Tricounty DFA Update: Impeachment? Gore & Live Earth, Val Keehn, More
Hi Everyone!

First, Happy Fourth of July! Remember because of the holiday, there will be no meeting this week.

Instead, our monthly meeting will be next week on July 11th at Rockhill Bakehouse Cafe at 7pm, as usual. We'll be joined by Queensbury Councilman John Strough, who is running for reelection this year, for a candidate forum and also we'll probably be discussing certain events in Washington.

In This Update:

1. Bush, Libby, Impeachment?
2. Don't Miss Gore and Live Earth Saturday
3. Val Keehn On Air Saturday
4. Washington County Picnic On July 14th
5. Michael Moore's Sicko Opens In Albany
6. Friday Night Film Fest

1. Bush, Libby, Impeachment?

I am sure everyone has now heard the news that White House resident George Bush has commuted the sentence of Scooter Libby. That this is an outrage goes without saying. Nonetheless, Keith Olbermann's Special Commentary tonight on MSNBC is stunning in its force. If you want fireworks for the 4th, this is it: he bluntly calls for Bush and Cheney to resign.

It's online at: http://video.msn.com/v/us/fv/msnbc/fv.htm??f=00&g=8dd25465-1b2b-49e5-81ff-003005828d82&p=source_countdown&t=c1149&rf=http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/19588942/&fg=

The transcript is online at: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/19588942/

Moveon.org has a petition to Congress to force Cheney to comply with it's subpoenas or face impeachment: http://pol.moveon.org/subpoena/?r_by=10714-643825-E7Q3Vk&rc=comment_paste

Impeachment was a major topic during Lisa Manzi's recent visit, to hear our views for Rep. Gillibrand. DFA in Burlington has already called for impeaching Attorney General Gonzales -- that's a great place to start. As the author of this dKos posting notes, "If impeachment is off the table, so it democracy." http://www.dailykos.com/story/2007/6/29/2520/90791

The Democratic leadership in Congress say they have taken Impeachment off the table. Realistically speaking, part of the problem may be that certain cliques in our party in Washington actively do not want Bush and Cheney removed. That would make Nancy Pelosi President, and probably block the ascension of their preferred candidate to the Oval Office. I now believe at least some of these people are so devoid of scruples that they will do everything they can to prevent that from happening, even if it gives George Bush another year and a half to wreck our country and the peace of the world.

2. Don't Miss Al Gore and Live Earth Saturday

The biggest event of the summer will be Al Gore's Live Earth Concerts, which will be broadcast live on NBC and also over the internet. The goal is to raise awareness of Global Warming/Global Climate Change. http://www.liveearth.org/

Gore and Live Earth founder Kevin Wall just called for a 90% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions from the world's developed nations by mid-century, and a moratorium on coal burning power plants. There's a great piece on truthout.com and also more on what's being called RAG: Re-Elect Gore. http://www.truthout.org/docs_2006/062907P.shtml

Also, Gore had a tremendous, must-read Op Ed in the Sunday NY Times: http://www.nytimes.com/2007/07/01/opinion/01gore.html?pagewanted=all

3. Mayor Val Keehn On Air Saturday

Also on Saturday, Mayor Valerie Keehn, who was recently endorsed for re-election by Democracy For Saratoga Springs, will be interviewed and taking questions this Saturday on WABY, 1160AM, from 8am-9am.

The Mayor will also be cutting the ribbon at a gala opening of the new Waterfront Access Area on Saratoga Lake in Saratoga Springs, tomorrow at 11am. This is a big deal because it has been a long time since Spa City residents have had lake access. Take Crescent Ave. out from the city center. The area is on the right just past the Kaydeross Avenue right turn.

4. Washington County Picnic On July 14th

You are cordially invited to this year's Washington County Democratic Committee’s Seventh Annual Picnic on Hulett’s Landing on Lake George. The date is Saturday, July 14, from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m at the Washington County Park in Hulett's Landing. Tickets are $15 ($25 for two), and $6 for children. Contact any Democratic town committee person or call 642-9566 for tickets and information.

To reach the park: Take Route 22 north to Dresden. Look for the county park sign and turn left onto County Route 6. Go up a steep grade and down to the lake (4.3 miles). Turn right onto County Route 6B and then make first left to the park and pavilion.

5. Michael Moore's Sicko Opens In Albany

Michael Moore's latest movie, Sicko has opened in Albany at the Spectrum and at Crossgates Center, and I've been told by people who have seen it that it is even more powerful than Fahrenheit 9/1, as it builds into a powerful narrative of the problems facing a group of sick Americans who desperately need health care. DFA has a petition supporting Sicko and urging Congress to act-- you should sign it if you haven't already: http://tools.democracyforamerica.com/petition/sicko/

Unfortunately, Sicko isn't in the Glens Falls Area yet.

Moore says in a new interview: "Health care needs to be in the hands of the people, just like the fire department and the police department."
http://www.playboy.com/blog/2007/06/bad-medicine.html

It can be done: "Wisconsin Passes Universal Healthcare Plan"
http://www.truthout.org/issues_06/062807HA.shtml
"A sweeping universal healthcare plan that would cover virtually every person in Wisconsin cleared the Democratic-controlled state Senate on Tuesday as part of the two-year budget," reports Scott Bauer for the Associated Press.


6. Friday Night Film Fest

The Rockhill Bakehouse Cafe's Friday Night Progressive FIlm Fest continus at 7:30 with:

July 6 THIS REPORTER (1991) Susan Lacy & Mead Hunt 113 min.
The career of newscaster Edward R. Murrow falls under the microscope here, with rare clips and testimonials combining that offer an overview of his life in television. Charles Kuralt narrates in a film that features highlights from Murrow's career that include not only his McCarthy-era broadcasts but also his relaxed interviews with stars like Marilyn Monroe.

As Murrow, and now Olbermann, honoring him, would say, Good Night and Good Luck.

Have a great 4th of July!

Larry Dudley
- posted by Larry Dudley @ 11:53 PM