See TODAY's Denver Post article about the AP Poll supporting impeachment.

We in Colorado have waged a tough campaign to get our four Democratic Congressmen to support impeachment.

We have pressured Rep. Udall because he is in contest for the Senate in a race considered "too close to call" in a battle ground state. As a result of our pressure his recent replies to his constituents indicate he is coming closer to calling for impeachment.

Today the Denver Post published this article about the new poll by the Associated Press and the National Constitution Center.

"WASHINGTON--Americans strongly oppose giving the president more power at the expense of Congress or the courts, even to enhance national security or the economy, according to a new poll.

Two-thirds of Americans oppose altering the balance of power among the three branches of government to strengthen the presidency, even when they thought that doing so would improve the economy or national security. People were more evenly split over giving Congress more power in the same circumstances."

You can read the entire AP poll article here:

as well as Our Challenge to Rep. Udall
to Call For Immediate Impeachment Hearings
and for extension of this session of Congress
or the calling of a special session.


Our challenge to Udall:

This is the defining moment for Rep. Udall.

"Two-thirds of Americans oppose altering the balance of power among the three branches of government to strengthen the presidency, even when they thought that doing so would improve the economy or national security", The Associated Press-National Constitution Center poll

Speaker Pelosi of the US House is suppressing impeachment resolutions and trying to quietly but quickly end this session of Congress without dealing with the massive fraud of the WMD Lies foisted on the Congress and the American people by President Bush and Vice President Cheney.

Pelosi has led the incumbent House Democrats so poorly that they have worse positive poll ratings than Bush. The Democrats desire for a filibuster proof Senate and a veto proof Congress are now at stake. The effort by Pelosi to suppress any little discussion of holding Bush and Cheney liable for misleading Congress and the American people may cost the Party the majorities they so desperately desire.

This election is still too close to call in all respects.

The Congress and the American people need a Champion now. A courageous congressman who will stand up immediately and call for impeachment hearings to begin prior to the election and who will also call for the extension of this session of the House or for a special session to deal solely with impeachment. Starting the hearings now will send a message to the entire world that the American people do not agree with the methods of the Bush Administration and that we do not wish to be perceived to be as reckless as Bush and Cheney have been. Finishing the hearings prior to the election is not as important as getting them started before the election.

As scary as they are, neither the turmoil in the markets or the War on Terror are are the greatest threat to democracy. The expansion of Presidential Power if left unchecked by the incumbent House Democrats is the great threat to our republic in our lifetime.

Incumbent House Democrats are also at a defining moment. They have in their hand the power to end the Bush war of terror against our US Constitution. The incumbent House Democrats took their Oath OF Office on the Holy Bible and made a pledge to protect Our US Constitution Against All Enemies including those "domestic", Bush and Cheney. The incumbent House Democrats must not be let off the hook on this holy responsibility.

The Impeach Colorado Coalition has opposed the promotion of Udall to the US Senate because he continues to refuse to protect the US Constitution and the power of Congress against Bush and Cheney. We believe that congressmen and congresswomen who cover up for an obviously corrupt President and Vice President are perhaps themselves corrupt.

However, careful analysis of Udall's recent reply emails to his constituents reveals he is in fact debating with himself whether or not to support impeachment hearings.

We believe that Udall will rise to the immediate need, seize this opportunity, stand up for Congress and Our Constitution and place his name high in the Annals of American History.

Please see this link link to video of Bush and Cheney's statements on WMD.

John H Kennedy, Denver CO
43 yr Democratic voter,
Obama delegate to the Denver County Convention and
organizer of the
IMPEACH COLORADO COALITION http://ImpeachCO.com

The following was released from the governor's communication office this afternoon

_______________________________________________________________ 

 

Gov. Ritter and a group of bipartisan lawmakers today announced new legislation for conducting the 2008 elections by using paper ballots at polling places while maintaining voter choice through options such as early or absentee mail voting.

"One of the most basic roles of government is to provide for elections that are fair, reliable, transparent and convenient for voters," Gov. Ritter said. "Our democracy depends not only on the people's ability to vote, but also on their confidence that every vote counts.

