http://www.progressnowaction.org/page/community/group_rss/Immigration Conservatives nationally are gearing up to bash immigrants and use immigration as a wedge issue in 2006. Defend Colorado Now is the lead group in Colorado. They're pushing on the November ballot an initiative that not only would ban non-emergency services for immigrants (most of which they already can't receive), but also would allow any citizen to sue our schools, cities, county governments, or state agencies to enforce the ban. Bashing immigrants and giving Tom Tancredo's vigilantes an excuse to sue our schools is not responsible immigration reform. We need real solutions. ACTION ITEMS Say No, to immigrant bashing - Sign the No Vigilantes Petition For several years now the evidence of the Alberto Gonzales gang's manipulation of the Federal Civil Service within the Department of Justice has been well publicized. The fact that right-wing political ideologues were being approved for career professional positions based on social issue orthodoxy, rather than competence and qualifications, is yet another blight on the scandalous legacy of the current occupant of the White House. Today's report in the Washington Post reveals that this practice of burrowing right-wing political operatives into the Civil Service is also in-place in the scientific agencies. Perhaps this is the mis-administration's strategy for making permanent the Republican obsession for combating the truth of science with their twisted political and social priorities. The Center for Public Integrity is soon to release their "Broken Government" study. The fund-raising teaser release promises 120 specific cases. This kind of investigative effort to hold the Bushies accountable as the mis-administration fades into oblivion is crucial.  Revealing and acting on the depth and breadth of this conspiracy is vital to the success of any reforms and corrects to the offenses of the past eight years. The Obama-Biden Administration will be stretched and tested to uncover and flush-out these right-wing activists who have burrowed their way into the Civil Service like so many termites. The evidence of these infestations must be met with quick action. Executive appointees selected for positions above these people must be prepared to take every possible action within the laws and regulations of the Civil Service structure to either get them dismissed, or make it too hard for them to stay and accomplish their nefarious goals. Attention to the selection of the Administrator of the Office of Personnel Management will be a key to success in this area. Various Executive agency inspectors general must be supported in investigating these political opportunists. IF they are found to be substantially unqualified for the job description that they were hired to fill, then it should be clear grounds for dismissal as an unlawful appointment. The Obama-Biden appointees who are saddled with these burdens must enforce clear, precise and enforceable performance standards. When confronted with qualitative requirements to enforce and perform based upon laws and regulations that these infiltrators are likely to hold ambitions to undermine and avoid, could more easily force them to resign. Even in its demise the minions of the current mis-administration are appearing to be increasingly unwilling to follow the current occupant of the White House and the vice out of Washington. This certainly adds to the challenge and urgency of establishing the new administration's executive leadership. Too many months and too many acting, caretaker, leaders in the executive departments will make it all the harder to untangle the tentacles of the Bush parasites. http://www.progressnowaction.org/page/community/post/ralphtrenary/CQDn http://www.progressnowaction.org/page/community/post/ralphtrenary/CQDn/commentary#comments Mon, 24 Nov 2008 10:53:14 MST http://www.progressnowaction.org/page/community/post/ralphtrenary/CQDn Ralph T http://www.progressnowaction.org/page/community/profile_picture/22970b0cb82ab5861b_e6yymv1de.jpg Ralph T 2 http://www.progressnowaction.org/page/community/comment_rss/CQDn/ I was just listening to former Virginia Governor Douglas Wilder on a radio show. He made a critical and brilliant observation about John McCain. His evaluation of the Sarah Palin selection rests on that decision as an indicator of how McSame would later decide on the people to fill the other leadership positions in a supposed McSame mis-administration. This is a powerful indictment of a candidate for president of the US when the nation so despirately needs a clear change of direction. The specter of Sarah Palin equivalent appointments throughout the US Executive Branch shows no chance of reforming, and certainly not reversing, the criminal excesses of the past seven years. There will be no resolution to the US Attorney firings, and little hope of removing the fraudulently hired radical right-wingers who have been peppered throughout the Department of Justice to undermine, rather than enforce, the law. This demonstrated decision-making pattern by John McCain is a screaming warning to America. No other fact shines so brightly than the selection of Sarah Palin to confirm that McSame is the incarnation of a third, and perhaps more devastating, term for the G.W. Bush policies. Considering everything you find important, think your retired relatives who will be hurt if McCain succeeds and leads America down the path of more for the wealthiest and less for the rest. Victory in the race for the White House is critical, but top to bottom electoral victories on the ballot is equally important for our communities and