Last week the Los Angeles Times became the latest major newspaper to print an article about the potential for a draft in the near future. Like many other reports it cited "rumors" about a secret plan to reinstate the draft.

That's exactly what they are: rumors. And focusing on bogus rumors clouds the fundamental issue. The question is not whether some secret plan is in motion. The question being raised is: how will we protect the homeland, address growing threats around the world, and achieve stability in Iraq with an already overstretched military?

These valid concerns are ones I share with my friends and colleagues at the Campaign for America's Future -- Robert Borosage and Roger Hickey. Like many of you, we think it's important to clarify what's really at issue here, and actively weigh in to demand straight answers.

In less than a week, more than 60,000 people have signed this petition asking for the answers. Join us now:

http://action.ourfuture.org/ctt.asp?u=1742757&l=62726

The facts are clear: Gen. Shinseki testified before Congress that we would need at least 50,000 more troops to stabilize Iraq. The Army admits it has been stretched thin. The flagrant misuse of the National Guard and Reserves has made recruiting harder and leaves our homeland unprotected.

More and more people have realized that a quiet draft has already begun. Active duty soldiers who finish their commitments are being forced to stay on. We have begun calling up forces like the Individual Ready Reserves, consisting of older reservists who have not been on active duty and have not trained for some time. And there's no end in sight.

Americans have a right to know -- before Election Day -- how we will meet our current commitments without resorting to a draft. Sign the petition now -- we will deliver our questions to the White House and demand honest answers:

http://action.ourfuture.org/ctt.asp?u=1742757&l=62726

We have been misled about this war from the beginning. They said Iraq had nuclear weapons -- that was false. They said the whole war would cost a few billion dollars -- in reality, we spend several billion dollars every month. They say things are getting better, but every month brings more casualties than the last.

Now, in the weeks before an election, they say we won't need a draft. We cannot afford to take their word for it. We must demand answers:

http://action.ourfuture.org/ctt.asp?u=1742757&l=62726

Thank you,

Governor Howard Dean, M.D.

P.S. Here are some things people who have signed the petition are saying:

"As a young American who cares deeply about my country, I deserve to know if a draft will be put into effect. If not, how do you plan to fill the troop commitments necessary for success?"
--Ajay N.

"I have heard so many things over the years from politicians that have not been true that I no longer take anything for granted. I don't see how the country can continue under the present commitments of our armed forces with a complete volunteer military. If the intention is to bring back the draft I would like to know now and not after the presidential election. An informed voter is an intelligent voter."
--Charles M.

"Staying the course means we're going to need more troops in our go-it-alone strategy. How will we get them?"
--Carl T.

"A feasible, realistic plan needs to developed, shared with the American public and put in place to bring peace in Iraq and end American occupation of the territory. Can this be done without instituting a military draft? The American people want to know before the 2004 presidential election."
--Sharon S.

"Our forces are stretched thin and the situation in Iraq is getting worse. We will no doubt be there a long time and other troubles lurk on the horizon. Be honest with America and tell us how we are going to do this without the draft."
--Phil S.

"My wife and I have deep concerns about this issue. We've been through the Vietnam years and saw how the draft split this country in half. We don't want to have to relive our worst nightmares, not with our sons."
--Lance K.

"A straight and clear answer, please."
--Janice M.

Add your voice: http://action.ourfuture.org/ctt.asp?u=1742757&l=62726

The Bush campaign’s spin machine has created another election-year ploy: Children’s Health Month in October

Bush’s Children’s Health Month web site advises parents on how to protect their kids from a dirty environment. How nice. But if President Bush were serious about children’s health, he would clean up the environment by strengthening air pollution laws and controlling toxics like mercury. Instead, he’s repeatedly let polluters off the hook and watered down environmental protections.

The health of our kids is too important to be used as a political prop. If Bush won’t protect our kid’s health, at least he shouldn’t get away with claiming that he is!

This Friday’s presidential debate gives us an important opportunity to hold Bush accountable. Please send an email to George Bush’s campaign, criticizing his environmental record. Call on him to speak at the next debate about how he would improve our children’s health.

http://www.demaction.org/dia/organizations/2020vision/campaign.jsp?campaign_KEY=189

For more information about the Bush administration’s environmental record and children’s health month, click here http://cta.policy.net/childrenshealthmonth/

Together, we can make a difference!

Best,

Tom and Rebecca
Your online team at
20/20 Vision

Tell a friend: http://www.demaction.org/dia/organizations/2020vision/thankYou.jsp?campaign_KEY=189

Herbal Remedies - VITAL EMERGENCY ! ! ! - This concerns YOU ! ! !

