Bush pushes immigration overhaul - Yahoo! News

Bush pushes immigration overhaul - Yahoo! News: "Bush pushes immigration overhaul " By JENNIFER LOVEN, Associated Press Writer Sat Apr 28, 5:40 PM ET MIAMI - President Bush, pushing for a hard-to-find breakthrough on a broad immigration overhaul, appealed to graduating college students in this diverse city Saturday for help in persuading Congress to produce a bill. Bush gave the commencement address at Miami Dade College, where more than half the students were raised speaking a language other than English. He gave the Class of 2007 an assignment: Tell their elected representatives in Washington to get going on immigration overhaul. "You see every day the values of hard work, and family, and faith that immigrants bring," the president said. "This experience gives you a special responsibility to make your voices heard." Bush said the immigration system is deeply broken: Employers are not held accountable enough; borders are not secure enough; businesses need workers willing to do low-paying jobs; and the 12 million people estimated to be in the U.S. illegally cannot all be deported and so must be dealt with "without amnesty and without animosity." "We must address all elements of this problem together — or none of them will be solved at all," Bush said. The president also chose the setting of Miami, a center of Cuban exiles opposed to the communist regime of Fidel Castro, to predict that the "day is nearing" when "the light of liberty will shine" again in Cuba. "In Havana and other Cuban cities, there are people just like you who are attending school, and dreaming of a better life. Unfortunately, those dreams are stifled by a cruel dictatorship that denies all freedom in the name of a dark and discredited ideology," the president said to loud cheers. "The reign of every tyrant comes to an end." Castro temporarily handed power to his brother eight months ago because of illness. The 80-year-old revolutionary had ruled the communist island nation for 47 years. With Castro's condition and exact ailment a state secret, his future role has been the source of much speculation. Cuban officials have given increasingly optimistic reports about his health, and there is a growing expectation that he could soon make his first public appearance since falling ill. The takeover of Congress by Democrats was supposed to be a boon to Bush's goal of a comprehensive immigration overhaul. He wants to establish a temporary worker program for some illegal immigrants and to create a path to citizenship — albeit a difficult one — for many. After all, it was his fellow Republicans, conservatives who reject the president's approach as too lenient toward lawbreakers, that stymied his plans when they controlled Capitol Hill. But the Democrats' ascendance in January has not necessarily made easier the search for a bill acceptable to a majority. The Senate passed a plan last May that tracked closely with Bush's wishes. The proposal died in the House, where tough new border security measures were the priority. A get-tough bill authorizing 700 additional miles of fencing along the U.S.-Mexico border was Congress' only accomplishment on immigration. Since, the White House has highlighted the effectiveness of stepped-up border enforcement while quietly seeking compromise on broader legislation. So far, however, the only approach that has grown out of those initial talks would be tougher on illegal immigrants than the Senate bill. Its path to citizenship would require fines, trips back home, long waits and hefty penalties. Some conservatives still call this overly permissive. The president was hoping to give a lift to those efforts with the commencement address in Miami and also by devoting his weekly radio address on Saturday to the topic. Sen. Edward Kennedy (news, bio, voting record), D-Mass., applauded the renewed attention from Bush. "Only a bipartisan bill will become law, and we are prepared to work with the president and our Republican colleagues to get the job done and get it done right," said Kennedy, a leader for his party on the issue. Bush said the talks in Washington are beginning to bear fruit. "I know convictions run deep on the matter of immigration. Yet I am confident we can have a serious, civil and conclusive debate," he said in his weekly radio address aired in the morning. Most national polls show people in the U.S. are overwhelmingly supportive of an immigration overhaul that would allow those already in the country illegally to stay, work and earn their way to legal status. In the late afternoon commencement speech at Miami Dade's Kendall Campus, he emphasized the strength in America's diversity. He spoke before 5,000 people, including 1,500 graduates, many of whom are immigrants or children of immigrants. This point was underscored when the names — and flags — of the scores of countries represented were announced to cheers at the beginning of the ceremony. "Maintaining the promise of America requires that we remain an open and welcoming society," Bush said. Just outside the school, an anti-war demonstration that drew several hundred opposed to the president's Iraq policies. "I want to do anything I can to bring the war to an end," said one of the protesters, 55-year-old Thomas Kreycik, a mental health counselor. "We are throwing away money, we are throwing away the lives of our troops for no justifiable reason." Earlier Saturday, over a $25,000-a-person lunch at the bayside home of developer Edward Easton on Key Biscayne, just outside Miami, Bush raised campaign cash for the Republican Party. ___ Associated Press Writer Lisa Orkin in Florida contributed to this story.

Bush seeks cooperation on U.S. war funds - Yahoo! News

Bush seeks cooperation on U.S. war funds - Yahoo! News: "Bush seeks cooperation on U.S. war funds " By JENNIFER LOVEN, Associated Press Writer 55 minutes ago WASHINGTON - President Bush said Monday he wants to work with Democrats on compromise legislation to pay for the Iraq war but will carry through on his threat to veto any spending bill that sets a timetable for U.S. troop withdrawal. "I'm optimistic we can get something done in a positive way," Bush said in a Rose Garden news conference with leaders of the European Union. The bill, which Bush has long threatened to veto, was expected to reach his desk on Tuesday. The House and Senate voted last week to approve the $124.2 billion measure, which also calls for troops to begin being pulled out in October. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (news, bio, voting record), D-Nev., urged the president to reconsider his veto. "If the president wonders why the American people have lost patience, it is because the news out of Iraq grows worse by the day," Reid said. "When we send the supplemental conference report to President Bush tomorrow, we ask that he take some time to reflect on that somber fact." Bush said that once he vetoes the bill, he's ready to work with Democrats on a new version that provides funds without strings attached. "There are a lot of Democrats who understand we need to get the money to the troops," he said. Democratic congressional aides said they anticipate Bush will veto the bill on Wednesday, before a scheduled meeting the president plans at the White House with bipartisan congressional leaders, including House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (news, bio, voting record), D-Calif., and Reid. Bush said the measure includes "artificial timetables for withdrawal. But that's not the only bad thing about the bill. It also imposes the judgment of people in Washington on our military commanders and diplomats. It also adds domestic spending that's unrelated to the war. "I have made my position very clear. The Congress chose to ignore it, and so I will veto the bill," Bush said. On another matter, Bush said that Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice might meet with Iranian diplomats later this week on the sidelines of a meeting in Egypt on Iraq. "Should the foreign minister of Iran bump into Condi Rice, Condi won't be rude. She's not a rude person. I'm sure she'll be polite," Bush said. The administration in the past has resisted engaging Iran diplomatically on Iraq because of the stalemate over Tehran's nuclear uranium enrichment program. But, in recent days, the administration has signaled more flexibility. Rice will "also be firm in reminding the representative of the Iranian government that there's a better way forward for the Iranian people than isolation," Bush said. He called Iran "a significant threat to world peace, today and in the future" because of its nuclear weapons ambitions. He immediately amended his remarks, saying, "'today' is the wrong word — in the future. They don't have a weapon today." Tehran insists it is developing nuclear energy to meet electricity demands, not to build weapons. Bush said the U.S. and European leaders were together in backing enforcement of U.N. resolutions on Iran to allow inspections of nuclear facilities. Bush said that the United States and the European Union are "united in sending this very clear message" to Iran. Bush met with European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso and German Chancellor Angela Merkel , the president of the European Union. On another subject, Bush said that he wanted Paul Wolfowitz to remain as president of the World Bank. "He ought to stay," Bush said. Wolfowitz is being investigated for helping to arrange a contract to give a big salary increase to his female companion. Bush cited Wolfowitz's work in championing programs to end poverty throughout the world. On efforts to restart the so-called Doha round of global trade-liberalization talks, Bush said, "I'm under no illusion about how hard it will be to achieve the objective." The leaders also said they talked about climate change and agreed to take a united approach to find ways to lower pollution that causes global warming. "We don't want to isolate ourselves" from rest of world, Merkel said.