state. http://www.progressnowaction.org/page/community/post/ralphtrenary/CZB9 http://www.progressnowaction.org/page/community/post/ralphtrenary/CZB9/commentary#comments Wed, 15 Oct 2008 13:22:03 MDT http://www.progressnowaction.org/page/community/post/ralphtrenary/CZB9 Ralph T http://www.progressnowaction.org/page/community/profile_picture/22970b0cb82ab5861b_e6yymv1de.jpg Ralph T 0 http://www.progressnowaction.org/page/community/comment_rss/CZB9/ Today's INBOX contains a disheartening new report from "Foreign Policy Magazine," the Center for a New American Security resulting from a survey of more than 3,400 active and retired officers at the highest levels of command about the state of the U.S. military. Their by-line quote is significant: "They see a force stretched dangerously thin and a country ill-prepared for the next fight." So much for national security and a competent effort to fight the "Global War on Terrorism." Here's the direct link to the story. http://www.foreignpolicy.com/story/cms.php?story_id=4198&page=0 I find it striking that such a high level of criticism and cycism would come out of this survey population. FP and CNAS turned to the Military Officers Association of America (MOAA) for the survey population and polled a very large number to build the data. MOAA is a moderate to conservative leaning group. The seniority of the survey population largely makes the conclusions indisputable. So much for the health of the greatest military force on the face of the earth. *More in the extended text.* http://www.progressnowaction.org/page/community/post/ralphtrenary/CqDy http://www.progressnowaction.org/page/community/post/ralphtrenary/CqDy/commentary#comments Mon, 25 Feb 2008 09:49:21 MST http://www.progressnowaction.org/page/community/post/ralphtrenary/CqDy Ralph T http://www.progressnowaction.org/page/community/profile_picture/22970b0cb82ab5861b_e6yymv1de.jpg Ralph T 462 http://www.progressnowaction.org/page/community/comment_rss/CqDy/ For the last year and a half I've taken the somewhat unpopular view that the 2006 special session of the Colorado General Assembly to take "emergency action" on the issue of illegal immigration was a worthless exercise , neither effectively addressing the problem of uncontrolled immigration nor "shrewdly" attracting votes for majority Democrats. I've said it before, and I'll say it again--we outsmarted ourselves big-time with this, and the consequences will be far more lasting than the momentary tactical advantage the session gave Democrats in the 2006 elections. Indeed, it's my view that far more Colorado Hispanic voters were alienated by the special session than nativists were converted to being Democrats, and even if some token few were I don't really care to have haters in my party anyway. And now we learn that none of it had any basis in reality, at all: as was reported in the Grand Junction Sentinel quietly over the weekend, the numbers are in, and there was never a problem with illegals getting state services. Hard line on state services has price A year and a half after Democratic lawmakers and Republican Gov. Bill Owens pushed through measures to cut off state services to illegal immigrants, the state has seen no savings, members of the Joint Budget Committee said. Rep. Al White, R-Hayden, said multiple agencies have reported they have saved nothing or lost money implementing the legislation. White said that when Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment Director James Martin told the Joint Budget Committee earlier this month, "We will not actually incur any savings," his testimony was emblematic of what every other witness has said over the past two months. "The only impact has been the expense of implementation," White said. When it was passed during the Legislature's 2006 special session, House Bill 1023 was sold as a way to cut off most state services to illegal immigrants. The bill, lauded as "landmark legislation" by Owens' office, required Coloradans to prove their legal residency before they could receive non-federally mandated public services... "The fact is that some people may not be applying for benefits because they know Colorado tracks it carefully," Buescher said. "But we also did not find anyone who was eliminated from the system because they were illegally receiving benefits." Nonetheless, Buescher, who heads the Joint Budget Committee, said the legislation, penned by Speaker of the House Andrew Romanoff, D-Denver, and then-Senate President Joan Fitz-Gerald, D-Golden, has constituted more of a burden to the state than a blessing. He said that burden has been seen most glaringly among senior citizens who have had trouble establishing their citizenship due to lost birth certificates and other identification documents. In addition to absolutely destroying the tired immigrant-bashing canard that illegals are busting our social welfare budgets (anybody want to claim that after reading this? Anybody?), one can only hope that this little reality burn will help our own Democratic leadership understand the long-term consequences of the short-term grandstand. Think about the repugnant fearmongering you ceded the high ground to, Democrats. Think about the huge segment of your own base you nearly alienated accommodating Dave Schultheis' racist bullshit. Especially now that the numbers are in and it undisputably was bullshit. Don't let this happen again. http://www.progressnowaction.org/page/community/post/al/CqKk http://www.progressnowaction.org/page/community/post/al/CqKk/commentary#comments Wed, 02 Jan 2008 13:21:38 MST http://www.progressnowaction.org/page/community/post/al/CqKk Alan Franklin http://www.progressnowaction.org/page/community/profile_picture/1b6fb917dd91e10cc0_ge5omv53a.jpg