Wed, 20 Feb 2008 09:35:23 -0500 (EST)
From: "Senator Carl Levin" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Subject: My Vote Against Torture
Dear Friend,
Late last year in meetings with senior Saudi government officials,
Congressional staffers raised concerns about the case of the Saudi rape victim
who faced six months in prison and two hundred lashes because she spoke out
publicly.
The Saudi officials responded by simply saying, "Guantanamo" and "Abu
Ghraib". As if to say, "Who are you to lecture us about due process and human
rights?"
When the President of the United States says we are not bound by the Geneva
Conventions, allowing for "enhanced interrogation" techniques to be carried out
by Americans, it is intolerable for many reasons: it is morally wrong and it
violates our basic values; it produces unreliable information and may cause
prisoners to resist cooperation; it violates domestic and international law;
and it jeopardizes our own troops if they are captured.
As General Petraeus, the commander of all our forces in Iraq, has said, "Some
may argue that we would be more effective if we sanctioned torture or other
expedient methods to obtain information from the enemy. They would be wrong.
Beyond the basic fact that such actions are illegal, history shows that they
also are frequently neither useful nor necessary."
Beyond all of those strong arguments, the specter of torture distracts from
the virtue of our stand against terrorists, and it detracts from America's
image around the world.
General Petraeus also said, "What sets us apart from our enemies in this
fight, however, is how we behave. In everything we do, we must observe the
standards and values that dictate that we treat noncombatants and detainees
with dignity and respect."
Last week, the Senate voted 51-45 on a bill to end the CIA's so-called
"enhanced interrogation techniques."
The Intelligence Authorization Conference Report, which I supported, included
a provision that would require all government agencies, including the CIA, to
comply with the Army Field Manual on Interrogations, which is consistent with
our obligations under Common Article 3 of the Geneva Conventions, in the
treatment and interrogation of detainees.
Unfortunately, we are already hearing that the President may veto this bill.
We need the understanding and goodwill of people from other nations for our
own security, and winning back our moral standing around the world will not
happen if we continue to tolerate torture.
Sincerely,
Carl Levin
P.S. Click here to read my full statement in support of the Intelligence
Authorization Conference Report.
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please click here to unsubscribe.
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********************************************
Wed, 20 Feb 2008 12:35:22 -0600 (CST)
From: "Free Press Media Reform Daily" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Subject: Media Reform Headlines for February 20, 2008
News of the movement for February 20, 2008
Boston: The Future of the Internet Is in Your Hands
Next week the FCC will be in the Boston area -- Cambridge, to be exact -- for
an important public hearing on what the next generation of the Internet will
look like.
SavetheInternet.com
AT&T, Time Warner, Verizon Make Case Against Net Neutrality
Predictably, the top incumbent cable and phone companies have defended
Internet traffic shaping practices, including blocking the free flow of P2P
files and sending out fake notices to users regarding the blockage.
Chloe Albanesius, PC Magazine
Providers Face Slowing Growth for Broadband
One of the growth engines for phone and cable TV companies -- selling
broadband Internet services to consumers -- is sputtering. And although a
logical result might be a price war, analysts don't think that will happen.
Investor's Business Daily
Look Before You Leak
The Wikileaks shutdown touches on both telecom immunity and Net Neutrality.
If an AT&T employee who wants to post evidence revealing how the company
deployed illegal wire taps, what's to keep your Internet provider from killing
those bits?
Robert X. Cringely, Info World
Federal Judge's Order Shutting Down Wikileaks Is First Amendment Travesty
Although Wikileaks' silencing was sought by antidemocratic governments
worldwide -- including China, whose censors work mightily to block all access
to the site -- its plug was pulled, ironically, by a federal judge in San
Francisco.
Peter Scheer, California First Amendment Coalition
Bill Gates Says Internet Censorship Just Won't Work
Efforts by countries like China to restrict the exchange of information on
the Internet are ultimately doomed to failure, Microsoft Chairman Bill Gates
said.
Robert McMillan, IDG News Service
Consultations and Legislation Needed to Protect Net Neutrality in Canada
The National Union of Public and General Employees is asking the Harper
Conservatives to hold open, public consultations on the need for legislation to
protect Net Neutrality in Canada.