The Daily 2008 - Yahoo! News

The Daily 2008 - Yahoo! News: "The Daily 2008 " Justin Miller Mon Apr 30, 9:45 AM ET They may not be in the White House together, but the Clintons and Al Gore are a presence in the presidential race as today's news reminds us. Bill Clinton took the stage yesterday in Detroit at the 10,000-strong NAACP Fight For Freedom dinner after speaking to the group last in 2000. Meanwhile, The Politico's Ben Smith reports that Gore hired a Democratic political operative who's worked for Sen. Joe Lieberman and Gore in their respective presidential runs. The operative worked for a company co-founded by pollster Mark Penn, whom the Washington Post's Anne Kornblut profiles today in his role as Hillary Clinton's political guru. Penn, who has made his influence felt on Clinton's campaign, is known to be mostly cautious in his advice and a hawkish centrist in his politics. If Clinton resembles an insider and appears arrogant about her chances to win the nomination, it's because Penn is both of those things, Kornblut writes, but he's also smart, experienced and loved by Clinton. Both Clinton and Barack Obama (news, bio, voting record) have collected contributions from more than 100 donors who funded one or both of President Bush's campaigns for the White House, reports the New York Sun's Josh Gerstein. Some have become disenchanted with Bush, while others may have personal ties that "transcend partisan politics." Business executives "regularly straddle the field, even supporting multiple candidates in the same race" while other donors may give to undermine a politician by supporting a rival that seems like less of a threat. In separate speeches at the California Democratic Party's convention yesterday, both Clinton and Obama said the bill Congress sent to Bush to leave Iraq next year is the best chance at terminating the war, the New York Times' Adam Nagourney reports. John Edwards was a little stronger in his rhetoric but supported a timetable for withdrawal. Sen. Chris Dodd, Rep. Dennis Kucinich and Bill Richardson all suggested the current bill was "too leisurely in its deadlines and urged Congress to adopt even tougher legislation by cutting off financing for the war." While Obama was in California, he remembered the 1992 Los Angeles Riots and tied the war to domestic problems, saying, "We have now spent half a trillion dollars on a war that should have never been authorized, and should have never been waged. We could have invested that money in South Central Los Angeles, or the South Side of Chicago, in jobs and infrastructure and hospitals and schools. Why is it we can find the money in a second for a war that doesn't make any sense?"

News from Mayor Adrian M. Fenty

 

In this Issue   Moving Forward: Mayor's Education Transition Strategy   Voting Rights Movement Marches On   DC DMV is On the Move   Tai Shan Stays in the District   Protecting Gender Identity and Expression Moving Forward: Mayor's Education Transition Strategy Mayor Fenty's education reform plan, which he signed into law April 23, awaits final approval by the United States Congress. In the meantime, the Mayor has announced a series of steps to prepare for transferring authority over the schools to his office. The process will be similar to the work of the Fenty Transition that preceded the Mayor's oath of office in early January. Read more. Voting Rights Movement Marches On Thousands of District residents joined Mayor Fenty and other elected officials April 16 for a march to Capitol Hill to demand voting representation in Congress. 'We are not truly free,' the Mayor told the assembled crowd on DC Emancipation Day, because the District has been disenfranchised for more than 200 years. Later that week, the United States House passed a bill giving the District of Columbia its first voting seat in that body. The bill is now pending in the Senate. Read more. DC DMV is On the Move The Department of Motor Vehicles has finished two years of renovating the former United Way building at 95 M Street, SW. The long awaited opening of the DMV Southwest Service Center, located at 95 M Street, SW, is now a reality. DC DMV has opened the new Service Center location April 30, 2007 and closed the 301 C Street, NW Service Center April 28. The new location is just around the corner from the DMV Inspection Station. Read more. Tai Shan Stays in the District Tai Shan, the world's best-known nonhuman native Washingtonian, is staying for two more years. The Giant Panda was born at the National Zoo in 2005 and scheduled to go to China this summer. Recognizing the bamboo-eating bear's enormous appeal in the District, the Chinese government has agreed to extend Tai Shan's stay. Mayor Fenty proclaimed April 24 'Panda Day' in the District of Columbia. Read more. Protecting Gender Identity and Expression Did you know gender identity and expression are now protected under the DC Human Rights Act? The DC Office of Human Rights (OHR) is working with the Mayor's Office of Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender (GLBT) Affairs and advocacy groups to distribute a new fact sheet summarizing the requirements of the Gender Identity and Expression protection. This information was developed to spread awareness of the new protected category. Read more. ©2007 Government of the District of Columbia Privacy Policy | Unsubscribe | Tell a Friend | Contact Mayor Fenty

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Michigan Catholic Bishops Release Statement Calling for Prompt Federal Immigration Reform - Yahoo! News

