Salt Lake City Drinking Liberally

Promoting democracy in Utah one pint at a time.

June 30, 2008

Take action to end the global food crisis today

While we fight to impeach
George Bush and Dick Cheney, to bring our troops home from Iraq, and
to stop Big Brother, we must not forget the many people around the
globe who are struggling to avoid starving as food prices
soar.

Please urge Congress to reform food aid programs to
fight global hunger more effectively.

Bob Fertik

 


Dear Friend,

Skyrocketing food costs are
forcing families to go hungry around the world, from Haiti to
Somalia to Bangladesh. As usual during times of crisis, women
and children are the most vulnerable.

CARE, a leading humanitarian
organization fighting global poverty, is already on the
ground, providing food to families and helping them create
lasting solutions to hunger. We place special focus on working
with poor women because, equipped with the proper resources,
women have the power to help whole families and entire
communities escape poverty.

But even before the current
crisis, hunger had been on the rise. The truth is that
long-standing U.S. food aid programs haven’t proven effective
in reducing chronic hunger. The United States needs to respond
to the crisis now, and begin to change the U.S. approach to
hunger by addressing its underlying causes.

You can make a difference by writing your
senators today and asking them to take a stand on global
hunger.

Recently, there have been
discussions on two important provisions to make inroads in the
global hunger crisis:

  • Emergency food programs to
    help address the global increase in the price of food,
    and
  • Regional and local
    purchase programs to pilot new, more effective approaches to
    fighting chronic hunger.

by @ 4:00 pm. Filed under Uncategorized

Our patriotic duty to end the war

Peace Action West E-Alert!

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Dear Friends,

The July 4th holiday is approaching, the sixth Independence Day
celebration since the invasion of Iraq. As we are ramping up our
campaign to end the occupation, I am reminded of the duty we have as
US citizens to do everything within our power to stop our government
from carrying out immoral policies that endanger the lives of
Americans and our neighbors around the world.

Click
here to help us leave no soldier behind on the Fourth of
July.

Between now and November, we are working to
get as many signatures as possible on our open letter to the next
president, clearly outlining our demand for a comprehensive plan to
end the war in Iraq. Our volunteers across the country will join
together in a coordinated day of action on July 4th to get their
neighbors and friends to add their voices to our mandate for a new
approach in Iraq.

Click
here to RSVP for our July 4th action, and download a pdf of the
letter.
 

Your July 4th action can be as big or
small as you would like.  Throw a barbecue and have all your
friends and family sign the letter.  Bring copies of the letter
to someone else’s gathering and pass it around.  Have a table
or clipboards with the letter at your local July 4th
festivities.

Our work to end the occupation of Iraq is
challenging.  I am able to keep going because I’m inspired by
the amazing and committed activists with whom I have the privilege
of interacting every day in my work at Peace Action West.  I am
asking you now to provide this inspiration in your own community by
empowering people to take concrete action to end the
war.

Thank you for your dedication.

P.S.  If you haven’t signed our open letter to the
president-elect yet, click
here to add your name and tell your friends. 

by @ 4:00 pm. Filed under Uncategorized

June 26, 2008

From Baghdad to Beijing


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I’d like to introduce
you to three incredible Americans.

Melissa Stockwell, Scott Winkler and Carlos Leon served in Iraq
and suffered serious injuries. Since then, they have overcome
incredible obstacles to earn the right to represent the US at the
2008 Paralympics in Beijing, China. IAVA will be sponsoring
their journey from now until the games begin in September.

We are hoping to raise $20,000 to help Melissa, Scott and Carlos
pursue their dreams of gold.

Can
you make a tax-deductible contribution to help us reach our goal?
Take a minute to watch a short video about their incredible
journeys.

Melissa Stockwell was the first female amputee
from the Iraq war. Less than a year after losing her leg, she ran
the New York City Marathon. She had never swum competitively
before losing her leg, and recently became the first Iraq war
veteran to qualify for the 2008 Paralympic Games in Beijing.

Carlos Leon managed to
survive an entire year in Iraq as a Marine in the Sunni triangle,
only to tragically break his neck in a swimming accident just weeks
after returning home. After attending a Paralympic Military
Sports Camp, Leon discovered a hidden talent and passion for
throwing the discus. Carlos is headed to Beijing as the best in the
world in the discus.

