While we bicker about candidates... our interests and national security

[salin]

gets swindled away via the energy bill.

Please - for today - if you post on a flaming candidate war thread... take a moment to ALSO take action to encourage democrats to fillibuster the energy bill. It is awful. See Activism for more details if you haven't followed this.

Send emails. Make Calls.

If you can flame for (or against) your favorite candidate, then you have the time to take action to demonstrate to our currently elected democratic senators that there is HUGE support for them - regardless of rightwingtalkmurmur (pushing the "antidemocratic moves of the democratic party.... as if disallowing democrats to participate in writing the dangerous bill - while letting industry draft the bill is actually Democratic...) - that participating in a fillibuster will NOT hurt them politically.

WE HAVE TO ACT.

Take action - then carry on with your favorite discussions, flamewars, and/or analyses of current events.

Thanks.

[Nlighten1]

1. Candidate flame wars are a waste of bandwidth

and energy. Both could be put to a more productive use and maybe save DU some money.

[salin]

2. Is anyone reading this? Making calls?

This is moving fast and furious - we need to act.

Here is a story that just broke (I have email alerts).

http://www.wfsb.com/Global/story.asp?S=1531600
Rowland, Blumenthal fighting new energy bill

(Hartford-AP) -- Governor Rowland and state Attorney General Richard Blumenthal are joining forces to fight a provision in the new federal energy bill.

A few sentences in the bill would give the green light to the proposed Islander East natural gas pipeline, from Branford and Shoreham, New York.

It also would allow the Cross Sound electrical cable under Long Island Sound to remain activated.

Rowland, a former member of Congress, says he's disgusted that lawmakers would add these provisions to the bill at the last minute. He called it a power grab.

more....

I will be gone til this evening - and ask that folks take action and keep this thread kicked.

Thanks.

[Zomby Woof]

3. I am large, I contain multitudes

Which is another way of saying, "I can multitask". ;-)

I am already on it. The energy bill must die, quickly and painfully if possible. It has even gotten front page coverage in my local paper.

[madfloridian]

4. I am feeling the same way.

I spent yesterday on the phone about issues. I wrote letters. I called reporters.

Today I see nothing is being done about anything.

Just attacking each other. It is a waste of time and bandwidth and effort that could be put to activist use.

Even the people who don't give a hoot about Medicare could make a huge difference by helping to write to the news stations. They usually cover things if they hear from enough people.

But, it is easier to just attack and bash. That takes no effort.

[salin]

5. just keep this going and more people reading but not yelling

will see this thread and act... just don't want it to fall off the pages (so no one sees it) due to all of the other threads.

GREAT point about calling local news venues - yes they are much more likely to cover a story if they 'hear' a demand.

[salin]

6. John McCain called it the "Leave No Lobbyist Behind Bill".

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/politics/2001795418_energy19.html

[Zomby Woof]

12. every once in a great while

And I mean GREAT while, he gets it right. He is one of my senators now, and the channels have been pursued. I am happy he is on our side on this stinking piece of filth.

[sandnsea]

7. Already done

Begged my Republican Senator to stop this thing. My other Senator is fine. Also support Snowe, Collins, Chaffee and McCain, they seem to be against this too.

[salin]

8. Just read that Sen. Gregg is also against it (willing to fillibuster)

Sununu is critical - but don't know HOW critical.

http://nashuatelegraph.com/Main.asp?SectionID=31&SubSectionID=358&ArticleID=93844

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

9. Sent letters to my senators as well

:kick:

[madfloridian]

11. I will send them emails of encouragement.

I wrote Breaux and Baucus last night at their websites. I am sure they really care.

I have a feeling my Graham and Nelson are going to vote with the GOP on this. I hope not, but I have asked for two days in a row. Not a single clue as to how they feel.

If Graham votes for it, I hope he is not considered as a VP. I hate to say that.

[salin]

13. They may not.. they ALL know there are big problems with this bill

some just believe that the problems are a necessary evil. Enough support for them to back away from the GOP from constituents, esp if given varied responses why, some waivering senators are more likely to join the fillibuster.

[tom_paine]

10. kick

[blm]

14. I think the energy bill SCREAMS who we are as a nation.

And what we will become if it is passed.

If anyone wants to scream about candidates, however, maybe they should first look CLOSER at their legthy records in regard to energy issues and see whose side they were really on.

That said....My Sen. and those on the comittee have been getting regular correspondence from me on this issue for a few months.

[salin]

15. blm

tomorrow we can get back to that. It is a valid point. But right now... really... it is more important to get thousands of calls and letters going. The primaries are NOT tomorrow. But Senate action is likely to happen post haste. If we can push more broad participation on this issue today - then we can (and should) comeback to considering the policies and stands and records of candidates on energy issues.

