Blogswarm - Online Political News Magazine

On Monday evening, you have a chance to see an unprecedented musical and political event that will never be repeated again. Some of the most talented American musicians of the last 20 years will share the stage at the Vote for Change grand finale concert -- Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band, Bonnie Raitt, R.E.M., Jackson Browne, the Dixie Chicks, Pearl Jam, and Dave Matthews Band among others. MoveOn PAC is presenting this amazing tour (proceeds go to ACT), and people nation-wide are hosting house parties where MoveOn members can watch together.

At these parties, we'll gather strength for the final push and get some important work done. At the parties, we'll each handwrite a few letters to swing state voters -- an integral part of our Leave No Voter Behind field program.

Will you join us for this historic event? Attend a house party near you, or host one, by clicking here:

http://action.moveonpac.org/vfc/

There won't be a DVD or a television re-run -- this is your only chance to see these musicians perform together. The concert will air Monday evening on the Sundance Channel. If you have more than 60 cable channels or a satellite dish, you have Sundance, and we hope you'll consider hosting a party. Not all of our members have Sundance, but they really want to see this concert.

Before the show, we'll hold a special nationwide conference call to hear a message from Bruce Springsteen and other musicians. If you're going to host a party, you'll need a speakerphone or, better, a computer with speakers and high-speed cable or DSL Internet. If you don't have this, you can team up with a friend or neighbor. If you'll be a guest, we'll ask you to bring snacks or help clean up afterwards.

As we enjoy the music, we'll each write a few personal letters to voters in swing states who are undecided or unsure they'll make it to the polls. All the research shows the best way to motivate someone is to invest time in a personal contact. This increases people's commitment to vote. Handwritten letters are a powerful way to share why this election matters so much to us.

Monday's show will be politically potent, and it will also be a seminal moment in the history of rock and roll. Rock speaks to the heart and soul of American ideals. You won't get another chance to hear America's most respected musicians as they call upon our noblest dreams. An election concert like this has never happened before, and we hope the MoveOn community can be part of it.

Would you like to attend a house party and join one of the most exciting events of this election?

http://action.moveonpac.org/vfc/

We hope you'll be there on Monday!

Sincerely,

--Adam, Eli, Hannah, James, Laura, and the whole MoveOn PAC Team
  Friday, October 8th, 2004

PAID FOR BY MOVEON PAC www.moveonpac.org
Not authorized by any candidate or candidate's committee.

On Monday evening, come see an unprecedented event that will never be repeated again -- Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band, Bonnie Raitt, R.E.M., Jackson Browne, and others will share the stage at the Vote for Change grand finale concert. We're holding house parties across the country to watch the concert together.

Sign Up

John Kerry versus George Bush. I can hardly wait for the second debate tonight. But for you and me, watching won't get it done. We've got to act by helping John Kerry and the Democratic Party reach a difficult goal by midnight.

It's the first of three critical "make or break" October deadlines for our campaign. If we want to win, we won't let the clock strike twelve without reaching our $5 million goal to put more ads on the air.

Tomorrow morning, key decision makers are going to sit down and figure out the next steps for our TV ads. I need you to make sure that they can make these decisions based on strategy and not financial constraints.

https://www.democrats.org/support/kerry.html

In order to make these decisions based on strategy alone, the Democratic Party must raise that $5 million on the Internet by midnight tonight. We are almost there, so help put us over the top.

Look, I know that people like me ask you to make contributions all the time. But over the next few weeks, we have to pull out all the stops or we will live to regret it.

I'm not talking about a pinch of remorse or a brief moment of regret. I'm talking about four long years of kicking ourselves because we let George Bush, Dick Cheney, and the Republicans hold on to power.

https://www.democrats.org/support/kerry.html

Right now, this election is closer than it was in 2000. Whichever side wants victory more, whichever party approaches the final weeks of this campaign with the clearer focus and deeper sense of determination will win.

Four years ago, we fell short of victory by only a handful of votes. Just a few more contributions from just a few more Americans, who meant to act but never did, could have carried Florida for Al Gore and written a very different chapter in the history of our nation.