National Union of Public and General Employees
Tell Congress to Save the Internet
Maryland Broadband Bills Should Send Connect Kentucky Home
Over the next couple of weeks, the Maryland General Assembly will consider a
modest step in helping to further the spread of high-speed Internet services in
the state. It could be a positive step, or a harmful misstep.
Art Brodsky, Public Knowledge
Federal Appeals Court Says Cable Can Sue Texas for Franchise Law
A federal appeals court ruled that the Texas cable industry can go ahead with
a lawsuit challenging a state law that opened the state's television services
market to more competition.
Austin American-Statesman
This Could Be the End of Public Access in Austin
The Telecommunications Commission is having a public hearing on public access
on Wednesday, March 12, at 7:30 pm, at Austin's City Hall. Time Warner is suing
the city to get out of their franchise agreement with the city.
Save Texas Access
State Cable Law Needs a Tune-Up
The state franchising law in Michigan is placing PEG channels at risk. The
law must be amended to protect the PEGs, which have a long history in the
state, from shoddy treatment by video providers during the digital transition
and beyond.
Detroit Free Press
New Service Lacks the CTN Channels
Ann Arbor residents who choose AT&T U-verse -- an Internet-based alternative
to Comcast's cable TV -- won't find Ann Arbor's community-access channels on
the service.
Tom Gantert, Ann Arbor News
Bay Area News Group to Cut 'Significant' Number of Jobs
A buyout memo went out the the employees at the Contra Costa Times, Oakland
Tribune and other Bay Area News Group papers, saying that relying on attrition
is no longer adequate and the number of job cuts will be significant.
Poynter Institute
Albuquerque Tribune to Close
The Albuquerque Tribune will publish its final edition Saturday, ending a
buoyant and sometimes bare-knuckled presence as the city's afternoon newspaper.
Erik Siemers, Albuquerque Tribune
Thomson Gains Clearance
Authorities in the U.S. and Europe cleared the takeover of Reuters by
Canada's Thomson Corp., which would create a financial data giant, on the
condition that the companies divest some assets.
Corey Boles and Jessica Hodgson, Wall Street Journal
Media Narrative Vaults Obama into Frontrunner Slot
After weeks of focusing on the prospect of a deadlocked race with no end in
sight, the media narrative for the Democratic presidential race shifted
dramatically last week, anointing a definite frontrunner (Sen. Obama) and an
underdog (Sen. Clinton).
Project for Excellence in Journalism
Why Foreign Correspondents' Ranks Are Thinning
As revenues decrease, news organizations must find better ways to employ
their resources abroad. Using more video and staying in less expensive hotels
and apartments would help -- along with crafting compelling, high-quality
stories.
Jon Friedman, MarketWatch
Reporter Held in Contempt in Anthrax Case
A federal judge found a former reporter for USA Today in contempt of court
for refusing to name her confidential sources who had discussed a former Army
scientist's possible role in the 2001 anthrax attacks.
Eric Lichtblau, New York Times
Average Time Spent on Top Newspaper Sites
A new report lists the top 30 Web sites and the monthly average time spent
per person on them.
Jennifer Saba, Editor & Publisher
The Open MIC Initiative and the Paley Center for Media are holding a forum on
March 11 in New York City. Wireless America: Closed or Open? will include Blair
Levin, Mark Lloyd, Jason Devitt and Michael Connor.
ACLU's Suit Against Wiretapping Is Declined
Washington Post Our Civil Liberties Lose This Round
Los Angeles Times Gates Denies Secret Yahoo Talks
Guardian Microsoft Said to Plan Proxy Fight for Yahoo
New York Times Nonprofit Group Urges Department of Justice to Block XM-Sirius
Merger
Broadcasting & Cable Broadband Still a Local Concern
Government Computer News Floating a New Idea for Going Wireless, Parachute
Included
Wall Street Journal FCC's LPTV DTV Transition Plan Criticized
Associated Press FCC Says NYPD Blue Fines Will Stick
Broadcasting & Cable Real Estate Group Puts U-verse Under Fire
Multichannel News Hollywood Strike Cost $2.5 Billion
Reuters
Feb 19-23
Public Media Conference '08
Los Angeles, CA
Feb 20-Mar 2
Exploring New Media Worlds: Changing Technologies, Industries, Cultures, and
Audiences in Global and Historical Context
College Station, TX
Feb 23
Collective Experience in the Moment of YouTube
Berkeley, CA
Feb 25
FCC Hearing: Broadband Network Management Practices
Cambridge, MA
Feb 26-28
We Media
Coral Gables, FL
Feb 28-Mar 1
24th Annual Associated Collegiate Press National College Newspaper Convention
San Francisco, CA
Mar 1
Texas Community Media Summit
Austin, TX
Mar 2
5th Annual NYC Grassroots Media Conference
New York, NY
Complete Calendar »
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*************************************************
Wed, 20 Feb 2008 14:47:15 -0500 (EST)
From: "Sue Udry, United for Peace & Justice" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Subject: TOMORROW: 'You are NOT a Lap Dog' Congressional Call-In Day
Please share this as widely as possible!