Scott Winkler was unloading an ammunition truck
near Tikrit while under fire when he fell and became paralyzed from
the chest down. He was introduced to sports during a Paralympic
Sports Clinic. At the clinic, he tried throwing the shot put
for the first time, and less than a year later he broke the world
record. He is expected to dominate his field in Beijing.

Together these athletes carry the hopes and dreams of 30,000
other injured soldiers from Iraq and Afghanistan. They are role
models for turning adversity into opportunity.

Can
you donate today to help us reach our goal of $20,000 to help them
get to the games? Your contribution will help Melissa, Scott and
Carlos cover the expenses they’ll incur over the next few months of
training.

Along the road, Melissa, Carlos and Scott will be updating us on
their progress. You can follow their journeys at www.iava.org/warrior-champions.

We’re honored to be helping these three veterans represent our
country at the Paralympics. Can
you help them get to Beijing?

Thanks for your generous support.

Sincerely,

Paul Rieckhoff
Iraq Veteran
Executive Director
Iraq and
Afghanistan Veterans of America

by @ 12:00 pm. Filed under Uncategorized

June 12, 2008

International Republic Institute

Hello to you my friends…..
 
As repetitive and single minded as you have all witnessed me to be, there
is no mistaking my passion and love for our country. The single greatest issue
that has been relegated to back page news in favor of flag pins and gas prices
(granted…important) is Iraq. But, I just ask that we somehow remember in the
midst of looking under couch cushions for milk money that our kids are still
being sent to war, and continue to come home in body bags. There is a
complacency, and dumbing down of the populace by the MSM due to their
complicity in the selling of this war to the American people….therefore,
they fail time and time again to report or follow up on information that
could and should blow the cover off this shell game being promoted as the
war on terror and national defense.
 
I could go on, suffice it to say, what I am getting at is if any of you are
unsure of your vote this November, please read this article about McCain….just
another layer of the veneer peeled off that I’m sure you will never hear on
your nightly news, or read in any local newspaper. 
 
I just ask you think about what the repercussions of not voting
because your candidate won’t be on the ballot may have on the
results. A protest vote for McCain if you are a Hillary supporter is not a
safe or wise thing to do in this important election. Too much is on the
line not to take a stand.
 
This article is just one of many that makes me ill. But I thought I would
share it with you guys…it definitely gives more than food for
thought.
 
Thanks for taking the time, Carla
 
by @ 2:00 pm. Filed under Uncategorized

June 11, 2008

The Bush legacy

This is a MUST see!!
 
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/bob-cesca/sorry-mr-president-but-yo_b_106596.html
by @ 6:00 pm. Filed under Uncategorized

McCain says “bringing home troops isn’t too important”!!

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/06/11/mccain-iraq-comments-brin_n_106468.html
by @ 8:00 am. Filed under Uncategorized

June 5, 2008

Bush used Iraq intel he knew was false

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/06/05/divided-senate-committee_n_105374.html
by @ 12:00 pm. Filed under Uncategorized

May 22, 2008

Peace and Human Rights Rally During George Bush’s Visit 5/28/08

Mark Your Calendars:
Wednesday May 28, 2008
5:30 to 7:30 PM
Salt Lake City, Utah
Please inform all
of your friends, advocacy organizations and list serves of a rally and protest
happening in Salt Lake City next week.  This is being planned to coincide
with President Bush’s fund raising trip and meeting with Mitt Romney next
Wednesday.  Three of the speakers, Marshall Thompson, Kathy Snyder, and
Rocky Anderson are Utahns.  Daniel Ellsberg who uncovered the
 ”Pentagon Papers” conspiracy will also be speaking.   We need to try
to get thousands of participants/protesters/advocates out for the rally so we
can form one huge voice that will greet Mr. Bush when he comes to our fair
city.

