Mayors Against Illegal Guns Demand Action To End Gun Violence

August 1, 2013 by Leave a Comment

WesterlyPost.com/ Ralph –I want to thank you for helping us achieve a victory we’ve been working toward

from the day we opened our doors.

After seven years of delay, the U.S. Senate has taken a critical step forward in the fight to reduce gun crime.

Yesterday, the Senate confirmed B. Todd Jones as the new director of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms

and Explosives (ATF).

America finally has a top cop on guns. 

The calls, emails, and visits from supporters like you are changing the conversation in Washington. Our leaders

recognized that it was unacceptable to go on without a permanent ATF Director if we want to stem the flow of

illegal guns onto our streets and help keep our communities safe.

Share this important victory with your family and friends:

Click here to post to Facebook.

Not on Facebook? Forward this email or share from our site.

Director Jones is a law enforcement veteran and a tough prosecutor. With his leadership, America will be safer.

Thanks for your hard work,

Mark Glaze
Director, 

Filed Under: Gun Violence, Planet Earth, The U.S Senate

“House votes to resume deporting young DREAM Act immigrants” — Fox News, 6/6/2013

June 24, 2013 by Leave a Comment
“House votes to resume deporting young DREAM Act immigrants” — Fox News, 6/6/2013

Dear Ralph,

We’re in the middle of the immigration reform debate in Washington, and the opening act by extreme House Republicans is to vote in favor of deporting 1.36 million children and young adults who call America home.*

We call these kids “DREAMers” after the proposed law, the DREAM Act, that would give them a shot at becoming a citizen of the only country they’ve ever called home. They were brought to this country by their parents when they were very young. Most of them don’t remember living anywhere else.

America truly is their home — and Republicans want to deport them. 

It is outrageous for us to punish DREAMers for choices their parents made decades ago. These kids are full of potential, but forced to live in the shadows because of their undocumented status. They deserve the chance to earn their citizenship by contributing to our communities.

When you boil it down, this fight is about keeping families together. I will keep fighting for the DREAM Act to be part of a comprehensive immigration reform package.

Thanks for reading, and for fighting alongside me on this important issue.

Debbie

 

Filed Under: Food Stamps, Gun Violence, Medical care, People, Planet Earth, Social Security, Student Loan, The U.S Senate, Truthout, Uncategorized, Welfare, Whitehouse Tagged With: , , ,

The Bernie Buzz News from the US Senate 1984 in 2013

June 24, 2013 by Leave a Comment
The Bernie Buzz - News From the US Senate
June 22, 2013
1984
1984
The National Security Agency secretly obtained telephone and Internet records on millions of innocent Americans using a controversial law called the USA Patriot Act. Bernie was among a small minority of House members who voted against the law in 2001. Now that the secret is out about the staggering scope of the surveillance, he wants Congress to reconsider what it did. Under Bernie’s “Restore Our Privacy Act,” authorities would have to establish a reasonable suspicion based on specific information to secure court approval to monitor a specific suspect. “We can effectively combat terrorism without sacrificing the civil liberties and constitutional protections which make us a free nation,” he said. “I believe that most Americans do not want to live in an Orwellian society where everything you do is recorded.”
Jobs, Not Jail Jobs, Not JailSenate leaders on Friday agreed to add a Bernie provision to an immigration reform bill that would put young Americans to work through summer and year-round jobs programs. Bernie argued that getting young Americans off the streets and into jobs was the least Congress should do in a bill that allows college students from around the world to take jobs that young Americans would otherwise perform. “Let us put our young people into jobs, not into jails,” he said.
Help for Seniors and Taxpayers Help for Seniors and TaxpayersBernie chaired a hearing Wednesday of his Senate Subcommittee on Primary Health and Aging on how programs like Meals on Wheels not only reduce hunger and poverty among seniors but cut Medicare and Medicaid outlays for much more expensive nursing home and hospital care. “The simple truth is that we can feed a senior for an entire year for the cost of one day in a hospital,” he said. Bernie is helping to lead the fight to significantly increase funds for the Older Americans Act.
Filed Under: Food Stamps, Gun Violence, Medical care, People, Planet Earth, Social Security, Student Loan, The U.S Senate, The Voice of America, Truthout, Uncategorized, Welfare, Whitehouse Tagged With:

Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut.

June 14, 2013 by Leave a Comment
Ralph —

My mom, Dawn Hochsprung, was the principal at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut.

