ad in USAToday by JohnKerry.com (re Senate Filibusters)

[rodeodance]

This just arrived in my email"


John Kerry wrote:

>
> JohnKerry.com
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> Add Your Name to the Citizens' Roll Call
>
> Dear xoxox,
>
> Will clear-thinking Republican Senators pull their party's leaders back from the brink? Or will they let slash-and-burn political tactics change the character of American democracy forever?
>
> Within a matter of days, the Senate could face a truly momentous decision - one with consequences that will reverberate across America for decades to come.
>
> That's why, when Republican Senators return to Washington next Tuesday, the johnkerry.com community is planning to greet them with a powerful message in that morning's edition of USA Today.
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> See the ad for yourself and tell us we can count you among those members of the johnkerry.com community who personally support its message:
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> http://www.johnkerry.com/usatoday
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> Imagine a world in which every appointment to the federal judiciary is tightly controlled by an extreme element within one party. Imagine the kinds of judges that will sit on the federal bench - even on the Supreme Court -- if George W. Bush never needs a single Democratic vote.
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> Imagine the kind of decisions those judges will make on everything from civil rights to civil liberties to a woman's right to choose and family privacy.
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> Republican leaders in the Senate have done more than imagine. They're getting ready to force a Senate vote that would take a giant step towards creating that kind of America.
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> Senator Frist, the Senate Majority Leader, has a plan to make President Bush's judicial nominations immune to a Senate filibuster. If he can convince enough Republican Senators to go along, the nomination and confirmation of judges will become a tightly-controlled, one-party affair.
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> We're calling on Republican Senators to pull their party's leaders back from the brink. It's time to stop advancing a dangerous tactic that would deny millions of Americans any meaningful role in decisions vital to America's future.
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> http://www.johnkerry.com/usatoday
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> We're working hard to make sure the United States Senate doesn't cross this dangerous line. Here's how you can help.
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> When we run our ad on Tuesday, I want to report that hundreds of thousands of johnkerry.com activists from across the nation have expressed their personal support for its message. The larger that number, the more powerful our message will be.
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> Please let us know right now that we can count you among those who support our call for Republican Senators to stand on principle. And, if at all possible, make a donation to help pay for our USA Today ad and our efforts to mobilize people to contact their Republican Senators.
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> http://www.johnkerry.com/usatoday
>
> Events could move quickly in the days ahead. Please watch your email closely for urgent action alerts. Thanks for helping with this important effort.
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> Sincerely,
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> John Kerry
>
> P.S. We need as many people as possible to add their personal support to our USA Today message. Please forward this e-mail right now to your friends, neighbors, and family.
>
>
> Paid for by Friends of John Kerry, Inc.

[rockymountaindem]

1. Kick

[flpoljunkie]

2. Thanks for the link!

Done!

[GardeningGal]

3. Done

:kick:

[cestpaspossible]

4. He also sent email's targeted at constituents

of possible swing votes on the Republican side:

Virginia:

Within a matter of days, the Senate could face a truly momentous decision - one with consequences that will reverberate across America for decades to come.

Senator Frist, the Republican Majority Leader, has a plan to make President Bush's judicial nominations immune to a Senate filibuster. If he can convince enough Republican Senators to go along, the nomination and confirmation of judges will become a tightly-controlled, one-party affair.

We're working hard to make sure the Senate doesn't cross this dangerous line. Here's how you can help.

Please Call Your Republican Senators Now!

Please contact Senators Allen and Warner now. In polite and respectful language, make it clear that as one of their constituents you are counting on them to oppose Senator Frist's dangerous plan to deny millions of Americans any meaningful voice in decisions vital to America's future.

Senator Allen's office can be reached at:
Abingdon 276-676-2646
Herndon 703-435-0039
Richmond 804-771-2221
Roanoke 540-772-4236
Southside/Piedmont 804-347-2587
Virginia Beach 757-518-1674

Senator Warner's office can be reached at:
Abingdon 276-628-8158
Midlothian 804-739-0247
Norfolk 757-441-3079
Roanoke 540-857-2676

To help us track the number of calls our campaign is generating and know where we need to place our efforts, please let us know you've made the calls.

http://www.johnkerry.com/callreport

There is so much on the line in this debate. And, I am convinced that if we mobilize as quickly and effectively as possible, we can prevent the Senate from taking the dangerous course that Republican leaders have called for. Remember, we're fighting for the strength and vibrancy of democracy itself.

Sincerely,

John Kerry

P.S. If you need extra incentive for making those calls:

* Imagine a world in which every appointment to the federal judiciary is a tightly-controlled, one-party exercise.
* Imagine the kinds of judges that will sit on the federal bench - even on the Supreme Court -- if George W. Bush never needs a single Democratic vote.
* Imagine the kind of decisions those judges will make that will directly affect your life and your constitutional rights.

[Blue Topaz]

11. Yes, I got one of these today

I picked up the phone and called the office of the Republican senator in my state to register my opinion. I've gotta believe that there are 6 Repubs in the Senate who realize what a travesty this would be.

[Califooyah Operative]

5. done and passedon. thanks. nt

[blm]

6. Glad to see they're using a direct ad. A few $$$ on the way.

Direct ads seem to be the only way Dems get to have a voice, since the media is intent on helping the fascist agenda of their corporate masters and the GOP.

[Califooyah Operative]

7. kick nt

[Califooyah Operative]

8. kick

[elshiva]

9. Thanks I done did it!

[wisteria]

10. Thank you for posting this.

It is so important that we fight the Republicans on this filibuster issue. If the Republicans are able to change the rules and go "nuclear" they will not stop at getting these already rejected judges on the bench, next they will use this tactic to achieve any legislative goals they choose. Our government has always had "checks and balances" to ensure one party does not hold absolute power and we already know the Republicans want absolute power. I have already signed the request and for wared it to several friends.

[oxbow]

12. They want control of the executive, legislative AND judicial branches

plain and simple, this is about getting regressives in all the power positions. Fight tooth and nail, as no mess they cause will be harder to clean up than this!

[Califooyah Operative]

13. kick

[flyarm]

14. i got a phone call today from them! n/t

[sandnsea]

15. Take ACTION

It is time for everybody to go the extra mile, TODAY, to save the filibuster. Fritz could strike at any time between Monday and Thursday.

Links to downloads for talking points, petition drive, letter to Senator; plus phone and fax for Fritz, 24 targeted Republican Senators, and online petitions.

This could be the most important action anyone takes for some years to come. Judges are forever.


http://www.lightupthedarkness.org/blog/default.asp?view=plink&id=661

[radfringe]

16. I'll probably get "flamed" for this...

I don't think the general public cares about the filibuster... I'll even go one step further and say I don't think the general public even knows what a filibuster is or means in regards to the legislative process.

For years we've been hearing about "voter apathy" -- that may have been the case at one point in time -- but the situation is worse than just "apathy" -- it's voter disinterest.

case in point is the WMD reports -- we've had several reports of the lack of credible intelligence come out before this latest one, and the 9-11 commission -- public "outrage" was zippo, nada, zero, none and bush was "re-Selected" anyways -- I don't expect it to be any different with the new report.

if there is no "outrage" over the lies about Iraq -- why should we expect any "outrage" over busting the filibuster.

Congress is controlled by repugs. The rubberstamp has been stamping 24/7 in between sips of kook-aid. Dems make some noise -- then bend over and vote for whatever anyways.

We are approaching mid-term election season -- do you really think the incumbents are concerned with voter reaction to busting the filibuster?