A new hero for the environment...
[from TED Talks]

In this image-filled talk, Yann Arthus-Bertrand displays his three most recent projects on humanity and our habitat — stunning aerial photographs in his series “The Earth From Above,” personal interviews from around the globe featured in his web project “6 billion Others,” and his soon-to-be-released movie, “Home,” which documents human impact on the environment through breathtaking video. (TED Talks)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wJxSRo564Dc&feature=player_embedded

Monday June 8, 2009

5 DAYS OF ACTION AGAINST TORTURE

Veterans For Peace is sponsoring five days of action to stop the use of torture! Each day this week you will receive an email with one important step you can take to Stop Torture Now.
DAY 1
ACTION AGAINST TORTURE
Picture Yourself Against Torture

Add your face to the growing list of others who call for no more torture. We will eventually give all photos to the White House!

Policies of the Bush Administration, specifically under the encouragement of Vice-President Dick Cheney, have led to aggressive interrogation techniques being used consistently by our government. As veterans, we have an important role in speaking out against the justification and use of torture!

That is why Veterans For Peace joined the American Civil Liberties Union and other organizations in the recent lawsuit that forced release of the Bush White House torture memos last month. We are also party to the law suit seeking release of remaining torture photos. Unfortunately, President Obama is refusing to release those photos.

As George Lakoff says, "Marriage is the realization of love in a lifetime committment. There is nothing more sacred than love and committment!"

Check out this great video on Youtube called, "The License"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ntC0PNHFRgU

Stop divisive Republican, anti-marriage ammendments and efforts where they occur.

Jim

Thanks to Rachel Maddow for making us aware of the musical fun versions of the daily news which they create by putting the speakers works through a music software. Check out this version which includes Newt advocating for jacuzzi's and Katie Couric reporting on lead and pesticides in your food. It's quite fun.

http://www.youtube.com/schmoyoho

If you want to know more about Rachel Maddow you can find her at www.rachel.msnbc.com

Cheers!

Steering Jim

Dear Friend,

It is often said that we are the change we have been waiting for and Michigan's issues demand that you be the change that reshapes our approach to public policy.

That is why you will not want to miss the Michigan Policy Summit taking place 2009 Michigan Policy Summit at Cobo Hall in Detroit, Michigan on Saturday, May 16th, 2009.

Click here to go to the 2009 Michigan Policy Summit Website http://www.mipolicysummit.org/

The theme and agenda for this year's conference will focus on investing in Michigan and providing progressive answers to Michigan's economy. Our four priority issues include Clean Energy, Labor, Health Care and solving the Foreclosure Crisis.

This year's event will be groundbreaking as we welcome our keynote speaker, Dean Baker, co-director of the Center for Economic and Policy Research. His remarks will be followed up by a dynamic panel of Michigan experts moderated by none other than Charles Pugh, former anchor on Fox 2 News and radio host for FM 98 WJLB. More details are available at http://www.mipolicysummit.org/

Registration is just $30 and you will be treated to the best minds in Michigan's progressive movement and have the opportunity to build new networks that will shift the issue climate in Michigan.

Register now for the 2009 Michigan Policy Summit.

Thank you and I hope to see you there.

Sincerely,

There are over 30,000 lobbyists working in Washington, DC right now. Corporations are spending millions to block open access to a public healthcare option, cap and trade legislation and a host of other progressive priorities this year.

They are organized and well funded -- the only thing that stands in their way is you.

This month DFA Night School and Gov. Howard Dean M.D. are teaming up to teach you how to beat them at their own game:

Citizen Lobbying with Special guest Gov. Howard Dean M.D.
Tuesday, May 26th, 8:30pm Eastern
www.democracyforamerica.com/citizenlobbying

This free online training is open to all DFA members. No matter what issue drives you; DFA Night School will help you influence the elected leaders in your community.

The corporate lobbyists may always have the money, but the real power to change this country is always in your hands.

-Matt

Matt Blizek, Training Director
Democracy For America

P.S. Things are heating up on healthcare reform. DFA will be hosting meetings nationwide to use the training and get your local officials to support the choice of a public healthcare option. Don't miss this Night School: www.democracyforamerica.com/citizenlobbying

Republican Candidate for SOS in 2010 Michelle McManus is opposed to No Reason Absentee Voting. As working men and women of Michigan, DFA believes that every voter has right to vote and have their vote counted accurately. Ms McManus says on her website (date 05142009):

McManus on the Issues: No-Reason Absentee Voting
We have another great reader question this week, especially in light of the House action to approve a no-reason AV program for Michigan elections.
Where do you stand on no-reason absentee voting?

CONSUMER’S PUBLIC ENEMY NUMBER YOUNG
Rudy Serra – Attorney

On May 8, 2009, The Detroit Free Press (pg 19A) discussed “two landmark cases” from 1999 and 2007, both of which were written by Michigan Supreme Court Justice Robert Young.

Young is one of the “Federalist Four” (extreme right-wing Republican activist judges) who was appointed by former Governor John Engler. He is an activist judge who routinely legislates from the bench to help big business and harm consumers.

The Free Press stated that “both rulings contravened 23 years” of consumer protection law that held “unscrupulous businesses accountable for deceptive and unfair practices.”
Young decided that big corporations that were licensed to do business in Michigan were exempt from the law that protects consumers from fraud and cheating.

Thanks to Young “Dishonest merchants can take advantage of customers, and there’s nothing that can be done about it. That includes nearly every company in the top 3 complaint categories.”

We hope you'll be able to make this Sunday's exciting event with President Barack Obama and John Mellencamp!

Please note these important reminders:
We hope you'll be able to join us this Sunday! Please remember the following:
1.) We are encouraging guests to arrive to the event early to ensure efficient movement through security. For guests coming from outside of Indianapolis, please note you will need to pick your ticket up ahead of time at will call anyway (see below).
2.) Tickets will be available for pick up at the Westin Hotel on Saturday, May 16 from 10 a.m. - 5 p.m., and on Sunday, May 17 from Noon until 3 p.m. Contributions must be received before tickets may be obtained, and tickets must be picked up during these times.
3.) RSVP to keepindianablue@gmail.com by THIS Friday,
May 15.

4.) Please remember to bring a Photo I.D. for security purposes.
5.) Please remember that large handbags, signs and banners will not be allowed into the Keep Indiana Blue Dinner.
Just announced!!!

Special Musical Performance
by John Mellencamp

At
Keep Indiana Blue Dinner
with

The Honorable AndrÇ Carson
The Honorable Joe Donnelly
The Honorable Brad Ellsworth
The Honorable Baron Hill

And special guest

President
Barack Obama

Sunday, May 17, 2009
4:00 p.m.

The Westin Indianapolis
50 S. Capitol Avenue
Indianapolis, IN

Health Care Actions & Events - Make Congress Represent US!

Gov. Howard Dean, founder of DFA, has announced his initiative to show Congress that the American people will not accept Health Care Reform that has no public option.

Take Action: Sign Howard Dean's petition and find out more about his approach: http://standwithdrdean.com/.

Containing health costs, Insurance Co. Accountability:

On Monday, May 11, 2009 the for-profit health industry promised President Obama to cut costs by 1.5%. But there is no accountability in a promise. One way to pressure the for-profit insurance industry is to make sure that any health care reform plan adopted at least include a public option - as Gov. Dean clearly demands in his petition at http://www.standwithdrdean.org/. ; Furthermore, many in the single-payer movement have argued that the only way to seriously reduce health care costs is to move from for-profit health insurance to a single-payer system like Medicare."