"This bi-partisan legislative proposal will fix the problems we face because of decertified electronic voting machines for the 2008 elections. Paper ballots are a tried-and-true election method that has worked for decades. They ensure a verifiable paper trail and minimize the possibility of technology failures that have caused Election Day problems in the past."

The legislation will be co-sponsored by Reps. Alice Madden, D-Boulder, and David Balmer, R-Centennial, and Sen. Ken Gordon, D-Denver.

"Given the constraints of the decertifications, this is the best solution we can craft," Rep. Balmer said. "We must preserve absentee voting and Election Day, precinct-based voting so that we avoid disenfranchising voters who only vote in presidential election years."

"The people of Colorado can be assured that the 2008 elections will be accessible, accurate, secure and transparent," Sen. Gordon said. "With paper ballots as the primary method of casting votes, people can feel secure knowing that there is a paper record of their vote."

"Sometimes, the old-fashioned way is the best way," Rep. Madden said. "And since my kids tell me that 'retro' style is in again, I think we're being very trendy. Let us not forget that our forefathers and foremothers fought for the right to vote. We should always be grateful for that right and exercise that right."

Previously introduced legislation should enable the Secretary of State to recertify optical scanning equipment to count ballots on election night as well as electronic voting machines for the limited purpose of providing polling-place access to voters with disabilities.

 

Gov. Ritter and legislators said they will continue working closely with the Secretary of State and county clerks to ensure successful election processes this year and in the years to come.  Click here to view Gov. Ritter's letter to the county clerks.

"Ensuring fair and accurate elections underpins our entire democracy," Gov. Ritter said. "Restoring the people's confidence in our voting system is vital. This plan will do that."

How is it that voting, a basic constitutional right, is consistently such a problem for state's to figure out how to do well. You’d think that after the Florida election morass that happened in 2000, states would have be able to get their act together enough to create a voting system that efficiently works along with ensuring voter confidence in fair and impartial elections.  Apparently not…with Secretary of State Mike Coffman decertifying many of Colorado’s electronic voting machines it has created election turmoil over how to count votes next November.  Coffman’s decisions have put him at odds with many county clerks who want an all mail-in ballot next year.  However, this apparently was not the option Coffman preferred, because yesterday he recommended to the Legislature that paper ballots be used in the fall. 

 

The result of this mire of voting uncertainty is a showdown this legislative session over election procedures in the centennial state.  Legislators have expressed mixed reactions over the debacle.  According to the Grand Junction Sentinel:

Coffman's announcement on Wednesday followed one on Monday by state Sen. Ken Gordon, D-Denver, calling for greater use of paper ballots. Gordon said he doubted the reliability of all electronic voting machines and called for legislation to avoid an election fiasco in November.

 

State Rep. Steve King, R-Grand Junction, said he was all the more interested in carrying legislation this session voiding the requirement for state certification and allowing federally certified machines to be used, an effort that state Sen. Josh Penry, R-Grand Junction, endorsed.

 

Thus a variety of camps are already forming over which is the best method to use.  While an eager group of county clerks are understandably looking to institute an easier all mail-in ballot approach.  It’s important to remember that this would likely severely hinder voting in the 18-25 year old demographic.  These are people who move frequently and often don’t update their voting address as promptly as they should.  Under the current mail-in scenario, ballots would be sent to their last registered address.  If they’ve moved and forgotten to notify their county clerk- then no ballot.   Lets hope this group is kept in mind when the leg. Reconvenes in a couple of weeks.

 

Check out the latest episode of the Colorado Progressive Pulse on iTunes!

If you haven't yet, check out the latest episode, published on Monday.

Also, we've had the blog up and running for a couple of days. A couple of the latest topics:
-John on the Dems Human Rights Campaign forum
-Jeff on Primary Shell Games
-John is cynical. No, really.
You can find it at coloradopulse.org/studentvoice.html

If you're interested in blogging for us, send us an email at coprogressivepulse@gmail.com

