Progress Now Action

  Oil and Gas Companies Announce Record Profits Again 
Communities Rally in Response

Press Advisory
For immediate release, August 5, 2008
Contact: Michael Huttner, 303-931-4547

Where:       West Steps of the Colorado State Capitol

When:        Wednesday, August 6, 12:15 pm

Why:         

Representatives of low-income communities, communities of color, environmental and health care advocacy organizations call on the oil and gas industry to stop putting profits ahead of the people of Colorado.  

In this era of jaw-dropping profits - ExxonMobil announced last week they made $11B in the second quarter of this year - the oil and gas industry is leaving everyday Coloradans behind.  Coloradans are suffering under staggering costs that hurt everyone - from sky high gas prices to budget busting home heating costs.  

The oil industry's "Drill more, pay less" message is irresponsible, untrue, and endangers Colorado communities. 

Who:          

ACORN

Colorado Conservation Voters

Colorado Environmental Coalition

Defenders of Wildlife

Mi Familia Vota

New Era Colorado

Progressive Democrats of America

ProgressNow

Photo Op - Visuals Depicting Massive Oil and Gas Industry Profits

http://www.progressnowaction.org/noon100

Thank you.
 
Mike, Bobby, Brittney, Jen, Jody, Alan and Stacey
ProgressNowAction

It turns out that Rep. Mark Udall kept his promise after all to oppose Congress taking its summer break without first considering a crucial energy bill.

Udall, the Democratic candidate for the U.S. Senate, took a drubbing this week from his Republican opponent, Bob Schaffer, when he missed the vote on whether to recess.

During a debate Monday with Schaffer, Udall vowed to oppose the recess unless energy legislation was considered.

The resolution Wednesday called for Congress to adjourn by Thursday, Friday or Saturday of this week and return to Washington Sept. 8. For that resolution to be official, there had to be a final adjournment motion sometime this week.

In floor action today, the House voted on the final adjournment motion. Udall joined Republicans in requesting a recorded vote to oppose the motion to adjourn.

"I think the House should continue trying to pass legislation to improve our national energy policies," he said.

Carol Kreck, who was cited for trespassing while holding a sign outside Sen. John McCain's town-hall meeting in Denver on July 7, pleaded not guilty today in Denver County Court.

The librarian and former Denver Post reporter was removed from the galleria at the Denver Performing Arts Complex while holding a sign handed to her by a protest group that read "McCain = Bush."

The area that Kreck was standing in is not a public space and that is why she was cited for trespassing.

A videotape of the incident shows a security guard telling Kreck to leave and saying that the U.S. Secret Service had asked him to remove her.

Later, a spokeswoman for the complex said the security guard was mistaken, that the Secret Service had nothing to do with it; McCain's campaign staff had asked that people holding signs be removed from the galleria.

McCain's campaign spokesman, Tom Kise, has said that is not true, that the senator has a track record of allowing opposing views at his public events and that the campaign only asked people inside the town-hall meeting not to hold signs of any kind...

Kreck said she is surprised by the attention her case has received, but she wants her day in court to find out who wanted her removed.

• Another rocky swing through Colorado for John McCain
• McCain=Bush: cue the circular finger-pointing
• McCain=Bush: Support Free Speech, Get the Shirt
• "McCain=Bush" - worst fears confirmed
• Conservative Rocky Mountain News editorial board: Kreck's rights violated
• Video: MSNBC's Countdown reports on Carol Kreck
• Release: First Amendment Rights Violated by McCain Campaign
• Librarian carrying McCain=Bush sign kicked out of McCain Event
  

The shotgun-wielding suspect in Sunday's mass shooting at the Tennessee Valley Unitarian Universalist Church was motivated by a hatred of "the liberal movement," and he planned to shoot until police shot him, Knoxville Police Chief Sterling P. Owen IV said this morning.

Jim D. Adkisson, 58, of Powell wrote a four-page letter in which he stated his "hatred of the liberal movement," Owen said. "Liberals in general, as well as gays."

Adkisson said he also was frustrated about not being able to obtain a job, Owen said.

The letter, recovered from Adkisson's black 2004 Ford Escape, which was parked in the church's parking lot at 2931 Kingston Pike, indicates he had been planning the shooting for about a week.

"He fully expected to be killed by the responding police," the police chief said.

Owen said Adkisson specifically targeted the church for its beliefs, rather than a particular member of the congregation.

"It appears that church had received some publicity regarding its liberal stance," the chief said. The church has a "gays welcome" sign and regularly runs announcements in the News Sentinel about meetings of the Parents, Friends and Family of Lesbians and Gays meetings at the church...

