Tuesday, February 19, 2008

Our votes aren't divided. Will Black reps ignore them?

Family, Friends and Loved Ones

Please Don't Ignore the Super Delegate Issue.
It's not our silence that will empower us now.

Please Please Please - Pass This On.

Repost to News and Discussion Groups to Enable
the Facts To Be Known. Tell Your Church; Your Co-Workers.

The Super Delegates are US.
Folks in Michigan and Florida denied the chance to express our vote.
Please, Each One - Take the responsibility and Reach Out to Teach Another One.

A Luta Continua, it's time for a Change.
Vote Obama in 08'

~RE

~RE Ausetkmt
Realities Groups // BadGalsRadio.com // Trenchtones Records

88888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888

-------- Original Message --------

Subject:	Our votes aren't divided. Will Black reps ignore them?
Date:	Tue, 19 Feb 2008 09:56:28 PST
From:	James & Van, ColorOfChange.org PAC <no-reply@colorofchange.org>
To:	RE Ausetkmt <ausetkmt@ausetkmt.com>

Voters should decide elections, not politicians.

Tell the CBC to support our vote, not undermine it.

Dear Re,

Voters in places like Atlanta,¹ Brooklyn,² St. Louis,³ and Inglewood⁴ have made it clear who their choice is for president: Barack Obama. So why are some members of the Congressional Black Caucus threatening to use their power as "superdelegates" to undermine their vote and nominate Hillary Clinton?⁵

Voters should decide elections--not politicians. And members of the Congressional Black Caucus should amplify the political voice of their constituents, not silence it. Join us in demanding that the CBC to listen to the voters. Tell them to vote with the people, not against them:

http://colorofchange.org/superd/?id=2365-436031

Voters in almost all the districts represented by the CBC have chosen Obama, helping him win more delegates than Clinton. But only some delegates vote based on the results of primaries. A fifth of the delegates that will vote at the convention -- and decide the nomination -- are "superdelegates" that can technically vote however they like, regardless of what the voters say.⁶ These superdelegates are members of Congress, senators, governors and Democratic party insiders. In a contest this close, they have the power to overturn the will of voters, and decide the outcome.

Representatives Jesse Jackson Jr.,⁷ John Conyers,⁸ Eleanor Holmes-Norton,⁹ and others have called for superdelegates to listen to the voices of those they claim to represent, but we need to convince their colleagues to do the same. At least 11 Black members of Congress might cast their superdelegate vote for Clinton, even though their districts voted for Obama. Many endorsed Clinton, typically before any voting had taken place. But even after their constituents showed an overwhelming preference for Obama, most are refusing to say what they'll do as superdelegates.¹⁰

In 2000 and 2004, CBC members stood up to defend the rights of Black voters that had been disenfranchised. It would be a disgrace for its members to now undermine the votes of the Black people they represent. Rarely have Black voters across the country been so unified behind a particular candidate. If CBC members vote against their constituents, it will diminish the power of Black voters in a historic election that could result in our country's first Black president.

It will take courage and conviction for CBC members to break with back-room politics and stand up for democracy. But we must demand it. Please join us:

http://colorofchange.org/superd/?id=2365-436031

Thank You and Peace,

-- James, Van, Gabriel, Clarissa, Mervyn, Andre, and the rest of the ColorOfChange.org team
February 19th, 2008

P.S. Here's what Eleanor Holmes-Norton (D.C.'s Congressional Delegate) had to say about her role as a superdelegate:

As a super delegate, I decided I had to speak up now to separate myself from the idea that is afoot for the first time that super delegates, especially those who have not announced their choice, could or should decide our nominee under some circumstances. The notion that a candidate who has not earned delegates could become the Democratic nominee for president is at odds with the democratic principles of our party reforms. Super delegates were never intended to allow the return of smoked-filled room, behind the scenes selection of our candidate. I have carried a banner for a democracy of the District of Columbia too long to depart from principles of democracy within my own party.¹¹

Here's Donna Brazile (a strategist who ran Al Gore's campaign and has a position with the DNC):

If 795 of my colleagues [the other superdelegates] decide this election, I will quit the Democratic Party. I feel very strongly about this.¹²

References:

1. Huckabee, Obama Celebrate Wins In Georgia, WSB-TV, 2-7-2008
http://www.wsbtv.com/politics/15212406/detail.html

2. New York Primary Results, USAToday.com
http://content.usatoday.com/news/politics/election2008/results.aspx?sp=NY

3. Election Summary Report, City of Saint Louis
http://www.stlelections.com/results/results-1.htm

4. California Primary Results, USAToday.com
http://content.usatoday.com/news/politics/election2008/results.aspx?sp=CA

5. Black lawmakers backing Obama press colleagues to heed voters, The Hill, 2-16-08
http://tinyurl.com/383bu4

6. "Superdelegate," Wikipedia
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Superdelegate

