VOTING RIGHTS ACT

VOTING RIGHTS ACT: Voting 390 for and 33 against, the House on July 13 sent the Senate a bill (HR 9) to extend the Voting Rights Act for 25 years beyond its scheduled expiration next year. The law was enacted in 1965 to outlaw discriminatory policies such as poll taxes and literacy tests, and expanded later to require voting materials in certain jurisdictions to be printed in languages in addition to English. A yes vote was to pass the bill.

http://www.kansascity.com/mld/kansascity/news/opinion/15060243.htm

33 Republican and 0 Democrats Voting against the Reauthorization of the Voting Rights Act.

Here are their names: Congressmen

Baker
Barrett (SC)
Bartlett (MD)
Barton (TX)
Bonner
Burton (IN)
Campbell (CA)
ConawayDeal (GA)
DoolittleDuncan
Everett
Foxx
Franks (AZ)
Garrett (NJ)
Gingrey
Hefley
Hensarling
Herger
Johnson,
SamKing (IA)
Linder
McHenry
Miller, Gary
Norwood
Paul
Price (GA)
Rohrabacher
Royce
Shadegg
Tancredo
Thornberry
Westmoreland

These representatives are not fit to serve the People of the United States of America, for they seek to tilt the balance of equality for all voters and therefore should be voted out of Congress.

Rep. John Lewis, D-Ga., displayed photos of civil rights activists, including himself, who were beaten by Alabama state troopers in 1965 as they marched from Selma to Montgomery in support of voting rights.

"I have a concussion. I almost died. I gave blood; some of my colleagues gave their very lives," Lewis shouted from the House floor, while the Rev. Jesse Jackson, another veteran of the civil rights movement, looked on from the gallery.

"Yes, we've made some progress; we have come a distance," Lewis added. "The sad truth is, discrimination still exists. That's why we still need the Voting Rights Act and we must not go back to the dark past."

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/07/13/AR2006071300369.html

Americans want Democrats in power

WASHINGTON - Republicans are in jeopardy of losing their grip on Congress in November.

With less than four months to the midterm elections, the latest Associated Press-Ipsos poll found that Americans by an almost 3-to-1 margin hold the GOP-controlled Congress in low regard and profess a desire to see Democrats wrest control after a dozen years of Republican rule.

Further complicating the GOP outlook to turn things around is a solid percentage of liberals, moderates and even conservatives who say they'll vote Democratic. The party out of power also holds the edge among persuadable voters, a prospect that doesn't bode well for the Republicans.
The election ultimately will be decided in 435 House districts and 33 Senate contests, in which incumbents typically hold the upper hand. But the survey underscored the difficulty Republicans face in trying to persuade a skeptical public to return them to Washington.
The AP-Ipsos poll of 1,000 adults conducted Monday through Wednesday found that President Bush has stopped his political freefall, with his approval rating of 36 percent basically unchanged from last month. Bush received slightly higher marks for his handling of the Iraq war and the fight against terrorism, weeks after his surprise trip to Baghdad and the killing of Iraqi terrorist Abu Musab al-Zarqawi in a U.S. airstrike last month.
But a Democratic takeover of either the House or Senate would be disastrous for the president, leaving both his agenda for the last two years in office and the chairmanship of investigative committees in the hands of the opposition party. To seize control of Congress, the Democrats must displace 15 Republicans from House seats and six Republicans from the Senate.
The AP-Ipsos survey asked 789 registered voters if the election for the House were held today, would they vote for the Democratic or Republican candidate in their district. Democrats were favored 51 percent to 40 percent.
Not surprisingly, 81 percent of self-described liberals said they would vote for the Democrat. Among moderates, though, 56 percent backed a Democrat in their district and almost a quarter of conservatives - 24 percent - said they will vote Democratic.
Democrats also held the advantage among persuadable voters - those who are undecided or wouldn't say whom they prefer. A total of 51 percent said they were leaning Democrat, while 41 percent were leaning Republican.
"We still have wind in our face. It's a midterm election in the president's second term," said Rep. Tom Reynolds, R-N.Y., chairman of the National Republican Congressional Committee. "Today is a little bit better in the atmospherics of Washington than it was maybe a month ago."
The president's party historically has lost seats in the sixth year of his service. Franklin D. Roosevelt lost 72 House seats in 1938; Dwight D. Eisenhower 48 in 1958. The exception was Bill Clinton in 1998.
By another comparison, polls in 1994 - when a Republican tidal wave swept Democrats from power - the two parties were in a dead heat in July on the question of whom voters preferred in their district.
"It comes down to a fairly simply question: Can Democrats nationalize all the elections? If Republicans prevent that, they have a shot. If they don't, they lose," said Doug Gross, the GOP gubernatorial candidate in Iowa in 2002 and the state finance director for the 2004 Bush-Cheney campaign.
Overall, only 27 percent approved of the way Congress is doing its job. Lawmakers get favorable marks from 36 percent of conservatives, 28 percent of moderates and 17 percent of liberals.
Some criticism of Congress has focused on lawmakers' inability to control spending, with lawmakers tucking in special projects for their home districts.
"They used to say there's nothing worse than a tax-and-spend liberal Democrat," said Gary Wilson, 51, a self-described liberal from Gaithersburg, Md. "There is something worse: It's a borrow-and-spend Republican. This is going to come back to haunt us."
One bright spot for the GOP is that Republicans hold an advantage over Democrats on issues such as foreign policy and fighting terrorism - 43 percent to 33 percent - and a smaller edge on handling Iraq - 36 percent to 32 percent.
The AP-Ipsos poll was conducted after the divisive Democratic debate in the Senate over setting a timetable for withdrawing U.S. forces from Iraq. Potential voters were paying attention to the GOP complaint that Democrats want to "cut and run."
"It seems like the Democrats want to pull out or start to pull out, and I don't think that's the correct thing to do," said Eric Bean, 24, a college minister in Fort Worth, Texas. "I'd much rather see a Congress that would support our president. I think George Bush is doing the best he can. I think Republicans will support him."
John Dendahl, the Republican candidate for governor in New Mexico, said Democrats, with the help of some Republicans, have been successful at obstructing legislation in Congress while heaping the blame on the GOP.
Tom Courtney, a Democratic state senator in Iowa, said U.S. voters are ready to trust his party to lead.
"I honestly think it's ours to lose," Courtney said. "My experience, we're not above that. Americans are ready for change."
The poll of adults had a margin of error of 3 percentage points and the survey of registered voters had a margin of error of 3.5 percentage points.