Michigan Catholic Bishops Release Statement Calling for Prompt Federal Immigration Reform - Yahoo! News: "Michigan Catholic Bishops Release Statement Calling for Prompt Federal Immigration Reform " To: STATE EDITORS Contact: Dave Maluchnik, Director of Communications of Michigan Catholic Conference +1-517-242-9623, dmaluchnik@micatholicconference.org LANSING, Mich., April 29 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- As the Catholic Church prepares to celebrate the feast of St. Joseph the Worker on May 1, and as a predominately Hispanic immigration rally is set to take place across the Detroit area that day, the Catholic bishops of Michigan have promulgated a statement urging the enactment of comprehensive federal immigration reform that respects the dignity of immigrant workers, the Michigan Catholic Conference announced today. "The Catholic bishops of Michigan are calling on Catholics and non- Catholics alike to urge Congress and the president to pass comprehensive immigration reform in order to preserve families and to protect the dignity of immigrant laborers," said Michigan Catholic Conference Vice President for Public Policy Paul A. Long. The statement, composed in both English and Spanish, has been distributed to all 795 Catholic parishes across the state and is signed by the state's seven diocesan bishops: -- His Eminence Adam Cardinal Maida, archbishop of Detroit -- Bishop Carl F. Mengeling, bishop of Lansing -- Bishop Walter A. Hurley, bishop of Grand Rapids -- Bishop James A. Murray, bishop of Kalamazoo -- Bishop Patrick R. Cooney, bishop of Gaylord -- Bishop Robert J. Carlson, bishop of Saginaw -- Bishop Alexander K. Sample, bishop of Marquette English and Spanish versions of the bishops' statement are both available for download at the Michigan Catholic Conference's Web site: http://www.micatholicconference.org . Michigan Catholic Conference is the official public policy voice of the Catholic Church in this state. SOURCE Michigan Catholic Conference

Immigrant-rights march lacks urgency for some - Yahoo! News

Immigrant-rights march lacks urgency for some - Yahoo! News: "Immigrant-rights march lacks urgency for some " About this time last year, the R&R Paisano Barber Shop was abuzz with talk about the clout that united immigrants could wield through massive marches and an economic boycott. But the mood has changed. "Our clientele really hasn't been talking about it," barber Juan Gonzalez said of Tuesday's planned march and boycott to protest new federal legislation aimed at getting a handle on illegal immigration. Gonzalez's father, Ramon, plans to close his business to show his support. Some of his employees said they will march; others won't.

Senate Democrats Pledge to Help Uninsured Latino Children - Yahoo! News

Senate Democrats Pledge to Help Uninsured Latino Children - Yahoo! News: "Senate Democrats Pledge to Help Uninsured Latino Children " To: POLITICAL EDITORS Contact: Federico A. de Jesus of the Senate Democratic Communications Center, +1-202-224-2939 WASHINGTON, April 27 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Senate Democrats today highlighted the disproportionate effects of the nation's health care crisis on Latino children. On this year's Cover the Uninsured Week, Senate Democrats have proposed a series of initiatives to combat this crisis of millions of Latino children that do not have the health insurance they need. As many throughout our nation recognize Cover the Uninsured week, Senate Democrats reaffirm their commitment to ensure that every child in the United States has health care coverage. A newly released Democratic Policy Committee report "Improving Health Coverage for Children is America's Top Health Priority" highlights the impact of the State Children's Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) and the need for its reauthorization by September 30th of this year. A link to the full report is included below. "Nearly 3.5 million Hispanic children lack health insurance, that's about one in five Latino children," Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (news, bio, voting record) (D-NV) said. "They are more likely to be uninsured than non-Hispanic white or black children. While the number of uninsured is unacceptably high, SCHIP has been a starting point that has helped reduce the number of Latino uninsured children. While Senate Democrats seek to strengthen and expand health care coverage for children, the Bush administration seeks to ratchet back SCHIP, in effect cutting coverage for 1.6 million children and low-income adults. For the nearly 45 million Americans and almost 9 million children living without health insurance, it is time to put politics aside and put their health and well-being first." According to the DPC Report, 1.4 million children stand to lose their existing coverage under the president's approach. "While it is completely unacceptable that more than 45 million Americans are uninsured, the fact that Hispanic Americans are more than twice as likely to be uninsured is unconscionable. We must make expanding access to quality, affordable health care for all Americans a national priority," said Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-NY). "In Colorado, more than 167,000 children are without health insurance. Many of these young children are Latinos who lack the access to critical health care that will help them grow into healthy and contributing adults. In the past month I have held nearly a dozen meetings on the in my state with local health care professionals. Across my state of Colorado health care professionals agree that SCHIP and other initiatives should be expanded so that all of our children are covered. I will continue to work hard with my colleagues in Congress to accomplish that goal," Senator Ken Salazar (news, bio, voting record) (D-CO) said. "Latinos are the fastest growing sector of the American population, but they are unfortunately also the leader in another category: the uninsured," said Senator Robert Menendez (news, bio, voting record) (D-NJ). "This problem especially affects Latino children, who are the most uninsured ethnic group in the country, and are significantly less likely to get needed medical care than their peers. SCHIP has been able to successfully reduce these disparities, and I have been leading the fight to ensure that this program is fully funded. My colleagues and I are committed to addressing this difficulty affecting too many families throughout the nation, and seeing to it that uninsured Americans have access to comprehensive, quality, affordable health care." The DPC Report also found that the disparities in health insurance coverage between citizen and legal immigrant children have grown significantly larger. While there are fewer uninsured children since the enactment of SCHIP, the percentage of lower-income legal immigrant children who lack health insurance coverage has increased since 1996 when federal legislation restricted the eligibility of legal immigrants for SCHIP and Medicaid during their first five years in the United States. Today, almost half of lower- income immigrant children are uninsured. (Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, April 2007) To view the full DPC Report, please visit: http://democrats.senate.gov/dpc/dpc-new.cfm?doc_name=fs-110-1-67 Contact: Federico A. de Jesus, 202-224-2939

