IWR News

Iraq Body Count: 09/27/07
Americans Killed: 3801
Americans Wounded: 28,009
http://icasualties.org/oif/
Iraqis Killed: 655,000+
http://www.thelancet.com
"...a small price..." Rep. John Boehner
-----------------------------------------

Latest Confirmed Casualties

*Sgt. Edmund J. Jeffers, 23, of Daleville, AL died Sept. 19 in Taqqadum, Iraq.

*Pfc. Christian M. Neff, 19, of Lima, OH died Sept. 19 in Baghdad, Iraq.

*Cpl. Graham M. McMahon, 22, of Corvallis, OR died Sept. 19 in Balad, Iraq.

*Pfc. Luigi Marciante Jr., 25, of Elizabeth, NJ died Sept. 20 in Muqdadiyah, Iraq.

*Capt. (Dr.) Roselle M. Hoffmaster, 32, of Cleveland, OH died Sept. 20 in Kirkuk, Iraq.

*Spc. John J. Young, 24, of Savannah, GA died Sept. 21 in Camp Stryker, Iraq.

*Command Sgt. Maj. Jonathan M. Lankford, 42, of Scottsboro, AL died Sept. 22, in Baghdad, Iraq.

*Spc. Joshua H. Reeves, 26, of Watkinsville, GA died Sept. 22 in Baghdad, Iraq.

*Spc. David L. Watson, 29, of Newport, AR died Sept. 22 in Baqubah, Iraq.

*Cpl. Anthony K. Bento, 23, of San Diego, CA died Sept. 24, in Bayji, Iraq.

*Staff Sgt. Kevin R. Brown, 38, of Harrah, OK died Sept. 25 in Muqdadiyah, Iraq.

*Staff Sgt. Zachary B. Tomczak, 24, of Huron, SD died Sept. 25, in Baghdad, Iraq.


Peace,
Chad (The Left) Shue

Attack the Messenger - No, Wait! I Think He's On Our Side...

Just in case there is any question as to why it is a bad thing for Democrats to “repudiate” and “condemn” an ad from MoveOn.org that simply provided factual information about Gen. Petraeus and his cherry picking of the information he was about to spoon-feed Congress, watch the following ad:

By joining with the Republicans to “repudiate” MoveOn.org, the Democrats may possibly have played right into the Republican strategy to marginalize one of the most effective allies the Democrats have had for the past six years. Or maybe this is just another piece of the strategy to improve their standing with the American people and increase their majority in 2008……….

Peace,
Chad (The Left) Shue

A Couple Of Votes

Some interesting developments coming out of the other Washington from this state’s Democratic Congressional Delegation.

Beginning in the Senate, we have senators Patty Murray and Maria Cantwell in a kind of role reversal with the passage of the “supposedly watered down” LIEberman-Kyl amendment; expressing the sense of the Senate regarding Iran.
Ultimately the amendment, amongst other things, states, ”…that the United States should designate the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps as a foreign terrorist organization under section 219 of the Immigration and Nationality Act and place the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps on the list of Specially Designated Global Terrorists, as established under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act and initiated under Executive Order 13224…”

OK, so tell me class, between Iran and the United States, which country has most recently invaded any country bordering Iran? Between Iran and the United States, whose government actions have led directly or indirectly to the deaths of some 1,000,000 people due to military action? Between Iran and the United States, which country is responsible for displacing some 2,000,000 people from their own country? I’ll give you a hint – it isn’t Iran. Oh yeah, before you start telling me about “nuclear threat” – that would be the US too. We got-em; they don’t.

As for the “role reversal” in this vote; Patty Murray votes “Aye” with Maria Cantwell voting “No.” Considering that it wasn’t that long ago that many of us were concerned about anti-Iranian legislation that Cantwell was co-sponsoring with then-senator Rick Santorum (R-PA), I am pleasantly surprised to find Sen. Cantwell backing away from the type of inflammatory rhetoric that led us into Iraq. As for Patty Murray, she has long been afforded her due respect for her “No” vote on the “Iraq War Resolution.” So I am genuinely confused by this one.

On to the US House where, not to be outdone by their cousins in the Senate, they have passed their own version of the “MoveOn SlapDown.” By a vote of 341-79, the House adopted similar language to the Senate in extolling the many virtues of Gen. David Petraeus and condemning by name MoveOn.org for placing an (as yet untouched for its factual validity) ad in the New York Times asking the question: “General Petraeus or General Betray Us?” And how did the members of our House Democratic Delegation come down on this matter? Voting to condemn MoveOn.org – Baird, Dicks, Larsen, and Smith. Voting No – McDermott and Inslee.

So to be clear, according to Reps. Baird, Dicks, Larsen, and Smith an anti-war organization who pays for commercial advertising to question the integrity OF THE INFORMATION the administration’s point man will be offering to Congress and the American people should be condemned even though none of the background information they provided in their ad has been disputed. Yet, one of their colleagues in the House, Republican Leader John Boehner may refer to the blood of American troops as, “…a small price…” and he is met with almost total silence. Well if this is part of their strategy to boost the poll numbers of Congress and help increase their Democratic majority next year I gotta tell ya, it’s not instilling me with a lot of confidence.

Peace,
Chad (The Left) Shue

Latest from the CPC

Congressional Progressive Caucus
___________________________________________________________________
72 Strong and Growing: Open to New and Different Ideas
http:cpc.lee.house.gov

For Immediate Release Contacts: Bill Goold (CPC) (202-226-4055)
September 26, 2007 Chris Shields (Woolsey) (202-225-5187) Nathan Britton (Lee) (202-225-2661)

PROGRESSIVE CAUCUS MEMBERS ADOPT TOUGHER POLICY STANCE ON IRAQ

Washington, D.C. –

The Co-Chairs of the Progressive Caucus – U.S. Representatives Lynn Woolsey (D-CA) and Barbara Lee (D-CA) – today announced that Congressional Progressive Caucus (CPC) Members have approved an even stronger policy position with regard to U.S. policy in Iraq than when they were the first bloc within this Congress last February to call for all U.S. troops and military contractors to come home.
“By more than a two-to-one margin, the American people want to bring our troops and military contractors home and we members of the Congressional Progressive Caucus are listening and more determined than ever to accomplish this goal. In adopting this policy statement, Progressive Caucus Members are making clear that we will oppose any bills or amendments brought to the House floor henceforth that pertain specifically to bringing our troops and military contractors
home, but do not include in their text a clear timeline and date certain for the redeployment of U.S. troops and military contractors from Iraq,” Rep. Woolsey underscored.
"As progressives, we are keeping faith with our constituents and a clear majority of the American people who want to end President Bush's failed policy in Iraq and bring our troops home," said Congresswoman Barbara Lee (D-CA). "Republicans are going to have to decide if they will continue to stand with the President, supporting an open-ended commitment to his failed policy, or with the majority of Americans, who want to bring our brave men and women home."

Congressional Progressive Caucus
___________________________________________________________________________________________________
“72 Strong and Growing” --http://cpc.lee.house.gov
[Note: 11 new Members added in 110th Congress raising total Caucus Membership to 72, just 5 short of equaling 1/3 of the entire Democratic Caucus and by far the most diverse Caucus in the 110thth Congress.]

U.S. Representatives Lynn Woolsey (D-California) and Barbara Lee (D-California), Co-Chairs of the Congressional Progressive Caucus (CPC), issued the following strongly-worded position on Iraq today on behalf of CPC Members:

CPC POSITION ON U.S. POLICY IN IRAQ

Over the last four years, the insurgency in Iraq has strengthened and sectarian violence has increased. Furthermore, the current situation on the ground in Iraq is grave and rapidly deteriorating. The Congressional Progressive Caucus (CPC) has determined accordingly that a predominantly military approach is no longer a viable solution to stabilizing Iraq.