Again, tonight is the first of three important deadlines and we need you to help get our ads on the air. Don't wake up on November 3 wondering if you had done enough.

https://www.democrats.org/support/kerry.html

Sincerely,

James Carville

On June 5th, 2004, President* Bush spoke in Paris, France. Bush's speech was recorded live by virtually the entire media worldwide. On this recording, you can hear an off-camera voice loudly telling President Bush what to say. You can clearly hear the voice speaking first, then President Bush attempts to mimic the very words spoken by the off-camera voice. You can even hear the off-camera voice telling President Bush which reporters to take questions from, whereupon Bush picks those named reporters. The off-camera voice continues to tell Bush what to say in response to the reporters' questions.

President Bush is using a wireless communications system, including an earpiece and a wireless receiver which can actually be seen on Bush's back during the last debate. Someone off-camera is actually telling President Bush what to say.

Tomorrow night, at the debate, if lawful, one could intercept this wireless signal and silently record it or broadcast it as happened in Paris, France, June 5th, 2004.

If Bush is recorded at the debate, the Kerry campaign could file a motion with the Presidential Debate Commission seeking Bush's disqualification from the debates. Bush cheated. Now, defeated.

Game over. Somebody give Dubya a lift back to Texas.

Here is a still photo from last week's debate.........you can see the outline of what appears to be a receiver underneath Bush's jacket.

Bush is receiving wireless transmissions from an off-camera "puppetmaster" who is broadcasting to Bush via a wireless transmitter.

This matter is under current investigation.

The other day, after a rally in Ohio, a woman asked someone from our campaign to deliver a message to me. She said, "Senator Kerry, we've got your back." That is certainly the feeling I have as you and hundreds of thousands of others keep pouring your hearts and souls into winning this election. That support inspires me as I prepare for tomorrow's debate with George W. Bush.

Yesterday, Mary Beth Cahill wrote to you explaining our October strategy -- and asked you to help raise $5 million for the Democratic Party before the first critical deadline arrives at midnight tomorrow.

https://www.democrats.org/support/kerry.html

I have a message for that woman in Ohio, for you, and for all Americans struggling to build a better life for their families: I have your back, too. We are going to bring back good jobs, bring back opportunity, and bring back the promise that has kept hope in the hearts of the American people for generations.

For the last four years, George Bush has favored the wealthy and well-connected, and turned a blind eye to the devastating impact of his policies on America's families. As evidence of his failures piles up all around him, George Bush refuses to budge. The only thing he has to offer is more of the same.

George Bush is the first president since Herbert Hoover to lose jobs on his watch -- and they say it is time to celebrate. Wages are falling, medical bills are rising, and families cannot send their kids to college -- and the Republicans tell us "Hey, don't worry, this is the best economy of our lifetime." When it comes to the struggles our families are facing, George Bush just does not get it.

We already know what four more years of a Bush administration will look like. Every choice they have made has been to give more to those with the most, while telling everyone else you are on your own. That is their view and that is their plan for the next four years.

But that is not our plan. And it does not have to be our future. In less than thirty days, we have the chance to change all of this. You can have a president who has your back -- but I need you to make the difference this month.

https://www.democrats.org/support/kerry.html

Thank you,

John Kerry

John Kerry and John Edwards are surging in the polls, and our campaign to take back our country has never been stronger. Now, thanks to their performance in the first two debates, we have a real shot not just at winning the White House, but at recapturing control of the Senate, and winning back key seats in the U.S. House.

After watching crucial votes like the Bush Administration's terrible Medicare Reform Bill pass by a margin of just five votes in the U.S. House, we know every seat we can wrestle from the control of the House Republican leadership is essential. We've got to seize the moment and ride this wave.

Five great Congressional candidates are poised to win their races. We can help put them over the top. Check them out and give what you can now, at:

https://www.moveonpac.org/give/04endorsed.html

Melissa Bean, a progressive businesswoman, has won nationwide support for her campaign to oust Phil Crane, one of the most entrenched and most conservative members of the House. In Congress since 1969, Crane has played a key part in President Bush's slashing of social programs though giant tax cuts for the very rich. Melissa Bean has a real chance to show Crane the door, with our help.

They've used lies, misrepresentations, threats and fear to tear down Democrats this election season.  Now, incredibly, the campaign weapon being brandished by the Republicans is the Holy Bible itself.  If ever there were one book that should never be used for political gain, if ever there were one book that should never be the subject of lies and deception, it is the Bible. 
 
Yet, that is exactly what the Republican National Committee (RNC) is doing with a mailing sent to voters in my state of West Virginia.  The flyer claims that Democrats are out to ban the Bible.  You heard me, the Bible.  And they sent it to voters in Arkansas, too. 
 