Gore calls Canada climate plan a 'fraud' - Yahoo! News

Gore calls Canada climate plan a 'fraud' - Yahoo! News: "Gore calls Canada climate plan a 'fraud' " TORONTO - Al Gore condemned Canada's plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, saying it was a fraud "designed to mislead the Canadian people." Under the initiative announced Thursday, Canada would reduce greenhouse gas emissions 20 percent by 2020. But the government acknowledged it would not meet its obligations under the Kyoto Protocol, which requires 35 industrialized countries to cut greenhouse-gas emissions by 5 percent below 1990 levels by 2012. The country's emissions are now 30 percent above 1990 levels. The Conservative government's strategy focuses both on reducing emissions of gases blamed for global warming and improving air quality. But the plan failed to spell out what many of its regulations will look like. "In my opinion, it is a complete and total fraud," Gore said Saturday. "It is designed to mislead the Canadian people." Gore said he was surprised that the plan focused on reducing the intensity of emissions rather than tough, overall curbs. He said "intensity reduction" — which allow industries to increase their greenhouse gas outputs as they raise production — was a poll-tested phrase developed by think tanks financed by Exxon Mobil and other large polluters. Canadian Environment Minister John Baird rejected Gore's criticisms. "The fact is our plan is vastly tougher than any measures introduced by the administration of which the former vice president was a member," Baird said in a statement. Baird also invited Gore to discuss climate change and the Conservatives' environmental policies with him. Gore, who was in Toronto to present his documentary, "An Inconvenient Truth," at a consumer environmental show, acknowledged that as an American, he had "no right to interfere" in Canadian decision. However, he said, the rest of the world looks to Canada for moral leadership, and that was why Thursday's announcement was so "shocking." Canadian opposition Liberal Leader Stephane Dion said Sunday that Gore was right. "Mr. Baird is embarrassing Canada around the world," Dion said. "The world expects Canada will do its share — more than that, that Canada will be a leader and we are failing the world. We are failing Canadians."

Uninformed and Misleading?

 

		Hi Phillip, Here they go again... On the eve of a dangerous Bush veto of a new course in Iraq, the desperate Republicans sent out the attacker in chief Dick Cheney to assail yet another Dem leader. Why? Because the Majority Leader Harry Reid said that "as long as we follow the president's path in Iraq, the war is lost. But there is still a chance to change course -- and we must change course." Any questions? The president's own generals say there is no military solution to the civil war in Iraq, that it requires the political solution the Iraqis have resisted. But that didn't stop the GOP from trying to spin conscience into controversy. Predictably, Dick Cheney went on the attack, calling Harry Reid's comments "uninformed and misleading." We know better. Uninformed and misleading? If Dick Cheney wants to see the meaning of those words, he should look in the mirror... Come see a history of the vice president's rhetoric to see something really uninformed and misleading: http://www.johnkerry.com/standingwithharry/ Write letters to you local paper, call in to talk shows, let our media gatekeepers know that you want a real debate, and you stand by people who are fighting for one. I started us off by posting a defense of Harry Reid on the Huffington Post. You can read it here: Huffington Post Thanks, John Kerry Paid for by John Kerry for Senate.

We apologize if you received this message in error. Click here to unsubscribe from our mailing list. Click here to change your current email address. John Kerry for Senate, 511 C St. NE, Washington DC, 20002, U.S.A.

Another Endorsement And The Momentum Continues

 

Dear Friends and Supporters, I'm pleased to announce that the Fraternal Order of Police: Department of Youth Rehabilitation Services Correctional Officers has endorsement my candidacy to become the next Councilmember for Ward 4! Our other endorsements include: Endorsed By: • DC Chamber of Commerce Political Action Committee •The Current Newspapers (The Northwest Current) •AFSCME (American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees) • Gertrude Stein Democratic Club •Ward 4 Education Council •GLAA (Gay and Lesbian Activists Alliance - received the highest candidate rating) •DOCPAC (District of Columbia Political Action Committee, representing the Medical Society of DC) •Prince of Petworth Our momentum continues to press forward. As of today, we've knocked on over 30,000 doors, reaching voters all across the Ward. Thank you so much for journeying with me on the campaign trail over the last months. With only four days left, I still need you! Please call our field office (202-885-9313) or stop by (6230 Georgia Avenue) to find out how you can become involved and join us on the campaign trail. Also, if you'd like me to visit your neighborhood or street, please call our field office at the number above! GET OUT THE VOTE BARBEQUE & RALLY: Please join me for our Get Out The Vote Rally and Barbeque this Saturday, April 29th, 3 – 7 PM at The Kingsbury Center – 5000 14th Street, NW. We will have plenty of food, music, and momentum to push us forward to Election Day, May 1st. If you haven't made a contribution yet, I encourage you to do so — now is the time!! Please be as generous as possible. The contribution limit is $500. Contribute Now Thank you again for all of your help. I look forward to seeing you on the campaign trail over the next few days and victory on Election Day! Bests, Michael A. Brown

Endorsed By: • DC Chamber of Commerce Political Action Committee •The Current Newspapers (The Northwest Current) •AFSCME (American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees) • Gertrude Stein Democratic Club •Ward 4 Education Council •GLAA (Gay and Lesbian Activists Alliance - received the highest candidate rating) •DOCPAC (District of Columbia Political Action Committee, representing the Medical Society of DC) •Prince of Petworth

A Few of Our Upcoming Events Please contact us for additional information (202) 558-6424

WHAT:	Meet and Greet Hosted by Dr. Mae and Arthur Paul
WHEN:	**TONIGHT** Thursday, April 26th, from 6:30-8:30PM
WHERE:	The Home of Dr. Mae and Arthur Paul Brightwood/16th Street Heights
WHAT:	Meet and Greet Hosted by Phyllis Cumberlander
WHEN:	Friday, April 27th, from 7-9PM
WHERE:	The Home of Phyllis Cumberlander Brightwood Park
WHAT:	LGBT Meet and Greet Hosted by Kurt Vorndran
WHEN:	Saturday, April 28th, from 7-9PM
WHERE:	Ledo Pizza Shepherd Park
WHAT:	Meet and Greet Hosted by the Lamounte Family
WHEN:	Sunday, April 29th, from 7-8PM
WHERE:	Ledo's Pizza & Pasta 7435 Georgia Avenue NW Shepherd Park
WHAT:	ELECTION DAY!!! VOTE!!!
WHEN:	Tuesday, May 1st, 7AM-8PM
WHERE:	All Polling Places in Ward 4 Victory Party to be held at Takoma Station Tavern after the polls close at 8PM 6914 4th St NW Takoma Park