Alan Franklin 2130 http://www.progressnowaction.org/page/community/comment_rss/CqKk/ There are times when you have to sit back, take a deep breath, and just stand in awe at the incredibly stupid machinations of our beat-down and stumbling Colorado Republican friends. Apropos -- Tom Tancredo is (tee hee hee) running for President. I can chuckle when I say it because he has no chance, less of a chance than Lyndon LaRouche or the "Clinton Raped Juanita" sandwich board guy. His presidential campaign, like his congressional career, is fixed around the only issue he can articulate, which is an unflinching discomfort with brown people in general and undocumented brown people in particular. Illegal immigration is a problem, of course, and the proposed remedies run the gamut from reasonable (normalization of status, economic aid to emigrant nations, and border security) to completely insane (ejecting 12+ million fully employed members of the US economy). Most agree that above all it is a federal problem that cannot be properly addressed by local governments. It's people like Tancredo that have made a real solution to the problem difficult, since the last thing a wedge-issue dependent politician wants is a solution... Since Tancredo is retiring from Congress and soon to lose his national stage as a presidential also-ran, we can pretty well assess the net effectiveness of his single issue career. Disrepute within his own party and support for his quixotic presidential run somewhere south of 1%, the statistical netherworld. Tancredo sits proudly at the unelectable fringe. You would think that our Colorado Republican friends would take a look at this situation and see a compelling lesson in what not to do if one wants to retain/regain political influence. You would apparently be giving them too much credit. Colo. GOP again turns focus to illegal immigrants Statehouse Republicans want to deny bail to illegal immigrants accused of repeat drunken driving and serious felonies, and require proof of citizenship to vote. The proposals announced Tuesday were part of the GOP's 2008 legislative package aimed at advancing a state crackdown on illegal immigration... Democrats argued that feeding, housing and clothing inmates "indefinitely" could eat up money intended for education and other priorities. Another Republican proposal released ahead of the legislative session starting in January would require jails to determine the immigration status of all detainees when they are booked. Other measures focus on ensuring only citizens vote in elections. One would require photo identification at the polls and another would call for proof of citizenship to register to vote. Republicans concede they don't believe many illegal immigrants are voting, but said that's not the point. Read in the Greeley Tribune today about what one notoriously anti-immigrant DA thinks of this harebrained idea to pack every already-overcrowded jail in the state with petty criminals. As for the rest, you know, the overt voter suppression stuff based on absolute poppycock, that ought to be pretty easy to understand. After DMVs around the state nearly ground to a halt this year trying to uselessly "verify" perfectly authentic American citizens, it should be obvious that this has very little to do with stopping fictional noncitizen voters, and everything to do with disenfranchising vulnerable citizens and voters. It's what these vote-caging, phone bank flooding, forged-letter county clerking miscreants in the GOP have done for years. GOP strategist Paul Weyrich said it best--when fewer people vote, Republicans win. It's all certainly disgusting to witness, and surprising to see again after having these craven exploitations of focus-group bigotry dissected and exposed for what they are so many times now. But given how well the Brown Peril platform has worked out for Tom Tancredo, and the way Hispanics are reshaping the electoral landscape in Colorado, you have to wonder if the solution isn't just to keep paying out the rope. http://www.progressnowaction.org/page/community/post/al/CqLF http://www.progressnowaction.org/page/community/post/al/CqLF/commentary#comments Wed, 31 Oct 2007 16:34:20 MDT http://www.progressnowaction.org/page/community/post/al/CqLF Alan Franklin http://www.progressnowaction.org/page/community/profile_picture/1b6fb917dd91e10cc0_ge5omv53a.jpg Alan Franklin 2 http://www.progressnowaction.org/page/community/comment_rss/CqLF/ Admittedly, there is a certain personality type that thrives on anonimity and obscurity. I would hope that someone active on ProgressNow would not be part of that group. So it continues to perplex me when I see piles of "User from, ????" as the name on so many member profiles and blog comments. All of the Groups seem to be over-run with legions of people named "User from, ????" (Oh, and Bobby and Michael and Alan and John K are always there too.) Can it really be that hard to create a pen-name - nickname - logon name, etc? Consider that I'm so non-creative that I just use my real first name and last initial. I'm not even fun enough to be neon, or something colorful like that. Point is folks, put a little effort and fun into this. I know your parents and grandparents didn't want to you to be known as "User from." http://www.progressnowaction.org/page/community/post/ralphtrenary/Cq3f http://www.progressnowaction.org/page/community/post/ralphtrenary/Cq3f/commentary#comments Tue, 23 Oct 2007 18:47:13 MDT http://www.progressnowaction.org/page/community/post/ralphtrenary/Cq3f Ralph T http://www.progressnowaction.org/page/community/profile_picture/22970b0cb82ab5861b_e6yymv1de.jpg Ralph T 0 