This flat-out, no-doubt-about-it, silly, sophomoric charge is part of a nationwide pattern in Republican National Committee politics to use any means necessary-even the Bible-to win elections.  If the RNC is willing to go that far in West Virginia, imagine how far they'd go elsewhere. These smear tactics are happening in our Senate races across the nation.

What is their basis to determine which party is for the Bible and which is against, or for whom Christ would vote?  It is a crass insult to people and to their faith.
 
Will you stand for that? Charges that Democrats would ban the Bible? I know I won't! That's why I am standing with the DSCC. They're the only ones watching every Senate race, every hour to make sure Democratic candidates across the country have the resources they need to fight back against this kind of shameless Republican smear.

Please make a contribution to the DSCC today so that we can put an end to this kind of Republican National Committee fear mongering. Click here to contribute now.
 
Do they think the people of my state are a bunch of gullible, ignorant country bumpkins?  Voters in West Virginia are smart enough to see right through the false garbage peddled by high-priced Republican National Committee consultants.  And that goes for voters in every other state in the union.  America will not be fooled. 
 
Because Democrats know that the Bible would never be banned.  And I know it because I know the Constitution.  It says that the First Amendment, not a political party, protects the Bible: "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof."  The Republican National Committee hacks should pick up the Constitution and read it sometime.  They should read the Ninth Commandment of the Bible too, "Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor."  What could be more false than telling voters that the Bible would be banned if non-Republicans are elected to office?
 
Help put a stop to the false witness, false claims and false ads being spewed by the Republican national party. Contribute to the DSCC today because in these next 26 days, Democratic candidates in every key race will need every dollar to expose the truth behind these Republican attacks. We're just 2 seats away from a majority and the Republicans are clearly getting desperate. Join us in the Fight for 51-the polls say we can do it.

Click here to contribute to the DSCC today.

Sincerely,

Senator Robert Byrd

P.S. To learn more about the Republican smear tactics on Senate races across the nation, click here.

Putting Poison Pills Before National Security

	• Putting Poison Pills Before National Security • "Closed, For Business" • Under Ethics Fire, DeLay Dodges, Donors Disperse… • Races to Watch: Sullivan Ready to Pounce in CT-02 • Races to Watch: Dead Heat in NM-01 • News From the Blog

House Parties Round 3 With Al Gore!
Vice President Al Gore believes Democrats will win this November, and he wants to tell you why. You are cordially invited to join Vice President Gore and Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi for the next Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee Majority Party on Sunday, October 24.
http://www.MajorityParties.com

Register to host a party at http://www.MajorityParties.com to gain access to an historic, nationwide conference call with Al Gore and Nancy Pelosi on October 24 and you will also receive a party host kit - with everything you need to make your party a success. Plus, the first 100 hosts to raise $100 online, will receive the DCCC's limited edition "Clean House: vote Democrat in '04" t-shirt. http://www.MajorityParties.com

Putting Poison Pills Before National Security

When House Leadership inserts unnecessary and divisive amendments into what should be bipartisan bills, hoping that the opposing party will be forced to vote against a measure they otherwise support, that's called a "poison pill." When the Republicans inserted a provision into the Homeland Security bill in 2002 that stripped all of our homeland security workers of their labor rights, that was a poison pill, and the Republicans cynically exploited it throughout that election - even going so far as to accuse veteran and triple amputee Max Cleland of being "soft on defense." And as this Washington Post editorial points out, they are trying to do it all over again:

"THE HOUSE OF Representatives' version of intelligence reform might be dismissed as an election-year stunt were it not so dangerous. The bill does not differ from the Senate's version merely on how much to empower a new director of national intelligence, a subject about which reasonable minds can differ. It also burdens the entire project with a grab bag of controversial changes in security policy. Some provisions -- criminalizing terrorist hoaxes, enhancing penalties for obstruction of justice in terrorism cases -- are relatively insignificant election-year posturing. But many, like the bill's broad new deportation powers, are egregious. One section would relax restrictions on deporting people who may face torture at home, in violation of an international treaty to which this country is a party. Other sections, authorizing new surveillance powers in terrorism cases and changing the definition of criminal support for terrorist groups, may have merit but involve complex and highly controversial policy changes that warrant debate.

"The goal here is not subtle, nor does the Republican leadership even make a pretense of concealing it. The goal is to force Democrats either to accept policy they would otherwise oppose or to turn against the bill itself -- thereby letting Republicans brand them as weak on terrorism, as they did with legislation to create the Department of Homeland Security during congressional elections two years ago...