We will oppose any bills or amendments brought to the House floor henceforth that pertain specifically to bringing our troops and military contractors home, but do not include in their text a clear timeline and date certain for the redeployment of U.S. troops and military contractors from Iraq.

We are committed to bringing all of the U.S. troops and military contractors in Iraq home in a six-month time frame as part of a fully-funded redeployment plan.

More specifically, we oppose sending additional U.S. troops and military contractors to Iraq and favor binding votes to block President Bush’s escalation of U.S. military involvement in Iraq.

We believe all appropriations for U.S. involvement in Iraq must be for the protection of our troops and military contractors until and during their withdrawal within six months of the date of enactment of this limitation and for diplomatic initiatives, economic reconstruction, and reconciliation. The President has left the Congress few alternatives other than to use the power of the purse spelled out in Article I of the U.S. Constitution to curtail U.S. military operations in Iraq.

Finally, we are opposed to establishing any permanent U.S. military bases in Iraq, support rescinding the President’s Iraq war authority, and support greater diplomatic and political engagement in the region, while ensuring that the Iraqi people have control over their own petroleum resources.

***End OF Release***

I can only hope that the caucus will hold firm in their stated resolve and can be more persuasive with the "Blue Dogs" than the Republicans have been in the past.

Not One More Dime - Not One More Life

Peace,
Chad (The Left) Shue

Not One More Dime – Not One More Life

So the next (continuing?) round of blood money requests begins on Wednesday. On that day, according to the Pentagon, Defense Secretary Robert Gates will present a request for nearly $50 BILLION for the continuing occupation of Iraq to the Senate Appropriations Committee. What makes this request so special is that it will coming less than one month before the same body will be tasked with another request for some $147 BILLION as part of the 1st Qtr 2008 Defense Appropriations Bill. That’s right, in less than 30 days the Democratic led Congress will be asked to authorize over $200 BILLION for an occupation of Iraq that the majority of Americans want brought to an end sooner rather than later.

While I am no longer convinced that we have much influence over how our elected officials vote, I am passing along the link to the membership list for the Senate Appropriations Committee as well as the link for Sen. Patty Murray who sits on that committee. Please let these folks know that we know there is already enough money in the pipeline to bring our troops home safely. Any additional funds allocated by the congress will only add to the body count. When the argument comes back that “we need 60 votes.” let them know that we know, as the majority party, the Democrats control what bills come to floor and which ones languish in committee. If the leadership fails to lead then it will only take 41 senators to filibuster any spending bill that comes out of the committee. And to be clear, the time for “timelines” has passed. There can be no doubt that anything with a timeline will be vetoed; and we know what happens when that happens. No, if you want to see this travesty brought to an end, you must demand:

Not One More Dime – Not One More Life

Peace,
Chad (The Left) Shue

Get Our Troops Out

h/t to CitizenSteve at Washington Outsiders

Peace,
Chad (The Left) Shue

An Introduction

The Congressional Progressive Caucus

Members

Co-Chairs
Hon. Lynn Woolsey
Hon. Barbara Lee

Vice Chairs
Hon. Diane Watson
Hon. Raul Grijalva
Hon. Emanuel Cleaver
Hon. Hilda Solis
Hon. Mazie Hirono
Hon. Phil Hare

Senate Members
Hon. Bernie Sanders

House Members
Hon. Neil Abercrombie - Hon. Tammy Baldwin - Hon. Xavier Becerra - Hon. Madeleine Bordallo Hon. Robert Brady - Hon. Corrine Brown - Hon. Michael Capuano - Hon. Julia Carson - Hon. Donna Christensen - Hon. Yvette Clarke -Hon. William “Lacy” Clay - Hon. Steve Cohen - Hon. John Conyers - Hon. Elijah Cummings -Hon. Danny Davis - Hon. Peter DeFazio - Hon. Rosa DeLauro - Hon. Keith Ellison -Hon. Sam Farr - Hon. Chaka Fattah - Hon. Bob Filner - Hon. Barney Frank - Hon. Luis Gutierrez - Hon. John Hall - Hon. Maurice Hinchey - Hon. Michael Honda - Hon. Jesse Jackson, Jr. - Hon. Sheila Jackson-Lee - Hon. Eddie Bernice Johnson - Hon. Hank Johnson - Hon. Stephanie Tubbs Jones - Hon. Marcy Kaptur - Hon. Carolyn Kilpatrick - Hon. Dennis Kucinich - Hon. Tom Lantos - Hon. John Lewis - Hon. David Loebsack - Hon. Carolyn Maloney - Hon. Ed Markey - Hon. Jim McDermott - Hon. James McGovern - Hon. George Miller - Hon. Gwen Moore - Hon. Jerrold Nadler - Hon. Eleanor Holmes-Norton - Hon. John Olver - Hon. Ed Pastor - Hon. Donald Payne - Hon. Charles Rangel - Hon. Bobby Rush - Hon. Linda Sanchez - Hon. Jan Schakowsky - Hon. Jose Serrano - Hon. Louise Slaughter - Hon. Pete Stark - Hon. Bennie Thompson - Hon. John Tierney - Hon. Tom Udall - Hon. Nydia Velazquez - Hon. Maxine Waters - Hon. Mel Watt - Hon. Henry Waxman - Hon. Peter Welch

The Progressive Promise

Fairness For All

The Congressional Progressive Caucus offers the Progressive Promise for all. We believe in government of the people, by the people, and for the people. Our fairness plan is rooted in our core principles. It also embodies national priorities that are consistent with the values, needs, and hopes of all our people, not just the powerful and the privileged. We pledge our unwavering commitment to these legislative priorities and we will not rest until they become law.

1. Fighting for Economic Justice and Security in the U.S. and Global Economies

» To uphold the right to universal access to affordable, high quality healthcare for all.

» To preserve guaranteed Social Security benefits for all Americans, protect private pensions, and require corporate accountability.

» To invest in America and create new jobs in the U.S. by building more affordable housing, re-building America’s schools and physical infrastructure, cleaning up our environment, and improving homeland security.

» To export more American products and not more American jobs and demand fair trade.

» To reaffirm freedom of association and enforce the right to organize.

» To ensure working families can live above the poverty line and with dignity by raising and indexing the minimum wage.

2. Protecting and Preserving Civil Rights and Civil Liberties

» To sunset expiring provisions of the Patriot Act and bring remaining provisions into line with the U. S. Constitution.

» To protect the personal privacy of all Americans from unbridled police powers and unchecked government intrusion.

» To extend the Voting Rights Act and reform our electoral processes.

» To fight corporate consolidation of the media and ensure opportunity for all voices to be heard.

» To ensure enforcement of all legal rights in the workplace.

» To eliminate all forms of discrimination based upon color, race, religion, gender, creed, disability, or sexual orientation.

3. Promoting Global Peace and Security

» To honor and help our overburdened international public servants – both military and civilian.

» To bring U. S. troops home from Iraq as soon as possible.

» To re-build U.S. alliances around the world, restore international respect for American power and influence, and reaffirm our nation’s constructive engagement in the United Nations and other multilateral organizations.

» To enhance international cooperation to reduce the threats posed by nuclear proliferation and weapons of mass destruction.

» To increase efforts to combat hunger and the scourge of HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, malaria, and other infectious diseases.

» To encourage debt relief for poor countries and support efforts to reach the UN’s Millennium Goals for Developing Countries.

4. Environmental Protection & Energy Independence

» To free ourselves and our economy from dependence upon imported oil and shift to growing reliance upon renewable energy supplies and technologies, thus creating at least three million new jobs, cleansing our environment, and enhancing our nation’s security.