TOMORROW, Feb. 20:
"You are NOT a Lap Dog!"
National Call-In Day
Call Speaker Pelosi at 202-225-0100
and Majority Leader Hoyer at 202-225-4131.
Tell them to stay strong against warrantless wiretapping and billions more
for the Iraq war.
Keep the pressure on!
Join us in March to say,
5 YEARS TOO MANY!
Dear Theresa J,
In a surprising display of courage, the House Democratic leadership last week
stood up to Bush and the weak-kneed Senate and refused to bring to the floor a
bill that would allow Bush to continue to spy on the people of this country
without a warrant. Can this newfound courage last?
We need Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi and House Majority Leader Steny
Hoyer to continue to stand strong against domestic spying and telecom immunity.
And we need them to learn from this -- they do have power if they choose to use
it -- they do have the power to end the occupation of Iraq. Pelosi and Hoyer
can start by refusing to allow Bush's $102 billion Iraq war funding request to
come up for a vote.
THURSDAY, FEB. 20: Join the Massive National "You are NOT a Lap Dog*" Call-In
Day!
Call Speaker Pelosi at 202-225-0100 and Majority Leader Hoyer at
202-225-4131. If you don't get through to an actual person, leave a voicemail
message.
Talking points:
1. Thank you for standing up to the president and the Senate and refusing to
allow a vote on the Senate bill letting Bush continue warrantless wiretapping
of people in this country and granting immunity to telecom companies who
facilitated illegal wiretaps.
2. Please continue to stand up for the Constitution and refuse to allow a vote
on a bill that would condone warrantless spying on us or immunity for telephone
companies that break the law!
3. Stay strong! Refuse to allow a vote on Bush's new $102 billion Iraq war
funding request. If Democrats want to end the occupation, they must take the
first step and stop funding it.
We must stay strong as well. UFPJ member groups and allies around the country
are currently mobilizing for a wide range of powerful actions marking the 5th
anniversary of the war and occupation in Iraq. Join us in March to say, 5 YEARS
TOO MANY!
BACKGROUND
* "We're not the lap dog of the president or the United States Senate." --Rep
Hoyer on Feb. 13, when the House leadership refused to bow to political
pressure on FISA legislation.
Early last week, the Senate passed FISA (Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act)
reform legislation that trampled civil liberties and offered immunity to
telecoms that facilitated illegal wiretaps. The president and the Senate wanted
the House to quickly pass the Senate bill, because the act it was written to
replace was due to expire on Feb. 15. The House stood up to Bush and the Senate
and allowed the "Protect America Act" to expire, without passing the
replacement bill. The fear-mongering has not stopped, with Bush claiming that
terrorists are planning an attack that will far surpass 9/11, and he will be
helpless to stop them without the ability to spy on us without a warrant.
Unfortunately, the battle over domestic spying and telecom immunity is not
over. The House will return to the subject next week. The leadership must be
assured that they did the right thing by refusing to bow to pressure and fear
mongering, and that they must continue to defend the Constitution.
The battle over FISA teaches an important lesson about congressional power --
the Democrats have it, if they care to use it. Pelosi and Hoyer have
demonstrated that they are willing to go to the mat over domestic spying and
telecom immunity -- now we want to see them go to the mat to end the occupation
of Iraq.
Bush has requested another $102 billion for Iraq -- which would push total
spending on the war so far above $624 billion. Rep. Murtha, Chair of the
Defense Appropriations subcommittee, is preparing a bill to fund that request.
He says the bill will be ready by the end of February. The peace movement will
have to wage a strong campaign to defeat the war supplemental, or to turn it
into a bill that only funds the withdrawal of all troops and contractors. It
won't be easy -- the presidential elections are capturing the attention of
activists and the general public. We must keep the pressure on!
