Hot on the heels of news that +1 in 100 adults in the U.S. are in prison comes an excellent diary entry by Joe G. at BlueGrassRoots about the human side of felon disenfranchisement in Kentucky. The fact that Kentucky leads the nation in the growth of imprisoned population is especially troubling.

I implore you to take a look at KFTC’s site and learn more about felon disenfranchisement in Kentucky, particularly under disgraced former Gov. Ernie Fletcher. You can contact your legislators by going here. And while you’re at it, tell Republican Rep. Jeff Hoover to quit tacking on superfluous amendments and remind Republican Rep. Addia Wuchner that even Pres. George W. Bush agrees that literacy tests are bullshit. (Of course, we know that literacy isn’t his strong suit.)

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(crossposted at BlueGrassRoots)

OK, as you all know by now, Mitch McConnell has succeeded in his efforts to get Heather Ryan fired for simply filming him and asking about the war in Iraq.

Now…. what can we do?

FIRST

This mother of two who supports her family is now out of a job. But Heather is also a Mary Kay saleswoman. To help her support her family in these trying times, think of buying some of her products at her Mary Kay site. Valentine's Day is coming up, so there's your angle, fellas.

SECOND

Call Heather's cowardly employers at Maiden Alley Cinema and give them a piece of your mind.

(270) 441-7007
(888) 442-7007

Jason Coltharp, (JCOLTHARP@whitlow-law.com) secretary and spokesman for Paducah Film Society Board of Directors

Jay Siska, chairman of the board

Be sure to ask them, ‘if you are a non-partisan non-profit, why are you letting Mitch McConnell film his re-election campaign commercials there?’

THIRD

Write a letter to the editor and call EVERY media outlet in Kentucky that has TOTALLY IGNORED this story (The Puducah sun is the only publication to even talk to Heather). And believe me, they all know about this and are CHOOSING to ignore it.

Here's a handy Letter to the editor finder for the paper near you at the KY GOP site. Thanks, fellas. 

Lexington Herald-Leader

Ryan Alessi- 859-231-1303, ralessi@herald-leader.com

Jack Brammer- 859-231-1302, jbrammer@herald-leader.com

John Stamper- 859-231-3204, jstamper@herald-leader.com

John Cheves- jcheves@herald-leader.com

Louisville Courier-Journal 

James Carroll, 202-906-8141, jcarroll@courier-journal.com

Joe Gerth, 582-4702, jgerth@courier-journal.com

Stephenie Steitzer, 502-875-5136, ssteitzer@gannett.com 

Mark Hebert - 502.582.7220, mark.hebert@whas11.com

Pat Crowley- 859.578.5581, pcrowley@enquirer.com

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Literally! Yes! Sen. Mitch McConnell (R) fled Kentucky today in the face of a protest at a joint appearance that he was to make with soon-to-be-outgoing Gov. Ernie Fletcher (R). Here’s the action as it was unfolding from Aniello:

# # #

After the Senator shamelessly led the refusal to insure over 50,000 Kentucky children, he and Governor Fletcher are making a PR tour of the Kosair’s Children’s hospital. Health care workers & advocates are leading a protest outside of Kosair’s right now. We are going to show Senator McConnell, and the semi-responsible local media, that his political tricks are not going unnoticed. His actions are insulting to the intelligence of Kentuckians and the children to which he has repeatedly denied basic health care insurance.

# # #

That message was soon followed by:

# # #

When health care workers and Iraq War protesters showed up outside Kosair’s Childrens Hospital, Senator McConnell suddenly canceled his tour even though he is still in Louisville.

Please spread the word!!!

# # #

Yes, indeed! Spread it far and wide! Mitch McConnell is a coward! As Shawn put it below, Mitch McConnell is shameless! And, most important of all: Mitch McConnell is vulnerable!

I want to personally thank progressive activists like Aniello and Judy — who’s a frequent commenter here and also a part of the backbone of the Louisville-area progressive community — and the many others who give of their time, and their energy, and their passion to make all the wonderful change and action we see happening in Kentucky possible. What you do is an inspiration to so many of us, in Kentucky and elsewhere.

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This Friday, the Olmsted Parks Conservancy in Louisville will present Mitch McConnell with its top award at a “Roaring ’20s Gala” in the ritzy Henry Clay Hotel, on 3rd & Chestnut.

