PFAW: Telebriefing on Citizens United v. FEC

Today, the Supreme Court handed down its ruling in Citizens United v. FEC. In a testament to the right-wing activism of the Roberts Court, the conservative bloc of Justices ruled 5-4 against previous Court precedent and the long-established principle that the government can act in the interest of democracy to prevent corporations from pouring in billions of dollars to unduly influence elections.

Friend of the organization, Maryland State Senator and American University Constitutional law professor Jamin Raskin has agreed to do a telebriefing tomorrow for People For the American Way supporters to explain what this important decision means for the future of elections and what it tells us about the Court.

The telebriefing will be tomorrow (Friday), January 22 at 1:30pm Eastern Time.

Sign up for the telebriefing now.

You’ll receive the necessary call-in information shortly after you are confirmed.

Thank you for your support of People For the American Way and of a fair and independent federal judiciary.

– Ben Betz, Online Communications Manager

P.S. You can read our press release in response the Citizens United decision here.

MoveOn–No More Compromises

Watching a conservative Republican replace Ted Kennedy in the Senate is devastating.

But as bad as the news is this morning, there’s actually one reason to be hopeful.

For the last year, Democrats in Washington have let lobbyists and corporate interests run roughshod over the peoples’ business. Wall Street got bailouts. Bankers got bonuses. Big Insurance rewrote the health care bill. Meanwhile, ordinary Americans struggled to make ends meet.

But now, finally, Democrats know they need to change course. The question is, will they learn exactly the wrong lesson? Will they give up on change altogether? Drop health care reform? Follow the lead of conservatives like Joe Lieberman and Evan Bayh embrace “Republican-lite”?

I just signed MoveOn’s petition to make sure Democrats don’t get it wrong this time. It’s time to demand that they start truly fighting for working families. Will you join me?

http://pol.moveon.org/timetofight/?r_by=18649-376629-yb863Gx&rc=paste

NY: State of the State

Governor David Paterson will give his second State of the State Address on Wednesday, January 6, 2010 at 1:00 P.M. To watch a live webcast of the speech, please visit the Governor’s website at www.ny.gov/governor.

Mary Daly RIP

Obituary for Prof. Mary Daly

I was saddened to learn of the death of Prof. Mary Daly, feminist theologian.  Prof. Daly came to Boston College while I was an undergrad.  She did an excellent job of challenging  the intellectual status quo there.  I met her several times and attended her presentations.  I found I agreed with her  thought; but, to my chagrin, found her personally difficult to interact with.  I suppose this is often the case with genius.  The theological world is lessened  by her loss.

Matt Ryan for Binghamton: Mayor Ryan to be Sworn into Office for 2nd Term This Friday

Mayor to present $500 donation to CHOW; those attending encouraged to bring donation of non-perishable item

BINGHAMTON, NY—Judge William Palella will swear Mayor Matt Ryan into office for his second term this Friday, January 1st, at noon in City Hall’s 2nd Floor Gallery. Doors will open at 11:30am.

The ceremony will include remarks by Mayor Ryan and other local leaders. The Mayor also will present a $500 donation to the Community Hunger Outreach Warehouse (CHOW), and a reception with light refreshments will follow.

Those attending are encouraged to bring a non-perishable item for CHOW, which will set up donation bins in the Gallery.

“Four years ago, we began a journey to ‘Restore the Pride’ in Binghamton, and by embracing a progressive approach, we’ve taken great strides forward,” said Mayor Ryan. “Looking to our second term, we’ll build on this success by staying true to our principles and strengthening our community-wide partnerships. Our commitment centers on supporting those who are most in need, and that’s why this inauguration will benefit CHOW. Coming together in this way makes us an even stronger community.”

The ceremony is free and open to the public.

Dennis Kucinich on What to Eat for Your Health and the Planet

The powers that be would have you believe that this good man is laughable.  He is not.  In fact, he is tragically correct on what is needed and our lack of will.

Stop a bad bill

The latest Senate health care bill has no public option. No expansion of Medicare. And it does too little to guarantee that uninsured Americans will actually be able afford the coverage they’ll be required to purchase.

But it’s not too late to fix the bill. And as Joe Lieberman has shown, just one senator willing to stand in the way can force legislation to be changed dramatically.

Senator Bernie Sanders has already made clear that he’s opposed to the legislation in its current form. I just signed a petition urging him and other progressives to block it until it’s fixed. Will you join me?

http://pol.moveon.org/block/?r_by=18358-376629-ff.Krnx&rc=comment_paste

Thanks!

Joe Lieberman’s behavior is so outrageous that even P-SPAN, the puppet news network, is covering it.

Will Senate progressives sit silently by as the public option dies?

The situation in the Senate is grim. Harry Reid has capitulated to Joe Lieberman and announced a deal to remove anything resembling a public option from the health care bill.

Four Senators — Senators Russ Feingold (D-WI), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Roland Burris (D-IL), and Sherrod Brown (D-OH) — have previously said they’d only support a bill with a strong public option.

I have just signed a petition calling on these four progressive Senators to stand up for what they believe in, not stand aside and stay silent as Joe Lieberman and Harry Reid kill the public option.

I hope you do too. Just click the link below.

http://act.credoaction.com/campaign/prog_sens_po/?r_by=7049-821991-Po6qaSx&rc=paste1

Blanche Lincoln–DINO