The Colorado Progressive Pulse is the student voice in the Colorado political conversation. The missing link in the political conversation in the state of Colorado is the student voice. In order to inject a new and fresh perspective, we recently launched a Podcast called The Colorado Progressive Pulse. As progressive student leaders at the University of Denver, we are uniquely positioned to provide candid discussion and debate in a format that appeals to students and engages them in the political process. We integrate engaging interviews, news, commentary, editorials, humor and community events. Previous guests have included Prof. Robert Prince, TJ Bowen of the Colorado Peace Alliance, Eric Kornacki from the Sustainable DU project, and Scott Wisor from the Sudan Divestment Task Force. Future confirmed guests include Seth Masket, a former White House staffer, and Democratic Speaker of the House Andrew Romanoff. By using the volatile combination of humor and analysis while simultaneously providing focus to the progressive community, The Colorado Progressive Pulse reaches out to the untapped potential of university students. CHECK US OUT on iTunes (search for Colorado Progressive Pulse) or at our website, coloradopulse.org INTERESTED IN GETTING INVOLVED? E-mail us at coprogressivepulse@gmail.com.

We ask all Progressives to Join Us at one or both of these Denver Locations on Saturday Afternoon.

If you believe that Bush & Cheney should pay a political price for lying us into the Iraq War and a myriad of other crimes....

YOU WILL SHOW UP

Thanks in advance

-------------------------------------

MEDIA ADVISORY for Saturday April 28, 2007

Contact: John H Kennedy, Denver,CO email: johnhkennedy@yahoo.com



On Saturday April 28 Colorado Citizens will rally in favor of Impeachment


Colorado activists will demonstrate their demand for impeachment of Bush and Cheney at multiple locations in Colorado as part of the National A28.Org Impeachment Day

Colorado protesters will gather Saturday April 28 at six locations, two in Denver, one each in Fort Collins, Longmont, Greeley and Salida.

The first Denver rally will start at noon at East 6th and Speer and last for one hour.

The second Denver rally will start at 1:30 pm at Lincoln and Colfax, in front of the State Capital and in view of both of Colorado's two largest daily newspapers.

The activists will shout their demand that President Bush and Vice President Cheney be made to pay at least a political price for lying to Congress and the Voters about WMD and other questionable facts in order to obtain Congressional approval for the invasion and occupation of Iraq. If Voters lied to Congress to cause a war we'd probably go to jail. We believe Bush and Cheney should be held accountable to the same rule of law.

The groups insist that all of Colorado's Democratic Congressmen and Congresswoman Co-Sponsor US Rep. Kucinich's Articles Of Impeachment.

A quote from the A28 website: George Bush and Dick Cheney have lied the nation into a war of aggression, are spying in open violation of the law, and have sanctioned the use of torture. These are high crimes and misdemeanors that demand accountability through the Constitutional mechanism of impeachment. Since Congress doesn't seem to get it, we're calling on all Americans who stand for truth, freedom, and justice to join us on April 28 and spell it out for them: IMPEACH!


----------------------

The Denver A28 events are Sponsored by these activist groups

WeeklyVigilsToImpeach.US Link

We perform Weekly Vigils To Impeach and To Stop The War Now,
on Tuesday at Rep. DeGette's office, E 6th & Grant and
on Wednesday at the Colorado State Capital, Lincoln and 14th.
Both events start at Noon for one hour.
These Weekly Vigils were first held on Jan. 24, 2007 and will continue until Impeachment occurs.

Impeachment By The People Link

Progressive Democrats Of Colorado http://pdcolorado.org

Colorado Chapter OF World Can't Wait Link


Information on the events in Fort Collins, Longmont, Greeley and Salida can be found by going to the website http://www.A28.org

For more information from A28.Org itself email: info@a28.org

Two things you can do to help US Rep. Kucinich succeed
in Impeaching Cheney are:

1. Memorize this phone number... 800-828-0498 and use it often.

(it is one of a number of toll free ways to contact
your Congressman/Senator's Office)


2. Call the number and ask for your Congressman
(if you don't know who that is tell them where you live
and they will connect you to the correct office.)

Tell your Congressman to become a 'Co-Sponsor' on
US Rep. Kucinich's Articles of Impeachment.

Then call all other Colorado Democratic Congressmem/women
offices to make the same request.

Then call US Rep. Kucinich's office and leave a message
thanking him for having the guts to do this.

I have used this number frequently and get through quickly.

It should take only a few minutes to say something like..

