Tuesday, June 29 Issue #21

TODAY'S ACTION ALERTS
Join Rep. Nancy Pelosi and the Congressional Black Caucus in demanding that Bush engage the genocide in Sudan immediately.

Take part in several important emails concerning clean air issues.

Let the Drug Czar's office understand your desire to see medical marijuana research become accepted nationwide.

Demand treatment, not incarceration, for drug offenses.

FEATURED ARTICLES
Bloggers, including Kos, are beginning to be noticed in traditional media and political events.

Keep an eye on the Ashcroft/Sibel Edmonds situation; it has the potential to become a serious news story (if media decide to engage this, that is.)

Bush has destroyed any chance at diplomacy with North Korea.

ADDITIONAL ARTICLES
Former Republican Representative Bob Barr offers a surprising heads-up on the emerging police state.

Mother of slain soldier defies Bush Administration on coffin photos.

New York Times Bob Herbert looks at the disaster that is our nation's health care.

9-11 families struggle to force Bush to be honest about the disaster.

QUOTE OF THE DAY
"War like any other racket, pays high dividends to the very few. The cost of operations is always transferred to the people who do not profit."
-General Smedly Butler

TODAY'S BUSHISM
"These stories are being written every day in America. Every, single day this is happening. We never hear half of them or any -- I never, but, you know -- I barely hear any of them, but I just know they're happening.
"
-March 3, 2004

BLOG OF THE DAY
Talking Points Memo is one of the most informative and widely read blogs on the Net. Josh Marshall is an established journalist and well respected in the blogosphere. Currently, Marshall is implying that his current work may break open the Niger-uranium memo controversy, and is likely to make a serious impact on the political environment in Washington.

NEWSWORTHY
Will Bin Ladin help Dubya out of his predicament?

In the rush to war in Iraq, Bush and Cheney have made lots of "sacrifices." Here a good look at just what our leaders have given up.

The poor, as usual, get the short end of the stick from Bush.

DRUG WAR UPDATE
Progressive marijuana initiative will appear on ballot in Oakland.

Confusion reigns in California over marijuana laws.

The Supreme Court has decided to hear medical marijuana case for later session of 2004.

Reform initiatives may appear on many ballots this year.

LINK OF THE DAY
If you have seen Fahrenheit 9-11, please use MoveOn.org's new Letters to the Editor function which allows you to easily send pre-written letters to regional and local papers. The site lets you know which, if any, of the four pre-written TTE have been sent to each paper, and which are still available to send.

SITE OF THE DAY
Project Vote Smart is one of the most thorough resources for political information on the internet. You can find out voting records and position stances, as well as public statements and campaign financing information.

COOL SITE OF THE DAY
Newtopia Magazine offers in-depth editorials from a green/progressive perspective.

ONLINE VIDEO OF THE DAY
MoveOn.org's Kerry vs Bush in wartime.

CLAPS, SLAPS, AND THE MIDDLE FINGER


Dual Claps go out to F9-11 filmgoers and the Supreme Court. Fahrenheit 9-11 smashed records for a documentary and was the Number 1 movie in America over the weekend. Filmgoers waited in long lines and sat in packed theaters, and in most cases, awarded the film a standing ovation at the end.

The Supreme Court correctly determined that enemy combatants, even those taken in foreign nations, had the right to pursue relief in the U.S. court system. Although the Padilla case was returned to lower courts on a technicality, it is likely that, due to the rulings in the Hamdi and Guantanamo cases, Padilla will be decided similarly, meaning Bush's unjust incarceration of potential criminals cannot stand in our Constitutional system of government. However, Elaine Cassel counters that the decisions were really victories for Bush. The court also determined that the blockage of an internet porn law should remain in effect and sent the case back to a lower court, a surprising reprieve for First Amendment protections.

Slaps go to the U.S. Army for again looking toward reservists for deployment in Iraq. Despite the fact that reservists already make up about 30% of deployed soldiers, the Army looks to pull more from their hometown lives for use in the chaotic, dangerous "sovereign" nation of Iraq.

My Middle Finger is pointing toward the Coalition Provisional Authority for its frightened, secretive handover of sovereignty to the fledgling Iraqi government. While the move may well have protected the CPA and Iraqi officials from attack during the ceremony, the handover marks a bad precedent for future actions in that nation. By beginning its sovereignty in such secrecy, can we really expect government actions which are open and easily viewed by Iraqi civilians in the future?

ANIMAL RIGHTS WATCH
Horse slaughter controversy is focused in Texas.

Athens adopts humane treatment of strays for the upcoming Olympics.

French reality show faces lawsuit over animal deaths.

CANDIDATE OF THE DAY
Jeff Smith is running for Congress from Missouri. Smith, who will receive his Ph.D. this fall, has tons of experience in politics, with an emphasis on urban renewal and education. His degrees in African-American studies and Political Science offer a strong background in populist issues, and his presence in Congress would add strength to growing progressive voices demanding reform on social issues.

DAILY PHOTO
Raise your hand if you're an idiot.


TODAY'S POLITICAL CARTOON


HISTORY LESSON
Iowa Governor Tom Vilsack is on the short list for Kerry's VP selection. Learn more about him here.

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