Dear All this is Doc's son Bryan Shillington,

Your help is needed to STOP the U.S. government's proposed 'Mental Health Screening' of every American. You are needed to call the White House today!

These screenings will INVARIABLY lead to prescribing dangerous psychiatric drugs - many of which are under investigation by Congress for their links to suicide. The first target is the nation's 52 million school children and 6 million school employees.

1) What to do:
Please CALL the White House TODAY, and tell the President that you OPPOSE "The New Freedom Commission on Mental Health" recommendations. Call 202-456-1111 (or, 202-456-1414). This is very fast and easy to do. They just take down what you say and will forward it on. Sometimes there is a wait - please have a little patience.

2) What to say:
"I am calling to let the President know that I OPPOSE "The New Freedom Commission on Mental Health" recommendation to screen every American for mental illness." (In your own words) I don't want my kid or any family member being screened for mental illness.

These proposed mental health screenings will invariably lead to putting more Americans on dangerous psychiatirc drugs - many of which are under investigation by Congress for their links to suicide. I am outraged by this agenda of the mental health industry and don't want the President supporting it."

3) What else to do:
Call again in a few days. Pass this email on to your friends and ask them to do the same.

Thanks for your help and please let me know once you've done this.

All the best,

Bryan Shillington
Bryan@AcademyOfNaturalHealing.com


Informant: V

STOP MURDER OF CROWS - Oread Daily

Somebody needs to do something about some crow hating Iowa State students. Somebody needs to stop them now.

The student government there is considering funding a crow slaughter. The event is being planned for Oct. 23. "Crows are annoying and students, for the most part, don't like them," said Ben Albright, a senator representing off-campus students on ISU's Government of the Student Body. "This is something that past (student) administrations have talked about, but nobody ever did anything…It's up to individual students what they want to do with the crows they've shot," he said. "I don't want to dispose of all of them. There are all kinds of recipes online they can use to cook them if they're brave enough." The hunt has to be done outside the city limits because it is illegal to hunt within the city limits, according to Ames City Code (Hooray for the city).

Call or fax the Government of the Student Body and tell them to get a life. Phone: (515) 294-1585/Fax: (515) 294-5239 Sources: Aimes Tribune, Iowa State Daily


Informant: reg

In baseball, it's three strikes and you're out.

Rep. Tom DeLay just got his fourth.

For those of you who don't know DeLay, he's the Republican House Majority Leader, one of the most powerful men in Congress.

Nicknamed "The Hammer," he's known for his tough tactics. Now, he'll be known for his blatant corruption. Yesterday, the House Ethics Committee reprimanded DeLay for two ethics violations, adding to two other violations he racked up earlier. DeLay's four strikes are for:

1) Enlisting the Federal Aviation Administration to monitor aircraft carrying Democratic political opponents.

2) Attending a political fundraiser with energy company officials at the same time that energy legislation was being negotiated.

3) Strong-arming a Republican member of Congress to side with big drug companies and HMOs on the recent Medicare bill. (The Republican colleague originally accused DeLay of outright bribery.)

4) Threatening a Washington lobbying firm because it hired a Democrat as its chief.

That's FOUR STRIKES. Rep. DeLay, YOU'RE DEFINITELY OUT.

Right now the Republican Party is rallying around DeLay. Let's send them a clear message: repeated ethics violations are simply unacceptable. It's time to call DeLay OUT ON STRIKES!. SEND A FAX to Rep. Dennis Hastert (R. Ill), Speaker of the House. Tell him that he must uphold ethics in government, and demand that Rep. DeLay step down as majority leader.

http://action.ourfuture.org/ctt.asp?u=1742757&l=61454

Two years ago, when Republican Sen. Trent Lott was caught on camera making jokes about the segregated South at Sen. Strom Thurmond's birthday party, Republican leaders demanded his resignation. Surely, four ethics violations should prompt a similar response.

Rep. DeLay's dicey actions are an example of a larger problem on Capitol Hill. This Congress, led by the right wing, is one of the most corrupt in history. And Rep. DeLay is the ring leader. Whether they're locking Democrats out of critical meetings, holding midnight votes, or selling out American citizens to defend corporate interests Tom DeLay and his cronies have absolutely no shame.

And so they've ended up shaming us all by disgracing the United States Congress.

Let's hold their feet to the fire. This is a test of the integrity of every House Republican. Challenge them to stand with decency NOT DeLay. Put Rep. Hastert to the test, and see if he believes in an honest government. Tell him to STRIKE DELAY OUT. Send your fax now!

http://action.ourfuture.org/ctt.asp?u=1742757&l=61454

Thank you for doing your part to fight for honesty in our government.

Sincerely,

Adam Luna, Policy Director
Campaign for America's Future