"My name is John Kennedy of Denver, Co and I support
Representative Kucinich's filing of Articles of Impeachment
against VP Cheney and I urge you to become a Co-Sponsor."

Simple, yes?


Go for it.............

Since Jan 24 our group PNA 1stProtestInTheStreet.Org Link
has through it's project website
WeeklVigilsToImpeach.US Link
has held two weekly vigils-protests per week to

a. Stop The Iraq War ( Now! and save
the 800 US Soldiers who will be killed
and the 8000 who will be seriously wounded
prior to the
fantasy withdrawal dates that have been proposed in 2008.

b. Impeach Bush and Cheney
for lying to Congress to get an OK to go to War
( and a few other reasons of course)

Many members of ProgressNowAction.Org have emailed us
or signed up on the Calendar listings
to say they were coming to the
Stop Iraq War Now protests.

The only one who 'ever' showed up was Mike Collins last week
and we were thrilled...

Thanks Mike.

As a Vietnam Vet you know this is important
and you put your feet on the street that day to support
our effort to 'support the troops' by bringing them home.

We hope that today and each Wednesday more of you will attend and show our Colorado and Washington legislators that Stopping The War Now and Impeaching Bush/Cheney are important to you.

Todays event listing: Link

We had a little fun with 'Foxy' the fox today... NO, not That Kind of Fun!

We heard that Frontier was doing a Campaign Interview style promo for the 'Foxy' Frontier's Favorite Animal at the Civic Center today across from the City Hall. So we thought this would be great test of our Concept of Instant Vigils.

We flew downtown and did a 'one indian' to their 'circle the wagons' maneuver. The media types applauded my arrival but grumbled later when they had trouble getting a shot without our signs in the background.

Our sign on one side said.

Call Foxy and tell her to
Stop the Iraq War
and impeach Bush

and on the other side

Call Foxy and say
Stop the War and
impeach Bush.

Amazing the amount of eyeballs these signs got.

It was Fun...
you all shoulda been there.

Maybe next time, eh! Join Us.
Impeachment can be fun.

John

WeeklyVigilsToImpeach.Us
Link

ProgressNowAction Member
Link

Last week at the Capital we had a good group of activists. Our efforts were rewarded by motorists, pedestrians and bicyclists with a lot of honking and waving.

The Iraq War was the central issue of the 2006 Election and the public still wants Bush and Cheney held accountable.

During World War II Franklin D. Roosevelt had four (4) Republican led investigations going against him. The last finished up after his death. They were trying to prove he knew in advance about Pearl Harbor and failed to warn the military in Hawaii. they never succeeded in making the charge stick.

If the greatest US war President of modern times can have this much oversight, why is Bush and Cheney about to get away with lying to Congress in order to get permission to invade snother country?

We wonder when the Democrats who campaigned against Bush's Iraq WMD lies and Iraq Invasion Outcome will begin to hold serious investigations, hearings and if warranted impeachment? Will it ever happen?


Our group will be there to remind them... and you are all invited to stand with us.

We'll be there...

Every Wednesday Noon at the State Capital ( Lincoln & 14th) and

Every Thursday Noon at DeGette's Office ( East 6th & Grant)
There is a proposal to move this vigil around to different US Reps offices each week day. Tell us what you think about this.

We have extra signs if you don't. If your schedule is tight, come and stay for only a few minutes. It all helps.

Our group

Link
1stProtestinTheStreet.org
is having a MeetUp 7 pm TONIGHT at the Hooked On Colfax Coffee House (w/ Free Wifi ) at 3215 East Colfax Ave, Denver. Anyone interested in the possibility of holding Bush and Cheney accountable for their crimes is welcome to join us. We believe that we can put enough public pressure on our US Representatives we might be able to cause a Bill of impeachment. ( Yes..especially the Democrats we elected... the ones who dissed Bush/Cheney so, who now are Congressmen who have the power to Impeach).

We are doing two weekly vigils so far, one on
">Link
Wednesdays at Noon at the State Capital in Denver and on Link
Thursdays at Noon at US Rep. DeGette's Denver Office at East 6th & Grant. The purpose of the Wednesday and Thursday Vigils is to attract the attention of our State Legislature. our two Daily Newspapers, and the public. We hope that someone in the Legislature will carry a bill to ask the US House to begin proceedings on Impeachment (as New Mexico's Democrats are doing).

