Stop Religious Extremists behind Prop 8

** Courage Campaign **

"Anti-family rioting."

That is how the religious extremists behind Prop 8 are characterizing the protests that have spread across California in the aftermath of Tuesday's passage of the ballot measure that eliminated the right of same-sex couples to marry.

I was at the heart of one of these amazing marches in Los Angeles on Wednesday night. And it was anything but "anti-family rioting."

It was history in the making -- thousands of passionate Americans spontaneously speaking out against enshrining discrimination into the California state constitution.

We are witnessing the birth of a new Marriage Equality Movement -- the civil rights movement of the 21st Century. Organized from the bottom-up by thousands of ordinary people just like you in the last 48 hours, this people-powered phenomenon is exponentially growing by the minute, online and offline.

You are at ground zero in this movement. And we need to take it to the next level -- a new initiative campaign to repeal Prop 8 and restore marriage equality to California. Please pledge your support now to repeal Prop 8 -- then forward this message to your friends:
http://www.couragecampaign.org/RepealProp8

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** CREDO Action **
On Election Night, progressive Californians had a lot to be thankful for and a lot to be proud of - but we also lost a hugely important fight: the fight to defeat Prop. 8.

Prop. 8 is a stinging blow to every person who believes in equal rights - we're angry, we're frustrated, and we're upset. We feel betrayed by our fellow Californians. An overwhelming majority of California voters (6,313,674) cast a ballot to mandate better treatment for farm animals. Only a minority of California voters (4,932,086) stood up for equal marriage rights. That hurts.

But we don't have to accept defeat. We can start taking action to fight Prop. 8, and eventually to repeal it all together.

Sign this pledge today to join the fight. At stake is nothing less than the foundation of our democracy: equal rights under the law

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** Mormons Stole Our Rights **
http://www.mormonsstoleourrights.com/

No Tax Exemption for Political "Churches"

Sign this petition to support the legal effort to amend our tax laws such that the Mormon Church, and other transgressing churches, would lose tax-exempt status if they continue lobbying for state propositions.

We intend to share this list with the ACLU, Lambda Legal, and other official legal organizations that will be pressing forward with this effort. Anyone can sign this petition.

Nov 01, 2008 -- Fight the Right-Wing Wackos Links of the Day.

** Jobs with Justice **
Since old and senile John McCain denounced ACORN during the last presidential debate and FOX News began accusing them of criminal activity hundreds – HUNDREDS – of times, ACORN staffers have received death threats in Ohio and Rhode Island. Offices in Washington and Massachusetts have been vandalized. Numerous threatening and racist phone calls have been made to ACORN offices across the country. This, when just two years ago John McCain himself stood in solidarity with ACORN, saying of ACORN's members, "they are what makes America special."

McCain's attacks have to stop. They are wrong. These vicious attacks against ACORN threaten the work that ALL community organizations do, and the results for the hundreds of thousands of people that organizations like ours work with will be disastrous. We will have to suffer the consequences - to ACORN, to the communities in which we work, to our democracy - long after the election is over.

It will take millions of people to shut down the assault and stop the lies. Our friends at Brave New films have made a fantastic video about ACORN, debunking the outrageous lies and more to help.

Please take a moment and add your name to our open letter to the McCain campaign, asking him to just stop. See the letter, and then add your name by completing the form. THANK YOU.

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** Food and Water Watch **
The US Department of Agriculture is considering a petition to allow genetically engineered papaya trees to be commercially grown and sold in Florida. This would be the first time this genetically engineered crop would be grown commercially in the mainland United States. If the agency approves this petition, it would remove all regulatory oversight of this type of genetically engineered tree.

Tell the USDA that consumers don’t want Genetically Engineered papayas!

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** Credo Action **
Here at CREDO, we're paying close attention to potential voter suppression issues that could affect voters around the country. Today, we're writing to let you know about a problem in New Mexico that could lead to voters being disenfranchised.

The problem: Private investigators have been showing up at the doors of poor and Latino voters - asking them intimidating questions, insinuating that they don't have the right to vote.

Who's affected: New Mexican voters in good standing who have every right to go vote on Election Day - but who may not show up at the polls if they've been frightened in their own homes.

The solution:

1. E-mail Attorney General Mukasey - the Department of Justice is charged with stopping voter suppression and protecting every American's right to vote. A spokesman for the DOJ's civil rights division has said that they are "looking into" this problem, but that's not good enough. We need a serious investigation worthy of these insidious tactics.

2. Pass this site on to every New Mexico voter you know - with only days left till the election, we need to make sure that as many New Mexico voters as possible are educated about this problem so that if intimidators show up at their homes, they'll know the right thing to do: Shut the doors in their faces.

Tell the Department of Justice: Investigate voter intimidation in New Mexico.

Sept 08, 2008 -- Fight the Right-Wing Wackos Links of the Day.

** VoteVets.Org **
One the most disturbing developments we at VoteVets.org have seen this week are media outlets reporting details regarding the deployment of Track Palin to Iraq, Governor Sarah Palin’s son (and don't forget she's also a bad mother of pregnant 17yr old girl.) In a number of outlets, the details of when and where Track will be in Iraq have been reported. This isn’t just a violation of Operational Security (OPSEC), it puts the lives of every troop around him in danger.

It’s time for the Department of Defense to investigate who is leaking these details to the media. And, we need you to co-sign our letter to the Pentagon to get an investigation underway.

We’re all proud of every child of a politician who is serving in uniform – Democrat and Republican. And, their parents deserve to be proud. That’s not the point.

When someone chooses to bolster that story by leaking classified details to the media, it allows the enemy to gain valuable information that allows them to strike at a symbolic target of importance – and all the troops around that target. It’s dangerous, it’s illegal, and it needs to be investigated.

CO-SIGN OUR LETTER DEMANDING AN INVESTIGATION HERE
http://ga3.org/campaign/track/

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** Food and Water Watch **
In another example of the FDA prioritizing industry interests over consumer safety, the agency recently announced that it will allow fresh spinach and iceberg lettuce to be treated with ionizing radiation. What's worse, consumers may find it impossible to avoid irradiated greens if the FDA also succeeds in eliminating labeling requirements.

Ask Congress to step in and protect consumers.
http://action.foodandwaterwatch.org/t/5915/campaign.jsp?campaign_KEY=25421

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** Credo Action **
In her acceptance speech at the Republican National Convention, Vice Presidential nominee, Alaska Governor, and bad mother of pregnant 17yr old daughter, Sarah Palin said, "I guess a small-town mayor is sort of like a `community organizer,' except that you have actual responsibilities."


Nominally, her words were an assault on Barack Obama's early career as a community organizer on Chicago's south side. But the impact reaches farther than that and is a direct affront to the thousands who have dedicated their lives to making America great.

Community organizing is the heart and soul of American democracy. We are privileged to live in a country where people with the energy and passion to dream of a better world can put in the sweat and shoe leather to build social movements from the ground up. Indeed, if it weren't for the sacrifice of organizers, we wouldn't have many of the opportunities we take for granted today — from the 40-hour work week and the minimum wage to protections for a woman's right to choose and the right of African Americans to vote.

Tell Governor Palin to quit bashing community organizers.
http://act.credoaction.com/campaign/community_organizers/

Stand up for Community Organizing!

** Credo Action **

In her acceptance speech last night at the Republican National Convention, Vice Presidential nominee and Alaska Governor Sarah Palin said, "I guess a small-town mayor is sort of like a `community organizer,' except that you have actual responsibilities."

Nominally, her words were an assault on Barack Obama's early career as a community organizer on Chicago's south side. But the impact reaches farther than that and is a direct affront to the thousands who have dedicated their lives to making America great.

Community organizing is the heart and soul of American democracy. We are privileged to live in a country where people with the energy and passion to dream of a better world can put in the sweat and shoe leather to build social movements from the ground up. Indeed, if it weren't for the sacrifice of organizers, we wouldn't have many of the opportunities we take for granted today -- from the 40-hour work week and the minimum wage to protections for a woman's right to choose and the right of African Americans to vote.

In fact, Sarah Palin would never have been able to take the stage as the nominee at a national political convention if it weren't for community organizers of the past who dreamed of, fought for, and won the right of women's suffrage.

Americans dedicate themselves to public service in many ways, and everyone who gives of themselves for the betterment of our nation -- from small-town mayors to community organizers -- should be recognized and honored for their valuable contribution.

Tell Governor Palin to apologize for her remarks regarding community organizers.

http://act.credoaction.com/campaign/community_organizers/?r_by=807-982800-GY6HNux&rc=paste

Amy Goodman Arrested at RNC

** Credo Action **

Pigs at the RNC "convention" seem to emulate non-democratic countries.

Jailing journalists is unacceptable in a democracy. But that's exactly what is happening at the Republican National Convention in St. Paul, Minn.

Award winning journalist and host of "Democracy Now" Amy Goodman was arrested by St. Paul police while covering a protest outside the Republican National Convention. Though clearly identified as press, Goodman was charged with "obstruction of a legal process and interference with a 'peace officer.'" Two of her producers were arrested for "suspicion of felony riot."



The Constitution is being trampled at the Republican National Convention in St. Paul, where journalists are being violently arrested and jailed for trying to do their jobs. This is worse than un-American, yet your network has stayed virtually silent on the story. As a viewer and citizen, I demand that you include this story in your election coverage. The public has a right to know this shocking and important news.

Send an e-mail right now.
http://act.credoaction.com/campaign/dont_arrest_journalists/

Your Fight the Right-Wing Wackos Activist links for May 15, 2008

** Greenpeace USA **
We've said for a long time that Japan's so-called research program is actually commercial whaling in a flimsy disguise. But today, we have the evidence in our hands.

After a four-month long undercover investigation, Greenpeace exposed evidence of widespread embezzlement of whale meat occurring right under the noses of the public officials who run the whaling program.

The best cuts of whale meat, used to make whale bacon, are smuggled into crew cabins, preserved in salt, and then shipped home in boxes marked "cardboard" or "salted stuff" to be sold on the black market. Greenpeace intercepted one such box -- worth up to $3,000.

Greenpeace has evidence that more than a ton of whale meat was snuck from the whaling ship this year alone. One of our sources claims to have heard a crew member boast of building a house on the proceeds from his illegal take.

And, after all of this, we're still supposed to believe that the hunt is all in the name of scientific research to help the whales? Come on! Nobody is buying that line anymore.

Now is the time to rock the boat in Japan. The whaling program has been an embarrassment to Japan's Foreign Affairs department all year. Your letters helped cancel the humpback hunt - and now in the spotlight of this scandal, it's time to cancel the rest.

Take action and send a message to the Prime Minister asking him to end whaling for good! We need your help to put an end to "research" whaling once and for all.
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** Democracy For America **
Republicans can't win elections based on their failed philosophies, so, they've latched onto a new plan: make it as hard and expensive as possible for people to exercise their constitutionally protected right to vote.

Since the Supreme Court decided two weeks ago to uphold a draconian law in Indiana that requires citizens show a government issued photo ID to vote, Republican legislatures across the country have started moving fast to pass their own version of this horrible law.

And just like the poll taxes and literacy tests of the past, Republicans hide their real purpose under the banner of preventing possible voter fraud. But these laws are really about stopping senior citizen, low income, and newly registered Americans from voting. Why? Because they typically vote for Democrats.

We must stand together and protect every American's right to vote. SIGN THE PETITION NOW!
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** LiUNA **
The U.S. House/Senate Farm Bill Conference Committee has agreed on a final version of a bill to reauthorize the nation's farm policy. In addition to its critical importance to our nation's farmers, the Farm Bill would provide needed federal loan guarantees to help expand the renewable fuels industry, creating thousands of construction jobs with family-supporting prevailing wage protections.

The full House and Senate will soon vote on the bipartisan conference agreement, which President Bush has threatened to veto.

Fight to build America so America works - tell your Senators and Representatives to pass the final conference agreement on our nation's farm policy with a veto-proof two thirds majority in both Houses of Congress.

Send a message to your members of Congress telling them to expand our country's renewable fuels industry and create thousands of good construction jobs by passing the Farm Bill.
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** Credo Action **
Earlier this year the House of Representatives—thanks in large part to pressure from the grassroots and the netroots—stood strong and refused to pass the Senate version of "FISA reform." That legislation, you'll recall, would have granted retroactive immunity to the Bush administration and the telecom companies that reportedly helped him eavesdrop on Americans without legally-required warrants.

Now, however, our allies on the Hill are telling us that high-ranking members in the House are working behind closed doors with the Bush administration and conservatives in Congress to negotiate a compromise bill -- a bill that will give the administration practically everything they've asked for.

Click here to tell Speaker Pelosi: no compromises on illegal wiretapping.
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Your Fight the Right Activist links for May 11, 2008

** Amnesty International USA **
Please ask the phony government of Myanmar to ensure delivery of international aid in the aftermath of Cyclone Nargis.

Send an e-mail to the assholes in charge of the government of Myanmar to ensure that humanitarian aid is distributed to the victims of Cyclone Nargis and that they cooperate with international relief efforts.
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** Defenders of Wildlife **
Ship strikes are taking their toll on the North Atlantic right whale as these gentle giants migrate through busy shipping lanes on the eastern seaboard. But the Bush/Cheney Administration refuses to intervene -- choosing instead to do nothing as these marine mammals continue to move toward extinction.

But there’s new hope in the Senate as legislation introduced by Sens. John Kerry and Olympia Snowe makes its way through Congress.