Poll: Americans want Democrats in power
DONNA CASSATA
Associated Press

Several Republicans Oppose Voting Rights Act

We live in a nation where in at least in the South every city has distinctive black usually poorer neighborhoods.

With just this one fact how can these ‘Conservatives’ argue there is no longer a need for a strong Voting Rights Act. This act is the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Now let’s talk about Florida, probably the most progressive of the southern states. In my home town of Plant City the black neighborhood is ironically encircled by railroads tracks. Where in 2004 the Republican Party prevented eligible black votes from casting a ballot in Jacksonville. Where there are cities that hold strong to their evil racist history, where no minorities live.

These are still the facts of today.

Hell yes! The Voting Rights Act is not out dated, it must be reauthorized.

As free speaking American citizen I would like to respectively take this opportunity to call every Congressman that votes against or to waken this act a Racist.

More to come…..

(above caption: lets never forget Katrina)

GITMO: Strike #1

The new Conservative Supreme Court deals a decisive blow against the Bush Administration in declaring the Geneva Convention and the military code of conduct do apply to detainees at Guantanamo Bay Prison.

This case will bear upon, foreshadowing legal decisions to come on all questionable matters where the President claims to have far reaching powers simply because the nation is at war. Torture, Spying on U.S. citizens, Data collection on U.S. citizens, an official Executive Branch policy that states the “spirit” not the word of Geneva Convention will be applied.

What kind of illegal flip flopping law dodging jargging do you call that?

Such laws must be defined by law, they are not all encompassing within presidential powers not does the president have the authority to create such policy. The Constitution is clear the President has only the authorty to execute law, not create it. And certainly not to act before such authorities are granted by Congress.

This present Congress however, having the immediate oversight of such programs before Supreme Court have failed to perform their duty.

In light of recent policy this Congress has earned the title of the “Rubber Stamp Congress” and G.W. Bush the “Empty Suit in Chief”.

The President seems to act without respect for the word of Law and for our Constitution. Will he begin to attempt to enact programs that are solely in the "spirit" of the Constitution?

I pray not, these are Powers the President of the United States does not possess. It is the Courts whom intreprets the Law. Certainly grounds for Impeachment.

Even the new Conservative Supreme Court dominated by Roberts, Alito, Thomas and Scalia could not find reasoning within the great Constitution of the United States of America to justify our government detaining any human being indefinitely without charge and without their day in court.

The Supreme Court rendered a good judgment, standing up for pure American Justice.

C&B calls this Supreme Court Decision strike #1 in proving that warnings and opposition to such moves by the Administration were right. Once Strike #3 is reached. I predict the nation will be engaged in of the following: the Impeachment of G.W. Bush or the swearing in of a Democratic Congress.

Strike # 2& 3 could come from numerous places, but it does not take Nostradamous to make a logical guess. The truth will bring strike 2& 3 from Iraq & negative economic issues sparked by artifically inflated consumer prices by the Oil & Gas Industry. The result will be victory for advocates of a better way in the upcoming elections.

Department of Defenses Reaction:
http://www.defenselink.mil/news/Jun2006/20060629_5543.html


NPR:
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=5546821

CNN:
http://www.cnn.com/2006/LAW/06/29/scotus.tribunals/index.html

Summary & Position: The United States of America, and all she represents must treat even terrorist humanely.

above caption: Reuters

NASA: Its a Go!

Count down has started.

Lets keep our fingers crossed.

Successful Lift-off.

NASA: http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/shuttle/main/index.html

The Real Issues

The War in Iraq must be Ended. It possesses no justification, it robs money from the Homeland needs of U.S. citizens. The War in Iraq seems to be more important to the Republican Party than the Healthcare, Education, and Jobs of Americans.

The Republicans have decided to spend $90 BILLION dollars a year in Iraq. They however are opposed to spending a fraction of this amount to better education, create jobs, establish a National Healthcare Program or secure the Social Security Program.

Defending the New York Times

These Republicans in charge of Congress and the White House are corrupt idiots.

President G.W. Bush, Attorney general Gonzalez, Press Secretary Tony Snow and Senator Peter King have made comments alluding too legal action against the New York Times for simply providing information to the public.

Straight to the point, such an action would not be supported by George Washington himself. This move by Mr. G.W. Bush and Dick Cheney screams of a cover-up. Freedom of the Press supercedes all issues, and trumps concerns of Security even during war times except in the case when such reports seek to or causes harm.

The reporting on a program that may impede on the Rights of Privacy and the civil liberties of U.S. citizens is clearly acceptable and responsible.

The primary concern with this program and the NSA wire tapping program is evident. How are these programs used upon U.S. citizens? U.S. are provided rights & protections as outlined within the Constitution. The government cannot use the same programs and procedures on a U.S. citizen as it does on a foreign person linked to terrorist.

What, and how many other controversial programs is the Administration attempting too hide. What laws have they broken that they are seeking to hide form the People. If the Administration were operating within the word of the Law then the need to keep these programs secret would not be present. If the Administration were operating within the word of the Law then regular citizens whom work for the government would not be compelled to reveal these programs to the public.

These actions bring me to the conclusion the G.W. Bush Administration has several programs that maybe blatantly illegal.

The true patriots in these matters are the U.S. citizens who risk loosing their jobs to protect the Constitution. I pray that all civil servants whom are asked to perform a task they believe to be illegal and outside the Constitution to report it.

Our nation is founded not on the principle of a powerful president but on Freedoms & Liberty. Key is freedom of the free press.

The President and especially Mr. Dick Cheney insist on operating in secrecy. Congress has to do its job in providing oversight to such ‘secret; programs.

These Republicans should be ashamed. They believe that covering their asses is more important than respecting the Constitution they swore an oath to uphold.

Sarasota: Gas Station Rally

Gas Station Rally on Wednesday

Wednesday, June 28, 2006
SITE GAS STATION, 17th & Honore, Sarasota

*** Event Wed., June 28, 5:00pm ***

At Site Gas Station, Local Residents To Expose Rep. Harris as “Caught Red Handed” Taking Big Oil Money, Doing Big Oil’s Bidding
As Gas Prices Rise, National Day of Action Will Pressure House Republicans To Stand With Constituents & Stop Taking Campaign Money From Big Oil

Sarasota – On Wednesday, June 28, residents of Sarasota will hold a Rally For An Oil-Free Congress at SITE Gas Station, where they will expose Rep. Katherine Harris and other Republicans in Congress as “caught red-handed” accepting campaign contributions from Big Oil companies and then doing their bidding.

This is part of a National Day of Action that will feature events in over 250 locations around the country. As families across the country prepare to travel for July 4, rising gas prices are a big concern.