Democrats criticize Iraq in 1st debate - Yahoo! News

Democrats criticize Iraq in 1st debate - Yahoo! News: "Democrats criticize Iraq in 1st debate " By NEDRA PICKLER, Associated Press Writer 6 minutes ago ORANGEBURG, S.C. - Democratic presidential candidates criticized President Bush over the Iraq war Thursday night in the first debate of their campaign, and urged him to reconsider his threat to veto legislation to begin withdrawing U.S. troops. "If this president does not get us out of Iraq, when I am president, I will," said Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton of New York. In the debate's opening moments, Clinton also found herself on the receiving end of criticism, when former North Carolina Sen. John Edwards said she or anyone else who voted to authorize it should "search their conscience." Edwards, in the Senate at the time, also cast his vote for the invasion, but he has since apologized for it. Of eight contenders on the debate stage at South Carolina State University, four voted earlier in the day when the Senate completed congressional action on legislation that requires the beginning of a troop withdrawal from Iraq by Oct. 1. The legislation sets a goal of a complete withdrawal of April 1, 2008. "We are one signature away from ending this war," said Sen. Barack Obama (news, bio, voting record), D-Ill. He said if Bush won't change his mind, Democrats need to work on rounding up enough Republican votes to override his veto. In addition to Clinton and Obama, Sens. Joe Biden of Delaware and Chris Dodd of Connecticut also cast votes earlier in the day in favor of the legislation.

It's time to play offense

 

	Dear Phillip, Rudy Giuliani should be ashamed. The former New York City Mayor is politicizing September 11th in his 2008 presidential bid. Here's what he said at a recent campaign stop in New Hampshire: "If a Democrat is elected president in 2008, America will be at risk for another terrorist attack on the scale of Sept. 11, 2001... Never ever again will this country ever be on defense waiting for (terrorists) to attack us if I have anything to say about it. And make no mistake, the Democrats want to put us back on defense!" I won't let this wannabe Republican nominee get away with remarks like these. Send a message to Rudy's campaign headquarters and tell him to stop politicizing 9/11: http://www.democrats.org/TellGiuliani More than anyone, Rudy should understand the offensive meaning behind his remarks. When he stood at ground zero that tragic day, there weren't any Republicans or Democrats -- only Americans. After trying to convince everyone that he was "America's Mayor," he now shows this sort of "leadership." I will not sit quietly while he takes the fallen heroes of September 11, 2001 to the campaign trail with him. It might win over the Republican Party, but it won't win over the American people. Rudy should know better. Join me and send a message to Rudy's headquarters and tell him that our country deserves better from a presidential candidate: http://www.democrats.org/TellGiuliani President Bush, not the Democratic Party, failed our country by never capturing the true culprit of the 9/11 attacks: Osama bin Laden. Now, Rudy thinks he can take a page from President Bush and Dick Cheney's playbook, using fearmongering to gin up support. The American people didn't buy this sort of garbage in the 2006 midterm elections, and they're not going to buy it in 2008. Show Rudy -- and all Americans -- that the Democratic Party won't stand for this sort of attack. We're delivering this petition personally to the Giuliani for President campaign headquarters, so give Rudy a piece of your mind. Demand an apology now: http://www.democrats.org/TellGiuliani Sincerely, Gov. Howard Dean, M.D.
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Religious group attacks religion in U.S. healthcare - Yahoo! News

Religious group attacks religion in U.S. healthcare - Yahoo! News: "Religious group attacks religion in U.S. healthcare " By Maggie Fox, Health and Science Editor Tue Apr 24, 6:11 PM ET WASHINGTON (Reuters) - A coalition of religious leaders took on the Catholic Church, the U.S. Supreme Court and the Bush administration on Tuesday with a plea to take religion out of health care in the United States. ADVERTISEMENT They said last week's Supreme Court decision outlawing a certain type of abortion demonstrated that religious belief was interfering with personal rights and the U.S. health care system in general. The group, calling itself the Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice, said it planned to submit its proposals to other church groups and lobby Congress and state legislators. "With the April 18 Supreme Court decision banning specific abortion procedures, concerns are being raised in religious communities about the ethics of denying these services," the group said in a statement. "They are imposing their points of view," Barbara Kavadias, director of field services for the Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice, told reporters in a telephone briefing. She noted that the five Supreme Court justices on the majority in the 5-4 decision were all Catholic men -- Chief Justice John Roberts, Justice Anthony Kennedy, Justice Samuel Alito, Justice Clarence Thomas and Justice Antonin Scalia. All were appointed by conservative Republican presidents who oppose abortion, including President George W. Bush. The group also complained about Catholic-owned hospitals that refuse to sterilize women who ask for it, refuse to let doctors perform abortions and do not provide contraception. "Doctors, pharmacists and nurses are also increasingly exercising a so-called 'religious or moral objection,' refusing to provide essential services and often leaving patients without other options," the group said in a statement. CODIFYING RELIGION "And now, to make it worse, the government is codifying these refusals, first through legislation and now with the recent Supreme Court decision, where five Catholic men decided that they could better determine what was moral and good than the physicians, women and families facing difficult, personal choices in problem pregnancies," it added. The group includes ordained Protestant ministers, a Jewish activist, an expert on women's reproductive rights and several physicians. "The threat comes from a few, but powerful, religions and a few ... powerful religious leaders who pretend to speak for all religions," said Larry Greenfield, executive minister of the American Baptist Churches of Metro Chicago. "Health care decisions ought to be made freely, based on medical expertise and individual conscience," he added. The group wrote up a series of guidelines and asked for all health care providers to implement them. They include allowing doctors to use best medical practices, providing comprehensive counseling on sexual or reproductive health and an agreement to honor advance directives -- including "do not resuscitate" orders. "Refusal to provide health care would be balanced by alternate service delivery so that no one would be victimized when another exercises his/her conscience," the guidelines read. Marie Hilliard of the National Catholic Bioethics Center in Philadelphia said she had grave concerns about the report. "There is no recognition of the true meaning of the separation of church and state, which mandates that the free exercise of religion, including that of the provider, be respected," she said. "What we have tried to avoid is to be coercive ourselves," Greenfield said. "We have tried to allow for the freedom of conscience of every participant in the health care system."