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

16. Alright you....

get in the shower and go to work :D

[blm]

20. heh...this needs attention

and I'm merely helping out and NOT pointing fingers at certain deregulating politicians. Not to worry.

[salin]

17. last kick before I hit the road

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

18. last kick before I hit the road

[jpgray]

19. Right, let's get it together

I sent out four letters on this subject. I will make some phone calls now as well.

[Armstead]

21. kick

Mine is Kennedy, and if anyone will stand up against the bastids he'll be among them. I'll try to get a call in.

The otehr one is that guy who's running for president. Don't know how this will fit into his political calculations.

[jpgray]

22. I like Kerry, but I agree he better damn well vote on this one

Hiding under a rock like he did for Syria and $87 billion just cannot be acceptable when the New Deal is getting euthanized.

[blm]

23. Armstead, you know he's been dead set against this bill...

and has been the most outspoken against it since spring 2001.

Why take those shots that are far from an accurate picture? Kerry has been valuable talking against this energy bill on the campaign trail. He'd be more valuable if the press ever covered him on the issues.

[ignatius]

24. Count me in..I will contact Bahy and Lugar(who never,ever votes

against his master.)

This is corporate welfare at it's worst. Will those CEO's drive cadillacs to pick up the checks or will it be humvees.

Kick

[buddhamama]

25. i have e-mailed, faxed, discussed

i am hopeful with Senator Snowe. Enviromentally she has a decent record (she was a co-sponsor to Lieberman and McCain's Climate Steweardship Act, if that is any indication)and i know she has concerns about this Bill.

for anyone who wants to e-mail but are short on time, Public Citizen has a great tool for composing letters. They have created well written paragraphs addressing the the most egregious aspects of the Bill that may be mixed-and-matched to create a more personalized message, and you may add your own comments too.

:kick:

[blm]

26. kick...

.

[Mandate My Ass]

27. Kick

for the late afternoon crowd.

[A-Schwarzenegger]

28. And if you're not signed up with moveon.org...

please do so at ...

http://www.moveon.org/keepmeposted/

They alert on big bills & make it super easy to both
email and call your Senators & Reps.

Here's their pdf thingy on the energy bill...

http://www.moveon.org/energy-woes.pdf

[blm]

29. thanks for more info and a kick....

.

[salin]

30. thanks Arhnie

you better hope that congress helps your behind not get gamed by the energy companies under your groping... er.. I mean watchful eye...

Kick!

[madfloridian]

31. This keeps dropping.

I guess it takes less effort to just attack. Sad.

[in_cog_ni_to]

32. Here's another avenue for activism..very simple to use!

http://www.workingforchange.com/activism/action.cfm?ItemId=14795

<snip>Dump Dirty Energy Bill

Contributed by Working Assets

Update:
After two years of contentious debate, Congress is finally voting this week on an energy bill that is an oil and gas industry lobbyist's dream. It deserves to be defeated, using a filibuster if needed.

The final version of the energy bill was negotiated in secret almost exclusively by Republicans and weighs in between 1,200 and 1,700 pages. It's hard to imagine that legislators will have time to read the bill in it's entirety let alone will be able to make an informed and educated decision to support such a bloated piece of legislation that heavily favors the energy industry – including oil gas, coal and nuclear interests – over energy security, public health and the environment to the tune of $100 billion.

Essentially all efforts to amend the bill to make it more balanced and less damaging have failed. It does not include any efforts to increase the fuel efficiency of our cars and trucks. Instead, it contains hundreds of special interest provisions designed to block lawsuits against toxic chemicals and promote the interests of individual senators.

It has become apparent that, given the current makeup of Congress, any energy plan that can pass will be destructive to our nation’s energy security, air quality and natural areas. Congress should reject the energy legislation currently on deck and citizens should wait until the next Congress to make a real attempt at creating meaningful, positive energy legislation.

Some senators are pressing to rush the bill through within the next week before they leave for Thanksgiving recess. Something this important should not be rushed. We're better off with no plan at all than this flawed bill.

Call to action

Urge your senators to oppose the energy legislation currently under consideration.
Deadline: Ongoing<snip>


An email I received.

ACTFORCHANGE ACTIVISM UPDATE: November 19, 2003

You are receiving this newsletter because you have previously taken action on ActForChange in support of progressive values.

IN THIS BULLETIN:

FEATURED ACTION: President Bush, Honor Fallen Soldiers and Attend a Funeral or Memorial
ACTIVISM OPPORTUNITY: Tom Daschle, Stand Up for the Public Interest
ACTIVISM OPPORTUNITY: Last Chance to Stop the Energy Bill

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------




President Bush, Honor Fallen Soldiers and Attend a Funeral or Memorial


While American casualties in Iraq increase daily, President Bush is turning a cold shoulder to the grieving families of slain American servicemen and women.