Big Oil companies have spent millions in campaign contributions to get Rep. Harris and other Republicans to hand over billions in taxpayer subsidies. Republicans have consistently rejected Democratic attempts to move toward energy independence and a national clean energy policy – instead voting to keep America dependent on oil and subsidize Big Oil at a time of record profits.

“Gas prices are soaring out of control, and that affects my family’s budget in a big way,” said local resident Anthony Brooks. “One big reason we haven’t moved toward energy independence is that Rep. Harris and Republicans in Congress are in the pockets of Big Oil – taking millions in campaign contributions and then giving billions in favors. It’s time for change in Congress.”

Since 1990, Big Oil has given more than $190 million to members of Congress – 75% of which ($142,635,314) has gone to Republicans. Republicans have then consistently done the bidding of Big Oil, rejecting Democratic proposals for clean energy.

Caught Red-Handed “Rally for an Oil-Free Congress” Details:

Who: MoveOn members in Sarasota
Where: [SITE GAS STATION, 17th & Honore, Sarasota]
When: Wednesday, June 28, 2006, 5:00PM
What: Local residents demand Rep. Harris stop taking campaign contributions from Big Oil companies.

Available for phone interview: Nita Chaudhary, National MoveOn.org Political Action spokesperson. Contact Trevor Fitzgibbon, 202.246.5303

***Excellent visuals.***

**Residents at local gas stations with signs and flyers, talking with fellow residents about Republican Big Oil campaign contributions and corrupt Big Oil agenda.**
###

USA Election Reforms Needed

C&B urges Congress & State legislators to act in:

Making Law that all Election Officials (Supervisors of Elections and Secretaries of States) are non-partisan professional positions.

Improving ALL electronic voting systems: providing zero room for error, in addition it is definitely not unreasonable to be able to easily audit these systems.

Make it easier for U.S. citizens to vote. Disenfranchisement especially in African American communities was far too excessively used by the Republican Party. Every eligible citizen’s vote should be counted. If someone has an ID and is registered to vote therefore being deemed eligible should have their vote counted. With all this technology why can’t it be this simple?

Should there be made LAW recourse for a citizen whose vote was not counted when it should have been?

Party officials whom seek to discard the vote of an eligible citizen should be put in jail. Public officials whom do not assure that every vote is counted should also be put in jail.

I heard of a story in Jacksonville Florida where an African American whom happened to serve in the military was designated an ineligible voter. He however was eligible to vote. His vote was never counted. Partisan politics should NEVER be allowed to enter into America’s voting system! Reforms must be made.

Get involved, sign the below petition:

Petition for Verified Paper Ballots in Sarasota County:
http://www.sarasotadems.org/docs/safe-petition.pdf

Great American:John Murtha

"To all the Republicans who sit in their air-conditioned offices and talk of the courage it takes for them to keep young kids in harm's way - I say enough. Karl Rove talking about "cutting and running" while he sits on his big, fat backside-saying "stay the course." I say enough! That's not a plan! We've got to have a new direction, and it's clear we need more Democrats in Congress to get that done.

No matter how obvious the mistakes in Iraq become, or how many Americans get fed up, Republicans in Congress and the White House will label you a traitor to your country if you stand up and question them.

I'm not naïve enough to think it won't be an issue in the election year but accusing people of being unpatriotic cheats good Americans out of any chance for a real resolution to the mess in Iraq. And while this issue of war is neither a Democratic nor a Republican one, the need for new leadership in the House is clearly an issue.

While the Republicans have been busy name calling, the situation in Iraq has only gotten worse. The insurgency has grown exponentially. IED attacks, where our troops are sitting ducks for an enemy they can't even see, have increased steadily. And the patience of the American people for this flawed policy is running out.

We need to put an end to these outrageous attacks on people who disagree with Bush and his Rubber Stamp Republican Congress's "sit and watch" plan for Iraq.

With a Democratic majority, we would have an honest debate about the war. The American people's concerns and opposition would be recognized.

Last week, during the House floor debate, I hoped the Republicans would have realized that the majority of the American people do not support this war. I hoped that they would have recognized that the American people need more from their government than a Republican Congress that asks no questions and demands no answers. But that didn't happen, and it's clear we need a Democratic majority to chart a new course.

When I offered a concrete plan to get our troops out of harm's way, where they have become the target, I didn't expect every member of Congress or every candidate to agree with my specific proposal in this debate. But I did expect them to acknowledge that there is more to be done than sitting and watching.


Sincerely,

Jack Murtha
Member of Congress
Pennsylvania's 12th District"