of her objectives can you agree with "...opportunity to find some common ground to move forward on...minimum wage issue is an area where we can find common ground."

Special Issue-Voting Information for Voting Tuesday, November, 7, 2006

The S & G Political News
Issue 4—Special Issue: Monday, November 6, 2006
Voting Information—Vote your choice tomorrow, Tuesday, November 7

In this issue:
1: Welcome (Jeremy Grandstaff)
2: Information regarding Statewide candidates in Ohio
3: State Issues up for Decision-Ohio
4: Highlighted Local Issue of interest—COTA Levy (Central Ohio)
5: Special Contribution (Steve Wild, Columbus, Ohio)
6: In conclusion (Jeremy Grandstaff)
7: Subscription Instructions
To retrieve an online copy: visit www.sgendeavors.com/political

1: Welcome (Jeremy Grandstaff)

Welcome to the special Election Information issue of the S&G Political Newsletter. In our political newsletters, we try to provide information to our readers that is provocative. It is meant to grab your interest and allow you to ask questions. In this issue, we provide links to different web sites with diverse takes on the candidates, state-wide issues, and even some local election information to Central Ohio.
Be sure to visit our blog to leave your suggestion or read comments from others on the topics. If the above link does not work for you, please copy and paste the following into your browser: http://imakeadifference.blogspot.com/

2: Information regarding Statewide candidates in Ohio

The following links provide information regarding State Wide Candidates--including governor, secretary of state, treasurer, attorney general, auditor, ETC.

For the most up to date information of the statewide ads please go to http://www.uselections.com/oh/oh.htm. USElections is the actual name of the site and they provide a thorough list of current officers and active candidates for each race and most of their websites. This link is for Ohio, but if you browse the site you will see that they also cover 49 other states. They also have links to new stories, blogs, a bookstore, and voting information and rights.

You may also want to check out this recently created blog: http://30fpspolitics.blogspot.com/ . This is a great new blog idea for politics. It has 30 second ads from a lot of major Ohio races and issues on the ballot. You can click on them easily and watch the ads. Use the ads to decide how to conduct last minute candidate research before the election; you should not make a decision buy using the ads alone.

Another website that deserves kudos and mention in our political newsletter is Politics1, which can be found at http://www.politics1.com/index.htm. This is another great site to find out tons of information about politics, national races, local campaigns, issues, and political parties. Make sure you check out the National “issues” link which covers most major issues including Global warming, Gay Rights, International Trade and Immigration. They also have extensive coverage of political parties other than the Big Two, including but not limited to, CHRISTIAN FALANGIST PARTY OF AMERICA, AMERICAN NAZI PARTY, GREEN PARTY OF THE UNITED STATES and the LIBERTARIAN PARTY. They list the active races for each state, have an ongoing political blogroll (a list of political blogs on their site), and links to the different media outlets (usually newspaper and television) for each state as well.

3: State Issues up for Decision-Ohio

In addition, we wanted to offer some web sites of interest for each of the state-wide issues that are on the ballot in Ohio. State-wide issues do involve some amendments to the state constitution and warrant your consideration before going to vote.

http://www.ohiocathconf.org/L/06ballotissuesum.pdf -- A report on the ballot issues for Ohio by the Catholic Conference of Ohio

http://www.lwvohio.org/pdf/fall%202006/Ballot%20issues%20pros-cons%20F%202006.pdf – Pros and Cons for the Ohio Issues from the League of Women Voters of Ohio

http://www.gcpartnership.com/uploadedFiles/Advocacy/ballot%20issue%20brochureFINAL.pdf –A comprehensive report on the issues for Ohio prepared by COSE-Council of Smaller Enterprises and the Greater Cleveland Partnership

4: Highlighted Local Issue of interest—COTA Levy (Central Ohio)

Central Ohio Transit Authority (COTA)—Central Ohioans will vote on Issue 7 which provides the necessary funding to expand COTA services throughout Central Ohio, keeping our roadways running smoothly and providing continued affordable transportation on a daily basis. Visit www.cotacampaign .com to learn more about the benefits of voting “yes” to the levy in Central Ohio.

Some additional links of interest:
Columbus RetroMetro Article - The site RetroMetro with an article in which Mayor Coleman supports the levy.

http://columbus.bizjournals.com/columbus/stories/2006/09/25/daily23.html; http://columbus.bizjournals.com/columbus/stories/2006/10/23/story3.html; - both links to articles in Columbus Business Journal about the Cota ballot issue.

The following is an inclusion from Marie Keister, volunteer for the COTA Campaign:
This is just one last reminder to vote “yes” on Issue 7 tomorrow. Endorsed by an impressive list of chambers of commerce, city councils, area media and a bi-partisan list of various organizations, Issue 7 will help COTA connect people with jobs, increase service to persons with disabilities and increase service for second and third shift workers in high growth areas. Having worked on several area highway projects that also depend on transit to play a key role in offsetting dramatic future increases in traffic congestion, I know we must make this investment to keep people and goods moving.