http://www.progressnowaction.org/page/community/comment_rss/Cq3f/ From the Southern Poverty Law Center , via Colorado Confidential (warning, foul language): CoCo's Erin Rosa reports: One video was obtained by SPLC through e-mail, where the organization says that Robert Crooks, head of the California-based Mountain Minutemen group, mailed several nativist leaders the video and allegedly wrote that "this video shows how to keep a 'Home Depot' parking lot empty." I think we all knew this day would come. Give me a moment while I pull up my list of Colorado Republican legislators who are Minutemen. I wonder if Minuteman Sen. Dave Schultheis will offer the same sympathy to this victim that he did to the American family with a Hispanic surname involved in that nasty car wreck in Greeley last year? Tom Tancredo's murderous bastard children. The fruit of a thousand nativist Lou Dobbs diatribes. Years of cultivating xenophobia finally come home to roost in the California desert. Are you proud, haters? http://www.progressnowaction.org/page/community/post/al/CqtV http://www.progressnowaction.org/page/community/post/al/CqtV/commentary#comments Wed, 15 Aug 2007 09:42:42 MDT http://www.progressnowaction.org/page/community/post/al/CqtV Alan Franklin http://www.progressnowaction.org/page/community/profile_picture/1b6fb917dd91e10cc0_ge5omv53a.jpg Alan Franklin 5 http://www.progressnowaction.org/page/community/comment_rss/CqtV/ Colorado's 4th Congressional District representative Marilyn "Miracle Make-over" Musgrave is moving into high-risk territory this Sunday, July 15th. At 6:00 PM she'll be one of the Newsmaker guests on "Your Show" produced by 9News and broadcast on Channel 20 (Channel 9 - lite). There are a couple of possibilities: 1) That MM's supporters, special interest contributors and staff handlers have been banking up a massive number of soft-touch question submissions for this show, or 2) She has made MASSIVE miscalculation by agreeing to this appearance, and we have a unique chance to deliver a lesson in reality to MM. Folks it's time to stand-up, brush off those stacks of Marilyn Makes Me Mad press clippings and put MM back in your cross-hairs (OK, make her your target for Progressive indignation for all of the non-hunters/vets). This is just too easy to pass up. Here's the link to the webpage Link A short down scroll reveals the "Your Turn" boxes. Either one will activate a pop-up from your email to send your question to 9News. Don't miss out on the chance to vote in their poll on the Iraq War. The "pull-out" position is currently leading against the current occupant and the Senate Republicans. http://www.progressnowaction.org/page/community/post/ralphtrenary/Cqc3 http://www.progressnowaction.org/page/community/post/ralphtrenary/Cqc3/commentary#comments Fri, 13 Jul 2007 11:50:00 MDT http://www.progressnowaction.org/page/community/post/ralphtrenary/Cqc3 Ralph T http://www.progressnowaction.org/page/community/profile_picture/22970b0cb82ab5861b_e6yymv1de.jpg Ralph T 2 http://www.progressnowaction.org/page/community/comment_rss/Cqc3/ What a rousing story. Young men and women putting their lives on the line in the service of these United States of America, combat troops in Iraq being rewarded with...citizenship. Taking U.S. citizenship oaths in Iraq U.S. soldiers and Marines filed into the marble hall of Saddam Hussein's former Al Faw Palace on Independence Day as foreigners at home as well as here. But they left the room as American citizens. Standing under a glittering chandelier, 161 service members took the oath of citizenship Wednesday, the largest group to be naturalized at once in Iraq since the conflict began in March 2003. The mostly young, mostly male troops with last names such as Toledo and Serrano stitched across the backs of their caps vowed to "support and defend the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America against all enemies," an abstract promise with a deeper daily meaning here... I'll bet it does. Stay your rightful criticism of the the war long enough to watch Tancredo flop like a fish. Immigrants have long filled the ranks of America's military, fighting in the Revolutionary War, Civil War and both world wars. The Navy recruited Filipinos from the late 1940s until the law changed in 1992, and they remain the largest nationality among noncitizen soldiers, followed by Mexicans and Jamaicans. More recently, permanent residents, particularly the so-called Mexican "green card soldiers," have drawn attention for their heroism and sacrifices in Iraq. Lance Cpl. Jose A. Gutierrez of Lomita and Cpl. Jose A. Garibay of Costa Mesa were granted posthumous citizenship after they died in the first three days of the war. Immigrants' military service has become part of the Washington immigration debate in recent months. Legislation that stalled in the Senate last week would have created a path to citizenship for undocumented youths who serve in the military for at least two years. Although undocumented immigrants are ineligible for military service by law, some so-called "no-card soldiers" manage to join using false documents, said Margaret Stock, an Army reservist and part-time associate professor at West Point. Stock said many service members who hold green cards or are U.S. citizens have immediate family who are undocumented and would benefit from a provision granting them legal status, similar to laws that apply to Cuban nationals who enter the U.S. illegally. I'd better stop before I give President Bush any ideas. It's just interesting to note how this doesn't fit the Tancredo "illegal invader" profile very well -- http://www.progressnowaction.org/page/community/post/al/CqJZ http://www.progressnowaction.org/page/community/post/al/CqJZ/commentary#comments Thu, 05 Jul 2007 18:26:22 MDT http://www.progressnowaction.org/page/community/post/al/CqJZ Alan Franklin http://www.progressnowaction.org/page/community/profile_picture/1b6fb917dd91e10cc0_ge5omv53a.jpg Alan Franklin 1 http://www.progressnowaction.org/page/community/comment_rss/CqJZ/ There's reason to be skeptical of the reports of the primary challenge to Angie Paccione for the Colorado 4th Congressional District Democratic nomination. For several hours today more than 100 experienced and enthusiastic supporters gathered at a Fort Collins picnic to officially kick-off her 2008 campaign. "Angie for All of Us" is the 2008 slogan. In addition to that, Angie presented enticing hints that the 2008 pursuit of the 4th CD will include new faces to round out an experienced campaign staff. Judging by the raised hands she already has over 100 experienced campaign volunteers and fundraising donors ready to carry the fight to unseat Marilyn Musgrave. Several campaign facts and analysis points made by Angie Paccione seemed to encourage an already enthusiastic crowd. http://www.progressnowaction.org/page/community/post/ralphtrenary/CqJB http://www.progressnowaction.org/page/community/post/ralphtrenary/CqJB/commentary#comments Sat, 30 Jun 2007 21:48:17 MDT http://www.progressnowaction.org/page/community/post/ralphtrenary/CqJB Ralph T http://www.progressnowaction.org/page/community/profile_picture/22970b0cb82ab5861b_e6yymv1de.jpg Ralph T 2 http://www.progressnowaction.org/page/community/comment_rss/CqJB/ The Democratic leadership is attempting to revive the “compromise immigration bill.”  They just don’t get it – nobody likes this bill.  Whether conservative, liberal or leftist, the American public recognizes that this bill is bad news.  A recent poll from Rasmussen Reports demonstrates how out of touch the supporters of this bill are:  As the Senate prepares to resume debate the “comprehensive” immigration reform bill, the legislation continues to face broad public opposition. In fact, despite a massive White House effort, public opinion has barely moved since the public uproar stalled the bill just over two weeks ago.   The latest Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey found that just 22% of American voters currently favor the legislation. That’s down a point from 23% a couple of weeks ago from 26% when the debate in the Senate began. Fifty percent (50%) oppose the Senate bill while 28% are not sure.   Among the public, there is a bi-partisan lack of enthusiasm for the Senate bill.  It is supported by 22% of Republicans, 23% of Democrats, and 22% of those not affiliated with either major party.  It is opposed by 52% of Republicans, 50% of Democrats, and 48% of unaffiliateds.   From an ideological perspective, the bill is opposed by 59% of conservatives, 54% of liberals, and 45% of political moderates. Among those for whom none of the traditional ideological labels apply, just 20% are opposed.   Support is found from 20% of conservatives, 32% of liberals, and 18% of moderates.   Just 32% believe it would be better to pass the current bill instead of doing nothing. Forty-five percent (45%) believe it would be better to pass nothing at all.   If the current bill passed, 71% of American voters believe that another bill would be required to focus on securing the border and reducing illegal immigration. That’s up from 65% in our previous survey.   Rasmussen Reports and other firms have consistently found majority support for a hypothetical bill combining border security and legalized status for the 12 million or so illegal aliens already in the country. However, the data has also shown a huge gap between support for the actual legislation and a hypothetical bill. The reason for the gap is simple -- reducing illegal immigration is the first priority for voters but only 16% believe the Senate bill would reduce illegal immigration.  In fact, 41% believe the Senate bill would make things worse and lead to even more illegal immigration. Bernie Sanders - for my money the only true "progressive" in the Senate - makes the case very well at  Link.   Bernie Sanders was joined by AFL-CIO Secretary-Treasurer Richard Trumka at a Capitol Hill news conference to spell out how an immigration bill now under consideration by the Senate would hurt workers in the United States and other countries. Edward Sullivan, president of the Building and Construction Trades Department of the AFL-CIO, and United Food and Commercial Workers President Joe Hansen also participated in the press conference. This bill is bad for everyone.  Write Senator Salazar and tell him to vote against it. http://www.progressnowaction.org/page/community/post/jamesdodd/Cqn8 http://www.progressnowaction.org/page/community/post/jamesdodd/Cqn8/commentary#comments Tue, 26 Jun 2007 05:56:41 MDT http://www.progressnowaction.org/page/community/post/jamesdodd/Cqn8 Jim Dodd Jim Dodd 2 http://www.progressnowaction.org/page/community/comment_rss/Cqn8/ Imagine having to say goodbye to your wife and child against your will. Imagine telling your little boy he's going away for a couple months on vacation when the reality is it will be years before you see him again. Tony doesn't have to imagine. Click the video to the right to watch Tony's heart-wrenching story. Tony and his wife Janina came from Poland 18 years ago. They were married, started a business, had a healthy happy son and were living the American dream... ...Until 1 week ago, on June 8, 2007, when Janina was deported. http://www.progressnowaction.org/page/community/post/michaelditto/CqnX http://www.progressnowaction.org/page/community/post/michaelditto/CqnX/commentary#comments