» To promote environmental justice in affirmation that all people have an inherent right to a healthy environment, clean air, and clean water wherever we live, work, and relax.

» To change incentives in federal tax, procurement, and appropriation policies to:


(A) Speed commercialization of solar, biomass, and wind power generation, while encouraging state and local policy innovation to link clean energy and job creation;

(B) Convert domestic assembly lines to manufacture highly efficient vehicles, enhance global competitiveness of U.S. auto industry, and expand consumer choice;

(C) Increase investment in construction of “green buildings” and more energy-efficient homes and workplaces;

(D) Link higher energy efficiency standards in appliances to consumer and manufacturing incentives that increase demand for new durable goods and increase investment in U.S. factories;

» To eliminate environmental threat posed by global warming and ensuring that America does our part to advance an effective global problem-solving approach.

» To expand energy-efficient transportation choices by increasing investment in synthesized networks, including bicycle, local bus and rail transit, regional high-speed rail and magnetic levitation rail projects.

» To preserve prudent public interest regulations that encourage sustainable growth and investment, ensure energy diversity and system reliability, protect workers and the environment, reward consumer conservation, and support an expanding marketplace that rewards the commercialization of energy-efficient technologies.
******

I guess, with such a radical agenda, it's no wonder Rick, Jay, Adam, Brian, and Norm won't sign up.........Stand by; more to follow.

Peace,
Chad (The Left) Shue

On News Stands Everywhere........ (in Canada)

Peace,
Chad (The Left) Shue

Keith Olbermann - "The President Of Hypocrisy"

Peace,
Chad (The Left) Shue

MoveOn Moves Forward

MoveOn.org released the following statement and announced the following action in response to the US Senate's vote to repudiate an ad that dared to expose the politicising of our military in the name of Gen. Petraeus and yet sits silently as Rep. John Boehner denigrates the memory of those who have given their lives ("a small price") for the lie that is Iraq:

"The U.S. Senate just told you to sit down and be quiet. They passed a resolution condemning MoveOn.org and it has one purpose: to intimidate all of us who care about responsibly ending this war. They wanted to send a message that anyone who speaks unpleasant truths about this war will pay. To make everyone--especially politicians--think twice before they accuse the administration of lying.
We can't let that happen, so we're letting Congress know that they're not going to intimidate us. Can you sign on to this statement?
A compiled petition with your individual comment will be presented to your Senators and Representative."

Sign the Petition
Full petition text:

"I will not be quiet, I will fight back, and I will keep speaking out until Congress forces an exit plan for this awful war."

I signed the petition and gave $25 to MoveOn. I'm also on board with this strategy.

[UPDATE 9/21/07] Just curious: I wonder if the Senate will be repudiating CENTCOM Commander, Admiral William Fallon soon over these remarks in reference to his subordinate, General David Petraeus:

"Fallon told Petraeus that he considered him to be "an ass-kissing little chickenshit" and added, "I hate people like that..."

Peace,
Chad (The Left) Shue

The Great Democratic IN_WAR

In my opinion the Democratic Party is no “Party” at all. It’s a war which has split the Democrats into groups.

You have the Centrist Democrats who seem to be so focused on winning at any cost that principles and party platform is sacrificed daily. No matter what their candidate does in office, they will support them just because they have the D after their name. The reason why we have primaries in the first place is to send the best Democrat we can to Washington who will represent the people not corporate interests.

Then you have the Progressive Democrats sometimes referred to by the Centrist Democrats as the far left loony fringe. These Democrats are primarily anti-war, pro-peace, pro-choice and very open-minded independent thinkers and not willing to compromise principles to follow in lockstep with the Centrist Democrats on many important issues.

Then you have the Follower Democrats. These people in many cases don't follow politics closely enough to understand what's going on with the Democratic Party. They are busy working all hours trying to keep a roof over their heads and food on the table. Or whatever reason, they rely on local and national Democrats in leadership to help them make their choice for the best interests of the American people.

Unfortunately, there is a great divide between the Centrist Democrats and the Progressive Democrats. One of the biggest issues other than the Iraq occupation and national healthcare is campaign financing. The Progressive Democrats are dead set against taking lobbyist money. Hillary Clinton takes extraordinary amounts of lobbyist money. Democrats define lobbyist money as corporate money and sometimes specific special interest money. There are special interests out there who have the best interests of the public, and there are special interest groups out there who have the interests of corporate America in mind. Sometimes it's a very fine line on what would be considered clean money or corporate interests’ money.

This video gives a very good explanation of what's happening in the presidential race and lobbying.



The other issue I would like to point out is where I believe that the Democratic voters are being disenfranchised by several leadership entities within the Democratic Party.

Dennis Kucinich and Mike Gravel were not invited to Tom Harkins’ annual Steak Fry fundraising event-debate in Iowa. There are other instances where Dennis Kucinich and Mike Gravel are being shoved out of the primary process. Some in the party leadership are once again rigging the election.
My following letter to all the candidates will explain my feelings on this matter. I truly hope that the readers understand it's about what's wrong with the Democratic Leadership.

To: Democratic National Committee September 18th, 2007
Democratic leadership Council
Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama, John Edwards, Bill Richardson, Chris Dodd, Joe Biden , Mike Gravelle , Dennis Kucinch and Tom Harkin.

I am writing to express my anger and disgust with what's going on in the primary race for president.

Watching the September 15th Tom Harkin debate in Iowa seeing that Dennis Kucinich and Mike Gravel were left out was sad day for democracy and our primary process.

What is happening in our party when two of the candidates are shut out? Why were they not invited so people could hear their plans for America if they were President? Just simple fairness to these men should be what we are all about!

It appears the party leadership is making the choice as to whom we get to hear from and vote for!

I know the corporate media are supporting Hillary Clinton by their constant coverage of her. However I thought that my party would be more fair and democratic.

All candidates deserve equal access to the people to present their policies; and then on primary election day the voters can make the decision as to whom they want to run in the general election.

The party leadership should stop trying to rig the system and the six candidates that spoke at the Harkin debate should have demanded that all eight candidates be invited.

There is still time to make the process fair. Give Dennis Kucinich and Mike Gravel their rights to present their case.

All the candidates should not appear on any more debates unless all their fellow candidates are invited.

Shame on all responsible for insulting Dennis Kucinich and Mike Gravel including the Democratic Party faithful.

Sincerely

We cannot disenfranchise voters and insult the voting base by not allowing all Democratic Candidates the same platform.

All candidates have a right to a legitimate primary election process. What we see happening here is against our democratic values and against the principles of fairness!

I hope that this video and letter will clearly explain my position on the events which are taking place in our government and presidential campaigns for the 2008 election.

We need to maintain the integrity of our Democratic Party and the principles that define Democrats. We must demand that legitimate Presidential Candidates are treated with respect, fairness and honesty!



Ozy

IWR News

Iraq Body Count: 09/20/07
Americans Killed: 3791
Americans Wounded: 27,848
http://icasualties.org/oif/
Iraqis Killed: 655,000+
http://www.thelancet.com
"...a small price..." Rep. John Boehner
-----------------------------------------


Latest Confirmed Casualties:

*Cpl. Terrence P. Allen, 21, of Pennsauken, NJ died Sept. 15 in Al Anbar province, Iraq.

*Staff Sgt. Terry D. Wagoner, 28, of Piedmont, SC died Sept. 14 in Baghdad, Iraq.

*Spc. Todd A. Motley, 23, of Clare, MI died Sept. 14 in Baghdad, Iraq.

*Spc. Jonathan Rivadeneira, 22, of Jackson Heights, NY died Sept. 14 in Baghdad, Iraq.

*Pvt. Christopher M. McCloud, 24, of Malakoff, TX died Sept. 14 in Baghdad, Iraq.