As the Columbus Dispatch pointed out, the “10-year, 0.25 percent tax….will be collected starting January 2008, when an identical tax imposed by the Franklin County Board of Commissioners will expire. As a result, county residents won’t see a net change in the tax rate.”

Thanks to all of you who have posted yard signs, participated in lit drops, or just told your friends and neighbors the importance of this levy. Remember to vote!

Marie

Issue #7 (COTA) is endorsed by:

-Columbus Dispatch
-Columbus Business First
-Columbus Chamber of Commerce
-Columbus Workforce Alliance
-Columbus Partnership
-Columbus City Council
-Dublin City Council
-Upper Arlington City Council
-Westerville City Council
-Worthington City Council
-The City Council of Grove City
-Grandview Heights City Council
-Minerva Park Village Council
-Canal Winchester Village Council
-Minerva Park Village Council
-Northland Community Council
-German Village Society
-Dublin Chamber of Commerce
-Upper Arlington Chamber of Commerce
-Clintonville Chamber of Commerce
-Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission
-League of Women Voters
-NAACP
-Transportation Workers Union Local 208
-Central Ohio Labor Council (AFL-CIO)
-Ohio League of Conservation Voters Education Fund
-Sierra Club
-1000 Friends of Central Ohio
-Central Ohio Bicycle Advocacy Coalition
-Columbus/Central Ohio Building Trades Council
-Schumacher Place Civic Association
-Bexley News
-Big Walnut News
-The Booster
-Delaware News
-Dublin News
-Gahanna News
-German Village Gazette
-Grove City News
-Hilliard Northwest News
-New Albany News
-Northland News
-Northwest Columbus News
-Olentangy Valley News
-Pickerington Times-Sun
-Reynoldsburg News
-The Times
-Tri-Village News
-Upper Arlington News
-Westerville News & Public Opinion
-Westland News
-Whitehall News
-Worthington News

5: Special Contribution (Steve Wild, Columbus, Ohio)

Steve is a close friend of S & G Endeavors and is very active in progressive politics. Though his writing may appear to some as a bit in-your-face, I feel it might help to inspire our readers to believe that each individual has the power to make a difference. You can find more of Steve’s writing at http://www.dailyspeech.net/. If you would like to see more of his writing in future newsletters, please be sure to let us know.

This is it folks. Tomorrow, Tuesday, November 7, 2006, we have an opportunity to send George W. Bush and his Republican Congress a real wake up call. (Likewise to his Republican allies in Ohio and other states across the country).



Let’s let Republicans know we are tired of their reckless and incompetent management of government at all levels – their reckless foreign policy and military campaigns that have made us and the world less safe, their filling the coffers of military contractors like Haliburton in Iraq while cheaping out on military armor for our men and women in the armed forces, their giving lucrative contracts to Arab companies to guard our ports while not investing in real port security and first responders in America’s cities, their tax breaks to the rich and corporations while cutting back on student loans, health care, attempting to take away our guaranteed Social Security, giving breaks to drug companies on the so-called new Medicare prescription benefit instead of negotiating bulk rates on medicine and reducing prescription costs for seniors, working with banking interests to make it harder to get bankruptcy relief even for those with unexpected unemployment and high medical bills, a political party that trips over themselves to interfere with very personal end-of-life decisions like Terry Schaivo and impose a federal answer to a state’s issue – marriage, while not investing in a Homeland Security department that can adequately respond to a major disaster like Hurricane Katrina (God help us if terrorists cause a man made disaster of that magnitude).



Neither political party is perfect or super human. It was Democratic presidents who led America during some of the most critical national security crises (WWI, WWII, Cuban Missile Crisis) and Democrats are just as able as Republicans to be strong on national defense. We, as Americans, were fully united on 9/11 and all but one Democrat supported the Afghanistan invasion, the nation harboring the mastermind of 9/11. It was the reckless and unnecessary war in Iraq that the Bush administration was hell-bent on doing regardless of the facts and now we have caused the world to hate us (Because of Iraq, not Afghanistan) and our military is worn to the bone. We are in an endless quagmire and we need a real opposition party to challenge the Bush administration on their stubborn “stay the course” mentality in Iraq that is leading into an endless black hole.



Just as importantly, though, Democrats have historically looked out for the less then rich, the middle class, the working man and woman, the poor. They have been better at providing for the needs of everyday Americans including better job security (the economy boomed under Clinton with his federal budget SURPLUS), education, health care, retirement security.



