Your Fight the Right Activist links for June 5, 2008

** True Majority **
You might have heard that the Supreme Court of California ruled that marriage is a fundamental civil right and must not be restricted on the basis of sexual orientation. Now, on June 17th, California is poised to become only the second state in America to practice full marriage equality. Over the past decade the public has rapidly been embracing equal rights and with this clear ruling we finally have an opportunity to put equality over the top.

Now we're coming out. We support full marriage equality.

We all have our own issues: budget priorities, labor rights, reproductive rights, election integrity, telecom immunity, anti-war, pro civil rights, this list goes on and on. But, this is bigger than that. Marriage equality comes down to human rights. That's why we're circulating this open letter for all progressives to take a second to step back from our respective corners and come out in support of same sex marriage.

Sign this open letter for equality today:
www.TrueMajority.org/Equality
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** Public Citizen **
When scientific research is altered or suppressed, government contractors waste millions of taxpayer dollars, or national security documents are falsified, witnesses need to know that they can blow the whistle without reprisals endangering their careers and their lives.

Last year, strong whistleblower protection bills were passed in both houses of Congress. Now it's time for Congress to finish the job by passing a final bill.

We will continue to push for strongest possible protections for government employees who blow the whistle on waste, fraud and abuse -- and you can still make a difference.

TAKE ACTION: Demand that Congress pass the strongest possible bill for consumers!
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** VoteVets **
Yesterday, along with officials from Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW) and two Iraq and Afghanistan veterans who are battling the Department of Veterans Affairs for their disability claims, I attended a hearing and press conference with the Senate Committee on Veterans Affairs, on issues regarding PTSD diagnosis and claims.

All of this came about because of the work VoteVets.org and CREW did, to expose an email from a Temple, Texas VA administrator urging psychologists to diagnose veterans with "adjustment disorder" over PTSD, as a cost-cutting measure.

Now, we need the Inspector General to expand its investigation into VA procedure, specifically focusing on how we treat those with mental injuries, including how they are diagnosed, why so many are having claims issues, and a pay bonus program that rewards administrators who quickly move veterans from VA care. You cannot imagine the number of stories I have heard, and others have heard, about veterans not getting the proper diagnosis. Even when they do get it, they have far too many problems getting their just disability payment.

SIGN OUR PETITION TO THE INSPECTOR GENERAL OF THE VA HERE.
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** Food and Water Watch **
The Chinese government and some big agribusiness players want to export processed chicken from China to the U.S. However, the Chinese food safety system doesn't have the best track record. In the past year alone, American consumers have been exposed to dangerous imports ranging from deadly pet food and blood thinners, to toxic toys and fish. Now is not the time to add chicken to the list of imported products from China.

Now is not the time to allow more food from China. Tell Congress to say "No thanks!"
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** ACLU **
At the prison at Guantánamo Bay, convictions can be based on evidence derived from torture, hearsay and secret evidence. Many of the accused have been held in secret prisons, denied access to lawyers for years and even tortured.

The Guantánamo military commissions are a serious mistake. It's time to shut down Guantánamo Bay, and move proceedings to a civilian court of law or a traditional military court operating in accordance with the Uniform Code of Military Justice where constitutional guarantees apply.

We must also end indefinite detention without charge. Detainees who are not charged or convicted must be sent to countries where they will not be tortured or abused.
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