Affordable water plan inches forward

This Michigan Citizen article brings us up to date on the Water Affordability Plan that the Michigan Welfare Rights Organization submitted to the Detroit City Council. DWSD Director Victor Mercado's objections and alternative are easily dismissed at a recent City Council hearing.

Why We Fight

You must see this film this weekend at the DIA.

Detroit City Council outlines demands for handover of zoo

Attempts by the Detroit City Council to prevent the balancing of the Zoo's budget on the backs of Zoo employees and Detroit's citizens seems to have failed. This article suggests the Council will no longer require the continuation of union contracts but will hold the non-profit operating company to maintaining a diverse workforce and minority vendors.

Democrats Push Bill That Would Bar Third Parties in Races for Congress

Green Party Action Center

***ACTION ALERT***

*Democrats Push Bill That Would Bar Third Parties in Races for Congress*

02.09.2006 WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Panic and retaliation among progressive Democrats over Green challenges are behind HR 4694, say Greens, citing the bill's prohibitive petition requirements, ban on private contributions; Greens call the bill patently unconstitutional.

Read the press release

We have made it easy for you to take action, simply click here: send a letter to your member of congress and/or your local newspaper

Thanks. Together we can make a difference.

Email: office@gp.org
Office: PO Box 57065 Washington, D.C. 20037 202-319-7191 or toll-free
(US): 866-41GREEN

Gay couples seek marriage licenses on Valentines Day.

For the fourth year in a row men and women wshing to marry a partner of the same gender appeared at Oakland County Clerk's office requesting marriage licenses. They were denied and given a copy of the Michigan law that institutionalizes this discrimination.

A million gallons here and a million gallons there and pretty soon we're talking about real Great Lakes diversions.

While I welcome any legislation that protects Great Lakes water, these laws contain
loopholes that make a mockery of their intent.

From a Michigan Environmental Council press release:

"Those who plan to start withdrawing more than 5 million gallons a day from the Great Lakes or 2 million gallons a day from inland waterways or groundwater must qualify for a permit."

"The bills require legislative approval for diversions of water in containers larger than 5.7 gallons, although they exempt containers smaller than 5.7 gallons from being considered a diversion."

This compromise, which says bottled water not a diversion is a sell-out!

Public Funding of Congressional Campaigns used to limit democracy

Ballot Access News covers HR 4694, a Democratic bill that would direct public funding to the congressional campaigns of major parties and limit the same to third party candidates. Anyone suggesting that the Green Party should learn to work with the Democratic Party should take a look at this bill.

Who owns Great Lakes water?

While I prefer to think of the citizens of Michigan as stewards of the Great Lakes rather than owners, this article says much that I agree with. Apparently, Rep. Brandenberg does not speak for the Republican majority in our state legislature, as they have refused to address the issue of water, stating they prefer to wait for a survey of Michigan's water resources before proceeding. Go figure.

Super Bowl City

With friends like this...

This article: The Islamization of The Green Party, starts with a Nazi reference, twists the GPUS resolution calling for divestment from Israel into a call for the destruction of Israel and even stoops to name calling, labelling Green Party members as 'Freaks'. But that isn't the low point. It then quotes New York Green Lorna Salzman as saying "the US Green Party has given aid and comfort to both anti-Semites and terrorist organizations"

Many of the criticisms are easily dismissed. Other GPUS resolutions have decried the violence carried out in the name of Palestinian rights. The resolution passed overwhelmingly and its passing followed the same rules and by-laws all other resolutions were subject to. The majority of the piece is an attempt to imply guilt by association, a seemingly quite common method of discrediting those who dare to criticize Israel and its policies. You remember the Nazis, right?

Greens Respond to 2006 State of the Union Speech

The Green Party of the United States has made aavailable video news releases in response to last nights SOTUS. They cover:

#1 Iraq War & Impeachment - Byron DeLear
Massive deception behind the Iraq invasion & occupation; Immediate withdrawal of US troops; Bush Administration lawlessness: warrantless spying on US citizens, etc.; Retreat of Dems: Sen. Clinton; Pro-war Gov. Kaine's rebuttal for the Dems; Call for impeachment of Bush & Cheney

#2 Health care - Marakay Rogers
Failure of Bush's prescription drug bill: chaos in the states; Call for national health insurance

#3 Energy and Global Warming - Rich Whitney
Threat of global warming: evident with Katrina; Real US security: measures against global warming; ending oil addiction; National & state solutions: alternative energy sources

#4 Democracy & Local Issues - Renée Bowser
Greens running for & holding local office; Bush administration attacks on the social safety net; Addressing local issues: education, housing, basic human rights; DC statehood: a civil rights issue

#5 The Green Party - Rebecca Rotzler
The Green alternative: party for the 21st century; US democracy in danger (mention 2004 election irregularities & Green response); Comparison of GP with the 2 parties: Rep. Pelosi offers no criticism of Iraq War & refuses to mention national health insurance; Dems line up behind Alito; Dems favor eminent domain decision), No interesting ideas; GP candidates; Register Green, vote Green

Enjoy!

Activist Cindy Sheehan Arrested at Capitol

The overlooked news from last night's State of the Union Address (as we all know that America is addicted to oil) is that anti-war activist Cindy Sheehan was arrested and removed from the gallery of the House before the President's speech. Her crime: wearing an anti-war t-shirt.

Here's the story from Cindy.


UPDATE:Capitol Police apologize to Cindy and drop the charges of illegally wearing a t-shirt.