Devout Democrats

Matthew 25

admin — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 12:18:44 -0600

The Matthew 25 Network is a community of Christians – Catholic, Protestant, Pentecostal, and Evangelical – inspired by the Gospel mandate to put our faith into action to care for our neighbor, especially the most vulnerable.

As a newly formed Political Action Committee, the Matthew 25 Network is reaching out to America's diverse Christian communities in support of Senator Barack Obama. They are raising money to advertise on Christian radio, reach voters of faith, and respond to attacks against Obama.

Learn more about the Matthew 25 Network at their website: www.matthew25.org.

Obama's Council for Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships

kbolton — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 08:50:26 -0600

Remarks of Senator Barack Obama
(As prepared for delivery)
Tuesday, July 1, 2008
Zanesville, Ohio

You know, faith based groups like East Side Community Ministry carry a particular meaning for me. Because in a way, they're what led me into public service. It was a Catholic group called The Campaign for Human Development that helped fund the work I did many years ago in Chicago to help lift up neighborhoods that were devastated by the closure of a local steel plant.

Will John McCain Ever Denounce John Hagee's Views?

kbolton — Wed, 14 May 2008 08:19:02 -0600

Washington, DC - Reverend John Hagee this week apologized for his offensive comments about Catholics.

Despite spending a year courting Hagee's endorsement and refusing to distance himself from the controversial pastor, John McCain reportedly played no role in the apology. McCain has repeatedly refused to publicly denounce Hagee's discriminatory comments about women, African-Americans, America Muslims or LGBT Americans or renounce Hagee's endorsement.

"Now that Reverend Hagee is apologizing for his anti-Catholic comments, does John McCain think that Hagee should also apologize for his other comments? If so will he have the courage to say so publicly? said Democratic National Committee Communications Director Karen Finney.

Human Rights First Calls for Action on Price Bill

admin — Wed, 16 Jan 2008 16:53:34 -0700

Congressman David Price (D-NC) today participated in a press conference unveiling a new Human Right First report on the government’s management and supervision of private contractors in the war zone.

The report – entitled “Private Contractors at War: Ending the Culture of Impunity" – calls upon Congress to enact Price’s legislation (H.R. 2740) to ensure that all war contractors are held accountable under the U.S. criminal code. The group also urges the Justice Department to use its current authority to investigate and prosecute cases of potential contractor abuse that have been documented in the media.

“The Human Rights First report is a milestone, a clarion call for immediate action to address a problem that has plagued the U.S. missions in Iraq and Afghanistan from the start,” Price said in a speech this morning. “I sincerely hope that the Senate will act soon and that the Administration will cooperate with our efforts [to pass my contractor accountability legislation].”

Statement from the Rev. Barber, NC NAACP

admin — Thu, 20 Dec 2007 08:06:17 -0700

Statement from the Rev. Dr. William Barber, President of the North Carolina NAACP:

"The light of Christmas has shown on the dark nightmare that James Johnson has suffered for 42 months in a false incarceration on murder, rape, and kidnapping charges without a trial. Tonight the special prosecutor dismissed all murder, rape and kidnaping charges against him. It is a major victory for truth and justice.

"James is an innocent young man who was falsely accused. It is not yet a total victory because one count of accessory remains, but we will celebrate tonight, and pick up the fight tomorrow for James' full exoneration tomorrow."

To read full media coverage of the case and to add your comments, go to
http://www.ncprosecutorialmisconduct.com

Huckabee: The Man From Target

DIYDemocracy — Fri, 14 Dec 2007 14:57:49 -0700

Gail Collins, New York Times Op

Huckabee! Huckabee! The man of the hour! What is it that voters love so much about this guy? Is it a hitherto inchoate yearning for a president who knows less about international affairs than they do? Hope that a man who can lose 100 pounds could also get rid of the federal deficit?

Mike is soaring ahead in the early polls, in a surge to the front of the pack that suggests Republicans cannot come to grips with the idea that they are supposed to nominate either Mitt Romney or Rudy Giuliani for president. There has to be a way out! What about Huckabee? He has a good heart! True, his brain doesn’t seem to have a single thought about foreign policy or know much about domestic policy, for that matter. But one well-functioning body part is better than nothing.

Bush Vetoes Heath Insurance for Children (again)

admin — Wed, 12 Dec 2007 16:10:36 -0700

Jennifer Loven, Associated Press

President Bush vetoed legislation Wednesday that would have expanded government-provided health insurance for children, his second slap-down of a bipartisan effort in Congress to dramatically increase funding for the popular program.

It was Bush's seventh veto in seven years - all but one coming since Democrats took control of Congress in January. Wednesday was the deadline for Bush to act or let the bill become law. The president also vetoed an earlier, similar bill expanding the health insurance program.

Bush vetoed the bill in private.

In a statement notifying Congress of his decision, Bush said the bill was unacceptable because - like the first one - it allows adults into the program, would cover people in families with incomes above the U.S. median and raises taxes.

Facts on H.R. 4156

admin — Wed, 14 Nov 2007 08:16:18 -0700

Fact Sheet on H.R. 4156, Orderly and Responsible Iraq Redeployment Appropriations Act

As The War Continues in its Fifth Year, Congress Has a Critical Choice:

Endorse the President’s 10-Year War With No End in Sight, or
Hold the President Accountable, Requiring Redeployment of Our Troops to Start within 30 Days of Enactment with a Goal for Completion in One Year

Congress Won’t Provide A Blank Check; Instead Is Holding the President Accountable

Today, the House has a critical choice to make:

Gov. Easley Announces NC Americorps Members Make A Difference

ahg0606 — Wed, 31 Oct 2007 15:18:37 -0600

500 Members Participate In Service Projects To Celebrate National 2007 “Make A Difference Day”

Gov. Mike Easley announced today that about 500 North Carolina AmeriCorps members across the state participated in service projects throughout October to observe national 2007 “Make A Difference Day.” The projects brought together charitable organizations, corporations and citizens to improve communities and help neighbors in need.

“Make A Difference Day is a tremendous opportunity for N.C. AmeriCorps members and others to participate in community service projects together,” said Easley. “These events inspire all citizens to continue helping others throughout the year.”

Make A Difference Day is the largest community service effort in the nation. According to USA Weekend Magazine, creator of the event, three million people across the country participated in last year’s day of service, helping an estimated 20 million people.

The 10 AmeriCorps programs in North Carolina sponsored events for Make A Difference Day.

Some of this year’s projects included:

Republicans Fail North Carolina's Children

kbolton — Thu, 18 Oct 2007 12:29:15 -0600

On any given playground in North Carolina, 13 out of 100 children don’t have health insurance.

That makes it harder to see a pediatrician if asthma makes it harder for them to play on the school soccer team or treat other illnesses like juvenile diabetes.

Today, Republican Robin Hayes and the rest of North Carolina’s Republican delegation made sure that it stays that way.

They voted against overriding President Bush’s veto of the State Children Health Insurance Program (SCHIP).

By pushing the red, “no” button, Hayes just denied 116,000 North Carolina children health care.

Republicans try to downplay that ugly reality by distorting the facts, smearing a 12-year-old boy and his family, and accusing Democrats of weaving a gauzy haze of sob stories to confuse the public.

By standing with President Bush and against American families, Republicans refuse to face the cold, hard reality is that even in this land of abundant prosperity real, working families have a hard time making ends meet.