As of November 17th, 422 American soldiers have been killed in Iraq, over 2,200 have been wounded and there are an average of 35 attacks on Americans every day, yet President Bush has not attended a funeral or memorial of a single American killed in action.

Click here to take action!

Regardless of one’s feelings about the war in Iraq, American servicemen and women who follow orders and pay the ultimate price deserve our respect. This is especially true for President Bush, their Commander-in-Chief, who sent them into the face of danger in Iraq. President Bush’s predecessors — Clinton, Bush Sr., Reagan and Carter — all attended memorials or funerals for soldiers killed in action.

Call on President Bush to show his respect for our fallen soldiers by addressing the rising casualties in Iraq and attending at least one funeral or memorial for soldiers killed in Iraq.

Click here to take action!


Please forward this newsletter to your friends and help spread the word about this important campaign!



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------




Tom Daschle, Stand Up for the Public Interest


This week, Congress will decide four critical issues, and on each one, the possibility is looming that Senate Democrats will cave in to White House inducements and pressure and sell out the American people.

Unless Senate Minority Leader Tom Daschle decides to win or lose on principle, the public interest will suffer massive and long lasting defeats. Senator Daschle should lead the fight in defeating the special interest energy and Medicare bills, while protecting overtime pay and media diversity.

Click here to take action!

Please forward this newsletter to your friends and help spread the word about this important campaign!


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------




Last Chance to Stop the Energy Bill


After two years of contentious debate, Congress is finally voting this week on an energy bill that is an energy industry lobbyist's dream. It deserves to be defeated, using a filibuster if needed.

The Senate could vote on the bill as early as tomorrow, Thursday, November 20, so it’s crucial that you take action immediately, even if you've taken action on this issue before.

Click here to take action!

Call Your Senators
In addition to sending an email, please call your senators via the congressional switchboard at 202/224-3121 or 202/225-3121 and ask them to defeat the energy bill, using a filibuster if needed.

Please forward this newsletter to your friends and help spread the word about this important campaign!


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Thank you for speaking out on issues that matter. Together we can make a difference.

Jennifer Willis
Director
ActForChange.com





http://www.actforchange.com

[salin]

35. While I missed this.... it reminds me why I am glad

that I am a patron of WA.

[Karmadillo]

33. Daschle says he will vote for energy bill

http://www.usatoday.com/news/washington/2003-11-19-daschle-energy-bill_x.htm

WASHINGTON (AP) — Senate Democratic leader Tom Daschle is ready to support the broad energy bill and will oppose attempts to scuttle it by a filibuster, one of the senator's aides said Wednesday.

The decision casts doubt on whether opponents can succeed in blocking the bill through a filibuster over a dispute involving the gasoline additive MTBE, which has been found to contaminate drinking water supplies.

A spokesman for Daschle, Dan Pfeiffer, said the South Dakota senator will vote for ending debate on the bill, overcoming a filibuster, as long as senators are given time to adequately debate the legislation.

Republicans hope to finish the bill and send it to President Bush before the end of the week. The House passed the energy legislation by a wide margin on Tuesday.

[salin]

36. This was a very big disappointment - but I note the wording.. "as long as

senators are given time to adequately debate the legislation." Could that be an out for Tom - to switch and support a fillibuster?

[blm]

43. Who knows...these are not normal times

or normal Republicans our team is dealing with.

[Kanary]

34. Just Saw This, Salin!

Bless you for verbalizing my thoughts!

I'm with you on taking action, and appreciate the heads up on all this.

There are many of us who are feeling the same way you are, and want to take action, but we're being shouted down. It's time to stop quietly dropping out from discouragement, come together and Support Each Other in tackling the issues!

OK, I'll add the energy bill to my list of emails, if you'll add the Medicare bill to yours.... ~~grin~~

Kanary

[salin]

37. Done deal!

Medicare bill gets calls, letters and the works as well.

Act Now Folks!

[Kanary]

38. bump

[buddhamama]

39. truemajority is on this too

along with the Medicare Bill.

http://action.truemajority.com/action/index.asp?step=2&item=10102&ms=enmed1&ref=351887

:kick:

[buddhamama]

40. woo hoo, Senator Collins will be voting against !

:kick:

[in_cog_ni_to]

41. kick

:kick:

[dusty64]

42. Good idea!

:kick:

[flpoljunkie]

44. Done. We must stop this Neanderthal energy bill!

:kick:

[blm]

45. bump

.

[buddhamama]

46. one more

:kick:

[blm]

47. and another...

no time to sleep.

[opihimoimoi]

48. count me in

:kick: