"Paper" for President: The Time is NOW

Written by: Pamela Smith on Nov 23, 2006 11:45 AM EST

Linked to groups: Democracy For the Heart of America

"PAPER" for President: The Time is NOW  
By Michael Collins 
“Scoop” Independent News
Washington, DC  
The United States just endured another election that inspired more suspicion than confidence. Two years after the fiasco of Election 2004 in Ohio and elsewhere, four year years after the never investigated mystery of Georgia 2002, and six years after the disgrace of Florida which saw the loser of the popular vote (s)elected President by the Supreme Court; major problems pervade the US election system. The new problems created by computerized voting and tabulation merge with traditional race and class based election fraud in an assault on free, fair, transparent and inclusive elections. 
The Democratic controlled House of Representatives may be 10 to 12 members shy on the left side of the aisle due to election irregularities. Jonathan Simon of the Election Defense Alliance just published a major paper demonstrating that as many as three million votes may be missing from the 2006 election. Problems of this sort were anticipated by internet poster TruthIsAll and this author in a three part series in “Scoop” which developed a vote fraud model that identified likely races for those photo finishes that always seem to put a Republican in office.   
VotersUnite.Org produced a database of election irregularities from around the country. Ironically, the creator of the database was John Gideon who predicted many of the problems that he logged in the database. A short list of problems with voting machines in2006 includes: vote switching from one candidate to another; candidate names simply disappearing from the touch screens; full or partial deletion of candidate names; and a simple failure of voting machines to operate. 
The master foul-up occurred in Florida’s 13th Congressional District. More than 17,000 votes were simply lost. Ironically, this seat was just vacated by Katherine Harris, chief election official and Bush campaign chair during Florida’s 2000presidential election. That race and at least three others remain without a conclusive vote count. A further irony is that the election to replace Harris resulted in a very slim advantage for the Republican candidate with the 17,000 ballots removed from the equation. Paper for President: House Resolution 6200 Representative Dennis Kucinich, D, Ohio introduced HR 6200 on September 27, 2006. His bill will “ amend the Help America Vote Act of 2002 to require States to conduct Presidential elections using paper ballots and to count those ballots by hand, and for other purposes.”   
The main features of the bill include special rules for Presidential elections.

*Presidential elections will be conducted entirely with paper ballots;

*Each precinct will include no more than 500 paper ballots per ballot box;

*Paper ballots will be counted by hand in the precincts where voting
takes place and vote counting will be witnessed by a representative of
each political party withal candidate on the ballot "as well as any
interested member of the public."

HR 6200 takes the logical step of moving Washington's Birthday
celebration to election day during presidential election years
making it easier for working people to vote.

If passed, the bill takes effect in time for the November 2008
Presidential election.

More.....
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=364x2780334#2780397

Two Great Events: Sunday and Monday!

Written by: Pamela Smith on Nov 18, 2006 10:05 PM EST

You are invited to help start a new tradition!
The Annual John and Robert Kennedy Memorial Dinner, will take place THIS, Sunday, November 19 from 7 to 9 pm at Jalisco's, 5000 State Avenue, KCK. There will be a buffet available for $7.95 or you can also order off the menu. You are not required to purchase a dinner to attend.
This event is to be an informal celebration of the tragically shortened lives of these two who offered so much promise for America. Bobby would have been 81 on November 20.
For a Google map or more info go to http://dfha.org/2006KennedyMemorialDinner

*******************
3rd Monday Movie "Why We Fight"
THIS Monday, November 20, 2006
6:00-8:00pm
Waldo Branch of KC Public Library
201 E 75th St
KCMO
FREE!
This movie is historical and chilling, but vital to know. It is useful information that will aid us in tracking legislation and advising our elected leaders. It is what we must know to change the course of our country! Popcorn and bottled water will be provided!
For a trailer of the movie go to http://www.sonyclassics.com/whywefight/
For a Google map to the movie location go tohttp://dfha.org/event/ThirdMondayMovie/WhyWeFight/112006

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

Hope to see everyone!

Pamela Smith
Democracy For the Heart of America
Leadership Team http://www.dfalink.com/group.php?id=1661 
www.DFHA.org 

Two Great Events: Sunday and Monday!

Written by: Pamela Smith on Nov 18, 2006 10:01 PM EST

Linked to groups: Democracy For the Heart of America

You are invited to help start a new tradition!
The Annual John and Robert Kennedy Memorial Dinner, will take place THIS, Sunday, November 19 from 7 to 9 pm at Jalisco's, 5000 State Avenue, KCK. There will be a buffet available for $7.95 or you can also order off the menu. You are not required to purchase a dinner to attend.
This event is to be an informal celebration of the tragically shortened lives of these two who offered so much promise for America. Bobby would have been 81 on November 20.
For a Google map or more info go to http://dfha.org/2006KennedyMemorialDinner

*******************
3rd Monday Movie "Why We Fight"
THIS Monday, November 20, 2006
6:00-8:00pm
Waldo Branch of KC Public Library
201 E 75th St
KCMO
FREE!
This movie is historical and chilling, but vital to know. It is useful information that will aid us in tracking legislation and advising our elected leaders. It is what we must know to change the course of our country! Popcorn and bottled water will be provided!
For a trailer of the movie go to http://www.sonyclassics.com/whywefight/
For a Google map to the movie location go tohttp://dfha.org/event/ThirdMondayMovie/WhyWeFight/112006

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

Hope to see everyone!

Pamela Smith
Democracy For the Heart of America
Leadership Team http://www.dfalink.com/group.php?id=1661 
www.DFHA.org 

Attend Special Movie Event! Stealing America: Vote by Vote AND No Umbrella: Election Day in the City on October 30!

Written by: Pamela Smith on Oct 23, 2006 11:28 AM EDT

Linked to groups: Democracy For the Heart of America

Dear Member,

You're invited to attend A Special Movie Event!
Stealing America: Vote by Vote AND
No Umbrella: Election Day in the City
on Monday, October 30, 2006 at 6:00 PM.
You can RSVP at:

www.dfalink.com/event.php?id=149...

What: Special Movie Event!
Stealing America: Vote by Vote AND
No Umbrella: Election Day in the City

When: Monday, October 30, 2006, 6:00 PM
Where: Waldo Branch of K.C. Public Library
201 E. 75th Street
Kansas City MO 64114

[DFHA] Progressive Events!

Written by: Pamela Smith on Oct 16, 2006 5:49 PM EDT

Linked to groups: Democracy For the Heart of America

This following is a synopsis of events in the area of particular interest to progressives. They are in chronological order, but we want to draw particular interest to two film events sponsored by Democracy For the Heart of America; one is "Iraq for Sale" and the second is two voting integrity movies- "No Umbrella" and "Stealing America: Vote by Vote". Look forward to seeing everyone out in the progressive community!
************************

Our 2nd showing of "Iraq for Sale: The War Profiteers"!
The 63rd Street Patriots meet every Tuesday from 5-6PM in the median at 63rd and Ward Parkway for a Peace Demonstration. This Tuesday, following the demonstration, just down the road at the Waldo branch of the KC Library, DFHA will do another free screening of Iraq for Sale: The War Profiteers from 6:00-8:00pm followed by discussion time. So make your voice heard with the 63rd Street Patiriots, then carpool on down the road and watch this important documentary. We hope to see you there!
Map and info
dfha.org/event/IraqForSale101706...
[Starting in November DFHA will plan an ongoing Monday Night at the Movies series, same place and time on the 3rd Monday of each month. Watch for new postings.]
*********************************

Code Pink KC will be making an appearance at the senate Debate between McCaskill and Talent. Attendees can cast their votes for peace out front of the event and learn more about candidates for Peace in their districts, too. Wear your pink and bring your signs!
Wednesday Oct. 18th @ 6:30pm
6801 Holmes Road, Kansas City, MO
For more information email info@codepinkkc.com

Next Code Pink meeting:
Thursday Nov. 2nd @ 6 p.m. at 207 Westport Road, Kansas City, MO

###
IN ADDITION to the Code Pink KC action at the McCaskill v Talent Debate, The Kansas City Iraq Task Force is sponsoring:

A Vigil and Exhibit of the Missouri & Kansas EYES WIDE OPEN

THE HUMAN COST OF WAR IS THE ELECTION ISSUE!

The vigil and exhibit will take place from 5:00 to 7:00pm before the Talent / McCaskill debate this Wednesday, October 18th at 69th and Holmes, KCMO in Holmes Park, adjoining the University Academy where the debate will take place.

The event is intended to raise the issue of war in the MO Senate election. This is a non-partisan event intended to educate the public about the need to bring our troops home and end the Iraq war. Signs will be available. We ask participants who bring signs to brings ones which are not for or against candidates or parties but rather call for an end to policies of war, torture, government spying, and support non-military tools of diplomacy and peace.

We will also be distributing "Questions to ask the Candidates" brochures to debate attendees.

Please join us and speak out. We expect the debate will have good media coverage (perhaps national as the MO race has been in the national media spotlight).

Call or email us at 816 931-5256 iharritt@afsc.org to volunteer to help set up the exhibit or for more information.

We invite you to vigil with us to remind the candidates and debate attendees that 654,000 Iraqis and over 2,770 U.S. service persons have been killed in the failed Iraq war and that it is time to begin the immediate withdrawal of U.S. troops.
***************************

Pete Best: A Musical Fundraiser for Andy Sander
Pete Best, the original drummer for the Beatles,and his band, headline a musical fundraiser for 24th District legislative candidate Andy Sandler at the Granada Theatre on Thursday, October 19th. The Von Hodads, a local surf guitar band will also perform. Tickets are $35. Sponsorships are available. General admission seating. Doors open at 7:00. Tickets are available now at
www.screenland.com/theatre/grana...

To contact Andy Sandler 913-432-8827
or andyforkansas@yahoo.com

For Google map
dfha.org/event/AndySandlerFundra...
***************************

Chris Moreno event featuring Jay Nixon, Rep. Cleaver, & Mike Sanders! Come meet Missouri's Next 48th District State Representative Chris Moreno.
Thursday, October 19th, 5:30 to 7:30PM
Chapel Ridge Banquet Hall
3750 NE Ralph Powell Rd.
Lee's Summit, MO 64064
$325 - Host $100 - Sponsor $50 - Friend $25 - Guest
*****************************


KCPT Channel 19 will broadcast the McCaskill v Talent Debate (from the 18th) at 7:00pm, so if you 're going to the Pete Best Concert or the Moreno Fundraiser, make sure you set up your VCR to record this 'sure to be exciting' debate to showcase Claire, the next U.S. Senator from Missouri!!
******************************

Want Peace? VOTE!
Iraq War/Occupation Peace Vigil and Rally
Sunday, October 22nd
4:00 to 5:30PM Vigil and Rally
Open Microphone: Come Listen --Come Speak Out
The event is sponsored by the American Friends Service Committee and the KC Iraq Task Force. For more information call 816 931-5256 or go to www.kciraqtaskforce.org...
For Google map
dfha.org/oct22peacerally...

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

SPECIAL EVENT!!
"No Umbrella" and
"Stealing America: Vote by Vote"
Join us at the screening of these two important documentary films about election integrity on Monday, October 30th from 6:00-8:00pm. Total viewing time for both films will be just under 2 hours, so there will be time for discussion of the very real problems surrounding our elections. Free popcorn and bottled water. For more information about these films check out
www.noumbrella.org...
www.stealingamerica.org...