7. "The delicate superdelegate predicament," Congressman Jesse Jackson Jr., Op-ed in the New York Times, 2-12-08
http://tinyurl.com/3c666q

8. See reference 5.

9. "Deciding Between Two Good Friends, Norton Chooses Obama," Hotline On Call, 2-12-08
http://tinyurl.com/2hcnbq

10. See reference 5.

11. See reference 9.

12. "Democrats dreading a drawn-out, costly battle for nomination," CNN.com, 2-8-08
http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/02/07/dem.delegates/

Thursday, February 14, 2008

Headline Jamaica Special Ed: The Revolution Comes Home

-------- Original Message --------

Subject:	Special Ed: The Revolution Comes Home
Date:	Wed, 13 Feb 2008 23:25:35 -0500 (EST)
From:	Carlette DeLeon <carlette@headlinejamaica.com>
Reply-To:	carlette@headlinejamaica.com
To:	ausetkmt@gmail.com

Headline Entertainment Release - Smile Jamaica - The Revolution Comes Home

Contact Us:

Jamaica

8 Haughton Avenue, Kingston 10,
Jamaica WI
Tel: 876.754.1526
Digi: 876.469.4577
Fax: 876.906.3634

US Mailing Address:

221 South State Road 7
MB# 4237
Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33317
Tel: 305.748.4602

Smile Jamaica - Africa Unite

The Revolution Comes Home

Kingston, Jamaica:- In 2005, the message of African unity rang out across Meskel Square in the Ethiopian capital Addis Ababa, with over 300,000 participating in the musical and cultural revolution. This year, the salubrious shores of James Bond Beach in Oraccabessa will witness a historic gathering come Saturday, February 23, with the historic Jamaican staging of Smile Jamaica-Africa Unite.

The combined show will offer a rare - in fact unprecedented - opportunity to see the current generation of the Marleys all on stage at the same time, each of whom has established – to varying degrees – a viable career in his own right. Stephen, fresh from his success at the Grammy awards, has added solo artiste to his portfolio of producer; Damian Jr. Gong Marley has also made Stephen Marley the trip to the Grammy podium, for his Welcome to Jamrock album (co-produced by Stephen), and has scaled the heights of the Billboard charts, and toured with the likes of U2; Ziggy, whose latest CD, Love Is My Religion, and who has collaborated with leading-edge artistes from around the world, as Julian; Ky-Mani having established himself as a dual threat – actor and singer - focused on his music in 2007. His first album in five years, Radio, and the lead single One Time, returned Ky-Mani to the Billboard charts.

Also taking the stage for the historic event are The Melody Makers (the Marley sisters Cedella and Sharon), Black Uhuru, Rasta talents Capleton, Tarrus Riley, Richie Spice, Spragga Benz, Lutan Fyah, Coco Tea and Alborosie; African Queens Etana and Queen Ifrica; musicians Dean Fraser and Ernie Ranglin, new comer Javaughn and sound systems Stone Love and Gully Bank. Adding diversity to programme are dub poet-commentator Mutabaruka, and Barbadian pop songstress, Rihanna, herself a winner at the Grammys for her smash, Umbrella (featuring Jay-Z).

Already, much is being done, within and outside the ambit of the organizers, to make all ready for the never-before gathering of Marleys on a Jamaican stage. Work continues apace on the much-anticipated eastern leg of Highway 2000. Booths are being erected on the event grounds, as are the performing and control facilities (audio and video media, on-site administration, etc)

But the Smile Jamaica-Africa Unite concert is far more than a one-time event or a temporary injection of funds. The concert makes direct and indirect economic contribution to the environs of the event area and the town of Oraccabessa. The event draws visitors and participants from around the world, bringing welcome capital to the area and by extension, to the country. Not to mention the veritable cast of thousands involved in the actual staging of the event.

Beyond economics, the 2008 staging of Smile Jamaica-Africa Unite at James Bond Beach has added cultural significance. The venue is part of the holdings of Island Records founder and impresario Chris Blackwell, who was instrumental in bringing the music and message – particularly the message of African unity – to a wide international audience. Millions around the globe have come to be inspired by the Marley ethos, first through their exposure to 'The Gong' and subsequently through the work of his children, and their numbers continue to grow daily. The Marley message has inspired freedom fighters in the former Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe), Israeli soldiers, aboriginals in Australia, New Zealand and the Oceanic states of the Pacific, Native American tribes, lawyers, doctors, stockbrokers and professionals of all stripes. Thousands of those devotees will converge on James Bond Beach for this unique combination of two remarkable concert events.

