Viewing: Front

Meet the Press (NBC): The Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-VT), will discuss the congressional subpoenas seeking testimony and documents from the White House about the NSA surveillance program, the firings of several U.S. Attorneys and the "politicization" within the Department of Justice. The Bush administration answered the subpoenas with the claim of executive privilege. Are we headed for a constitutional confrontation?

Then, as the immigration bill dies in the Senate, racial politics heat up in the race for the White House. New surveys show striking attitudinal differences among different voting groups -- based on age, race and religion. Roundtable:  CBN's David Brody, NBC News's Chuck Todd, PBS's Judy Woodruff, and talk show host Tavis Smiley, who moderated Thursday night's "All-American Presidential Forum" with the 2008 Democratic candidates.

On Tuesday, the CIA released a collection of documents known as the "family jewels" which outlined some of the agency's dirty secrets and previously hidden machinations from an earlier era. Our "Meet the Press Minute" travels back to 1975 to watch William Colby, then-Director of the Director of the CIA, talk about the domestic spying scandal and the investigations of agency wrongdoing.

Late Edition (CNN):  There's a new terror threat in London this week – what does it mean for security in the U.S.? We’ll ask Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff. Plus, Rep. James Clyburn and Rep. Peter King on the failed immigration bill and more.

We are proud to announce that the DFA Training Academy is coming to Springfield, Illinois on September 29th-30th.

Whether you are an old hand or new to politics, the DFA Training Academy will prepare you to become an asset to whichever candidate you end up supporting, from the Presidential elections to Congressional and local races. 

At the DFA Training Academy, experienced campaign professionals will cover practical strategies and tactics including communications, fundraising, voter targeting, online organizing, and building a sustainable grassroots movement. We design the program so you can go out and use the skills you learn right away.

Then, we follow up with you to make sure you have the support you need to organize your community. Whether you are running for office, volunteering or working for a candidate, or even if you have never been involved in a campaign before but would like to know how you can make a difference and give the progressive candidates who share your values and passion your full support, we encourage you to attend this training.   

Also, if your DFA group has endorsed candidates, we encourage you to tell those candidates about this training opportunity for their staff & volunteers!   Let’s get ready to win in 2008! We hope to see you in Springfield!

When: September 29th & 30th (Saturday & Sunday)
9:00am-6:00pm 

Where: International Union of Operating Engineers-Local 9653520 East CookSpringfield, IL   62703(Handicapped Accessible) 

Cost: $30 for attendees with low income or students
$60 for general attendees who pay in advance
$70 the day of the training (If you would like to attend but cannot afford the full contribution, Downstate Democrats for Change, will be coming up with $500 for DFA Training scholarships.)  

RSVP: http://www.dfalink.com/event.php?id=19608 

If you have RSVP’d but still need to make your payment:https://contribute.democracyforamerica.com/trainings/  

N.B.  If you can't make the Springfield training in September, there will be other trainings held across the country: http://www.democracyforamerica.com/training 

This training is organized by Democracy for America, Downstate Democrats for Change and Democracy for Illinois. 

Downstate Democrats for Change:http://www.dfalink.com/group.php?id=1353  

Democracy for Illinois:http://www.dfalink.com/group.php?id=42   

Time for another edition of highlights. This one is long overdue.

In Sacramento an Iraq War vet marched a lap around the capitol building for every fallen California soldier in the war. Members of the local DFA group in Sacramento and activists joined him along the way.

Also, The City of Trees this past month hosted Michael Moore as he spread the word about the healthcare crisis.

The grounds of Arlington West had some visitors.

Women United held another meeting, in the lead up to one of the most critical elections of our time. This one about the environment.

Sacramento for Democracy held a get together to watch Kilowatt Hours, and to discuss matters such as the CA Dem Convention. Oh and there was a potluck. In my short experience on this earth, there has been nothing better than potluck. Nothing.

Our folks in Fresno and Madera counties asked some tough questions to Rep. Radanovich. That a way. Keep our officials honest on the media. The better our government, the better our media, and vice versa.

To say that Progressives don't support our troops is a flat out lie. There should events, and days like that dedicated to our troops going on from sea to shining sea. Thanks to Las Vegas for Democracy for sending those packages. Only wish I could have been there for the barbeque. Combine a BBQ with potluck and you have the key to my heart.

And if you think Sacramento for Democracy couldn't have possibly have done anything more lately, here's a shocker, they did. They helped out with a festival dedicated to peace. I'm painting my face as I type this, in your honor, Sacramento for Democracy.