SEATING LIMIT of 60 people, so please reserve your seat(s) if possible, by emailing Pamela at kiteinthewind59@gmail.com

dfha.org/event/NoUmbrella-Steali...
**********************

Kansas City Views "Iraq for Sale: The War Profiteers"

Written by: Pamela Smith on Oct 13, 2006 8:35 PM EDT

Linked to groups: Missouri DFA

From Blog For America!!
www.blogforamerica.com/archives/..." title="www.blogforamerica.com/archives/..." target="_blank">www.blogforamerica.com/archives/...
Kansas City Views "Iraq for Sale: The War Profiteers"

Pamela Smith here, from Democracy For the Heart of America in the KC area! Just wanted you to know that we had 135 people at our screening of Iraq for Sale: The War Profiteers" tonight. We collaborated with All Souls Unitarian Universalist church, as Dave Negrau, our VP, is also on the board of the church and has a lot of ties with All Souls. The church also sold several copies of the movie that they had purchased, and we had a drawing and gave away a copy, also!

What a great, but thoroughly nauseating, movie. Had some good discussion with the group afterwards, and everyone was pretty fired up. Some seemed unsurprised (although disgusted) with the International Medical Corps and corporate greed. Others seemed to have no idea this was happening (I think they have been asleep!) I was also thrilled to see Geoff Millard in the movie! Annie and I know him from Camp Casey down in Crawford. He's a great guy! I think this was the premiere screening in KC, so we were pretty thrilled with the 135 people!

Pamela Smith
Democracy For the Heart of America

URGENT!! Is Your Daughter a Future Detainee?

Written by: Pamela Smith on Sep 30, 2006 11:52 AM EDT

Linked to groups: Democracy For the Heart of America

Is your daughter a future detainee? What the media didn't tell you about the new anti-terror bill or Bush's power grab

Media Matters
by Marcia Kuntz and Jamison Foser

The Senate just passed by a vote of 65-34 a bill that, among other things, allows the president to imprison forever, without trial, your neighbor's son -- a lawful permanent resident in the United States -- for emailing his Muslim roommate who went home to visit his family. Your daughter who organizes a protest at the Pentagon that gets a little more attention than the president thinks it should could become a detainee, held indefinitely. The bill says generally what activities qualify one as an "unlawful enemy combatant" subject to detention, but if the government can postpone that review indefinitely, who's going to tell the president that detention is illegal?

Think we're exaggerating? Think the bill goes after only terrorists or people who support them? Think again. The president is expected to sign it imminently. If you just read news reports, you won't have any idea how far this bill goes.

Read it. Yes, it's too late to do anything, aside from letting your representatives know what they have done. They and the media have failed you.
Read it.

But don't stop there. President Bush certainly hasn't. The bill's suspension of access to habeas corpus explicitly applies only to "aliens," which it defines as non-citizens -- in other words, legal permanent residents of the United States -- but the Bush administration has taken the position that it can detain anyone -- anyone, U.S. citizens included -- by, in its sole discretion, labeling that person an enemy combatant. Bush did that in the case of citizen Jose Padilla, simply asserting that he was a terrorist, and locking him up in a Navy prison in South Carolina for three years without charges. Padilla filed suit, and the Bush administration argued successfully to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit that it could hold Padilla indefinitely as an enemy combatant. It was only following Padilla's appeal to the Supreme Court that the administration filed criminal charges against him, apparently fearful that the Supreme Court would rule in Padilla's favor. The Supreme Court refused to hear Padilla's case, writing that the criminal charges made it unnecessary at the time to rule on the issue of whether he was lawfully detained as an enemy combatant. Let's review: Padilla was held without charges for three years; the Bush administration took the position -- and continues to take the position -- that his detention was lawful and that it has the power to hold him until the conclusion of the war on terror. Rather than reining in the president, Congress has opted to make that unfettered authority clear only with respect to "aliens." The bill does include a definition of unlawful enemy combatants but, notably, does not limit the category to noncitizens. Congress has yet to act on Bush's assertion of power to detain U.S. citizens as unlawful enemy combatants.