We hope the newpapers will consider that if Bill Clinton can be brought up on Impeachment for lying about sex... then perhaps the more serious offense of lying to Congress ( and Voters) just before a vote on War Resolution should require the same journalistic attention.

We hope the public will begin to see that this ( lying to Congress) is a more serious matter even than the Iraq War itself (if that is possible). The previous 'do nothing' Republican Congress was not much of a check on Bush's Imperial ambitions and our current Democratic Congress' Leadership would like to ignore impeachment and 'move on 'as they say, and hope it just goes away. What they are trying to ignore is the fact that all of Bush's lies and Signing Statements add up to a huge expansion of Presidential Power. We need to protect our grandchildren from the future Imperial excesses of the next President RunAmuck, regardless of which party they come from.

We need to put the Fear Of Impeachment into all future presidential candidates.

Bush doesn't think the Congress will call his bluff and impeach him, so he will push his supposed 'powers' to the limit. Democratic leaders in the House and Senate are kidding themselves if they think he will back off. And even if he does, shouldn't he be held accountable for lying to Congress about a War resolution in the first place... to prevent this from recurring? And about the 700 plus Signing Statements. Saying he will ignore US Laws, after taking an Oath to Uphold them.

I'll stop now....

See you tonight at Hooked On Colfax,
and Wed. at the Capital,
and Thursday at DeGette's Office

PS... We've already started getting Push Back, from Democrats no less, about Vigiling in front of DeGette's Office. Why her they say... Well.. she is in a 'safe' seat, she now has powerful positions on very important Congressional Committees. She Can support this without endangering her re-election far more than other Democratic US Reps.

As a lifelong Democrat, I've voted for DeGette in every election and carried signs for her and probably will do so in the future. I think she is Super. However, I think she and all the other Democratic Reps will duck Impeachment if we let them. We will Vigil at other Colorado US Representative's offices as soon as we have the volunteers (all of them).
join us.

I've been interning with Maria this past week and a half, working to organize house parties all over the state, in support of Colorado's new minimum wage initiative. It's been a lot of work, and a lot of emails and voicemail messages, but the event is finally out of our hands. Tonight, at six o'clock, activists from all across the state will convene at seventeen different house parties, from Rifle to Pueblo to Greeley. At six thirty, these house parties will join a statewide conference call with Senator John Edwards, and many others will call in of their own accord.   Read More »

How does one, 20 minute tape of material allow for a teacher to be forced to go on leave? Thought provoking questions and statements should be encouraged--leave it up to the students to define their positon on controversial issues rather than telling them their position.   Read More »

Unfortunately, this is how Colorado is rated by the national organization NARAL Pro Choice. This means that the coming legislation protecting women's choice is that much more important and needed. A "D" rating is unacceptable.



Protesters rally at Planned Parenthood

March 2, 2006
By Chuck Slothower | Herald Staff Writer

Colorado received a "D" grade for abortion rights from NARAL. Seventy-eight percent of Colorado counties do not have an abortion provider, according to the organization.

This is a really significant step forward for women, as support for a woman's right to use over the counter Emergency Contraception is acquired on the CU campus from both political parties. Personal choices should not be controlled by the government. This agreeance on the CU campus should be a model for Democrats and Republicans all over the country, at all levels of government and political activity. It's not simply a matter of Republicans vs. Democrats. It's a matter of women having control of their own bodies.   Read More »

Rocky Mountain News


Abortion proposal tweaked
By Jean Torkelson, Rocky Mountain News
February 23, 2006

Sponsors of a proposed initiative on late-term abortion are making what they call "voter friendly" word changes after a recent poll showed lower-than-expected support.

The Legislative Council will rule today on whether the changes are substantial enough to require a hearing.

The initiative has gone through four changes since September, the most recent one last month. All changes must be approved by the Legislative Council and the title board before sponsors can seek voter signatures to get the initiative on the November ballot.

Now those steps must be retraced.   Read More »

Higher-ed bills come fast and furious

By MATT WILLIAMS Colorado Daily Staff Writer
Tuesday, February 21, 2006 9:14 PM MST

Bills on higher education are multiplying seven weeks into this year's session of the state Legislature.