"What's more, there is considerable danger that some of these provisions will become law. The House is due to take up the intelligence reform bill this week and is likely to pass it with many of the most offensive provisions intact. It will then go to a House-Senate conference committee to be reconciled with a far sparer, bipartisan Senate version. Anything can happen there. Even for a House Republican leadership eager to make Democrats squirm on the campaign trail, playing politics with intelligence reform should not be worth the potential damage."

One of the most egregious provisions is one legalizing what's called "extraordinary rendition" - the practice of deporting merely suspected terrorists to foreign nations for interrogations involving torture. The American Bar Association released this statement:

"The American Bar Association objects strongly to the inclusion of provisions authorizing 'extraordinary rendition' in the House leadership's bill that purports to implement the 9/11 Commission recommendations. These provisions would permit secretly transferring terrorist suspects to foreign countries known to use torture in interrogating prisoners. Extraordinary rendition not only violates all basic humanitarian and human rights standards, but violates U.S. treaty obligations which make clear that the U.S. government cannot avoid its obligations under international law by having other nations conduct unlawful interrogations in its stead. This practice not only violates our own cherished principles as a nation but also works to undermine our moral leadership in the eyes of the rest of the world."

Playing politics not only with our national security, but with torture as well. Congressional leadership could hardly fall any further.

"Closed, For Business"

The Boston Globe this week took on the formidable challenge of documenting the disgrace Congress has become under GOP Leadership with a three part series on GOP corruption, influence peddling, and abuse of power.

Part 1: GOP flexing its majority power

"With one party controlling the White House and both chambers of Congress, and having little fear of retaliation by the opposing party, the House leadership is changing the way laws are made in America, favoring secrecy and speed over open debate and negotiation. Longstanding rules and practices are ignored. Committees more often meet in secret. Members are less able to make changes to legislation on the House floor. Bills come up for votes so quickly that elected officials frequently don't know what's in them. And there is less time to discuss proposed laws before they come up for a vote."

Part 2: Energy bill a corporate triumph

"Intended to lay out an energy policy for the nation for the first time in more than a decade, the energy bill became a cash bonanza for corporate interests in and out of the energy arena…

"A Globe analysis of tens of thousands of pages of lobbying records shows that entities with a stated interest in energy policy spent $387,830,286 lobbying Washington last year. They also paid tens of millions of dollars in campaign contributions to officials putting together the package at the White House and on Capitol Hill.

"The Globe analysis shows that the corporations and others, including some universities, were rewarded in the bill with tax breaks, construction projects, and easements of regulations that would save them much more than they spent making their arguments to the government."

Part 3: Medicare bill a study in D.C. spoils system

"What once began as a proposal for $253 billion in drug coverage for seniors four years ago grew to a $400 billion grab bag for a broad spectrum of players in the health-care economy. The staggering costs rose yet another 33 percent when the Bush administration unveiled an estimate this year that it had kept quiet during the 2003 debate over Medicare: $534 billion."

All just a day in the life of Tom DeLay...

Under Ethics Fire, DeLay Dodges, Donors Disperse...

On Friday night GOP Leader Tom DeLay received his second rebuke from the House ethics committee. As it happened, the extensive report also solved the long-running mystery of who threatened and bribed Republican Nick Smith over his vote on the sham GOP Medicare bill. As the Washington Post put it in an editorial:

"Another surprise -- or maybe not, come to think of it -- was that House Majority Leader Tom DeLay (R-Tex.), who hadn't previously surfaced in the Smith matter, turned out to be involved in the mess."

But as the New York Times notes, this egregious violation may well be only the beginning...

""Representative Tom DeLay, the majority leader rebuked by House ethics officials for pressuring a fellow member to switch his vote on a health care bill, still faces potentially more serious accusations, subjecting him to a new scrutiny that even some Republicans say could complicate his political future.

"Mr. DeLay, the take-no-prisoners Texan known for maintaining strict discipline in his caucus, is entangled in a series of inquiries here and in Texas regarding his fund-raising and other activities. In Texas, three of his top aides have been indicted; in Washington, the House ethics panel is deciding whether to initiate a formal investigation.

"On Friday, Republicans publicly rallied around their leader, though some said privately that the surprise ethics rebuke on Thursday - the second for Mr. DeLay, who was previously chastised for pressuring interest groups to hire Republicans - could hinder the leader if he tried to become speaker...