The media have characterized the bill as one providing "Broad New Rules to Try Detainees" or, in the words of The Washington Post, a bill that institutes "landmark changes to the nation's system of interrogating and prosecuting terrorism suspects." Indeed, much of the media's focus on this legislation has been directed at the rift -- since healed -- between Sens. John McCain (R-AZ), Lindsey Graham (R-SC), and John Warner (R-VA) on the one hand and President Bush
and his congressional supporters on the other over such -- obviously important -- issues as the treatment of detainees. But to read these reports, you would think the bill targets only "them" (as in "us versus them") -- terrorism suspects only a mother or the ACLU could love.

More... mediamatters.org/items/200609300...

UPDATE: Upcoming Events!

Written by: Pamela Smith on Sep 23, 2006 6:12 PM EDT

Linked to groups: Democracy For the Heart of America

News Items about Upcoming Events!

Friends and Activists,

Democracy For the Heart of America wants to share some exciting upcoming events in our area. Links are provided for additional information. Just 45 days until the election, so it is time to get fired up and work to get our candidates elected! We will be working for Sara Jo Shettles the week of October 2nd. She is running against Republican Sam Graves, in the 6th District for the U.S. House of Representatives, so watch for details later this week. Hope to see you all at these great events!
***********
Missy Taylor
candidate for State Representative,
Kansas 25th House District
Walking for Missy
SATURDAY SEPT. 30
10AM MEET
11AM-1PM
"GOOD OLD-FASHIONED CAMPAIGN WALK"
For more information, go to: dfha.org/event/MissyTaylorCanvas...
*************
Governor Sebelius to speak at KCK NAACP Freedom Fund Dinner next Saturday, September 30, 2006 at 4:00pm at the Jack Reardon Convention Center. dfha.org/event/KCK/NAACPFreedomF...
*************
Iraq: How We Got In: How We Get Out
Former CIA Analyst Ray McGovern comes to the Show-Me State on Wednesday, October 4th at 7:30pm
Ray McGovern is a retired CIA analyst whose career spanned 27 years--from the administration of John F. Kennedy to that of George H. W. Bush.
In January 2003, after it had become clear that intelligence analysis was being corrupted by political pressure to "justify" an unprovoked attack on Iraq, a handful of intelligence community alumnae, including McGovern, created Veteran Intelligence Professionals for Sanity (VIPS). VIPS now includes 55 former professionals from the CIA, the Defense Intelligence Agency, the Department of State's Bureau of Intelligence and Research, Army Intelligence, the FBI, the National Security Agency, and other US and Allied intelligence agencies. Join us at what will be an eye-opening discussion!
For more information go to
dfha.org/event/RayMcGovern/Iraq...
**************
Join Democracy For the Heart of America at the free screening of Iraq For Sale. This much talked about movie is by Robert Greenwald (Outfoxed, Walmart: The High Cost of Low Prices). In Iraq for Sale, Greenwald takes you inside the lives of soldiers, truck drivers, widows and children who have been changed forever as a result of profiteering in the reconstruction of Iraq. The film uncovers the connections between private corporations making a killing in Iraq and the decision makers who let it happen. This is a film the neocons DON'T want you to see! RSVP not required, but appreciated!
Go to www.dfalink.com/event.php?id=132...
To read more about the event go to
dfha.org/events/iraqforsale/asuu...
***************

Candidate's Forum-Show your support for Jason Norbury!

Join Democracy For the Heart of America in showing support for Jason Norbury and help him defeat Matt Bartle, Ultraconservative Republican Senator, who sponsored the legislation to ban stem cell research in Missouri! Lee's Summit Chamber of Commerce is having their 2006 Candidate's Forum on Monday, October 9th at Lee's Summit North High School. For details.. dfha.org/event/candidatesForum/M...
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Pete Best, original drummer for the Beatles, headlines this fundraiser for Andy Sandler, candidate for Kansas House seat, 24th District. Join us at this great event on Thursday, October 19, 2006. Doors open at 7pm. For more info and to find out how to purchase tickets, go to dfha.org/event/AndySandlerFundra...
****************

Pamela Smith
Democracy For the Heart of America
Leadership Team
www.DFHA.org

CIA Analyst Ray McGovern coming to KC!