The church's Web site states that it has worked for "desegregation, racial harmony, fair wages, women's rights and gay rights" since the 1950s. Current ministries involve emergency aid for the needy, school tutoring and support for the homeless, as well as a cafe that provides a gathering place for gay and lesbian high-schoolers.

Michael Savage: "To fight only the al-Qaeda scum is to miss the terrorist network operating within our own borders... Who are these traitors? Every rotten radical left-winger in this country, that's who."

Rush Limbaugh: have you ever noticed how all composite pictures of wanted criminals resemble Jesse Jackson?

Linda Vester: You say you'd rather not talk to liberals at all?
Ann Coulter: I think a baseball bat is the most effective way these days.

...McCain's appearance set off a small protest outside the hotel, including Carol Kreck, the 60-year-old librarian who received a trespassing ticket for protesting outside a McCain event two weeks ago.

Holding the "McCain = Bush" sign that sparked controversy at the earlier event, Kreck said she would continue to protest McCain's candidacy.

"I don't want eight more years of the same policies," said Kreck, standing on a public sidewalk in front of Denver's Grand Hyatt and flanked by about 15 other people holding identical signs and one that wore a shirt saying "one nation....under surveillance."

As she spoke, other protestors chanted her name.

Kreck also joked about the criminal charges facing her and her court date next week.

"I'm not paying a fine," she said. "And I have no interest in rehabilitation or diversion."

Although some urged Kreck to try and go into the event, she said she didn't want to make any trouble.

"And I don't want to be ticketed again," she said. "I still don't even know who the police were acting on behest of."

After speaking to the veterans group, McCain headed to the mountains to meet with the Dalai Lama in Aspen...

Aspen resident Blanca O'Leary says she's "a positive person." But that didn't stop her from taking to the streets with a protest sign in hand on Friday.

"I never protest against things. I always protest for things. I'm a positive person. But today I'm infuriated," said O'Leary, a vice chair of the local chapter of the Democratic Party.

O'Leary joined approximately two dozen other local residents in protesting Republican presidential contender John McCain's visit to Aspen to meet with the Dalai Lama. She said she is offended the senator from Arizona accused Democratic presidential contender Barack Obama of choosing to lose the Iraq war over winning an election. "That's out of bounds," she said. And, like many of the protesters who joined her, she cited McCain's vote against a waterboarding ban last winter as hypocritical for a former prisoner of war and crusader for prisoner rights.

Most of the protesters came out after an invitation from local Democrats was e-mailed to dozens of residents. Progress Now Action, a Denver-based advocacy group, also helped galvanize anti-McCain politicking.

But at least one other man took it upon himself to let his feelings be known. Friday's first protester was Conrad Deblocsch, 22, of Carbondale, who stood alone at the edge of Aspen's roundabout holding a sign that read "Abandon All Hope All Ye Who Vote For Bush" and another that read "McBush '08."

Deblocsch began his vigil at about 11 a.m. -- two hours and 45 minutes before McCain would arrive. "I read the newspaper this morning and saw McCain was coming to town. I had nothing else going on right now," he said, explaining that he was on his way to do some rock climbing.

Passing motorists honked horns, waved in support and shouted words of encouragement as Deblocsch got the anti-McCain momentum moving. He noted that while motorists were receptive to his message, he did encounter some resistance. "One guy told me to get a job. So I told him to quit his," he said.

New Poll Shows Clear Majority of Hispanic Voters Have Serious Concerns about McCain's Iraq War Position

Poll released as McCain tries to woo Hispanic Veterans today in Denver

 

For immediate release:
Friday, July 25, 2008
contact:  Jim Hudson 720-296-1936

DENVER--Veterans for Progress released a new poll today showing that Colorado Hispanics appear to be completely at odds with McCain's Iraq position. Seventy-one percent of Hispanic voters in Colorado said it was a "very serious" concern that "the war is Iraq is costing us too much and that money could be better used here at home," according to a Myers Research, Castillo and Associates, and Grove Insight poll, released today and conducted July 10-22. Another 15 percent had "serious" concerns about the same topic, according to the poll.

Why does McCain always vote for the lowest funding for the Veterans Administration, instead of voting for funds that would give veterans the health care they really need?" asked Artie Guerrero, a Hispanic Vietnam veteran who spoke in front of the hotel where McCain spoke today.

More than 10 Percent of Colorado Veterans are Hispanic. Of the 427,706 veterans living in Colorado as of September 2007, 44,581 are Hispanic. This accounts for 10.4 percent of the state's veterans. About 2,500 Colorado Hispanics currently serve in the military.

