KENNEDY SLAMS DRUG COMPANIES

"Celebrex and Vioxx were ''peddled" indiscriminately through widespread TV ads even though only 5 percent of all the people taking painkillers actually needed the new drug's stomach-protecting benefits, US Senator Edward M. Kennedy said yesterday."
(The Boston Globe)

Unions Mobilizing for Political Power

"A divided labor movement gave preliminary backing this week to a plan by AFL-CIO President John Sweeney that boosts the federation's emphasis on political involvement."
(The Detroit News)

Greenspan's Criticism of the Bush Deficit

"The Federal Reserve Bank chairman told Congress on Wednesday that increasing deficits risk economic stagnation. He said tax revenues as well as spending cuts need to be considered to stanch the flow of red ink. ‘‘You cannot continuously introduce legislation which tends to expand the budget deficit,’’ he told the House Budget Committee."
(The Boston Globe)

AIDS in Africa: Dire Predictions

"A U.N. report offers three scenarios projecting the number of new HIV/AIDS cases in Africa ranging from 65 million to 89 million in 2025."
(www.newkerala.com)

Why Did the Times Kill a Story on Bush's "Hump" During the Debate?

"On Thursday, just three days after that first exposé, the paper was set to run a second, perhaps more explosive piece, exposing how George W. Bush had worn an electronic cueing device in his ear and probably cheated during the presidential debates."
(fair.org)

Role Reversal: US Criticized by China Regarding Human Rights

"Beijing has retaliated by issuing a report on what it says are U.S. offenses ranging from American soldiers' abuse of Iraqi prisoners of war to mistreatment of ethnic minorities."
(Axcess News)

Outsourcing Torture

"Arar is suing the U.S. government for his mistreatment. “They are outsourcing torture because they know it’s illegal,” he said. “Why, if they have suspicions, don’t they question people within the boundary of the law?”"
(The New Yorker)

Fans of the "West Wing" Want Another Democrat in the Oval Office

"Pollster John Zogby, who often asks Americans who they think will be elected president, surveyed viewers of The West Wing, asking which candidate they prefer for the NBC political drama's next president — Democratic Rep. Matt Santos of Texas, played by Smits, or Republican Sen. Arnold Vinick of California, played by Alda."
(Houston Chronicle)

A Letter from Hillary's Camp

Dear Friends,

As you may have heard, Hillary was on the road last week! She traveled to India, Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Iraq, meeting with Presidents Kharzai of Afghanistan and Musharraf of Pakistan, with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Congress President Sonia Gandhi of India, and with Iraqi leaders and American troops, including a number from New York. Speaking in New Delhi, she spoke of the important friendship between our two democracies and ways we can work together

Returning home, Hillary spoke to the Jewish Council for Public Affairs about her trip, about her admiration for the young men and women serving in Iraq and Afghanistan, and about other challenges in the region. She condemned the latest terrorist bombing in Tel Aviv as a "despicable act.” “In this critical time,” she said “it is important that we stand by Prime Minister Sharon and the government of Israel as they face the risks and challenges of disengagement...Palestinian President Abbas and his government must do more to combat terrorism.”

Hillary pointed to the dangers posed by other nations seeking to expand their influence, particularly Iran and Syria. She has joined a bipartisan group of senators writing to President Bush urging him to tighten sanctions on Syria, based on the Syria Accountability Act, which she co-sponsored. “We need to send a very clear message that we will not tolerate what we believe to be and have reason to know is the continuing support for terrorism that comes out of Syria and Iran.”

As we encourage the growth of democracy around the world, Hillary said, the United States must set an example of democracy in action here at home. That means respecting the rights of all our citizens, including the precious right to vote, which is why she introduced the Count Every Vote Act of 2005. It means making decisions about the federal budget according to our priorities, and our values.

Hillary pointed out that the 2006 Bush administration budget represents the worst of both possible worlds: the largest budget deficit in American history and cutbacks in programs that support schools, hospitals, veterans and the environment. She pledged that she would work to protect Medicaid and other necessary programs, and to return to fiscally responsible budgets that will not burden future generations with heavy debts.

Hillary will also speak out on Social Security this week, opposing President Bush’s privatization proposal. Today she will join with Democratic women senators to talk about the importance of Social Security to women. On Friday, she will host a Social Security Forum at Pace University with Democratic Leader Harry Reid (NV), Chuck Schumer (NY), Dick Durbin (IL), Byron Dorgan (ND) and John Kerry (MA) to talk about Democrats' commitment to protecting and strengthening Social Security.

Thanks, as always, for being a Friend of Hillary.