*Sgt. John Mele, 25, of Bunnell, FL died Sept. 14 in Arab Jabour, Iraq.

*Staff Sgt. Michael L. Townes, 29, of Las Vegas, NV died Sept. 16 in Balad, Iraq.

*Pfc. Brandon T. Thorsen, 22, of Trenton, FL died Sept. 15 in Baghdad, Iraq.

*Spc. Matthew J. Emerson, 20, of Grandview, WA (79th Washingtonian) died Sept. 18 in Ninewah Province, Iraq.

*Spc. Joseph N. Landry III, 23, of Pensacola, FL died Sept. 18 in Muqdadiyah, Iraq.

*Spc. Nicholas P. Olson, 22, of Novato, CA died Sept. 18 in Muqdadiyah, Iraq.

*Spc. Donald E. Valentine III, 21, of Orange Park, FL died Sept. 18 in Muqdadiyah, Iraq.

*Spc. Aaron J. Walker, 23, of Harker Heights, TX died Sept. 18 in Baghdad, Iraq.


Peace,
Chad (The Left) Shue

Support the Troops

Senator Patty Murray - Phone: (202) 224-2621

Senator Maria Cantwell – Phone: (202) 224-3441

[AMENDED 9/20/07]

Those who do: YEAs ---56

Akaka (D-HI)
Baucus (D-MT)
Bayh (D-IN)
Biden (D-DE)
Bingaman (D-NM)
Boxer (D-CA)
Brown (D-OH)
Byrd (D-WV)
Cantwell (D-WA)
Cardin (D-MD)
Carper (D-DE)
Casey (D-PA)
Clinton (D-NY)
Coleman (R-MN)
Collins (R-ME)
Conrad (D-ND)
Dodd (D-CT)
Dorgan (D-ND)
Durbin (D-IL)
Feingold (D-WI)
Feinstein (D-CA)
Hagel (R-NE)
Harkin (D-IA)
Inouye (D-HI)
Johnson (D-SD)
Kennedy (D-MA)
Kerry (D-MA)
Klobuchar (D-MN)
Kohl (D-WI)
Landrieu (D-LA)
Lautenberg (D-NJ)
Leahy (D-VT)
Levin (D-MI)
Lincoln (D-AR)
McCaskill (D-MO)
Menendez (D-NJ)
Mikulski (D-MD)
Murray (D-WA)
Nelson (D-FL)
Nelson (D-NE)
Obama (D-IL)
Pryor (D-AR)
Reed (D-RI)
Reid (D-NV)
Rockefeller (D-WV)
Salazar (D-CO)
Sanders (I-VT)
Schumer (D-NY)
Smith (R-OR)
Snowe (R-ME)
Stabenow (D-MI)
Sununu (R-NH)
Tester (D-MT)
Webb (D-VA)
Whitehouse (D-RI)
Wyden (D-OR)

Those who do not: NAYs ---44

Alexander (R-TN)
Allard (R-CO)
Barrasso (R-WY)
Bennett (R-UT)
Bond (R-MO)
Brownback (R-KS)
Bunning (R-KY)
Burr (R-NC)
Chambliss (R-GA)
Coburn (R-OK)
Cochran (R-MS)
Corker (R-TN)
Cornyn (R-TX)
Craig (R-ID)
Crapo (R-ID)
DeMint (R-SC)
Dole (R-NC)
Domenici (R-NM)
Ensign (R-NV)
Enzi (R-WY)
Graham (R-SC)
Grassley (R-IA)
Gregg (R-NH)
Hatch (R-UT)
Hutchison (R-TX)
Inhofe (R-OK)
Isakson (R-GA)
Kyl (R-AZ)
Lieberman (ID-CT)
Lott (R-MS)
Lugar (R-IN)
Martinez (R-FL)
McCain (R-AZ)
McConnell (R-KY)
Murkowski (R-AK)
Roberts (R-KS)
Sessions (R-AL)
Shelby (R-AL)
Specter (R-PA)
Stevens (R-AK)
Thune (R-SD)
Vitter (R-LA)
Voinovich (R-OH)
Warner (R-VA)

To be absolutely clear:

The Constitution of the United States; Article I, Section 8 - The Powers of the Congress:

The Congress shall have Power To...

To declare War, grant Letters of Marque and Reprisal, and make Rules concerning Captures on Land and Water;

To raise and support Armies, but no Appropriation of Money to that Use shall be for a longer Term than two Years;

To provide and maintain a Navy;

To make Rules for the Government and Regulation of the land and naval Forces;

To provide for calling forth the Militia to execute the Laws of the Union, suppress Insurrections and repel Invasions;

To provide for organizing, arming, and disciplining the Militia, and for governing such Part of them as may be employed in the Service of the United States, reserving to the States respectively, the Appointment of the Officers, and the Authority of training the Militia according to the discipline prescribed by Congress;

The amendment offered by Senator Webb was well within the scope of the powers of the congress. Those Republicans (including Joe LIEberman) who voted against providing adequate rest between deployments for our troops and their families not only fail to support our troops, their vote shines a bright light on their callaous partisanship over patriotism.

Peace,
Chad (The Left)Shue

Welcome to the New Amerikan Police State

WASHINGTON D.C. – Sen. John Kerry issued the following statement today, in response to the arrest of a student at the University of Florida.

“In 37 years of public appearances, through wars, protests and highly emotional events, I have never had a dialogue end this way. I believe I could have handled the situation without interruption, but I do not know what warnings or other exchanges transpired between the young man and the police prior to his barging to the front of the line and their intervention. I asked the police to allow me to answer the question and was in the process of responding when he was taken into custody. I was not aware that a taser was used until after I left the building. I hope that neither the student nor any of the police were injured. I regret enormously that a good healthy discussion was interrupted."

Nice comdemnation Senator..........

[UPDATE 09/18/07]

Apparently certain "centrist" Democrats find it acceptable to taser unarmed, outnumbered, and obviously subdued people if they annoy you. The next thing you know she will be suggesting a "free speech zone" so that protesters are kept out of the line of sight of the ...... oh wait, that idea has already been taken.

"There are rules for publicly expressing one's self in a forum environment, and this kid violated them. He was asked to sit down, he was asked to stop talking, and he was told to leave. He refused all three requests and got tased. I have a hard time coming up with any reaction other than 'so what'."

Now go back to the video and see for yourself at what point during those "three requests" the young man "got tased." I count five uniformed officers, the detainee was on the floor with at least one hand in handcuffs. If this is what Chantel (and her friends Hillary and the DLC) find acceptable in America, no wonder we can launch a pre-emptive strike on a country that posed no real or imminent threat to ours.

Peace,
Chad (The Left) Shue

A Message from John Sweeney: President, AFL-CIO

Thanks to my State Rep. Mike Sells for passing this along:

For Immediate Release
Contact: Caren Benjamin 202-637-5018

Statement from AFL-CIO President John Sweeney on Report Showing Health
Premiums Rose Nearly Twice as Much as Wages in 2007
September 11, 2007

"The new survey on health insurance by the Kaiser Family Foundation and
the Health Research Educational Trust should sound alarm bells. The
fact that the price of employer-provided health insurance grew almost
twice as much as workers* paychecks is yet more compelling evidence
that it*s well past time to fix our broken health care system.

Workers paying 6.1 percent more in premiums this year than last are not
getting 6.1 percent better health care for their hard-earned money. They
are being forced to take bigger hunks out of comparatively smaller
paychecks and deposit that money into the pockets of insurance company
CEOs and others who wring profit from the health care marketplace.

To CEOs, paying $3,281 a year for health care may be no big deal. But
for many working families, the additional money that must now go to
health insurance is the same money that pays the mortgage and the
grocery bills. As a result of steadily rising price increases, working
families are being forced off the rolls of their employer-sponsored
health plans and into the growing ranks of the uninsured.