All groups are invited, and are
encouraged to show your outrage.  A strong presence of Veterans and
Veteran’s Groups is hoped for!
Details:
Peace and Human Rights
Rally

5:30 pm – Wednesday May 28,
2008
City & County
Building
Washington Square
400 S. State Street
SLC, UT

Speakers:
Marshall Thompson
Kathy Snyder
Daniel Ellsberg (yes, THE Daniel
Ellsberg)
Rocky Anderson
and more

The event will be simulcast on
KRCL.  Bring your posters, banners, noise makers, and all your friends,
neighbors, grandparents, grandkids, and fellow church goers for the biggest
going away party ever!  As one of our organizers said, this will be a
“Mission NOT Accomplished”  Party.   

For more details, listen to KRCL or
visit http://peaceandhumanrights.com/

Subjects to be addressed:
 Failure in Protecting our Military, Failure in Safeguarding Human Rights,
Failure in Providing Immigrant Rights, Failure to Ensure Healthcare for the
Vulnerable, Failure to Balance the Budget, Failure to Take Care of our Troops,
Failure in Providing Mature Leadership in the Middle East, Failure to Preserve
the United States’ Good Reputation in the World, and many many more
failures.
by @ 4:00 pm. Filed under Uncategorized

May 8, 2008

Call Congress Today

Stop the Iraq Sellout Thursday: Call Congress
Today

On Thursday, Speaker Nancy Pelosi will force the House to
approve $163 billion more of our tax dollars  for
the occupation of Iraq - nearly $100 billion for 2008 plus nearly $70
billion more for 2009.

We are outraged. This Democratic Congress was elected to
end the occupation, not fund it forever.

On Monday, a new Democrats.com poll found an
overwhelming  68% of Americans want to bring our
troops safely home within 6 months - a significant
increase from 54% last September. Support among Democrats increased 14% to
85%, while support among Independents increased 20% to 78%. Why is the
Democratic Congress defying the will of the overwhelming majority of
Democrats and Independents?

Each day’s news underscores how disastrous the occupation
is. April was the
deadliest
month for U.S. soldiers since last September. One
in five Iraq and Afghanistan veterans - roughly 300,000 - report symptoms
of PTSD or major depression. The V.A. covered up the fact that 12,000
veterans attempt suicide each year while under V.A. treatment. As Cindy
Sheehan asked, “for what noble cause” are our sons and daughters suffering
and dying?

To make matters worse, Bush continues to use our
occupation of Iraq as a reason to wage a
covert war against Iran  that could
quickly turn to a wider and even more disastrous war. We know the
Iraq War “marketing” was timed for the 2002 election - if John McCain is
behind in the polls, will Bush ”
bomb bomb Iran
” as an ” October Surprise ” to keep Republicans in
power?

On top of it all, as our economy tanks, we simply cannot
afford to waste  $163 billion more of our tax dollars
 for Iraq on top of the
$562 billion we’ve
already wasted and the $3 trillion overall cost, included
tripling the price of gasoline .

It’s urgent for everyone to call your
Representative today
with a simple message: Not One More
Penny for Iraq
.

This battle is not impossible. On January 16, 42 progressive Democrats voted against the
last $70 billion blank check. Most Republicans oppose Pelosi’s
bill because it includes some domestic spending, so a large bloc of
progressive Democrats can defeat it.

Call the House switchboard at 202-224-3121 or find
your Representative’s name and direct dial by entering your address
on the
right side here
.

Please report the results of your call here:
http://www.democrats.com/iraq-sellout-alert-call-congress-today

Thanks for all you do!

by @ 2:00 pm. Filed under Uncategorized

How Much did Rumsfeld know?

A very revelling portion from Gen. Ricardo Sanchez’s book
 
http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,1736831,00.html
 
This part is especially revelling in light of all the comments about the
“Mission Accomplished” sign on the aircraft carrier meaning the ship “Mission
was Accomplished put out by Bush and all those neo-cons and conservative talks
show clowns.
 

After the meeting ended, I remember walking out of the Pentagon shaking my
head and wondering how in the world Rumsfeld could have expected me to believe
him. Everybody knew that CENTCOM had issued orders to drawdown the forces. The
Department of Defense had printed public affairs guidance for how the military
should answer press queries about the redeployment. There
were victory parades being planned. And in mid-May 2003, Rumsfeld himself had
sent out some of his famous “snowflake” memorandums to Gen. Franks asking how
the general was going to redeploy all the forces in Kuwait.
The
Secretary knew. Everybody knew.

by @ 10:00 am. Filed under Uncategorized

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