Sincerely,

Ann F. Lewis
Director of Communications

Rep. Gibbons (R-NV): Use Liberals for Human Shields in Iraq

"I say we tell those liberal, tree-hugging, Birkenstock-wearing, hippie, tie-dyed liberals to go make their movies and their music and whine somewhere else," Gibbons said to another burst of applause."
(Elko Daily Free Press)

The U.S. Follows Iran's Lead

Dateline: Wednesday: October 01, 2003

Iran to Ban Death Penalty for Juveniles

DUBAI: Iran will soon enact a law banning death penalty for offenders under 18 years of age.
(TalkLeft.com)

Department of Justice Investigating Halliburton

"Halliburton Co. said in a regulatory filing that the Justice Department is looking into whether former employees of the oil services company may have worked with competitors to rig bids for foreign construction projects."
(Reuters)

Bush Playing "Judicial Chicken"

Sen. Charles Schumer, a New York Democrat, said, "His (Bush's) renomination of seven of the 10 circuit court judges that we blocked in the last Congress is a thumb in the eye of bipartisanship."

"There is simply nothing to be gained from the president's unfortunate decision to play a game of judicial chicken," Schumer said
(Reuters)

Salazar Asks Bush to Withdraw Nominees for Federal Bench

"Colorado Democrat Ken Salazar, who some Republicans had suggested might be willing to vote with them for certain nominees, wrote Bush asking him to withdraw all of the candidates Democrats blocked in the Senate during the president's first term."
(Billings Gazette)

Republican Inhofe Stalls Efforts to Cut Utility Air Pollution...Again

"Sen. James Inhofe, chairman of the U.S. Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, again delayed a panel vote on a Bush administration plan to cut utility air pollution on Tuesday after four panel members asked for more data."
(Reuters)

Rumsfeld Sued for Authorizing Torture

"Secretary Rumsfeld bears direct and ultimate responsibility for this descent into horror by personally authorizing unlawful interrogation techniques and by abdicating his legal duty to stop torture," said Lucas Guttentag, lead counsel in the case."
(Reuters)

How to Win on Liberal Issues

Now is the time to communicate with those in office – city councils, state legislatures, and Congress – who make key decisions that affect people’s lives. This is an opportunity to articulate our core values, push for the issues we believe in, and win victories in legislative bodies. Search out a group of people or an organization that shares your concerns about an issue and start organizing.
(Wellstone Action)

A Letter from Sen. Ted Kennedy

The Senate Democrats are the only line of defense against George Bush's effort to pack our federal courts with reactionary right-wing judges who will roll back the fundamental constitutional rights that Americans in states across the country value the most in our free society.

Now, our very ability to block the confirmation of these ideological judges is in jeopardy. Republican Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist has arrogantly threatened repeatedly to re-write the long-standing Senate rules and eliminate the filibuster rule, the basic procedure to prevent a narrow Senate majority from running roughshod over the rights of the Senate minority.

The only way to permanently prevent this extraordinary power grab is to elect more Democrats to the United States Senate. That is the sole mission of the DSCC, but we can't do it without your financial support.

Sincerely,



Senator Edward M. Kennedy

Oscars Snub the ONE Campaign

Unfortunately, despite repeated assurances, our ONE Campaign video was not shown during the Oscars award ceremony. We are all disappointed and concerned, and we are looking into why this happened. We are confident that this message about fighting global AIDS and extreme poverty will be seen throughout America very soon. And with the continued support of people like you, our message will continue to spread every day.

People across America will be uniting together today, March ONE, to display their ONE white wristbands, showing their support for the world's poorest people. Visit ONE.org today to get your ONE wristband and unite with fellow Americans in the fight against global AIDS and poverty.

You can also see Oscar award winning actor Jamie Foxx wearing his ONE wristband by visiting our new URL ONE.org right now. Keep your eye out for more of America's top stars, religious leaders and your friends and neighbors wearing ONE wristbands, and get very own today. Visit ONE.org to become a part of this movement.

Please share this message with any family or friends who might be interested by using this link.

Thank you for your support,

The ONE Campaign Team

Senate Dems Seek Support for Investigation Into Gannon Debacle

"The Senate Democratic leadership is encouraging members to sign onto the letter behind the scenes. As Congress is in recess, Democrats will be calling on members in their home districts before the Senate reconvenes next week."
(The Raw Story)

Vermonters Look to Pull Guardsmen Out of Iraq

"On Tuesday, one-fifth of Vermont towns will consider what role the Vermont National Guard should play in the war, and whether American troops should be withdrawn."
(Christian Science Monitor)

Is the Military Poisoning Its Own with Anthrax?

"Officials in Airola’s chain of command shrugged off the possibility that the anthrax vaccine may have been responsible for her condition, and in October 1999, she was ordered to take her fifth shot. She refused, and was honorably discharged in 2000. Not long after, she was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia.