I don’t know about you, but when I think of Mitch McConnell, the word “conservation” doesn’t really come to mind. The League of Conservation Voters agree, giving Mitch a 0% rating.

If that wasn’t reason enough to be upset with Mitch, there’s the whole enabling Bush’s Iraq folly, filibustering everything that moves, smearing a brain damaged 12-yr old with lies and then LYING about that on camera, and… well, the list is endless.

So a collection of groups in Louisville are organizing a big protest outside of Mitch’s “Roaring ’20’s Gala”, where I’m sure everyone attending will have full health insurance (Mitch with his own socialist gov’t hand-out insurance). So from 5:00-9:00, we’ll be outside “roaring” ourselves.

I’ll be there making my second attempt at liveblogging, and I’m sure Jim Pence will be there taping it, so come on out and join us! Jim Pence will make you famous!

Here are some additional suggestions sent along to me by superorganizer Sara Choate:

Here’s what you can do:

1. Call and email Mimi Zinneil, President and CEO, 456-8125, mimi.zinniel@olmstedparks.org
2. Write a letter to the C-J, cjletter@courier-journal.com
3. Send this message to your email lists & all environmental groupsin Louisville, and

4. Join the demonstration on Friday October 26, 5:00pm - 9:00pm,
across the street from the Henry Clay Hotel at 3rd & Chestnut. Come in
Roaring ’20’s costume (if you want). Bring music, noise makers (i.e.
whistle, bullhorn, etc;) and friends…..lots and lots of rowdy friends.

Let’s see if we can pull off something like this again!

or even this!

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From the Sunlight Foundation:

Last April the Campaign Disclosure Parity Act of 2007, which would require Senators to file their campaign disclosure forms electronically, was blocked by a Republican Senator. The Sunlight Foundation launched a campaign called What’s McConnell Hiding? to find out who that Senator was and why they would object.

On September 24th, 2007, Sens. Russ Feingold and Dianne Feinstein offered the Senate Campaign Disclosure Parity Act of 2007 for Unanimous Consent again, however, it was blocked again by an objection from Sen. John Ensign (R-NV). Unlike previous objections to the bill, Sen. Ensign’s objection was not anonymous. This is likely due to the ban on secret holds, imposed by the recently passed Honest Leadership and Accountability Act of 2007.

Sen. Ensign objected to the bill and offered an irrelevant poison pill amendment. Ensign’s amendment would require outside groups filing ethics committee complaints to disclose their funding. Rather than vote on this unrelated amendment Sens. Feingold and Feinstein pulled their Unanimous Consent request. Sen. Ensign has since stated that he is unsure if he was the senator who placed the original anonymous hold on the bill. Staffers in his office claim he wasn’t.

A document circulated among Democratic Senate offices indicates that the efforts to block passage of the Senate Campaign Disclosure Parity Act originate from the office of the Minority Leader Mitch McConnell himself. The document, a Unanimous Consent agreement, labels the amendment offered by Ensign as a “McConnell amendment.” So, McConnell wasn’t hiding the identity of a fellow senator. He was hiding himself!

We still feel this bill is important to create a more transparent Congress. Please call Sen. McConnell and tell him enough is enough pass S.223 and stop hiding.

Washington Office: (202) 224-2541
Western Kentucky Office: (270) 442-4554
South Central Kentucky Office: (270) 781-1673
Louisville Metro Office: (502) 582-6304
Bluegrass Area Office: (859) 224-8286
Northern Kentucky Office: (859) 578-0188
Eastern Kentucky Office: (606) 864-2026

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Everybody in Louisville: There’s a big protest today at 4:30 outside of Mitch McConnell’s Louisville office to protest his recent votes to continue the Iraq war. Lt. Col. Andrew Horne, veterans and military families will be there to let Mitch know that this rubber-stamping of Bush’s folly will not stand.

Office of Sen. Mitch McConnell
Mazzoli Federal Building
601 W. Broadway
Louisville, KY 40202

Here are the details:

Louisville, KY – Today Lt. Col. Andrew Horne (Ret.), Spc. Brian Smith, Sgt. Bill Zubeaty, Kentucky veterans and military families will gather outside Sen. Mitch McConnell’s Louisville office to protest his continued support for President Bush’s failed Iraq war policy. Kentuckians are urging Sen. McConnell to stand up to President Bush and vote to bring a safe and responsible end to the war in Iraq.

Sen. McConnell once again blocked an end to the war today, voting against legislation offered by Sen. Carl Levin (D-MI) and Sen. Jack Reed (D-RI). The measure was an amendment to the Fiscal Year 2008 Defense Authorization bill, would have begun the withdrawal of American forces from Iraq within 90 days and wrapped up the process within nine months.

Even before today’s vote, Sen. McConnell has been feeling the heat from his constituents for his continued support of the President’s reckless Iraq war policy. A recent poll by the Lexington Herald-Leader and Action News 36 showed that majority of Kentuckians – 55 percent of those polled – oppose Sen. McConnell’s continued support for the war and 57 percent said the cost of the war has been too high in terms of expense and loss of life. The poll also indicates that his reckless Iraq position is hurting Sen. McConnell’s credibility with Kentuckians: his approval rating has sunk to 47 percent, with 44 percent disapproving.

GET OUT THERE AND LET MITCH KNOW HOW YOU FEEL!

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9/19 Roadside Wednesdays Near McConnell’s Office

WHAT:

Iraq Summer Kentucky
Roadside Wednesdays Near McConnell’s Office
Support The Troops - End The War

WHEN:

4:45 - 5.45 pm Wednesday
September 19th
(and continuing weekly until congress votes on Iraq War funding)

WHERE:

Near Senator McConnell’s Office
Along Harrodsburg Road
Between Corporate Drive & New Circle
Lexington
Click here for a map to the site.

DETAILS:

Our signs ask motorists to call the Senator and ask him to take a stand for our troops and against this endless war in Iraq. When congress reconvenes in September, they will be deciding whether to continue funding the Iraq War. If Senate Minority leader McConnell were to break with the President on the war, it could significantly shorten a war. Help us remind the Senator that the majority of Kentuckians want to bring the troops home.

SPONSORS:

Iraq Summer Kentucky

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:
Richard Mitchell
(859) 327-6277

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DM-KY reader Dee brought something to my attention that had flown under my radar in the past weeks. Via e-mail, she shared with me a letter she’d sent to Sen. Mitch McConnell recently, asking for his reaction to this article:

For daring to report illegal arms sales, Navy veteran Donald Vance says he was imprisoned by the American military in a security compound outside Baghdad and subjected to harsh interrogation methods.

…

For his trouble, he says, he got 97 days in Camp Cropper, an American military prison outside Baghdad that once held Saddam Hussein, and he was classified a security detainee.

Also held was colleague Nathan Ertel, who helped Vance gather evidence documenting the sales, according to a federal lawsuit both have filed in Chicago, alleging they were illegally imprisoned and subjected to physical and mental interrogation tactics “reserved for terrorists and so-called enemy combatants.”

If you’d also like a response from our senators about the reprehensible actions taken against these men and women, please contact them at the following locations:

Sen. Mitch McConnell
361-A Russell Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510
Phone: (202) 224-2541

Sen. Jim Bunning
316 Hart Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510
Phone: (202) 224-4343

To contact our senators at their regional offices, please refer to their websites.

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Daniel Solzman of The Kentucky Democrat has a great interview with Lt. Col. Andrew Horne, who has been quite active this summer with Vote Vets, assisting the Iraq Summer Campaign, and continuing to pressure Mitch McConnell on his rubber stamping of Bush’s failed Iraq policy.

Some interesting comments in the interview, such as his discussion on how KY blogs have been able to coordinate with activists, using the wildly successful protests at Bellarmine, Mitch’s apartment and Berea as examples. He also discusses the 2008 race against McConnell, and what it would take to get him to join Stumbo in the Democratic primary next Spring.

Some excerpts:

DS: Did you ever outreach to bloggers on Kos or MyDD during your campaign? Also, do you have any thoughts on the way that blogs have revolutionized politics altogether?
AH: During the campaign I never personally initiated contact directly with any bloggers. I had some contact me and I know my supporters were very active in that regard.

I was and still am impressed with the way the blogs can disseminate information in a way that mobilizes people. However, there are blogs where the participants are simply talking but not getting involved. The important synergy is between the blogs and grass roots that can turn words into passion and then into action. A good example is the Iraq Summer Campaign. The blogs disseminated information across the state and the nation so that a small group of people in Berea, KY knew they were not alone in opposing the war and challenging McConnell to bring a responsible end to it. I have no doubt that some of those 100 people in Berea were there because they heard about 800 people in Louisville, KY or 400 in Boise, Idaho, or one of the other 40+ locations across the nation. That would not have happened without the blogs. The people in Berea did not hear about other events through the traditional media and would not have heard or seen the passion without YouTube and the blogs. I believe this trend will only continue as people who participated in the Iraq Summer Campaign and other similar causes adapt these tactics to their own agenda. I would call it non-linear activism.

…..

AH: If the right race comes around I am not done in politics. Regarding 2008 against McConnell, the encouragement I am getting is humbling but that is a race that should not be taken on lightly. Because of the amount and breadth of support I am getting I will take a very serious look at it, but in the end I will base my decision on what is best for my family and whether my candidacy will be in the interests of the people.

The entire interview is at The Kentucky Democrat.

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Next week, Louisville, Lexington and Newport will be holding the biggest Iraq Summer events of the month. The "Take a Stand Campaign" will hold large rallies on the 27th and 28th, the climax of the month-long effort to bring our troops home safe and hold Mitch McConnell accountable for his shameful rubber-stamping of Bush’s failed Iraq policy.

The Lexington rally will be held downtown in Phoenix Park, from 5 to 8 each night. The Louisville rally will be held at Bellermine University at Frazier Hall, same time. Some great speakers will be at both events, and we should get some bigtime media coverage. There will also be a rally at Newport on the Levee, so check that out in Northern KY.

From their website:

The "Take a Stand Campaign" is a nation-wide organizing drive to demand that members of Congress and the Senate take a stand with the vast majority of Americans who want a safe and responsible redeployment of American Forces from Iraq.

Across America, over 100 "Iraq Summer" organizers are working to involve thousands of ordinary Americans in an effort to pressure targeted members of Congress to vote to bring a safe end to the war.  This "Take A Stand Campaign" will culminate with "Take A Stand" town meetings to be held on August 28th, immediately before congress reconvenes.

There are lots of ways to get involved — from attending a Take a Stand town hall in your area to helping organize and spreading the word about the event. To sign up for an event near you, CLICK HERE. For more information about getting involved, contact Cammie Croft at cammie@iraqcampaign.org.

(crossposted at BlueGrassRoots)

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(crossposted at BlueGrassRoots)

As Jim shows in his greatvideo below, protesters made a little visit to the Louisville home of Mitch McConnell yesterday. In fact, Mitch himself was home and able to witness this himself.

Additionally, Mitch would not leave his apartment because he was too much of a coward to even be seen by these protesters. The protesters stayed in front of his apartment from 11am to 11pm, and Mitch chose to hide there all day and night. Here are some of the details from an Iraq Summer press release yesterday below.

UPDATE: Iraq Summer is still there today but there are now counter-protesters. Yes, Mitch has called in the last few people that aren’t ashamed of him, because he’s so afraid of Iraq Summer. So if you’re in Louisville right now and want to be heard, go to the 2300 block of Dundee and join the fun.

UPDATE #2: The “counterprotesters” showed up 5 minutes before the news crews got there, and left immediately after the news crews left. But Iraq Summer has been there non-stop for McConnell’s entire weekend stay in Louisville. A righty site is reporting that Mitch supporters “drowned out” his supporters this weekend, which is laughable and typically dishonest. Jim will have a video up later showing the overwhelming support that the protesters had from those passing by. And unlike the fake counterprotesters, Iraq Summer will not let up on Mitch in August.

Kentuckians Picket at Mitch McConnell’s Doorstep Calling for an End to the War in Iraq

Anger has Reached a Boiling Point in Kentucky as Sen. McConnell Continues to Support the President’s Reckless War Policy; Sen. McConnell’s Solution – Stay Inside

 

Louisville, KY – In a preview of the anti-Iraq war fervor Senate Republicans will face over August recess, Kentuckians went door-to-door in Sen. Mitch McConnell’s Louisville neighborhood today, distributing yard signs urging Sen. McConnell to stand up to President Bush and bring an end to the reckless war in Iraq.  As part of the Iraq Summer campaign, constituents also stood outside Sen. McConnell’s home, holding up signs and greeting passersby.  The Kentuckians first arrived at McConnell’s house at 11 am Saturday morning and found Capitol Police standing guard outside the home. Nine hours later, Sen. McConnell has yet to come out from his home, apparently preferring to duck his constituents than address their concerns about his continued support for the President’s unending Iraq war policy.

