Public Comment: DOJ Public Comment on DNA Collection

SOURCE: AfterDowningStreet.org

The Justice Department is making this proposal as part of a rule for implementing the DNA Fingerprint Act of 2005. The new rule would require federal agencies to:

· Collect DNA samples of _everyone_ arrested at the time of arrest (prior to conviction – that is, when you are still supposed to be considered innocent)

· Collect DNA samples of every non-citizen when detained by federal authorities (not arrested, charged or convicted, just detained!)

· /And/, the rule would allow private contractors to collect the DNA samples.

Submit your comment via Regulations.gov: United States' Public Comment Site.

Noam Chomsky on Indoctrination

Got this interesting quote from the Information Clearing House daily news digest:

For those who stubbornly seek freedom, there can be no more urgent task than to come to understand the mechanisms and practices of indoctrination. These are easy to perceive in the totalitarian societies, much less so in the system of 'brainwashing under freedom' to which we are subjected and in which all too often we serve as unwilling instruments. Noam Chomsky

"Cutting Gas Taxes Will Not Matter"

With the rising cost of gasoline, one would think that Americans would stop complaining and do something. Robert Harding of The Albany Project blog post "Cutting Gas Taxes Will Not Matter" sums up the challenge best:

We need a national solution for this problem. The market price of oil needs to drop so that gas prices can drop. It is easy to start slashing taxes, but taxes are not the problem. The problem is the rising cost of oil and oil companies that are probably cheering like the won the lottery every day the price of gas gets closer to $4 per gallon.

Here are my suggestions:

DIVEST! Do you know where your retirement fund is invested? If not you need to find out. It could be that you are investing in the very companies that are working against the nation's interest. You have choices. Move your retirement funds into socially responsible investments like products offered by ShoreBank Pacific. Or invest in funds that engage in stockholder activism like Green Century Funds.

Pick up a pen and/or the phone and let your elected representatives know you are tired of her/his silence on this issue. Many of your elected representatives are directly invested in the major gas companies, and let she/he know if something is not done, he/she will no longer have your vote in upcoming elections.

Contact your representatives by visiting

Project Vote Smart: Type in your zip code for a list of current representatives.


The Green Papers: View upcoming elections at the State and Federal levels of government.

Sean Bell Verdict Response: get involved in local politics!

The only way to stop police brutality is to change the laws that protect this type of behavior.

Protesting was effective in the 60s because the media, even if misrepresenting the truth, provided an open platform for speech.

However, in our current state on monopolized media protesting is not effective in spearheading political change. The only way to do this is to challenge the authorities with your voice. Let them know if change does NOT occur, she/he will lose a political seat.

Remember ALL POLITICS IS LOCAL, the national government political power starts at the municipality and State governments.

Find your representative and speak out against Police Brutality in New York State:

New York State Assembly (equal to the United States House of Representatives)
http://assembly.state.ny.us/mem/

New York State Senate (equal to the United States Senate)
http://www.senate.state.ny.us/sdlookup.nsf/Public_search?OpenForm

New York State Governor
http://www.ny.gov/governor/

Also, support organizations that work vigilantly every day to protect the civil liberties of Americans:

PoliceAbuse.com: http://www.policeabuse.com/

New York State Defenders Association: http://www.nysda.org/html/police_misconduct.html#ResearchLinks

Learn how to speak to Populist Party voters

The Populist Party provides a platform for opinions to be published. Do not miss an opportunity to connect with a dedicated and committed voter base.

Populist Party site submission guidelines can be found at PopulistAmerica.com

For more information on the Populist Party subscribe to the Populist Party Blog!

The Populist Party declares that the time has come for each citizen of the United States to claim true autonomy over his or her own personage, and exclaim, at last, that they are the true sovereign over themselves, and that the People themselves are the constituent sovereign of our nation. Local Democracy in America will serve as a bulwark for the freedom and liberty of the People.

Top Lobbying Groups in the United States

It is important for campaigns to know which lobby organizations are helping to sculpt the laws and policies at various levels of government. Political hopefuls shoud have relationships with these groups.

Even though there is a growing opposition to lobbying, these groups often provide funding to campaigns if it appears that you holding office will be a benefit for the organization's constituents. These groups have access to significant portions of the voting public and can provide access that otherwise might be unattainable via the mainstream media.

Having a negative relationship with certain lobby groups might even bring media interest. Taking this route however must be done tactfully. These groups have significant power with the media and can use this "opposition" against a campaign.

Learn about the top lobbyist in the United States via Jo-Son.com Consulting's Top Lobbying Groups

How to become a Republican Delegate

1. You MUST be at least 18 years of age
2. You MUST be a registered voter
3. Each State has a different rules for becoming a delegate. Contact your State's Republican Committee Office for information: http://www.gop.com/Connect/States.aspx

"Uh-Obama: Racism, White Voters and the Myth of Color-Blindness"

Tim Wise is probably the clearest voice today on Race in the United States. His essays and lectures speak "truth to power" and challenge Americans from all walks of life to assess her/his perceptions about our nation's history.

SOURCE: "Uh-Obama: Racism, White Voters and the Myth of Color-Blindness"

In short, the success of Barack Obama has proven, perhaps more so than any other single thing could, just how powerful race remains in America. His success, far from disproving white power and privilege, confirms it with a vengeance.

Read Time Wise's essay: "Uh-Obama: Racism, White Voters and the Myth of Color-Blindness"

Resist AFRICOM & Win an Election

Keep the US Military out of Africa! Support Resist AFRICOM

Local politicians have a responsibility to make sure there is enough money to maintain our society.

Constantly sending tax dollars abroad in the form of wealth transfers to military companies places a larger burden on localities and States to maintain services. An even greater moral burden arises as citizens of targeted countries suffer immensely under unnecessary military operations that do not thing to promote human rights.

Local politicians who have not taken into account the growing burden of the US Military Industrial Complex will no longer be able to justify extensive local and state taxes. These politicians will find it harder to maintain political appointments, in the face of a never ending tax burden.

Local politicians and potential political office holders should be in contact with representatives at the Central Government, lobbying the concerns of constituents, and closely monitoring Congress financial actions. For information on candidates visit Vote-Smart.org.