READ THIS BEFORE PAUL CASTRO SPEAKS Democrats who voted against a free internet A Letter to the Verizon/AT&T Five Matt Stoller, . This post refers to a vote on internet freedom (or 'net neutrality') that took place in a House Committee today. Right now your broadband ISP isn't really allowed to block legal web sites or services to their customers. A law that passed in a House Committee today lets them. It's a little more complicated than that, but that's the gist. Pretty soon your broadband provider will be allowed to block Google, Vonage, or your favorite blog if a competitor pays them, if they develop a competing service, or if they just don't like you. This sort of undermines the whole internet thing, and I'm fighting against it. More info is at Savetheinternet.com. These five people I'm highlighting are the Democrats who voted against a free internet, and I'd like you to call them up and let them know that their vote against the Markey Amendment (that's what the amendment was called) is simply outrageous. They need to know people are mad.

Dear Verizon/ATT Five, I know how much you enjoy getting campaign contributions from telecommunications interests, and I hope that you find yourself swimming in contributions. I mean, you've earned it, since voting against freedom on the internet isn't going to get you many fans. I'm also glad you're so accessible to your constituents, and I've taken the liberty to list the amount of money you received from cable and telephone interests, as well as your office's phone number.

1. Ed Towns (NY-10) received $22,000 from cable and telecom company interests. I'm glad I can you reach you at (202) 225-5936. 2. Al Wynn (MD-04) received $19,100 from cable and telecom company interests. I'm glad I can you reach you at (202) 225-8699. 3. Charlie Gonzales: (TX-20) received $16,500 from cable and telecom company interests. I'm glad I can you reach you at (202) 225-3236. 4. Bobby Rush: (IL-01) received $21,000 from cable and telecom company interests. I'm glad I can you reach you at (202) 225-4372. 5. Gene Green: (TX-29) received $12,000 from cable and telecom company interests. I'm glad I can you reach you at (202) 225-1688 tel.

It's hard work to make hundreds of thousands of internet users really really mad. But you persevered, and in all likelihood your reelection campaigns will be that much richer. Congrats, guys, you made Santa's naughty list.

Oh yeah, and incidentally Blogpac is making a list of people to primary and people to make nice with in 2008. You know, the PAC for the internets, which is raising money here. love,The Internets

PS. And as an aside, we didn't include Eliot Engel (NY-17) and Bart Stupak (MI-01) on this list, because they changed their votes and decided to protect freedom on the internet. The other Democrats on the House Energy and Commerce Committee, and Republican Heather Wilson of New Mexico, voted to protect the internet as well. Thanks.

Next item: Next item: Charlie Savage, The Boston Globe WASHINGTON -- President Bush has quietly claimed the authority to disobey more than 750 laws enacted since he took office, asserting that he has the power to set aside any statute passed by Congress when it conflicts with his interpretation of the Constitution. The article continues from there, but you got the important point. What it boils down to is that King geo the feeble minded is governing exactly like we all used to do when we were kids playing out in the back yard and said something and then told our friends, that didn’t count because my fingers were crossed when I said it. King george signs laws, but then issues a secret signing statement which says essentially the same thing. It doesn’t count cause I had my fingers crossed. Nyah nyah na nyah nyah. The dude and his handlers are flat out of control, and congress does nothing but collect its paychecks. Im telling you folks, Its tar and feathers time.

Related item: Mark Silva, The Contra Costa Times
WASHINGTON - As the Bush administration has dramatically accelerated the classification of information as "top secret" or "confidential," one office is refusing to report on its annual activity in classifying documents: the office of Vice President Dick Cheney. More than 80 agencies have collectively reported to the National Archives that they made 15.6 million decisions in 2004 to classify information, nearly double the number in 2001, but Cheney continues to insist he is exempt. Explaining why the vice president has withheld even a tally of his office's secrecy, a spokeswoman said Cheney is "not under any duty" to provide it. That is only one way the Bush administration, from its opening weeks in 2001, has asserted control over information. By keeping secret so many directives and actions, the administration has precluded the public - and often members of Congress - from knowing about some of the most significant decisions and acts of the White House. My comment: the most egregious omission im aware of is cheneys refusal to give congress or the public any info whatsoever on who concocted federal energy policy, which was the basis for the great energy heist that cost calif billions, and the enron scandal. Dickie boy says we not only have no right to know what happened at those secret meetings, we cant even know who attended. You got to love it. Isn’t american democracy wonderful?