 
Many of Sen. McConnell’s own neighbors came out to express their support for the Iraq Summer campaign and collect yard signs calling on the Senator to end the war in Iraq.  Cars driving by have been honking all afternoon to urge Sen. McConnell to bring our troops home.

 
“As Senate Minority Leader, Mitch McConnell has led Republicans in blocking an end to President Bush’s failed Iraq war, so we came to him to show just how much anger there is in Kentucky over his continued support for an unending war in Iraq,” said Aniello Alioto, Kentucky Field Director for the Iraq Summer campaign, who was at Sen. McConnell’s house.  “The Iraq war has cost too much – in money, in resources, in lives.   After more than four years, over $400 billion spent, and the deaths of more than 3,600 American troops, it’s time for Sen. McConnell to bring our troops home.  Kentuckians are fed up with the President’s failed Iraq policy, and they’re fed up with Sen. McConnell failed leadership.”

 
Sen. McConnell’s continued support for the President’s Iraq policy and his obstruction of an end to the war have hurt his standing with voters back home.  A Survey USA poll released this week shows that Sen. McConnell’s approval has dropped below 50 percent for the third time this year.  Only 48 percent of Kentuckians approve of the way the senator is handling his job, while 44 percent disapprove, according the poll.  The Senator’s approval rating is now at its lowest point in two years of Survey USA polls.

 
“Sen. McConnell may think that if he just hides inside long enough, his constituents will just go away, but that’s not going to happen,” added Alioto.  “Opposition to Sen. McConnell’s support for this war is too high – anger has reached a boiling point in Kentucky, and across this state, people are demanding Sen. McConnell take a stand and end the President’s reckless war.  We’ll be rallying, holding events, writing letters and dogging Sen. McConnell all summer long, urging him to bring the troops home.  Sen. McConnell isn’t going to be able to duck his constituents forever.  If this is how he planned to deal with opposition to the war, he’s in for a long summer.”

 
“Senate Republicans should be quaking in their boots. The anti-Iraq war fervor is not unique to Kentucky. All across the country Senators who blocked an end to the war will be forced to face the consequences of their spineless votes during August recess. The only homecoming parade greeting these Republican Senators will be the parade of constituents demanding an end to the war in Iraq,” said Moira Mack, national spokeswoman for Americans Against Escalation in Iraq.

“Iraq Summer” is a nationwide, 10-week long campaign with nearly 100 organizers in 15 states and 40 congressional districts to turn up the heat on Republican members of Congress who have opposed setting a timeline to bring a safe and responsible end to the war in Iraq. The effort will culminate with a national “Take a Stand” day on August 28th, when members will have the opportunity to explain their stance on the war to their constituents in a town hall setting.

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Yes, yes, ya’ll, it’s primary election day in the great state of Kentucky. Don’t forget to vote, provided you’re registered as either of the two major parties.

Please refer to the handy-dandy Voter Information Center at the State Board of Elections Web site if you’re unsure where your polling location is. If it’s your first time voting, give the list of voter rights and responsibilities a once over, just to be sure you don’t encounter any funny business. Finally, know your candidates. The Courier-Journal has candidate profiles/links if you’d like to learn a bit more about those runing for statewide office before voting.

Lets prove that 15% turnout wrong!

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I thought I’d bring this event to your attention. It’s just another action organized by Louisville progressives, who are really an asset to and whose work benefits the entire state.

Tell McConnell: End the War
Heine Bros. Coffee, Bardstown & Douglass Loop
Meet at Bardstown Rd. and Douglass Blvd.
Louisville, KY 40205
Saturday, 19 May 2007, 9:00am

We will distribute MoveOn flyers with details about McConnell’s numerous votes in support of the Iraq War. The flyers have phone numbers so that voters can contact McConnell and other GOP Senators. Come to Heine Bros. at the Douglass Loop on Sat. 5/19 between 9:00 and 10:00am to pick up flyers.