Written by: Pamela Smith on Sep 23, 2006 11:57 AM EDT

Linked to groups: Democracy For the Heart of America

Iraq: How We Got In: How We Get Out
Former CIA Analyst Ray McGovern comes to the Show-Me State!

Wednesday, October 4th -7:30pm
Park University
McCoy Meeting House
8700 NW River Park Dr., Parkville, MO
for a Google map to the event go to
dfha.org/event/RayMcGovern/Iraq...

Ray McGovern is a retired CIA analyst whose career spanned 27 years--from the administration of John F. Kennedy to that of George H. W. Bush.

In January 2003, after it had become clear that intelligence analysis was being corrupted by political pressure to "justify" an unprovoked attack on Iraq, a handful of intelligence community alumnae, including McGovern, created Veteran Intelligence Professionals for Sanity (VIPS). VIPS now includes 55 former professionals from the CIA, the Defense Intelligence Agency, the Department of State's Bureau of Intelligence and Research, Army Intelligence, the FBI, the National Security Agency, and other US and Allied intelligence agencies.

The event is sponsored by the Park University, Department of Social Sciences, American Friends Service Committee, and Kansas City Iraq Task Force.

War Signals?

Written by: Pamela Smith on Sep 23, 2006 11:40 AM EDT

Linked to groups: Democracy For the Heart of America

War Signals?
by Dave Lindorff
The NATION online
September 21, 2006

As reports circulate of a sharp debate within the White House over possible US military action against Iran and its nuclear enrichment facilities, The Nation has learned that the Bush Administration and the Pentagon have moved up the deployment of a major "strike group" of ships, including the nuclear aircraft carrier Eisenhower as well as a cruiser, destroyer, frigate, submarine escort and supply ship, to head for the Persian Gulf, just off Iran's western coast. This information follows a report in the current issue of Time magazine, both online and in print, that a group of ships capable of mining harbors has received orders to be ready to sail for the Persian Gulf by October 1.

As Time writes in its cover story, "What Would War Look Like?," evidence of the forward deployment of minesweepers and word that the chief of naval operations had asked for a reworking of old plans for mining Iranian harbors "suggest that a much discussed--but until now largely theoretical--prospect has become real: that the U.S. may be preparing for war with Iran."

According to Lieut. Mike Kafka, a spokesman at the headquarters of the Second Fleet, based in Norfolk, Virginia, the Eisenhower Strike Group, bristling with Tomahawk cruise missiles, has received orders to depart the United States in a little over a week. Other official sources in the public affairs office of the Navy Department at the Pentagon confirm that this powerful armada is scheduled to arrive off the coast of Iran on or around October 21.

The Eisenhower had been in port at the Naval Station Norfolk for several years for refurbishing and refueling of its nuclear reactor; it had not been scheduled to depart for a new duty station until at least a month later, and possibly not till next spring. Family members, before the orders, had moved into the area and had until then expected to be with their sailor-spouses and parents in Virginia for some time yet. First word of the early dispatch of the "Ike Strike" group to the Persian Gulf region came from several angry officers on the ships involved, who contacted antiwar critics like retired Air Force Col. Sam Gardiner and complained that they were being sent to attack Iran without any order from the Congress.

"This is very serious," said Ray McGovern, a former CIA threat-assessment analyst who got early word of the Navy officers' complaints about the sudden deployment orders. (McGovern, a twenty-seven-year veteran of the CIA, resigned in 2002 in protest over what he said were Bush Administration pressures to exaggerate the threat posed by Iraq. He and other intelligence agency critics have formed a group called Veteran Intelligence Professionals for Sanity.)

more.. www.thenation.com/doc/20061009/l...