Tell the USDA You Want Truth in Labeling

Care2 subscriber since Feb 16, 2007

Unsubscribe | Forward to a Friend | Take Action

Hi Ankhesen,

"Where's the beef?!" It was a granny in a 1984 TV commercial that made this cry famous. Now-a-days, there's so much confusion around what's in meat and how it's raised, it would be more appropriate to say "What's in the beef?!"

Tell the USDA you don't want misleading labels on meat »

For example, the federal government is about to approve the term "naturally raised", even though it doesn't mean what you think it might -- that the animal was able to roam freely, graze on pasture, or was physically unaltered. It only means that it didn't get growth promoters, although there's no way to verify even that more limited claim. The existing term "natural" only means that no artificial ingredients were added during processing.

The deadline for comments to the USDA was pushed back -- now is a great time to sign onto this petition »

Tell the USDA the current "natural" and "naturally raised" labels are misleading, fall short of consumer expectations, and will only add to marketplace confusion. They should be withdrawn.

Thanks for taking action!

Samer
Care2 and ThePetitionSite

Tell the USDA "No Misleading Labels on Meat"

Instead of these meaningless and misleading terms, the USDA should allow only specific, understandable claims.

Forward to a friend >>
Read the petition >>

New IRIN film - "Slum Survivors" released

-------- Original Message --------

Dear Friends and Colleagues,

Worldwide more than a billion people live in slums with as many as a
million of them in the Kenyan slum of Kibera.

IRINs award winning film unit is pleased to announce the release of
"Slum Survivors" the latest of its documentary films. This compelling 42
minute film tells the stories of a few of Kibera's residents and charts
their struggle in the face of extreme poverty.

As with all IRIN Films, the aim is to increase awareness and
understanding of humanitarian crises and to assist fellow humanitarian
actors in their advocacy efforts. As a humanitarian news agency IRIN
specializes in the creation of advocacy tools but remains dependant on
its partners for the dissemination of these messages.

While we will endeavour to meet demand, we cannot guarantee that we will
be able to provide copies to all who request them.

To order a copy, please click on the following link:

http://www.irinnews.info/filmorders/slum.asp

The trailer for the film can be viewed on our website -

http://www.irinnews.org/Report.aspx?ReportId=74946

Best regards,

Pat Banks
IRIN Director
www.irinnews.org

Alert: Fentanyl pain patches recalled

This is the same drug that caused the mass country wide spate of drug overdoses
in summer and fall of 2006.

Please Spread this Alert as wide as possible
as it's yet to appear on the news in my area -
which was one of the hardest hit areas of this Heroin Fentanyl Mix-up.

"Each One, Please - Reach One"

~~RE

Chronic Pain News

FEB. 13, 2008

Forward this to a friend

Alert: Fentanyl pain patches recalled
Patches containing the power painkiller fentanyl have been recalled because of a flaw that could pose risks for patients or caregivers. Some of the patches may have a cut in the lining that might allow the gel form of fentanyl to come into contact with users accidentally. This could lead to difficulty breathing or even a fatal overdose. For complete information on the brands, doses, and expiration dates of products affected by this recall, click on the link below. (HealthDay News)
Read more Forward this to a friend

Why ? Mayor Kilpatrick's Detroit E-Newsletter: Chief of Staff Resigns

Mayor Kilpatrick's Detroit E-Newsletter

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Chief of Staff Resigns

Below is the content of the resignation letter that was submitted today:

January 28, 2008

Dear Mayor Kilpatrick,

I would first like to thank you and the citizens of Detroit for the opportunity to have worked for the city that I love so much over the past six years.

Serving as Chief of Staff for the Kilpatrick administration since 2002 has been an honor and a privilege. I was born and raised in Detroit and my childhood goal was always to serve my city. I came back home after college to do just that. Serving our citizens and helping to transform Detroit into an even greater city is what I've been dedicated to everyday since January 2002.

As Chief of Staff, I managed key city departments in such areas as human services and labor relations as well as administering the day to day operation of the Mayor's office. I've served the administration and Detroit citizens with diligence, strength and perseverance and I hope that my efforts will one day show through above all else.

In spite of this, however, I believe that it is clear I can no longer effectively carry out the duties of Chief of Staff. Therefore, this letter serves as my resignation effective, February 8, 2008 to allow for an orderly transition of my duties with the new chief of staff. I painfully regret the devastation that the recent reports have caused to the citizens of Detroit, to my co workers, to the Mayor's family and to my family and friends.