Six months ago today, she was shot and killed in her school, along with five of her coworkers and 20 of her students.

In the weeks and months after that horrible day, lawmakers from across the country told us, the families of the victims, that they’d take action to make our communities safer. What we found out is that, for some of our members of Congress, those were empty promises.

And in those six months, thousands more people have been killed by guns.

I’ve been doing everything I can to reach out to members of Congress. But my voice isn’t enough. Today, on the six-month anniversary of Newtown, every single person who cares about reducing gun violence in America needs to recommit to this fight.

More than 1.4 million Americans have said they’re with us in the fight to reduce gun violence — add your name today.

In her last minutes, Mom was just as brave and caring as I knew her to be. After telling everyone to hide, she went running into the hallway, saw the gunman, yelled and lunged at him in an effort to protect the school she loved.

I miss her every second of every day. I’m getting married in just a few weeks — to a guy she was rooting for, in a dress we picked out together — but because a dangerous man got his hands on a gun, my mom won’t be there to see it.

I’m still grieving — and I’m not alone. On average, 33 Americans are killed by a gun every single day. That’s 33 new families a day who mourn like I do.

If a background check saves even one life, and keeps even one family from hurting like this, then this fight will all be worth it. I think my mom would like to know that the tragedy that fell on Newtown meant that another tragedy could be stopped before it even started.

I’m asking you to join me today, six months after that horrible day, to keep this fight going — take action for my mom, Dawn, and the 25 other people who we lost in December.

Say you’re with us today:

http://my.barackobama.com/Six-Months-Since-Newtown

Thanks,  Erica Lafferty
Filed Under: Gun Violence Tagged With: , , ,

The Voice of America news of the week./DAILY INTERNATIONAL NEWS

June 14, 2013 by Leave a Comment
DAILY INTERNATIONAL NEWS
June 13, 2013

From VOAnews.com
UN Says 93,000 Dead in Syria ConflictUN Says 93,000 Dead in Syria Conflict 
United Nations human rights office says latest number, which accounts for deaths until end of April, is likely a minimum figure More 

Turkish PM Warns Protesters to Leave ParkTurkish PM Warns Protesters to Leave Park 
Recep Tayyip Erdogan says police will remove all ‘troublemakers’ from Taksim square within 24 hours More 

Stock Markets Plunge Amid Concerns Over Global EconomyStock Markets Plunge Amid Concerns Over Global Economy 
Investor worries about Chinese economic growth and possibility of central banks cutting back efforts to stimulate economy prompted downturn More 

Snowden Charges Further Complicate US-China TiesSnowden Charges Further Complicate US-China Ties 
State-run Chinese media say allegations by CIA whistleblower that US cyber attacks will harm relations, damage Washington’s image More 

Google Warns of Increased Hacking Attempts in IranGoogle Warns of Increased Hacking Attempts in Iran 
Internet company says it has disrupted, detected multiple so-called ‘phishing’ campaigns aimed at compromising accounts of Iranian users More 

Security Forces Gear Up for Muted Iranian ElectionsSecurity Forces Gear Up for Muted Iranian Elections 
Analysts say Iranian government is determined to hold vote devoid of protests, controversy More 

Zimbabwe's PM Vows to Fight Election DecreeZimbabwe’s PM Vows to Fight Election Decree 
Morgan Tsvangirai comments shortly after President Mugabe issued presidential decree setting the election date on July 31 More 

Conflict with Armenia Could Reignite During Azeri ElectionConflict with Armenia Could Reignite During Azeri Election 
Analyst warns passionate election campaign rhetoric could spark real fighting on the ground More 

Common Chemical Many Damage TeethCommon Chemical Many Damage Teeth 
Researchers say BPA may hinder enamel producing cells More 
Filed Under: Gun Violence, Planet Earth, The U.S Senate, The Voice of America Tagged With: , , , , ,

“Truthout” runs on a frugal budget The Truth is Not Cheep!

June 4, 2013 by Leave a Comment

This is a news letter we like to read. We ask our reader to help them stay in business…Getting at the Truth is not Cheep or free..Please Donate

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Right now your donation will count double – and it will be put to use immediately, directly supporting our mission to expose injustice and promote transformative new ideas.