“Today I only suffer from memory loss and occasional headaches,” Airola wrote me in a recent e-mail. “I’m better off than I was.”"
(The American Prospect)

House Judiciary Urges Subpoena of Gannon Journal

Read the actual letter here.

Senate Republicans Seek Yet More Protection for Big Business

"The legislation, which has come close to passage many times in recent years, is far from a done deal as Democrats plan to push numerous amendments, including a provision to prevent anti-abortion protesters from citing bankruptcy to avoid paying court-ordered fines for protest activities."
(Reuters)

SSA Misleading Public on Behalf of Administration

"A group of Democrat House members, led by the party’s House leader Nancy Pelosi, released a report today that they say ‘shows how the Social Security Administration has modified its communications strategy to undermine public confidence in Social Security.

An example they presented was "The Future of Social Security" booklet -- which used to begin: "Will Social Security be there for you? Absolutely." It now begins: "Social Security must change.""
(Senior Journal)

Biden: Hillary Top Candidate in 2008

"Sen. Joseph Biden says any Democrat who wants to run for president in 2008 should keep in mind these three words: Hillary Rodham Clinton."
(Associated Press)

Clinton Urges Ties Between China and Taiwan

"While our differences are important, our common humanity matters more," Clinton said. "The more people have positive things to do, the less likely they are to fall into destructive patterns."
(Associated Press)

Bush's FDA: Putting Profits Before Patients

"Chalk it up to one of those amazing coincidences. When a government advisory panel voted recently not to recommend taking three popular pain-killing drugs off the market, it turned out that 10 of the 33 participants had been consultants to the companies that manufactured the drugs. Purely by coincidence, we're sure, nine of the 10 saw eye-to-eye, even though a majority of the others saw it just the opposite on the two most controversial drugs."
(The Ledger Online)

Hollywood Dems Oppose Langevin for DSCC

"Victoria Hopper, wife of the actor Dennis Hopper, enlisted 16 Hollywood actors, producers and philanthropists to sign a letter objecting to the potential candidacy of Rep. Jim Langevin, who is being recruited for the 2006 race by the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee."
(New York Times)

A Letter from Anne Lewis

Why is it that Republicans are always saying one thing, but doing another? When I heard about what RNC Chair Ken Mehlman said on a right-wing radio show this week, I just about fell off my chair. Here's the quote:


"One of the great things...that's different between us and the other side is we don't have to pay people to be our grassroots."
What planet is this guy from!? It's the Republicans--not us--who have never seemed to mind shelling out big bucks to make their ideas look more popular. Here are just a few examples.


It was Republican Senate candidate John Thune who paid two seemingly independent South Dakota bloggers a total of $35,000 and gave them insider information to bolster Thune's relentless personal attacks against then Senate Democratic Leader Tom Daschle. Neither blogger ever publicly admitted to being on Thune's payroll.

It was Republican pundit Armstrong Williams who sold his objectivity to the Bush Administration for nearly $250,000. In exchange, all he had to do was say nice things about Bush's education policies on his TV show.

It doesn't stop there. Two more right-wing commentators--Maggie Gallagher and Dr. Wade Horn-- received more than $30,000 to write syndicated love letters supporting Bush's pro-marriage initiatives. Gallagher said she didn't disclose her $10,000 paycheck because she just plain forgot about it.
Apparently, Mr. Mehlman just hasn't been paying attention. The truth is, it's the Democrats who rely on millions of people just like you who are committed to electing more Democrats to the United States Senate. That kind of clear purpose and grassroots unity isn't costing us a dime.


Best Regards,



Anne H. Lewis

Reid's Perspective

"Senator Harry Reid of Nevada, two months into his new job as the Democratic leader, declared Friday that his party is "winning" the fight against President Bush and his plan to remake Social Security."

Iraq Women Subjected to Stricter Standards Post-Saddam

"In the nearly two years since the regime of Saddam Hussein fell, pressure has grown for women to conform to stricter Islamic standards. "The Baath Party, with all the things many believe they did wrong, [still ensured that Iraqi] women had the most rights in the region," says Rime Allaf, an associate fellow with the Royal Institute of International Affairs in London, where she is researching women's status in Iraq. "Now, a lot of women are being very careful about how they dress. They are being told by perfect strangers, 'You need to cover your hair ... [and] your arms.' "
(Christian Science Monitor)

Confidential Sources

"What I don't understand is why the "two senior administration officials" who identified Plame to columnist Robert Novak are no longer at the center of the story. If this were the Clinton era, we'd be treated to constant speculation about whether it was Sidney Blumenthal or Harold Ickes or maybe the Clintons themselves (!) who had committed this dastardly deed."
(Jonathan Alter)