Save Our Selves | Live Earth | 7.7.07»Blog Archive » USA LIVE EARTH REVEALED

Save Our Selves | Live Earth | 7.7.07»Blog Archive » USA LIVE EARTH REVEALED: "USA LIVE EARTH REVEALED Tickets for the 7/7/07 Concert to Combat Global Warming Go On Sale 4/16" NEW YORK — Organizers today announced eighteen of the headliners who will perform at the U.S. leg of the 7-continent, 24-hour Live Earth concerts on 7/7/07. The concert will be held at Giants Stadium in New Jersey, Live Earth Founder and Executive Producer Kevin Wall said. Tickets for the show go on sale Monday, April 16 at 10 a.m. EDT. “Capping Live Earth with a blockbuster show like this will ensure we meet our challenge of building a mass audience to combat global warming,” Wall said. “Live Earth will be a monumental event both in terms of entertainment and in turning the tide against global warming.” The global concert on 7/7/07 will begin in Sydney and continue across all 7 continents, concluding with the U.S. show. “We hope the energy created by Live Earth will jump start a massive public education effort,” Live Earth Co-Chair Vice President Al Gore said. “Live Earth will help us reach a tipping point that’s needed to move corporations and governments to take decisive action to solve the climate crisis.” The U.S. show will feature live on stage: AFI AKON ALICIA KEYS BON JOVI DAVE MATTHEWS BAND FALL OUT BOY JOHN MAYER KANYE WEST KELLY CLARKSON KT TUNSTALL LUDACRIS MELISSA ETHERIDGE RIHANNA ROGER WATERS SHERYL CROW SMASHING PUMPKINS THE POLICE Tickets go on sale at 10 a.m. EDT on Monday, April 16 and will be available at livenation.com/liveearth or by calling Ticketmaster at (212) 307-7171. All ticket information is available at LiveEarth.MSN.com. All proceeds will benefit the Alliance for Climate Protection and other international NGOs. Live Earth is a monumental music event that will bring together more than 2 billion people to combat the climate crisis. Live Earth’s 24 hours of music across 7 continents will deliver a call to action and the solutions needed to answer the call. Live Earth marks the beginning of a multi-year campaign led by The Alliance for Climate Protection to move individuals, corporations and governments to take action. Earlier today, Wall announced that the following artists will perform at the London leg of Live Earth at Wembley Stadium: BEASTIE BOYS BLACK EYED PEAS BLOC PARTY CORINNE BAILEY RAE DAMIEN RICE DAVID GRAY DURAN DURAN FOO FIGHTERS GENESIS JAMES BLUNT JOHN LEGEND KEANE MADONNA PAOLO NUTINI RAZORLIGHT RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS SNOW PATROL Exclusive online media partner MSN is helping Live Earth reach people in every corner of the globe. The concerts will be streamed live on 7/7/07 at LiveEarth.MSN.com. MSN’s 39 localized web portals worldwide attract 465 million monthly users. The concerts will be broadcast on the NBC in the U.S. and on more than 120 networks around the world. Wall also announced that smart car, Stonyfield Farm and Pepsi have joined Live Earth as corporate partners. In addition to working with Live Earth to create corporate efforts to combat global warming, this growing list of partners will help ensure a mass audience for Live Earth is reached. These efforts will be detailed at a later date. Wall also announced today that Live Earth will stage concerts at Sydney’s Aussie Stadium; Rio de Janeiro’s Copacabana Beach; Johannesburg’s Cradle of Human Kind; Tokyo’s Tokyo Stadium and in Shanghai, TBD. Live Earth is produced by Control Room, of which Kevin Wall is the CEO. Control Room has produced and distributed more than 60 concerts since its founding in 2005 featuring Beyonce, Madonna, Green Day and the Rolling Stones, among others.

FairVote - Newsletter

FairVote - Newsletter: "Maryland Gov. Signs National Popular Vote Bill & Civics Curriculum FairVote Joins D.C. Voting Rights Rally & More!" On Tuesday, April 10th - Maryland Governor Martin O'Malley signed the historic National Popular Vote plan into law. Through the efforts of FairVote Action's Ryan O'Donnell and National Popular Vote, Maryland is now the first state to join the interstate compact to elect the president by a national popular vote. Maryland's passage comes on the heels of passage of the NPV plan in both chambers of the Hawaii legislature, where it now awaits the Governor's approval. The bill has picked up new editorial endorsements, with the Denver Post (CO), Westport News (CT) and Anderson Herald Bulletin (IN) joining past endorsers such as the New York Times, Los Angeles Times and Chicago Sun Times. The National Popular Vote plan unites states through an interstate compact to award all of their electoral votes to the presidential candidate receiving the most popular votes nationwide (in all 50 states and the District of Columbia). The National Popular Vote plan would take effect only when the plan has been enacted by states collectively possessing at least a majority of the electoral votes that is 270 of the 538 electoral votes. Developed by National Popular Vote, this plan would ensure an equally meaningful vote for Americans in all states, not just "battlegrounds" like Florida and Ohio, by having states use their constitutional powers to guarantee election of the national popular vote winner in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. It would provide equality to a system that now divides the nation into a declining number of swing states where votes matter and spectator states where the population is completely ignored by presidential campaigns and their backers. [Washington Post Coverage of MD's NPV Victory] [FairVote Action's National Popular Vote Site] [National Popular Vote Coalition] [Hendrik Hertzberg's New Yorker Commentary] Other FairVote Developments! Right to Vote Action: Please join DC Vote, FairVote, District of Columbia Mayor Adrian Fenty, the DC Government and the Shadow Delegation at a historic Voting Rights March. The event will begin April 16th at 2:30 pm, beginning at Freedom Plaza and ending at Capitol Hill. [March Information] Youth Registration Victory: Also on the list of Maryland wins, Governor O'Malley recently signed into law a FairVote-backed bill to establish Constitution Day in Maryland to teach all students about civic participation, with a voter registration component. Read more about FairVote's Maryland initiative on youth voter registration and civic education. [More Information on Youth Registration] Support for Proportional Voting & IRV: Lastly, California Assembly Members Gene Mullin and Mark Leno have introduced AB 1294 to allow all local jurisdictions (cities, counties, and districts) to use choice voting and instant runoff voting to elect their representatives. With the effort being strongly pushed by Californians for Electoral Reform and backed by FairVote, a wide range of groups have endorsed the legislation: Californians for Electoral Reform California Common Cause FairVote New America Foundation CALPIRG California League of Women Voters League of California Cities Democracy for America Latinos for America Asian Americans for Civil Rights and Equality San Mateo County Chief Elections Official Warren Slocum Yolo County Registrar of Voters Freddie Oakley Santa Monica Council President Kevin McKeown [Visit Californians for Electoral Reform's AB 1294 Action Page] Rob Richie lecture in North Carolina FairVote Director Rob Richie gives the annual Abe Holzman lecture at North Carolina State on Monday April 16th. [Event Information] --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Fw: Continue Progress