*******************************************
Thank You PDA from Donna Edwards
Date: Wed, 20 Feb 2008 08:00:50 -0600
To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
From: "Donna Edwards for PDA" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
A Personal Thank You from Donna Edwards
Dear Theresa,
One week ago today, with the help and support of PDA, we earned an historic
victory not only for our district, but also for progressives across the
country.
The residents of Maryland's 4th Congressional District did their part to
change the ways of Washington D. C. and I am proud to now be the Democratic
congressional nominee in this great district.
I want to thank the hardworking PDA activists across the country who helped
with the predictive phone bank and contributed to my campaign, as well as,
those people throughout the district who worked as human billboards,
distributed campaign literature, made phone calls, and performed other forms of
voter outreach. I want to especially thank Tim Carpenter, Diane Shamis, Tom
Pallow, Mike Hersh, Steve Shaff and Steve Cobble for their extraordinary
leadership.
I was honored to have PDA National Chair Mimi Kennedy join me in Maryland for
the final days of the primary campaign. She, with other PDA members, attended a
volunteer rally and spent the last several days visiting metro stops,
supermarkets and street corners all over the district helping to get out the
vote.
Our victory has sent a message of change across the entire country. Congress
has been put on notice that we want to end this war in Iraq; we want true
universal healthcare; we want economic justice and we want sustainable energy
solutions to combat the immediate threat of global warming.
Thank you PDA and I look forward to working with you in winning the general
election in November. Together, we will work to implement the progressive
agenda in the 111th Congress.
This campaign shows that progressives around the country have the power, when
united and coordinated, to help progressive candidates win and that one day
soon we will have a progressive governing majority. PDA was able to help me
because of "Change Makes Change" partners who have invested in PDA's electoral
strategy.
Those sustaining contributions made a huge impact--please consider becoming a
"Change Makes Change" sustainer today to help expand this progressive electoral
activism.
Sincerely,
Donna Edwards
This message was not paid for or coordinated with any candidate or campaign.
Progressive Democrats of America is a grassroots PAC that works both inside the
Democratic Party and outside in movements for peace and justice. Our goal:
Elect a permanent, progressive majority in 2008. PDA's advisory board includes
seven members of Congress and activist leaders such as Tom Hayden, Medea
Benjamin, Thom Hartmann and Rev. Lennox Yearwood. More info: pdamerica.org
Spread the Progressive Word--Shop PDAstore!
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"Congressman Anthony Weiner" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Subject: Rep. Weiner Rings the Opening NYSE Bell
To: [EMAIL PROTECTED],
If you are having trouble viewing this E-newsletter, click here.
February 19, 2008 Update My Profile Unsubscribe
Rep. Anthony Weiner Rings Opening NYSE Bell
Weiner Shares Spotlight with
Small Business Leaders from All 5 Boroughs
Representative Anthony Weiner rung the opening bell of the New York Stock
Exchange today, taking the opportunity to highlight the thriving small
businesses of New York City.
Rep. Weiner was joined by the following small business leaders on the famous
NYSE balcony:
Leah Abraham Owner of Settepani Café and Bakery in Harlem. She is also
joined by her daughter.
Sarah H. Beatty Founder of Green Depot, a green building supply store based
in Brooklyn. She is also joined by her husband Mark A. Buller, the President
and Co-Founder, Marjam Supply, also based in Brooklyn.
Vincent D'Antuono Owner of Pastosa Ravioli in Staten Island. He is also
joined by his wife, Elizabeth D'Antuono.
Elliot Fread Owner of Bimmys, a food production company in Queens.
Paolo Palombo Owner of Palombo Bakery in the Bronx.
Rep. Weiner, a member of Energy and Commerce Committee, has pushed to eliminate
red tape and fees burdening small businesses as well as reduce taxes facing
middle class families and those struggling to make it into the middle class.
Washington, D.C. Address
1122 Longworth HOB - Washington DC 20515 - (202) 225-6616
District Office Addresses
80-02 Kew Gardens Rd. Suite 5000
Kew Gardens, NY 11415
(718) 520-9001 1800 Sheepshead Bay Road
Brooklyn, NY 11235
(718) 743-0441 90-16 Rockaway Beach Blvd.
Rockaway, NY 11693
(718) 318-9255
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