Tell your Senators to support The Ship Strike Reduction Act of 2008 (S. 2657) -- vital legislation to protect right whales.
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** Credo Action **
In this very important election year, will a small handful of companies gain even more control over what we see, hear and read every day?

Click here to tell your senators and Majority Leader Reid to reverse the FCC's recent decision to allow greater media consolidation.
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** Oxfam America **
Faced with a global food crisis, Congress has a major opportunity to provide desperately needed funding to help those facing increased hunger due to high food prices. Congress is in final negotiations on the farm bill right now and this legislation could help address the crisis. Currently farmers making $1 million a year receive support from the farm bill, but the poor affected by the food crisis do not. Does that sound right to you?

Tell Congress to shift funds from wasteful subsides for wealthy farmers and help address the unprecedented challenge of skyrocketing food prices.

Your 5 Minute Activist Links for April 30, 2008

** Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance **
On April 9, Senator Bob Bennett (R-UT) introduced S. 2834, the Washington County Growth and Conservation Act of 2008. While in some ways this bill is better than Senator Bennett's 2006 version, which you helped to defeat, it still contains some of the same damaging provisions for southwestern Utah that would perpetuate bad precedents for all future public lands bills.

Once again we need your help! Please let your Senators know that S. 2834 is bad for Utah wilderness!
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** Gay Men's Health Crisis **
Once a year, hundreds of AIDS activists travel to Washington D.C. for the nation's largest advocacy event for HIV/AIDS: AIDS Watch. People living with HIV/AIDS, their families, friends, health care providers and AIDS activists meet with members of Congress to demand a solid federal commitment to AIDS programs.

You can participate, too! Send a message to your members of Congress asking them to support AIDS programs that work. Tell Congress to support AIDS programs that work.
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** Human Rights First **
Last week, African dock workers, trade unionists, human rights activists, and religious leaders joined together to stop the delivery of weapons from China to Zimbabwe.

As dock workers refused to unload the arms – China was forced to recall the ship carrying them because no country was willing to receive it.

This heroic stand by the people in southern Africa — they weren't going to allow arms into a country that planned to use them against its own people — sent a strong message to China that their weapons are not always welcome. Countries of the world, including the U.S., had no choice but to join the people and repudiate the arms shipment. And China had no choice but to yield to international pressure by recalling the ship.

We have seen what is possible when the people take action — leaders will follow. We need to do the same thing for Chinese arms going to Sudan.

In Zimbabwe, Chinese weapons are used by government forces to crush political opposition by terror. In Sudan, Chinese arms are used to kill civilians and destroy lives in Darfur.

Join us in telling the U.S. government to do for Sudan what they did for Zimbabwe: call on Beijing to halt arms sales to Sudan.
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** CREDO Action **
Old and senile McCain is blocking a vote on legislation to address widespread gender-based pay inequity because he thinks women only need more "education and training" instead of full equality under the law. We disagree, and so do our partners at CREDO Mobile.

Please sign CREDO's petition to urge old and senile McCain to quit making sexist statements and stop blocking a vote on fair pay for women.

Your 5 Minute Activist Links for April 4, 2008

** Center for Biological Diversity **

One-third of America's national forests are protected from road-building and other industrial development by the Roadless Area Conservation Rule -- but now the administration is working state-by-state to open these treasured places to logging, mining and other development. As it gets ready to head out the door, the Bush government seems intent on handing the keys to our national forests over to the timber and mining industries. Without your help, their future is at risk. The Forest Service needs to hear from you by Monday, April 7th.


** Labour Start **
It has been nearly a month since the murder of Leonidas Gomez Rozo, a leader of the National Union of Bank Workers of Colombia.
His murder in early March was one of several violent attacks against trade unionists in that country.
Today we've been asked by UNI Global Union -- a global union federation to which Rozo's union was affiliated -- to flood Colombian embassies around the world with messages of protest next week.

** Credo Action **
This week the Chinese government called the Dalai Lama a "wolf in monk's robes" and his followers the "scum of Buddhism." It's just the latest outrage as China continues its brutal crackdown on courageous Tibetans who are demonstrating for greater political autonomy.
Let's all tell the Chinese government to end its violent crackdown in Tibet. Sign our petition here.

** Defenders of Wildlife **
Bison once numbered in the tens of millions across the Great Plains until a wholesale slaughter nearly wiped them out.
Now some of America's last free-roaming wild bison are being slaughtered on a scale not seen since the 1800s. And hundreds more could to be killed.
Take action now! Write the Montana Promotion Division -- the state's tourism officials -- and speak out for sensible wildlife management of these American icons!