----- Original Message -----
From: "Al Gore" <update@algore2000.com>
To: <pkq66@erols.com>
Sent: Tuesday, September 26, 2000 2:34 PM
Subject: Continue Progress

> Dear Friends,
>
> Joe Lieberman and I want to thank you for all your hard work and
> support these past months. Because of your help, we are in great
> shape to win a big victory this fall - not just for ourselves, but
> for the hard-working families that are our shared cause.
>
> Everywhere I go in America, I see the excitement in the crowds; I
> can feel the enthusiasm. People agree with us on the issues.
> They want to make sure that our prosperity touches all families,
> not just the few. They want to support parents, and strengthen
> families. They want to invest in education, health care, middle
> class tax cuts, and a secure retirement. And the families of
> America won't go along with a huge tax cut that will give the most
> to the least, and wreck our economy in the process.
>
> We have made great progress. But the race is tight, and it will be
> a hard-fought battle right up until the Election Day. The other
> side and their special interest friends - the HMO's, the big
> drug companies, the oil companies - are pouring millions of dollars
> into television ads to distort and attack our plans. These attacks
> can't go unanswered. We need to make sure the American people
> know the truth about where we stand. So I need your continued
> hard work and your continued help. I ask you to please help our
> cause by making a generous contribution to our campaign today
> at https://gelac.algore2000.com/gelac.html
>
> These next six weeks are critical, not just for this campaign,
> but for what kind of America we are going to leave to our children
> and grandchildren. Joe and I know that with you at our side, we
> can make the better America we all seek.
>
> Thank you,
>
> Al Gore
>
> ____________________________________________________________________
>
> To unsubscribe from Gore-Lieberman Mail, please send a blank message to:
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> ____________________________________________________________________
>
>
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> TTY (For the hearing-impaired) 615-340-3260
>
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>
> Paid for by Gore/Lieberman GELAC.
>
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>

The Daily Times - www.delmarvanow.com - Salisbury, Md.

The Daily Times - www.delmarvanow.com - Salisbury, Md.: "Clinton taps Mikulski to help lead presidential campaign By The Associated Press " WASHINGTON — Hillary Clinton is looking to another trailblazing woman in politics to help her become the nation’s first female president. Clinton’s campaign announced Tuesday that Sen. Barbara Mikulski, D-Md., will be co-chair of Clinton’s presidential bid. Mikulski, who joins former Iowa Gov. Tom Vilsack on Clinton’s campaign, is the first woman Democrat in the Senate to be elected in her own right, not as a relative of a male politician. In a statement, Mikulski said she hoped to help Clinton break the “last public barrier for women in public life,” the presidency. Mikulski’s duties include speaking on behalf of Clinton and helping with campaign strategy. Mikulski has been in the Senate since 1987. In a statement, Clinton said Mikulski “paved the way for me and countless other women who now serve in the Congress.”

Ban Strains Against Limits of His Power as Chief of Weakened UN - Yahoo! News

Ban Strains Against Limits of His Power as Chief of Weakened UN - Yahoo! News: "Ban Strains Against Limits of His Power as Chief of Weakened UN " He was only half-kidding. When he took office as secretary- general on Jan. 1, Ban traded a leadership post in South Korea, the world's 12th largest economy, for limited power to resolve conflicts in the Middle East and Africa and bring discipline to a weakened UN. He had ``much more authority'' as South Korea's foreign minister, Ban said in an interview in his New York office. ``The UN has been underappreciated, perceived ineffective and inefficient. That is what I am trying to overcome.'' Ban, 62, is struggling to fill the role of world diplomat. He hasn't yet gained the confidence of the major powers or a UN membership that, while divided over many issues, is united in its distrust of the secretary-general's office. Predecessor Kofi Annan, 69, handed Ban an organization stained by mismanagement, waste and fraud, whose troops and aid workers are under increasing attack. At the same time, rich and poor nations have split over how to address the world body's problems, and members are reluctant to give the secretary- general greater power to reshape the UN bureaucracy. The Stakes The stakes are high for the UN's ability to confront war and privation. Ban said he's responsible for ``everything,'' from ending the violence and refugee crisis in Sudan's Darfur region to managing a record 100,000 peacekeeping troops in Africa and Asia and delivering disaster relief. After 100 days in office, Ban's record so far is mixed at best, according to diplomats and observers. Some of the powerful nations that helped him land his new job have resisted his early steps, in part because they weren't consulted ahead of time. Britain questioned his first appointments of aides. China opposed a proposal to alter the organization of UN peacekeeping operations. Russia complained that Ban was trying to undercut nuclear-disarmament monitoring. ``He's not a big player yet,'' said Steven Cook, Middle East analyst for the Council on Foreign Relations in New York. ``Expectations were rightly lowered when he went to the Middle East last month because he doesn't have a real feel for the region. It was mostly a learning experience.''

Russia to bury former President Yeltsin - Yahoo! News UK

Russia to bury former President Yeltsin - Yahoo! News UK: "Russia to bury former President Yeltsin" By Christian Lowe Reuters - Wednesday, April 25MOSCOW (Reuters) - Russia will bury former President Boris Yeltsin on Wednesday and observe a day of national mourning for the man who dismantled the Soviet Union and led Russia in its first chaotic years of independence. (Advertisement) In a break with the past that fitted Yeltsin's maverick style, he was to be buried not alongside previous Kremlin leaders on Red Square but at the capital's Novodevichye cemetery near to composer Dmitry Shostakovich and writer Anton Chekhov. Former U.S. President Bill Clinton -- who forged a close personal relationship with Yeltsin in the 1990s -- was to attend the funeral, along with about a dozen former and serving heads of state and senior foreign officials. The funeral service was to be held around midday (0800 GMT) at the cathedral of Christ the Saviour, a church blown up by Soviet dictator Josef Stalin and rebuilt under Yeltsin in a potent symbol of Russia's rebirth. Yeltsin died from heart failure on Monday at the age of 76. Vladimir Putin ordered a state funeral for the former president.