Next item: things are getting very interesting in latin America. For decades, Bolivia has been one of the worlds poorest nations. This is a curious phenomena as Bolivia has always had great mineral wealth. Silver, and natural gas amongst their resources. But by some curious process, which is too complex for simple folk like you and I to understand, the wealth never ended up with the bolivian people. They remained dirt poor while European and American corporations grew richer and richer. I have no idea how this happened but bolivia’s new president evo morales thinks he knows how. He just nationalized bolivia’s petroleum industry and is about to do the same for its other mineral industries. The unted states, noted champion of democracy as long as it doesn’t interfere with our corporate profits, is of course opposed to the bolivian people getting any benefit from their own resources. So we normally would have our cia get rid of morales and install some local puppet. But it seems we are busy trying to do the same in iraq and preparing to do the same in iran. So we just don’t have the time nor military resources to fix Bolivia. Drat and phoohey. What is this world coming to when latin America is electing leaders who work for their people rather than for us corporations. Don’t they understand how things should be? Is nothing sacred?

Related item: im told by a mother with a child in nev union high school that when economics is taught, there is no presentation of the various economic systems. Socialism is given a brief mention, but no in depth critical analysis comparing socialism with capitalism. No presentation of socialism as a viable alternative to our corporate capatilistic system. It is simply dismissed as a bad system, not worth paying attention to. Nationalization of resources is of course a basic tenent of socialism. Natural resources belong to the people, as do the radio and tv channels. So the basic question becomes: are students who are compelled by law to attend school being taught crtitical thinking or are they being programmed to accept the status quo: our system is best, wave the flag and don’t question authority? Is our compulsory education system teaching thinking or acceptanceand govt propaganda? And if that be the case, why are we supporting it? Bolivia elects an ex cocaine grower as president and he nationalizes bolivia’s natural resources and returns then to the people, Americans are told by their media that they elected an oil company shill as president, and an oil company exex as vice pres, who then allow and encourage the robber oil barons to steal the American people blind. And the American people do nothing. Who is more in touch with reality, Bolivians or Americans?

, Next item: MEXICO CITY (AP) — Mexico's Congress approved a bill Friday that would legalize drug possession for personal use — decriminalizing the carrying of small amounts of marijuana, cocaine and even heroin. The only step remaining is the signature of the president, whose office indicates he will sign the measure, despite the implications for the american war on drugs. The bill legalizes possession of small amounts of heroin, cocaine, ectasy and marijuana. "The presidency congratulates the Congress for approving the reforms," said presidential spokesman Ruben Aguilar. "This law gives police and prosecutors better legal tools to combat drug crimes that do so much damage to our youth and children."
"No charges will be brought against ... addicts or consumers who are found in possession of any narcotic for personal use," the bill reads. U.S. officials had no immediate reaction on what this means for the fight against drug trafficking, or the vast numbers of American students who visit Mexico on vacation. Well I can tell you what effect this will have on American visitors to mexico. None whatsoever. They will do all the drugs they have always done. Except now, they wont have to bribe Mexican police when caught using em. And the few Mexican police who are not being paid off by the drug lords might even get around to going after the serious drug traffickers. But don’t hold your breath waiting.
Next item: The Associated Press April 28. 2006 6:18PM Rush Limbaugh was arrested Friday on prescription drug charges. Limbaugh turned himself in to authorities on a warrant issued by the State Attorney's Office, The conservative radio commentator came into the jail at about 4 p.m. with his attorney Roy Black and bonded out an hour later on a $3,000 bail, The warrant was for fraud to conceal information to obtain prescription, Black said his client and authorities reached a settlement on a single count charge of doctor shopping filed Friday by the State Attorney. Prosecutors seized Limbaugh's records after learning that he received about 2,000 painkillers, prescribed by four doctors in six months, at a pharmacy near his Palm Beach mansion. They contend that Limbaugh engaged in "doctor shopping," or illegally deceived multiple doctors to receive
overlapping prescriptions. Limbaugh, previously took a five-week leave from his radio show to enter a
rehabilitation program in 2003. for those listeners who may have imitated rush and taken so many painkillers they memories have been affected, this is the same rush Limbaugh who once stated on air that all drug abusers should be immediately jailed and the key thrown away. Funny how ones perspective can change. I don’t listen to rush Limbaugh but perhaps some of you do. can anyone share with us what good ole rush now says about drug abusers, now that he is a 2^nd time offender?