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Filed Under: Food Stamps, Gun Violence, Medical care, Planet Earth, Social Security, The U.S Senate, Truthout, Uncategorized, Welfare

Chicago Sky to Hold “Game Plan For Peace” Press Conference

May 14, 2013 by Leave a Comment

 What: The Chicago Sky will host a “Game Plan For Peace” press conference preceding the Sky’s pre-season game against the New York Liberty on Wednesday, May 15. The press conference will begin at 10 a.m. on the grounds of Chicago State University.

 The “Game Plan For Peace” event kicks off the Chicago Sky’s season-long anti-violence initiative. The Sky, along with Cease Fire Illinois and the Cook County Sheriff’s Department, are hosting the press conference to bring focus to the message of violence prevention in the Chicago land area.

 Who:          Chicago Sky’s President and CEO Adam Fox

                       Chicago State’s women’s basketball Head Coach Angela Jackson

                       Cook County Sheriff’s Department Deputy Chief of Staff John Konrad

                       Ceasefire Illinois Director Tio Hardiman

                       Chicago Aldermen           

When:       Wednesday, May 15, 2013     10 a.m.

Where:     Chicago State University

**The press conference will be held on the grounds outside of the Jacoby Dickens Gymnasium.

About the Chicago Sky

The Chicago Sky, one of six independently owned WNBA teams, will begin its eighth season as a member of the WNBA’s Eastern Conference. The Sky will host opening night on May 31st 2013 at 7:30 p.m. against the Connecticut Sun at Allstate Arena. For information on 2013 ticket packages to see the Sky play, call 866.SKY.WNBA or visit www.chicagosky.net.

About Chicago State University

Chicago State University is Chicago’s oldest, fully accredited public university. Founded over 140 years ago, the University is composed of five colleges which offers multiple undergraduate and graduate degrees as well as a variety of intercollegiate athletic teams. From its humble origins, Chicago State University has evolved into a nationally acclaimed university that takes pride in its diverse faculty, staff and student body who come together to prepare the next generation of leaders in business, medicine, education and many other areas.

About the Cook County Sheriff’s Department

The Cook County Sheriff Youth Services Department offers educational programs to students, teachers, parents, and other youth serving professionals. These programs are designed to provide the knowledge and skills necessary to prevent harmful and risky behavior and enhance the well-being of individuals in the community. Prevention programs offered address current issues related to youth especially in the area of violence. Please call 773-674-3859 to schedule one of our free programs or discuss how our staff can assist your prevention efforts.

About CeaseFire

CeaseFire is a public health approach to violence prevention that understands violence as a learned behavior that is preventable.

Media Contact : Stephanie Perleberg – Chicago Sky, Media and Communications Coordinator

(312) 994-5984  sperleberg@chicagosky.net  

Filed Under: Gun Violence Tagged With: , , , , , ,

We Will Not Back Down: Committed to Keep Fighting to Reduce Gun Violence

May 13, 2013 by Leave a Comment
Organizing for Action
Ralph —

Last Thursday in Washington, D.C., I joined 30 OFA volunteers and three gun violence survivors as they delivered our petition to Congress with more than 1.4 million signatures. It was an amazing day, and a reminder that we’re nowhere near done with this fight.

Take a look at the highlights — and say you’re with us, committed to keep fighting to help reduce gun violence:

1.4 million Americans are committed to our fight to prevent gun violence. Are you in?

What impressed me most on Thursday was getting a chance to talk with survivors like Pam Simon, Sami Rahamim, and Lori Haas.

You’ll see in the video that these folks have turned their personal pain into action, and a force for good. It’s enough to change hearts and minds.

OFA volunteers got a chance to meet with a few leaders in Congress, like Rep. Mike Thompson, Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin, and House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, who asked all of us to keep fighting — and even gave folks a few tips on how to keep the pressure on their fellow lawmakers.

Senator Reid even tweeted: “Today, we received a petition from over 1.4 million Americans who demand action on background checks. This fight is not over.”

I am more confident than ever that, if we keep working and making our voices heard, we can and will win this. The petition delivery was a big moment — but it’s not the end of this fight.

Watch the video and say you’re ready to stay at it:

http://my.barackobama.com/Not-Backing-Down

Thanks — stay tuned for what’s next,

Jon

Jon Carson
Executive Director
Organizing for Action @JonCarsonOFA

P.S. — One of the most exciting parts of the day was completely spontaneous: Pam Simon, a survivor of the Tucson shooting, ran into her senator, Jeff Flake, and talked with him about his no vote. Read what happened next.
Filed Under: Gun Violence Tagged With: ,
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