The poll was as released by a coalition of veterans organizations with many Hispanic Veterans including: Colorado for Healthcare, Colorado Veterans Alliance, Colorado Veterans for America, Colorado Veterans for Progress, National Veterans Council of the American Federation of Government Employees

McCain's failing record for veterans:

The veterans' coalition spotlighted the following facts about McCain to support their position that he's not the friend of veterans that he claims to be:

McCain, a veteran and respected war hero, has repeatedly voted against fully funding veterans' health care. As a candidate for President, McCain has even proposed dismantling the veterans' health care system and leaving veterans at the mercy of the private insurance industry, the same insurance industry which routinely refuses coverage or charges exorbitant rates to people with preexisting conditions. That could mark the end of VA health care - the end of America's promise to care for our veterans throughout their lifetime.   

McCain Has Worst Record on Vets. McCain had the worst voting record of any member of Congress on veterans' issues, according to the Disabled American Veterans.

McCain Votes against CO Vets. Under votes cast by McCain since 2000, over 50,000 fewer Colorado veterans would have received compensation for service-connected disabilities. And Colorado veterans would have lost nearly $1.5 billion in compensation.

McCain AWOL on GI Bill. McCain joined with President Bush in opposing the 21st Century G.I. Bill, which would have increased tuition provisions for veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan.

McCain Cut VA Funds. Along with President Bush, McCain has consistently cut veterans' health care by billions of dollars, slashing funding for Colorado's 23 Veterans Administration facilities.

McCain Supports Bush on Iraq. McCain, a fervent supporter of Bush's Iraq policy, co-sponsored the 2002 Iraq War Resolution.  McCain now advocates staying in Iraq indefinitely; 50 years or more, if necessary.

 ###

Breaking:  Statement on 10th Circuit's Ruling on Colorado Christian University

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
CONTACT: Michael Huttner, Executive Director
303-931-4547

"We are disappointed by the Court's ruling, we believe that giving public funds to Colorado Christian University is a clear violation of the separation of church and state and urge the state to appeal," stated Michael Huttner, Executive Director of ProgressNow. "That our tax dollars will be given to Colorado Christian University and its President, right-wing activist William Armstrong for his religious crusades should outrage Colorado taxpayers."

Huttner added, "this decision will be cheered by the original proponents of the so-called 'College Opportunity Fund,' who have been trying to starve Colorado's higher education system of revenue for years and likely hoped for this exact result. For everyone who cares about Colorado's most valuable institutions, our public colleges and universities, this ruling is a disaster."

Read the text of the court's ruling here: http://www.ca10.uscourts.gov/opinions/07/07-1247.pdf

Everyone,

It's time to pull the plug on the odious Michael Savage in Colorado.

By now you may have read or heard about the controversy surrounding right-wing radio talker Michael (Weiner) Savage, who stated on the July 16 edition of his nationally syndicated program that autism is "[a] fraud, a racket." Savage went on to say, "I'll tell you what autism is. In 99 percent of the cases, it's a brat who hasn't been told to cut the act out. That's what autism is. What do you mean they scream and they're silent? They don't have a father around to tell them, 'Don't act like a moron. You'll get nowhere in life. Stop acting like a putz. Straighten up. Act like a man. Don't sit there crying and screaming, idiot.' "

Believe it or not, Savage reportedly is the nation's third-most listened to talk radio program, heard on more than 350 radio stations reaching at least 8.25 million listeners each week and trailing only The Rush Limbaugh Show and The Sean Hannity Show in potential listenership. And believe it or not, Savage routinely engages in on-air discourse equally as vile as his remarks about autism, as Media Matters for America has documented.

Aurora-based KNUS (which also carries John Andrews' weekly conservative talk program) and Colorado Springs-based KVOR both carry Savage's show and give it coverage over much of the Front Range. KFKA in Greeley (home to the daily misinformation-fest hosted by the Independence Institute's Amy Oliver) and KNZZ in Grand Junction also carry the show.

Already, one responsive company - The Super Talk Mississippi radio network, owned by Telesouth Communications -- has canceled "The Savage Nation" because of the host's comments.

If you also want to hold Savage accountable for his ignorant, cruel comments -- as well as making it clear to the major Colorado stations carrying the program that this type of dialogue is irresponsible and unacceptable - contact the program directors at those radio stations, listed below.
KVOR
Dan Mandis
Program Director
719-593-2706
dan.mandis@citcomm.com
KNUS
Kelly Michaels
Program Director
303-750-5687

KFKA
Clint Skutchan
Program Director
970 356-1310
clint@1310kfka.com
KNZZ
Jim TerLouw, General Manager
97) 254-2100
JimT@gjradio.com

Conservative Christian leader James Dobson has softened his stance against Republican presidential hopeful John McCain, saying he could reverse his position and endorse the Arizona senator despite serious misgivings.