Again, I thank you and the citizens of Detroit for the opportunity to serve.

Sincerely,

Christine Beatty


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Statement from Sharon McPhail about the Appeal to Cover Up the Detroit Mayors Text Scandal

Mayor Kilpatrick's Detroit E-Newsletter

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February 7, 2008

Statement from Sharon McPhail about the Appeal

This has been a very frustrating week which has highlighted the potential for abuse that exists when one party to a lawsuit is also able to provide their own unchallenged version of that lawsuit to the public.

The city is in the unenviable position of being a defendant in a lawsuit brought by plaintiffs – in this case the Detroit Free Press and the Detroit News – who then have provided the only public accounts of that lawsuit. They own the printing presses. They have hundreds of thousands of readers. The city does not. As a result, readers receive only one side of the story.

Nevertheless, we have carefully reviewed Judge Colombo's decision in the lawsuit brought by the Detroit Free Press and Detroit News. After that review, the Mayor has decided to ask the judge to release some of the documents in question while appealing portions of his ruling.

Michigan court rules require confidentiality for any documents or information exchanged during mediation. This privacy is necessary so that all parties can communicate openly toward an agreement. The possibility that personal documents – whether financial records, health records or other information – might become public would have a chilling effect on any mediation.

When you are trying to settle a case you may have to produce medical records or financial records in the privacy of the mediation. But you would not want those personal records released to the public or published in a newspaper once an agreement has been reached. The court rules are set up to guarantee the individual's right to privacy while encouraging movement toward a settlement.

It is for that reason that the city is appealing the court's ruling relative to the sealed deposition of Michael Stefani, the plaintiff's attorney, the order allowing Free Press attorney Hershel Fink to tape record the sealed deposition even though we were not allowed to tape it, and certain exhibits in the Stefani deposition.

This decision was made more difficult by the unavailability of the documents that are at issue in this case. Judge Colombo's order prevented us from obtaining copies of those documents and, thus, we were required to make this decision without the benefit of a review of the documents or a transcript of the Stefani deposition.

We have talked to the attorney who drafted the confidentiality agreement and he believes the agreement and the two documents related to it that we are urging the judge to release could have been either a private agreement or a part of the public record regarding the settlement.

Therefore, the Mayor is asking the judge to release three documents:

1. An agreement in which the documents involved in the mediation were put in a safe deposit box until the agreements were signed,

2. The document the mayor signed accepting City Council's approval of the settlement and

3. the confidentiality agreement itself which was signed by Michael Stefani on behalf of his clients, which acknowledges that the documents in question were personal and private.

I hope that this will put to rest media speculation about the existence of any "secret" deals. In fact, no secret deals exist or have ever existed. The decision to pay a jury verdict in any case is one that is discussed and reviewed dozens of times before any action is taken. Initial reactions to any jury verdict always give way to thoughtful consideration of the best route to protect the city's interests. So it was with the decision to pay the settlement in the Brown/Nelthorpe case.

In fact, at the time many on the City Council, in the media and in the public at large were very strongly urging that the city settle the case once and for all without any appeal. That is what we did.

It is important to note that none of the documents involve the so-called text messages that have been the subject of such fevered media coverage in recent days. Any suggestion that they were involved in this in any way is false.


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Wednesday, February 13, 2008

Mayor Kilpatrick's Detroit E-Newsletter - Week of February 4, 2008

ayor Kilpatrick's Detroit E-Newsletter

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Important
Detroit Updates

•
Tune Your Radio To Mix 92.3 & Hot 102.7 To Listen To Exclusive Interviews With Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick
•
Mayor Showcases Investment Made For City Operations
•
Mayor To Congress:
Don't Block Our Progress
•
Media Hype, City Pain
•

February 8, 2008

Tune Your Radio To Mix 92.3 & Hot 102.7 To Listen To Exclusive Interviews With Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick

Mayor Kilpatrick will be on Frankie Darcell's "Talk of the Town" on Mix 92.3 today from 12:30 p.m. until 1:30 p.m. Then, the Mayor will be on HOT 102.7 with Reggie Reg at 4:15 p.m. Be sure to tune in today!

In case you can't tune in to "Talk of the Town" at 12:30 p.m. today, check it out on WADL Detroit TV 38 at 7:30 p.m. tonight and again Saturday at 7:00 p.m.

Mayor Showcases Investment Made For City Operations

Mayor Kilpatrick visited the Department of Public Works Russell Ferry Garage to rollout a new partnership between the city's General Services Department and the Genuine Parts Company NAPA program designed to make city vehicle repair more efficient with a partnership between the city's.