Fri, 15 Jun 2007 22:44:40 MDT http://www.progressnowaction.org/page/community/post/michaelditto/CqnX Michael Ditto http://www.progressnowaction.org/page/community/profile_picture/f660dc8ce688a8bfdc_5fmmv2i99.jpg Michael Ditto 0 http://www.progressnowaction.org/page/community/comment_rss/CqnX/ Wynona is an immigrant from Belize, once undocumented, whose son served twice in Iraq. Wynona reminds us that many, many people serving in Iraq are native US citizens who are children of undocumented residents, or are themselves undocumented and are serving and dying in order to gain expedited citizenship. Wynona is currently riding on the dream train . You can get on board too (virtually speaking). http://www.progressnowaction.org/page/community/post/michaelditto/Cqpy http://www.progressnowaction.org/page/community/post/michaelditto/Cqpy/commentary#comments Thu, 14 Jun 2007 21:18:33 MDT http://www.progressnowaction.org/page/community/post/michaelditto/Cqpy Michael Ditto http://www.progressnowaction.org/page/community/profile_picture/f660dc8ce688a8bfdc_5fmmv2i99.jpg Michael Ditto 0 http://www.progressnowaction.org/page/community/comment_rss/Cqpy/ Here’s a “Way to GO!” for David Brock (President and CEO, Media Matters for America), and the Campaign for America's Future.   They have completed a new report that is a welcome relief for those of us who must content with friends and family members who are afflicted with the worst cases of Radical Republican Right WingNut –itis.  The typical Right WingNut relies on a foundational ideal of an American conservative majority.  From there they promulgate all sorts of outrageous and dangerous policies.  Thanks to Media Matters for America and the Campaign for America's Future, we now have proof that the WingNuts are way off the mark. The hard work now is to put he pressure on the media (yes, I know Faux Noise is a lost cause), politicians and those irritating (but still beloved) friends and family.  Here’s the highlight summary provided by Media Matters for America. The role of government -- 69 percent of Americans believe the government "should care for those who can't care for themselves;" twice as many people (43 percent vs. 20 percent) want "government to provide many more services even if it means an increase in spending" as wanted government to provide fewer services "in order to reduce spending." The economy -- 77 percent of Americans think Congress should increase the minimum wage; 66 percent believe "upper-income people" pay too little in taxes; 53 percent feel the Bush tax cuts have failed because they have increased the deficit and caused cuts in government programs. Social issues -- 61 percent of Americans support embryonic stem cell research; 62 percent want to protect Roe v. Wade ; only 3 percent of Americans rank gay marriage as the "most important" social issue. Security -- 43 percent of Americans say we are spending too much on our military; 60 percent feel the federal government should do more about restricting the kinds of guns that people can purchase. The environment -- 75 percent of Americans would be wiling to pay more for electricity if it were generated by renewable sources to help reduce global warming; 79 percent want higher emissions standards for automobiles. Energy -- 52 percent of Americans believe "the best way for the U.S. to reduce its reliance on foreign oil" is to "have the government invest in alternative energy sources;" 68 percent of the public thinks U.S. energy policy is better solved by conservation than production. Immigration -- 57 percent of Americans feel "most recent immigrants to the U.S. contribute to this country" rather than "cause problems." 67 percent of Americans feel that "on the whole" immigration is a "good thing for this country today." Health care - 69 percent of Americans think it is the responsibility of the federal government to make sure all Americans have access to health coverage; 76 percent find access to health care more important than maintaining the Bush tax cuts; three in five would be willing to have their own taxes increased to achieve universal coverage. » Read the Report and Spread the Word! http://www.progressnowaction.org/page/community/post/ralphtrenary/Cqp4 http://www.progressnowaction.org/page/community/post/ralphtrenary/Cqp4/commentary#comments Wed, 13 Jun 2007 15:31:38 MDT http://www.progressnowaction.org/page/community/post/ralphtrenary/Cqp4 Ralph T http://www.progressnowaction.org/page/community/profile_picture/22970b0cb82ab5861b_e6yymv1de.jpg Ralph T 1 http://www.progressnowaction.org/page/community/comment_rss/Cqp4/ It's time for these racist hysterics to end, wouldn't you say? Talking point #1 for today, tomorrow, until the obstinates get the message. Or, maybe they won't get it until November of 2008: Large majority supports path to citizenship A strong majority of Americans -- including nearly two-thirds of Republicans -- favor allowing illegal immigrants to become citizens if they pay fines, learn English and meet other requirements, a new Los Angeles Times/Bloomberg poll has found. That is a striking show of support for a primary element of an immigration overhaul bill that has stalled in the Senate amid conservative opposition. Only 23% of adults surveyed opposed allowing undocumented immigrants to gain legal status. That finding bolsters the view, shared by President Bush, that the bill's opponents represent a vocal minority whereas most people are more welcoming toward illegal immigrants... Read this, Tom Tancredo? Game over--it's all over. All that's left to do is to show the American people what's really been driving you all these years. And from the look of this poll, they already know... http://www.progressnowaction.org/page/community/post/al/Cqpz http://www.progressnowaction.org/page/community/post/al/Cqpz/commentary#comments Wed, 13 Jun 2007 05:46:49 MDT http://www.progressnowaction.org/page/community/post/al/Cqpz Alan Franklin http://www.progressnowaction.org/page/community/profile_picture/1b6fb917dd91e10cc0_ge5omv53a.jpg Alan Franklin 0 http://www.progressnowaction.org/page/community/comment_rss/Cqpz/ I don't usually extensively quote someone else - but I have to make an exception today.  