Tuesday July 14, 2009, 12:47 am
Green shoots will thrive—with tending!

Dear Friend,

The economic green shoots may be wilting—no surprise there—but different green shoots have sprouted and with some nurturing may well take root. We are those green shoots--progressives working in our own communities—and bound together nationally under the PDA banner.

As the fifth anniversary of our founding draws near, PDA Healthcare NOT Warfare co-chair Donna Smith tells us what drew her to PDA and how she found a space to make her activism for Medicare for All count. Watch the video. (visit site)

Donna is just one of thousands of green shoots within PDA, building community while working for change.

To ensure we harvest the bounty of our green shoots one day, and to honor our work, we encourage you to host a PDA five-year birthday party. Register here. (Visit site) Our goal is to recruit 500 new Change makes Change partners so we can focus more time on tending our garden and less time trying to raise money to meet our monthly obligations.

If you are unable to host or attend a party, please become a Change makes Change partner now.

Help our green shoots thrive and our community grow! Celebrate our fifth anniversary by becoming a Change makes Change partner today!

Yours in the movement,

Tim Carpenter
PDA National Director

Progressive Democrats of America is a grassroots PAC that works both inside the Democratic Party and outside in movements for peace and justice. Our goal in 2009: Expand progressive influence in Congress as we build on our 2008 electoral successes. PDA's advisory board includes seven members of Congress and activist leaders such as Tom Hayden, Medea Benjamin, Thom Hartmann, Jim Hightower, and Lila Garrett.

Join a PDA Issue Organizing Team

Have I gone overboard sending this to you?...Sometimes strength comes in numbers?...

Tuesday July 14, 2009, 1:20 am
Thanks CA for an intriguing post...however...

I cannot tell a lie, David! Just looking at these photos of Cheney I get queasy in my stomach. While GWB was calling others the "axis of evil", all I could see was the evil coming out of my own government. There's something about Cheney, which speaks of possessed, by what, I'm not sure, but, it turned me off big time! I was livid during these last years. Especially the first term of the GWB/Cheney Administration, since it, in short order mind you, with help from the US Congress, began to unwind everything which once seemed to make sense in our (growing pain) nation.

Under GWB's administration, HONOR! CHARITY! INTEGRITY! HUMILITY, were replaced with "Bait and Switch" games, and Media spin being spun to the rafters! Those who "Dare" spoke out were called un-American. That enraged the spirit of truth in me even more. Mind blowing brain washing, and pure deceit, became the order of the day. And, for a spell, I saw where many American's were falling into the trap this administration, main-stream media and the Congress, less Wellstone, Kucinich and a few Brave Hearts, were setting. The "Abusers of Power" jumped right in and took advantage of the Towers and Anthrax incident, and began to lay waste to America's checks and balances (Habeas Corpus - rule of law). GWB, Cheney and the ill-equipped Congress sent our equally, ill-equipped men and women, to kill or be killed by those they were sent to control.

WE thought nothing of the CHILDREN!!!!!!! Did we? For those that profess they believe in the one God of us all, what will be their response when asked; what did you do to protect my children?

America certainly has her warts. One need only look at her past. There are areas which are in need of serious tending. America seemed to be growing in the right direction until CORPORATIONS took over the reigns of Washington, lock, stock and barrel. Right under our nose they began hogtieing "OUR" legislative body into one neat, tight, "CONFLICT OF INTEREST" package! How? Just follow the $$$$$.

We're to blame America. Honest American's know that. We became complacent! "We" allowed the wolf in sheep's clothing, major Corporations, a free reign, and so they took over our courts, Congress, and they own the Whitehouse! They were allowed to draw "US" into wars all over the World, in their interests.

I believe America is worth saving. American's are a good people made up of many of the world's cultures. Many of "US" realize that "We" must clean the house of the people if we are to survive in the future with dignity at our core. How "We" go about that Quest is a burning "Question". One even Dwight Baker, of Care2, is raising!

A dear departed friend, David Pearce, once said, "Assume Nothing! Question Everything!" Bless you David, that was excellent advice!

It's time to ask, no, demand, David would say. Demand that Washington tune in to the "US" in this equation.

Listen to what "We", your constituents, are actually saying. We are clear in our demand! Perform, do the job you were hired to do, or quit! Protect the Constitution which you swore to abide by when you took the oath of office. And your approach, during your tenure, should be done in a manner which speaks of respect for all the citizens of these United States and the world's people. Especially the children!!!

Many elected officials have dishonored their pledge! Betrayed the country! Assisted in bastardizing America's checks and balances by lowering the bar, and kowtowing to all the faceless wonders running Major Corporations. Those Corporations, via their well paid lobbyists, have thrown dollars at the corrupt feet of the GR$$DY! Many who "We" elected to office have sold "US" and these "United" States, to the highest bidder. As far as I'm concerned they're traitors and should be treated as such.

Time for the people of these great states to tell the Congress, We've had ENOUGH! We Demand "CHANGE" We can live by and with!

For the novice: The word REVOLUTION does not necessary mean what it has come to mean. Conflict! War! Coup!

Diff: Revolution__Change! Our Founding Fathers never said it would be easy...Nothing worth having ever is.

Now "We" need to explore the best way to get to where "We" need to be, in order to remain a free, respected, prosperous people! I "Dare Dream."
Barbara/founder/dtdn

( When all the trees have been cut down, when all the animals have been hunted, when all the waters are polluted, when all the air is unsafe to breathe, only then will you discover you cannot eat money. - Cree Prophecy )

Tuesday July 14, 2009, 8:15 pm
Is the Lid About to Blow on the Cheney Snuff Program?—By Scott Horton (Harper's Magazine)

Tuesday July 14, 2009, 8:21 pm
What CIA program was Cheney trying to hide from Congress, you ask?