People Powered Media (PPM)!

Dear [Name],

Thank you for writing to me about the hotly contested Connecticut primary for Senate.

I am traveling to many states throughout the summer and fall to help Democrats take back the Senate and House. I started yesterday morning at a campaign stop for Senator Menendez and then made appearances for Joe Lieberman in Connecticut before he left for a Bill Clinton rally.

So why did I go to Connecticut? When Joe asked me to tell his constituents about our work together on the environment and choice, I told him I would.

I realize this decision has deeply disappointed you. I completely understand your position and only hope that you will come to understand mine.

For 14 years, Joe Lieberman and I have shared an alliance on a range of progressive issues, especially two that are central to my public service — the environment and choice.

We have worked side by side on the Senate’s Environment and Public Works Committee. When Bill Clinton was President, the stakes weren’t nearly as high. But within hours of President Bush taking office, the environment was under attack.

Believe me, it has not been easy to fight the Bush Administration and the Republicans on this committee who try to undermine the environment, and its supporters, at every turn.

I know that’s not news to you. But what you might not know about is the critical role that Joe has played in this battle.

The fact is, on every single fight I have waged on that committee — from arsenic in the water, to air pollution, to pesticide testing on infants and children, to global warming, to Superfund and much more — Joe has been a stalwart partner and leader.

Joe was the first author of legislation to permanently protect the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. He was one of the first Senators to try to tackle the global warming challenge. The Republicans laughed at his efforts and refused to admit that we were right on this issue. But Joe was undeterred.

And it’s the same with women’s rights, especially choice. Each and every time a woman’s right to choose has come to the Senate floor — including late term emergency abortions — I’ve had a reliable partner in Joe.

He is one of a small handful of Senators who has joined with me both times I have introduced the Freedom of Choice Act, the most strongly pro-choice piece of legislation in the U.S. Senate.

Because of his long record on choice and other important progressive issues, Joe has won the endorsement of organizations such as Planned Parenthood, NARAL, AFL-CIO, the League of Conservation Voters, and the Human Rights Campaign.

Of course, as you rightly point out, Joe and I don’t agree on everything. And nothing has deeply disappointed me more than our complete disagreement on the Iraq War.

The fact is, I disagree with many of my usual allies on the war since my bill to redeploy troops out of Iraq by the end of THIS year is the toughest redeployment bill out there. As far as I’m concerned, I will stand alone to end this war.

Joe and I have virtually no common ground on Iraq except for one thing — we have teamed up to provide comprehensive mental health care for our troops. Our amendment will ensure that our soldiers will not be sent into combat if they have mental health problems, including post traumatic stress, and that they will be able to get mental health help within 72 hours if they need it.

Again, this may sound easy, but the truth is, we had to work very hard to get our mental health amendment to pass the Senate, which it did.

I do not minimize the differences I have on the war with Joe — or any of my colleagues — but as I said, I also have a 14-year alliance on other progressive issues that are important to us, to California, and our country.

I understand that you disagree vehemently with my decision, as is your right. But, on August 8, the Democrats of Connecticut will make their voices heard on Joe’s candidacy, and I will have deep respect for their decision.

Until then, I only hope that you will weigh our differences about this primary campaign against everything that ties us together, and please know that I will continue to work as hard as I can to earn your trust and support.

Best,

Barbara Boxer

Clearly a form letter written by a PAC, but at least she replied, and timely. My next step will be to send her a link to your excellent post, unless you would prefer that I did not. Note: Emphasis mine. She’s clearly indicated that, like the Clintons, she will respect the choice of the Democratic Party primary voters.

amen

peas!

can anyone tell me if either one of these individuals have ever made any public pronouncements concerning the israeli espionage agent, jonathan pollard.

if you have forgotten jono, he is the spy who purportedly stole amerikan icb missile targeting data[and a whole lot more…such as the terrorist groups created, armed, nourished by the usa] and delivered it to his spymaster, rafi eitan[mossad].

and those israelis – sustained by amerikan taxpayer transfer payments – sold all that data to the russians.

so, i wonder, have babs or joe ever denounced pollard, submitted legislation cutting the us financial support of israel – a country that provably arranged for traitorous actions against its benefactor?

for both babs and joe, i think that their principal allegiance is to israel. that is the tie that binds them. aipac needs them both in the senate.

turn ‘em out.

“Appreciation of his work has grown since he died in 1966. His illustrations were very popular in the 1920s.”

******************************************************

SP, CPA -

Hope you don’t mind hearing from another fan of your grandfather’s work.
Your comment about his work being popular in the 1920’s is certainly evidenced by the calendar reproductions of “Ecstacy” and “Waterfall” my mother has (born 1921).

Her father worked for an electrical company in Great Falls, Montana and apparently he brought home the large master company calendars for Mazda (sp?) Lamps that featured reproductions of “Ecstacy” (the 1929 calendar) and “Waterfall” (the 1930 calendar). The prints are quite large – about 15″ x 20″ – and a surprisingly high quality. Mom has loved them ever since Grandpa brought them home and it’s and both my sister and I have loved them all our lives.

They each were recently appraised for $500.00 each. Ha! As if we’re ever going to part with them.

Just wanted to share the story; his work meant a lot to people during the hard years of the Depression – and beyond.

Daily Show is on.