These uninsured are people who live by the unwritten rule of the
American dream: Work hard and you will be able to take care of your
family. The American dream * of a world where work pays and everyone
can see a doctor when they need one * must remain attainable in our
country. In America, no one should go without health care, and no family
should be bent to the breaking point by out-of-control costs for basic
medical care."

And the choir sings, Amen.....

Peace,
Chad (The Left) Shue

An Iraqi Bedtime Story

Often there are posts I wish I had written. None nearly as much as this one from "Liberal Girl's" Dad, Mark W. Bradley.

Why Can’t They All Just Get Along?

This is a must read and pass along.

Peace,
Chad (The Left) Shue

More from The Governor

Peace,
Chad (The Left) Shue

Iraq - The Korean Model

In George Bush’s latest televised rambling on his twisted game of ‘playin’ army with the gang’ (using and killing real American troops) he suggested that there would be an American military presence in Iraq after his term ends (hopefully on or before 01/20/09).

”…At the same time, they understand that their success will require U.S. political, economic, and security engagement that extends beyond my Presidency. These Iraqi leaders have asked for an enduring relationship with America. And we are ready to begin building that relationship…”

While some may have thought that this was a new twist in what is already a very twisted scheme, in fact (now former) Whitehouse propagandist Tony Snow(job) began suggesting Iraq might follow the “Korean model” back in May of this year. From a press briefing on May 30th:

”Q: Tony, on Iraq, for the gaggle you were asked about U.S. troops and just how long the presence would be there, the vision. And you compared it to the Korean model. Can you explain that?

MR. SNOW: Yes. It was actually a question that Helen raised and Helen used to create an analogy, but the President has used it before.

MS. THOMAS: Thank you. (Laughter.)

MR. SNOW: That is Helen Thomas, front row veteran. (Laughter.)

Q: Spell it right. (Laughter.)

MR. SNOW: Here is -- what the President means by that is that at some point you want to get to a situation in which the Iraqis have the capability to go ahead and handle the fundamental matters of security. You have the United States there in what has been described as an over-the-horizon support role so that if you need the ability to react quickly to major challenges or crises, you can be there, but the Iraqis are conducting the lion's share of the business -- as we have in South Korea, where for many years there have been American forces stationed there as a way of maintaining stability and assurance on the part of the South Korean people against a North Korean neighbor that is a menace…”

So, if there was ever any doubt about George W. Bush’s intent to maintain a permanent military presence in Iraq, they should have been eliminated last night. For all the rhetoric about “no permanent bases” and “our involvement is not open ended”, in fact – as with most of the Orwellian rhetoric from the Bush Whitehouse, ‘day is night and night is day.’

Never has the expression, “It will take an act of Congress” to stop him had more significance than it does now. Last night Bush said,

”The way forward I have described tonight makes it possible, for the first time in years, for people who have been on opposite sides of this difficult debate to come together.”

I certainly hope that on this he is correct. It is time for Republicans and Democrats to come together to put an end to this nightmare and to restore sanity to America’s foreign policy.

Not One More Dime – Not One More Life

Peace,
Chad (The Left) Shue

IWR News

Iraq Body Count: 09/14/07
Americans Killed: 3776
Americans Wounded: 27,848
http://icasualties.org/oif/
Iraqis Killed: 655,000+
http://www.thelancet.com
"... a small price..." House Republican Leader, John Boehner
-----------------------------------------

Latest Confirmed Casualties

*Sgt. Alexander U. Gagalac, 28, of Wahiawa, HI died Sept. 9 in Hawijah, Iraq.

*Lance Cpl. Lance M. Clark, 21, of Cookeville, TN died Sept. 7 in Al Anbar province, Iraq.

*Pfc. Sammie E. Phillips, 19, of Cecilia, KY died Sept. 10 in Rustamiyah, Iraq.

*Cpl. Javier G. Paredes, 24, of San Antonio, TX died Sept. 5 in Baghdad, Iraq.

*Staff Sgt. Courtney Hollinsworth, 26, of Yonkers, NY died Sept. 9 in Baghdad, Iraq.

*Cpl. Carlos E. Gilorozco, 23, of San Jose, CA died Sept. 10 in Al Anbar province, Iraq.

*Lance Cpl. Jon T. Hicks Jr., 20, of Atco, NJ died Sept. 10 in Al Anbar province, Iraq.

*Staff Sgt. Yance T. Gray, 26, of Ismay, MT died Sept. 10 in Baghdad, Iraq.

*Sgt. Omar L. Mora, 28, of Texas City, TX died Sept. 10 in Baghdad, Iraq.

*Staff Sgt. Gregory Rivera-Santiago, 26, of St. Croix, Virgin Islands died Sept. 10 in Baghdad, Iraq.

*Sgt. Michael C. Hardegree, 21, of Villa Rica, GA died Sept. 10 in Baghdad, Iraq.

*Sgt. Nicholas J. Patterson, 24, of Rochester, IN died Sept. 10 in Baghdad, Iraq.

*Spc. Ari D. Brown-Weeks, 23, of Abingdon, MD died Sept. 10 in Baghdad, Iraq.

*Spc. Steven R. Elrod, 20, of Hope Mills, NC died Sept. 10 in Baghdad, Iraq.


Peace,
Chad (The Left) Shue

Republican Leader - A Small Man

h/t to Crooks and Liars.com:

Republican House Minority Leader John Boehner on CNN's "Situation Room" says that American blood spilled in Iraq is a "small price" to pay as a justification for the continuing occupation of that country.

John Boehner - a small man.

[UPDATE 09/14/07] Apparently John Kerry wants an apology as well.

[FURTHER UPDATE 09/20/07]

Rep. Larsen and Rep. Inslee, where is YOUR outrage? I have not yet heard you demand an apology.

Peace,
Chad (The Left) Shue

The Success of George W. Bush

It is my opinion that George W. Bush is the most despicable and corrupt person to ever inhabit the Whitehouse. From his monarchical rule to his imperialistic invasion and ongoing occupation of Iraq, few if any presidents have ever shaken the very foundation of our constitutional republic as severely as George. W. Bush. Having said that I am left to consider the definition of success as it relates to the Bush (43) presidency.

Since his installment by “Supreme Court Decision”, Bush has amassed a record of success unmatched by any president in my life time. From his initial assault on the middle class and the poor with his program of tax giveaways to the very wealthy to his unilateral withdrawal from the nuclear non-proliferation treat between the US and Russia, to his signature brand of governmental cronyism, to his unprecedented abuses of power “justified” by some heretofore unknown powers of the Commander in Chief, Bush has been virtually unchecked – unchallenged. And it was not only his able henchmen in the Republican controlled congress that heaped these successes on George W. Bush. Even in the face of the mounting evidence that he was completely shredding our constitution – illegal warrentless wire-tapping, authorizing the kidnapping and torture of Americans and foreign nationals simply suspected of association with suspected “terrorists”, and the complete debunking of his case for invading and continuing to occupy Iraq, the American people “rewarded” him with a re-election victory and four more years to rule over America.

Make no mistake – Bush’s policies have certainly led to the largest Federal deficit in the history of the country, the greatest gap between rich and poor since the Great Depression, and most significantly, the greatest loss of life due to “incompetence of command” since Little Big Horn. Yet this failure as a person has yet to hear the word NO from either the American people or those who they have elected to represent them. And PLEASE do not tell me about 2006. Non-binding resolutions and capitulation to threatened vetoes do not equate to a rebuke.

To be sure, there is still time to bring Bush’s record into line with his performance. The only question is, is there the political will to set things right? We are at yet another crossroads in Bush’s tenure. I would argue that this may be the most critical intersection.