To host an event or to invite people to sign up specifically for your event, send your invitees this link: http://political.moveon.org/event/flyering/37617

Also, for your Friday entertainment, I found this vid last night on YouTube. It’s of George W. Bush terrorizing teletubby land.

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As the world’s attention turns to Louisville and its storied Running of the Roses, Kentuckians gathered outside Churchill Downs to protest President George W. Bush, Senator Mitch McConnell, and their war in Iraq.

It was a fantastic sight to see, and one I was proud to preserve on video.

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We hillbillies here in Kentucky have had enough of our toothless, bad hair piece, dip shit Senator Mitch McConnell!

Help get rid of this jerk — sing along!

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Folk at Daily Kos are speculating that Senator Mitch McConnell is the mystery objector to a campaign transparency bill.

I will repost the following information:

..in Operation Bluegrass, you just call Sen. McConnell’s office at (202) 224-2541 and ask them: which one of your Senators is responsible for the anonymous hold? are you responsible for the denial of unanimous consent? Be civil, but be firm, and let us know what they tell you.

Now, I’m not one to go ’round spreadin’ rumors, but I think people have every reason to be suspicious that it could be Sen. McConnell that is holding up this measure.

ERRATUM: Haste makes waste, and I certainly did it this time. Sorry about that - the speculation is more about “why won’t McConnell tell whodunit?” As Majority Leader, Sen. McConnell does know who the sole objector is, but will not disclose, and his office is giving his constituents the runaround.

UPDATE (Matt: 04:45pm): I want to also give props to the Sunlight Foundation for leading this effort. The organization’s Outreach Coordinator, Nisha Thompson, left this message in the comments of the post:

The Sunlight Foundation has found out that Sen. Gregg from New Hampshire might have the hold on S. 223. But we don’t know for sure, the only person who would definitely know is Sen. Mitch McConnell because he is Republican leadership. So call his office and ask if he’ll reveal the secret holder!

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Can you imagine that? Right here in Kentucky a group of students at Western Kentucky University hold an Iraq war protest rally. Sweet music to this old Hillbilly’s ears to hear young people singing “Down By The River Side” and protesting the Iraq war.

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Below is the press release from Cody Aldridge with all the information about the event. I plan to be there and capture it with video for the world to see!

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

April 6, 2007
Contact: Cody Aldridge, Student organizer, at cody[dot]aldridge[at]wku[dot]edu

Make Noise Where You Stand: Anti-War Voices to be Heard at WKU
Bowling Green, KY - April 23, 2007

A growing group of students, faculty members, and community members who are dissatisfied about the Iraq war are gearing up to make their voices heard.

The war in Iraq is seen as an illegal occupation by many citizens and the international community. Students and community members are invited to gather on the North lawn of the Downing University Center (DUC) to demonstrate against the war on Monday, April 23, 2007. The demonstration will begin at 12:00 pm with no specific ending time. It will be a non-violent, peaceful assembly.

Our main intention is to raise local awareness of the opposition to the war, as well as give a platform for community members to let their voices be heard. The demonstration is being sponsored not by an official organization but rather by a group of concerned citizens uniting together. The organizers feel it is time to let our government know that we are unhappy with the current war situation. Rather than driving to Washington D.C., we wish to make our voices heard from our own community.

“Our only hope today lies in our ability to recapture the revolutionary spirit and go into a sometimes hostile world declaring eternal hostility to poverty, racism, and militarism.” -Martin Luther King, Jr.

For more information, or for suggestions and help in contacting speakers for the event, contact Cody Aldridge via email at cody[dot]aldridge[at]wku[dot]edu

Thank you for being there!

PS- We are intent on incorporating our efforts with other campuses throughout the state the same day if possible.

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The victory we want and the victory we’re working for here at this blog is the defeat of Republican Sen. Mitch McConnell at the ballot box on Tuesday, November 4, 2008.

How is that possible and how do we make it happen? I’ve been hearing that a lot lately from Kentuckians and non-Kentuckians alike. No-one likes Sen. McConnell, they’d love to see him fall, but they just aren’t able to see how it all comes together quite yet.

Let me explain how it’s possible first by explaining the political dynamics that are developing nationally and in Kentucky.

You’ve no doubt seen the Pew Research Center survey numbers that appeared yesterday that show the bottom falling out of American identification with the Republican Party brand. It’s significant that this trend has b