Today, Democrats proposed an amendment to provide immediate relief to consumers. The amendment introduced by Senator Menendez will provide more than $6 billion in relief directly to the american people by eliminating the federal tax for both gas and diesel for 60 days. During the period of his gas tax holiday, the cost of gas will be reduced by $0.184 per gallon and the cost of diesel by $0.244 per gallon. We will pay for this tax cut by eliminating tax breaks and giveaways to big oil.

Senate Democrats need your help to show public support for this amendment. Show your support for the Menendez Amendment by becoming a citizen cosponsor today.

Become a citizen cosponsor today by visiting:http://www.giveemhellharry.com/page/petition/gasprice

Next item: The U.S. Senate is considering an anti-consumer health insurance bill which would increase costs to most consumers while decreasing their coverage. Worse yet, the bill guts California's unique consumer healthcare protections by overriding strong state insurance laws. Ask Senators Feinstein and Boxer to oppose the so-called Health Care Modernization Act, S. 1955.

Next item: if you still think king george the feeble minded is our greatest leader since jesus Christ, you might want to consider this item: it is circular logic at its finest. King george originally said he’d fire whoever was caught taking part in this "serious" leak that outed Valerie plame, a covert operative and endangered many associated with her operations. But It has recently been revealed that Scooter Libby has named George Bush himself as the source who authorized identifying Valerie Plame as a CIA agent. So now we’re told it was a necessary leak intended to clarify information about pre-war intelligence and Bush had planned to de-classify the information, so its not really as bad as we thought it was. And why did we think that? Because he told us to think that. Besides, He’s the president so he’s blameless. Did you follow all that? I thought so. . Don’t you just love it?

Next item: not sure this is true or not. If it concerns you, you might want to call car dealers and ascertain if its true, and they will duplicate a car key without checking if you own the vehicle. Here is the article. It seems that car thieves have found yet another way to steal your vehicle without any effort at all.
The car thieves peer through the windshield of your car or truck, write down the VIN # from the label on the dash, go to the local car dealership and request a duplicate key based on the VIN #.
the writer didn't believe this e-mail, so she called Chrysler-Dodge and pretended she had lost her keys. They told her to just bring in the VIN #, and they would cut her one on the spot, and she could order the keyless
device if she wanted.
The Car Dealer's Parts Department will make a duplicate key from the VIN #, and collect payment from the thief who will return to your car. He doesn't have to break in, do any damage to the vehicle, or draw attention to
himself. All he has to do is walk up to your car, in sert the key and off he goes to a local Chop Shop with your vehicle. You don't believe it? It IS that easy. To avoid this from happening to you, simply put some tape (electrical tape, duct tape or medical tape) across the VIN Metal Label located on the dash board. By law, you cannot remove the VIN, but you can cover it so it can't be viewed through the windshield by a car thief.

Next item: In times of misunderstanding, it is important for persons of diverse faiths to recognize these four religious truths: 1. Muslims do not recognize Jews as God's chosen people. 2. Jews do not recognize Jesus as the Messiah. 3. Protestants do not recognize the Pope as the leader of the Christian World. 4. Mormons do not recognize each other at Hooters.