Not Another Dime – Not Another Life.

Peace,
Chad (The Left) Shue

IWR News

Iraq Body Count: 09/11/07
Americans Killed: 3774
Americans Wounded: 27,767
http://icasualties.org/oif/
Iraqis Killed: 655,000+
http://www.thelancet.com
"We don't do body counts." General Tommy Franks
-----------------------------------------

Latest Confirmed Casualties

*Cpl. William T. Warford III, 24, of Temple, TX died Sept. 5 in Balad, Iraq.

*Pfc. Dane R. Balcon, 19, of Colorado Springs, CO died Sept. 5 in Balad, Iraq.

*Sgt. Lee C. Wilson, 30, of Chapel Hill, NC died Sept. 6 in Mosul, Iraq.

*Spc. Jason J. Hernandez, 21, of Streetsboro, OH died Sept. 7 in Mosul, Iraq.

*Spc. Thomas L. Hilbert, 20, of Venus, TX died Sept. 7 in Mosul, Iraq.

*Cpl. Christopher L. Poole Jr., 22, of Mount Dora, FL died Sept. 6 in Al Anbar province, Iraq.

*Cpl. Bryan J. Scripsick, 22, of Wayne, OK died Sept. 6 in Al Anbar province, Iraq.

*Staff Sgt. John C. Stock, 26, of Longview, TX died Sept. 6 in Al Anbar province, Iraq.

*Sgt. Michael J. Yarbrough, 24, of Malvern, AR died Sept. 6 in Al Anbar province, Iraq.

*Cpl. Ryan A. Woodward, 22, of Fort Wayne, IN died Sept. 8 in Balad, Iraq.

*Capt. Drew N. Jensen, 27, of Clackamas, CA died Sept. 7 in Seattle, WA of wounds suffered May 7 in Ba’qubah, Iraq.

*Spc. Marisol Heredia, 19, of El Monte, CA died Sept. 7 at Brooke Army Medical Center, San Antonio, TX of injuries suffered July 18 in Baghdad, Iraq.


Peace,
Chad (The Left) Shue

K Street and the "New Democrats"

At the risk of dipping into the “Sirota Well” once too often, this simply cannot go without mention:

Anyone Want to See What the Hostile Takeover of the Democratic Party Looks Like?

The post is short and to the point. A link to an invitation to a June, 2007 “retreat” sponsored by the New Democrat Coalition. Obviously David looks at the larger picture of the emergence of a new “Corporate Democratic” Party. My interest, however, lies a bit closer to home.

The retreat, held on Chesapeake Bay was attended by 19 “New Democrat” congress members. Three of those members were from our own Washington State; one from my own congressional district. Retreating with PAC Chair, Adam Smith (D-WA9) were Rep. Brian Baird (D-WA3) and Rep. Rick Larsen (D-WA2).

The retreat featured break-outs on such vital issues as:

Breaking the Log Jam on Trade Policy

Health Care: A Competitiveness Issue

Energy Independence and Security ( with an introduction by my own congressman, Rick Larsen)

Oh, did I mention the “NewDem Pac Supporters and Friends Attending the Retreat”?

