Wednesday, August 30, 2006

Why I won't support Russ

Russell Feingold is a very attractive candidate to many progressives. He takes good and gutsy stands on many issues.

But I won't support him any longer. And when I wrote to let him know why - his support for Israel's unholy war against the civilians of Lebanon - he wrote back:



Thank you for contacting me regarding the situation in the Middle
East. I appreciate hearing from you, and I share your concerns
about the recent violence and ongoing tensions in the region.

I have long supported Israel's right to defend itself against
Hezbollah and other terrorist organizations. The kidnapping of
Israeli soldiers and missile attacks against Israeli citizens are
unacceptable and cannot be tolerated. I stand firmly with the
people of Israel and their government as they defend themselves
against these outrageous attacks.

The President should appoint a high-level special envoy to the
region to work toward a permanent solution to this conflict. Such
a solution must address the very real security concerns of Israel, as
well as the need for Lebanon to be a productive partner in
establishing a long-term peace in the region. Syria, Iran and
countries throughout the region also must condemn the actions of
Hezbollah and take strong actions to return stability to the region.

I have great sympathy for the innocent civilians who are suffering
because of this conflict. I have supported efforts in the U.S. Senate
to help the victims of this conflict, and I will continue to work to
help address the humanitarian impact of this conflict.

As a member of the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, I will
continue to follow this situation closely. Please feel free to contact
me again with any additional thoughts you may wish to share
about this important matter. Thank you again for contacting me.


Sincerely,

Russell D. Feingold
United States Senator


I don't consider leveling half a country and forcing nearly 1 million people into refugee status and killing nearly 1,000 civilians, over one-third of them children, to be "defending."

It was a trial war, planned and supported by the Dick Cheney gang as reported by Seymour Hersh in a recent New Yorker article.

This was not defense. But it's a good line.

The fact that Russell Feingold is willing to use a good line to defend a war crime confirms for me that he is no better than the rest of them.

Tuesday, August 29, 2006

A CALL TO ACTION!

From Guy:

We have the official PowerPoint program presented to the Rochester City Council on the new proposed ATC 345 kV Transmission line(S) to La Crosse and across southwest Wisconsin. Western Wisconsin will not only encounter one line crossing the Mississippi River, but potentially three, and it/they will likely travel down along the Mississippi River Corridor from Prairie Island to La Crosse (Xcel is proposing a new coal plant in Durand).

This is a major travesty of significant environmental and social impacts. While environmentalists, conservations, and cities have fought to protect the Mississippi River and its bluffs and cities, this line would cross significant portions of Tribal Lands, three large urban areas, and large areas of Federal Lands (meaning the Upper Mississippi River Refugee.)

As the PowerPoint articulates, "using existing line corridors does NOT address planning issues". This means new lines on new corridors.

If you would like the PowerPoint presentation for your group, class, church or community organization, please email.

Friday, August 25, 2006

Lieberman/Kohl

Joseph Lieberman probably helped Al Gore "lose" the presidency in 2000. The poster-DINO (Democrat in Name Only), Lieberman has supported censorship, restrictions on women's autonomy, equal rights for gay and lesbian citizens and, of course, the Bush "doctrine" - you have it, we want it, we take it.

Ned Lamont beat Lieberman in the Demo primary and is now Connecticut's democratic candidate for the senate.

In Wisconsin, we have our own Lieberman problem and his name is Herb Kohl. Yes, he has cast some "good" votes on some issues but a quick check at Project Vote Smart gives a better picture of the fence upon which he is perching.

He just voted to criminalize adults who help minors seek out of state abortions. He voted in favor of the banking industry written bankruptcy bill. And he continues to support the Bush invasion and occupation of Iraq.

There's no Lamont to run against Kohl in a primary BUT there is another choice. Rae Vogeler is running as a Green Party candidate. She is a credible, smart alternative for those who are tired of holding their breath every time Kohl casts a vote.

Vogeler will support human rights, women's rights, education, health care, labor and middle class families AND she will oppose the continuation of the occupation of Iraq.

If you are tired of feeling like your choices are limited, check out Rae Vogeler's site and see if her ideals match yours.

Monday, August 21, 2006

AN INCONVENIENT TRUTH at Ward Ave. Cinema

[UPDATE 9/25/06: This film will be at the Ward Avenue Cinemas at least through August 31. It will only be shown in the evening - at 7:35 and 9:40 p.m. Starting September 1, the film will be in Viroqua at the Vernon Square Cinema for one week. Viroqua area progressives plan a discussion one night after the film - check with the theater for more details.]

Thanks to June, we just learned that An Inconvenient Truth will be at the Ward Avenue Cinemas through at least Thursday, August 24. After months of begging by many in La Crosse, this important film is available to residents of the Coulee Region.

Please attend! And bring many people with you! This film has been described as life changing by many. This is one example.

For more info, Visit this site.

And, for god's sake! GO TO THE MOVIE!