Mayor Kilpatrick showed-off two new vactor trucks recently purchased for $300,000 each by the Detroit Water and Sewerage Department (DWSD) to clean blocked catch basins, flooded streets and flooded basements. The Mayor also unveiled DWSD's state-of-the-art control center.

Mayor Showcases Investment Made For City Operations Mayor Kilpatrick on Friday also cut the ribbon at the Greater Resource Recovery Authority's newly refurbished Southfield Transfer Station. This new transfer station will provide residents and commercial haulers with a convenient drop off point for their trash. More than $3.5 million was invested by the Kilpatrick Administration on six state of the art compactors and other facility enhancements. The new facility can receive as much as 1,500 tons per day. The transfer station is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m.

Mayor To Congress: Don't Block Our Progress
Mayor Kilpatrick urges "No" vote on HR 2176 & 4115;
says new off-reservation casinos threatens Detroit's comeback

Testifying before the House Resources Committee on Wednesday, Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick sought to defeat proposals to authorize two new off-reservation Indian casinos outside his city, saying that the proposed casinos undermined $1 billion in new investment and close to 10,000 Detroit jobs.

"There is real optimism about the future of our city," Mayor Kilpatrick said Wednesday. "There are signs of growth and recovery throughout Detroit. These dramatic improvements to the City of Detroit are not just happenstance. A very prominent economic driver to these accomplishments has been the establishment of three casinos within the City's boundaries. This was the intention of voters statewide in Michigan when they approved casinos for Detroit in 1994," he said.

"The people of Michigan have spoken very clearly that they approve of three private Casinos in the city of Detroit. They spoke again in 2004, amending our state's constitution, to require that future efforts to open Casinos be brought back before voters. Congress should not approve of this clear effort to short circuit our process and mandate off reservation casinos," Mayor Kilpatrick concluded.

Media Hype, City Pain
Karima Sorel
The Michigan Citizen

Below are excerpts from a commentary that appeared in a recent edition of The Michigan Citizen. It's an interesting perspective you should take time to review.

"...With the power of media comes responsibility that allows readers to understand the issues, evaluate the facts and make decisions.

Although fair and unbiased has proved to be a lofty goal for all, it is a standard by which journalists hold themselves.

In printing its most recent attack on the Mayor, the Free Press showed blatant disregard for such journalistic integrity using the headline "A $9-million lie," and calling for Kilpatrick's resignation.

No legal charges have been made, no formal complaints filed, no investigation from sources other than the unnammed that provided the Skytell messages.

Were the messages obtained legally? Ethically? Who knows. Are the messages complete? Edited? Doctored in any way? Who knows.

Media ethics demand reporters restrain themselves from rushing to judgment or implicating guilt where none has been found. Typically newspaper and television reporters commit to language such as "appears to be," or "alleged" in an attempt to uphold these ethics. Until perjury or other misconduct is proven in a court of law or, at least charged by law enforcement, that person is innocent of a crime. Abuse of power is not restricted to the Mayor's office. The news outlets have charged Kilpatrick with perjury based solely on their findings.

In addition to The Free Press' reports regarding text messages, they have run several front page stories and editorials concerning the $8.4 million paid in the Whistleblower settlement. The funds used to pay out that settlement could never have gone to the schools, or to libraries, or to pave roads. The city of Detroit is self insured and covers its own liabilities from funds budgeted..."


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Obama Trounces Clinton As Belize Elects Shyne's Pops As First Black Prime Minister

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We're SOHH Out There!
----------------------------------------------------------------------
HEADLINE: OBAMA TROUNCES CLINTON AS BELIZE ELECTS SHYNE'S POPS AS
FIRST BLACK PRIME MINISTER

Barack Obama swept Hillary Clinton in Yesterday's (Feb. 12) "Potomac
Primary;" beating the New York Senator in Washington, D.C., Virginia
and Maryland primaries by 20 points or more and bringing his winning
streak to 8-0 since Super Tuesday.

FULL STORY: http://www.sohh.com/articles/article.php/13702

News Alert: Obama and McCain Win Maryland Primaries

-------- Original Message --------

Subject:	News Alert: Obama and McCain Win Maryland Primaries
Date:	Tue, 12 Feb 2008 21:37:06 EST
From:	washingtonpost.com <newsletter@letters.washingtonpost.com>
Reply-To:	newsletter.W0TH0505909892DA07D7734123B690@letters.washingtonpost.com
To:	ausetkmt@geocities.com