Josh Ackil, Information Technology Industry

Brian Adkins, Embarq

Cory Alexander, Fannie Mae

Edward An, Time Warner

Zak Andersen, Burlington Northern Santa Fe

Bruce Andrews, Ford

Amy Andryszak, AT&T

Rob Atkinson, Information Technology and Innovation Foundation

Don Auerbach, Investment Company Institute

Shane Austin, St. Paul Travelers

Matt Bai, The New York Times Magazine

Peter Begans, Medco

Ricardo Bernal, Washington Group International

Rachelle Bernstecker, American Seniors Housing Association

Victoria Blatter, Merck

Holly Bode, UnitedHealth Group

Jim Bonham, Brown Rudnick

Lyndon Boozer, AT&T

Tammy Boyd, Johnson & Johnson

Marshall Brachman, Washington, DC

Chuck Brain, Capitol Hill Strategies

Paul Brathwaite, The Podesta Group

Alix Burns, Bay Bridge Strategies

Sean Callinicos, Sanofi Pasteur

Melika Carroll, Micron

Rick Carter, PG&E

David Castagnetti, Mehlman Vogel Castagnetti

Jennifer Cetta, T-Mobile

Allen Chew, Credit Union National Association

Jeff Cohen, Federation of American Hospitals

Jason Cole, UBS

Jeff Connaughton, Quinn Gillespie & Associates

David Conover, David Conover and Associates

Sara Conrad, The Conrad Group

Megan Cundari, American Hospital Association

Hon. Jim Davis, Holland and Knight

Priya Dayananda, KPMG

Jeanne Delgado, National Multi Housing Council

Lisa Dinackus, American Institute of Certified Public Accountants

Gloria Dittus, Dittus Communications

Andy Dodson, Bockorny Group

Julie Domenick, Multiple Strategies

Sean Donohue, Eli Lilly and Company

Jennifer Dowling, NVCA

David Drake, Novartis

Maurie Dugger, Edison Electric Institute

Emily Duncan, Exelon Corporation

Marty Durbin, American Chemistry Council

Renee Eastman, Salt River Project

Susan Eerdmans, AmerisourceBergen

Langston Emerson, NAREIT

Anne Fabry, Brown Rudnick

Pete Filon, Comcast

Alex Flint, Nuclear Energy Institute

Claude Fontheim, Fontheim International

Elizabeth Fox, AFLAC

Monique Frazier, HSBC North America

Shawn Gallagher, AIG

Matt Gelman, Microsoft

Robert Getzoff, Citi

David Gilbert, Constellation Energy Group

Mary Gordon, Nortel

Jamie Gregory, National Association of Realtors

Robert Griner, J.P. Morgan Chase

Tony Hadley, Experian Information Solutions

Bryant Hall, PhRMA

Rob Hall, INVISTA

Sherry Harper, O'Connor & Hannan

Jim Hart, Investment Company Institute

Edward Hill, Bank of America

Janet Howard, MetLife

Mark Irion, Dutko Worldwide

Andy Izquierdo, AstraZeneca<BR>
Bryan Jacobs, Home Depot

Leo Jardot, Wyeth

Kent Jeffreys, International Council of Shopping Centers

Timothy Jenkins, O'Connor & Hannan

Chris Jennings, Jennings Policy Strategies

Broderick Johnson, Bryan Cave Strategies

Charlie Johnson, Akin Gump Strauss, Hauer & Feld

Kirsten Johnson-Obey, Freddie Mac

Jonathan Jones, Johnson, Madigan, Peck

Eli Joseph, BIO

Mark Kadesh, Bartlett, Bendall & Kadesh

Hon. Mickey Kantor, Mayer, Brown, Rowe & Maw

Andrew Kauders, Podesta Group

Tim Keating, Honeywell

Thomas Koonce, IIABA

Lisa Kountoupes, Clark & Weinstock

Leslie Kramerich, Investment Companies Institute

Kristin Krause, FedEx

John Lapp, McMahon, Squier, Lapp & Associates

Peter Lawson, U.S. Chamber of Commerce

Vera LeBrun Grill, Pfizer

Eileen Lee, National Multi Housing Council

Edmund Lee, AIG

Lynn LeMaster, Edison Electric Institute

Ken Levinson, Fontheim International

Andy Lewin, Zurich

Nick Lewis, UPS

Brooke Lundquist, Dow

Jennifer Luray, Abbott Laboratories

Steve McBee, McBee Strategies

Chris McCannell, Quinn Gillespie & Associates

Jesse McCollum, NBWA

Jacqueline McCrocklin, VerizonWireless

Hon. Dave McCurdy, Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers

Sara Mead, Education Sector

Buddy Menn, BI Pharmaceuticals

Rachel Miller, BP

Nancy Mills, AFL-CIO

Peter Molinaro, Dow Chemicals

Howard Moon, Amgen

Cynthia Morton, American Health Care Association

Peter Muller, Genentech

Patrick Murphy, mCapitol

Charles Nau, Johnson & Johnson

Steve Nousen, NEA

Cathy Nyce, State Farm

Manny Ortiz, Quinn Gillespie & Associates

Ellen Pao, Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers

Dean Pappas, Allstate

Scott Parven, Parven, Pomper, Schuyler

Chris Payne, Prudential

Theresa Peterson, GE

John Plaza, Imperium Renewables and Seattle Biodiesel

Bob Pozen, MFS

John Prible, IIABA

Kate Prible, PCI

Ann Pride, Entergy

Tim Punke, Monument Policy Group

Christine Ramsdell, Boeing Corporation

Renée Rappaport, Mortgage Bankers Association

Kevin Richards, Symantec

Josh Richman, Bloom Energy

Lucia Riddle, Principal Financial Group

Angela Riemer, Wyeth

Jay Rosenblum, Ernst & Young

Peter Rubin, Merck

Barbara Sacks, Verizon

Melissa Schulman, Bockorny Group

Elizabeth Schwartz, Boeing Corporation

Jill Showell, PMI Group

Courtney Sigmon, The Conrad Group

Hannah Simone, Nuclear Energy Institute

Kelly Slone, NVCA

Peter Slone, Medtronic

Dale Snape, Wexler & Walker

Thomas Spulak, King & Spalding

KR Sridhar, Bloom Energy

Jerry Steffle, Wellpoint

Kristy Sternhell, Hewlett-Packard

Jennifer Stewart, Bryan Cave Strategies

Roslyn Sullivan, PricewaterhouseCoopers

Wendy Sussman, Caremark Rx

Marie Sylla, Verizon

Matthew Tanielian, Cisco<BR>
Dan Tate, Jr. Capitol Solutions

Gordon Taylor, Ogilvy Government Relations

Henry Terhune, Akin Gump Strauss, Hauer & Feld

David Thomas, Mehlman Vogel Castagnetti

Jonathan Topodas, Aetna

Andrew Vermilye, Fidelity

Ali Weise, NDN

Robin Weisman, NASDAQ

Allison Weiss, MassMutual

Andrea Wilkinson, Sanofi Pasteur

Adele Witenstein, Abbott

AJ Wojciak, Blue Cross Blue Shield

Kimberly Woodard, Wal-Mart

Duane Wright, America's Health Insurance Plans

It’s a good thing Democrats are immune from lobbyists. (If you're wondering, that would be about 7.5 lobbyists per congress member.)

Peace,
Chad (The Left) Shue

Sign the Petition - Make that Call - Do Something!

Thanks again to David Sirota

Sign the Petition

Peace,
Chad (The Left) Shue

From our Labor Friends

Upcoming Activities & Actions

Saturday, September 29th

Peace Without Borders: Building the Movement

Saturday, September 29, 2007
10am to 5pm Peace Arch State Park

This family-oriented, historic gathering at Peace Arch State Park, on the Canada-US border, will bring together Canadian and American peace activists from various sectors to build a more effective international peace movement and celebrate our common vision for a peaceful, just and sustainable world.

Peace Without Borders: Building the Movement has two parts: 1) from 10am – 1pm Strategic Planning Discussions, and
2) the Peace Without Borders Peace Concert from 1:30pm – 5pm.

1) Strategic planning discussions for leaders and activists from and those interested in the following sectoral areas:
War Resistance - Counter Recruitment and Youth - Labour - Women and impact of war
Arts and Culture - Human Rights, Immigration and Refugees - Peace Education in schools/in general - and Environment and Sustainability.


The strategic planning discussions will allow participants to meet and share perspectives how best to build the peace movement and work towards a cross-border Pacific Northwest Regional Peace Forum in the Spring of 2008. Bi-national discussion leaders and recorders will animate the discussion and provide two minute reports within the afternoon peace concert. More detailed reports will be later available online.

2) The Peace Without Borders Peace Concert from 1:30pm-5pm will feature songwriter David Rovics, Latin American music from Correo Aereo, Sudanese sounds from Sudanda, and the mass singing of The Seattle Labor Chorus and Vancouver’s Solidarity Notes along with other artists.

Peace Without Borders will be held at Peace Arch State Park—the park is on the US side of the Peace Arch to the east of the highway. Free Transportation will be available by bus from the King George Sky Train Station in Surrey

See www.worldpeaceforum.ca for details.

There will be a children’s activity area.
Tamales and other delights will be available from the Las Margaritas collective of Bellingham.

Want to get involved? Need more info?
Contact us at www.worldpeaceforum.ca and/or www.whatcompjc.org

IDelegates representing the affiliated unions of the Washington State Labor Council, AFL-CIO -- the largest union organization in Washington state, representing some 500 union organizations and 400,000 rank-and-file union members -- have adopted a resolution calling for the United States government to begin a phased withdrawal of U.S. troops from Iraq immediately.

Peace,
Chad (The Left) Shue

Media Lies and Presidential Candidates

The presidential campaign is in full swing. Before you make your choice take time to know all candidates and make sure your choice will fight for your interests not special-interest.

Will you vote for a candidate because she or he has charisma, is black, white, male or female or the one you think is the smartest? All candidates have positives and negatives. However only one has pledged to fight for policies, I believe will be beneficial to all Americans.

These policies are;
#1 End the war in Iraq

#2 National Health Care Medicare for all. (like some 40 million seniors and disabled people. Also the government-funded plan that 9 million federal employees enjoy including Congress and the president. Getting insurance profiteers out of the healthcare industry.)

#3 Public financing of elections (putting a stop to lobbyists bribing our representatives.

#4 scrapping all trade agreements and renegotiating agreements to protect American jobs.

These four policies are the most important problems of today along with illegal immigration and global warming.

Don't let the lobbyist buy your vote with their million-dollar national campaigns or the sad deceptive media hype that keeps you from knowing who the best candidate is.

Most candidates will bow to their corporate masters and continue the failed policies that are ruining our country.

Vote out Corporatocracy and vote back democracy.
Vote for DENNIS KUCINICH for a better life for all Americans. He could be another FDR, remember the president who got us Social Security.

Progress?

Not one more life - Not one more dime

Peace,
Chad (The Left) Shue

John Lovick for Snohomish County Sheriff

Like no time in recent history has the choice for Snohomish County Sheriff been clearer than it is this year. John Lovick is, without a doubt, the most professionally qualified for the job. With over 30 years of law enforcement experience with the Washington State Patrol and close to 10 years of experience as a legislator in Olympia, John brings the combination of field experience and administrative expertise that this position demands. However it is not John’s professional credentials that will be seen and felt most by the citizens that he will serve. It is John’s dedication to community that most qualifies him for this role.

Snohomish County is growing at one of the highest rates in the country. With that growth comes increasing diversity. With increased diversity comes a greater need for community. At the heart of everything that John has done has been a deep respect for community involvement and respect for the citizens that he lives with and serves. Whether as a classroom mentor, youth sports coach, or in the quiet, behind the scenes, acts of kindness and charity that he performs on a daily basis for the various food banks and shelters throughout our county, John Lovick understands that people feel safer when they are valued.

While enforcing the laws of Snohomish County will be at the forefront of a John Lovick Sheriff’s Department, the people of Snohomish County will know that the law will be enforced equally and in support of the community; not as a wedge to divide one group from another. John understands that making people feel safe takes more than simply reacting to crimes that have already been committed. Crime prevention is key and is most successful when it comes as a cooperative effort between the community and law enforcement. Only the bad guys should fear the cops. John Lovick will provide the leadership to strengthen the bonds between the Sheriff’s Department and the citizens they serve. And we shall all be better for it.