Next item: i know this will be hard to believe, but america once had presidents who were articlulate, even wise at times. i was no fan of the politics of Ronald Reagan, but a listener sent me some of reagans quotes and some are quite good. here is a selection

"The most terrifying words in the English language are: I'm from the government and I'm here to help."

"The trouble with our liberal friends is not that they're ignorant: It's just that they know so much that isn't so."

"Of the four wars in my lifetime none came about because theU.S. was too strong."

well that certainly isnt true today, our conquest of iraq is precisely bacause we are too strong, and havent t he morals or ethics to go with our strength. more quotes

"I have wondered at times about what the Ten Commandment's would have looked like if Moses had run them through the U.S. Congress."

"Government is like a baby: An alimentary canal with a big appetite at one end and no sense of responsibility at the other."

"The nearest thing to eternal life we will ever see on this earth is a government program."

"I've laid down the law, though, to everyone from now on about anything that happens: no matter what time it is, wake me, even if it's in the middle of a Cabinet meeting."

"Government's view of the economy could be summed up in a few short phrases: If it moves, tax it. If it keeps moving, regulate it. And if it stops moving, subsidize it."

"Politics is not a bad profession. If you succeed there are many rewards, if you disgrace yourself you can always write a book."

"It has been said that politics is the second oldest profession. I have learned that it bears a striking resemblance to the first."

No arsenal, or no weapon in the arsenals of the world, is so formidable as the will and moral courage of free men and women.

Ok. Now to the issue I consider the most important in America: without honest elections, all the other issues become irreverent. This from From: VoteTrustUSA they publish Election Integrity News This Week's Quote: "If you make a system that can be manipulated, unfortunately in our current political environment, it probably will be. Why take that chance?" Ion Sancho, Supervisor of Elections, Leon County, Florida they then publish a list of voting machine issues in various states. It aint pretty folks. A partial list of issues in todays bulletin:

Arizona: Next Battleground Over Touchscreen Voting Machines?

California Voters File Lawsuit to Halt Use or Purchase of Diebold Electronic Voting System

California: State Senator Bowen Comments on Lawsuit Filed Against Secretary of State

Florida: Election Reform Group To Ask Attorney General For Investigatation of Voting Machine Vendors

Illinois: Chi-Town E-Voting Meltdown

Illinois: No More Payments To Sequoia Until Problems Are Solved

Indiana: ES&S Failure To Inform

Maryland: New York Times Supports Paper Ballots in Maryland

Summit County Ohio Threatens Legal Action Against ES&S

Oregon: A Contract "Glitch" for Oregon's Disabled Voters

Texas: Former Supreme Court Justice Considering Challenge To Primary Result

Texas Primary Recount Halted By Secretary of State!

Next item: While setting my vcr for kings game, I caught an abc news broadcast. Even with soaring oil prices, abc reported that our economy is robust, even booming. I bet you didn’t know that. But abc news does. It seems They got it straight from the guy occupying the white house. King geo speaks, abc reports. Whose economy are they watching? King georges? How is your economy doing? Here is an even better one. Remember when mainstream media always reported that iraq had the 2^nd greatest amount of proven oil reserves? That of course was the major reason for invading and conquering iraq, was it not? Saudi Arabia was first, and iraq 2^nd. Well npr news recently reported without explanation, that now iraq was 3^rd in proven oil reserves. Saudi Arabia was still first but guess who npr reported was 2^nd? Iran. Interesting, eh? Did the worlds oil experts suddenly discover new oil reserves in iran? Or is npr news complicit in the obvious buildup to war with iran? Npr-national propaganda radio

Next item: im noticing a lot of election signs for the re election of cong john Doolittle. Its obvious that the money his wife earned thru various schemes now under investigation are being put to use in his re-election campaign. The most telling is a huge sign on robinson timber property right alongside the freeway. It’s a nice patriotic play on the slogan stand by our troops. The large sign reads: We Stand for cong Doolittle, he stands for us. I applaud robinson timber, one of the original good ole boys of nev co politics, for truth in advertising. Cong Doolittle does indeed stand for the politics of the good ole boys, and local developers. The ques of course is does Doolittle stand for the interests of the rest of us.