Bernie Sander, the Independant (Socialist) Senator from Vermont hits the nail right on the head: "The Comprehensive Immigration Reform Act addresses the concern all of us have about securing our borders, something I strongly support. It addresses the need to hold employers accountable for hiring illegal immigrants, something the Bush administration has neglected. It addresses the contentious and difficult issue of how we respond to the reality that there are some 12 million illegal immigrants in this country today, and carves out a path which eventually leads to citizenship, which I also support. What concerns me," Senator Sanders said, "are provisions in the bill that would bring low-wage workers into this country in order to depress the already declining wages of American workers. With poverty increasing and the middle-class shrinking, we must not force American workers into even more economic distress." http://www.progressnowaction.org/page/community/post/jamesdodd/CqJl http://www.progressnowaction.org/page/community/post/jamesdodd/CqJl/commentary#comments Thu, 31 May 2007 05:43:53 MDT http://www.progressnowaction.org/page/community/post/jamesdodd/CqJl Jim Dodd Jim Dodd 0 http://www.progressnowaction.org/page/community/comment_rss/CqJl/ We had a little fun with 'Foxy' the fox today... NO, not That Kind of Fun! We heard that Frontier was doing a Campaign Interview style promo for the 'Foxy' Frontier's Favorite Animal at the Civic Center today across from the City Hall. So we thought this would be great test of our Concept of Instant Vigils. We flew downtown and did a 'one indian' to their 'circle the wagons' maneuver. The media types applauded my arrival but grumbled later when they had trouble getting a shot without our signs in the background. Our sign on one side said. Call Foxy and tell her to Stop the Iraq War and impeach Bush and on the other side Call Foxy and say Stop the War and impeach Bush. Amazing the amount of eyeballs these signs got. It was Fun... you all shoulda been there. Maybe next time, eh! Join Us. Impeachment can be fun. John WeeklyVigilsToImpeach.Us Link ProgressNowAction Member Link http://www.progressnowaction.org/page/community/post/kennedyjohn/C2vS http://www.progressnowaction.org/page/community/post/kennedyjohn/C2vS/commentary#comments Thu, 22 Feb 2007 14:14:58 MST http://www.progressnowaction.org/page/community/post/kennedyjohn/C2vS John H Kennedy http://www.progressnowaction.org/page/community/profile_picture/5e4c96e6db734362f3_l5hmv2v71.jpg John H Kennedy 2 http://www.progressnowaction.org/page/community/comment_rss/C2vS/ Because in Denver they expect some human compassion from their representatives. DeGette steps in to halt deportation Alicia Figueroa was ready Monday to tuck her green card into her purse and be deported with her four youngest children, who do not have legal documents to remain in the United States. Instead, the 57-year-old legal resident was relieved to learn that her children, ages 16 through 22, were given a temporary reprieve by Immigration and Customs Enforcement until mid-January, at the request of U.S. Rep. Diana DeGette. "This family has been in a saga for years trying to keep their family together," DeGette said Monday. "I think it's un-American to split up a family." Imagine that. It's too bad there are no meat-packing plants in CD-1. http://www.progressnowaction.org/page/community/post/al/C2c2 http://www.progressnowaction.org/page/community/post/al/C2c2/commentary#comments Tue, 19 Dec 2006 17:48:14 MST http://www.progressnowaction.org/page/community/post/al/C2c2 Alan Franklin http://www.progressnowaction.org/page/community/profile_picture/1b6fb917dd91e10cc0_ge5omv53a.jpg Alan Franklin 3 http://www.progressnowaction.org/page/community/comment_rss/C2c2/ Congratulations, haters! You got exactly what you wanted. ICE Sweep Was Largest Ever Against One Firm The immigration raids on meatpacking plants in six states were the largest sweep of their kind against a single company and resulted in the arrests of 1,282 suspected illegal immigrants, Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff said yesterday. The raids early Tuesday of facilities owned by meatpacking giant Swift & Co., based in Greeley, Colo., were followed by immigration charges against 18 percent of the 7,250 workers scheduled to work the morning shift... There's no disputing that such a raid on any of hundreds of companies around the country would have produced similar results. My understanding of slaughterhouses is that they're pretty nasty places to work. But you can find illegal immigrants employed all over the lower echelons of the economy -- from manufacturing to your local McDonald's. In this case, they targeted not only a specific industry but one individual company. That's important, because the effects of this action were confined to specific geographical areas. There are two different stories making their way around the country this morning, one being the "we're FINALLY cracking down" story in the Washington Post with only the barest mention of the cost, the other in the Rocky Mountain News : At least 100 kids parentless At