** The Real McCain **
Old and Senile McCain still has not shown the backbone to be President and has turned his back on veterans. Why won't old and senile McCain sign on to the the New GI Bill?

Your 5 Minute Activist Links for March 27, 2008

** Credo Action **

For five decades, the Tibetan people have suffered greatly under China's brutal rule. The Chinese government has swamped Tibet with Chinese settlers, poured money into mega-infrastructure projects like the railway that solidify its control, and ruthlessly attacked Tibetan culture and religion. As the Olympics approach and the world's eyes turn to Beijing, the current outpouring of frustration in Tibet is the natural consequence of China's ongoing repression.
Please take immediate action by sending an e-mail to your congressional representative urging him/her to speak out in support of Tibetans inside Tibet.

** Earth Justice **
Idaho contains more unspoiled wild forest than any state outside Alaska, providing the last intact forest habitat for countless fish, wildlife, and plant species. These areas are enjoyed by hunters, anglers, hikers, and all who treasure the backcountry. Yet the Bush administration is making a play in its last days to hand this natural gem over to its friends in the oil, natural gas, timber, and mining industries by weakening the Roadless Area Conservation Rule protections that currently guard it.
Let the Bush administration know that you are against removing Roadless Rule protections for the forests of Idaho.

** League of Conservation Voters **
The Clean Water Act of 1972 implemented broad federal protections for all our nation's waters. But misguided Supreme Court rulings in 2001 and 2006 opened the door for polluters to contaminate various waters that had previously been protected – putting the drinking water for millions at risk!.
Contact your Members of Congress TODAY to insist that they support the Clean Water Restoration Act.

** Conserve Our Ocean Legacy **
Bluefin tuna are having a hard time surviving. Once abundant and thriving, the bluefin tuna population declined by 99 percent between 1963 and 2007, bringing this overfished species to the brink of extinction.
In the next few weeks, NMFS will present new annual catch limits and environmental review rules. We need your voice to remind the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) that it’s not just a good idea to set rules that will help fish like bluefin tuna survive, it’s the law.

** The Wilderness Society **
The Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest is Montana's largest. Within it are nearly 2 million roadless acres - more unprotected roadless lands than any other forest in the state and an irreplaceable part of the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem.
Without lasting Wilderness protection these landscapes will be overrun by the explosive growth of off-road vehicles that spread noxious weeds, stress wildlife, and wound the landscape with illegal motorized routes. Year after year new illegal routes are carved through the forest. But you can stop this abuse.

Your 5 Minute Activist Links for March 24, 2008

** StandUpCongress.org **
Five Years is Five Years Too Many. Win Without War wants Rep. John Murtha, Chairman of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense, to provide funding only for the safe and timely redeployment of U.S. troops out of Iraq. Please sign their letter.

** True Majority **
President Hu Jintao of China is under mounting pressure right now to decide between a path of violence, and one that respects international human rights and will lead to peace.
We urgently need to call on the Chinese government to live up to its obligations by resolving the situation peacefully and open up a direct dialogue with the Dalai Lama.
Sign our petition to the Chinese President and make sure he renounces force in resolving the crisis.

** Public Citizen **
The Bush administration believes it can simply ignore Congress and the will of the people when it comes to safety on our highways.
Despite overwhelming opposition to a dangerous plan to give selected Mexico-based trucking companies full access to U.S. roads -- and legislation he signed into law that cuts off its funding -- Bush is barreling ahead.
At Public Citizen we are relentlessly pursuing proper safeguards for this program. Recently we had our day in court to demand the administration adhere to the law and permit the implementation of crucial safety standards.
The Bush administration is rushing ahead with this pilot project without any safety measures. We have outlined many of these problems in our latest YouTube video.
Check it out and be sure to tell your Representatives that Monkey King Bush must abide the law... especially those he signs!

** Credo Action **
The federal government has stepped in recently with huge bailouts for the big Wall Street firms like Bear Stearns...so where's the help for regular Americans?
Tell your Senators: Support the Foreclosure Prevention Act.

Your 5 Minute Activist Links for Feb 13, 2008

** United Farm Workers **
Sign the Petition to tell Whole Foods and Beef North West to respect the UFW Representation for it's workers.

** Save the Internet **
Tell your members of Congress to stop Internet Blocking and censorship and save Network Neutrality.

** Credo Action **
Tell the House to remove retroactive immunity from FISA legislation.


** True Majority Action **
Another link: NO Immunity for Telecom Companies!

** Vote Vets **
Demand Congress to investigate how Sioux Manufacturing received a contract from King Bush's to produce Kevlar helmets for our troops, AFTER the company was found to have sold defective helmets in the past!