State lawmakers have introduced about 20 bills related to colleges and universities so far, including legislation that would require all institutions to adopt a post-tenure review procedure for faculty members as well as a bill that would give students the opportunity to sign a consent form to notify relatives when they are suicidal.

Most higher education bills are stuck in committees right now as lawmakers continue to tweak them; others are in transit between the House and Senate.

State Sen. Ron Tupa, D-Boulder, told the Colorado Daily on Tuesday that bills on higher education are all vying for the same $4 billion that Referendum C, the state's temporary budget fix, will make available over the next five years.

It has created a landscape of "competing interests" at the Legislature, he said.

Tupa is member of the Senate Education Committee.

"I'd like to see more go into financial aid for the students, and if that comes as a College Opportunity Fund increase, which I'm hearing that it will, I'd like to just see more money assisting students get in and out of college," Tupa said.   Read More »

Women won't "just get over" reproductive freedom

By Diane Carman
Denver Post Staff Columnist
DenverPost.com

I will fight against anybody, including those in my own party, who say abortion should be a litmus test.

- Sen. Ken Salazar,

endorsing Bill Ritter for governor.

So it's come to this. The right to privacy in a fundamental health-care decision is trivialized as a petty, narrow, political litmus test.

With women making up 58 percent of Democratic voters in the state, Salazar's threat is a risky strategy.

"I don't think that was necessary," said Dottie Lamm, a Democratic pro-choice advocate for 40 years. "I think he could have made that pitch for solidarity without alienating the very people he was trying to bring in."

Lamm has not leapt aboard the Ritter bandwagon - at least not yet.

"I'm still kind of reeling from John Hickenlooper's decision not to run," she said. "I'm feeling very ambivalent."

It's going around.

Senate President Joan Fitz-Gerald said Salazar's office has encouraged her to endorse Ritter. But his unwillingness to support women's reproductive rights still makes her uncomfortable.

"I understand where he is on this issue," she said. "It's not where I am."

Judging by the storm of calls and e-mails to NARAL Pro-Choice Colorado on Wednesday, the abortion issue is not going to go away just because Salazar says that it should.

"For the 1 million women of childbearing age in Colorado, the issue of nongovernmental interference in their private, personal lives is of paramount importance," said Kathryn Wittneben, executive director of Colorado NARAL. "Women's reproductive rights are fundamental freedoms that cannot be lightly dismissed by political candidates for political gains."   Read More »

The woman warrior
By Ellen Goodman | February 7, 2006

WHEN THE news came of Betty Friedan's death on her 85th birthday, I remembered Aug. 26, 1970, the Women's Strike for Equality. I remembered Betty Friedan parading down New York's Fifth Avenue, with tens of thousands of exhilarated women behind her.

I also remembered the afternoon edition of my paper illustrating that march with two front-page photos. On the left was the pretty, blond, smiling figurehead of some unknown group of Happy Homemakers. On the right was Betty Friedan, mouth open in midshout, face contorted, as unattractive a photo of this woman as was ever chosen by any editor. Under both pictures ran a simple, loaded question: Which one do you choose?

This came to mind not only because Betty won her place in the history books. It reminded me of what this passionate and irascible, strong-willed, and difficult woman was up against: a culture with prescribed roles for women and harsh ways of slapping down those who didn't conform.

Betty Friedan, author and agitator, most assuredly did not conform. Not to Peoria, Ill., where she grew up. Not to suburbia, where she raised her children. Not even, always, to feminism.

She was born the year after suffrage passed. Her book, the book, ''The Feminine Mystique," was published in 1963, the year that Adlai Stevenson told my graduating class at Radcliffe how important our education would be in raising our children. It was released to paperback and fame in 1964, the year I worked in the sex-segregated research pool at Newsweek magazine -- and thought I was lucky to have the job.

It's easy to forget now what it was like before Betty named ''the problem that had no name" and, in futurist Alvin Toffler's words, ''pulled the trigger on history." We know how far women have come, but for every woman who believes life has improved, there is another who believes that life has become more stressful. Some of us believe both things at the same time.   Read More »