I am proud to know John and I am equally proud to offer my endorsement. If you would like to help in any way, contact John via his website: Lovick for Sheriff

Enjoy this “moving” campaign ad:

Peace,
Chad (The Left) Shue

Will the New Democratic Majority Retreat Yet Again?

With appreciation to David Sirota for his heads up on this article from Politico:

"Democrats retreat on war end"

By: John Bresnahan and Martin Kady II

Sep 5, 2007 09:49 PM EST

”In a strategic shift designed to win over Republican critics of the Iraq war, congressional Democrats are backing off demands for a firm withdrawal date for U.S. troops and instead are seeking a new bipartisan deal to end the military campaign.”

OK, I’m going to need a few minutes for the drugs to kick in. “Back off firm withdrawal dates” in order to win over Republican support to “end the military campaign.”????? OUCH! And it gets better/worse?

Lately we have been hearing about the new $50BILLION request coming from the Whitehouse to guarantee a continuation of the so-called surge. By most reports, the request will be met with open checkbooks by the Democratic majority. What we weren’t hearing about is this paragraph:

” Reid, though, is expected to return to the issue of a guaranteed withdrawal date in October when an Iraq supplemental spending bill reaches the Senate floor. That legislation, which will cost at least $146 billion and possibly as much as $200 billion, will pay for combat operations in Iraq and Afghanistan through most of next year.”

Now the optimist will point to the lead sentence wherein it is suggested that Senate Democratic Leader, Harry Reid is expected to return to the issue of a firm withdrawal date. Unfortunately, the recent actions of the new Democratic majority and statements from New Democrats like Rick Larsen and Brian Baird have pretty much knocked the optimist right out of me.

” “We are trying to manage expectations that we can’t end the war today or next week or next month,” said one Democrat involved in the discussions. “We have to make sure everyone understands that.”

Said another aide involved in the process: “Despite the months of debate, and all the votes, and all the ads and everything, we have not been able to break the Republicans. They are still with Bush, and that’s the reality here.”

The new approach is something of a preemptive strike for Democrats. They anticipate snippets of good news from Army Gen. David Petraeus, the top U.S. commander in Iraq, and U.S. Ambassador Ryan Crocker, when the two officials issue their much-anticipated status report to Congress next week. Democrats are also worried that they may be losing their political edge on the war, especially as a few congressional Democrats have publicly noted the signs of progress after returning from trips to Iraq.”

Let’s walk through this. In September the Democrats will apparently lack the votes necessary to end the occupation of Iraq (based in some part to Democrats like Larsen and Baird who they expect to vote with the Republicans). And, although I keep hearing from my local representatives that the Republicans are peeling away from George Bush, they say that they have not been able to “break the Republicans.” However, in October Sen. Reid is expected to reintroduce guaranteed withdrawal dates because…………oh, yeah because he will have shown the Democrats’ willingness to compromise in September.

For the record, I really hope that I am proven wrong here but I have come to believe that by not simply leaving Bush’s veto of the Iraq Withdrawal Bill on his desk (thus leaving Bush with the responsibility for having cut off the funding for the occupation) the Democrats signaled their surrender on the issue of Iraq to George W. Bush.

Now, (PLEASE) prove me wrong.

Peace,
Chad (The Left) Shue

Vacation Wrap-up

During the August vacation period for Iraqi and US lawmakers some 90 American troops were killed in Iraq while another 250 were evacuated for wounds too severe to allow them to return to their units. In that same time period some 1700 Iraqis were killed in the continuing civil war that was released from its dormancy by the US invasion of that country.

Obviously, as the Iraqi parliament was on their summer break (”You know it’s 130 degrees in Baghdad in August “… Whitehouse propagandist, Tony Snow-job) there was no progress possible on that body meeting any of the so-called benchmarks set for them by the US lawmakers. Of course, by the same token, there was no progress made in this country toward ending that occupation; a goal that was widely publicized during the 2006 elections.

Well everyone is back to work now so we can all look forward to great things over the course of the coming weeks and months. That is if we can keep from being distracted by the antics of Sen. Larry Craig and the Republican morality police or the 2008 presidential campaign.

Peace,
Chad (The Left) Shue

IWR News

Iraq Body Count: 09/06/07
Americans Killed: 3752
Americans Wounded: 27,662
http://icasualties.org/oif/
Iraqis Killed: 655,000+
http://www.thelancet.com
"We don't do body counts." General Tommy Franks
-----------------------------------------


Latest Confirmed Casualties

*Cpl. John C. Tanner, 21, of Columbus, GA died Aug. 29 in Al Anbar province, Iraq.

*Spc. Edward L. Brooks, 25, of Dayton, OH died Aug. 29 in Ramadi, Iraq.

*Staff Sgt. Jason M. Butkus, 34, of West Milford, NJ died Aug. 30 in Baghdad, Iraq.

*Sgt. 1st Class Daniel E. Scheibner, 40, of Muskegon, MI died Aug. 30 in Al Noor, Iraq.

*Staff Sgt. Andrew P. Nelson, 22, of Moorhead, MN died Aug. 29 in Muqdadiyah, Iraq.

*Pvt. Justin T. Sanders, 22, of Watson, LA died Aug. 29 in Taji, Iraq.

*Spc. Travis M. Virgadamo, 19, of Las Vegas, NV died Aug. 30 in Taji, Iraq.

*Sgt. Kevin A. Gilbertson, 24, of Cedar Rapids, IA died Aug. 31 in Landstuhl, Germany, of wounds sustained Aug. 29 in Ramadi, Iraq.

*Spc. Christopher G. Patton, 21, of Lawrenceville, GA died Sept. 1 in Baghdad, Iraq.

*Spc. Rodney J. Johnson, 20, of Houston, TX died Sept. 4 in Baghdad, Iraq.


Peace,
Chad (The Left) Shue

A Letter from the Governor

"Dear Chad,

The charade continues: President Bush spent a few hours of his Labor Day in Iraq -- you may have seen his photo on CNN or in your paper. While there, he talked about "progress" and even suggested he might be willing to withdraw some troops -- of course he's said that in 2003, 2004, and now in 2007.
It is all make-believe -- a carefully crafted facade to try to buy more time to win a victory anyone with any sense knows isn't coming.

Iraq is not a media battle, and it can't be won by photographs, White House "progress reports," or false proclamations of success.

It's a real war, with real guns and real tanks and real explosives.

And real Americans are dying.

We got into this war based on lies, make-believe, and well-orchestrated dog-and-pony shows.

It is time for the truth: WE MUST END THIS WAR NOW. And we can't end it until we start bringing all of our troops home.

I am out there speaking the truth every day -- everywhere I go, to everyone I can find. But it's hard for any truth to be heard over the double-talk and misrepresentation coming out of DC, especially this week. General Petraeus is due to release a report that we all expect to be chock-full of White House spin. And you can bet Bush will try to use the anniversary of September 11th to distract America from the disaster he's created in Iraq.

Democrats elected Democrats to end this war, and Congress reconvened this week with a clear mandate. Unfortunately, to date, while members of Congress talk about ending the war, they have yet to actually do it. It's time to stop the politics and the posturing and get it done.

And if Congress can't get it together to force Bush to end this war, then we'd better make sure our next President is prepared to do it their first day in office. I will start on my first day in office; and I will leave no troops behind.

It is time to end the war, reject the charade, and bring all of our troops home as quickly as we can. That's the truth."

The fine print: Gov. Bill Richardson for President

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Peace,
Chad (The Left) Shue