"I never thought I would hear myself saying this," Dobson said in a radio broadcast to air Monday. "... While I am not endorsing Senator John McCain, the possibility is there that I might."

Dobson and other evangelical leaders unimpressed by McCain increasingly are taking a lesser-of-two-evils approach to the 2008 race...

Of his new position, Dobson said in the statement to the AP, "If that is a flip-flop, then so be it."

A prominent Christian leader whose radio and magazine outreaches are solidly in support of biblically-based marriages - and keeps in touch with millions of constituents daily - says he cannot consider Arizona Sen. John McCain a viable candidate for president.

"Speaking as a private individual, I would not vote for John McCain under any circumstances," said James Dobson, founder of the Colorado Springs-based Focus on the Family as well as the Focus Action cultural action organization set up specifically to provide a platform for informing and rallying constituents...

He noted that legislation he'd just been discussing on the program, regarding an attempt by Democrat leaders in Congress to create obstacles for ministries such as Focus to reach constituents with action messages about pending legislation, is being supported by McCain, too.

"That came from McCain, and the McCain Feingold Bill kept us from telling the truth right before elections … and there are a lot of other things. He's not in favor of traditional marriage, and I pray that we won't get stuck with him," Dobson said.

Call for Bob Schaffer to Apologize for War Profiteering:
Highlight Big Oil Bob as War Profiteer Video

U.S. Senate Candidate Bob Schaffer exposed the hypocrisy of Congressman Mark Udall's (D-CO) record concerning the war in Iraq today at a debate in Parker sponsored by the Southeast Business Partnership and moderated by Channel 9's Adam Schrager.

"Boulder Liberal Mark Udall continues to hide from his votes on both the war and energy," said Schaffer campaign manager Dick Wadhams. "The voters of Colorado deserve to know Boulder Liberal Mark Udall's real record."

When asked about why the United States went to war, Schaffer responded by reading excerpts from House Joint Resolution 118 introduced on October 7, 2002. The war resolution authorizing the use of force outlined Iraq's refusal to comply with the United Nations Security Council's call for the need to remove Saddam Hussein and Iraq's record as a state sponsor of terror.

Schaffer then asked the crowd to raise their hands if they agreed with the resolution. Udall supports sneered and chuckled until they were told the resolution was introduced by Congressman Udall. An audible gasp was heard from the crowd...

Rep. Mark Udall has introduced an alternative war powers resolution that would withhold final congressional authorization for an attack on Iraq until all diplomatic means are exhausted.

The Boulder Democrat faces an uphill battle in the House, since most Republicans and some Democrats, including House Minority Leader Richard Gephardt, already endorse a version that would give President Bush broader authority to reduce the threat of chemical, biological and nuclear weapons programs in Iraq.

The White House-backed version requires the president to report to Congress and certify that he has exhausted diplomatic efforts, but Udall 's version would go further.

It would require Bush to seek a United Nations Security Council resolution, and seek to deploy a ``coercive inspection and disarmament program'' against Iraq, backed by a U.S.-led multinational force.

If those efforts failed, under Udall 's bill the president would have to return to Congress to ask for separate authorization to attack Iraq...

Representatives from Sen. John McCain's campaign said they did not ask security to remove Carol Kreck, a woman holding a "McCain = Bush" sign outside a Monday town-hall meeting in Denver.

Tom Kise, McCain's regional communications director, said Friday that the senator has a track record of allowing people who oppose him to speak out at his events.

The McCain campaign had only asked that the Denver Center for the Performing Arts complex keep people with signs out of the meeting, not off the grounds of the entire complex.

DCPA spokeswoman Suzanne Blandon on Friday stood by the statement from the day before that the McCain campaign had asked that people not be allowed to hold signs throughout the complex...

• McCain=Bush: Support Free Speech, Get the Shirt
• "McCain=Bush" - worst fears confirmed
• Conservative Rocky Mountain News editorial board: Kreck's rights violated
• Video: MSNBC's Countdown reports on Carol Kreck
• Release: First Amendment Rights Violated by McCain Campaign
• Librarian carrying McCain=Bush sign kicked out of McCain Event
  

• "McCain=Bush" - worst fears confirmed
• Conservative Rocky Mountain News editorial board: Kreck's rights violated
• Video: MSNBC's Countdown reports on Carol Kreck
• Release: First Amendment Rights Violated by McCain Campaign
• Librarian carrying McCain=Bush sign kicked out of McCain Event