Democrats will PROTECT and HONOR the Bill of Rights (unlike the tyrannical Bush Administration who has gotten Congress to strip you of your Habeas Corpus right - the right to challenge an arrest) – this includes TRUE freedom of speech, freedom of religion, the right to challenge an arrest, the right to an attorney, a jury of your peers.



In case you think the government would never arrest you because you are not a terrorist, tell that to a poor Canadian man who was arrested last year in New York (because they mistaken him for someone else) and shipped him to Syria where he was tortured, before they realized their mistake and released him – Oops, oh well – mistakes happen. Maybe if your name is Smith or Jones, or you are light skinned, you may be OK – then again, maybe not.



The most recent opinion polls across the country this past weekend show a distinct tightening in the races. If you assume the Democrats will win because their polls had been good recently, you may be in for a rude awakening Tuesday night if we all don’t make every effort to get out the vote.

6: In conclusion (Jeremy Grandstaff)
Thank you for taking the time to scrutinize the sources and information provided in our special “voting Information” issue. Please remember to vote tomorrow at your designated polling place as listed with your County Board of Elections. Visit here to get general information on voting from the Secretary of State.
We hope that you visit our blog http://www.imakeadifference.blogspot.com/ to discuss your ideas on the topic or simply provide us with your feedback. Let’s discuss how we can all work together to make a difference!

7: Subscription Instructions

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S & G Political News-Special Reminder-Voter Registration

The S & G Political News
Issue 4—Special Reminder: Tuesday, October 3, 2006
Voter Registration—Please Read

In this Reminder:
1: Dear S & G Political News Subscribers,
2: To register to vote:
3: Unsure where to vote: Click Here to find out your voting location
4: Voting in advance of the Election
5: Stay Tuned
6: Subscription Instructions
To retrieve an online copy: visit www.sgendeavors.com/political

1: Dear S & G Political News Subscribers,

Deadline for Voter Registration for the November Election is October 10, 2006

Though S & G is working to gather information on the candidates and issues for the upcoming elections, we wanted to drop you a quick note to remind you to register to cast your vote this November. Though the election is not until November 7, you MUST be registered as a voter by October 10, 2006, or you will be unable to cast your vote helping to decide who will run our state and our country. Below, you will find links to voter registration, finding your voting location, and casting your vote in advance of the November 7 election.

2: To register to vote:
At this time, it is not possible to register to vote online or via phone in Ohio. However, you can access the Voter Regestration Form here. (If the above link does not work, copy and paste this link into your browser: http://www.sos.state.oh.us/sos/PublicAffairs/eVRform0606fillable.pdf). The form is designed to be filled out online; however, after you complete the form, you must print it and mail it to your local board of elections. You can find the mailing address for your county’s local Board of Elections here. (If the above link does not work, please copy and paste the following into your browser: http://www.sos.state.oh.us/sos/ElectionsVoter/OhioElections.aspx?Section=boeDir).

If you do not want to register using the above process, you can register in person at most of the following locations:
The office of the Secretary of State of Ohio: 180 E. Broad St. 15th Floor Columbus
The Secretary of State Client Services Center: 30 East Broad Street, Columbus
The Board of Elections office in your county (It is always listed in the phone book under “Government Offices – County.”)
Any Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles office or BMV registrar
Any public or vocational school
Public libraries
Your County Treasurer’s office
The Ohio Democratic Party headquarters: 271 E. State St., Columbus, OH 43215
You may also be able to register at sites such as: union-affiliated offices, or at get-out-to-vote rallies at special locations

3: Unsure where to vote: Click Here to find out your voting location
(If the above link does not work, copy and paste this link into your browser: http://www.sos.state.oh.us/sosapps/elections/voterquery.aspx).

4: Voting in advance of the Election
When originally designing this communication, I had planned to give all the details for how you could cast your vote in advance using the method of Absentee Voting. Unfortunately, my fear would be that my interpretation of this procedure might confuse some. So, I would ask you to click here to access directions for casting an Absentee Vote. (If the above link does not work, please copy and paste this link into your browser: http://www.sos.state.oh.us/sos/PublicAffairs/VoterInfoGuide.aspx?Section=16).

5: Stay Tuned
As promised, S & G will be releasing an issue of our political newsletter within the next week offering information on the candidates and issues for which you will be casting your vote in the November 7 election. If you have a request for that newsletter, please click here to let us know.

6: Subscription Instructions

We want to encourage our readers to forward this newsletter to any people that you feel might have interest in reading it.

If you did not receive this email directly from S & G Endeavors, please click here to subscribe to the S & G Political Newsletter Distribution.

To unsubscribe from the S & G Political Newsletter Distribution, please click here to let us know. We apologize for the inconvenience in advance and assure you we will remove your email from our Newsletter Distribution List.

To retrieve an online copy: visit www.sgendeavors.com/political