L.A. County Democratic Party

The Los Angeles County Democratic Party

in collaboration with

The California  Democratic Party, Stonewall Democratic Club,
LA Stonewall Young Democrats, & LA County Young Dems

present

UNITY FORUM WATCH PARTY

August 9th, 2007

5:45 pm - 8:00 pm

at HERE Lounge

(Parking is available in parking lots on Santa Monica Blvd)
696 N Robertson, West Hollywood, CA
Free Admission

Join us as we watch a forum with the Democratic Candidates for President

Sponsored by the Human Rights Campaign and the Logo Network.

If you can’t join us, you can view the forum on online at  www.logoonline.com.

State curtails e-voting - L.A. system decertified; restrictions on two others

By Kevin Yamamura - Sacramento Bee Capitol Bureau - Saturday, August 4, 2007

California Secretary of State Debra Bowen, bowing to fears of computer fraud, Friday decertified Los Angeles County’s electronic voting system and sharply curtailed the use of two other machines that California counties had hoped to use to conduct the February 2008 presidential primary.

She said she would allow unlimited use of one system, Hart InterCivic, as long as security and auditing safeguards are implemented.

But in the case of two major companies — Diebold Election Systems and Sequoia Voting Systems — Bowen said she would allow just one machine per polling place, apparently to provide an accessible option for disabled voters.

Electronic voting critics had unsuccessfully lobbied Bowen’s predecessor to stop the machines’ use in California. More than three dozen California counties have invested millions of dollars in the technology and some will be forced to replace many machines by February under Bowen’s order.

“I reject the notion that I should not require changes in security simply because counties already own (the machines),” Bowen said.

The tested systems are used by 43 of California’s 58 counties and by 9 million out of 15.7 million registered voters, according to UC Berkeley.

CLICK HERE TO READ COMPLETE ARTICLE

Dear Eric,

It’s going to be a long night for the U.S. Senate.

Senate Republicans are threatening to filibuster a bill by Senators Levin and Reed that would require President Bush to begin troop withdrawal within 120 days, with most coming home by April 2008.

But Senator Majority Leader Reid has decided that he’s not going to let them just make a threat and walk away — he’s going to make them stand up in front of the American people and show them just how much they want to stay in Iraq. A few Republicans have started to say the right things, but we don’t know whether they actually have the backbone to stand with the American people and vote the right way, and the threat of a filibuster gives them all the cover they need.

Now, let’s not kid ourselves: they can filibuster, and we probably won’t have the votes to stop them. But if Senate Republicans are against ending the war, then they should show it by voting against the legislation — a straight-up-and-down vote on a bill that the majority of Americans support. That’s how a democratic government works.

Instead, they’re threatening to block the vote, and we’re going to force them to explain themselves in front of the American people.

So let’s show Senator Reid that we’re united behind him. We’ve created a simple tool that will let you write a letter and fax it to your Senators instantly — you can let them know all night long just how much opposition there is to the war in Iraq.

Send your Senators a message right now:

http://www.democrats.org/IraqObstruction

A handful of Republicans loyal to President Bush plan to block the bill even though a similar version passed in the House by a 223-201 margin last week. Republican Minority Leader Mitch McConnell said Friday that we need to give the troop escalation time because it is just beginning to “show signs of military success.” But how many times have we heard something like that in the last five years?

As Senator Reid said yesterday:

“Republicans are using a filibuster to block us from even voting on an amendment that could bring the war to a responsible end. They are protecting the President rather than protecting our troops.

“They are denying us an up or down — yes or no — vote on the most important issue our country faces.

“I would like to inform the Republican leadership and all my colleagues that we have no intention of backing down.”

Tell your Senator that you’re not going to back down either:

http://www.democrats.org/IraqObstruction

Since the American people put Democrats back in charge of Congress, the Republican minority has resorted to obstructionism and political games to block any responsible progress toward ending the war in Iraq. Now they’re refusing to even allow a vote on bringing the troops home.

For the first six years of George Bush’s presidency, the Republican majority in Congress failed this country. They had their chance to make their case to continue the war in Iraq, and the American people didn’t buy it.

Now it’s your chance to make the case. Tell your Senators to pass the Levin-Reed amendment and bring the troops home:

http://www.democrats.org/IraqObstruction

Thanks for all that you do,

Gov. Howard Dean, M.D.
Chairman
Democratic National Committee

CDP Chairman Art Torres Statement on the Passing of Lady Bird Johnson

Senator Art Torres (Ret.), Chairman of the California Democratic Party, issued the following statement today on the death of Lady Bird Johnson:

“Our nation lost a piece of history today, with the passing of Lady Bird Johnson. She was a woman ahead of her time, who typified true American strength and spirit while fighting tirelessly for Democratic values and environmental issues. Her campaign against the proliferation of billboards ultimately led to the Highway Beautification Act, known as the ‘Lady Bird Bill.’

“Lady Bird once said, ‘A little beauty, something that is lovely, I think, can help create harmony which will lessen tensions.’

“Her lifelong work to make our cities more beautiful, and her quiet strength during one of our nation’s most difficult times, will serve as her lasting legacy.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with Lady Bird Johnson’s family and her many friends.”

URGENT ACTION ALERT: Call President Bush Now!

202-456-1414

Just hours after a federal appeals court ruled that “Scooter” Lewis Libby would to have to begin serving his prison sentence while appealing his conviction for crimes of perjury, obstruction of justice and lying to investigators, President Bush commuted his sentence.

Last week Vice President Cheney asserted that he was beyond the reach of the law. Today, President Bush demonstrated the lengths he would go to, ensuring that even aides to Dick Cheney are beyond the judgment of the law.

It is time for the American people to be heard.

We call for all Americans to flood the White House with phone calls tomorrow expressing their outrage over this blatant disregard for the rule of law.

202-456-1414

Remind George Bush what he told staffers during a swearing in ceremony for White House staff back in January 2001:

“[We] must remember the high standards that come with high office. This begins with careful adherence to the rules. I expect every member of this administration to stay well within the boundaries that define legal and ethical conduct. This means avoiding even the appearance of problems. This means checking and, if need be, double- checking that the rules have been obeyed. This means never compromising those rules. No one in the White House should be afraid to confront the people they work for, for ethical concerns, and no one should hesitate to confront me as well. We are all accountable to one another. And above all, we are all accountable to the law and to the American people.”

Statement from CDP Chairman Art Torres on President Bush’s Decision to Commute the Sentence of Scooter Libby

Sacramento — Senator Art Torres (Ret.), Chairman of the California Democratic Party, today issued the following statement on President Bush’s decision to commute the sentence of Lewis “Scooter” Libby:

“At a time when we are celebrating the birth of our nation and as young men and women are serving overseas, today’s decision by President Bush is sad, but not at all surprising.

“This is an administration that from Day One has shirked accountability at every juncture, and has maintained that no American is above the law with the notable exception of the President, the Vice President, and their advisors.

“As a result of Bush’s decision, even Paris Hilton will have served more time behind bars than Scooter Libby.

“While Bush’s decision may be a blow to the American justice system, the biggest wallop will be saved for Republicans at the ballot box in 2008. The Bush administration’s unwavering refusal to accept the American people’s call for leadership and accountability will undoubtedly be the President’s costly legacy for the Republican Party.”