Our friends at Democracy for Houston took up our noble cause and delivered the signed petition to Congresswoman Sheila Jackson-Lee. With continued work, like that of Democracy for Houston, we will put those suckers behind bars.

The Capitol Area Progressives held a forum last week.  

And as a proper way to end these highlights, let's end dancing with the "guy that brought us," so to speak, and mention that Sacramento for Democracy wants you to join them to go see Sicko this Friday at the Tower Theatre. Tickets will be at a discount, if you contact SFD, because...well because that's how they roll out in Sacramento.

Keep up the great work gang.

Stay tuned.

 Mike Cooper and his highlights will be back. Next time in the Midwest.

1) Moyers film about media and Iraq war to be shown, marinij.com

2) Press Release: DFNH joins Rep. Splaine, Granny D, and Secretary Gardner in opposition to SB 91, newhampshirevote.us

3) ACORN Candidate's Forum, phillyfuture.org

Yesterday, Senator Patrick Leahy called Bush's refusal to release White House documents, "Nixonian stonewalling." Leahy added, "In America, no one is above law."1

When Bush refused to comply with Congressional subpoenas regarding the U.S. Attorneys firing scandal he was really flaunting his disdain for the Constitution.

This standoff will likely lead to the Supreme Court. But we know that the Court is stacked in Bush's favor.

There is another way to hold the Bush administration accountable. Besides Bush and Cheney there has been one figure at the center of the warrantless wiretapping program, the torture of America's prisoners, the suspension of Habeas Corpus, and the U.S. Attorneys firings. That man is Alberto Gonzales.

Democracy for America is pushing for the removal of Gonzales because impeachment is one avenue towards accountability that even the Supreme Court can't stop.

Keep the pressure building with an end of quarter contribution of $15!

https://contribute.democracyforamerica.com/gonzo

Yesterday's actions by the President's lawyer make it even more clear that we are in the midst of a constitutional crisis. George Bush and his cronies are trying to run out the clock on their

The winner?:

The NY Post says Clinton

 Well, not exactly.

The conqueror of last night’s debate wasn’t Clinton. The winner wasn’t Dodd. Not Obama. Or Kucinich.

No the champion of last night’s All-American Forum at Howard University, hosted by Tavis Smiley, was the debate itself.

And come to think of it nobody mentioned Jack Bauer.

And even still, while using Howard University as the venue, and with an audience that featured faces like Al Sharpton, Harry Belafonte and Della Reese you’d have probably, considering the nature of the past two debates, expected Chris Matthews type questions like:

“How many black friends do you have, Senator Dodd?”

"Senator Clinton, if Chelsea wanted to marry a Hispanic would you allow her?”

“Congressman Kucinich, should we give out reparations?”

“Yes or no, did any of your ancestors own slaves?”

Or worse, a Blitzer query such as:

“Raise your hand if you think affirmative action is a good thing.”

No, there were tangible evocative questions. Questions that produced serious answers and discussion. And jaw dropping statistics were thrown around instead of hypothetical situations.

We learned more about each candidate last night than in the previous two debates combined. And Tavis Smiley has added another viewer for his show, and, more importantly, a fan.

No commercials. No hype. No psychoanalysis or scrutiny pre or post debate from washed up consultants with hidden agendas. Only answers. What else would you expect from public broadcasting?

By getting equal time all of the candidates were allowed to shine, and show who they really are. No digs about Kucinich’s height. No critique of Clinton’s wardrobe, or Biden’s demeanor. At Howard yesterday it wasn’t about whom your father was, or how much money you have. What you wanted to do for the country was all that mattered.

I thought the debate won. Who do you feel won the day?

1) Get In it to Win it, thenation.com
http://www.thenation.com/docprem.mhtml?i=20070716&s=editors


2) Presidential Campaign Death Pool, cernigsnewshog.blogspot.com
http://cernigsnewshog.blogspot.com/2007/06/presidential-campaign-death-pool.html


3) Free Screening of Michael Moore's Sicko Scheduled, mediamouse.org
http://www.mediamouse.org/briefs/062707free_.php

4) Campaign reform bill pushed back, nashuatelegraph.com

5) Watch the Democratic Presidential Candidates Thursday, dcdl.org
http://dcdl.org/2007/06/27/democratic-presidential-forum

1) SSR to Host Congresswoman Woosley on June 14, comstudentgovernment.blogspot.com

2) Campaign Finance Bill Draw Ires in New Hampshire, campaignsandelections.com