In a Clinton administration, what would Bill do? - CNN.com

In a Clinton administration, what would Bill do? - CNN.com: "In a Clinton administration, what would Bill do? POSTED: 9:13 a.m. EDT, April 24, 2007 " By Bill Schneider CNN Senior Political Analyst Adjust font size: WASHINGTON (CNN) -- We're in an unprecedented situation. It's not just that Hillary Clinton would be the first woman president if elected, she would also be the first president married to a former president. Which leads to the question: What will Bill Clinton do if Sen. Hillary Clinton becomes commander in chief? "People ask me all the time, well, if you're elected, can you make him secretary of state?" the New York senator said. "And I tell them, since President Kennedy and Robert Kennedy, I think that's illegal." Voters expect a president to be his or her own person. That's one reason vice presidents like Hubert Humphrey, Walter Mondale, Dan Quayle and Al Gore often have trouble winning the presidency on their own. The Clintons seem to be aware of the problem. "She'll be the president," Bill Clinton said on "Larry King Live" last week. "She'll make the decisions. But if I can help, I will." Do voters want the former president to help? Apparently, they do. By two to one, voters think Bill Clinton would be an asset, not a liability, if his wife becomes president, according to a CNN/Opinion Research Corporation poll conducted April 10-12. But the question is, what would he do? "I sure can make him ambassador to the world, because we have a lot of work to do to get our country back in the standing it should be," she said. On Saturday, Sen. Clinton said, "I can't think of a better cheerleader for America than Bill Clinton." Why do we need a cheerleader? Because friendship with other countries is as crucial in the war on terror as it used to be in the Cold War. The Clintons want to have it both ways. The former president will be there as an adviser. "I've had a lot of experience and I can help her," he said. But he won't be there to run things. "I'd like to continue my foundation work around the world," he said. The rest of the world may miss Bill Clinton, but do Americans? Increasingly, they do. As President Bush's numbers have gone down, Bill Clinton's have gone up -- to the point where a majority of Americans now say they miss him.

cbs2.com - Gore Team Told To 'Stand By' For Presidential Run

cbs2.com - Gore Team Told To 'Stand By' For Presidential Run: "Gore Team Told To 'Stand By' For Presidential Run Slideshow: 2008 Presidential Hopefuls (CBS) WASHINGTON The more time that passes, the more it seems that former vice president Al Gore may indeed run for the White House next year, reports Doug Ware of CBS station KUTV-TV in Salt Lake City." “I was asked whether I would be available towards the end of the year if I am needed,” one of Gore’s former campaign workers reportedly said. “They know he has not ruled out running and if he decides to jump in, he will have to move very fast.” Gore has repeatedly said in the past that he has no plans and no intention of running for president again. But in politics, that particular language is ambiguous - meaning that it doesn’t fully rule out a bid.

Reply from Congressman Van Hollen

 

Dear Friend:

Thank you for contacting me to express your support for Congressional representation for the District of Columbia . I appreciate hearing from you on this important matter.

There simply is no excuse not to allow the hundreds of thousands of District residents the right to have equal representation in the United States Congress. They are citizens in every way. They pay the same federal taxes as anyone else, can serve in the armed forces, and are subject to the same laws of the land.

I support full voting rights for the people of the District of Columbia . You will be pleased to know that the House passed the District of Columbia House Voting Rights Act of 2007 (H.R. 1905) by a vote of 241-177 on April 19, 2007 . I voted for this legislation, which would give the District of Columbia a full vote in the House. It is the culmination of years of negotiations to ensure the legislation would not provide an advantage to either political party and would have a good chance of passage. H.R. 1905 now awaits action in the Senate. I will continue to work with my colleagues to see that this legislation is enacted so that residents of the District of Columbia can have a voting representative in the House.

Again, I appreciate knowing your views and your taking the time to share them with me. Please let me know whenever I may be of service to you.

Sincerely,
Chris Van Hollen
Member of Congress


P.S. Please visit my website at www.house.gov/vanhollen. While there, you can sign up for my e-mail newsletter, view press releases and statements, see what legislation I have sponsored or co-sponsored and receive information on the various constituent services provided by my office.  

Earth Day

 

 

		Dear Phillip, A quick note from me to you on this Earth Day -- a day on, not a day off as they say. Earth Day brought me into activism in the first place -- and I still find it empowering because it's not a day for the politicians, it's a day that began to pressure the politicians -- a day that was built from the ground up. Teresa and I are in Boston and Austin today telling the stories of everyday community activists from the book we wrote -- but working for a better environment isn't just about public events or one holiday on the calendar. Saving the environment also involves the everyday choices we all make. At the end of our new book, This Moment on Earth, Teresa and I listed some things all of us can do in our lives to help the environment, direct action that can improve the Earth's health. Here, on this Earth Day, I wanted to share these: Keep your car in good condition: Get your engine tuned up regularly, change the oil, and keep your tires properly inflated -- proper maintenance can increase your car's fuel efficiency by 10 percent and reduce emissions. Switch to compact fluorescent bulbs: Change the three bulbs you use most in your house to compact fluorescents. Each compact fluorescent will keep half a ton of carbon dioxide out of the air over its lifetime. And while they may be slightly more expensive than the incandescent bulbs you're used to using, compact fluorescents last ten times as long and can save $30 per year in electricity costs. Buy energy efficient products: When buying new appliances or electronics, shop for the highest energy-efficiency rating. Look for the yellow and black Energy Guide label on the product. According to the EPA, the typical American household can save about $400 per year in energy bills with products that carry the Energy Star label as the most efficient in its class. Turn off lights and other electrical appliances such as televisions and radios when you're not using them: This is a very simple step, but it's surprising how many times we forget. Install automatic timers for lights that people in your house frequently forget to flick off when leaving a room. Use dimmers when you can. Choose PVC-free building products: this can reduce the exposure of your family to toxins in your home environment. Steer clear of vinyl windows and doors and choose wood instead. Adhesives, caulk, grout, and sealants may also contain phthalates. You can check for phthalate ingredients in these products using the National Institutes of Health's Household Products Database: www.householdproducts.nlm.nih.gov. Choose toys carefully: this is another important step to reduce your children's exposure to toxins. Look for toys and feeding products for babies and young children that are labeled "PVC free." Have a great Earth Day! Sincerely, John Kerry Paid for by John Kerry for Senate.

We apologize if you received this message in error. Click here to unsubscribe from our mailing list. Click here to change your current email address. John Kerry for Senate, 511 C St. NE, Washington DC, 20002, U.S.A.