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Goodluck Everyone!

Success!

Well Altman will likely survive till the next election cycle but pressures on a local and domestic level have forced a revised criminal domestic violence bill to be fast tracked through the SC house. There has been no public apology for Altman’s inappropriate words, but his initial arrogance can be credited for the about face on the bill.

We have fixed this now lets get rid of him in November ‘06 (assuming that is when his term is up).

Bush = Stone

From WaPo:

Do you approve/disapprove of the Bush Presidency?

-------- approve/disapprove
4/05 --> 47%/50%
3/05 --> 50%/48%
1/05 --> 50%/45%

Do you approve or disapprove of the way Bush is handling:

---------------------- Approve / Disapprove
A. Social Security --> 31 / 64
B. Iraq --------------> 42 / 56
C. Economy ----------> 40 / 57
D. Terrorism --------> 56 / 41
E. Energy Policy ----> 35 / 54

Would you support or oppose changing the Senate rules to make it easier for the Republicans to confirm Bush's judicial nominees?

Support - 26%
Oppose - 66%

Which party better represents your personal values?

Dems - 47%
GOP - 38%

(MoE +/-3%)

The Democratic Party, the Party of Values. Can I get an Amen for that...

reminder re: John G. Altman

From Nikki Treman at DFA :

Tuesday, April 26th, 11:45 AM
Earthfare parking lot on Folly Road (across from Altman's home)

If you have managed to miss the latest hullabaloo over Altman,
here's the story:

Judiciary Committee passes bill dealing with cock fighting,
tables domestic violence bill:
http://www.wistv.com/Global/story.asp?S=3233130&nav=0RaMYral

While none of this surprises those of us familiar with Altman,
this latest episode has received national attention and
reinforced the country's opinion that SC is a bunch of
backwards fools. The media will be there. Let's show them that
WE care about domestic violence and that it's time for Altman
TO GO!

Nikki

P.S.--The steering committee meets tomorrow at Port City Java
at 6:30. Please join us or email me with ideas or suggestions
for future meetings and events.

Senator Graham is getting back on my good side

On the Just Us Sunday Christ-Fascist quest for theocracy:

Senator Graham, a Republican of South Carolina, criticized the Family Research Council's message in an interview with Newsweek magazine, "Questioning a senator's motives in that way is a very dangerous precedent. That goes to a level where the Senate has never gone before. It is a very unhealthy turn of events," he said. NYSun

Remember to call Reps. below...

Contact your Reps. re: filibuster

Henry Brwown

Lindsey Graham

Jim DeMint

One minute each... GO!

Rep. John Graham Altman

Altman says Criminal Domestic Violence should remain a misdemeanor but Cockfighting should be a felony

Showdown at High Noon Tuesday, April 26th

Across from 77 Folly Road, in the Earthfare parking lot across from Altman's home.

Charleston, SC

Please circulate this to as many advocates as you can. Rep. Altman was unbelievably rude to the reporter who questioned him about this bill.

He as much as called her stupid for asking him about it. There is video on the site as well. Please send messages of support to Gilda Cobb Hunter, an African American legislator in this state who has very bravely stood up to ignoramuses like Altman and continues to fight for battered women in the face of abject idiocy.

Great News

Today we were unanimously approved by the SGA senate to become a group on campus. This will allow us to receive funding, reserve rooms anytime we need, and to have more of a presence on campus.

This summer we will organize and come fall, we will see how much of a force we will become.

the nuclear option

via DriveDemocracy.org

Progressive religious leaders from around the country are joining with DriveDemocracy to take the fight to GOP Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist and the far right’s unprecedented attack on the constitution and the judiciary.

We’re going to Louisville, Kentucky, just down the street from where the Family Research Council and Frist launch their theocratic telecast. We’ll be staging a massive rally at 2 p.m. at Douglas Boulevard Christian Church.

Joining us is the Clergy and Laity Network, whose national committee includes Rev. Dr. Joan Brown Campbell, Sister Joan Chittister, Rabbi Steven Jacobs, Rev. Dr. Otis Brown, Jr., Rev. Dr. Albert Pennybacker, Dr. Susannah Heschel and many more. Invites to other speakers from across the nation are going out today.

More info from MoveOn.org

rallies

media

Important action for SC and elsewhere...

Please hit this link...

and send your Senators a quick reminder of where you stand re. gay rights.