least 100 children are without parents because of the massive immigration raid Tuesday at the Swift & Co. meatpacking plant in Greeley, immigrant advocates estimated Wednesday. But getting an exact count could prove challenging because many of the families are too fearful to seek assistance from a government agency... Doesn't sound much like what the "Defend Colorado Now" told you about those benefit-sucking illegals, but I digress: "We expect that there will be more," she said. "There's a lot of single parents that were picked up. ICE did this without regard for family values or the (rights) of U.S. citizen children." ...fifth-grader Dinah Gutierrez said most of her classmates were affected by the raid. The girl said kids were talking about the raid at school, saying "their uncles and aunts were taken." "They're all scared," the girl said. This girl's mother, this article goes on to say, feels that the raids nevertheless were probably necessary, citing unemployment in the area among citizens. That's the other part of the tragedy, the shrinking pie that native-born and immigrant workers alike are now competing for. Even though Colorado has dropped to #2 in home foreclosures (thank you Nevada), Weld County itself remains #1 in the nation. You have to acknowledge it. None of that can possibly justify the way this thing was carried out. Although the raid was ostensibly to root out indentity thieves, that appears to have accounted for less than 10% of the number of arrests yesterday at Swift plants. I don't know about you, but that seems like a pretty small number. I would have actually expected higher. There were no reports of violence on the part of any workers arrested, probably because they knew they had no chance against dozens of federal agents in riot gear. Most of these people will be on the other side of the Friendship Bridge in Ciudad Juarez in a very short time, with nothing but what they took to work Tuesday. And their children a thousand miles away in the custody of friends and neighbors, maybe, if they're lucky. However you feel about illegal immigration (at least those of you who don't simply hate brown people), it should disgust you. This is not responsible immigration reform. It's not good social policy. The Mexican government is asking for the release of mothers of US-born children who were arrested so they can be reunited with their children. Here's hoping that's still even possible -- it doesn't take long to truck people to the border. Taking the longer view, the federal government is now is a precarious position -- they must now choose to either show weakness and inconsistency by being unable to follow up this raid with similar action against other companies known to employ large numbers of illegal workers, or to reckon with the human and economic costs of doing so. -- For an index of all the stories on the Swift immigration raid in today's news, click here . Subscribe to the ProgressNow daily news digest and never miss a local Colorado story again -- $10 a month. Click here . http://www.progressnowaction.org/page/community/post/al/C2cH http://www.progressnowaction.org/page/community/post/al/C2cH/commentary#comments Thu, 14 Dec 2006 13:41:49 MST http://www.progressnowaction.org/page/community/post/al/C2cH Alan Franklin http://www.progressnowaction.org/page/community/profile_picture/1b6fb917dd91e10cc0_ge5omv53a.jpg Alan Franklin 0 http://www.progressnowaction.org/page/community/comment_rss/C2cH/ At long last, sir, have you no shame? Letter to Rep. Dave Schultheis from the Bustillos family Mr. Schultheis, the Bustillos Family asks you: 1. How many other times have you asked these specific questions concerning accidents throughout the entire state? 2. Why not wait until an investigation was completed before making inquiries? 3. Did you verify the legal status of the "constituent" that contacted you regarding this accident? 4. More importantly, what information did you and your "constituent" use as a base to inquire about our deceased children's status in this Country? 5. Is it your position that all Latinos should be assumed "illegal aliens" unless proven otherwise? To answer your questions, yes -- the car was properly registered and insured. Tania followed the required State of Colorado protocol to obtain a driving permit. ALL THE CHILDREN INVOLVED IN THIS ACCIDENT ARE AMERICAN CITIZENS with the same rights as you and your constituent (if the inquiring person is an American citizen). Their mother, Grasiela, is also an AMERICAN CITIZEN. Their father is a LEGAL RESIDENT... And Dave Schultheis is a disgrace to his constituents. For some strange, hateful reason that nobody can really figure out, he's also managed to insult a bunch of dead American children 140 miles from little wedge of El Paso County he represents at the Capitol: another body whose reputation he sullies with each passing day. All because the last name "Bustillos" makes Dave Schultheis immediately think "criminal alien." Schultheis is a small-minded bigot, one of the starkest bigots in American politics today north of the Mason-Dixon line. He doesn't represent the Colorado, or America, that I live in. On behalf of everyone in this state who is similarly disgusted, I apologize for his title of "Representative." http://www.progressnowaction.org/page/community/post/al/C2Sf http://www.progressnowaction.org/page/community/post/al/C2Sf/commentary#comments Sat, 21 Oct 2006 09:06:38 MDT http://www.progressnowaction.org/page/community/post/al/C2Sf Alan Franklin http://www.progressnowaction.org/page/community/profile_picture/1b6fb917dd91e10cc0_ge5omv53a.jpg Alan Franklin 1 http://www.progressnowaction.org/page/community/comment_rss/C2Sf/