BCDC May 2003 Newsletter, page 3

Page 3

going ahead by executive order.

As if this isn’t bad enough, the Pentagon is designing nuclear “bunker busters” half the size of the atomic bombs dropped on Japan, which they consider an acceptable use of nuclear weapons. The Republicans are hoping to use these “dirty” bombs to combat terrorism.

What do to about this bleak picture? Lillian said that Democrats and Republicans must join to oppose the most egregious environmental plundering. Let Congress know that we demand environmental protections. She handed

BCDC Treasurer Shirlee Browne is our Democratic Woman of the Year

out stamped postcards and urged BCDC members to write to Congresswoman Jane Harman to oppose the use of nuclear weapons. Jane’s voting record is 95% pro-

environment, but she is a strong supporter of the military. Urge Jane to support Representative Edward Markey in his efforts to eliminate the $15 billion in the budget earmarked for the nuclear bunker buster. Use the Congresswoman’s local address, or send a fax, as there are still mail delays in Washington DC.

Lillian invited members to join the Environmental Priorities Network at a cost of $12. In closing, she urged members to support a bill currently in Congress to slow down global warming.

Club News

Congratulations to Shirlee Browne and Patrick Kelley, who have been named Democratic Woman and Man of the Year for the 53rd AD.

Day at the Races will take place July 12 at Hollywood Park in Inglewood; more details will follow.

We welcomed new members Jeffrey Klein and Christiani Amorim.

Notes and photographs for this article courtesy of Jim McGreevy.

Democrats Make the Case:
Bush Has Got to Go

DNC SERVICES CORPORATION

The nine Democratic candidates for President blasted George W. Bush in their first primary debate May 3, citing Bush’s irresponsible economic record, his attacks on civil rights, his shameful broken promises to America’s children, and much more as proof that America needs new leadership.

Here are a few quotes from the debate where nine Democrats stood together to make the case that it is time for Bush to go.

Sen. John Edwards: “We did a lot better under Bill Clinton than we are under George Bush.”

Rev. Al Sharpton: “First of all, I call George Bush’s tax breaks, even the small amounts that he gives workingclass people—it’s like Jim Jones giving Kool-Aid—it tastes good, but it will

kill you.”

Sen. Joe Lieberman: “The Bush administration has been an abysmal failure in leading our economy. We’ve lost 500,000 jobs in the last three months, and disproportionately among African Americans.”

Gov. Howard Dean: “Abraham Lincoln said that, ‘a government of the people, by the people and for the people shall not perish from this earth.’ President Bush has forgotten the ordinary people of this country. It’s time to take our Party back now and it’s time to take our country back.”

Rep. Dennis Kucinich: “Imagine a president who is willing to stand up to the Enrons of America.”

Sen. John Kerry: “Why not have a president who understands the truth that the flag and patriotism do not belong to any one party; they belong to all Americans?”

Monroe’s
Corner

Privacy, the judiciary & civil rights are a tight fit! They go together like a “trifecta.” Under the

Republican administration an invasion of privacy is considered to be preservation of free speech. Our courts are no longer “fair” but slanted to the right! Budget deficits are considered to be imaginative creative accounting! The revolution by Dubya will now make black into white & evil is now good!!!

The FBI can monitor much of what we do using “Carnivore,” not a mythical monster but a technology that reads our internet use, our library readings, our expenditures, and our mail! Attorney General Ashcroft has pushed the Justice Dept. in directions that few thought possible before 9-11. Cases in point: A. In December ‘02 the Justice Dept. designated Dr. Steven Hatfill as a “person of interest” in the anthrax investigation. Because of this suspicious identification, his career & personal life are in shambles. B. In March, major brokerage houses paid a fine of $1.4 billion, without admitting any wrongdoing. C. At the same time, a man who shoplifted 9 video tapes was given a life sentence. So what happened to “equal justice under the law?”

We have a Supreme Court of 7 old men & 2 old women. Four are moderates, and five conservatives are firmly on the side of curbing federal powers (except in the selection of a President). There is the thought that the next replacement Justice must be a “stealth” candidate with little or no paper trail. So we now have the nomination of Miguel Estrada to the D.C. Court of Appeals (stepping stone to the Supreme Court). He is well educated, extremely bright, very conservative & with few written decisions or statements to his name. Rightfully, the

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