Link to this...

and let your Senators hear your views over our privacy of personal info.

Some Upcoming Events

Charleston Drinking Liberally Organization

Drinking Liberally was started in New York City two years ago by a group of folks who sought a forum for Democrats, Liberals, and Progressives to come together in a pressure free environment to share a pint of brew and talk about the politics that binds us all.

Drinking Liberally Charleston will converge upon Salty Mike's at the City Marina (17 Lockwood Drive) on the 1st and 3rd Thursdays of each month from 5-7pm. This is an ongoing event that you are always welcome to attend. Twice a month, you will receive a friendly reminder of the upcoming Happy Hour.

You'll never be guilted for not showing. You'll never be guilted into volunteering. You'll never be guilted for not making a financial contribution. You WILL enjoy the company of other like-minded folks. Please join us for the very first Happy Hour on Thursday April 21 from 5-7PM. We look forward to seeing you then!

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Help Build a Buffer Garden at Brittlebank

Volunteers are needed to help build a buffer garden in Brittlebank Park on April 16 and April 23. The building will take place from 9am until noon and from 1pm until 4pm.

Buffers composed of plant species native to the South Carolina coast protect the coast by filtering nonpoint pollution that runs from impervious surfaces into our waterways. By building the buffer to filter pollution, we maintain the standards of our recreational areas, the health of our fisheries and the quality of our water.

Water and snacks will be provided. Volunteers are asked to bring gardening tools.

For more information or to volunteer, contact Kristan McKinne at plantinthepark@yahoo.com or 953-7858.

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Anyone out there concerned about drilling for oil in the Arctic? Pissed off about rising gas prices? Looking for an alternative to America's obsession with fossil fuels? Then this next Thinking People meeting is for you…

Join us this Sunday night for a potluck gathering downtown at Don Pierce's house from 5-7pm. Our guest speaker will be Ary Fun, a local expert on biodiesel. Come and hear info on fueling your vehicle with veggie oil. Bring your questions and ideas and some healthy food and drink to share. Here are directions to Don's House. Please see the
attachment for a map.

If you plan on attending the meeting, please RSVP to Don directly at donniepierce@hotmail.com.

**Thinking People will also have a table set up at the Earth Day Festival on April 23rd, 11a-3p, Park Circle, North Charleston. Come by for more info and a biodiesel fuel demo.

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Health Care Issues

MUSC is putting together an uninsured week: to raise awareness about the health-care crisis in America. Events this year for Cover the Uninsured Week will be:

1. A panel featuring a physician who has worked extensively with uninsured patients, deals with health policy issues, and is intimately familiar with the plight of the uninsured, especially in this city. The panel will also feature
local Charlestonians who have faced the problem of being uninsured. (4/18 12-1
pm)

2. A healthcare reform debate between a representative of the American Medical Association (AMA) and a representative of the Physicians for a National Health Program (PNHP), moderated by a member of the Family Medicine department who is
a former National President of the American Medical Student Association. (4/19 12-1pm)

3. A Rally for the Uninsured with speakers about the issue of the uninsured, along with the opportunity for attendees to participate in a letter-writing campaign to legislators regarding Medicaid, etc. covering the uninsured issue. (4/19 5:15 - 6:00 pm)

Rachel Rosansky
Medical University of South Carolina
rosansk@musc.edu

Darfur Crisis

Take Action: Genocide In Darfur

Green bracelets raise awareness about the suffering of millions of innocent people in the Darfur region of Sudan

Acts of state sponsored terrorism have killed tens of thousands and affected 1.6 million people. Yet our government has done little to help.

Please contact me at hfiend@yahoo.com if you care enough to help. Bracelets are $2 each and are provided by a professor-student organization at a local college campus.

Check out savedarfur.org for more information or if you live outside of South Carolina.

Tuesday night: 7:45-9pm
Panel Discussion on Affordable Housing in Charleston....
Ed Center room 118

speakers:

Ms. Jacki Martin, Land Use Associate, SC Coastal Conservation League
Prof. Jennifer McStotts, Assistant Prof. Historic Preservation and Urban Studies
Clive Rainey, National Program director, 21st Century Challenge, H. for Humanity

Also there will be a sleep-out, 58 George Street... 10pm until morning... be homeless for a night, sleeping under the stars.

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Saturday April 9 7:30am-12pm
Workday, Sea Island HFH
meeting in K lot to carpool