"'There are a lot of folks who want to see that happen, and they're a little depressed right now,' one said."

What a pity - we can probably guess who those people are. The Dallas Morning News elaborates:

"Pressure mounted last week for a full-scale investigation of Majority Leader Tom DeLay, after the House ethics panel issued a rare public admonishment because he tried to trade political favors for a lawmaker's vote on the GOP Medicare drug plan.

"'The ethical cloud surrounding Tom DeLay has quickly grown into a thunderstorm,' said Rep. Chris Bell, the freshman Houston Democrat who has a separate ethics complaint pending against Mr. DeLay, R-Sugar Land. 'The stench of corruption emanating from Mr. DeLay and his associates has become too pungent to ignore any longer, even in Washington.'"

Indeed, rumors are circulating that DeLay may ultimately be finished. And a recent incident in which DeLay had to cravenly dodge a group of protesters can only be taken as an indication that he is feeling the heat. But in perhaps an even better sign of his eventual, or even imminent demise, the corporate donors who have made him who he is are suddenly closing their pocketbooks:

"And the 22-month investigation that led to the indictments has made campaign donors squeamish, activists and lobbyists say.

"'People are a little nervous,' said consultant Royal Masset, who has several GOP House clients. 'They're not sure who to give to. And if they do, they certainly don't want Ronnie Earle sniffing around.'"

Is it getting hot in here? If you need more DeLay nitty-gritty, by the way, Salon.com also has an excerpt from the hotly anticipated DeLay biographay, "The Hammer" - well worth a read.

Races to Watch: Sullivan Ready to Pounce in CT-02

A new poll in Connecticut's 2nd district finds what is essentially a dead heat, with Democratic challenger Jim Sullivan trailing by a mere 4 points behind faux-moderate Republican Rob Simmons. But the details of the poll hold the key to a race that has been on everybody's radar screen from the beginning:

"Voters favor Massachusetts Sen. John Kerry over Bush by 19 percentage points, the poll showed.

"'This is not about people not liking Simmons. This is about many people in the second district voting on the basis of George Bush, and George Bush in the second district is running way behind,' said poll director Ken Dautrich. 'Simmons happens to be a Republican, and he's being punished for that.'"

OBut it's much more than the fact that he "happens to be a Republican." Simmons has voted with Tom DeLay on his extreme agenda a full 88% of time - that's sharing a lot more than a party moniker, and the DCCC pounced with a new ad described in this DCCC press release:

"The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee today released a new television ad airing in Connecticut's 2nd Congressional district. The ad exposes Rep. Rob 'W' Simmons' record of rubberstamp support for President Bush's special interest agenda, including the failed Bush economic policies, tax cuts for millionaires, the loss of nearly 50,000 jobs in Connecticut, and a failure to uphold workers rights'...

"'Voters should know that a vote for Rob Simmons is a vote for the agenda of George Bush: failed economic policies, huge tax cuts for millionaires and no support for workers. That's an agenda working families in the 2nd district can no longer afford,' said Robert T. Matsui, DCCC Chairman. 'We won't let Congressman Simmons run from his record of voting to rubberstamp the agenda of George Bush and extreme Republicans in Congress. His record may make him popular with GOP leaders in Washington, but it's hurting workers and families in Connecticut.'"

Faux-moderate rubberstamps like Simmons can expect that kind of treatment across the country. Make a contribution today to help us hold them accountable on the road to Speaker Pelosi.

Races to Watch: Dead Heat in NM-01

Albuquerque Journal:

"Democrat Richard Romero has pulled to within a point of incumbent Republican Heather Wilson in the race for New Mexico's 1st Congressional District, according to a Journal poll.

"...A month ago, Wilson had a 49-43 edge over Romero."

Indeed, Jimmy Carter himself penned an op-ed for the Washington Post decrying the "repetition of the problems of 2000" in Florida's voting system, and even he singled out Harris (and her successor) for rebuke:

"In Florida's 2000 election mess, Katherine Harris served simultaneously as Florida's secretary of state and as co-chairwoman of the state's Bush-Cheney campaign committee. In her official capacity, she repeatedly took actions that favored the campaign. This year has turned out to be more of the same. When Gov. Jeb Bush appointed Ms. Hood as secretary of state, he chose someone with a history of partisanship, as a Republican officeholder and as a Bush-Cheney elector in 2000. Now Ms. Hood's politics appear to be influencing her election duties."

An excellent recent article documented how Romero is running a textbook anti-rubberstamp campaign, pounding Wilson for everything she hoped would go under the radar. How much of a rubberstamp is she, you might ask: 93% of roll call votes went with DeLay. And here was George Bush praising her top two acheivements in Congress:

"Heather also understands the need to have fairness when it comes to Medicare. And she is going to take a leadership role in helping to provide prescription drug coverage within the Medicare system...'

"There's a lot more issues that we could talk about where Heather has taken a leadership role, but I do want to talk about one more, and that is energy."

Brian M. Riedl of the Heritage Foundation, your response?

"The Medicare and energy bills, although experiencing different fates, share one common denominator: little reform at huge cost, while loaded with special-interest spending."

As for our man Romero, he's spent 35 years serving New Mexico. He represents the 12th district in the State Senate and serves as the Senate President Pro Tempore. Prior to serving in the State Senate, Romero was a science teacher, principal and assistant superintendent in the Albuquerque public schools. In 1968 and 1969, Romero served in Korea on active duty in the Air Force. Furthermore, the district was carried handily by both Richardson and Gore, so it's ripe for the picking.

Pay Romero a visit.

News From the Blog

Massive Reality Check
A new report weapons report describes Hussein as "diminishing threat."

Pelosi: 'John Edwards Is Clear Winner in Tonight's Debate'
Another couple of DeLay deputies in hot water.

Two Things to Remember
The first installment of our "live-blogging" of the Veep debate.

Big Surprise
The Republicans scuttle attempts to close corporate tax loopholes.

Laughable
Republicans support increasing whistleblower protections?

Dirty Details
The lowdown on how the Medicare vote bribery happened

George Bush is not being straight with the American people about the draft. He promised in the first presidential debate to win the war on terror with "an all-volunteer army". He has already violated that commitment.

The truth is that a draft has already begun -- it just hasn't affected most of our families yet. Active duty soldiers who finish their commitments are being forced to stay in. And the flagrant misuse of the National Guard and Reserves has ripped apart families by sending unprecedented numbers of them to occupy a foreign country.

Because of George Bush's failure to lead the world, we are nearly alone in Iraq. If we "stay the course" with this president, he will face a choice: drastically reduce our commitments or reinstate the draft. Sign the petition demanding that he tell Americans which one he will choose:

http://www.democracyforamerica.com/nodraft

George Bush chose to go to war without substantial help from our allies. He has badly over-committed our armed forces. One of the Joint Chiefs and his own administrator in Iraq have both said that we will need tens of thousands more troops to stabilize Iraq. Extreme measures are already being taken to meet the shortfall -- and the president has an obligation to explain how he will meet our commitments without drafting young people into service.

Fathers from New York who joined the Reserves to guard America against another attack have been sent to Iraq. Teenagers in the Florida National Guard who expected to provide hurricane relief in their home state have been forced to fight halfway around the world.

George Bush has left our homeland unprotected. And his plans to move existing forces away from threats like North Korea put our interests and our allies in danger. This cannot continue. Sign this petition demanding honesty -- we will deliver it to the White House:

http://www.democracyforamerica.com/nodraft

Family friends helped a young George Bush dodge the draft. Dick Cheney didn't fight because he had, in his words, "other priorities" -- he got five deferments. We cannot afford to let them dodge the question of a draft now.

Will they force a new generation of young people to make the sacrifices they refused to make? Or will they leave us unprotected at home and in other dangerous parts of the world?

I have a son in college. My family and millions of other families could be affected by a draft. We deserve to know before we vote in November how George Bush and Dick Cheney plan to prevent one. Sign the petition now:

http://www.democracyforamerica.com/nodraft

Just recently a frightened Congress voted down a bill calling for a draft. (After all, they need to get re-elected in a few weeks.) But the way they rejected the bill showed just how easy calling a draft would be -- they suspended normal rules and voted with almost no warning. Authorizing a draft would be just as easy -- it could be done in less than 48 hours.

We have been misled about this war from the beginning. They said Iraq had nuclear weapons -- that was false. They said the whole war would cost a few billion dollars -- in reality, we spend several billion dollars every month. They say things are getting better -- but every month brings more casualties than the last.

Now they say we won't need a draft. We cannot afford to take their word for it.

Governor Howard Dean, M.D.

P.S. Please forward this message to your friends. We will only get the truth if we all stand up and demand it.